| ARE YOU ATTENDING A WEDDING SOON? HERE ARE 10 ETIQUETTE RULES EVERY WEDDING GUEST SHOULD MASTER Jun 6th 2013, 22:07 Maybe you think of wedding etiquette as pertaining only to the couple, but there is, in fact, a long list of do's and don'ts you should abide by as a guest; from the moment the invitation arrives until after the happy event has occurred. Some rules of conduct are obvious while some need mastering. The couple would have gone through series of planning and rehearsals and the least you can do is to make their day perfect for them by comporting yourself in a proper manner. Bebeakinboade.com presents to you 10 Etiquette rules every wedding guest should master. ARRIVE AT THE CEREMONY ON TIME. Leave plenty of time to get to the wedding. Its good manners for all guests to be seated before the couple and not troop in one after the other as the ceremony are going on. If you're really late, stand in the back or slip quietly into a back pew or row once the processional is completely finished. DONNT JUST SHOW UP FOR THE RECEPTION, ATTEND THE JOINING AND BLESSINGS. The ceremony is the most important part and guests should make all efforts to attend. It's in poor taste to show up to the open bar without first attending the main event. DON'T WEAR BLACK OR WHITE TO A WEDDING. If you are a close friend of the couple and are partaking in the wedding uniform (aso-ebi) great, you've got your attire sorted out, if not there are two colours that are a big no at any wedding:- black and white. White should be a colour that's left exclusively for the bride while black is a bit too gloomy for the day. DON'T BE DISRESPECTFUL OF THE COUPLE'S RELIGION OR CULTURAL TRADITIONS. For you to have been invited for the ceremony, that means that you know about the couple as well as their tradition and religious beliefs. If it's a church that requires you cover your hair, or a mosque or temple that demands you cover your shoulders, or being quiet during a particular ritual, please observe. It's only for a few minutes after all and you can ditch the headpiece once the service is done before the reception. DON'T HOARD SEATS. It is distasteful to see bags, wedding programmes or souvenirs on seats while some guests are standing or loitering around the hall. DON'T CALL THE SERVERS FOR FOOD. If it's a buffet, take a decent amount, if it's a serving arrangement; let the servers get to your table and not you hollering for them. After all if you miss the food there, you can take yourself out to a treat or eat a proper meal at home. DON'T HUSTLE FOR SOUVENIRS. It's a matter of fact that everyone loves freebies; it's also a matter of fact that souvenirs can never go round all wedding guests. If it gets to your table, good for you. If not, it's not as is you can't afford to buy whatever is being distributed. No point lowering your self-esteem over this. DO NOT GET EMBARRASSINGLY DRUNK. Even if the reception is a party where alcohol is flowing freely, that is not a license to over-indulge. A friend's or relative's wedding should not be turned into a clubhouse. We all know our tolerance level when it comes to booze, so you can decide to pass after the first glass and leave the indulgence till a night out. SEND A GIFT, EVEN IF YOU CAN'T ATTEND. Etiquette dictates that if you were invited, you owe the couple a gift, even if you can't make it to the wedding. People lose friends over this. The couple would have expended a lot during the planning process, so one of the greatest ways of showing them love, apart from attending is giving a gift. If there is a wedding gift registry that solves the problem of what to get, if not, you can get anything tasteful within your budget or give a cash donation. This will go a long way and really be appreciated. DON'T LEAVE BEFORE THE CAKE IS CUT. It's an old rule, but there's a good reason for it. It's considered a quiet sign to elderly guests that it's okay to leave. That's when it's acceptable for you to depart as well. |  |
