![\"Wedding](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bride-hugging-a-woman.jpg\")
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Weddings are full of unwritten rules and traditions that guests are expected to know about, which is why <\/span>wedding guest etiquette<\/span> can be a little stressful \u2014 it\u2019s assumed even though it isn\u2019t always explained.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Thankfully, we\u2019ve written it all down to help you navigate the challenges of <\/span>wedding guest etiquette.<\/span> With this expert guide, you\u2019ll discover must-know rules and popular etiquette suggestions so you can enjoy the wedding experience with thoughtfulness and confidence.<\/span> Some <\/span>wedding etiquette<\/span> is obvious, while other preferences aren\u2019t so easy to recognize unless you\u2019re a <\/span>wedding planner<\/span> or seasoned <\/span>wedding guest<\/span>. Here are the top <\/span>wedding guest etiquette<\/span> rules of thumb <\/span>we think you need to know about before heading to the ceremony.<\/span><\/p>\n Design: Laura Bolter Design<\/p><\/div>\n Many couples send <\/span>save the dates<\/strong><\/span><\/a> about six months to a year before the nuptials to let guests know the planned wedding date and location. This notification acts as a \u201cplease keep the date free\u201d and you\u2019re not expected to respond. However, something you should respond to as soon as possible is the <\/span>wedding invitation<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n If the couple sends paper <\/span>wedding invitations<\/span> with <\/span>RSVP cards<\/span>, you should mail that in as soon as you can. If they opt for the convenience of<\/span> digital invitations<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, you\u2019ll be able to reply with a \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cwith regrets\u201d in just a few clicks. Replying soon after you receive the invitation isn\u2019t just good form \u2014 it also helps the couple finalize their<\/span> wedding guest list<\/strong><\/span><\/a> and provide an accurate <\/span>headcount<\/span> to their <\/span>caterers<\/span> and <\/span>wedding venue<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>happy couple<\/span> will have spent a <\/span>lot of time<\/span> on <\/span>wedding planning<\/span> before you even receive their invitation. There\u2019s a good chance they\u2019ll have a<\/span>\u00a0wedding website<\/strong><\/span><\/a> so use this to your advantage and check their site as part of your pre-<\/span>wedding plans<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>wedding website<\/span> will usually contain all the information you need to make attending as a guest easy. It\u2019ll contain details like the <\/span>dress code<\/span>, venue address and parking details, gift registry, menu, and any other key information.<\/span><\/p>\n Not every wedding has a strict <\/span>dress code<\/span>, but whether it\u2019s a<\/span>\u00a0black tie wedding<\/strong><\/span><\/a> or something entirely more relaxed, it\u2019s good <\/span>wedding guest etiquette<\/span> to follow the<\/span> wedding dress code<\/strong><\/span><\/a> as closely as you can. Check the invite or <\/span>wedding website<\/span> for a <\/span>dress code<\/span>, or ask the <\/span>happy couple<\/span> if you\u2019re not sure. You don\u2019t want to show up over- or under-dressed.<\/span><\/p>\n One of the age-old traditions that many wedding guests still observe is not wearing a <\/span>white dress<\/span> to the ceremony or reception. If one or more of the soon-to-be <\/span>newlyweds<\/span> is wearing a <\/span>wedding dress<\/span>, avoid the color that they\u2019re wearing \u2014 whether that\u2019s a traditional white or a more unusual color like dark red or black. (Hey, some couples love a <\/span>goth wedding<\/a><\/strong>!)<\/span><\/p>\n Wearing the same color as the bride(s) is considered a <\/span>faux pas<\/span> for the <\/span>big day<\/span>, as it\u2019s seen as an attempt to take attention away from her. It\u2019s also worth asking what color any groomsmen or <\/span>bridesmaids<\/span> are wearing, so you can avoid matching them too closely as well.<\/span><\/p>\n The time on the <\/span>wedding invitation<\/span> is when the ceremony or reception starts, not the moment you should arrive. While savvy couples will write a time earlier than the expected start time, this isn\u2019t always a guarantee. As such, plan to arrive early enough so that you\u2019re ready for the ceremony to start at the stated time. Make arrangements to get to the <\/span>wedding venue<\/span> early, with a backup plan to avoid being late.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>wedding day<\/span> is all about the couple, and some choose to introduce a \u201cno children\u201d rule. If that\u2019s what the couple has chosen, it\u2019s essential to respect this. If you have children and want to attend, it\u2019s time to find a <\/span>babysitter<\/span>. If you\u2019re a close <\/span>family member<\/span>, it\u2019s acceptable to ask if there\u2019s an exception for the family at the ceremony or reception but do so without expectations.<\/span><\/p>\n Most<\/span> formal wedding invitations<\/a><\/strong> will be written out exactly to the intended guests while more casual invites might include mention of a <\/span>plus one<\/span> or <\/span>significant other<\/span>. However your invites are addressed, only ever attend with the named person or number of guests you\u2019ve been allocated.<\/span><\/p>\n Unexpected guests are a nightmare moment for the couple as there\u2019s nowhere for them to sit, no meal for them to eat, and no provision for them in any planned activities. It\u2019s a huge <\/span>faux pas<\/span> to bring uninvited guests to a wedding ceremony or reception, so avoid this at all costs.<\/span><\/p>\n We all want to capture the memories, but sometimes it\u2019s best to leave this to the official photographers. For the wedding ceremony at the very least, put your phone away and enjoy the moment.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>happy couple<\/span> wants to see their loved ones\u2019 faces smiling back at them after they say \u201c<\/span>I do<\/span>\u201d \u2014 not a wall of phones pointing at them. Unless the couple has specifically requested the use of phones for a particular moment or reason, let them enjoy their <\/span>nuptials<\/span>, <\/span>readings<\/span>, and blessings in peace. You can save the <\/span>cell phone<\/span> snaps for later at the reception.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>newlyweds<\/span> have painstakingly put together the <\/span>seating chart<\/span> for a reason, so it\u2019s proper <\/span>wedding guest etiquette<\/span> to observe it. Now is not the time to play musical chairs. Respect the <\/span>seating chart<\/span> and find your seat, then chat with your seat buddies. After the formal meal, you can always get up and mingle with anyone, but avoid swapping seats during the sit-down phase of the reception.<\/span><\/p>\n Apart from the <\/span>newlywed<\/span> couple, another person to be mindful of on the <\/span>big day<\/span> is the wedding photographer and\/or videographer. They\u2019re there to capture the day so the couple have photos and videos to look back on, and it\u2019s essential that you don\u2019t get in their way.<\/span><\/p>\n If they ask you to please move or make way for them, do so. You don\u2019t want to be the person who spoils an otherwise beautiful shot because you don\u2019t want to step aside for a moment. Don\u2019t block their shot with your camera phone either \u2014 it\u2019s fine to snap some photos during the reception, but not at the expense of the official <\/span>wedding photos<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n While we\u2019re on the subject of photos, it\u2019s important to mention another crucial wedding guest etiquette rule: do not share photos from the <\/span>wedding day<\/span> in real-time. Unless the couple has explicitly said it\u2019s fine and has given you a <\/span>hashtag<\/span> to encourage sharing, avoid posting photos from the day on your social media feeds.<\/span><\/p>\n Many couples like to be the first to share their <\/span>wedding photos<\/span> and snippets from their day, and it\u2019s absolutely our job as polite guests to respect that. If you\u2019re ever not sure, ask the maid of honor or another member of the <\/span>wedding party<\/span> about the <\/span>newlywed<\/span>\u2019s preference.<\/span><\/p>\n Weddings are often a time for enjoying a few drinks and dancing the night away. While it goes without saying, be judicious and don\u2019t overindulge to the point of being a nuisance.<\/span><\/p>\n That means even if there\u2019s an <\/span>open bar<\/span>, stick to your limits. The last thing you want to do is accidentally spill red wine all over the chair <\/span>rentals<\/span> \u2014 not only will you cost your friend their deposit, but they might just think differently of you after the <\/span>big day<\/span> is over.<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019ve been to events where the<\/span> wedding guest book<\/strong><\/span><\/a> has remained mostly empty. Although it\u2019s a more traditional idea, it\u2019s still something that many couples like to do as a keepsake.<\/span><\/p>\n If the couple has presented a <\/span>guest book<\/span>, please take a moment to sign it with thoughtful <\/span>wedding wishes<\/a><\/strong>. Add a message of joy, mention a fond memory, or add your <\/span>wedding congratulations<\/strong><\/span><\/a> and sign the note with your name.<\/span><\/p>\n Weddings are a big life event, and it\u2019s considered a big <\/span>faux pas<\/span> to ignore<\/span> wedding gift<\/strong> etiquette<\/strong><\/span><\/a> and show up empty-handed. A<\/span>lways follow the couple’s wishes or preferences if they’ve been communicated to you, but otherwise it\u2019s expected to bring a gift.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For example, if the couple is hosting a destination wedding, it wouldn\u2019t be a good idea to bring a gift that they now have to worry about transporting home.<\/span> Even if the couple has requested no gifts, it\u2019s a nice gesture to give a wedding card with a heartfelt message or send a <\/span>congratulations card<\/strong><\/span><\/a> after the <\/span>big day<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s simply in bad taste to attend the ceremony and then skip out before the wedding reception starts. Sometimes there\u2019s a delay between the ceremony and reception and people decide to leave early, but we\u2019d encourage you to stay if you can.<\/span><\/p>\n If you genuinely can\u2019t stay beyond watching the couple tie <\/span>the knot<\/span>, let them know in advance. They\u2019d much rather know you can\u2019t stay than unexpectedly miss your presence on the <\/span>dance floor<\/span> later on.<\/span><\/p>\n On a similar note, only change your <\/span>RSVP<\/span> details if you absolutely need to. Don\u2019t drop out at the <\/span>last minute<\/span> or make any sudden changes to who you\u2019re bringing as your guest.<\/span><\/p>\n The couple will have already sent their <\/span>headcount<\/span> to the venue, <\/span>caterers<\/span>, and any other vendors in advance of the <\/span>big day<\/span>
\n<\/p>\n16 Must-Know <\/b>Wedding Guest Etiquette<\/b> Guidelines<\/b><\/h2>\n
1. <\/b>RSVP<\/b> to the <\/b>Wedding Invitation<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Wedding](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Lush-Floral-Arch-Invitation.jpg\")
2. Check the <\/b>Wedding Website<\/b><\/h3>\n
3. Follow the <\/b>Dress Code<\/b><\/h3>\n
4. Don\u2019t Wear a <\/b>White Dress<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Bride](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bride-smiling-at-her-guest.jpg\")
<\/p>\n5. Arrive Early<\/b><\/h3>\n
6. Respect a \u201cNo Children\u201d Rule<\/b><\/h3>\n
7. Don\u2019t Bring Extra Guests<\/b><\/h3>\n
8. Put Your <\/b>Cell Phone<\/b> Away During the Ceremony<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Person](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/person-using-a-phone-to-take-pictures.jpg\")
<\/p>\n9. Observe the <\/b>Seating Chart<\/b><\/h3>\n
10. Respect the Wedding Photographer<\/b><\/h3>\n
11. Don\u2019t Share the <\/b>Wedding Photos<\/b> on <\/b>Social Media<\/b><\/h3>\n
12. Drink Responsibly<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Guests](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/guests-drinking-cocktails.jpg\")
<\/p>\n13. Sign the <\/b>Guest Book<\/b><\/h3>\n
14. Give a <\/b>Wedding Gift<\/b><\/h3>\n
15. Stay for the Wedding Reception<\/b><\/h3>\n
16. Don\u2019t Make <\/b>Last-Minute<\/b> Changes<\/b><\/h3>\n