• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Experts reveal five things wedding guests should never do as they share list of unwritten rules

Home> Life

Published 15:02 14 May 2025 GMT+1

Experts reveal five things wedding guests should never do as they share list of unwritten rules

If you've done any of these things, you might be a bad wedding guest

Bec Oakes

Bec Oakes

The rulebook of things you should avoid doing as a wedding guest is never-ending.

Don't post pictures of the bride on social media without permission... Don't bring your kids unless they've been invited... And, whatever you do, definitely do not flirt with the groom!

Now, experts have added five more things to the list of things you should never do.

According to etiquette guru Jo Hayes and dating coach Emily Thompson, bringing a nice present simply isn't enough to be considered a good wedding guest anymore.

Advert

Read below to see if you've ever broken any of their unwritten rules:

Experts have shared five things wedding guests must never do (Getty Stock Images)
Experts have shared five things wedding guests must never do (Getty Stock Images)

Sending a late RSVP

First up, sending your RSVP late is a big no no.

Advert

Thompson told the Daily Mail: "Late-RSVPing is the silent killer of etiquette; it messes with everything from seating charts to catering orders.

"People don’t realise how much depends on these final counts."

Skipping the nuptials

And don't even think about skipping the ceremony and heading straight to the reception unless told to do so.

Advert

"The ceremony is the whole point of the day - where the couple makes their vows and, usually, in front of their nearest family and friends," Thompson said.

"Not being there sends a clear message that you’re here for the food and drinks, not for the marriage." Definitely not a good look!

Have you ever done any of these wedding guest no-nos?
Have you ever done any of these wedding guest no-nos?

Bringing an uninvited plus-one

Some weddings allow guests to bring a plus-one. Others don't. And you need to be aware of which you're attending before you invited your new boyfriend to the party.

Advert

Hayes explained: "Weddings are expensive events to put on, which often means limited guest capacity."

Thompson agreed, saying: “Your invitation should specify in so many words, ‘and guest,’ or else your plus-one is strictly not allowed.”

Drinking too much

We get it, an open bar can be tempting but you really need to limit yourself when it comes to the booze. Do not be the guest that's draining the bar dry and subsequently making a fool of themselves.

Advert

"A good rule is to limit yourself to one drink per hour and definitely don’t start drinking until after the ceremony," Thompson recommended.

And Hayes added: "Sure, enjoy a couple of drinks. But be respectful and responsible. Avoid getting drunk."

They stress the importance of being respectful and not getting too drunk (Getty Stock Images)
They stress the importance of being respectful and not getting too drunk (Getty Stock Images)

Wearing white

Lastly, while some brides are happy to let their guests wear whatever they want, unless explicitly specified, avoid wearing white on the big day.

"Another controversial colour is red," Thompson explained. "Western cultures consider red blatantly conspicuous and would even think it inappropriate if it dressed too 'sexily' for a formal wedding."

And it should go without saying, always follow the dress code on the invitation.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images

Topics: Life, Wedding, Sex and Relationships

Bec Oakes
Bec Oakes

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

2 hours ago
5 hours ago
  • McCarthy McKinney and Lawler Funeral Home
    2 hours ago

    Woman writes her own incredible obituary before dying of ALS and it’s moving strangers to tears

    Massachusetts author, Linda Brossi Murphy, died last Sunday (21 September) at the age of 60

    Life
  • Channel 4
    2 hours ago

    Woman whose life was torn apart by stalker reveals horrifying message he left her but people are disturbed by another detail

    Karl Chads sent his colleague abusive texts, threatened to rape her and broke into her house

    Life
  • Getty Stock Image
    5 hours ago

    ‘Military sleep method’ can help you fall asleep in just two minutes

    There are a few simple steps you need to follow to master the sleep hack

    Life
  • Getty Stock Images
    5 hours ago

    When to be concerned about 'brown spotting' before your period

    It's not typically a concern on its own, but if you notice these other symptoms as well then be sure to consult your doctor

    Life
  • Wedding planner reveals four signs a couple ‘will divorce’ and people are not happy
  • Wedding venue accused of refusing to return $20,000 after groom’s sudden death
  • Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s wedding guest list has been revealed and it includes some huge names
  • Selena Gomez’s mum reveals who walked singer down the aisle at Benny Blanco wedding as fans left confused