Wedding attendance tips

[nottheOP]

A TAAT of sorts. After reading that guests don't like to hang around for hours I thought that a helpful guide to attending a wedding could prove helpful... here goes;

Grab a sandwich for lunch - weddings are often at 1-2pm which is lunchtime. This is followed by a break in proceedings to check in to the hotel and have a drinks reception whilst the happy couple have photos done. Grab something to eat - you're not getting fed for a while.

Instead of thinking that you're hanging around waiting for dinner, chat to your mates and have fun. There's a bar, so have a drink.

If you don't want to give cash, buy a present off the list, contribute to a honeymoon - don't!

Please do feel free to add to the list. Most brides and grooms are out to enjoy their day and to celebrate with their nearest and dearest, not annoy you.

Dance a little, even if just one or two tunes.
If you can, depending on venue, take something warm, flat shoes and a bottle of water for later to keep in the cloakroom when you're not bothered about how you look later in the evening.
Don't moan too much about dinner choices, it's really hard to pick something that everyone will like.
Try to write in the guest book after one or two drinks but crucially before you get too pissed.
Make sure you eat well beforehand in case you have to wait ages for food.
Be aware that many venues are quite inflexible about choices, so some annoying things might not be the bride and groom's fault.
Don't forget to put the card in the box thing, rather than it getting bashed up in your handbag all evening.
Try not to disappear too far if you're likely to be required for photos as this would delay things.
An early RSVP is polite - I had to chase up lots of these,vwhich surprised me.

"Write a nice thank you letter to the hosts within a week after the event."

I have never heard of this before. Is it really the done thing to write a thank you letter to the wedding hosts??

If you encounter a problem of any kind during the wedding/meal/with the hotel, DO NOT tell the bride. Try to sort it out yourself, or if you must, seek out a member of the party such as the best man to sort it out.

Eat beforehand.

Send photos you take to the happy couple for them to share as they see fit, and when they are ready to do so.

Don't get drunk at weddings. It's a life event for the couple, not a sweaty nightclub .
If you get a great photo - particularly of older relatives or the wedding party (chances are you will) make sure the couple get a copy. (I cherish a picture of my grandad taken by a friend of mine, it's so natural).

Re. The thank you letter to hosts, I've only done this when the invite came from the bride or groom's parents and particularly if they have done something such as host night-before drinks or a day-after lunch at their house.

I haven't ever sent a thank you to the bride and groom.