This is a collaborative post: It’s always nice to be invited to a wedding. And we’re always pretty hopeful that it’s going to be a good one, that the ceremony and wedding will be worth the effort that we put into getting there and so forth. However, while we can reasonably have our own expectations when it comes to the wedding, it’s also fair that the wedding hosts have their own expectations related to their guests. While it might not be your first thought, it’s always worthwhile thinking about how you can be a great wedding guest. After all, they’ll have put in a lot of time and effort to make sure you have a great day; you should also endeavour to ensure that the hosts have a great day too.
In this blog, we’re going to take a look at a few tried and tested tips that’ll make sure that you’re a 10/10 guest.
Don’t Overload With Questions
If you’ve ever been married, or been around someone who is organising one, then you’ll know that there are a lot of details that have to be taken care of in the run-up to the big day. What they don’t want to be doing is spending more time than necessary answering questions from the guests. Of course, there could be instances when you genuinely have no other option than to ask the bride or groom, but it’s always worth checking whether it’s truly necessary. If you can’t find the info you need in the wedding info, then consider asking other guests — there’ll be someone who isn’t the bride or groom who has the information you need.
Be On Time
This one is pretty straightforward…be on time! A wedding day is not a casual affair; everyone will have fun, and it’ll all feel relaxed, but a lot of work will have gone into making sure that this is the case. There’ll be a schedule, and if people are arriving late, then it’ll only disrupt the flow of the day. Plus, if you’re not on time then you’ll miss one of the sweet moments of a wedding day — the moment before things get started when all the guests are mingling and getting excited for the day ahead.
Look the Part
The bride and groom are going to look amazing – especially the bride, who will be looking amazing in their wedding dress from somewhere like styleaside – so make sure that you do too. Sometimes wedding organisers include a specific dress code in their invitations; if they do that, then make sure you’re following it perfectly. There’s a reason they’ll have included that information, after all. Most wedding organisers will not include a dress code, however. But unless you’ve never been to a wedding or know nothing about them, then you’ll know that you need to dress smartly. Make an extra effort; wedding days don’t come around that often, and you’ll want to look great in the photographs, too.
Bring the Positivity
As a guest, you’re not just there to soak up all the entertainment and good times that the bride and groom have organised. You’re there to actively contribute towards the day. Being a wedding guest, after all, is not a passive experience. So make sure that you’re going into the day with a positive attitude, and that you’re ready to put your best foot forward. A wedding couple can feel a lot of pressure to ensure that their guests are having a great time; if you’re one of the people at the party that contributes to the great time, then you’ll be considered a great guest.
Open to Other Guests
If you’re going by yourself to a wedding (which does happen from time to time), then it’ll be in your own interests to be open to the other guests. But if you’re going to a wedding where you know a fair amount of people, then you should still make an effort. Everyone at the wedding will have a close and real connection to the bride and groom, and one of the most joyful moments of a wedding is seeing all these people coming together. Everyone chatting and making friends is one of those things that creates such a special atmosphere at a wedding!
Nail the Gift
A lot of wedding couples say that they don’t want a wedding gift, especially if they’re getting married somewhere that requires people to travel a long way. But even if they do say that, it’s sometimes nice to override their request and get them something special. And the key word here is special, something that’s a step above the usual types of gift that people receive. A good place to start is by thinking about their history, either as a couple or in terms of their heritage. If they have Irish heritage, for instance, then you could look at getting them a gift from www.celtictitles.com. Alternatively, if they’ve got a shared interest, then something related to that interest would be appropriate, or you could book them a meal or spa treatment while they’re on their honeymoon.
Party…But Not Too Much
The party stage is the most fun part of the wedding day. And without a doubt, you should definitely put your best foot forward and have a great time on the dance floor. However, make sure that you’re not partying too much. If you become inebriated, then you could run the risk of doing something that compromises the enjoyment of the day. Plus, you won’t remember all the good times!
Go With the Flow
Even if the bride and groom are having a great time, it’s always worthwhile remembering that they’ll be feeling pretty stressed. If anything goes wrong, then they could become a little agitated and thrown off guard — this isn’t always because they want everything to go well for themselves, but because they want everything to go well for the guests. You can alleviate this pressure by having a relaxed, go with the flow attitude, and reassuring them that you’re having a great time even though everything isn’t going exactly to plan.