Weddings Etiquette Part Two
This is the second half of a blog post titled Wedding Etiquette. I wanted to help the people who may be attending a wedding soon, maybe for the first time, and need a little bit of advice on what to do at a wedding. We have all been there once or twice at a wedding where you don’t know how much to spend on a gift, or when to stand for the hymens, where to stand and so on. Most of the time brides and grooms are very good at informing their guests exactly what’s going on and how the day is going to pan out. However there are occasions where you have questions that you might be too embarrassed to ask. Hopefully some of the advice in this post will help you out! Enjoy!
How to behave at the wedding
Sometimes it is a little difficult knowing exactly how to behave at a wedding. Obviously you know you have to try to make polite conversation with people, but who? It is good to chat to the people on your table at the meal but it is also a good idea to speak to the bride and groom and their parents. It is polite to thank the parents of the bride before you leave as well as the bride and groom as they are likely to have paid towards it. Also try to speak to all of the people that you know, even if you just say a few words. However, do not feel that you have to buy everyone you know a drink, because that could be very expensive but it is nice to make sure the bride and groom have one as they are often left out when it comes to drinks. Make sure that you have a good time as the bride and groom would want that. They have invited guests because they want to celebrate with them and all have fun together. Do not drink too much alcohol though as no one enjoys drunks at a wedding.
When to arrive and leave
It can be difficult knowing what time to arrive and leave a wedding. It is good idea to get to the ceremony a bit early so that you allow yourself enough time to find a parking space and get settled. If you are too early it will not matter as you can just wait outside but if you are late you will disturb the proceedings and spoil things for everyone. Timing your exit can be difficult as well. If you are staying for the reception then it is polite to wait outside the venue that the ceremony has been held at until you are instructed to go to the reception. If you are not staying then this is the time to make an exit. After the reception, there is normally a celebration and it is polite to stay for this. There may be a time gap where you can go and change your clothes but guests would be expected to return after this. If you are old, have a long way to travel or have young children then you can politely leave early but everyone else should wait until the bride and groom have made their exit before they leave.
What to do afterwards
As you leave it is polite to thank the bridal party and then when you return home it is good to write to the hosts and thank them for their hospitality. This is especially important if they have put you up for the night. It is a lovely gesture anyway and if your letter can reach them before the thank you letter for your gift reaches you, then that is even better. It is great to stay in touch with the couple after the wedding, once their honeymoon is over and share the photographs that you have taken with them. If they are good friends or close family then it is also nice to send them a wedding anniversary card and mention a special moment that you remember from the big day. It might be a nice occasion to visit near the date and show them the photos that you took on the big day as well. As a wedding guest you are asked to provide the couple with love and support and if they are close to you then it is great if you can do this by talking about their wedding and reminding them of the big day and why they made that commitment to each other.
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