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When the invitation or save the date for a future wedding makes its way into your mailbox, you may find yourself bursting with excitement. Even the perpetual wedding guest can admit that weddings tend to be a lot of fun. They are a chance to eat good food, flirt with an open bar, and dance beside old friends and brand new ones. It's also the celebration of two people in your life who have found love within one another and promise to stay together for a lifetime.
Weddings are a chance for you to let loose and have a great time. But when doing so, it's important to remember that weddings are also a gathering of all different people, of all different ages, so you should try to keep your behavior as classy as possible.
You should also remember that as a wedding guest, you're a representation of the bride and the groom—you're not just there to bust out dance moves and stuff your face with expensive food. You're there to support and celebrate with the happy couple who just pronounced their "I dos."
In order to avoid showing up at the wedding already hungover or finding yourself tending to blistered feet halfway through the reception, avoid these 30 common mistakes and ensure that your wedding guest reputation remains untarnished.
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Giving an Unplanned Speech
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If you want to speak at the wedding, chat with the couple beforehand, but keep in mind that they may not want guests to think it's an open mic kind of night and have speeches drag on for a good chunk of the reception. Just because there's a microphone at the party, doesn't mean you have permission to use it.
Texting the Bride
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Imagine how many texts, calls, and emails she is getting the week of the wedding. If you can avoid it, don't text the bride right before the big day. If you have a question, check with another guest or even a member of the bridal party.
Wearing White
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Photo by Russell Ord Photography
Save the pearly white color for the bride. Even if you think it's okay to do, wear any other dress just to be safe. Let her sparkle in her wedding gown.
Chatting During the Ceremony
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Photo by Chowen Photography
You may be so excited for the ceremony that you find yourself saying sports-like commentary throughout the wedding and giving the people around you a play-by-play. However, you should try to refrain from chatting during the ceremony and allow everyone else to enjoy it in their own right.
Leaving Early
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If you have to leave early, that's okay. But if you need to head out before the official exit, skip saying goodbye to the couple. That way, it won't make them panic that you're leaving early.
Swiping a Bottle From the Open Bar
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Photo by Love Me Do Photography
The bartender won't like that very much and you may even end up getting kicked out. Remember, this party is not one from a spring break cruise. It's a wedding. So keep the drinking classy.
Wearing Jeans
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Photo by Mae & Minh Photography
Even if the wedding invitation says it is not a black-tie event, that does not mean you're allowed to wear jeans. Even if they are "nice" jeans, opt for dress pants or something a few notches above the Levis.
Getting Kicked Out at the End
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Photo by Kristyn Hogan
When the DJ says goodnight, be sure to take that as your cue to leave. Perhaps there is an after-party to go to, but try not to linger around the venue for too long. The couple will have to pay if they go over the amount of time for which they rented it. So when they say the wedding's over, it means it's over.
Comparing/Criticizing the Details
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Photo by Tim Ryan Smith
If you are also a bride-to-be and in the process of planning your wedding, try your best to just keep your opinions about décor to yourself. Take mental notes about what you like and dislike at someone else's wedding, but on the night- or day-of, keep it positive.
Loudly Criticizing the Food
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Photo by Hannah Costello
The couple has agonized over the type of food to serve, the style in which to serve it, and all the details of catering—not to mention how much they've shelled out to feed you. The least you can do is pretend it's delicious and save your comments for after you leave.
Publicly Hooking Up at the Wedding
Photo by Golden Hour Studios
Though it could be kind of funny, it's also super embarrassing for Aunt Leslie to walk into the coat closet only to find you and another guest in various states of undress, rolling around atop her blazer. Do everyone a favor and leave the grounds of the venue if you want to get jiggy with it, or at least go up to your hotel room.