Wedding Etiquette

You may be getting married on the beach or up in a hot air balloon, but there are still some wedding etiquettes that need to be observed. Etiquette rules may seem outdated but they can reduce some of the stress as everyone knows what is expected and what to do. Anything that lessens the chance of a foul-up on the big day is welcome.

When it comes to family remember:
  • If the bride's parents haven't met the groom's family they should call and introduce themselves.
  • Avoid letting the groom's parent's feel left out – take steps to advise them as soon as possible about the ideas of the wedding, venues, etc. Take your cue from them as the level of involvement they would be comfortable with.
When it comes to invitations remember:
  • If an invited guest is part of a couple, the partner must be included in the invitation.
  • If you are inviting a single guest and would like her to bring a partner, include the words “And Guest”.
  • When it comes to inviting children, make a decision and stick to it. You may have to word your invitations carefully.
  • It's not appropriate for a guest to ask to bring a date, and you have every right to say “No”.
  • If you are having your wedding at a distant venue, send invitations to whoever you want to without worrying about travelling costs. Your guests can decide for themselves if they can make it or not.
When it comes to gifts
  • Never mention gifts, gift choices or gift registry on the invitation.
  • There is no polite way to ask for cash gifts, the only way is through word of mouth.
  • All gifts, even shower gifts, should be returned if the wedding is cancelled.
When it comes to dress
  • Rules for modern wedding attire have evolved with the times and are as many and varied as there are brides.
  • In fact there is probably only one rule - no one wears white except the bride.
When it comes to the issue of the cash bar
  • Don't have a cash bar at your reception under any circumstances.
  • If you are on a budget consider a bar that just serves wine and beer, find a reception site that allows you to bring your own alcohol, or cut down on the size of your guest list.