7 Wedding Guest Errors to Avoid ...

By Kati

7 Wedding Guest Errors to Avoid ...

What would you say the worst wedding guest errors are? It’s that time of the year when the wedding invitations pile up, and while we are all debating what to wear and where to stay, it might be our wedding etiquette that we should be worried about. Wedding guides and books are reporting a large increase in crazy behaviour at weddings – and wedding horror stories seem much more frequent, too! Here’s some of the wedding guest errors you should to avoid…

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1

Wrong Clothes…

Okay, so getting dressed up for a wedding isn’t always easy. There’s crazy color schemes to contend with, along with weddings in bizarre locations, and everyone is feeling strapped for cash. It’s always better to go with something safe than something crazy, though – remember your choice will be immortalized in the pictures! Leave skimpy dresses and huge hats on the beach, avoid wearing the same color as the bridesmaids or wedding party, and definitely don’t wear a long white dress. Obvious? Maybe not… These wedding guest errors are rarely forgotten, so be careful!

2

Present Poachers…

Wedding gifts are a topic that divides everyone. Some people think turning up empty-handed is very rude, especially after the bride and groom have paid for a meal and party, while others think their company should be enough – and that’s before even considering whether money is acceptable! Whatever your opinion, don’t present poach! Hanging around with a pen ready to add your name to the next guest's present is never going to end well, and it looks terrible. If you are too nervous to arrive empty-handed and really can’t afford a present, choose a gorgeous card instead.

3

Drunken Antics…

Everyone loves champagne, but make sure you know your limits – and stop before you get there! While it used to be seen as traditional for everyone to get a bit merry, wedding magazines and guides are full of advice on how to avoid drunken guests doing embarrassing things. Most weddings assign a certain amount of alcohol per table, meaning you could drink far more than your share, and no-one will thank you for getting your groove on to that wedding track, climbing the tables or flirting with the bride’s brother. And that’s before you get to the even more mortifying behavior, like trying to seduce the venue staff, or flashing…

4

Speech Takeovers…

Weddings these days tend to involve a few speeches, and it’s not uncommon for the best man to include a variety of puns and innuendo! Keep any funny moments or thoughts to yourself, though, and avoid shouting out. While these speeches are designed to be entertaining and interactive, heckling isn’t something that is wanted at most weddings. It can create awkwardness, and over-sharing isn’t likely to go well… reminisce later, and keep quiet for now!

5

Eating near the Bride…

No, it’s nothing to do with that exhausting pre-wedding diet! Wedding dresses are difficult. They might look gorgeous on the big day, but they are delicate, difficult to choose and even harder to clean. So she probably won’t thank you for spilling red wine, canapés or soda over her dress – keep food and drink away, until she’s wearing something more cleanable! It might seem obvious, but it’s reported that 20% of weddings involve the bride’s dress becoming dirty from guests’ food or drinks. Got kids? Make sure they keep their hands to themselves while eating, too!

Famous Quotes

Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

George Santayana
6

Be Nice…

For some reason, weddings are a breeding ground for gossip. Whether it’s sharing private family information or discussing the food, bridesmaids’ outfits or first dance, there always seems to be someone who gets a little too honest. Enjoy the day and keep any sly comments to yourself – gossip spreads faster than the speed of light at weddings, and it won’t be long ‘til you’ve landed yourself in hot water.

7

Plus One…

Wedding invitations always include instructions to RSVP – and most give a deadline to do so by. There’s so much to do! The bride and groom need to sort food and drink for all the guests, make sure the venue has enough room, and create seating plans that’ll keep two families and all their friends happy. So turning up with an extra friend isn’t likely to go down well! Decide quickly if you’ll be taking anyone, and if you really have to change your mind, ask the bride as soon as possible. Bringing extra people is a huge wedding guest error!

So some of the wedding guest errors might seem far too unlikely to be true, but bring up the conversation with your friends and you’ll soon find that they happen ALL THE TIME. I’ve just spent a week helping a friend to photoshop a neon-bikini-and-sundress clad woman out of her wedding photos! Have you ever committed a wedding guest error, or did someone do something crazy on your big day? I’d love to hear about it!

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I attended a wedding in PA once, not super fancy, but a wedding. I was astounded when my family were one of the only ones not to wear flannel and jeans or baggy shirts and jeans. We felt like princesses!

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