Weddings should always be a memorable event for all. A new union is being formed, you get to catch up with friends and family you haven't seen in a long time, and everyone is hoping that there are at least one or two unexpected memorable moments. It could be a moment when the young flower girl forgetting to throw flowers as she walks down the aisle, or it may be a moment of poor wedding etiquette by someone who simply didn't know better.
Wedding etiquette sometimes looks different from what it did even a decade or two ago.
Here are some rules for the wedding day that may not have applied a few years ago.
Be Sure To RSVP
While you should always RSVP to a wedding when attending or not, it is often much easier to do these days. Instead of worrying about sending your RSVP back in the mail, many weddings allow you to do so online. There may be a link, a barcode, or an app where you can send in your meal request along with your RSVP. Regardless, be sure to do it promptly to make it easier on those planning the wedding.
Cash and Gift Cards Are Acceptable
Years ago, sending cash or a gift card as a gift was often seen as tacky and impersonal. However, today this is often what is preferred by wedding couples. It allows them to spend it on what they need most or apply it to their honeymoon budget. Whether you give cash or a gift, make sure it is on the registry or something you know they will love. Always remember to include the gift receipt in case the couple receives duplicates or if it's something they aren't going to use.
Avoid Taking Pictures at the Ceremony
Today just about everyone has a camera on their phones. Because of this, we like to document and share just about everything. However, during the wedding ceremony is not the time to do it. First, you don't want to share photos before the bride and groom have, as that would be incredibly tacky. Secondly, you don't want to interfere with the shots the professional photographer is trying to take by having your arm or phone in view of the shot.
Keep the phone put away during the ceremony, but feel free to take photos during the reception. This is often encouraged, and more and more these days the bridal party will even ask you to upload the pictures to social media with a specific hashtag.
Avoid Big Announcements
A wedding day is about the couple, the bride and groom and no one else. Sharing any announcement that does not relate to the couple is a FAUX PAS that should be avoided. This includes announcements on social media or sharing with even a small group of people. Wait until after the excitement from the wedding has died down or the couple has posted there information before sharing your news.
Help Where You Can
The wedding day is about the bride and groom. If you are able, look for ways where you can help out. Don't be overbearing or a nuisance but rather step in and offer to help if needed. For example, you may offer to take your friend's daughter into the other room if she has difficulty staying quiet during the ceremony or offer to help someone in the wedding party to get ready by zipping up their dress or by helping with a last-minute beauty emergency.
While wedding etiquette may have changed some over the years, its reasoning has remained the same.
The wedding day is about the two people getting married, and these rules help ensure it stays that way.
Weddings should always be a memorable event for all. A new union is being formed, you get to catch up with friends and family you haven't seen in a long time, and everyone is hoping that there are at least one or two unexpected memorable moments. It could be a moment when the young flower girl forgetting to throw flowers as she walks down the aisle, or it may be a moment of poor wedding etiquette by someone who simply didn't know better.
Wedding etiquette sometimes looks different from what it did even a decade or two ago.
Here are some rules for the wedding day that may not have applied a few years ago.
Be Sure To RSVP
While you should always RSVP to a wedding when attending or not, it is often much easier to do these days. Instead of worrying about sending your RSVP back in the mail, many weddings allow you to do so online. There may be a link, a barcode, or an app where you can send in your meal request along with your RSVP. Regardless, be sure to do it promptly to make it easier on those planning the wedding.
Cash and Gift Cards Are Acceptable
Years ago, sending cash or a gift card as a gift was often seen as tacky and impersonal. However, today this is often what is preferred by wedding couples. It allows them to spend it on what they need most or apply it to their honeymoon budget. Whether you give cash or a gift, make sure it is on the registry or something you know they will love. Always remember to include the gift receipt in case the couple receives duplicates or if it's something they aren't going to use.
Avoid Taking Pictures at the Ceremony
Today just about everyone has a camera on their phones. Because of this, we like to document and share just about everything. However, during the wedding ceremony is not the time to do it. First, you don't want to share photos before the bride and groom have, as that would be incredibly tacky. Secondly, you don't want to interfere with the shots the professional photographer is trying to take by having your arm or phone in view of the shot.
Keep the phone put away during the ceremony, but feel free to take photos during the reception. This is often encouraged, and more and more these days the bridal party will even ask you to upload the pictures to social media with a specific hashtag.
Avoid Big Announcements
A wedding day is about the couple, the bride and groom and no one else. Sharing any announcement that does not relate to the couple is a FAUX PAS that should be avoided. This includes announcements on social media or sharing with even a small group of people. Wait until after the excitement from the wedding has died down or the couple has posted there information before sharing your news.
Help Where You Can
The wedding day is about the bride and groom. If you are able, look for ways where you can help out. Don't be overbearing or a nuisance but rather step in and offer to help if needed. For example, you may offer to take your friend's daughter into the other room if she has difficulty staying quiet during the ceremony or offer to help someone in the wedding party to get ready by zipping up their dress or by helping with a last-minute beauty emergency.
While wedding etiquette may have changed some over the years, its reasoning has remained the same.
The wedding day is about the two people getting married, and these rules help ensure it stays that way.
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