Doing it Right – Wedding Etiquette

By Bridal Confidential
December 11, 2020December 16, 2020
covid-19 etiquette wedding tips
With 1 comment

Regardless of how off-the-wall your wedding is going to be, common courtesy still has to prevail. Family and friends will go along with almost anything you can dream up as long as you do it with some regard to their lifestyles, feelings and wallets!

One Gift Wonder: Unless they are family, or members of the wedding party, don’t invite the same person to more than one shower. One wedding gift and one shower gift is all anyone should be expected to give. Anyone attending more than one shower is not expected to bring another gift.

Double Down: Even if they are to the same person, bridal shower and wedding gift thank you notes should be sent separately. Your vendors deserve one too! Also, anyone who is invited to the ceremony should also be invited to the reception.

Give Time to Plan: Sending out invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding is ample time unless you are planning a destination wedding once the pandemic clears up! When travel is involved, three months notice would be better.

For Those Who Can’t Attend: Don’t invite people you know can’t come. For anyone who can’t attend, giving a gift is optional, but once an invitation is received, sending a gift becomes the only polite thing to do.

Set a Deadline: Have a deadline for your RSVP’s. Now with special restrictions due to COVID-19 and with a seating chart to finalize and a caterer who needs a head count, all RSVP’s should be in at least two to three weeks before the day.

Wedding Websites: Wedding websites should not be printed on the invitation, but you can include a card with your online information, or put it on your save-the-date cards. Just remember to use a short-link, if possible! Don’t send registry information with the invitations. Family, attendants, and a wedding website can spread the word.

The “Dress Code”: Everyone wants to be dressed correctly. So if you have a dress code, mention it in the invitations by adding ‘formal wedding’ or ‘black tie’. If it’s a casual affair they will want to know that too.

The “Plus One”: Not every unmarried guest has to get a ‘plus one’ invitation. It varies with the situation. A plus one is required if the guest is involved in a serious relationship. Or if you know that almost everyone will be attending in couples, inviting your single friends to bring a guest will make them feel more comfortable and less conspicuous.