Virtual Wedding Guest Etiquette

A virtual wedding still holds the same sentiment for the bride and groom. Do your part as a good guest to make the couple happy they invited you to their celebration.

Arrive Early

If the ceremony starts at 6:30 pm, don’t jump on at the last minute. Arrive at least 10 minutes early and check your technology 30 minutes before making sure there are no last-minute glitches. Mute your phone and computer and close the windows on your computer to minimize noise and distractions. Don’t join without turning on your camera. You are not watching a television show; you are an important part of the event.

Dress Like You Are Attending a Celebration

Dress for the occasion. Wear a nice dress or suit, do your hair and makeup in the same way you would if you were attending in person. There will be plenty of photo opportunities with a virtual wedding and you want to be captured in the best possible light. 

Grab a Great Seat

If you were there in person,  you would want to be seated in a spot where you could see the ceremony. You would also like the bride and groom to know you were in attendance. It’s easy to see you in person but on a small screen, do your part to have the best possible lighting. Whether in the evening or during the day, natural light is most flattering, but when none is available, consider where you would sit at an important business meeting and what type of light filter you would use. The last thing you want the bride and groom and other guests to observe is you sitting in the dark. A little bit creepy!

Plus Ones are Still a No Go

One of the most commonly asked questions when attending an in-person wedding is, “Can I bring a plus one?” It’s rude to ask but people do it anyway. Virtually, you may be in a home with people who wouldn’t ordinarily be at the wedding but you can’t escape proximity. Make sure to let everyone know you will be attending a virtual wedding and ask for their help in keeping the background noise to a minimum. If someone happens to “sit-in” on the sidelines, there isn’t much you can do. A big “Don’t” is letting someone join in that was not intentionally invited, such as a former spouse or friend who didn’t make the cut.

Ask In Advance if You May Make a Toast

Depending on the couple’s wishes, people may be encouraged, or not, to make personal comments and toasts. Speeches are generally given by close family and the wedding party, best man and maid of honor. If you have something significant to say, call ahead and ask permission. Don’t jump in unless encouraged to do so.

Use the Gift Registry

If you are close enough friends to attend the wedding, you are expected to send a gift. A registry makes it easy to choose among a variety of items and different price points. If you would prefer to send a check, by all means, do so but send any gift earlier rather than later. There is no set in stone rule about how much you should spend on a wedding gift, either virtually or in person. Take your personal finances, current situation and relationship with the couple into consideration when deciding how much to spend.

You may also like 7 Ways to Welcome Your Wedding Guests. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her 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.