18 Common Wedding Etiquette Questions, Answered

Do We Have to Invite All of Our Guests With a Plus One?

In this situation, it’s important to be both specific and strict. Decide where you’ll draw the line—for example, only married or engaged couples can bring a date—and stick to it, no matter what. Then, when you send out invitations, make sure the addressing is clear. For anyone invited with a guest, be sure to put the guest’s name on the invitation, too (i.e. “Ms. Emily Garber and Mr. Samuel Dunn,” not “Ms. Emily Garber and Guest”). Also, be mindful of guest prefixes. Everyone is not a mister (Mr.) or misses (Mrs./Ms.). The prefix "Mx.", pronounced "Mix", is often used for guests who are nonbinary. It is also fine to refer to guests by their names alone.

For a guest invited alone, put only their name on the envelope. When you’re talking to friends about the wedding, be forthcoming. Let them know that you either can’t afford to host a larger group or simply don’t have space at the venue, and leave it at that—no negotiating allowed.

Can We Make Some Exceptions for Our Adults-Only Wedding?

Making exceptions can be a recipe for disaster, so it’s better to stick to your guns. Have an adults-only celebration rather than deal with the whisperings about why your brother-in-law could bring his kids but your own sister couldn’t. The only exception? If you’re having an adults-only reception but really want to have a flower girl and ring bearer at the ceremony. In this instance, you can send your favorite kiddos down the aisle (and even take photos with them during cocktail hour) but should have a babysitter available to watch them for the rest of the evening. That means no little ones on the dance floor.

Do We Have to Invite Everyone We Work With to the Wedding?

Another wedding guest list etiquette doozy. Keeping the guest count under control is a challenge and not chatting about your wedding when there are just a few of you in the office? Well, it’s hard to stay mum about something so exciting. But after all that wedding talk, it would be rude to only invite your boss and leave the rest of your co-workers out of the fun.

For a truly small group (think four or five people), you should go ahead and invite the whole gang. If you’re in a larger office and just have a few close work friends, it won’t be too much of a surprise if just your boss and one or two others make the cut.

We Were Invited to a Friend’s Wedding—Do We Have to Reciprocate?

There’s no hard-and-fast reciprocation rule, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t ruffle feathers by not returning the favor. If the couple was married in the past few years, and you have both the space and the budget to invite them, consider doing so (unless, for example, they are two of your 12 cousins, and the other 10 won’t make the cut). If it has been five years or more, or you’ve fallen out of touch, don’t worry too much about it. Instead, make the plans that best fit your budget and your venue, and prioritize the people you really want to have there.

Do We Have to Invite Our Single Friends With a Plus One?

Plus ones might be the most common topic when it comes to wedding guest list etiquette. The good news is, if your friend is single, you’re not expected to add “and guest” to their invitation. But before you send an invite with only one name on the envelope, check in with your friend. If you’re not sure about their status, just ask. You never know when the person you thought she’d only dated once or twice might have just moved into her apartment. On the other hand, if they are casually dating and it’s nothing serious, you can definitely invite your friend on their own without hurting anyone’s feelings.

What Should We Do If We Need to Add Guests Last Minute?

This is a tough one, especially if a family member has helped cover the costs. It’s best to chat directly with who invited the extra last minute and your significant other about the toll that the addition takes on the budget and flow of the event, whether or not the family member responsible for the extra head is financially involved. See if they are willing to edit the list down or, if the venue has space for them, if they will consider throwing in some cash to help accommodate their presence.

Are We Obligated to Invite Wedding Party Dates to the Rehearsal Dinner?

Rehearsal dinners tend to be reserved for close family as well as the wedding party. If you don’t know your wedding party's dates personally, you technically don’t have to invite them. With that said, it is kind to offer the date a spot, especially if you have the space.

How Can We Help Our Guests Save on Destination Wedding Costs?

Recognizing the added cost of a destination wedding is empathetic of you as a host. Be sure to give guests information on travel and accommodations as soon as possible so they can plan accordingly and look for booking deals. If your room block is in a pricey hotel, consider having a second block in a less expensive hotel nearby. Offer to help single guests find roommates to bunk up or carpool to the destination. If you can, cover guests’ transportation between wedding event venues and maybe even the airport. And, of course, be understanding if someone cannot attend due to the budget.

How Can We Have a Black-Tie Wedding That Doesn't Feel Too Formal?

If a dressy affair is what you’ve dreamed of, don’t let guests’ attire stop you. Most guests will be happy to dress the part in order to be there for your big moment. Of course, renting a tux, finding a gown, or whatever your desired attire may be can be pricey. To give your guests a little more flexibility, consider an “optional” dress code. It lets your guests know that dark suits, cocktail dresses, or other specified attire are totally appropriate while still guaranteeing you’ll have a batch of people in bow ties and satin lapels.

How Should We Communicate That We Don't Want Gifts?

Since registries and gifts for the happy couple are such a tradition, it’s challenging to help your guests, especially the older ones, understand your position. We know many couples live together before marriage these days, and they often don’t require new household items like appliances and linens. Simply explain to your guests that their presence is gift enough.

You can post this on your wedding website or communicate it through email or phone while discussing plans with your friends and family. Alternatively, consider setting up a charity registry for guests who do want to show their love through presents—they can donate in your name. Lastly, if a guest does gift you something, graciously accept and send a thank-you note, even if you don’t keep it.

How Can We Include Friends Not in the Wedding Party at the Celebration?

There are plenty of ways to include more close friends and family. Have them serve as greeters at the ceremony, pass out programs, or even save a special time for them to give a toast. You may want some to share readings during the ceremony. If a guest has a particular skill, such as public speaking, consider having that person emcee part or all of the reception. And, of course, any friends and family can hang out while you get ready. Just stock some extra Champagne and whiskey.

We Are Having a Small Wedding—Can We Invite Everyone to the Rehearsal Dinner?

Of course! There’s no rule that says only certain guests should be included in the rehearsal dinner. It is common courtesy to invite your immediate family, wedding party, and the officiant to the event, but if budget and space allow, feel free to include the entire guest list. In fact, many couples are now fusing the rehearsal dinner with a welcome party, allowing guests to mix and mingle prior to the big day. Just note that if you plan it as an official wedding event, you should cover all the costs, including the bar.

How Do We Stop Guests From Taking Pictures During the Ceremony?

At every wedding, there’s always one aunt that wants a video of the first kiss for Facebook, right? Be transparent with your guests that you’re leaving the photography to the pros. Set up a sign explaining that you’re having an “unplugged” ceremony at the entrance to the venue, and ask your officiant to announce your request to the crowd before the marriage begins. While you cannot completely control people and their cell phone cameras, hopefully your friends and family will honor your wishes.

Is It Rude If We Don't Serve Meat to Our Guests?

This is a tricky one. If you’re staunch vegetarians and have designed a menu where no one will miss the meat, go ahead. After all, your wedding should reflect who you are as a couple. On the other hand, the sign of a good host is keeping your guests in mind while planning. If your family and friends are real “meat and potatoes” types, you may want to compromise by offering a single meat entrée alongside the vegetarian options you’ve selected.

We Don’t Drink Alcohol but Our Guests Do—How Should We Handle the Bar?

It’s sweet of you to consider the enjoyment of your guests, even if you don’t partake in alcohol consumption. Think about what, if any, alcoholic beverages—wine, beer, mixed drinks, hard liquor—you feel comfortable serving. If cocktails make you nervous but you still want adult beverages, opt for lower ABV (alcohol by volume) drinks like wine, beer, cider, and liqueurs like amaros. Your guests already love you and know you don’t imbibe, so they won’t hold it against you if there isn’t a full bar. Plus, they may even thank you for the hangover-less brunch the next day.

How Do We Accommodate All of Our Guests' Dietary Restrictions?

The short answer? You probably cannot. Don’t stress and bend over backward for each and every diet—your guests understand they are picky, and likely face the same challenges at any restaurant. However, it is possible to give your guests more detailed information about what’s in the food. Alert your catering team to the fact that there are some special diets. They can direct you to items that are friendly to certain restrictions during the menu planning process. If you have a buffet, include details like “gluten-free” or “vegetarian” on the menu cards by each dish. For seated dinners, offer a vegetarian option as well as a meat or fish dish. Vegetarian dishes are often easily converted to vegan dishes by removing cheese or honey, which most catering teams can accommodate with a small request from the guest.

We Had a Falling Out With a Couple During Our Engagement—Can We Disinvite Them?

Technically yes, but you should take into consideration a few things. First off, rescinding an invitation is poor form, so unless you can’t stand to be within 50 feet of them, keep their RSVP. Just don’t spend time with them on the wedding day. If you really can’t fathom seeing their faces at the reception, meet in person or call—don’t text or email—the guests and explain that you feel it’s best they don’t attend. Understand, though, that taking this position generally puts an end to the friendship, and be prepared for the ramifications of your actions.

Is It Okay to Send Thank You Notes Via Email?

This is one of the opportunities in life to send a handwritten thank-you letter. Your guests spent time, money, and effort to celebrate with you. Show your appreciation by writing a personalized thank you to each guest, noting how much you loved having them at the festivities and acknowledging any gifts. We know this takes time, especially after all the wedding planning. Start by dividing your guest list into sections, and set a goal to accomplish a section each week. Before you know it, you’ll be done.