Things I've learnt...

(Pic by ShazTheRaz)

from my wedding, and the weddings of others.

You hear so many horror stories about Bridezillas, that when Antisocial Husband proposed, I was determined not to 'Zilla out.

I think I succeeded somewhat. I didn't get everything right, but the food was good, the music was good and no vendors were harmed, abused or screamed at for the most ridiculous reasons ever.


From other weddings - it's definitely worth the effort of coming up with a seating plan. Otherwise it's a mad rush to get to the table that is not right next to the toilet/speakers/kid's table.

Rather have a smaller "head table" with yourself, your spouse, and parents, and allow your attendants to sit with their partners at another table. Especially if the significant other of the attendant doesn't really know anyone else and is sitting at a table full of complete strangers - awkward!

If you can supply food at your wedding, then supply drinks as well. It's kind of tacky expecting your guests to bring their own drinks - especially if you have a long ceremony. Cooler boxes only last that long ...

But heck, at least that person supplied food. Another wedding I attended had a bring your own EVERYTHING reception. I'm not joking. Bring your own food, bring your own drinks, and drive for an hour to get to the reception venue. No thanks. That's beyond tacky, that's just rude. And if you have a professional photographer, don't whinge when your guests don't take/post eleventy million photos of their own of your wedding. They are guests, not free photographers, and they are not obliged to take photos/post photos of your event.

This is more of a guest responsibility - if the wedding is kid friendly, control your child please. I've attended a few weddings where children were welcome. The parents thought this meant they could eat, drink and be merry, while not watching their children at all. The poor waiters were playing their version of dodgeball that day.

At least those children were invited. Parents, I know you love your children dearly - you should!  But if you receive a wedding invite saying "Please note, children are not invited", there is no invisible post script saying "except for yours, of course." Most invites go out at least 6 months before the event - that gives you more than enough time to arrange a babysitter. It's beyond rude to pitch up with an uninvited guest - child or adult.

Some brides publicly pouted on Facebook about gifts/the monetary value of their gifts - thankfully these were acquaintances of friends, not weddings I actually attended. If someone takes the time to attend your wedding and bring you a gift, the correct etiquette is to say "Thank you for thinking of us! How thoughtful" and leave it at that. Bitching that you didn't get super expensive gifts is childish and ungracious.

I suppose it doesn't help that bridal advertising and articles are constantly hammering on the fact that "this is YOUR day", it's all about the BRIDE. Sorry, but it's not. It's not like this is your 21st where you can demand all the attention.

This is the day where you are pledging your heart, soul, life and love to your soulmate, in front of your loved ones. It doesn't matter if the centrepieces aren't identical. It doesn't matter if the chair covers aren't the exact shade of light pastel frosted mint-green that you requested. What matters is the smiles and tears from the hearts exchanging rings and vows.

And the music.