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Your wedding ceremony may be all about you and your groom, but let’s be honest–the reception is all about showing your guests a great time. Of course, it should be a celebration to remember, for all of those in attendance, yourself included. But it’s quite possibly just as, if not more important that your guests enjoy themselves, too. In reality, if your guests don’t have a good time, you won’t either.
To ensure no guest leaves feeling like they had anything but the best time of their life, here are eight things you should definitely never ever do at your wedding reception. Avoid these moves at all costs and we can guarantee that everyone will have a blast.
1. Have A Cash Bar
Sorry to say it, but this cost is on you–and it’s going to cost you. Tempting as it may be to cut your spending in this area, it’s totally tacky and quite honestly a buzz kill. Guests (who have already bought you a gift, dressed up for your day, and attended your ceremony) will most certainly not appreciate having to fund their own booze.
2. Play Offensive Music
No matter what the 30-and-under group is listening to, wedding music should be clean and appropriate for everyone. Yes, you can play popular songs, but anything with vulgarities should be avoided. Just ask your DJ to use the clean versions! Older guests will not appreciate dirty lyrics or swearing, so don’t offend Grandma. Even if they’re ok with it, do you really want your special day associated with tacky lyrics? We didn’t think so.
3. Disappear For Too Long
Don’t rush through your visit to the bathroom (we know, it’s a little complicated to go when you have that big beautiful dress on), but otherwise, make it a point to stay visible. This is just plain common sense–everyone has gone out of their way to celebrate you and it’s a bummer if you’re not there to bask in it. This is the one day where everyone will want to smother you with attention so let them!
4. Get Too Drunk
Don’t get upset–we’re not saying don’t drink, but c’mon. It’s ok to get buzzed, but try to stay in your right mind. You definitely don’t want to do anything you’ll regret, or worse, won’t remember. This is your special night so don’t get sloppy. As the main attraction, it’s your responsibility to keep yourself in line.
5. Yell At Vendors
Leave any conflicts to your supporting cast (i.e. your mother or maid of honor). If you have a wedding planner, it’s his/her job to keep everything and everyone in line and running smoothly on event day. If something seems to be going awry, calmly do what you can to deal with it, pass it along, and then move on. No party goes off perfectly without a hitch anyway, but don’t let the frustration get to you.
6. Argue With Guests
Do we even really need to tell you why? This sort of follows the old adage of, “the customer is always right.” If a guest is doing or saying something truly offensive, ask your mother or maid of honor to deal with it or ignore it and address it later. Nothing is uglier than an angry bride yelling at everyone on her wedding day.
7. Check Or Open Presents
Um, so tacky! Save the gift ogling for the comfort of your own home. Your reception is not the time or place to shake presents, guess what they might be, or worse, actually open them. Yikes! The spotlight’s on you, and greedy is never a good look.
8. Get There Late Or Leave Early
It’s your party, so you better be there! A wedding reception can’t truly start without the bride, duh! And it effectively ends when you leave. Keep this in mind when you’re planning photos and rides, and make sure you’ll be there for as much of the party as possible.
For more related to weddings, check out:
—9 Things Brides Always Forget To Do AFTER Their Wedding Ceremony
—10 Mistakes Brides ALWAYS Make When Planning An Outdoor Wedding
—7 Last-Minute Wedding Details Brides Always Forget
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[Photos: Shutterstock]
