We know we (probably) won’t be invited to any of the Royal weddings taking place this year… but just in case, we thought we’d better brush up on our wedding etiquette.
Not knowing the protocol for an event that is built entirely on customs and tradition can cause a lot of drama, and not just at royal wedding (these wedding horror stories prove it).
We reached out to our favourite etiquette Zarife Hardy from The Australian School of Etiquette and asked some of our most pondered wedding questions, like how much should we be paying for a wedding gift ?, and (of course) what’s an okay amount of champagne drink at a wedding ?
How far in advance do you send the wedding invitations?
Traditionally wedding invitations should go out eight weeks before the wedding date however if you are having a destination wedding or have guests travelling from overseas then three months prior is best.
It is always safe to send out save the date cards as soon as you have booked your venue.
Is it ever okay to send an e-wedding invite or a Facebook invite?
Traditionally wedding invitations would always be posted to all guests however in today’s electronic world e-invites are becoming more and more popular.
Firstly make sure people receive the invite, keep it polished and appropriate and make sure if you are inviting older people that they understand how to view and RSVP to the invite.
What is the correct amount of money to spend on a wedding present?
Anywhere between $75-$150 per person attending the wedding however if you financially struggling then you only give as much as you can.
Do you still need to spend the same amount if you’re attending a destination wedding?
It is customary to give a wedding gift no matter where the wedding is held, you don’t have to give as much as you would at a local wedding but a gift is still necessary, always be mindful of how the bride and groom will get their gifts back in their luggage.
Should the bride and groom pay for out of town guest’s accommodation or should they be given special recognition at all?
It is not necessary for the bride and groom to pay for out of town guests accommodation but it is a must to thank them in the wedding speeches.
What’s the right amount to drink at a wedding?
Always remember a wedding is a formal event even if it is in a casual environment.
Enjoy yourself but stay polished and respectable. It is always best to stick with one glass of alcohol then one glass of water.
When is it acceptable to leave a wedding?
Guests are expected to stay at the wedding until the newly married couple have left the reception.
“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence in your shoe”.
When you go to a wedding you probably expect the first official dance to be between the bride and groom, but this wasn’t always the case. Traditionally fathers had the first dance with their daughter, this tradition also appears to be making a comeback.
Traditionally brides changed at the end of the wedding into a white suit, this would be worn to say goodbye to the guests.
“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence in your shoe”. The traditions mentioned at the start of this Victorian rhyme may remain, but we can see why the penny in shoe part got lost. It once symbolised future wealth.
The honeymoon was traditionally organized by the groom, keeping the destination a surprise for their bride.
