Etiquette for Wedding Guests

Now that wedding season is here with us, here a few etiquette tips to consider ....

1.     RSVP

RSVP is an abbreviation for Respondez S’il Vous Plait (Please respond). The essence of RSVP is to help the couple to keep track of the number of guests to expect on their wedding day.

Having a good estimate of guest numbers is helpful in planning for the set-up as well as food and drinks. However, in Ghana, it appears that we only call the RSVP contact when we need directions to the venue.

So couples usually have to estimate how many people will show up at their wedding. When they underestimate the number of people attending, some guests are left standing and the food runs out before everyone is served L When they overestimate, there are empty tables, and food goes to waste L

So next time you receive a wedding invitation, do well to RSVP.

Photo credit: http://www.zazzle.com/cartoon+style+wedding+invitations

2.     Dress For The Occasion

Make an effort to dress to suit the occasion. Remember that a wedding is a solemn ceremony, so modesty should guide your outfit of choice.

If the ceremony is at a place of worship (church, mosque, etc), ensure that your outfit complies with the dress code and religious beliefs of that place of worship. When in doubt, ask the couple.

It is also important to consider the venue of the ceremony/reception when choosing your outfit. So while a sundress or a shirt and trousers will be perfect for a garden wedding and reception, an evening gown or tuxedo will be ideal for a reception dinner in a ballroom of a five star hotel.

Photo credit: http://www.123rf.com/clipart-vector/office_dress.html

3.     Be On Time

Gone are the days when brides were blamed for lateness. These days, a bride who arrives to the ceremony on time, is likely to walk down the aisle in a half-empty church.

On my wedding day, as I walked down the aisle, I was surprised to see that the church was almost empty. “Where is everyone?” I wondered. Thankfully, by the time the ceremony was over, the room was almost full to capacity.

The worst offenders are those who skip the ceremony altogether and show up at the reception.

Photo credit: http://www.cool-cuffs.co.uk/products/dont-be-late-wedding-cufflinks-with-personalised-time

4.     Be Present in the Moment

Once you arrive at the wedding ceremony/reception, make a conscious effort to be present in the moment. Be part of the programme. Sing, pray, dance ….. enjoy the event. Resist the urge to browse the internet during the ceremony. Don’t distract others by chit chatting with a friend during the sermon.

At the reception, try to enjoy yourself too. Some people can be so distant that you wonder if they were dragged there. Have fun. Loosen up - applaud the bridal party as they enter, listen to the speeches, dance. I guarantee you that if you make an effort to be present in the moment, you will have a good time.

Photo credit: http://delsolphotography.com/farnaz-korosh-riviera-maya-wedding-fairmont-mayakoba/

5.     Send a Gift

Give the couple a meaningful gift as they start a new phase of their lives. If they have indicated a gift preference on the invitation (e.g. cash only or gift registry) respect those preferences. Sadly, these days, the gift table at weddings is usually empty. Guests show up empty-handed and expect to have a good time. Bear in mind that the couple has spent a lot of money so you can share their special day with them, so return the favour and go along with a gift.

Photo credit: http://yhorowitz.com/category/fashion/