Being a wedding guest can be a tricky business. From deciding who to invite and what to wear to making sure everyone feels at home, navigating the world of wedding guest etiquette can be complicated. To help you out, we've rounded up some of the most important questions and answers approved by experts. Be friendly and socialize responsibly.
Introduce yourself to people you don't know, especially since some may even be sitting at your table. Sign the guest book during this time and share your card (often give it to the wedding planner if there isn't a designated delivery location). For a single guest invited, put only their name on the envelope. When talking to your friends about the wedding, be honest.
Let them know that you can't afford to host a larger group or that you simply don't have space on-site, and leave it at that: negotiating isn't allowed. A space is usually included to write down any dietary restrictions if you can't eat anything from the menu, but if not, be sure to tell the couple ahead of time instead of waiting for the wedding to overwhelm anyone with alternative requests. It's time to dust off those cocktail dresses, practice walking in those heels (remember them?), and start saving some money in a designated wedding savings account, since your mailbox is going to receive a lot of invitations in the coming months. Not only is this the right wedding etiquette, but it also gives people the information they need to plan ahead (such as whether or not they need to hire a babysitter for the event). If you want to invite one of your first cousins, most wedding etiquette consultants will say that you have to invite them all, but that doesn't mean your boyfriend has to do the same.
Keep in mind that if you plan it as an official wedding event, you should cover all the expenses, including the bar. Be respectful to brides and wedding planners, who have methodically thought out who will sit, where and what food will be assigned to whom. Whether you're a MOTB, a wedding guest, or part of the bride's team, please don't wear white to a wedding unless the bride asks you to. I mean, most of us have been locked up for two years, so don't be too hard on yourself if you can't remember all the rules for wedding guests. In addition to who to invite, we're here to help you with every aspect of managing your wedding guest list from start to finish. When it comes to wedding invitations, everything, including cards to save dates and answers, should be focused on the reception.
