Part I of the Cranky Bride Chronicles: Top tips to be a top guest at a Wedding

As we enter into peak wedding season here in Australia I thought I would take some time to provide my top tips on how to be a top guest at a wedding!

As I am sure some of you that follow my work are aware I am actually a 2017 bride myself, so as I'm sure many of my newly weds and soon to be wed clients would know all of the frustrations that come along with organising the wedding. I'll be breaking it down and adding my tips for planning as I go in blog posts just like this one.

Before we get to the formalities, being a top guest starts with your RSVP!

1. When you receive your formal invitation to the wedding of your friend/family member/work colleague etc the first thing to note is the WHO is invited. Does the invitation have just your name on it or does it have you and your partner?

Please pay close attention to this as it will guide you on the way to being a top guest! Only RSVP for those who have been invited. If there aren't names for your kids etc please don't hesitate to contact the bride/groom to ask, but as a rule of thumb, if the name isn't there, they have not been catered for.

​2. Please RSVP by the due date! This allows the bride and groom time to finalise numbers for catering as well as allowing for any extra hire items that they may need to allow for. It also confirms how many wedding favours are required! This is particularly important for anyone who is self catering their wedding.

My wedding invitations literally read if you don't RSVP by the due date please bring a sandwich and a chair. I pinched the idea from Offbeat Bride. People think I'm joking but I'm actually dead serious about this!

3. If you aren't sure on the dress code please ask, if you aren't wanting to disturb the bride and you know who the bridesmaids are please reach out to them to ask for some ideas.

​4. If you can't make it, be honest with the bride and groom! They will most likely be a little disappointed but don't RSVP and say yes then cancel at the last minute. Chances are that the bride and groom have already paid for you which could be from as little as $25 a head to $200+ a head. This could mean that they could have added some nicer luxuries to their honeymoon or invited someone else.

Beinv brutally honest here, my fiancé and I have quite openly said we don't mind if you don't come but please let us know! It means for every person we don't pay for we can spend a little more on our honeymoon.

Ettiquette tips for on the day

1. Please respect the bride and grooms wishes regarding social media and pictures at the wedding. If there is a wedding hashtag please utilise it as it will make it easier for them to find any photographs after their day is over. If they have asked for you to refrain from posting until they have had a chance to please respect that wish.

2. Unplugged ceremonies are becoming increasingly popular! As is the case with our upcoming wedding we have respectfully asked that it be an unplugged ceremony, this means no phones or cameras or any other picture taking device unless you are one of the paid professionals.

We made this this decision after attending the wedding of a friend of mine where a child with her iPad was getting in the way of the paid professional. I can not stress this enough! Don't be that guy even if it is not an unplugged ceremony, be respectful of not being in the way of the professionals.

3. Gifts - the modern bride and groom have traditionally been living together for some time before they get married so a lot of the old traditional gifts are not the way to go. We appreciate that attending a wedding can be expensive just like it is expensive to actually have a ceremony and reception. If you are stuck for ideas cash is always a good way to go, alternatively look at gift vouchers. One of the best ideas I've had recently was to gift flight centre vouchers which can be used towards the honeymoon or the like.

4. Don't bring any negativity or drama to the wedding. This is a common sense thing, this is the happiest day of the bride and grooms life so far so please make sure you add to the happy vibe.

​ Alcohol consumption

1. This one feels like it should be a commonsense thing but given that commonsense is becoming increasingly uncommon, please be mindful of your behaviour. If you are likely to get rowdy and cause embarrassment to the bride and groom please limit your consumption.

2. No one likes a hangover, please make sure you keep hydrated with water in between alcoholic beverages. Try not to drink on an empty stomach!

Thank you for reading the musings of a cranky bride,

May your wedding planning be as stressless as possible.