I probably spend way too much time in wedding chat groups on Facebook, because there are a lot of people bringing up issues in relation to their family and friends that have been invited to their special day.
A wedding day isn’t cheap, even when undertaken on a budget, so help your family members out by being the perfect guest and making their investment worthwhile for them. By following these simple tips you’ll ensure that you are the dog’s doodahs of wedding guests in the eyes of your loved ones.
1. THE PERFECT WEDDING GUEST RSVP’S ON TIME

There is nothing worse than trying to plan a menu or a seating plan when you don’t know exactly who is coming. You have been invited to attend the wedding because, believe it or not you are kind of important in the eyes and hearts of the inviters, so don’t ignore the invite and try not to be a last minute nellie.
It’s easy to respond, a lot of couples are using digital platforms for their invites so it can be as simple as a press of a button to accept or decline. Digital not your style? A quick phone call or an RSVP card, or even a personal visit if proximity allows will be just as good.
If you have to cancel, and let’s face it life does throw some curveballs, try to avoid doing it on the day… and always let someone know, its horrible being left expecting someone to arrive that just doesn’t show up for no apparent reason.
2. THE PERFECT WEDDING GUEST ARRIVES AHEAD OF TIME

Wedding protocol dictates that guests should be at the venue 20-30 minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to start. There is nothing more off-putting to an officiant than that guest trying to quietly sneak in part way through your oratory masterpiece.
So when you get your invitation for a 2pm ceremony, aim to be there by 1.30 at the latest. If you are attending with someone who has no sense of time keeping… a little white lie about the time the ceremony is starting to help them get a shimmy on won’t go amiss… and your officiant, and the couple will appreciate the lack of interruption.
3. THE PERFECT WEDDING GUEST LEAVES THE UNINVITED AT HOME
Ooh now then, this is a biggie! And something that is raising its head in nearly every forum I have been in recently. If your invite is for you and you alone…then don’t try to sneak in your new partner of 4 weeks. Chances are if you are in a new relationship the couple won’t have met them and will only feel comfortable being surrounded by those they know. IF the couple know your new partner because they are part of their friendship group, chances are they will have received their own invitation anyway and that will be a win- win.
There is nothing worse than being put into a position by a loved up mate or family member trying to squeeze a new flame into a day that has been finely tuned and budgeted to the nth degree. Play ball and remember, if they’re not on the list, they’re not coming in!
Oh, and I’m not going to comment on the kids at weddings thing! I need a tin hat before I stick my head above the parapet on that one…suffice to say, the arguments for and against are strong…very strong! Please respect the decision of the couple getting married.
4. THE PERFECT WEDDING GUESTS DON’T GET IN THE WAY OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER
A massive bugbear for the photographers out there, there is nothing and I mean NOTHING that bugs a tog more than a guest who has been asked to put their phone away, sat or stood there with the phone out at arms length blocking the direct view of the photographer who is trying to get the perfect shot.
99% of the time, the official photos will be shared with you all when the couple have received them. Check this bog to find out why an unplugged wedding IS the way to go.
5. IF ASKED TO PUT PHONES AWAY, PLEASE DO SO, SO THAT YOU CAN …
See the top tip above , and this is one reason why you are asked to put your phones away…That, and the fact, if you are a guest at one of my ceremonies, there is a fairly good chance that you will need your hands free for something else as you…
6. … JOIN IN WITH THE CEREMONY
You never know what your celebrant will get you doing!
I might be looking for some pot luck readers, or asking you all to join hands as we pass the heartbeat. You might be doing something else completely. That’s the beauty of celebrant led ceremonies, anything can go, anything can be included and often is. You can’t film and join in, so live in the moment and enjoy some phone free time.
7. THE PERFECT WEDDING GUESTS RESPECT THE SUPPLIERS
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE respect all suppliers. We are working, AND working hard to make the day perfect for all of our couples. We can still enjoy the day, laugh, smile and even join in with the fun… but this is our work environment, and we deserve to be treated with respect. Kim’s story is not a stand alone account of things that have happened to her at weddings. You wouldn’t want to be rudely treated in your work space, so please don’t do it to us!

8. THE PERFECT WEDDING GUESTS DON’T GET TOO DRUNK
And lastly, please don’t get too drunk… you’ll wake up with a very sore head the following day, you may have thrown up somewhere you’ll regret or caused a ruckus on the dance floor.
It really isn’t worth getting that off your face that you can’t enjoy the day, here’s some top tips on staying sober at a wedding….yes, IT IS POSSIBLE!!!
The list is obviously not exhaustive, and these are my personal thoughts on what makes the perfect wedding guest.
The long and the short of it is, be kind, be thoughtful, enjoy and celebrate the love in the room for your newly hitched family or friends.
Need more info on my wedding services? Check out celebrant weddings here.

For more information and ideas about how we can work together get in touch now
I can’t wait to work with you and create something funky and magical.