There’s nothing better than receiving an invitation for the wedding of a friend or family member, and although there are a number of wedding etiquette rules the bride and groom have to stress over, wedding guests have their own sets of rules to follow.
First things first, make sure you RSVP. The bride and groom do not send the invitations to impress you with the fancy lettering.
Whether or not you plan to attend, the wedding party is trying to gauge exactly how much they will be spending … on you.
Secondly, don’t bring a date to the wedding unless the invitation offers you a spot for him or her.
According to weddings.about.com, the cost for each party to attend the wedding is usually high, so bringing an unforeseen guest could wreak havoc on the bride and groom, something you do not want to see on such a special day.
As far as gift-giving goes, it is not required to bring a gift on the day of the wedding. It is actually acceptable to send a gift up until a year afterward.
For the college student who is not so financially endowed, there are plenty of gift ideas that will not empty your pockets, but will still show the bride and groom you care.
Many couples will be registered for gifts all the way up and down the price spectrum. If a registry does not fit in your price range, individual kitchen appliances are always a great gift for newlyweds.
According to frugalbride.com, if you’re more of the artistic type, try putting the wedding invitation or a memorable poem in a frame.
This is a gift that is inexpensive, but something the couple can hold onto long after their wedding.
Nowadays, many weddings are offering their guests what is known as an “open bar.” No, this does not mean stand on top of a table to have a beer chugging contest.
The open bar is a luxury the bridge and groom have chosen to provide to you, in moderation and with good taste of course, to help you save money.
Although many guests feel as though they should celebrate as much as the bride and groom, this is their day, not yours, so keep the drink count between three and five.
Sites like ourmarriage.com and theknot.com are also available for guests to sharpen up on the dos and don’ts of attending a wedding.
You can also check out amazon.com’s list of wedding etiquette books.
At the end of the day the bride and groom have invited you to their wedding because they want you to share in this significant day with them. Though there are some rules guests should follow, be yourself and enjoy this day with the people you love.

source: thenews.org/features/proper_wedding_etiquette_for_guests