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'Plus one' etiquette for wedding guests Questions to ask prospective wedding offi ciants 18
Couples need to carefully consider which guests will be extended the option to bring a "plus one" to the wedding.
Making a wedding guest list is seldom an easy task. Couples often fi nd that many people are worthy of an invitation, which can make creating a guest list tricky for those with budgets in mind.
According to data from the online wedding resource The Knot, the average wedding catering cost per guest is roughly $70. However, catering costs will vary depending on the reception venue, the number of guests, the foods chosen, and the region of the country where the wedding takes place.
When creating their guest lists, couples may wonder if they have to offer all guests the option of bringing a "plus one" to the occasion. As with other wedding day etiquette questions, the plus one concept is not set in stone.
Any guest who is married
It's typically standard to invite a couple as a whole to the wedding, even if you've never met the spouse. This often comes up when inviting work friends, according to Vogue magazine. Even if you have never interacted with a coworker's spouse, etiquette dictates that all married guests be allowed to bring their spouses along.
Any guest who is engaged or is in a serious long-term relationship
It can be challenging to know the relationship status of everyone who will be invited to the wedding, but chances are you'll have a good idea of those people closest to you. Include a plus one for guests who are engaged or in long-term relationships.
Consider guests who may not know others
Weddings often are times when childhood friends reconnect, or people who haven't seen each other in a while come together. If there's a good chance someone who is single and is invited to the wedding may not know anyone else there except the couple, extend a plus one as a courtesy.
Include the wedding party
All members of the wedding party should be offered the option of bringing a date to the wedding.
Apart from these guidelines, couples can establish any other rules, such as no plus ones for guests under a certain age or those who are not in serious relationships. The Knot also says it is polite to fi nd out who the plus one will be so that wedding reception seating cards include that person's name instead of "and guest."
Questions to ask prospective wedding offi ciants
Couples make many decisions when planning their weddings. Everything from the design of save-the-date cards to the color of the napkins at the reception tables requires couples' input. Choice of offi ciant is another decision that's worthy of signifi cant consideration.
Many couples may have an offi ciant in mind before they begin planning their wedding. In such instances, couples may choose an offi ciant who's affi liated with their place of worship or even a friend or family member who's been ordained or certifi ed to offi ciate weddings. Couples with no such option can ask the following questions as they look to hire an offi ciant for their wedding.
Can you legally offi ciate our wedding?
Each state has its own requirements regarding who can sign the paperwork necessary for couples to be considered legally married. An offi ciant should meet these requirements.
What services do you provide?
Some offi ciants will do more than offi ciate the wedding. Some will help couples obtain their marriage license and even submit the documentation after the wedding. Those services can be important, but many couples are more concerned with what offi ciants will do before and during the ceremony. Ask if the offi ciant will write his or her own remarks to be delivered during the ceremony. Some couples may want to write remarks for the offi ciant, while others may need help crafting the message they want to convey.
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How fl exible are you?
Ask how offi ciants handle feedback and how willing they are to deliver remarks they did not necessarily write themselves. Some offi ciants may have a template they customarily follow, but that doesn't necessarily mean they won't stray and personalize the ceremony based on couples' wishes. Couples should ask such offi ciants how far they're willing to stray from their routine if necessary. Do you have a portfolio?
Written testimonials from past clients can be invaluable, but couples can get a true feel for an offi ciant's style by watching video of ceremonies they've offi ciated in the past. Ask prospective offi ciants if they can share video of weddings they've presided over. It's not a red fl ag if offi ciants have no such video, which couples may have forgotten to share. But video can help couples get an accurate idea of how offi ciants may preside over their ceremony.
Will we work together prior to the ceremony?
Many offi ciants will ask to meet with a couple at least once before the wedding so they can get to know them as well as possible. Ask each offi ciant if this is their policy. Pre-wedding meetings can be conducted in person or via Zoom. When discussing meeting before the wedding, ask the offi ciant if he or she will attend the wedding rehearsal. It's not customary for offi ciants to do so, though some might be willing to attend the rehearsal, especially if the ceremony will feature any elaborate components that require their involvement.
Miscellaneous considerations
Couples also may want to broach some additional topics when questioning prospective offi ciants. Such topics may include: · Offi ciant's attire · Backups if the offi ciant falls ill prior to the ceremony · Offi ciant fees, and if extra services like attending the rehearsal incurs additional charges · Offi ciants' experience
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