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Wedding Faux Pas: What Not to Do at Wedding Receptions

We've all been there: sitting uncomfortably in a polite social setting as one of our friends or acquaintances makes a gaffe so bad you cringe. This is especially true at wedding receptions, where adult beverages are usually flowing freely and people from all walks of life are thrown into the mix. Whether they're getting overly boisterous and drunk or yakking on their cell phone throughout the best man's speech, it's a true study in human interaction. Oftentimes, these wedding faux pas are nothing more than carelessness, but, nonetheless, are still easily avoidable.

While wedding receptions range from incredibly casual to formal, black-tie affairs, situations often present themselves that warrant a variety of reactions. To avoid being the gauche guest, however, use these guidelines in preparation for the big event. 

Common Wedding Faux Pas and Missteps

Drinking: An open bar at wedding receptions makes it so easy to imbibe to excess. And why not? The alcohol is free, and everyone else is doing it. It's easy to get carried away with all the festivities going on, and drink a little too much. Wedding receptions are not frat parties, however - tone down the drinking and enjoy responsibly.

Speeches: If you've been asked to deliver a speech, you've hopefully planned it out well in advance. The biggest wedding faux pas could possibly be giving a speech off the cuff, especially if you've been drinking. With all of your friends gathered so close, delving into inappropriate topics is almost a given at wedding receptions, and other rowdy guests will only egg you on. Keep your speech to nice, family-friendly topics, and avoid getting too familiar on any one subject, including the bride.

Dancing: Please remember that this is a wedding reception and not a night club. There are likely little children in attendance, and their parents would be none too happy to see you dancing provocatively on the dance floor all night long. Protocol also dictates that couples wait to dance until the bride and groom have had their first dance. To avoid committing an awkward wedding faux pas, let them have their moment, and then, by all means, you can let loose.

Wearing white: Of all the wedding reception faux pas you could commit, this is the one to avoid at all costs. Not only is it rude, it takes away from the bride's special day. She should be the only one wearing a white dress, suit, or outfit. After all, it shouldn't be that hard to find something to wear - other than a white garment - for just one day.

RSVP: Don't sit on your invitation for weeks because you'll likely forget about it. If you plan on going, then reply to the invitation in a timely manner. The bride and groom base many things on the RSVPs they get back, including dinners, beverages, and seating. If you fail to respond before the requested deadline, you are committing a huge wedding faux pas and thereby causing the couple to revisit multiple items and perhaps spend more money to rearrange the seating list and buy additional meals.

Uninvited: If your invitation is not addressed to you and a guest, you can safely assume that you should just bring yourself. These days, most couples know that you may want to bring a guest to accompany you at wedding receptions, but other times, hosting everyone's date is a considerable hit to their wedding budget, especially if it happens to be a small wedding. Respect the couple's wishes - and ask if you must - but don't simply show up with an uninvited plus one.

Cell phones: Unless you're a doctor or have some sort of other pressing profession, having your cell phone ring during the ceremony (and sometimes reception) is incredibly rude and a big wedding faux pas. Keep your phone on silent, and if you must take the call, step out in the hallway or outside so you can carry on your personal conversation.

Wedding Faux Pas Fix-Ups

Mistakes will happen, and the multitude of wedding protocols can be a little overwhelming. Every wedding is different; know the bride and groom's style, and abide by that knowledge. That said, wedding receptions are not the time to get rowdy, overly drunk, or out of line; they are celebrations of uniting two hearts and joining two families together. This doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy yourself at wedding receptions - just do so responsibly. Honor that fact, and you'll be golden.