Don’t be the dreaded, over-dramatic wedding guest who makes everything difficult for the bride and groom. Organising a wedding is stressful enough without the couple having to think about, and cater to, your every need and whim. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the day and for goodness sake, wear any colour (any at all, even mustard if you wish) but white and remember, everything in moderation, especially drink.
Compiled by Amy Croffey
1. Wearing White… Unless you’re the bride!
When we’re sent in all the fab Real Weddings for WeddingsOnline, there’s always one, if not two who decide to wear white to a wedding. Why? With millions of different colours under the sun, white is one of the only colours that’s totally, and we repeat, totally off-limits. Even if it’s a summer shindig, and white is all in (which it is), don’t try to describe the colour of your dress as cream, ivory, off-white, light beige, snow, seashell etc. because you’re fooling no one. Remember, this is the bride’s big day, not yours. And she’s been waiting for her moment to shine in the spotlight since she was a little girl – well, if she’s anything like the rest of us she has. So, put the LWD back and find something else.
The exception to the rule: If it’s a white and black themed wedding, then knock yourself out. Or, if you’re Pippa Middleton.
2. Getting Drunk
Use the stag/ hen party as your excuse to let loose and enjoy yourself. The same rule does not apply on the wedding day. Don’t make a fool of yourself and be labelled as the ‘the one’ who couldn’t handle their drink. Even if “everyone else is doing it”, don’t be the one to fall over, on the bride, and her mother, on the dance floor, in front of everyone. Not cool.
The exception to the rule: There is none.
3. Bringing an Uninvited Plus 1
Weddings are expensive, so to cut costs the couple might have decided to cut down on numbers and just invite those who they really want to share in their happiness. Perfectly logical if you ask us. But when when see just their name on a wedding invite they take it upon themselves to invite others to share in the big day too. It’s a bad idea because numbers have been made up, table plans have been arranged and you’re not the one who is paying for the wedding.
The exception to the rule: If it’s an open, free-for-all, bring-your-own-kind-of-wedding where everyone and their mother is invited.
4. Bringing Uninvited Children
We’re sure they’re adorable and very well behaved, but if they’re not invited, then simply, don’t bring them. Some weddings are just not child-friendly and some couples would rather spend the day in adult company, rather than listening to a screaming child while they try and say their ‘I Dos’. It really can end up being a nightmarish situation when the child decides to play hide and seek or a game of who can scream the loudest when there’s a wedding taking place. It mightn’t be the easiest thing to do, but try and leave the kids at home with a babysitter and enjoy your day in adult company.
The exception to the rule: If breast-feeding.
5. Missing the Ceremony
This is the latest ‘trend’ that we hear cropping up at weddings. Guests deciding to forego the ceremony (how good of you) because (a) you don’t think anyone will notice or (b) you want to get a head-start in the pub. Unfortunately for you, you will definitely be noticed in absentia, especially when you’re not there to give your well-wishes to the newlyweds in the greeting line.
The exception to the rule: If your car broke down or you missed your flight and there was no way, no how you could make it at all, at all.
6. Uploading Photos to Facebook
Sometimes the happy couple will ask guests not to upload any pictures of the wedding to a social network. So, even if you’ve been practicing your wedding photography skills and you’ve downloaded the latest, coolest, hippest wedding photography app, obey the couples wishes. Even in this day and age, privacy is important to some.
The exception to the rule: We think it’s ok to upload a picture of youself in your Sunday best, but don’t include anything else, even the decor in the background.
7. Complaining about the Wedding… Music, Food, Dress, Relatives… etc.
We think this is self-explanatory. The couple is paying a lot of money for a day in their taste, so if it’s not in yours, then get over it and maybe organise your own wedding day.
The exception to the rule: If you were food-poisoned.
8. Sending a Late RSVP
When you receive a wedding invite take note of the RSVP date and make sure to reply in time. Usually it’s as easy as ticking a box and popping it in the already stamped and addressed envelope. It may not seem like a big deal to you, but when a couple is trying to give head-counts to the reception and organise seating plans, then a lack of a reply can be like a thorn in the side.
The exception to the rule: Unless you’re in the rainforest or jungle (or somewhere similar) without any access to a mobile phone, the internet or a postbox.
9. Heckling or Interrupting
This could be a result of getting drunk (see number 2 above) but don’t heckle, interrupt the wedding or the speeches. Just because you’re great friends with the couple, this is not the opportunity to tell the most outrageous college story. It’s also not a good idea to shout at the those giving the speeches to “hurry up” or “slow down” depending on what time you bet the length of the speeches would be.
The exception to the rule: There is none.
10. Using the Wedding to find Love/Lust…
Don’t treat the wedding as you might a night out in Coppers. Weddings are usually a great place to meet other singles but it’s really not the time or place to act upon the new butterflies you have for the good-looking, single best man. Everyone will hear about it and you’ll be the talk of the place at breakfast the next morning.
The exception to the rule: There is none, so take their number and arrange to meet up another time.
Main image Our Labor of Love
