5 Wedding Etiquette Tips for Couples

1. Tell your closest friends and family about your engagement news before making an online announcement. A phone call or video chat is appropriate if getting together in person is not possible. Your VIPs will feel valued knowing they were given the priority of a private conversation and the ability to share their genuine congratulatory reaction with you before learning with the rest of the world.

2. Tactfully notify guests about your gift registry. Being over-zealous about receiving gifts from your guests as a wedding attendance requisite lacks refinement. Guests may be eager to shower your with gifts as a love language in this celebratory season, and the purpose of a registry is for the guest’s convenience of knowing the best gifts to meet your needs. It is best seen as a guidance tool, not a precondition of their RSVP. Do not include your registry on your wedding invitations. Adding it to your wedding website or, if asked, letting people know by word of mouth where you are registered is a better way to communicate this information. Other friends and family will likely spread the word for you as well.

3. Send thank you notes within 3 months after the wedding, but even if you miss that “deadline,” send them anyways. Acknowledge the gift and personalize the note. It is not necessary to acknowledge the value of the gift or how you plan to use it, but expressing sincere thankfulness is courteous.

4. Greet your guests. Your guests came to celebrate WITH you in the joy of your new beginning and will appreciate your acknowledgement of their presence. They spent time planning to be at your event, getting ready, and purchasing you a gift. Perhaps they took time off work, traveled, and booked a hotel. The wedding day can be full of preparations and activities, but be sure to strategically factor in time to say at least a quick hello to each guest. Hold a receiving line, make your way around social hour, visit each guest table during the dinner reception, dismiss each row from the ceremony, or less traditionally, greet guests at the door upon arrival. Keep in mind that the more guests you have, the longer this process will take, so time for greeting guests should be calculated and incorporated in a way that also keeps the day flowing smoothly.

5. Feed your vendors. Vendors are at the wedding longer than guests, on their feet working, and pouring a lot of energy into your day behind the scenes. Having a vendors table at the reception for your photographers, videographers, DJ, and planner is ideal so they can still be close to the action and attend to wedding needs, but also have a chance to sit and refuel before their work continues into the evening.