Wedding etiquette is a must when it comes to your big day. Knowing the ins and outs of wedding etiquette helps to create a smooth, functional plus elegant ceremony and reception. While it’s something that constantly changes as many trends do, there are some rules of wedding etiquette that will never go out of style. Keep reading for everything you need to know about the new and old rules of wedding etiquette that you should follow. 

1. Let your friends and family know about your engagement before the rest of the world

While we know you’re excited to announce your impending nuptials on social media (and, of course, show off that rock!), it’s a good rule of thumb to let your closest friends and family members in on the big news before the rest of the world. A surprise engagement announcement could cause hurt feelings and extra stress — things you definitely don’t need as you start to plan your wedding. Plus, having your friends and family know about your engagement will allow them to feel a part of your special day.

7 Wedding Etiquette Tips You Should Follow

2.  Create a Save the Date announcement

If you have decided on a wedding date already — even if you haven’t planned a single thing — it’s always a great idea to send out a Save the Date announcement to your guests ahead of the wedding invitation. This way, they are able to plan in advance, especially if they live out-of-town or if you’re planning a destination wedding. The cards can be sent up to four to six months before you plan on sending out the official wedding invitation.

3. Stick to physical wedding invitations

Online tips and tricks have definitely helped make wedding planning easier, but keeping to a physical wedding invitation is still vital in the digital age.  Receiving a website link to a wedding invitation or an email or a Facebook group invite, etc., feels impersonal. Plus, you run the risk of guests accidentally deleting or not receiving your invite. A physical wedding invitation provides a keepsake and a special touch. 

7 Wedding Etiquette Tips You Should Follow

4. Create a wedding website

That being said, creating a wedding website is an easy must when it comes to navigating and organizing your wedding. This includes everything from showers to bachelor/bachelorette parties to the wedding ceremony and reception. It’s a helpful resource for your guests and can be a fun way for them to get excited about your big day. Be sure to include your wedding website on your wedding invitations too. 

5. Skip the registry

For most modern couples, we have already started living life together before marriage. This means you probably have everything that you already need in terms of small kitchen appliances and towels, etc., and any other material thing that you might typically receive from a registry, so asking for more seems redundant. Monetary gifts are quickly replacing wedding registries but asking for money outright isn’t couth either. Your guests are not required to give you anything, even if they might want to anyway. A simple way to solve this issue? Provide a small note on your wedding website and/or wedding invitation that you’re open to receiving any type of gift that your guest might want to give.  

7 Wedding Etiquette Tips You Should Follow

6. Showers are not just for the bride

Bridal showers have been traditionally a time to shower the bride with gifts from members of her wedding party and other female guests. Today, many couples are opting to have co-ed showers with both men and women, where the bride and groom are both celebrated and treated to gifts. It makes for a more united and equal opportunity for everyone to be involved and leaves both sides feeling special. 

7. Split the costs

Traditionally, the bride’s family would pay for the wedding but these are modern times. While it’s acceptable that the bride’s family might want to contribute financially to the big day, it’s no longer a requirement. Instead, have a discussion with your soon-to-be-spouse to decide on what works for both families. Many couples split the costs with their families, or pay for the wedding themselves.