• I've received lots of wedding invitations over the past few years.
• Many of the weddings I've been invited to have required me to travel.
• Now, I like to turn every wedding invitation into a mini vacation.

I don't know whether the influx of wedding invites I've received is a byproduct of the many celebrations that got delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic or a rite of passage for anyone approaching their late 20s.

Either way, the last few years have filled my calendar — and the outside of my refrigerator — with many an invitation and save the date. Many of these invitations have also required me to travel.

To maximize pricey flights, I've leveraged weddings to explore places like West Palm Beach, Cleveland, and even my own city. Here's how I've created the perfect marriage between wedding and personal travel.

I stay open and flexible to spur-of-the-moment experiences

Sandusky, Ohio, doesn't exactly scream "getaway," but for my cousin's wedding, my boyfriend and I embarked on a Midwest road trip.

While driving, I discovered two things: "A Christmas Story" was filmed in Cleveland, and my boyfriend had never had a meal at Waffle House.

Before we even arrived at our hotel, we mapped out our return, making sure to hit the iconic filming location and the famous chain restaurant on the way home. I loved that attending the wedding gave us a reason to explore the area and try new things.

Once in Sandusky, I maintained that eagerness, visiting Lake Erie, trying Culver's custard, and exploring Marblehead Lighthouse.

To manage expectations, I've learned to treat each wedding trip as an introduction to a place

A few years ago, I planned my first post-wedding trip to Miami after a friend's West Palm Beach ceremony.

Although I enjoyed Miami, I chastised myself for everything I'd missed in the Palm Beaches. Beyond visiting the Norton Museum of Art, I saw little of West Palm.

Since then, I've adjusted my expectations. I have neither the time nor energy to do everything I'd like to, so I regard wedding trips as city introductions rather than the end-all-be-all of tours.

This mindset has minimized the pressure I place on my vacations and inspired future travels.

Even when weddings are close to home, I embrace the art of the staycation

Last summer, I attended a wedding on Lake Canandaigua, just an hour from my Rochester, New York, apartment. Although I could've commuted, the venue had been on my radar since moving upstate, so I booked a room.

That decision was well worth the hotel cost. I jumped in the lake countless times, caught up with college friends, and sipped riesling: the Finger Lakes' claim to fame.

That wedding also sparked my interest in exploring the other Finger Lakes and refreshed my perspective on my surroundings.

I try not to jam-pack my schedule after the wedding festivities are over.

I'm planning on attending a wedding at the Chicago Botanic Garden soon. Although I'd initially planned for an extra day in the city, I realized my hotel was actually an hour away from the city center.

In order to conserve my energy, I've since adapted my trip to tour Chicago's North Shore and the chic, much closer suburb of Lake Forest, Illinois.

Beyond those activities, however, I'm leaving the rest of my day open. After a weekend of wedding events, I'll likely feel worn down and ready to recharge. Although weddings are structured to the hour, wedding trips can balance out the frenzy of a celebratory weekend.

This story was originally published on August 13, 2024, and most recently updated on July 23, 2025.

• Jeff Bezos' wedding to Lauren Sánchez is set to take place this week in Venice.
• Power players in the business and political spheres have begun to arrive in Italy to celebrate.
• The wedding has also drawn unwelcome guests: protesters.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's multiday wedding is kicking off this week, and power players from the worlds of politics, business, and Hollywood are set to converge in Venice to celebrate.

The Amazon founder and his fiancée, a former news anchor, are getting married in the Floating City in front of about 200 of their closest family and friends.

Some of the famous faces expected to attend have already begun to arrive in Italy.

First daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, arrived at Venice's Marco Polo airport on Tuesday and were photographed taking a water taxi to the St. Regis hotel. Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, who has a home in Venice, was also photographed arriving at Marco Polo.

According to social media posts, Tony Gonzalez, the NFL Hall of Famer and Sanchez's ex-boyfriend, and his family are in Italy, including his current wife — and Sánchez's close friend — October Gonzalez. Fox Sports broadcaster Charissa Thompson has posted from Lake Como.

Both October and Thompson were at Sanchez's star-studded bachelorette party. Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, and Katy Perry also flew to Paris in May to celebrate the bride-to-be.

The guest lists at Bezos and Sánchez's two engagement parties — one on Bezos' yacht Koru and the other at billionaire Barry Diller and von Furstenberg's Beverly Hills home — may also provide a preview of who will attend the actual nuptials. The previous events included Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Since Bezos and Sanchez's relationship went public in 2019, they have been a fixture of A-list events, such as the Met Gala, Vanity Fair Oscars Party, and Formula 1 races, often photographed with celebrities, rather than people from the tech world.

Guests are expected to stay at some of the city's most expensive hotels, like The Gritti Palace, Hotel Cipriani, and Aman, which are largely booked for the week. Rooms at these properties can cost upward of $10,000 a night.

Some unwelcome guests are also planning on attending. Venice locals have been protesting against Bezos ahead of the wedding this month, with signs posted around the city that read "No space for Bezos."

Protest organizers, who have cited concerns with overtourism, have vowed to disrupt the wedding, saying they would potentially try to block access to some venues. The city, for its part, has denounced the protests and said it welcomes the wedding.

Here is the full list of reported wedding guests:

• Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner
• Diane von Furstenberg
• Tony and October Gonzalez
• Charissa Thompson

This list is being updated as attendees arrive in Venice.

• Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez will wed in Venice this week.
• The event is expected to have a star-studded guest list drawing from the worlds of politics, Hollywood, and business.
• The couple went public with their relationship in 2019 and became engaged in 2023.

Private planes and yachts are headed to Venice, Italy, this week as the rich and famous gather for what is sure to be among the most extravagant weddings of the season: that of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez.

While Bezos, 61, and Sánchez, 55, who went public with their relationship in January 2019, have yet to share any details about the event, the wedding has sparked both intrigue and anger.

The couple invited about 200 guests, the city of Venice said in a statement, and London-based Lanza and Baucina, a discreet event production firm, is planning the festivities.

Media reports have speculated that Bezos' $500 million superyacht Koru and the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a large-scale event space, could serve as venues.

As could be expected with the third-richest person in the world, the event will likely be costly.

Roberta Camille Lione, a luxury wedding planner and founder of Italian Knot, told Business Insider that a budget of more than 10 million euros, or about $11.5 million, is plausible for a high-end, multiday celebration in Venice.

"European glamour is having a bit of a renaissance" right now, luxury wedding planner and event producer Sarah Haywood told BI.

"Whoever you are, on your wedding day, you want a day that's more special than your ordinary everyday," Haywood said. "But if your ordinary everyday is Jeff Bezos', that's a challenge."

Here's what we know about the highly anticipated event so far.

The wedding is expected to draw a star-studded guest list — and protests

On Tuesday, A-listers started to arrive in Venice ahead of the event. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were photographed taking a water taxi to the St. Regis hotel, while Diane von Furstenberg was spotted landing at the Marco Polo hotel.

If their two engagement parties — one on Koru and the other at billionaire Barry Diller and von Furstenberg's Beverly Hills home — are any indication, the wedding will be a gathering of the world's most powerful people. Guests at the two previous events included Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Sánchez's bachelorette party in Paris was just as star-studded, with Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, and Katy Perry in attendance.

The guests are expected to stay at some of the city's most luxurious hotels. The Gritti Palace, Hotel Cipriani, and Aman, where rooms can cost upward of $10,000 a night, are largely booked for the week.

While Venice has insisted it is equipped to handle the ceremony, citing its "experience in international events much larger than this," the event has already sparked protests from Venice locals concerned about overtourism. Protest organizers, who put up signs that say "No space for Bezos," have also said they plan to disrupt the wedding.

A spokesperson for Bezos and Sánchez declined to confirm details of the event, but pointed to a statement from planner Lanza and Baucina.

"Rumours of 'taking over' the city are entirely false and diametrically opposed to our goals and to reality," the statement said. "No exaggerated quantity of water taxis or gondolas have ever been booked, the number of taxis reserved being proportionate for the number of guests."

"As Municipality of Venice, from the beginning, we are mutually working and supporting the organizers, to ensure that the event will be absolutely respectful of the fragility and uniqueness of the city. For this reason, we will work together for best result. Whoever loves Venice will always be welcome," Luigi Brugnaro, the mayor of Venice, said in a statement.

The story of Bezos and Sánchez

Bezos and Sánchez have been together since at least January 2019, when the National Enquirer tabloid newspaper outed their relationship, saying it had obtained explicit text messages sent between the pair.

Shortly after, Bezos and his now ex-wife, MacKenzie Scott, announced their separation. By the end of that year, both parties had finalized their divorces — Bezos to MacKenzie Scott and Sánchez to Patrick Whitesell, the executive chairman of Endeavor — and the couple was making public appearances at events like the Allen & Company conference in Sun Valley and Wimbledon.

Since then, they have frequently appeared together, whether aboard Koru or on red carpets at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party and Met Gala.

The couple confirmed their engagement in May 2023.

• We asked pros in the wedding industry about trends and traditions they don't like at receptions.
• Favors, big cakes, and Champagne toasts can end up being a big waste of money.
• Wedding trends like fireworks and food walls look better on the internet than they do in real life.

For many couples, a wedding reception is the biggest and most expensive party they'll ever throw.

However, spending more money won't always make the celebration better.

To figure out what's probably not worth spending time and money on, Business Insider asked wedding professionals what reception trends and traditions they wish couples would skip.

Champagne toasts can be a waste of money.

Wedding planner Lindsey Nickel of Lovely Day Events said couples should skip handing out flutes of sparkling wine and allow guests to toast with the drinks they already have.

"This will save you a tremendous amount of money since guests often just take a few sips of Champagne and leave the rest," she said.

If you're determined to offer bubbly, try serving it in shallow coupe glasses rather than flutes to reduce waste.

Skip individual place cards and do a big seating chart instead.

Wedding master of ceremonies Artem Lomaz told BI that place cards can add unnecessary expense, clutter, and confusion to a reception.

"Place cards often get lost or mislabeled and leave guests unsure of where to sit," he said.

Instead, do a large seating chart that's easy to personalize and allows guests to orient themselves in the space.

Trendy food walls can be unsanitary and wasteful.

The food-wall trend — in which couples set up a wall of edible decor like doughnuts or candy — tends to look better on Instagram than in real life.

"After the first few guests grab their desired pieces, the novelty wears off and you're left with stale snacks hanging on a wall," Lomaz said. "And if your reception is outside, the food may attract wildlife or bugs."

Avoid perishable decor by instead providing a photo op with draped fabric or hanging plants.

Scheduling a getaway car might cut your time with your guests short.

Renting a fancy car to make a grand exit from your reception can be pricey and lead to missed opportunities to connect with guests.

"Getaway cars can be great for photos, but couples often feel rushed to leave and miss out on saying goodbye to guests," Nickel told BI.

Instead, the wedding planner recommended using that money for the bar tab at the after-party.

Fireworks can be smoky and dangerous.

Fireworks are an exciting way to end a wedding, but they can be loud, smoky, and hazardous to the environment.

"The air and noise pollution created by fireworks can wreak havoc with the local environment and interfere with animal life," Lomaz said.

If you want something similar, try giving guests glow sticks or sparklers (with safety instructions).

A giant wedding cake isn't always necessary or cost-effective.

" … the high price of a large, elaborate wedding cake often catches couples by surprise," Nickel said.

It's often not necessary, either. Instead, order a small cake to cut at the reception and serve a sheet cake, or have a dessert bar for guests.

A long lineup of speeches can be boring for guests.

Wedding and event planner Keith Willard told BI that most receptions don't need more than one or two toasts.

"A long list of speeches or toasts can bore guests," he said. "At least half your guests won't know each other, meaning long-winded personal reflections won't be appreciated."

Willard also said that toasts should ideally clock in at under three minutes and be given by senior members of the wedding party, such as the maid of honor or the father of the bride.

You probably shouldn't serve more than three courses at the reception.

Even if you and your partner are foodies, a wedding reception isn't the best time for a seven-course dining experience.

"Don't make your guests sit through four or more courses," Willard said. "A long meal is time-consuming and takes away from the guests' ability to let their hair down and have some fun at your wedding."

Focus on choosing an incredible main course and some interesting appetizers for cocktail hour.

Dance-floor props can look out of place next to carefully chosen decor.

Wedding photographer Amy Kolodziej said that dance-floor props can detract from the elegance of a wedding reception.

"Strobing headgear and neon glow sticks very rarely match the vibe from the rest of the wedding day," she told BI.

The photographer suggested serving a signature cocktail or fun snack during the reception instead.

The bouquet and garter tosses might alienate some guests.

The bouquet and garter tosses are long-standing wedding traditions that can make some guests feel uncomfortable.

"Unless you're getting married young or before most of your friends, asking your guests to self-identify as single can be awkward," Kolodziej said.

Skipping the flower toss can also save money by eliminating the need for an extra bouquet.

Guests usually end up abandoning their favors.

"Customized favors can often feel forced," Nickel said. "Plus, the majority of favors are usually left behind by guests."

If you really have your heart set on favors, consider something consumable, like chocolates or jars of local honey.

This story was originally published in July 2021 and most recently updated on May 28, 2025.

• We wanted to go to our friends' three-day wedding, but leaving our kids was going to be tough.
• We decided to rent an apartment big enough that my parents could come with us.
• They watched the kids while we went to the wedding events, and we all had a great time.

Parenting during the early years can be tricky, especially when your little one wants you and only you. Your social life often gets put on the back burner, and I struggled with this when I became a mom.

Last year, my husband and I were invited to our friends' three-day wedding on the Gold Coast, Australia, where my folks are based. These particular friends know how to throw an epic party, so we really wanted to be there to celebrate with them. My husband and I were also desperately in need of a little kid-free adult time, where we could let loose and reconnect with our younger selves again.

However, our youngest daughter was still quite clingy with me. Our older two kids were 5 and 9 at the time, so we knew they would be fine if they had a three-day sleepover at my parents' house, but the 2-year-old wouldn't hear of it.

In the lead-up to the wedding, my husband and I deliberated about what to do. Hiring a babysitter around the clock was out of the question, and it was going to be hard for my mom and dad to have the three kids at their place, which was about a half-hour drive from the wedding. So, my husband came up with a plan.

My mom and dad came with us to watch the kids

"Why don't we pay for your mom and dad to stay around the corner from the wedding?" he asked one night over dinner. It sounded like a good idea to me, so I asked my folks if they would mind, and they said they'd love to. After all, who doesn't want a mini-break in an apartment on the beach (even with three little kids to entertain)?

We rented the most perfect three-bedroom apartment with enough room for all seven of us so my parents could stay and watch the kids while we went to the wedding events. It had views of the Gold Coast and the occasional migrating humpback whale cruising past. There was a playground close to our apartment, and it was a short walk to the local shops. Best of all, the hotel where the wedding guests were staying was a two-minute walk away.

When the big day arrived and we checked in, the kids were so excited about the setting, they barely registered it that night when it was time for my husband and me to slip out to attend the first wedding event — a cocktail party.

We got glammed up, enjoyed a few drinks, and then returned to the apartment to kiss the kids goodnight before continuing the festivities. It was perfect.

The next day was the day of the actual wedding. We spent the morning with the kids and my folks on the beach, then walked two minutes down the road to the bus stop, where transport was waiting to take us to a picturesque wedding venue in the next suburb.

It was the perfect arrangement, and we all had a good time

We had the most amazing time at the wedding and loved that we were still close enough to go back to the apartment in a taxi if the kids needed us. Luckily, they didn't — they were having too much fun with Nana and Pop.

The third day was a recovery day. We had a boozy brunch at a local surf club, and then that night, we headed back to the same venue where the welcome cocktail party was held for impromptu post-wedding drinks with our friends. We had a ball and crept into the apartment at 3 a.m. feeling like two naughty 20-somethings.

Overall, paying for a larger apartment so our parents could stay with us and babysit while we attended our friends' wedding worked amazingly well. It meant we had people we trusted watching our kids, and the kids felt safe being with their grandparents, so they didn't need us.

We all ended up having an incredible three days. Mom and Dad made memories with the kids, while my husband and I danced and frolicked and felt like we were in our 20s again.

• Over the past few years, I've attended at least nine weddings without giving a single gift.
• I typically have to travel great distances to attend my friends' weddings, which can get expensive.
• None of my friends have brought up not receiving a wedding gift from me.

My 20s and 30s have been riddled with invitations —  weekends booked with bachelorette parties, bridal showers, and weddings that stretch from one coast to the other.

Like many young people, I followed all the unspoken rules: show up, look good, and don't forget the gift. I felt obligated and, to be honest, wanted to give the impression that I, too, "had it all together."

Weddings are treated as a grand rite of passage into adulthood, and buying a gift felt like a way to show I was on the same page.

But as the invitations kept coming, so did the reality check. I wanted to be present for my friends, but the cost of attending, participating when asked, and buying a gift for weddings just wasn't compatible with my own lifestyle goals.

So, rather than resent my loved ones for the monetary burden, I opted out: no more wedding gifts. In the past six years, I've attended at least nine weddings without giving a single gift — and I have no regrets.

In my mind, the act of giving gifts at a wedding is outdated

Wedding gifts were originally intended to help newlyweds establish their first adult household. It made sense for guests to chip in on matching dishes or a set of good knives, but let's be real — times have changed.

Most of my partnered friends have built their homes and intertwined their lives long before saying "I do."

There's also a broader cultural shift to consider. Millennials and Gen Z are facing a different economic reality than previous generations.

Student loans, stagnant wages, and rising costs of living have made it harder for many of us to achieve the financial stability our parents had by the same age.

And yet, many expectations on how we spend our money for and at weddings have persisted.

I've chosen to be present instead of buying presents

Over the past six years, I've lived in three countries and five cities, including Washington, DC, Belgium, and now Mexico.

Even when I lived stateside, many celebrations required travel to nearby states or across the country. This demanded a lot of time, effort, and careful planning — not to mention money.

No matter the location, I made it a priority to commemorate my friends' milestones with my presence. Together, we reminisced, laughed, and made new memories. In my opinion, no material gift could ever top that.

Gift or no gift, I know my friends still love me

None of my friends have ever mentioned not receiving a gift from me, so out of curiosity, I recently asked a few how they felt about it.

The consensus was that they hadn't even noticed until I mentioned it. They were honored that I made the trip to celebrate with them and didn't care that I showed up empty-handed.

In fact, one friend only realized I didn't bring a gift because I wasn't on her list for thank-you cards. When pressed about the lack of a gift, she reiterated she was not offended, especially because I'd traveled from Mexico to New York for her wedding.

My takeaway is that people who care the most just want you there, standing by their side or leading the charge onto the dance floor.

Of course, when I can't attend, I will mark the occasion with a gift to share in their joy and demonstrate my support despite the distance.

I pride myself on being a good friend; however, I refuse to let societal pressure dictate that my love and friendship must come in the form of cash or a neatly wrapped box.

This story was originally published on February 20, 2025, and most recently updated on May 5, 2025.

• As a wedding planner, I've seen guests commit many faux pas at ceremonies and receptions.
• Sit by the front if there are empty seats, and don't walk down the aisle as the wedding is starting.
• Believe that couples know what they want and don't assume they'll be following old traditions.

As a professional wedding planner, I've seen a wide range of guest behavior, from the bad to the brilliant.

Luckily, being a good wedding guest doesn't always have to be difficult.

From double-checking information you've received about the nuptials to asking how you can help, here are eight ways to be a great wedding guest.

Before you ask the couple a question, make sure you don't already have the answer

With resources like wedding websites and multipage invites, many modern couples provide a lot of information to their guests.

Be sure to check those resources before you contact the couple to ask something, especially if it's less than two weeks before the wedding. Your answer might already be out there.

Ask yourself, 'Is this for me, or is it for the people getting married?'

Weddings bring up a lot of different feelings, so it can be easy to lose yourself along the way. Before you make a request, ask yourself, "Am I asking for something that benefits me or the couple?"

It's OK if the answer is, "This is for me." Use it as an opportunity to share context with the couple on why a particular request is so important to you.

Sit close to the front during the ceremony

Although the first two rows on either side at a wedding are typically reserved for VIPs, rows three and four are usually open — I recommend sitting there.

Even better, if you see some empty spots and you've been sitting for a while, move up. Sitting toward the front will help make the space look fuller before the wedding party enters.

If the ceremony is about to begin, don't go down the aisle

You'd think avoiding walking down the aisle would be obvious, but I've seen guests coming back from the restroom do this as the wedding begins.

Rather than work their way around the side of the ceremony space or wait at the back until the processional ended, they'll cut in front of the wedding party and walk down the aisle.

Please don't do this.

Remember, nobody can read your mind

It's difficult to remember the respective needs of every single wedding guest while planning, whether someone is allergic to a particular food or is unable to safely climb stairs

If you feel comfortable doing so, tell the couple what you need, ideally no later than 60 days before the wedding. With your consent, they can then pass that information along to the members of the vendor team who can best assist on the wedding day.

If you want to help, offer a specific way to do so

Typically, the most useful ways to help a couple are to assist with setup or clean up on the wedding day.

Helping with setup often means arriving two to three hours before any pre-ceremony photos or events. Assisting with clean up means remaining sober enough to put items away at the end of the day.

If neither of those tasks works for your situation but you still want to help, ask the couple what their No. 1 wedding challenge is.

Use that answer to figure out how your specific skill set and schedule can help alleviate some of that wedding stress.

Don't assume anything

Not assuming anything is a guiding principle in my work as a planner, and it's one you can use too.

When it comes to modern nuptials, don't assume the couple will carry on traditions that meant everything 30 years ago or use old-school gendered language in their ceremony.

Instead, if you're curious about how the planning is going, ask open-ended questions. For example, "What's been the most surprising thing about planning the wedding so far?" or, "What part have you each liked best?"

Believe the couple knows what they want

It never fails to surprise me how much gaslighting is present in modern wedding planning. Even though two adults who have typically spent multiple years and many life struggles together have chosen to get married, there's usually someone who thinks they don't know what they want.

Of course, there are some exceptions to this rule, but you should almost always believe the couple when they tell you what they want.

Whether they're putting cash on their registry, will not wear white, or choose to forgo cake, they've likely made these choices consciously and because they bring value to their relationship. 

If you're in doubt, don't pummel with opinion. Instead, try asking, "Are you in a place where you'd like to receive advice on this topic?"

This story was originally published on October 22, 2022, and most recently updated on May 5, 2025.

• I'm a professional wedding planner, and I've seen a lot of bad guest behavior at events. 
• It's your responsibility to RSVP, show up on time, and keep track of your belongings at a wedding. 
• Don't be rude to the event vendors or ask the couple questions they already answered on their site.

In my many years as a professional wedding planner, I've learned a thing or two about the people who attend my events.

Here are the most common mistakes I see wedding guests make, and how to avoid them.

Waiting until the last minute to RSVP or not doing so at all

A wedding isn't like a normal party where you can see how you feel in the morning and decide then if you'll attend or not.

Whether it's a backyard potluck or a formal dinner, the event often involves catering, and whoever's providing the food must know how many people to plan for. 

When you refuse to RSVP, you force the couple to track down the information when they're already busy trying to plan their wedding. 

Acting like you know the couple better than they know themselves

Believe people getting married when they tell you what they do or don't want, especially when it comes to registries and gifts.

If the couple asks for cash, donations to nonprofits, or non-physical presents like gift cards or experiences, please don't tell them they're wrong and buy them a vase.

The best gift you can give as a guest is respecting their wishes.

Leaving favors behind at the venue

I know none of us need more monogrammed knickknacks, but just grab the darn coozie, OK?

You can toss it or, ideally, recycle it as soon as you get home, but if you leave it at the wedding, you're just giving the couple more to clean up.

And a tip for couples: If you give favors, try to make them something that won't end up in a landfill.

Not speaking up about something that's making you nervous to attend the wedding

In some situations, wedding guests need certain things to feel safe while celebrating.

They may need information about a venue's accessibility, confirmation that the food won't cause an allergic reaction and/or violate a religious belief, or space to breastfeed, to name a few. 

In an ideal world, the couple will proactively provide this information, but some things fall through the cracks.

If you need something from the couple, please tell them with kindness, empathy, and notice. They want you to enjoy yourself as much as possible — that's why they invited you in the first place.

Asking the couple questions before reading the materials they've sent you

As a guest, you've likely received at least some correspondence from the couple. Often it's a save-the-date or an invite, but sometimes it's a wedding website, Facebook group, or long text thread.

Whatever the medium, please do the reading. 

Those messages contain vital information about the wedding — most critically, they should detail when the ceremony starts. Don't be the guest who asks the couple for this information the night before the wedding.

Not keeping track of your personal belongings

It never fails to amaze me what a wedding guest will leave out for anyone to grab — purses, phones, credit cards. I've seen it all sprawled out on tables as the guests dance the night away.

This advice isn't to scare you into thinking someone will steal your stuff — just try to remember where you put it. Ideally, keep your belongings at your seat.

It's much easier to locate these items (or, as often happens, have a sober vendor help you find them) if we can narrow down where you've been.

Being unprepared to get a little hungry

The biggest complaint I hear from guests is that they're hungry.

Although I agree that the best parties have plenty of good food, sometimes a couple literally can't afford to give you the five-course meal of your dreams. Or, you might have to wait longer than expected to chow down.

So, pack a few backup snacks in your bag or glove compartment in case you need them to avoid being hangry all day.

Acting rude toward vendors

Wedding vendors build their businesses on serving others, but that doesn't mean you should take advantage of them.

Guests can forget this, particularly after a few trips to the bar, but don't make a fool of yourself by snapping your fingers at the caterer or telling the florist how to do their job.

Treat the vendors like you would want to be treated.

Bringing a big or heavy gift to the wedding

I love the statement you're trying to make with that giant, 50-pound present. However, what's the couple supposed to do with it at the end of the night?

In nearly all situations, anything brought to a wedding must be removed the same day. That means your love token just became the problem of whichever VIP guest was tasked with clean-up.

Please make it easy for everyone and have big gifts mailed to the couple directly. If you feel odd arriving empty-handed to a wedding, bring a card and use it to tell the couple what you sent them. 

Arriving late to the ceremony because you didn't factor in travel and parking time

Please show up to the ceremony on time.

As a guest, factor in your travel time, possible traffic, and how long it could take to park so you don't arrive late.

A lot of this information may be readily accessible on the invitation. If it's not, you have Google. Use it.

Forgetting that, as a guest, the wedding isn't about you

The purpose of a wedding isn't to spend the most money, wear the nicest clothes, or eat the best food. 

The goal of a wedding is to celebrate the start of a marriage, so challenge yourself to center the couple in your thoughts throughout the big day and planning process.

Ask yourself if your complaint helps the couple accomplish their goal. If not, try to keep it to yourself. 

This story was originally published on February 2, 2022, and most recently updated on April 28, 2025.