Etiquette, etiquette, etiquette. Oh my, who knew planning a wedding involved so much etiquette!
"You're not do this," "you're supposed to do that" and the age-old, "that's not proper." It seems that when planning your wedding, everyone has an opinion on how you're supposed to do it.
While not all wedding etiquette may be ridiculous, a fair amount is at best outdated and at worst downright absurd.
From Mom's "helpful" advice to the shop assistant's spiel on how if you don't cry, then it's not the perfect dress, here are the biggest offenders in the wedding industry. Let it be henceforth known that they are myth-busted!
1. You have to wear a white dress.
Hey, we get it, ok? Wearing a pink dress may make Grandma reconsider your "purity," but Vera Wang's pink bridal collection really is that hot.
2. Hiring talented friends is the same as hiring a professional photographer.
An Instagram profile -- and I repeat -- an Instagram profile is not an acceptable example of professional photography. Your wedding photography will be treasured for a lifetime. It's kinda the one thing you really should splurge a little extra cash on. Interviewing professional photographers? Know what to ask with these questions.
3. You have to provide an open bar.
Who am I Richard Branson? Drinks on arrival? Sure. Paying for your drinks all night? Err... I don't think so. That's cold hard honeymoon cash!
4. You have to send an RSVP card.
I could have sworn we live in the 21st century. First there was the phone in 1876, then email in 1993 and yeah, texts, a tweet and even a Snapchat are suitable alternatives to me forking out an extra $40. Check out RSVIFY, the online portal for guests to check in to your wedding.
5. You have to have a wedding party (including six bridesmaids and six groomsmen).
Weddings are expensive. Bridesmaid dresses are expensive. Hiring six suits is also expensive. Don't feel the pressure to spring for a full wedding party. In fact, if you would rather have no wedding party, that's fine too!
6. It's not "proper" for a maid of honor to make a speech.
Making fun of the groom for half an hour is so much fun that it's only proper that we get half an hour of ripping on the bride too. Come on ladies, step up!
7. Putting gift requests on the invitations is tacky and not proper etiquette.
If a guest is really offended by you putting gift requests on invitations, then they may want to reconsider their decision to attend. It's helpful information that most guests would love to know, not some sly, tacky way of pressuring guests into buying you gifts. Pfft!
8. You have to have sex on your wedding night.
Sorry, ladycakes! You will be a mixture of too tired (up at six, hello!), too drunk and too yucky to get the deed done. Leave it till the morning when it will be something worth remembering.
9. You can't have "groomsladies" or "bridesmen."
Just because technically they are your "ladies in waiting" doesn't mean you can't have men on the bride's side and ladies on the groom's. This is such an outdated piece of etiquette that it's slightly embarrassing to see it written down!
10. The bride and groom should not get drunk.
All the hours of planning, the many tears that you have both shed and all the nerves! When the marriage is sealed, it's time to well and truly celebrate with a party in my book. Let loose and enjoy yourselves.
What's the funniest etiquette rule you've come across? Let me know in the comments section right here!
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.