Being a guest at a wedding, we usually think that it’s just as simple as getting dressed up, shedding a tear or two and then partying all night long. But just like the entourage and the wedding vendors, being a guest have responsibilities too. To ensure that you do not mistakenly be a “sakit ng ulo,” below are just some simple rules to follow:
1. When you get an invite, don’t let it get lost in the coffee table. Please RSVP promptly. The bulk of the budget for any wedding is allotted to the Reception. Thus, it’s important for the couple to know who’s coming so they can give their caterer a final headcount no later than two to three weeks prior to the wedding date. Ultimately, whether you can’t decide or plainly not going, it is crucial to inform the couple of your decision. Don’t add to their stress by procrastinating.
2. If you all-of-the-sudden can’t make it. Please do let the host know of your cancellation. You wouldn’t know how crucial this information is for someone who, dissimilar to you, all-of-the-sudden changed their minds from “not going” to “going”.
3. It is a well-known fact that there are guest who arrive even if they have made a “Not going” RSVP. Please do inform the host if you changed your mind and all the sudden wanted to be there in the couple’s big day. Even if the couple wanted you to celebrate with them, it is still important to note that you might not have been included in the guest list so there might have been no seats available for you, hence, no food for you.
4. Don’t bring a date and/or take your children and/or other family members with you, whom were not in the invitation. Nowadays, most invitations refer to a number of seats allotted for you. So if the invite only says, for example, your name plus guest and it allots 3 seats for you, it only means that you can bring yourself plus two other people. (I would presume that the couple knows them or would love to meet and have them as part of their guest.)
5. It is expected of you to wear the attire written in the invitation. For men, if it says “suit or barong for men” then you are expected not to wear khaki pants and collared polo. For women, if the invitations specifically say “gown for women” then you’re expected not to wear a colored striped haltered top chiffon knee length dress. Dress as you would for any other social event held at the hour and during the season of the wedding. Black used to be taboo for weddings, but these days a black dress is perfect for evening, just as it is for a night at the opera. Female guests should not wear white -- it's really, really not polite to take away from the bride on her special day by wearing her color. Try to avoid off-white and ivory, too, if at all possible. It's not as if you don't own or can't buy something another color, right?
6. Avoid being late, if possible, be 30 minutes earlier. So if the wedding invitation says that the ceremony begins at 2:00pm, be sure to arrive there by 1:30pm so as to give yourself time to find a seat and get settled. This is not an event to be fashionably late so if you do get there after it's begun, seat yourself quietly in the back. If the procession is going on, wait until the bride reaches the altar to enter the sanctuary and find a seat.
7. You are not expected to participate in any religious rituals (for example, if you are a protestant attending a catholic wedding, you are not to receive the communion). Most congregations have parts where you are asked to sit or stand and even kneel. The program or the lector/commentator will tell you when to do so and it is polite to just follow the ritual. It may also help to follow the lead of the people around you or the family of the couple in front of you.
8. Avoid taking photographs during the ceremony, that’s what the photographers and videographers are for. Leave this to the professionals and just respect the sanctity of the ritual in front of you. I know it would be nice to have your own copy of how your son or daughter wore his/her suit/gown and walked down the aisle. Or how beautiful you and your partner are all dressed up. But do not worry, the couple already have too many photographs of your child or you and your partner to forget to give them all to you. :)
9. As for the reception, cocktail hour is an opportunity for the guest to mingle and get to know the other guests and family. It is also the best time to check to see if there's a seating chart and sit where you're supposed to. Don’t just park it anywhere. You’ll know when it’s officially time to be seated for the program and meal.
10. As for the bouquet throw and garter toss, if you’re not crazy about these traditions, don’t just avoid them by hiding out in the bathroom. If you're not one of those who's going to dive for the bouquet or garter, just go out there and stand in the back -- and smile. Even if you think these traditions are silly, or that something else about the wedding is tacky or inappropriate -- keep your feelings to yourself. Maybe this isn't how you'd do it, but it is how the bride and groom chose to do it, and (as much as we'll all like to sometimes) it's not your place to complain.
11. While a wedding is a time to enjoy yourself, no one appreciates a drunk guest embarrassing themselves. Drink alcohol in moderation.
12. When can you leave? Receptions usually last about three to four hours, and you'll know when things start winding down. Many brides and grooms stay until the bitter end these days, so it's hard to leave after them. When you decide to leave, find a member of the bride's immediate family (like her mom) and thank them. Also attempt to give the couple a last hug before you depart.
Above all these, it is still important to enjoy the celebration and express your gladness for the couple. Don’t forget to express how much you are honored and truly appreciative of having invited you.
Source: An article from the internet
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