Attending a wedding is a joyous moment with excitement for you as you get together with friends and families in this celebration. But sometimes it can be overwhelming when it comes to getting ready properly for the wedding. You get thousands of questions in your mind about what to wear? What gift should you give? What things should you avoid as a guest? Well don’t get tensed, we have put together a simple guide to wedding guest etiquette so that you can get started ready without any hassles and can enjoy the celebration fully.
What to Wear: Dresses to Wear to a Wedding
One of the most common questions that lurks in mind before going to the wedding is – ” what dress should I wear?”The answer lies in what type of wedding you are attending, whether it is in daylight or at night, what type of wedding theme they are maintaining, and the location of the wedding. Here are some guidelines that you can follow to choose the perfect dress for the event:
Formal Weddings
For formal weddings, women can go for elegant styles such as gowns or classic and sophisticated cocktail dresses, on the other hand, men should wear a bold black tuxedo or any bold color with a tie. Consider choosing colors that are classic too such as navy blue, black, or deep jewel tones.
Semi-Formal or Cocktail Attire
At a semi-formal wedding you get a bit of flexibility on which dress you can choose. A stylish comfortable cocktail dress can be the best choice as a wedding guest dress, while men can wear a simple suit with a tie. If it’s a daytime event, get creative and go for light color dresses that have playful patterns. Make sure that whatever outfit you choose it should be polished and tasteful.
Casual Weddings
For this type of wedding, the outfit choice can be comfortable and relaxed, but still, you need to look the best put together. Women can wear a beautiful sun dress or skirt with a cute blouse and men can go for dress slack with a button-down shirt. Even if the wedding theme is casual, try to avoid wearing informal dresses like jeans or flip-flops. Casual doesn’t mean you can wear pajamas, it’s about trendy casual with a good sense of style.
Destination Weddings
Destination weddings often have unique themes and dress codes depending on the location. For a beach wedding women can wear a flowy dress or bohemian style dresses while men can wear a flower or palm tree printed beach shirt with linen pants. Before choosing the wedding guest dress make sure to check if there is any dress code or theme mentioned in the invitation card. So choose dresses to wear to a wedding that is appropriate and comfortable too, depending on the climate and the wedding theme.
What to Bring to a Wedding
When you attend a wedding, it is a great gesture to bring a gift for the wedding couple. That is why knowing what to bring to a wedding is one of the important rules of wedding guest etiquette. Here are some suggestions that you can go for if you are confused about what to bring to a wedding.
A Thoughtful Gift
A wedding gift is a traditional way to show gratitude for attending the event. If the couple has a registry, it’s wise to select a gift from their list to make sure you are giving a thoughtful gift that they want or need. If you are thinking of gifting cash, that’s okay but make sure you give it in a mannered way such as in a personalized card. Gifting at a wedding event is essential as it lies in wedding etiquette for guests.
A Card
Even if you are giving a gift, you can add a personal touch by adding emotional heartfelt written notes on a card. If you are giving a gift to a group still you can add a shared card from all guests as a meaningful addition.
Your Invitation
If you are unfamiliar with the venue, it’s better to bring your invitation with you because in the invitation you can find the address, time and some specific instructions. Having it on hand ensures that you aren’t missing any crucial information that you might need later.
What to Avoid: Common Wedding Guest Etiquette Mistakes
There are many things you should do as a wedding guest but meanwhile there are also some things that you should avoid. If you want to follow the wedding guest etiquette then make sure to avoid this thing mentioned below:
Don’t Wear White
The most well-known rule of wedding guest etiquette is to avoid wearing white. Obviously, this color is traditionally reserved for the bride to wear, and wearing white as a guest can seem quite disrespectful. Even if your dress is partially white still try to steer clear and choose different colors.
Don’t Arrive Late
Being punctual is one of the important rules in wedding guest etiquette. Arriving late at the wedding can be disrespectful and also it can be disruptive. Better to plan to arrive at the wedding early, like at least 15 to 30 minutes before the starting time. If you somehow get late to arrive, just be discreet about it and wait to enter when the time seems appropriate.
Don’t Bring Uninvited Guests
If your invitation doesn’t mention plus one or children don’t assume that it will be ok to bring someone with you. Weddings are often planned with specific guests calculated in mind and showing up with additional someone can create some unnecessary situation. If you are unsure and want to take someone with you,it is better to check with the couple in advance.
Don’t Forget to Say Thank You
At the end of the event, take a moment to appreciate the couple for inviting you on their special day. It’s a very welcoming gesture to show your gratitude towards them.
Conclusion
Understanding the wedding guest etiquette is not just about maintaining the rules, it’s about you being respectful and thoughtful towards the couple and the event. By dressing properly, bringing a gift that holds a meaningful gesture, and avoiding contradictions, you are maintaining wedding guest etiquette and also you are the perfect guest. Whether you are attending a formal wedding or destination wedding with these tips you can properly get ready for the event with grace and confidence.