Oh, I could write pages of this stuff! The amazing things guests do at weddings! Perhaps I should just write a book for “Guestiquette” instead!

In the meantime, while I’m working on that book, here’s a top 7 list (Everyone does a top 10 list! That would be boring):

7) Do - respond immediately to an invitation. The sooner the planners know how many are involved, the better. Notify the bride & groom of any special needs. Include it in your invitation response. I mean things like wheelchair access and not dietary requirements. Food restrictions are a personal issue. Maybe you can eat in advance?

6) Do - try to send your gift in advance. Thank-you notes take a while!

5) Don’t - bring an uninvited guest. If the invitation says you and guest, fine. If it says you and family, still check to make sure they meant children or not.

4) Do - be on time. Be respectful of the occasion. If you are late to the ceremony for unavoidable reasons, come in as quietly as you can.

3) Don’t - complain to the bride and groom. Whether it’s about your seating, the food, the music, etc, an incredible amount of effort has gone into this. If there is a planner, then consult them if you must vent. This is the bride & groom’s joyful day. Have a little cheese with that whine and smile.

2) Don’t - be a player. Save the clubbing clothes for the nightclub and don’t treat the reception as an opportunity to prospect. In addition, drink in moderation. You want to enjoy the celebration, don’t you?

1) Don’t - try to upstage the bride. That means, never, ever, never wear white! If the only appropriate thing you possibly have to wear is white, it’s time to shop. Although if some brave bride has everyone wears white because she is wearing black, then I guess that might be the only permissible condition.