Wedding | Guest

This fall we have had an interesting thing happen…. we’ve been invited to attend FIVE weddings. Part of me is really sad I won’t get to photograph these events (but you know I’ll have a camera… I cannot resist!) but part of me is freaking thrilled to kick off my photographer hat, throw on a party dress (already bought 2 new ones!) and a pair of heels, drink champagne and have a blast! These weddings kick off this weekend in Raleigh at my little cousin’s wedding. I shot her bridal portrait and cannot wait to see it on display at the reception! Next weekend we are hopping a plane to Tulsa, Oklahoma and witnessing one of Jeremy’s childhood friends marry his sweetheart….. Then the fete’s keep rolling through the fall.

A few tips on being a gracious wedding guest:

1. RESPOND TO  YOUR FREAKIN’ RSVP. This is so annoying to track down people you invited to see if they are attending. The postage is pre-paid, so mail the stupid thing back!

2. Check the envelope to see who exactly is invited. If you are a parent, but your children’s names do not appear on the envelope, they are not invited. Don’t be sour about it, instead take it as a great opportunity to have a night out, alone with your hunny.

3. Wear appropriate clothing. It never fails that I show up to photograph a wedding and there she is… the girl in the ill fitting dress… it’s always too short, too low-cut, or too tight. There’s usually a girl in the wrong shoes too… if it’s an outdoor ceremony, take note… and don’t wear your best spike heels. Wedges or chunky heels will be your friend in grass. And for the love of all things appropriate… don’t wear a white dress! You’d be alarmed at how many times I see someone in white that isn’t the bride! If you insist on wearing shoes that will be uncomfortable, bring a pair of flip flops in your purse. Too many times I see glasses get dropped on the dance floor, and girls have to put those painful shoes back on that they kicked off post cake-cutting.

4. Don’t linger around during family formal photos. As a photographer, we really don’t mind if you snap a photo or two, but please don’t stall everyone’s least favorite part of the day by duplicating every shot we take. Remember, there are usually cocktails you are missing, and you are prolonging the bridal party from getting one too!

5. Don’t take an iPad to a wedding. Ever. (unless it’s to keep your child entertained during quiet times, like the ceremony….. and if you must take it, NEVER lift it over your head during the ceremony or out in the aisle to take a photo with it….  you look like a complete fool)

6. Arrive to the ceremony early. It’s customary to arrive 15-30 minutes early…. don’t get caught running into the ceremony as the bride and her dad are trying to get set to walk down the aisle. It’s awkward.

7. Give a gift. Even if you cannot attend, it’s appropriate that you give a gift. If it’s something you think the couple should take on their honeymoon, you may want to gift it early so they know to open it before they leave. We got lucky and had a day between our wedding and honeymoon, we used that time to open our gifts and there were several Visa/AmEx gift cards we took on our trip. It is proper etiquette to actually send the gift to the couple’s home instead of bringing it to the wedding, but I think it’s OK to do either.

Have fun!