How to be a great wedding guest?!
It’s that time of year again! Spring is almost over, summer is around the corner, and weddings are happening left and right. How do you prepare yourself for a summer and autumn filled with weddings of your closest friends and family? Here are some of BW Studio’s most helpful hints and tricks to making this an easy wedding season for you. Keep these handy if you want to be a great wedding guest this season!
Be prepared!
Check the wedding website, check the venue website, and check the weather.
Don’t be surprised when it’s a gravel parking lot in your stiletto heels or misty rain on your spring day. Come prepared for all situations!
Timeliness is next to Godliness
Be on time for the ceremony or activities.
Wedding planning is stressful and there are a lot of moving parts associated with the big day. If something falls behind 10-15 minutes, then everything starts to fall behind. Couples want to make sure their guests get to see and participate in every part of the day, but also… the show must go on without you.
As a planner, if you’re not the couple, the couple’s parents/grandparents, or in the wedding party, we may start without you to keep the day rolling!!
Proper Attire
Dress for the weather and the wedding colors!
I shouldn’t have to say it, but don’t wear white unless you’re asked specifically to wear white or black. Otherwise, keep it in season and with the wedding palette. You’ll look stunning in group photos if you’re in season and on brand!
No jeans or teeshirts, again unless you’re specifically asked to wear those items! Keep it classy… it’s a special day for everyone. What’s that saying… “You can never be too overdressed.” Be comfortable and ready for dancing, but not so comfortable that people wonder if you wandered into this wedding by accident.
Big Cheers
Cheer enthusiastically when the couple announces their marriage is sealed.
It’s a big moment and the fun can finally start now, so get the couple excited early too!!
This is not the day for golf claps.
Cards, Not Gifts.
Bring a thoughtful card, not a gift they have to carry, to the reception.
Don’t expect there to be a card box available at the ceremony. It will be waiting for you at the reception hall.
And if you really want to send a gift, just send it directly to their house! But bring a sweet card to remind them you were there.
Guest Books
Always sign the guest book or take part in their guest book ritual, whatever it may be.
Couples plan elaborate guest books all the time and their guests forget to participate, which is such a bummer for them. When they have a 200+ person guest count and only 40 people signed the guest book, they notice. So get in there, write something sweet, and make sure they know you enjoyed their special day. Even if it’s just a big heart and your name!
Even if you come as a couple, make sure to get your name in there, too.
Oh, and we shouldn’t have to say this… but don’t write something totally creepy in there!!
Hit the Dance Floor
For at least the first few songs!
Photographers and Videographers usually leave after about 20-30 minutes of open dancing… so we want to pack that dance floor for the first few songs and really get the party started. Even if you’re not a huge dancer, everyone can get up and move around after a huge dinner and belt out the words to a few of their favorite songs.
Bring a change of shoes!
As a guest, I always have a pair of sandals, cute sneakers, or plain flip flops at the ready in case my dancing feet have had enough.
Don’t count on your couple to provide those cute baskets of flip flops at the end of the night… it’s never guaranteed and it’s not their job to prepare for your sore-footie situation.
Keep it Classy
Don’t get so sloppy drunk you lose anything or start acting unlike yourself.
Nothing worse than not remembering what you did or said the night before, and no worse time to do it than your best friend or family member's wedding day! Have fun, get tipsy, but remember to pace yourself and drink lots of water so you can last well into the after party!
Big Hugs
Snag a big hug from the happy couple before you sneak off for the night.
Never Irish Goodbye a wedding. You came here to see the couple, so be sure to sneak in there and get a hug and kiss on the cheek before you run off for the night. Your couple will absolutely remember this gesture.
Wedding Website
When in doubt, refer to the couple’s wedding website!! They made it for a reason, please check it for updated information.
You can find all kinds of helpful information in there:
Hotels
Local Sights and Things to Do
Their Love Story
Photos of their Engagement
Info on the Wedding Party
Updates on Local Rules and Regulations
Potentially even more!
Feel fee to share this list with your friends and family so you can all be great wedding guests this season. Let us know if you have any other helpful tips and tricks you think we are missing from our list?!
A special thanks to the vendor team that made Kelly & Michael’s day so special:
Venue: Brix on the Fox //Photo/Video: Emily Elizabeth Photo // Florist: Shamrock Garden Florist // Catering: True Cuisine // Cake/Sweets: Ambrosia Euro American Patisserie // Bartending: 11th Hour Bartending // Alcohol: Prestige Wine & Spirits // Entertainment: SNP Productions // Rentals: Mortar Designs // Hair/Makeup: Patty McGuire Hair and Makeup Artists // Dress: Vow'd // Shoes: Dolce Vita // Rings: Arthur's Jewelry & Repair // Bridesmaids: Azazie // Suits: Men's Wearhouse // Hotels: Sonesta Elgin // Officiant: Ryan Loch // Transportation: M&M Limousine Services // Planning: BW Studio + Events