Although weddings are fun, celebratory events, it's completely normal to feel anxious about going if you won't know many other people in attendance. But instead of immediately RSVP-ing no, we're here to encourage you to take the leap and go to the wedding by yourself… because you just might have a fantastic time.
In fact, going to a wedding solo means is that you are perfectly normal and doing something everyone does at some point, whether they are in a relationship or not: going to a wedding without a date. Nobody tells you how common this is, until you start getting invited to weddings.
If your spouse was actually invited and/or is okay with your going solo, then it's okay. But you and your spouse should have been invited together, so if your spouse was excluded from the invitation, you should not accept it unless your spouse is okay with it.
Traditional etiquette would imply that you don't need to invite the new partners of your wedding guests, especially if they've been together for 6 months or less. However, if you can afford to, it is a really nice thing to do. Guests that don't know anyone at your wedding will be much happier with their partner there.
“While I'd love to be with you on your special day, I'm sadly unable to attend. I will be there in spirit and cannot wait to see photos!” “Regretfully we are unable to attend. Best wishes on your special day!”
If for example, the bride and groom had no idea the guest is now living with or engaged to someone, in my opinion, it's perfectly appropriate to ask for them to be added. If it's someone you are newly dating and/or the couple are not your nearest and dearest, it's not ok to ask.”
Generally speaking anyone a venue must prepare to host or who contributes towards the capacity of the venue is included in the guest count. That includes you and your sweetie!
Weddings are special events at which people you truly care about should be in attendance. If you haven't spoken on the phone or seen the couple who invited you (or at least the person in the couple to which you're close) in a long time—and you get the feeling that this trend will continue—you don't need to go.
Generally speaking, it's best to have a blanket rule for plus ones: either every guest is allowed to bring a date, or no-one is. This is, quite simply, to avoid any potential drama or hurt feelings between wedding guests.
Unbreakable Rule #1: RSVP Promptly
If you're one of the chosen few to be invited, make sure you respond promptly. Many wedding invitations will include a deadline to reply. Prompt RSVPs are important because wedding venues and vendors require a firm headcount ahead of time.
As a rule of thumb, you can give $50-$500 as a single guest, depending on your relationship to the couple. For a casual guest who might not be making a ton of money, $75 should be sufficient.
"While you should never feel obligated to attend a wedding you don't want to be a part of, think carefully if the reason you are using will hold up years later when you look back on it," Gottsman says. Once you decide to decline, you should ideally share the news in person, not through the mail.
There's no magical formula to determine exactly how many invitees will RSVP "no" (trust us, if we could predict the future for you, we would), but it's safe to plan for roughly 15 percent of people to decline the invitation (and more like 20–30 percent for a destination wedding).
A typical cash wedding gift could range from $50 to $500, depending on the same factors listed above. Even then, aiming for the $100 mark is generally sufficient and will be comparable to the average cost of a physical wedding gift. For those looking to gift the newlyweds cash, they may wonder how much to spend.
If your invitation did not include a plus-one, under no circumstances should you arrive at a wedding with an uninvited guest. If the person who was originally going to attend with you is not coming, ask the couple if you can bring someone else instead.
It is correct for someone to send a wedding gift even if they have not received an invitation. That is, if the person wants to do so. A surprise gift — one given for the simple reason that it's a sincere wish to celebrate with the recipient and honor the occasion — can be one of the best gifts of all.
According to Wiig, there are several reasons why a friend wouldn't invite you to their wedding. For example, the couple may be dealing with budget restrictions, a too-small venue, or a guest limit. They might also want to hve an intimate affair with immediate family members only.
Don't be Afraid to Size Down. While it's totally possible to be an introvert and still want to have a large wedding with all your loved ones, it's also okay to keep things small!
A Closer Look at Elopement
Here are additional reasons an elopement is an attractive choice for many couples: The guest list is small—usually under 10 people. In fact, some elopement ceremonies have no guests except for the officiant and witnesses.