Being a guest at a wedding is no doubt a fun celebration of love, but it can also come along with unusual or awkward situations. To enjoy a wedding to the fullest, take a look through these situations and how to avoid or handle them. Without further adieu, here’s what to do if…
1. ….You aren’t sure if you received a plus-one invitation – This scenario is one that can be easily avoided! Before you go running to the couple for answers, do a little investigative work. On the envelope of the invitation, see if it’s addressed to “Jane Smith and Guest” or not. If not, try and ask other guests in a similar relational situation to you what their invitation said. Usually, if you’re married, engaged or living with a romantic partner, the couple would know that information and in turn, offer them a place at the wedding. This isn’t always the case, so if you’re not sure it is best to ask before assuming. If you know someone in the bridal party or the family ask them first, and only after that should you ask the bride or groom. Pro tip: It’s imperative to be understanding if you are not given a plus-one. Especially for a smaller wedding, the “No Ring, No Bring” rule might be at play. Giving guests a plus-one really adds up in the headcount and the budget, so if it’s in use, be respectful of it.
2. ….You arrive late to the ceremony – While everyone hopes not to be “that person” who shows up late, it happens! If you do happen to be tardy to the party (ceremony), try and find the wedding coordinator or planner. They might be able to squeeze you into a back row, but more importantly, they will know when NOT to sneak in. You don’t want to be attempting to find an open seat when the procession starts. However you try and find a seat, try to make the situation casual. Instead of saying “sorry” to every person you pass by, give a small smile and thank them later. Remember, the happy couple spent a lot of time and money on their wedding day, they deserve for it to be 100% about them!
3. ….You aren’t sure how your kids will behave – If the bride and groom have invited children to the wedding, they are theoretically understanding of anything that can happen. But, if your children are acting up, or you think they will cause a scene, it might be best to call a sitter and leave them at home. If you do bring your children, make sure they have enough entertainment for the ceremony. Depending on the length it can be tough for them to sit still and quiet! If your little one starts to have a meltdown or make noise during the ceremony, promptly take them far enough away that they are out of earshot. Try not to worry about making a scene, but be sure to make a quick and casual apology to the couple at the reception. They likely won’t care by that point, but it’s a nice gesture.
4. ….You want to save on shipping and just bring a gift to the wedding – Before you read this advice, don’t even think of bringing a gift to the wedding! A secondary purpose of a wedding registry is so that guests can have these larger or delicate items delivered right to their home, and often at a specified time that is convenient for them. Bringing a gift to a wedding is an inconvenience for the couple (or the family member that has to deal with it) and you risk it getting lost in the shuffle on the big day. If you want to present the gift personally do so after the wedding at a separate one-on-one occasion.
5. ….You show up wearing the same color as the bridal party – This is another scenario that can be avoided with a bit of research, but if it does happen, don’t fret. You can’t change your outfit once you’re there so you might as well make the best of it. If appropriate, seek out the bride (she probably picked the color!) and make a light-hearted joke about her great taste. For the future, try and seek out the advice of a bridesmaid before selecting your outfit. Pro tip: If the invitation suite or wedding website features specific colors, avoid those when looking for what you’ll wear.
As a guest at a wedding, there are certain expectations of you. Following these guidelines and suggestions for unusual or awkward situations can make for a smooth day for both you and the happy couple.
Erika focuses on email marketing, copywriting and merchandising at Zazzle, but she has a secret obsession with all things wedding! During the week you can find her writing punny subject lines while also pinning the latest wedding trends, and outside of the 9-5, she is usually cheering on the San Jose Sharks, reading a good murder mystery, or hunting for the best Philly Cheesesteak in the Bay Area.
