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Etiquette for a Perfect Wedding

Knowing proper wedding etiquette is a must for your perfect day to run smoothly. Everyone involved in the wedding, from the bride and groom to the groomsmen, bridesmaids and the guests, is subject to these certain rules of etiquette to ensure that tradition is upheld and that everything goes as expected. Not following the etiquette in a traditional ceremony could result in hurt feelings.

One key thing to remember, if you are a part of the wedding party, ie. a bridesmaid or groomsman, that the day isn’t about you. It’s about the couple being married. Essentially, you are there to support the bride and groom and do what you can to make things easier on them. Causing a scene, upstaging the couple or stealing their thunder is completely objectionable and any such behavior should be avoided at all costs.

During the ceremony, the guests must be aware of their actions and behavior. Certain things like getting up to use the restroom, whispering, or falling asleep can be a distraction for everyone around you. There is nothing worse than being distracted by a guest insisting on making everyone in their row move so they can get up and use the restroom. Cell phones should be turned off as well, to prevent any unexpected interruptions. This is all a matter of common courtesy. ?

It is quite important for the bride and groom’s parents to follow these basic rules because they are more likely to have attention focused on them as well. If a parent is crying out in happiness during the wedding, this will most certainly cause a distraction that can interrupt the vows and finally create a terrible spectacle.

For the bride and groom, keep in mind that everyone in attending are your guests, and should be treated as such. Yes, they are there for you, but at the same time you should ensure that everyone is comfortable both during the ceremony and the reception afterwards. Try to place yourself in their shoes. What would you like at a wedding or reception as a guest? Is the seating comfortable? Are there enough entree choices to cater to vegetarians or any other dietary issues? What have you done to make your guests feel welcome and appreciated? Always make sure to make the rounds to apiece plateau and thank everyone for coming.

A special point of emphasis should be placed on proper giving of wedding gifts. Guests should pay attention to registries and other lists of needs prefabricated by the couple for gift ideas and not try to stray from that if at all possible. If a physical gift doesn’t strike you as something you could select for the new couple, you can always give money - it is acceptable to give cash as a gift. In that case, do not go overboard and give too much.