Bride and Groom Do’s and Don’ts

By Camilla Hassan

We have already covered the Do’s and Don’ts for Wedding Guests; now here is our list of Bride and Groom Do’s and Don’ts. A diamond on the third finger can turn a normally sane woman into an obsessed, stressed-out monster. Don’t let it be you by following these simple rules.

12 Bride and Groom Do’s and Don’ts

1)  Do triple check before setting the date

Avoid any dates such as public holidays, or major events taking place in or near your venue. One BCME fan was about to book an early November date in Abu Dhabi but at the last minute realised the F1 was taking place that weekend, pushing prices up astronomically and limiting hotel room availability.

2) Don’t leave anything to chance

Always have a back up plan. Even in the UAE’s sunny climes, your beachfront ceremony may be engulfed in a sandstorm or heavy rain. Make sure you have discussed alternatives with the event planner in the case of a freak shamal. Bring extra wedding favours and allow some extra funds on the day in case the final bill creeps up slightly from those unexpected extras.

3)  Do ask for help

Avoid becoming a Bridezilla by learning to delegate. Staging a production such as a wedding is a complex affair that is tricky for even the most experienced event planner to pull off. So if you’ve only ever organised a BBQ in your back garden, it’s worth getting either the professionals or your friends involved. Give people set tasks and detailed briefs that are easy for them to complete, for example, researching confetti options. Don’t place too much responsibility on their shoulders. Avoid delegating to anyone who is known for being late, irresponsible or forgetful.

4)  Don’t bite off more than you can chew

You’ve saved all your jam jars for the last 18 months to make centrepieces, you’re growing your own wedding favour plants and you’re baking your own cake. Going OTT on DIY doth not a happy bride make. There is a whole multi-billion dollar industry aimed at alleviating some of these jobs from you. While it may sound like fun making everything from scratch, by the time you’ve glue-gunned sequins onto the 118^th confetti cone, you may be screaming for the ready-made ones.

5)  Create a harmonious table plan

If you’re aware that certain guests don’t get on, or you’re inviting someone who barely knows anyone, try to create a seating chart that takes these sensitivities into account. You could try sitting your lone friend next to one of your most gregarious chums, or even assigning someone to help introduce them to people with similar interests.

6) Don’t leave your guests to fend for themselves

This is especially important for overseas guests who aren’t familiar with the country, the venue or how to get around. Provide as much information as you can in the invite with a map, transport options, dress codes and accommodation suggestions. A good idea is a wedding website where you can direct all guests and answer FAQs. Let them know you or your bridesmaids can be contacted with any questions, and don’t skimp on details.

7) Do involve the parents

Parents will almost certainly want their say and have their opinions heard, especially if they are paying for some or all of the wedding. It could be that they want to invite half their address book or choose your menu. It is a fine balance involving them, without letting them take over completely, so perhaps choose some tasks to let them shine. Dad can bask in the spotlight during his speech while a mother-daughter wedding dress shopping session can help her to feel included.

8) Do be organised

The last thing you want while you’re taking your first sip of bubbly is the wedding cake baker asking you for their payment. Avoid unnecessary conversations such as these by preparing all the cheques for the suppliers in a fan of envelopes to be distributed on the day. Ask your most trusted bridesmaid to intercept the various deliveries and discreetly pass them their payments.

9) Don’t get any drastic beauty treatments

A week before your wedding is not the time to see whether that short elfin cropped hairstyle suits you. Or the peroxide blonde. Or an acid peel. If you’re having a spray tan, have it applied at least a week prior, and avoid facials completely; no one wants a giant glowing blemish on their big day.

10)  Don’t stress! Relax

This is supposed to be the happiest day of your life. You’ve spent months as well as thousands of dirhams to create the perfect moment, but you’re too stressed to enjoy it. No-one cares if the napkins aren’t quite the right shade of pink or the DJ is ten minutes late. Let your bridal party take care of things on the day while you focus on more important things. Such as getting married.

11)  Don’t forget about your partner at the reception

Your childhood best friend has travelled all this way and you want to chat to her, and look there’s your old squash partner. It may be tempting for you and your husband to work the room separately to catch up with friends and family who have travelled from afar but resist! Tend to your guests together but make sure you have time for each other too. You can discuss your aunt’s hip replacement at great length another time.

12) Do thank your guests afterwards

It is correct etiquette to write thank you notes to your guests within three months of the wedding. Most registries make it easy for you by listing who bought what so you can thank them personally in your card for the item. Pre-printed cards should have a little handwritten accompaniment to give it a personalised touch. Mass emails and Facebook thanks are of course, a no-no.

Would you add anything to this list? Let us know in the comment box below! 

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