Planning a wedding can be difficult. Booking vendors and creating a guest list, on top of picking out color schemes, decor, and planning the honeymoon can be stressful and very overwhelming. We get it, you want everything to be perfect according to traditional  wedding etiquette! Adding in the emotions, personal interactions, and potentially difficult situations you’ll encounter along the way can easily make you rethink eloping. But don’t fret - The experts at The Sutherland Raleigh wedding venue know a thing or two about wedding etiquette. Here are six wedding etiquette tips and common mistakes that you might not even know you’re making, as well as how to avoid them when planning your big day. 

Tip #1 - Don’t post your engagement on social media until you have personally told your immediate family members and closest friends the exciting news. Once your VIPs are in the know, you’re free to post, snap, tweet, and share as you see fit.

Tip #2 - Don’t include wedding registry info on your formal wedding invitation. Your wedding invitations are a way to let your guests know you love them and want them to be there to witness your wedding vows—not a place to ask for gifts. 

Tip #3 - If you invite someone to your engagement party or bridal shower, then you must invite them to your wedding as well. Inviting them to only your shower would imply that they’re good enough to give you a gift, but not good enough to celebrate on your actual big day.

Tip #4 - Don’t keep your guests waiting. The quickest way to make your guests feel forgotten is to leave a big gap in your timeline between the end of your ceremony and the beginning of the cocktail hour. Keep them entertained with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and music while they wait for the wedding party to arrive, or simply use one venue for both the ceremony and reception.

Tip #5 - Make sure you greet every single guest. They came just for you, so it is important to make the effort to say hi and thank them for coming. Guests will understand that you’re trying to make the rounds to everyone in attendance, so don’t worry about keeping it short.

Tip #6 - Send out your thank you notes ASAP. Wedding etiquette books will tell you that you have a year to send them out, but putting it off will only make it more difficult. You want to write and send out your thank you notes as soon as possible, so that all of the details are still fresh in your mind. The sooner you send them out, the sooner you can start enjoying the next chapter of your life. 

The Sutherland Raleigh Wedding Venue

The professional team at The Sutherland Raleigh wedding venue is ready to help you plan your big day! Our lavish estate is located in Wake Forest, NC, and is home to the perfect spot for a wedding or special function. Contact us today and speak to one of our dedicated event specialists for help making your wedding day one to remember!