6 Tips to Consider Before Attending Your Next Wedding

Weddings are fantastic, unforgettable events. They provide the perfect opportunity for family and friends to come together and celebrate love. They are a great opportunity to dress your best and show off your best dance moves. It is also an occasion where you can show your support to the happy couple by attending their wedding reception. If you’re thinking about going to your next friend’s or relative’s wedding, here are six things you should think about before taking that step.

1. Be Mindful of your Attire

When you were asked to be part of the wedding party, you probably sat down with the bride and groom so they could figure out what style of dress would look best on you. If not, you should at least be made familiar with the kind of attire the bride and groom are going to be donning. Keep that in mind when deciding on your outfit for the big celebration! 

For example, if it’s a black-tie affair, choose an elegant evening gown or a formal suit for the event. If you’re not sure what the dress code is, it’s always a safe bet to go with something more formal like a Sakura Maxi Infinity Dress than not. One thing to keep in mind is to not outshine the newlyweds. We all want to look our best for these formal events, but remember that you are not the star of this show. (Tip for all the ladies: don’t wear white to someone else’s wedding).

2. Choose a Gift Wisely

Finding gifts for weddings isn’t always easy. You want to find something that the couple will like, but you probably don’t want to spend too much money on an item they may not use. It’s important to think about what they would appreciate most before deciding on a wedding present. 

Many couples will set up registries or create wish lists of sorts to give their guests a more guided idea of what kind of gifts to purchase. Take notes from these lists. Set a budget for yourself and give yourself plenty of time to choose the right gift. Finding something meaningful is more valuable than anything.

If you are part of the wedding planning committee, you can gift a wrap bridesmaid dress to one, or all, of the bridesmaids. You could also gift floral arrangements or memorabilia for the event. If you’re having trouble coming up with an idea, a gift card is always a safe option.

3. Consider your Travel Plans

Most weddings are planned so that they take place in the early evening hours. However, if the reception is being held somewhere else, you may need to figure out how you will travel there. If it’s across town or requires a plane ride, then traveling in advance is usually necessary. On the other hand, if it’s in your town, you may want to wait until the last minute before booking your flight.

The important thing is to organize your travel arrangements and make sure everything is prepared with plenty of time for unexpected changes to come up. You want to have a back up plan in case something goes wrong with the first, especially if you need to travel by plane. The last thing you want is to miss your loved one’s special day.

4. Unless your Kids are invited, Don’t Bring them

Before you RSVP for a wedding reception, be sure to check the invitation to see if you’re allowed to bring your kids. If not, don’t take them with you unless it’s a family event that your children are invited to attend. 

Bringing young ones to a party where there will be drinking and dancing may not always be appropriate. In any case, it’s best not to make other guests uncomfortable by bringing little ones to an adult function. Hire a sitter for the night or leave the kids with grandma or grandpa. If the bride and groom asked for no kids, then you must respect their decision if you’d like to attend.

5. Learn to Love your Dinner Seat

Most weddings have assigned seating, so you’ll want to be sure to take a look at the seating chart before making your decision. If you’re not seated next to your friends, it may be a good idea to sit with another group of people so you can enjoy the evening. Chances are, you won’t be able to move around during the reception, so choose wisely when it comes to picking your dinner seat.

While this might not seem like a huge deal, keep in mind that the wedding photographers and videographers will be roaming the venue and your seat to capture the night’s memories. You want to look your best and happiest when the cameras come by. Give your loved ones the most positive memories of their wedding night. Share laughs upon laughs. Toast to the newly wedded couple. Sit with your friends and family and the rest will come naturally. 

6. Don’t Steal from the Receptionist’s Station

It’s common to find a wedding guest book filled with messages from people who attended the event. If there is no one available for you to sign, don’t steal pens and paper from the receptionist’s station to leave your good wishes. Not only is that extremely disrespectful (and kind of creepy), but it also shows such poor manners as guests!

Also, there’s a good chance that you’ll be directed to the front desk after you arrive at the wedding reception. The wedding party usually uses this area to keep their belongings while they are mingling with other guests. Whether it’s your purse or cell phone, make sure you get everything before leaving the table. If it slips your mind and you get caught stealing, then there’s also a chance that the wedding coordinator will ban everyone in the bridal party from attending future receptions.

Conclusion

If you follow these six tips before going to your next wedding, then you can guarantee yourself a great time! Being mindful of how things work at most weddings will prevent any awkward or unexpected situations from occurring. 

In addition, by planning ahead, showing up on time, dressing appropriately, and gifting accordingly, you can make sure that the ceremony will be exactly how the couple wanted it to be: a night to remember!