Weddingbee Blog

Mrs. French Toast reporting for duty while waiting for pro pics! Hope everyone has been well!

On Sunday, the French Toasts attended our very first wedding as a married couple. I was very excited to get all dolled up again and attend the wedding as a guest.

Justin wanted to come, but we were limited to two seats

It felt wonderful to be on the other side and witness the marriage as someone who recently tied the knot, because I’d get warm fuzzies when thinking about my own special day. During moments of the ceremony, Mr. French Toast would squeeze my hand as if to say, “That was us 3 months ago.”

Obviously as it was the happy couple’s special day, they were oblivious to everything else that was going on. But it prompted me to think of all the guest-etiquette that would make every one else’s experience at the wedding more enjoyable:

1) Don’t be late to the ceremony: The couple poured their time, efforts, hearts (and money!) into creating a beautiful ceremony to share with their guests. The last thing they want to see are empty rows of seats. Even worse: When a guest is late and walks in a few steps prior to the bride making her grand entrance.

2) Let the pro photographer(s) do their thing. At this wedding, there were at least 4 guests who were taking pictures and standing so close to the alter that they were getting in the way of the pro photographer. At one point, the pro photographer had to push one of the guests aside in order to capture a crucial moment.

3) Bouquet toss: I have to admit that I cringed at these during my single days, but I always made a point to go up and play along, because it’s not fun to see the bride practically drag the single ladies to the dance floor to catch the bouquet. Same goes for the garter toss, although from my experience, guys are more willing to play along.

4) Dancing: I always make Mr. French Toast go out with me for a few dances so the couple are not alone on the dance floor. I’m a cheeseball though, because I love slow dances (yes, just like high school!)

5) Don’t leave early: I remember being a bit sad that a few guests checked out early at our wedding. Was it because they weren’t enjoying it? Was catching the Tony awards more important? Try to make a point to stay beyond your last bite of the wedding cake. You’re there to celebrate the couple’s special day, a few more minutes wouldn’t hurt.

Mr. French Toast and I fully enjoyed ourselves at the wedding and it just makes me genuinely happy to see the couple so in love. I even made Mr. French Toast take this picture with me to commemorate our first wedding as a married couple. Face half-covered in shade and all, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

What are some guest etiquette tips you’d like to share?