Wedding Etiquette & Advice

Who does what, when, and how? Our wedding etiquette tips cover behavior, attire, hosting, and guests, plus pre-wedding (invitations), post-wedding (thank-you notes), and everything (ceremony and reception) in between. We're answering all of your most common wedding planning questions.
wedding guests wearing floral and colorful dresses
Can a Guest Wear a White Dress With a Pattern to a Wedding? 5 Experts Weigh In
Guests seated at wedding ceremony
6 Things Guests Should Never Wear to a Wedding
seating chart posters
How to Make a Wedding Seating Chart (Without Stressing Out)
wedding bridge and groom outdoor exit
Who Pays for the Wedding? Here's What Each Family Is Traditionally Responsible For
wedding guests sitting in chiavri chairs during ceremony
What to Wear to Every Type of Wedding, From Black Tie to Garden Party
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Bridal Shower Etiquette You Need to Know
summer wedding guests polk dot black and white
Can You Wear a Black Dress to a Wedding? 3 Experts Weigh In
bridesmaid drinks
Can Guests Wear White to a Wedding? Experts Weigh In
formal fall wedding guests
What to Wear to a Black-Tie Wedding
guests watching
Who Gets an Invitation to the Rehearsal Dinner?
An aerial view of a man presenting his girlfriend with an engagement ring while sitting at a table in a restaurant together.
How to Tell Your Loved Ones—Especially Your Parents—That You're Engaged to Someone They Haven't Met
reception gifts in brown wrapping with pink and purple ribbon bows
Everything You Need to Know About Engagement Party Gifts
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What to Put on Your Wedding Registry
welcome party guests
When Should You Have Your Bridal Shower?
black, green, and white wedding invitation suite
How Much Time You Should Give Wedding Guests to RSVP
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10 Things You Should Know Before Addressing, Assembling, and Mailing Your Wedding Invitations
momina jack wedding guests group shot
Here Is the Average Guest List Size for Small, Medium, and Large Weddings
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Your Bachelorette Party Etiquette Questions, Answered
Guests Mingling at Rehearsal Dinner
The Etiquette of Engagement Parties
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The Etiquette of Wedding Rehearsal Dinners
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What to Say When Proposing—Besides the Obvious
bride laughing with mother on wedding day
5 Things the Mother of the Groom Should Never Say to the Bride
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Your Complete Guide to Tipping Every Wedding Vendor, From Your Photographer to Your Catering Staff
jennifer tobias wedding toast glass
Five Annoying Behaviors Wedding Guests Should Avoid No Matter What
Stationery and envelopes
What to Write in a Wedding Card to the Couple of the Hour
wedding kids
The Etiquette of Having Children at Your Wedding
woman jealous of engaged sited in-law
How to Handle a Toxic Sister-in-Law
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Who Gets a Bridal Shower Invitation?
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15 Dos and Don'ts for an Unforgettable Marriage Proposal
private garden cocktail hour outdoors
Your Wedding Guest List Etiquette Questions, Answered
rehearsal dinner couple
What's My Fiancé's Role in the Bridal Shower?
jen geoff wedding outdoor ceremony
What Should a Guest Do If He or She Unexpectedly Can't Attend the Wedding?
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Destination Wedding Etiquette Dos and Don'ts
Mother of the Bride Embroidered Dress
Can the Mother of the Bride (or Groom) Wear Black to the Wedding?
Same-sex couple with wedding bands
9 Questions LGBTQ+ Couples Might Have When Planning a Wedding, Answered
backyard engagement party
Engagement Party Guide: The Dos and Don'ts of This Pre-Wedding Event
instagram ring selfie by claraalonsonet
How to Tell Family and Friends You're Engaged, According to the Pros
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Your Mother-of-the-Bride (and Groom!) Questions, Answered!
classic invitation with calligraphy flourished style
Your Comprehensive Guide to Addressing and Mailing Wedding Invitations
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Should Guests Bring Gifts to a Vow Renewal?
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Bachelorette Party Gifts 101: What You Need to Know About Pre-Wedding Party Presents
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Who Makes a Speech at the Engagement Party?
camryn eugene rehearsal dinner guests
The Dos and Don'ts of Dressing for an Engagement Party
outdoor wedding ceremony set up
20 Wedding Rules You Should Definitely Follow (No, Really)
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Everything You Need to Know About Bridal Shower Invitations
bridal party
How to Decide How Many Guests Each Family Can Invite to the Wedding
jena donny wedding couple walking holding hands
Marriage Licenses and Marriage Certificates: What They Are and How to Get Them
Heirloom Emerald and Diamond Engagement Ring
5 Engagement Ring Rules You Didn't Know You Could Break
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The Pros and Cons of Changing Your Last Name After Marriage
aerielle dyan wedding kiss
A Brief History of the Wedding Kiss
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The Ultimate Mother-of-the-Bride Checklist
bridal shower guests by pool
What Should You Wear to a Bridal Shower?
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These Are the People Who Commonly Give a Speech at the Rehearsal Dinner