The Perfect Guest
It’s time for a lesson in guest etiquette 101. The ‘I do’ dos and dont’s, the ideal outfit and giving the perfect gift – we’ve got you covered!
The Do’s and Dont’s
DO Always, always RSVP in a timely manner. As soon as humanly possible is better.
DON’T come with a guest if weren’t invited with one. The bride and groom have made a decision and asking them to change it puts them in a really awkward position. However if you’re married, engaged or cohabitating, etiquette says the bride should have included your romantic other in the first place, and you can (very politely) broach the subject with her.
DO attend the ceremony, not just the reception. It’s simply poor taste to show up for the open bar without first attending the main event.
DON’T text, facebook, tweet, post or make any phone calls during the ceremony or at the reception. Your job is to be at the wedding, not report on it.
DO Arrive on time. Avoid that awkward Four Weddings and a Funeral moment and always leave plenty of time to get there.
DON’T dance before the First Dance. Contain the magic moves until AFTER the happy couple has been announced and hit the floor.
DO Sit at your assigned table. There’s a lot of thought that goes into seating arrangements, so don’t mess with them.
DON’T share wedding photos the next day. It’s best to wait until either the bride or the groom have publicly posted their pictures before you post your own.
The Outfit
Dress codes can strike fear into the hearts of guests when they appear alongside the time, date and place, so to help you through that potential fashion minefield, follow this simple tips and tricks.
Consider where and at what time of the day the event is being held, as well as the style of invitation. An evening wedding will most probably require a more dressed up look than an afternoon on the beach. Similarly, a casual, seashell encrusted invite probably doesn’t mean ball gown, but gold engraved script suggests more than a mini dress.
If you’re unsure of the dress code, ask someone familiar with the wedding, perhaps a bridesmaid or member of the bride’s family, but not the bride herself. She has her own dress to worry about! Always make sure your outfit is properly tailored, cleaned and ironed, and in the end, it’s better to be a little overdressed, rather than under-dressed.
Finally, don’t dress to compete. A wedding is not the time to show off your brand new beach bod. If your personal style tends toward revealing, opt to tone it down a notch. And never, ever, EVER wear white.
The brandsExclusive Wedding Boutique sale starts Monday 9 July and will finish Sunday 15 July.
