Sometimes, people do not know how they should behave when attending a wedding. This is mainly because guests assume that wedding etiquette is reserved for the bride, her groom and their family members. Some form of etiquette is also expected of wedding guests and they should be aware of these rules before they attend any wedding. Behaving in a way that is not expected may not necessarily be punishable but it can be a source of great embarrassment to the wedding couple and their family and this should not be allowed to happen during their most important day. The rules for the guests are much easier to follow and they sometimes come natural to most people. One of the first rules for wedding guests is punctuality. All wedding invitation cards indicate the time the wedding ceremony is scheduled to start and it is polite to ensure that as a guest, one is seated at least 15 minutes before the time. Arriving just as the bride is walking to the front of the church is a rude gesture.

Silence is another simple rule to follow at a wedding. The only noise to be heard should be as directed by the presiding official in order to treat the wedding ceremony with sanctity. This not only shows a sense of order but also ensures that the ceremony is revered and respected. If some points of the ceremony require guests to sit and stand, one should do this carefully and if unsure, they should follow what other guests are doing or follow the directions of the officials. It is also important to let hired professionals take pictures when the ceremony has already started. Many vital decisions are based on the number of guests who will be attending a wedding and it is therefore very important and polite to confirm ones attendance as soon as they can to make work easier for planners. Additionally, unless the card has specifically indicated that a guest can be brought along, invited guests should not bring along dates.

It is also important for a wedding guest to send a gift to the newlyweds. This is both common courtesy and it sometimes makes it easier for the couple that just got married to start their lives easily. If for instance one does not attend the wedding for any given reasons, it is important for them to send a gift because the bride and groom respected them enough to request their presence at their wedding. Finally, ensure that any alcohol consumption is done with moderation and does not embarrass the newlyweds. It is important to show the newlyweds that the guests wish them well but they should not embarrass them while doing it.

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