Do’s and Don’ts for Wedding Party and Guest

It’s wedding season! This is a wonderful time to share in the pure enjoyment and excitement of a couple who has vowed to love one another forever. It’s an honor and a privilege to be an invited guest to witness this type of union. Planning a wedding is extremely stressful. I remember when my sister was planning her wedding last year and voicing her frustration and irritation most notably about people. People add to the stress of the wedding planning, so I have compiled a list of do’s and don’ts so that you won’t be a nuisance to the bride and groom.

Wedding Parties

Don’t agree to be in the wedding if you can’t afford it: Being a part of the wedding party is extremely expensive. You have to pay for your dress/tux, shoes, makeup, hair, nails, accessories, etc. All of those things cost money. On top of that, it is customary for the wedding party to plan bridal showers and bachelorette/bachelor party events. This stuff costs money. Save your coins so that you can be able to contribute financially to these events. It’s not fair for the other members of the wedding party to absorb your cost because you won’t chip in. Don’t be that person! I promise everyone will be talking about you behind your back.

Do check in on your bride/groom: Every once in a while you should be checking in on the bride or groom to see if they need any assistance in planning or preparing for the event. That means you make time for these types of concessions. You might be asked to make wedding favors, prep invitations, make centerpieces, pick up items, etc. Do whatever you can to ease the burden for the bride/groom.

Don’t offer your opinion if not asked: When a bride is planning her wedding, she has a specific vision. No matter what you may think of her vision it is not your place to offer any opinions on it especially negative ones. This is especially true about bridesmaids’ dresses. If the bride picks a dress then wear it. Point. Blank. Period. No one cares if the fabric or color or the shape doesn’t fit your body type. If you don’t like it, feel free to remove yourself from the wedding party.

Guests

Do RSVP: When you get your invitation in the mail, do respond with your RSVP. It’s there for a reason. The bride really counts on your response so they can plan accordingly. Do not make the bride chase you down to get your response. Also, please honor the rules for plus one. If the invitation does not allow for you to add a plus one, that means you can’t bring one. Do not call the bride and ask her if you can bring your sister, mom or boyfriend. The invitation specifically addresses who is invited. Also, if the invitation explicitly says don’t bring your kids then don’t, whether you agree with it or not. Don’t call the bride and ask if you can bring your kid. Find a babysitter or RSVP no.

Do show up: If you RSVP to the wedding with a “yes” then show up. Unless you are dead, violently ill, or experience a death in your family, then there is no excuse for you not to show. A plate of $15 or more has been purchased for your presence. You betta show up and eat this food. Someone else could have had your spot, so show up. On the flip side if you don’t respond to the invitation, then consider yourself uninvited.

Do not wear white: It really blows me when I see people wearing white dresses to a wedding. I know a lot of people will mock at this tradition and say that you can wear whatever but out of respect for the bride, just don’t. It’s rude. You don’t want to wear anything to detract from the bride. She should be the only leading lady in white.

Do bring a gift: It’s so tacky for you to not bring a gift. Do not bring your trifling tail to the wedding, eat the food and cake and drink the alcohol and then don’t bring a gift. If you cannot afford a gift then at least bring a card for congratulations. Traditionally you have a year within the wedding date to get the couple a gift.
Now that you are fully aware of the do’s and don’ts, don’t let me catch y’all out here pulling any of these offenses. Now that you know better, do better!