Wedding Guest Etiquette During Covid-19

All wedding photos in this post are from Elizabeth M Photo. Elizabeth has been busy at work during Covid and these brides are just stunning!

During this weird time, there is no one I feel more sorry for than brides. So many women dream of their wedding days their entire childhoods and this (sorry, cringe, have to say it) unprecedented time ruined it. That, of course, isn’t to say that there haven’t been beautiful weddings during Covid. There have been many people who have made the most of this experience and had lovely days. Gentry at Girl Meets Bow, for example, had a gorgeous backyard wedding (seriously, click that link and check it out).

Whether you’re invited to a wedding during Covid or you got the gauntlet due to crowd restrictions, I wanted to write up a little guide to being a wedding guest during this time. I hope you find it helpful!

Be understanding.

No bride wants to have to cut down her guest list and she almost certainly wants more than the people she’s allowed to invite. If you get cut from the guest list, do not complain. She wants you there. She just can only have a few people at her wedding. It sucks more for her than it does for you.

Offer to pitch in.

Even if you’re not in the same “quaranteam,” there are always little errands to run. Does she need help with invitations? How about picking up the flowers? A second opinion on the cake tasting? There are ways to be a part of a wedding without having to “be” there. The bride is stressed out. She’s sad. She needs your help. Offer it.

Still send a gift.

I repeat. Still. Send. A. Gift. Yes, even if you don’t get access to the open bar. Yes, even if you don’t get to have that fancy reception dinner. Again, it’s not the bride’s fault and she still deserves to be congratulated. Remember you would’ve been there is things were normal.

If you’re asked to wear a mask, wear a mask.

Covid is uncomfortable and everyone deals with it in different ways. If there’s even one person at the wedding who feels more comfortable with others wearing masks, take one for the team and mask up. The wedding is not about you. Don’t put up a stink over something so silly.

Act like you’re having the time of your life even if the reception isn’t what you’re used to.

If you do make the guest list cut and get to go to the micro wedding, do what you need to do to have the TIME OF YOUR LIFE. You WILL HAVE FUN (dammit). Drink what you need to drink. Cut a rug. Make the most of it. Brides love to see their guests having fun so, please, have fun.

This is a weird time… Gosh, it’s weird. But don’t make it worse by being an ungracious wedding participant. I hope you found this post helpful!