Wedding Guests I Dos and I Don’ts
Gift-Giving and Etiquette Expert Offers Tips on Avoiding Guest Faux Pas

ARA) - June was traditionally the most common month for weddings, captured by the phrase “June bride.” Now, more and more couples are choosing to host their affair year-round. Whether on a sandy beach or inside a snow-covered church, the event is still one of the most memorable in people’s lives and should be celebrated with style.

And while advice and how-tos for brides are plentiful, many guests are still left with lingering questions about what gifts to give and wedding day etiquette.

“Although it is an honor to be included in a couple’s special day -- and it’s often lots of fun -- there are a few rules wedding guests should keep in mind,” says Denise Dinyon, Lenox gift-giving and etiquette expert. Dinyon offers these tips to help guests and ensure a happy day for all.

* DO give a gift, even if you can’t attend. According to the fourth annual Lenox Gift-Giving and Etiquette survey, nearly 40 percent of people don’t always send a gift to celebrate a wedding they can’t attend. Sending a gift indicates your support and best wishes for the happy couple who are starting their lives together. * DON’T arrive late. Take into account extra time for traffic snarls, bad directions and last minute runs to the convenience store. If you plan to arrive 15 minutes early, you’ll most likely just make it. No one should walk down the aisle after the bride. If you arrive late, try to slip in quietly down a side aisle. * DO remember to turn off your cell phone during the ceremony. It’s the height of rudeness to allow a personal call to interrupt someone’s once-in-a-lifetime, special moment. * DO personalize your gift. While registries offer a great way for couples to select the perfect gifts for their lives together, going the extra mile by adding a personal touch is a wonderful way to show you care. If the couple has registered for china, include a special family recipe with the place setting.

* DON’T take a year to send a gift. Contrary to popular belief, guests do not have a year to send a gift. Gifts should really be sent before the wedding. The benefit of sending a gift ahead of time is that the couple will not have to worry about keeping it safe at the reception or transporting it after.

* DO commemorate the special day. After the wedding, send the bride and groom your snapshots. Even though most couples have professional photos, there is something extra special about pictures taken lovingly by friends and family. Personalize the gift by framing the best shot in a beautiful china frame to embellish the couple’s living-room.

* DON’T forget to have fun! Surrounded by family, friends and well-wishers, the bride and groom may not be able to spend more than a few moments with each guest. But having spent so much time on planning their perfect day, knowing that the guests had fun is indeed, the icing on the cake.

With these simple etiquette tips, guests are bound to have fun at the wedding without having to worry about awkward moments.