Don’t Be That Person at a Wedding
We have all heard a story or two about someone being a nuisance on the day of the wedding, so how do we stop ourselves from being the subject of a story that is told too often? At Main Street Events, we have seen all kinds of weddings play out, so we know the deal. Each of us has a role when attending a wedding and it’s important to think about these roles. Now, there are more serious responsibilities for the key members of the wedding like the Maid of Honor or the one who is walking the bride down the aisle, and these roles take more preparation than others. But, there still are certain measures guests can take to be mindful and kind to the bride and groom on their big day. We will go through a few of these roles and list the dos and don’ts so you can be the best wedding attendee ever.
An 8th&Main couple on a beautiful Fall day
The Married Friend
Don’ts
Remember to ask the couple what THEY want on their wedding day. Don't be the married friend who is constantly telling them what they should do on the wedding day. Don't try to relive your day and be thoughtful about their dreams as a couple as well.
Don’t be the person who volunteers to be the planner for your friend’s wedding. This may sound like a loving thing to do but the reality is once the ceremony is over there are still a ton of things that real planners do and by that time you want to be a guest not a planner at your friend’s wedding. You will see people you know and won't be able to help to get into conversations. The end of the night is game-time for most planners and it takes a lot of organizational skills to take care of these details.
Dos
Ask your friend if she wants or needs any advice or help planning the wedding. Wait until they ask YOU! Then offer all the magical wedding wisdom you possess. But, just think about the events leading up to your wedding and the ways you wished people would have offered help, and go at it that way.
A bride and her friend headed to Mission Theatre taken by Cassandra Marie Photography
A Mission Theatre ceremony captured by Cassandra Marie Photography
Bridal party
Groomsman gifts at the Barn taken by Lacey Rene Studios
Don’ts
This is the bride and groom's special day, remember to SERVE them and don't make it about yourself. Don't be so concerned about how well your makeup looks or how perfectly ironed your attire is, just be there for the bride and groom on their wedding day.
Dos
Check-in with them, help calm any nerves and remind them of how special it is going to be when the bride/groom sees each other for the first time. Be supportive and don't be the person who is constantly talking worriedly about themselves. You were chosen to serve them and love them on their most special day.
Wedding Guests
Don’ts
No one wants to hear you talk for more than 3 minutes. This couple is on a tight schedule and really wants to enjoy the evening, so don't talk for 10 minutes about why YOU are so impacted by the couple. Keep it short, sweet, from the heart, and about the COUPLE, not you.
Also, you don’t want to be the person, friend, especially the sibling who drinks too much at your friend’s wedding. It is not a pretty site to see a bridesmaid dressed in her long lavender gown bending over and throwing up in the bushes on the front porch of the venue.
Dos
Be conscious of the couple’s time and make sure you put the focus on them. Compliment the venue, the food, whatever you have loved about the day! Just make sure the short conversation isn’t negative or brings the mood down. The couple is experiencing a lot of emotions at once! So, add to their joy and not their stress or anxiety.
Speeches at the Barn photographed by Jacy Overstreet Photography
Family of the Bride
Don’ts
Definitely leave the family drama in the parking lot, or even further! This is not the time to test family dynamics or vent or solve family issues. There is going to be a lot of family in one place, so the day may be hard in a lot of ways–but remember to make the day about the couple and not any outside family drama. This is not the place to drunkenly confront your brother or your mom or anyone.
Dos
You probably know the couple better than most of the wedding attendees, so be sure to love on them extra hard. Sometimes family is the only people we can be totally honest with, so if the couple needs a shoulder to lean on, or cry on, try and be there for them in ways no one else knows how!
Mother and mother-in-law with their bride at 8th&Main
Whether you are just attending the wedding as a guest, you’re the father of the bride, or in the wedding party, it’s important to think about your role on the day of the wedding. There are certain preventative measures we can all take to ensure our beloved couple has the best day of their life. More than anything, have some fun on their wedding day! Encourage people to get on the dance floor, eat two servings of cake, and have a couple of artisan beers. The couple wants to see you having a good time–just be sure to do it in a way that is loving.