How to Be a Proper Wedding Guest

Keep in mind these quick pointers for being a perfect wedding guest, and you'll help the wedding day go smoothly for the bride and groom.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dresses
• Tuxedo Shoes
• Wedding Gowns
• Women's Dress Shoes
• Facial Tissues
• Airline Tickets
• Rental Cars
• Rental cars

1. Make your hotel and plane reservations early, especially if you receive a "save the date" notice.

2. Purchase gifts early, and use the registry. It is designed to make your life - and the lives of the bride and groom - easier.

3. Respond, or RSVP, as soon as possible after you get the invitation. Only bring a guest if you receive an invitation addressed to you and a guest.

4. Dress appropriately. If the invitation says black tie, men should wear tuxedos and women should wear formal dresses. If you are unsure of the dress code, you're safer erring on the side of dressing up too much.

5. Bring children only if the invitation expressly mentions them. Weddings are formal events and typically not appropriate for little ones.

6. Arrive 15 minutes before the ceremony begins. Tradition dictates that friends and family of the bride sit on the left and friends and family of the groom sit on the right. Typically, an usher will lead you to your seat.

7. Wait in the receiving line, if there is one, to congratulate the newlywed couple and their parents after the ceremony. Keep your greeting upbeat and brief.

8. Remain quiet and attentive during toasts at the reception, and while the couple cuts the wedding cake.

9. Wait for the bride and groom to have their first dance before you hit the dance floor. Then get up, dance and enjoy the party; the couple will be pleased to see all the guests having a good time.

10. Avoid keeping the bride or groom engaged in conversation for too long - they have many guests to greet, and a honeymoon suite awaits them.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have questions about attire, whether to bring children to the ceremony, or other logistics, call the best man or maid of honor, who is often much more accessible than the bride or groom.
• Remember, the bride and groom want to see and talk to everybody, so don't be disappointed if you don't get to talk with them for long.
• Mail your gift ahead of time to make it easier on the bride and groom. If you do bring the gift, take it to the reception and place it on the gift table.
• Don't drink and drive. If you will be drinking, make sure you have a designated driver.

[starlet67]

on 9/19/2008 this article is sure to help anyone in this situation
good info! And yes, Never drink and drive.

on 8/8/2006 Turn off your cell phone. Turn off your cell phone!

on 7/10/2006 Send a handwritten letter of thanks, promptly, to the bride's parents after the wedding. Traditionally this should be addressed to the bride's mother, but include thanks to the father, too.

on 6/30/2006 The photographer has been hired to do a job; capturing and preserving the special moments of the day for the bride and groom as a keepsake for years to come. Someone is usually paying through the nose for this.

When the photographer has set up a shot, please let him/her get the shots without guests stepping in and flashing away while he/she is trying to work.

Usually (especially if you ask), the photographer will allow you some time to take your photos of the set up after the "official" ones have been taken. Flashes from 1,000 different guests' cameras screws with the lighting that the photographer has so carefully set up.

Remember, though you are having fun, the photographer is working at the bride/groom's request and is not there to accommodate you.

on 6/30/2006 Don't follow the photographer or videographer around acting silly and trying to get on camera. While the bride and groom probably would like some shots of you and your family/friends, they won't be excited to see you in the corner (or worse, in the center) of every photo. Especially if you're drinking alcohol, make sure you can still control yourself, at least until the photographer and videographer leave!