edding season is officially here, and let’s just be real — whether you’re a highly-sought-after guest or a bride, the excitement that comes with having a summer full of weddings to attend and plan comes with a decent amount of frustration. Usually, wedding guests have a ton of gripes about footing the bill to attend all of their besties’ big days (those hotel rooms and party clothes add up), but there are actually a ton of annoying things guests do at weddings that can drive the hosts straight mad.
Of course, we’re 100% sure you’d never do any of these annoying things, but there are people out there who make this already stressful and high-stakes day even harder for the bridal party, the event planners, and yes, even the wedding photographer. Say it ain’t so
1. Be late…OR early.
Weddings are planned down to the very last minute (with some Indian Standard Time added). So don’t be late! But also, don’t be too early, either, especially if it’s at a place where everything goes down in the same place. Staff won’t know what to do with you if you arrive 45 minutes early and are getting in the way of the flower deliveries, and walking in mid-vows is just plain rude.
2. Don’t lose your invite.
One former bride tells MBK that on her wedding morning, long lost friends and family were blowing up her phone asking about times, directions, and even just sending their best of luck.
Don’t do that — your friends are probably nervous enough as it is and are getting hair done, being ushered to and from photo locations, and being a big ball of nerves. There’s a reason wedding invitations come with all those little cards and info packets about party buses. Use them. Or call another friend who might be able to help you find your way to the festivities. The bride and groom have enough to worry about.
3. A “plus one” does not mean bring the whole crew.
Your invitation will specify if you’re cleared to bring a date or not, and you should really not question it. A lot of weddings are planned based on the amount of guests a couple can actually afford.. Everything from the amount of chairs to how many bottles of whisky the caterer has behind the bar are accounted for.
Even if it’s not a sit-down meal complete with name cards, do not assume you can bring anyone who wasn’t specifically invited to the wedding with you. If that means your new BFF was left off your cousin’s invite list, so be it. Asking to bring more people can get especially awkward for couples working with smaller budgets.
4. Be polite.
Some guests think they own the place when they walk in, and it sets a bad tone for the whole party. Being rude to the staff is just, well, rude, and if you’re trying to get into the a particular space of the venue before they’re ready for you, you might be messing with the photos.
When you arrive at a wedding location, please don’t accost the staff and ask them where the dining is taking place, where you’re seated, and if you can put your handbag, camera, or shawl at your seat. Your shawl will ruin the photographer’s ability to take a flawless room shot. Who knew, right?
5. Save the musical chairs for another time.
A party is only as good as who you hang out with, but don’t make a scene about changing tables if they’re already assigned. You don’t know what other well-planned seating arrangement you might be meddling with.
Why does it matter where you’re seated? You can’t do anything about it and if you’re asking the planner … you’re probably that guest the couple struggled with seating the most. You’re the crazy uncle they warn about.
If you’re not placed where you secretly wanted to be, it might be fun to meet someone new. It’s definitely not worth the family dysfunction when you force the planner to add you to a different table.
6. The reception hall is not a diner.
Most weddings have a set menu that the couple has worked hard on perfecting (even if it is a buffet). And maybe you even got to choose chicken or fish on the invite! That being said, leave your food preferences at the door when you show up to the reception.
Please keep your dietary restrictions that are not health-based at home that day. If you’re actually allergic to nuts or dairy, obviously the venue and your hosts want to take care of you. But if you just don’t “like” arugula and would rather some romaine in your salad, you’re out of luck. Plan to hit the drive-thru afterwards if the buffet really looks that bad to you.
Really, the most important thing to remember when you’re going to a wedding is that the day is about the couple getting married. So try make their lives as stress-free as possible, or send your regrets and a gift instead.
Edited by Must Be Kismet
