Wedding Etiquette for Happy Guests on Your Big Day

Everyone envisions their wedding as one of the most special days of their life. From the style of the wedding gown to the most divine cake, every detail is discussed … over and over again. The reality is, most things the couple worries about aren’t significant to their wedding guests. Paying attention to what DOES MATTER is the key to a great wedding and a cheerful guest. Keep reading for a different take on wedding etiquette for happy guests.

Wedding Details that Don’t Really Make a Huge Impact on the Guest

Save yourself the stress by not sweating the following:

Pricey Invitations

While a beautiful piece of card stock is lovely, the time, effort and price point that goes into the invitation may not be the best return on your investment. The average cost of wedding invitations for 150 guests ranges from 600.00 to 1200.00. That’s a huge chunk of change for a piece of paper that is likely to be lost or tossed. Give this Brides.com article a read when you’re in the market for gorgeous invites that are friendly on the budget.

A Formal Guest Book

Rather than having people line up to write a note to the happy couple, consider setting up a website where people can leave their best wishes. In the age of cell phones and pictures in real-time, a few candid photos and a sweet message is all the bride and groom will need to remember you were sharing their special day.

The Designer Dress

As we all know, you don’t have to spend a fortune to look like a million dollars. A stunning dress can be found at all price points, and it’s best to stick to a budget you can afford. No one will see the inside label, and the chance that your expensive dress may get stained during the reception is highly likely. If you can’t afford to ruin it, you likely can’t afford to buy it. Be a savvy bride and buy something beautiful and practical.

Lavish Table Settings

Skip the ornate silver and crystal for simple, fresh flowers and beautiful pictures of the bride and groom in simple frames. Add non-scented votive candles at the table for a special glow.

The Expensive Rentals

If you must choose between good and great when it comes to the quality of table, chairs, linen and other rentals, choose middle of the road. Unless it’s flatware—because no one likes to eat from flimsy forks and knives—a gold-painted folding chair versus a brown folding chair will be just as nice when the food arrives at the table.

Toasts … Too Many Toasts

Please do everyone a favor and keep the toasts to a minimum. When you have hundreds of guests and more people who want to hear themselves talk, the toasts can get a bit lengthy. Ask a few key people to stand up and share some fond memories, and allow your guests to enjoy the cake. And, speaking of cake, the success of the dessert depends on the taste, not the fondant. If towers and towers of icing come tumbling down after the first slice, the cake will be less appealing to your guests. Consider smaller versions of the cake, such as cupcakes or even a separate dessert bar for your guests to enjoy.

The Garter Toss and Other Traditions

Some guests may still enjoy the old traditions, but not everyone shares the same sentiment. If a guest chooses to opt-out, allow them to feel free to enjoy the reception without lunging for a garter or grabbing the bride’s bouquet from midair.

The One Thing They Do Care About … The Bar

As for wedding etiquette for happy guests, don’t expect your guests to pay for their cocktails. It’s better to serve a few signature drinks and some nonalcoholic beverages and stop serving at a particular time, as opposed to making your guests pay for their own drinks. You wouldn’t invite someone to a birthday dinner or a graduation and make them pay for their food, would you? There should be no last-minute surprises.

Are you interested in more resources around wedding etiquette for happy guests? You may also like 8 Things Brides Forget When Planning Their Wedding. Be sure to check out The Protocol School of Texas. Read Diane’s posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.