There are several things experts warn against doing as a wedding guest if you want to continue being friends with the happy couple long after they say “I do.”
According to etiquette guru Jo Hayes and dating coach Emily Thompson, being a good wedding guest goes beyond just showing up and giving a gift.
Topping off the list of don’ts as a wedding guest, according to the experts, is sending in a late RSVP.
“Late-RSVPing is the silent killer of etiquette; it messes with everything from seating charts to catering orders,” Thompson told the Daily Mail.
“People don’t realize how much depends on these final counts.”
Thompson went on to explain that “The ceremony is the whole point of the day-where the couple makes their vows and, usually, in front of their nearest family and friends.”
You won’t come across as a good friend if you skip the nuptials because “Not being there sends a clear message that you’re here for the food and drinks, not for the marriage,” Thompson explained.
Another wedding guest tip is to never bring a plus one if it’s not written on the invitation.
“Weddings are expensive events to put on, which often means limited guest capacity,” Hayes told the outlet.
Thompson agreed, saying: “Your invitation should specify in so many words, ‘and guest,’ or else your plus-one is strictly not allowed.”
Sure, open bars at weddings are a fun perk, but don’t be that guest who is draining the bar dry.
“A good rule is to limit yourself to one drink per hour and definitely don’t start drinking until after the ceremony,” Thompson explained.
And as tempting as it might be, getting wasted at a wedding is never a good luck. “Sure, enjoy a couple of drinks. But be respectful and responsible. Avoid getting drunk,” Hayes advised.
Regarding dress code — as a reminder, women should always avoid wearing white.
“Another controversial colour is red. Western cultures consider red blatantly conspicuous and would even think it inappropriate if it dressed too ‘sexily’ for a formal wedding,” Thompson chimed in.
And always follow the dress code the couple specified on the invitation.
Something the experts didn’t specify, but it should go without saying — always bring a gift for the married couple.
TikTok creator Alizé Ruiz, shared in a video how stingy people were with gift-giving at her wedding.
“When we had 120 people at our wedding and we only received 12 cards and 4 gifts,” she captioned her video.
“And before y’all come for me, I’m not even saying it had to be money, but just a card with a cute message or prayer! Idk I wouldn’t show up to a wedding empty-handed,” Ruiz added.
The video — which has almost 2 million views — caused quite the uproar in the comment section.
“I feel like our generation doesn’t know common courtesy anymore. Anytime someone invites you anywhere, you bring something PERIOD,” one person wrote.
“Bro it’s a wedding. At least a card, bottle of wine or whatever and $100 bill or something. Damn” and someone else agreed that the unspoken amount to give is ‘minimum $100,’” shared another commenter.
“No one knows wedding etiquette. starting with the RSVP,” said someone else.
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