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Basic Wedding Etiquette Tips
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Weddings are wonderful and memorable celebrations that bring great joy to
everyone involved. Unfortunately, they can also be difficult to arrange.
Sometimes the bride and groom can get a big case of the jitters, before or
during the ceremony.
As an invited guest, you can do your part to help things go off without a
hitch! Here are a few basic pointers for you to follow:
1. Respond immediately to your invitation, whether you are attending or not.
The bride needs to know an exact head count as soon as possible, so she can
plan seating, catering, and a million other details.
2. Respect the bride’s wishes regarding her guest list. Your invitation will
state specifically who is invited. If it doesn’t mention that you can bring
an additional guest, or list the names of your children, for example, don’t
beg to have them included. The bride may want to have a solemn ceremony
uninterrupted by the noise of small children. Or she may be on a very
limited budget.
3. Send a gift, if possible, to the bride before the wedding. In some areas,
gifts are brought to the reception and placed on a special table. Some
people choose to send a gift after the ceremony. If this is your decision,
send it within three months after the date of the wedding.
You need not shop for a gift only at the stores a bride is registered at,
and there are no hard and fast rules for how much to spend. Let your budget
and your affection for the bride and groom guide you in selecting a gift. If
you hear from family members that charitable donations are preferred instead
of gifts, respect the couple’s wishes.
Should you send a gift of cash? In some cultures, that is the preferred
wedding gift. If you are uneasy about sending it, and aren’t sure what to
buy, try sending a gift certificate or traveler’s checks a couple can take
on their honeymoon.
4. Act with proper decorum at all times. Be on time. Be respectful during
the ceremony. Pay your respects to the bride and groom, their family, and
members of the wedding party. Be almost invisible and non-intrusive when
socializing. Don’t call attention to yourself with boisterous behavior.
Enjoy the festivities and be gracious in accepting the hospitality of your
hosts.
If you want to bone up on your good behavior before the big event, consult
these websites for more good advice:
The Emily Post Institute
http://www.emilypost.com
Etiquette, Protocol and Wedding History
http://www.breannas.com/etiquette.htm
Rudebusters
http://www.rudebusters.com
Wedding Magazine
http://www.weddingmag.com/faqlist.asp
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By Irene Helen Zundel
Freelance Writer
Ms. Zundel is a freelance writer, homeschooling parent, and
publisher of a monthly educational newsletter. She specializes in
writing educational and family oriented articles. Visit her website
at http://www.fadco.net/~artwhiz.
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(c) copyright 2002-2003 Idea Express
Media. No part of this publication or the information herein may be copied,
distributed, re-sold, paraphrased or re-published without written consent by
the copyright holder.
Strictly enforced.
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