It’s a beautiful thing when two people come together to pledge themselves in love to one another. Both parties bring all of their loved ones together in one place, for the ultimate party. It’s great fun, but it’s more formal than a typical house party. Follow a few simple rules to be the best wedding guest imaginable.

Wedding Etiquette Do’s:

1. Bring a wedding gift from the registry: The bride and groom went through several stores and found all of the items that they want to create their home together with. Stick to it. It makes life easier for you and them. They get a gift that they want, and you don’t have to search high and low for the perfect present. Find something that is within your price range, hasn’t been purchased yet, and give them something that they can cherish for years.
2. Be on time: Weddings follow a very prompt schedule. It’s a formal event, and you should treat it as such. There isn’t a discreet way to “drop-in” once the ceremony has begun. Guests should be seated before the bridesmaids start down the aisle. The last person to enter the room should be the bride.
3. Turn off your phone: Don’t take away from their wedding by distracting others with an obnoxious ringtone. Silence any devices that will ring or make noise to give everyone’s full attention to the beautiful couple at the front.
4. Abide by the dress code: The bride has taken the time pick out bridesmaid dresses, the men’s attire, and her own. You can infer what the type of dress should be by the time of day the ceremony is and the venue that the event is taking place. Some invitations will explicitly state how formal of attire you should wear. Remember, it’s always better to be overdressed than to be underdressed.

It goes without saying that men and women should avoid wearing white on the bride’s big day. Having some white in the outfit is fine, but leave the solid white dress to the lady of the hour.

Wedding Etiquette Don’ts:

1. Assume you can bring a date: If the invitation states you get a “plus 1,” then start asking around to find a guest to go with you. If it doesn’t, then that means that there is only room for you. The buffet is priced per head, and the bride and groom need to stick to a budget. Not to mention, if it’s a plated dinner, then your guest may not have a seat at the table!
2. Bring an oversized gift to the wedding: There will be limited space as it is. Don’t crowd the gift station with one large present. Mail the gift to their house, or save it for the wedding shower and other parties.
3. Have one too many: If there is an open bar, then it’s there to be enjoyed. Have a great time, but don’t get too carried away. You don’t want to get too sloppy or become a chore to the others guests.
4. Arrive too early: The caterers, photographers, florists, and officiator all need time to get their things together. Don’t arrive too early and make people feel compelled to entertain you while they are trying to set up. The earliest you should arrive is 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony.

There’s so much fun to be had at weddings. You can have a drink with the bridal party, take photos, and dance the night away. Reminisce with old friends, and meet new friends. It’s a good thing when you get to stand next to someone you love for a major life event like marriage. Keep the spotlight on them, and have a great time celebrating with them.