Wedding 101

How to Be the Perfect Plus-One at Any Wedding

Collect, manage, and organize your wedding guest information for each event and track their preferences.
If you've been invited to a wedding as a plus-one, it's important to be on your best big day behavior! So leave your favorite white dress and your awesome twerking skills at home, and read on for our advice on how to be the perfect plus-one and a gracious guest. perfect plus-one 1. If you RSVP "yes," show up. This may seem like a no-brainer, but a surprising number of guests RSVP to weddings and then don't show up. The couple has paid in advance for your food and drinks, so when you don't attend as planned, you cost them money. If something comes up after you've sent in your RSVP, you (or your date) should be courteous and let the couple know. 2. Know the dress code and stick to it. Attending a formal ballroom wedding? Don't wear last night's cocktail dress. Ask your date about the dress code well in advance of the big day and pick out something stylish yet appropriate. And yes, the old rule not to wear white is still in effect! 3. Don't be late. If you're meeting your date at the ceremony, arrive early. The only thing worse than a late-comer at a wedding is a late plus-one who the marrying couple doesn't know. 4. Don't block the photographer during the ceremony. You don't really need to capture the perfect pic of the couple's big "you may seal your vows with a kiss" moment, but the photographer the couple hired to capture the day does. Keep the ceremony snapshots to a minimum, and don't block the aisle just for a blurry Instagram. 5. Congratulate the newlyweds. If the couple has a receiving line, participate with your date. Offer your congratulations and thank the couple for having you at their wedding. If they skip that tradition, make a point of meeting them during the reception, shaking hands, and offering good wishes. 6. Pitch in for the gift. You don't have to get the couple something on your own, but it's nice to give your date some cash toward a wedding gift and put your name on the card. 7. Stay until the cake has been cut. You don't have to dance the night away and go wild at the after party, but don't leave the reception early. Stay at least until the wedding cake has been cut (who'd want to skip that anyway?) and say goodbye to the newlyweds before heading out the door. 8. Dance, mingle, and have fun! Just because you're a plus-one doesn't mean you can't have fun at the wedding. In fact, getting out on the dance floor and enjoying the festivities is the best way to be a good guest. As long as you don't get sloshed and make a scene, the marrying couple is sure to appreciate your energy! Check out more guest guides: How to Deal With Being the Plus One When Your Partner’s in the Wedding How to Make Sure Your Baby is the Perfect Plus One at Any Wedding 8 Ways to Work a Wedding Without a Plus-One Planning a wedding? Get the step-by-step wedding planning guide.
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