You probably already know this or have seen this, but wedding guest mistakes happen very often. Why? Because sometimes they don’t understand certain ways or don’t have any common sense. I have been to so many weddings, and I have noticed a lot of things guests would do prior, during or after the wedding day. In this article, I will be discussing the common mistakes guests should not make at a wedding.

1. Leaving The Bride & Groom Hanging

Whenever you get an invite, please respond. Do not leave the couple hanging! To identify the final head count for the wedding day is very important and critical. It is the basis for the overall planning of the event. This is where most of the decision making when it comes to budget and expenses will be based on. Hence, your immediate response and confirmation is very important. 

2. Wearing White

One of the common and most wedding guest mistakes is wearing white to the wedding. Unless the bride says all guests should wear white due to the theme, please don’t wear white on the wedding day. White signifies purity, and it is only the bride who’s allowed to wear white on that day. 

3. Show Up Late

It is important that you are there on time. Manage your time very well. Research on the best route to ensure that you won’t pass through a very congested road. Plan everything ahead, so every schedule or appointment you have on that day will all be on time. 

4. Disregard the Dress Code

It is very important that you understand the theme of the wedding, and what they ask of you. Identify the standard color and style that you should wear. In this way it will show respect to the bride and groom, at the same time, it will not be awkward for you since you are dressed appropriately.

5. Wedding Website

Planning a wedding can be stressful and overwhelming. One of the ways on how they save themselves from time and stress is they come up with a wedding website where all the necessary information and frequently asked questions about the wedding are in there. All you need to do is to review or read it. Only approach or ask the bride or groom if you have a follow up question that isn’t on the website. You definitely do not want to make that wedding guest mistake by asking a rhetorical question. 

6. Wedding Gift

Some brides or grooms would tell you not to bring gifts anymore. If so, still, please don’t arrive empty handed. A simple congratulations card will mean a lot to them. You may also bring cash or check as a gift for them. Plus, if they do have something on their registry, try your absolute best to get that exact item and not a knock off version. You never know what originally drew them to that item and why they wanted it. So giving them a similar version might show that you didn’t really look at their registry. 

7. Plus One

If you weren’t given any plus one, or if you did not confirm for a plus one, then please don’t bring a plus one. Remember that everything is based on the total headcount of the confirmed guests in the wedding. Meaning, if you bring a plus one randomly, the tendency is that this person will not be served. Let us not give the newly weds surprises, sp please do not make this wedding guest mistake and let’s stick to the plan.

8. Posting of Pictures

Out of respect to the bride and groom, if you took pictures of the bride and groom, and they haven’t posted yet, then don’t post on your own social media unless they say that it’s ok. I think it’s really disrespectful to take photos during the ceremony while the bride is walking down the aisle. It is really important to be unplugged, and be present in the moment because it’s her or his wedding, and they should be able to have that. That is the reason why they hired a photographer/videographer. 

9. Table Assignments

If you were assigned to a certain table or seat, please don’t change that. The bride and groom seated you there for a certain reason. It may be because they assigned you with the right circle, or maybe because it’s a marker to the servers to serve a specific dish that was made for you due to special instructions. This is the reason why you should stick to the seat or table assignment given to you.

10. Wedding Speech

If you weren’t asked to do a speech, please don’t do it. It consumes time, and they will have problems with the timelines of the program. This is also a common wedding guest mistake. It will affect the rent schedule, and a lot of things might be compromised. We don’t want that to happen. If you really want to do so, you may do it personally, or after the program. If you were assigned to do a speech, please make it short and simple. 

11. Keep the Kids Busy

If you are bringing your kids along, please make sure to keep them busy. It is important that the program will remain distraction-free. Keep the kids busy by allowing them to play or watch on their devices, or give them snacks that are not too noisy and maybe activities such as coloring.

12. Don’t Criticize the Wedding

Do not do this especially in front of other guests. Learn to keep your opinions to yourself, and understand that it was done that way because it was their preference, and it is something that will complete their dream wedding. It is their moment, and everything should be all about them, not you. Meaning your preference won’t matter. Let us learn to respect them that way.

13. Do Not Propose

Remember that this wedding means a lot to the newlyweds. It is a moment they will forever cherish, so please don’t steal the spotlight. It is absolutely inappropriate to propose on someone else’s special moment. Let us be sensitive and respectful.

These are all the common wedding guest mistakes we’ve got to put an end to. I hope this article helped and if it did, please be sure to check out this other blog on people you can scratch off your guest list.