Wedding Etiquette Faux Pas and How to Avoid Them

Many aspects of weddings have changed in the last few years. Even more so since the COVID-19 pandemic. Some strange wedding customs, traditions, and trends have endured while others have fallen by the wayside. In fact, some of our new favorite wedding traditions such as bridesmen, groomswomen, and brides in pants have emerged. However, good etiquette will always be on-trend. And, since you’ve never planned a wedding before you may not even be aware of your poor wedding etiquette. Read on, my friend, this post is for you.

Poor wedding etiquette: Registry info on your invitation

One of the most frequently abused wedding etiquette faux pas is the inclusion of your wedding registry on your wedding invitation. Weird, huh, who knew? It is considered very poor etiquette to ask for a gift while extending an invitation. Instead, consider creating a wedding website with registry details. Your wedding website should also include important details like the ceremony and reception locations, hotel room blocks, transportation options, and wedding day attire expectations. Make sure key family and friends also have the registry information. This will be especially helpful for older friends and family who are less internet-savvy.

Wedding faux pas: No vendor meals at the wedding

Many of your key vendors will arrive at the venue before and leave after you arrive. They’ll be there all day and their number one priority is to make this the most special day in your life. Don’t forget to feed them! Your photographer, videographer, wedding coordinating team, DJ, and any other vendors who will be there all day will be hangry without sufficient nutrition. They will expect a hot meal as part of their contract. Most experienced vendors know also the best time to take their meal break. You may feel the need to micromanage some aspects of your wedding day. However, proper wedding etiquette is to ask each professional vendor for mealtimes and breaks to ensure a smooth transition between activities on the wedding timeline.

Downright rude: Invite non-wedding guests to pre-wedding parties

You may think inviting your co-workers or neighbors to a wedding shower is a great way to include them in the festivities. But, unless you also invite them to the wedding this is an incredibly rude slight. You’re basically telling them you want a gift, but you don’t think enough of them to host them at your wedding. Rude! This just may be the most blatant abuse of wedding etiquette you can commit. Just don’t. If they didn’t make the cut on your wedding guest list, they shouldn’t be expected to buy you a wedding gift for a shower.