With Love, Thelms

Being a wedding guest carries more weight than people realize. It’s not just about showing up, congratulating the newly weds, and then leaving. Rather, there’s so much more thought that should go into being a wedding guest and knowing — there’s some major Do’s & Don’ts that are a part of the game.

I have been to my fair share of weddings, but mostly as a youngin’ and not as a mature 20′ something.

I mean as a child going to a wedding, meant being glued to your parents the entire time. It also meant playing with other kids and trying to make the best of a bad situation. (i.e. being separated from your playhouse and barbie dolls for hoooours)

In your 20’s however, weddings become a painful reminder that you’re single af or a pleasant reminder that you’ll be there soon enough. All the while staring into your partner’s eyes, praying he gets your secret message LOL.

No but seriously, with wedding season coming up and a friend from high school getting married in just about a month — I figured what better time than any to share 10 Wedding Guest Do’s & Don’ts.

However, before jumping into that chat, keep reading for details on this look (which might I add would be the perfect wedding guest fit).

So this wedding guest look. 

First of all can we talk about how Olivia Culpo knocked it out the park with this Pretty Little Thing collab?! If you babes don’t know, this dress is one of many pieces in the model’s capsule collection with one of my fave brands as of late, Pretty Little Thing.

The dress hugs your curves in the most perfect way due to the ruching detail of the material. I’m super obsessed with the cold shoulder aspect of the dress because it offers up skin without showing too much skin (I mean you are going to a wedding…)

Of course one can never fail with black which in this case adds to the dress’ appeal and sensualness.

Scoooooore.

Though I won’t be wearing this particular look to my friend’s wedding, for a future wedding it will most likely hold the title of first choice.

SHOP MY LOOK

SHOP OTHER WEDDING GUEST DRESSES

As for my wedding guest do’s & don’ts…

DO’S

♥ DO SEND YOUR RSVPs IN TIME

Figuring out if you’re invited to the wedding is the hard part. SO when you’ve gotten invited to the wedding, do the easy part. Send the RSVP on time or at least before the date the bride-to-be provided. (Honesty hour, I sent mine in with 48 hours to spare, but I did it LOL). Verbal RSVPs don’t count and they’re just tacky. In addition to totally going against what the bride-to-be specifically requested of you to do.

♥ DO CONGRATULATE THE BRIDE & GROOM

This is just plain ole’ etiquette. It’s kind of weird, but it happens — you’re so busy chatting with other guests, searching for your potential husband (LOL), or taking too many sips of wine that you never quite make it to the couple. This is a big no, no. Before even getting lost in the festivities, as soon as the opportunity presents itself appropriately congratulate the newlyweds. I mean aside from being there for support, you are eating on their dime… the least you could do is say congratulations.

♥ DO CHECK THE COUPLE’S REGISTRY 

Couples spend a lot of time coming together to put specific things on their registry that they are sure they will utilize efficiently. Whether it be fine china, laundry hampers, or Keurig machines — they added each item for a reason. Though it’s understandable that you may want to purchase something for the couple from the heart, that’s not always the best idea. Doing so, can leave you feeling insecure about your purchase and likely regretful. Instead, make it easy on yourself. If you choose what’s on the couple’s registry there won’t be any room for insecurity about your purchase because you know it’s what THEY WANT.

♥ DO BE ON TIME

I don’t even think there’s much I need to say on this front. If you have respect for yourself, the couple, and the effort they put into their wedding… you’ll be on time. No one likes an asshat, especially a late one.

♥ DO DRESS ACCORDING TO THE ATTIRE REQUESTED 

If the invite says formal, dress what? FORMAL. Babes, being a wedding guest is not the time to start pulling out the most extravagant fashion statement in your wardrobe. First of all, the day is about the soon to be newlyweds… NOT YOU. Secondly, it’s just in poor taste so refrain from doing so. I often find that at a wedding, the simpler your look, the better. After all, you are the wedding guest, so act like it.

DON’Ts

♥ DON’T HAVE YOUR PHONE ON LOUD OR VIBRATE

Wedding ceremonies call for many moments of quiet or soft speaking between the bride, groom, and the pastor. Don’t ruin the couple’s special moment with your phone going off during their vows. No matter how close you are to them, I promise it won’t be the butt of their jokes, but the focus of their annoyance. You’d honestly be better off keeping your phone on silent, checking your alarm to turn off any that might randomly go off, and exiting out of all apps on your phone because try as you might… mistakes can and will choose then to happen.

♥ DON’T WEAR WHITE

For the love of all that is holy, DO NOT WEAR WHITE. Hell, wearing cream is too damn close. Just don’t do it. It’s weird, okay? It’s just weird. Wearing white is like the ONE thing you just don’t do, so don’t.

♥ DON’T ASSUME YOU CAN BRING A DATE

If the invitation doesn’t specifically say that you can bring a guest, DON’T BRING A GUEST. There’s a reason why they may not want you to bring one (budget, space, etc), so it’s important to have that etiquette and respect for their wishes. If the invite says you’re welcome to bring a guest, do just that and bring A guest. No matter how great of friends you are with them, you do yourself a disservice by not simply following the rules. That also includes not calling the bride-to-be to ask if it’s okay do otherwise, no bueno.

♥ DON’T GET WASTED

As tempting as it may be to many because there’s the possibility for an open bar or unlimited alcohol, don’t get wasted. Try to act like a mature adult and sip on some wine, and not like the girl or guy, who just turned 21 and can’t down alcohol fast enough.

♥ DON’T GET GREEDY WITH WEDDING FAVORS

If there happen to be any keep in mind that these favors are on the couple’s dime along with most everything else. They didn’t count on you trying to snag one for your friend, mom, lovie (grandma), and so forth. Take one and cherish it, all the while remaining appreciative of the fact that you were invited to begin with.

To the wedding season and monent for lovers,

Thelms

Photos by Tiffany King