9 Things You Should Never Do at a Wedding

You and your other half will be under enough stress as it is on your wedding day, you don’t need the added trauma of unpleasant behaviour from one of your so-called trusted guests.

READ MORE: 18 Rules All Wedding Guests Should Follow

Everybody you invite should follow the unspoken wedding guest rules, no excuses. If you have a guest who may prove to be troublesome on the big day, invite them round and leave this page open…

Here are the nine things no guest should EVER do at a wedding:

via GIPHY

Wear White

It should go without saying but you should never wear white to a wedding – unless of course you’re the bride. Nothing says attention grabber more than the woman who turns up in a flowing white dress and makes a point of standing near the bride at every given opportunity.

Dress Inappropriately

Dressing down in jeans for a wedding is a BIG no, as is turning up in the skimpy outfit normally reserved for a wild night out with the girls. If there is a dress code on the wedding invitation, it needs to be followed. Think smart, not too exposing and something that’ll work for the ceremony and reception. Our edit of wedding guest dresses has plenty of stylish ideas, so no excuses!

Choose This Moment to Propose

Everybody loves a good proposal story, but not if that story involves a scene-stealing proposal at someone else’s wedding! The couple you’re trying to upstage have spent thousands of pounds and gone to lots of effort to make the day perfect for them and their guests. Stealing their thunder is unforgivable.

READ MORE: 100 Proposal Stories (That Don’t Take Place at a Wedding!)

Be Attached to Your Mobile Phone 

Answering your phone while the happy couple exchange their vows or scrolling through your news feed during the father of the bride’s speech are up there as some of the worst things you can do at a wedding. The answer is to switch your phone off. And keep it off until it’s acceptable to turn it back on again.

Film the Wedding on Your Tablet

There is nothing more annoying than being stuck in the church behind the person with the tablet who’s filming the whole wedding. Not only do they get in the way at all the critical moments so you can’t see a thing, they’re constantly going from their seat to the aisle to get the best view.

Bring Uninvited Guests

If your invitation has a plus one then by all means bring another guest along, but make sure you let your hosts know about the extra person when you RSVP. If the invitation is just for you, don’t take along a mate to keep you company – they won’t be catered for and will throw the wedding table plan into disarray.

Turn up Late

Make sure you know how long it’ll take you to get to the wedding and don’t be late. Aim to get there around 20 minutes early just in case – after all, it’s rude not to turn up at the specified time. You don’t want to be the one dashing in after the bride and making a scene, because she won’t thank you for that.

Get Drunk

Getting ridiculously drunk at someone else’s wedding is not a good idea, no matter how close you are to the bride and groom. Pace yourself throughout the day and make sure you drink plenty of water. You want to remember the day for the right reason, not spend the day after with your head in your hands wondering what you did and said.

Share Photos on Social Media Before the Couple Do

Sharing photos of the big day is up to the bride and groom, not you. So unless they’ve asked you to, do not post pictures of their big day on your Facebook or Instagram for the whole world to see – this is a surefire way to kill their excitement. 

To spot the potential rule breakers on your guest list, read up on the 11 types of guests to expect at your wedding. But they’re not all bad, who out of your guests will be ‘the party starter’? Beware of ‘the emotional wreck’ and ‘the bachelor’ however! 

This article originally featured on youandyourwedding.co.uk.

The cover photo is by Benjamin Stuart Photography.

Find out more about wedding etiquette and planning:

• 15 Things You Should Never Say to a Bridesmaid
• The Things You’ll Hate About Wedding Planning