Beatrice and Eugenie at the Royal Wedding this summer.
By Sara McKinniss, via Young Profashionable
“Rule #76: No excuses. Play like a champion.” – Wedding Crashers, 2005
Holiday weddings are just around the corner. Whether we were the guest, in the bridal party or the bride or groom, there are always lessons learned no matter your involvement. It’s called etiquette. I’ve seen it done well and also done really bad. Here is my laundry list for those who are involved in any wedding in any capacity of important things to remember:
Bride/Groom:
1. Address and spell your guest’s names correctly. You are paying for their dinner and drinks, after all. If you don’t know them that well, why are they coming to your wedding?
2. Brides: We know you don’t want anyone to upstage your beauty on your day, but please spare the humiliation of putting a girl who needs a good supportive bra in a strapless dress. There are literally hundreds of styles of bridesmaids dresses, find one that works.
3. Brides again: don’t take your smallest maid to try on the dress everyone else will wear too. Hello, not everyone wears a size zero.
4. Grooms: Don’t pick out a suit that looks like you walked off the set of Mad Men or Law and Order. Take suiting elements and accessories you like and work with tuxedo specialists to create a custom look.
5. Don’t ever do a summer holiday weekend wedding. Get married on a Friday instead. People have plans. Same goes for college football season.
6. Indicate your “no children or family friendly policy” on the invitation. The same goes for if you’re having a cash bar. Most people debit card it these days, and there’s nothing worse than no ATM in sight when you’ve got a martini on your mind.
7. Do not make a person wear four inch high heels if they can’t confidently walk in them.
Guests:
1. Put on a pair of pants that are not denim. Denim does not equate dressy! Be respectful and wear something nice that’s presentable.
2. If your child is crying or screaming during a service, remove them from the ceremony. Better yet, hire a babysitter and leave them at home.
3. If you get drunk, find a ride home or take a taxi. If you start a fight with one of the groomsmen or you start hitting on the 85 year old grandma, it’s time to call it a night.
4. If you bought a gift for a shower or sent it ahead of time, you are not obligated to bring another gift. However, do bring a card to the reception.
5. The dance floor is for dancing. Get your groove on. If line dancing occurs, participate. If someone teaches you to Dougie, by all means, Dougie.
6. Fun headpieces are acceptable to wear to a wedding, looking like the Duchess of York’s children is not.
7. If someone asks you to dance, then dance.
Bridal Party:
1. Take the sunglasses off of your head and keep your shoes on until all major pictures are taken.
2. Natty Light or Busch should not be consumed on a wedding day in any capacity, unless initiated by the groom or bride and only if there is no risk of spills.
3. If they want strippers, get the strippers. If they want sexually objectified straws, necklaces and candies from the local Spencer’s Gifts store or adult store, buy them.
4. Prepare a speech if you’re giving one. You don’t have to rehearse it, just don’t get the bride’s name wrong or mention exes. It’s tacky and makes you look like an idiot.
5. Participate in all required activities without complaint, unless your chest is falling out of your bridesmaid’s dress or your expenses in the wedding cost more than your monthly rent.
6. Pitch in where you can, when you can and step away if fights ensue.
7. If you can’t afford to be in the bridal party, don’t be in it.
