Tips for Becoming the Best Wedding Guest
Weddings are not just about the bride and groom; otherwise, they wouldn’t invite guests! A wedding is an incredible celebration of two people but also the relationships those people hold dear, which is why being invited to a wedding should be seen as a great opportunity to show the couple how much you appreciate them. If you’re invited to a wedding as a plus-one and won’t know anyone except your date, then there’s all the more reason to put your best foot forward and prove yourself to be the perfect wedding guest. Here are a few tips on how to achieve this title.
Dress Well
Some people see weddings as an opportunity to break out their most beautiful finery and flaunt what they’ve got. Others stress over having the perfect outfit and rush to the shops that sell wedding dresses to locate what they want. Whatever you end up wearing, there are a few basic rules to abide by:
If the wedding couple specifies black tie, masked ball, costumes or even wellies, it’s wise to do as they say
You’ll want to be comfortable sitting and dancing in your outfit
Clothes you don’t want to get dirty can be a bad idea depending on the wedding menu or the number of children attending
Most importantly, don’t upstage the bride and groom!
This last point isn’t just about making sure you don’t wear a white dress, it’s also about knowing that, on this particular day, you are not the main character of this story. As long as you can have fun and move freely, don’t worry about turning heads or showing off.
Be Social
It’s important at a wedding to make an effort with other guests, even if you have never met before and are unlikely to again. If you struggle with shyness, make up for your lack of conversation with plenty of dancing at the party afterwards to show people you are approachable. Having one or two sullen guests lurk in the corner can add an unpleasant tinge to the mood of the wedding, so smile and be friendly even if small talk doesn’t come easily.
Give a Thoughtful Gift… Or Money
Some couples opt for a wedding gift registry which is the adult version of a Christmas list to Santa Claus. There’s nothing wrong with finding something on this list and giving it as a gift, but there are other ways to show your appreciation for the newlyweds. Symbolic gifts such as those found at Angel Woodcraft or a commissioned portrait of the couple can be extra touching and meaningful. If the couple doesn’t provide a helpful gift register and you don’t know them well enough to find something more personal, money is also a safe bet. It’s not only useful but can be seen as a symbol of you assisting the start of their lives together.
A Few Don’ts
Now you know what traits a good wedding guest possesses, here is a short list of things to avoid:
- Don’t hog all the bride or groom’s time – just because you want to chat with them all night doesn’t mean they don’t have another hundred guests to speak to as well as you.
- Don’t cause friction between yourself and other guests.
- Don’t make yourself a burden by complaining about any part of the wedding – save this for when you get home.
