Articles

South Carolina Wedding Guests Etiquette

When a bride and groom gets married in South Carolina, there are all kinds of wedding etiquette that wedding guests should keep in mind. To ensure that you know all the basic etiquette for a South Carolina wedding, we have included this list of rules.

Be On Time To A South Carolina Wedding

Don't be late! If a wedding invitation says that the ceremony will begin promptly at 5, be sure to arrive there by 4:45 so as to give yourself plenty of time to find a seat and get settled. You wouldn't want to interrupt the beginning of the wedding ceremony. If you are arriving from a different time zone, remember that South Carolina is on Eastern Standard Time and adjust your watch appropriately, so you are on time for all South Carolina Wedding events.

Taking Pictures At a South Carolina Wedding

Avoid taking photographs during the wedding ceremony. Leave that to the professionals and respect the sanctity of the ritual and bride and groom in front of you. In addition to taking photos during the wedding ceremony being in poor taste, it is banned at many ceremony sites. Of course, it is acceptable to take pictures at the wedding reception, so snap away! Many South Carolina brides will post photos from the ceremony and reception online for all their wedding guests to enjoy. Some brides will even post photos through a digital photo service (such as Kodak Gallery , Shutterfly, and many others), so wedding guests can order any photos they would like copies of.

Gift Etiquette At South Carolina Weddings

A wedding guest does not need to bring a gift with them to the actual wedding. Guests have up to a year after the wedding to give the wedding gift. When a wedding guest brings a gift to the wedding, the bride and groom or the wedding party have to worry about how to get the gift to the bride and grooms new home. It is completely acceptable to drop off or send a gift a little bit later. If you are unable to attend the wedding in person, it is usually customary to send a wedding gift. Check to see if the bride and groom have registered with a store with a website. In many cases you can order the wedding gift online and have it sent directly to the bride and groom.

Bringing Your Own Guest To a South Carolina Wedding

Do not bring a date unless the invitation specifically says their name or you "+ Guest." Remember that the average cost for each person attending a South Carolina wedding is over forty dollars , so bringing unexpected guests is very impolite. Remember, this does include children or other relatives! Many brides do not want children to attend their wedding, and it is very impolite to bring your children when they were not specifically invited.

South Carolina Wedding Ceremony Etiquette

Many wedding ceremonies may have parts where the friends and family alternately stand, sit, or kneel. The wedding program or officiant may tell you when to do so; if not, follow the lead of other guests. If you are physically unable to stand, remain quietly seated during these parts of the wedding.

RSVP Etiquette For a South Carolina Wedding

RSVP as soon as possible. The bride and groom will likely be making decisions based on the number of people who will be at the wedding. If you must cancel your invitation after you have accepted, do so as soon as possible.

Drinking Etiquette

A wedding is a time to enjoy yourself, however, no one appreciates a drunk guest embarrassing themselves and others. Drink alcohol in moderation. Remember, chances are you will be driving yourself back home or to your hotel after the wedding.

Have fun, and let the happy couple know that you are so happy for them. For more information on wedding etiquette, check out Chapter 22 of Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home by Emily Post.

Search for Etiquette Training by Region

Etiquette Tips

Remember that relatives with bad manners will not leave them at home.