Of course, most newlyweds want to spend time with their wedding guests, but if they were to have a lengthy conversation with every single person, there would be no time for dining, dancing, cutting the cake or anything else.
Thus, it’s an etiquette no-no to demand extra time or attention from the happy couple, courtesy of Huffington Post.
Keep the conversation brief.
“The bridal couple is rightly in high demand on their special day,” said Thomas P. Farley, aka “Mister Manners.” “Particularly if there are a great number of attendees, guests should not dominate the attention of the newlyweds with long conversations.”
He advised keeping the congratulations and chatter to a minute or two. Offer your well wishes and compliment the wedding dress, food, ceremony, venue or band.
“If guests have had the chance to speak with the couple at least once during the occasion, they should not attempt to co-opt additional time, unless circumstances permit,” Farley added.
You can also spend more time with the newlyweds by joining them and the other guests on the dance floor. Making memories together doesn’t always involve talking.
Keep it light.
“Guests should also ensure they keep conversation light and breezy,” Farley said.
Avoid politics, family squabbles, drunken ramblings or important conversations they’d need to remember in the future. This is not the time to share big news or choose a date to grab lunch together.
“The Champagne is flowing, the relief is showing, and the occasion is flying by for them at hyper speed,” he added. “Guests can focus their energies on the other guests in attendance and catch up with the couple after they’ve returned from their honeymoon.”
Take advantage of the receiving line.
“Rather than continually seeking them out at various points during the reception, guests should have their words with the pair on the receiving line ― if there is one ― or on the dance floor,” Farley said. “A benefit of the former strategy is it all but guarantees getting to speak with both members of the couple at once, which may prove difficult or impossible once the reception begins.”
Take cues from the couple.
“The best way to speak with the wedding couple is by being aware of your surroundings,” said Jodi R.R. Smith, president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting .
Pay attention to what’s going on. If you would like to have a slightly longer chat at some point, don’t try to do it while the newlyweds are occupied, stressed out or en route to cut the cake.
“Take your cues from the couple,” Smith advised. “If there is a crowd forming or if the couples’ eyes are glazing, it is time to more along.”
Say you look forward to catching up at a later date.
The wedding reception is not really the time to have a full catch-up with the newly married couple, so if you want the the chance to have a proper conversation with them, mention that you’d love to get together sometime in the future.
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