friends: Hardeep says, “Avoid any
mention of previous girlfriends or the
groom’s drinking habits. His pranks
may be hilarious to you but Aunty
may not be impressed!”
Western weddings
“
Compared to Asian counterparts,
Western weddings are much less
superstitious, though there are still
traditions that are upheld today,”
Sonya advises. Whilst the wedding
During the wedding breakfast
or reception, remember to sit at your
assigned table. “The bride and groom
have spent a lot of time considering
who should sit where, so respecting
this is important,” advises Sonya. It is
typically inappropriate to bring guests
unless they are specifically invited, so if
you are single, confirm ahead of time
whether you’re allowed to bring a date.
Allison Clarke and her husband
married in London, England, in 2003.
food will not be served.” And, keep
in mind, at a Western wedding, it is
considered rude to leave before the
cutting of the cake.
At some point during the day,
the bride may turn her back to all the
guests and toss her bouquet over her
head for single women to compete
in catching. According to tradition,
the woman who catches the bouquet
will be next in line to marry. But if
you’ve made the almighty mistake of
dressing in white, the colour reserved
for the bride on her special day, expect
to have a lot more than a bouquet
thrown at you.
In terms of what to wear, “The
level of formality, from casual to tuxedo,
is often mentioned in the wedding
invitation,” Leongwoo advises.
While some couples may
appreciate money as a wedding gift,
others may find it impersonal, says
Leongwoo. Sonya says, “Some couples
sign up on a gift registry. If not,
consider a thoughtful gift that will be
useful to the couple.”
If you’re attending a wedding
not of your own culture, the gift of
good manners goes a long way. Do
your homework, be considerate and,
to be the perfect wedding guest,
wholeheartedly enjoy the experience –
without getting too drunk, that is!
Compared to Asian counterparts,
Western weddings are much less
superstitious, though there are still
traditions that are upheld today …
programme may be different
depending on the nationality and
religious beliefs of the couple, guest
protocol is generally the same.
If you have been invited to a
Western wedding, remember to
RSVP, says Sonya. On the day, you
should arrive and take your seat a few
minutes before the ceremony starts,
bearing in mind that the front rows
are generally reserved for close family
or friends, with the very first seats
reserved for the bridal party.
“
We had a church wedding in the
afternoon, and planned a reception
party for 80 guests later that evening.
Except we had 82 guests as my work
colleague brought her children with
her, which was annoying.”
Photographer Leongwoo
confirms: “Some British and
American weddings are for adults
only, simply because kids below 12
years old can pose challenges to
formal weddings.” He adds, “Some
receptions are also cocktails only, so
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