The Absolute Not’s of Attending a Wedding
There’s one at every wedding. Okay – there’s like 12 at every wedding. You know, the peculiar extended family member or a drunk groomsmen or an emotional aunt who makes a little faux pas mid-ceremony or after the first speech. As a millennial (with a lot of newlywed friends) we’ve seen a handful of grind sesh’s on the dance floor, heard quite a few rants of drunken gibberish that almost passed for speeches and witnessed a couple confused grandma’s obliviously recording the bride walking down the aisle (with a blinding flash lighting the way.) When you get a group of 150+ together, there’s bound to be a little chaos, a lot of laughs and a ton of fun – but keep in mind, a lot of time and money went into creating these special moments, you’d hate for anything to ruin them. These are a few blunders that every wedding guest should mindfully try to avoid:
WEARING WHITE
“YOU LITTLE BETCH.”
That’s what comes to my mind every time we walk into the church and some random guest’s date is wearing a white dress. ARE YOU DENSE?! C’mon y’all. Work with the bride here. Even if you’re attending the wedding of the most chill gal in the world, even if the dress code is deemed “casual,” even if you SLAY the heck out of a white dress – JUST DON’T DO IT. Don’t try to justify it as “ivory,” or think that because a slight pastel pattern covers 1/4th of the gown that it’s okay. Everyone is thinking the same thing when a guest shows up wearing white and it’s not “ooh that really compliments her tan!”
DECIDING MID-CEREMONY THAT YOU’RE ACTUALLY A PHOTOGRAPHER
Yes – we all want that perfect picture of the groom’s reaction as his bride walks down the aisle, but please: (I speak for all photographer’s when I say this) leave capturing the moment to the professionals. I won’t elaborate any more, just check out this awkward scene.
REQUESTING TO BRING A GUEST
Chances are – you’re either attending the wedding of a close friend (with fellow close friends/family) or if you really are on your own, the couple may grant you a +1. If you didn’t receive a +1, please don’t make it awk. Let me remind y’all that weddings cost $$$ & frankly, people don’t want to pay $21 for a stranger to enjoy a dinner on their dime. Only bring a guest if it was stated on the invitation.
BRINGING AN UN-RSVP’D KID
It’s the bride & groom’s responsibility to decide if they want children to attend their wedding, but the guests’ responsibility is to account for their kids on the invitation or abide by the No Nose Pickers rule. Some people simply don’t want a flailing child screaming through their vows (& that’s okay!)
(Even if your little beb is as cute as that little beb)
KEEPING THE DRINKS (& DUETS) TO A MINIMUM
When the lights go down and the tunes come on, it’s time to PARTY. But, remember that you’re at a wedding – not a Phi Gamma Delta toga party. Keep the focus on celebrating the bride & groom.
*Also, even if you’ve had like 4 glasses of Rosè and the bride’s brother in law (I’M LOOKIN AT YOU, BRANDON) says “hey you know what we should do a duet to City High’s What Would You Do!” You might think you slayed it, but your fiancè will record it on his phone & embarrass you 24/7. Instead, just politely decline and say “no thank you, but fabulous song choice.”
CHIT CHATTING DURING THE TOASTS
I live for the toasts.
Honestly, how many opportunities do you get to hear the people who mean the most to you spill their heart out to a huge group of people? It’s nerve wracking, it’s a lot of pressure, and it shouldn’t be interrupted by anything.
FORGETTING TO RSVP
Listen y’all – in this day & age, there is absolutely NO excuse to forget to RSVP! Usually, the couple will send an RSVP card with your invitation. This is literally the card, envelope and postage ready to be sent back – only needing a little check mark and your name! They make it pretty easy for guests. These days, some couples forgo the paper route and have guests RSVP online/via email – even easier! If you can’t make that happen, call/text/snapchat a thumbs up to the soon-to-be bride & groom.
(IMAGES: STYLE ME PRETTY VAULT)
Meg's Modern Weddings 