10 Things You Should Never Do at a Wedding, According to a Wedding Photographer

Don't Interrupt the Couple's Portraits

Seeing your loved ones on their wedding day is exciting, but you’re there to support them—and sometimes that means knowing when to keep your distance. If the couple is doing pre- or post-ceremony posed photos, admire them from a distance.

“While they might smile and hug you, deep down they know it’s cutting into their very limited time for couple or family portraits,” says Brooklyn-based photographer Rima Brindamour. “The photographer likely has a long list of shots to work through, and the quicker they can get through it, the sooner the couple can join their guests at cocktail hour.”

Don't Stake Out Your Seat Before the Reception

Don't place your purse on the table or jacket on your chair ahead of the reception. "The reception room should remain untouched so the photo and video teams can document the space free of guests' belongings," Brindamour explains. "It's also common for the planner or venue coordinator to bring the couple into the room for a private 'first look' of the space. You wouldn’t want your purse or jacket to get in the way of that special moment."

Don't Take Place Cards Before Dinner

"The welcome table is part of the event décor, and the couple's photographer may not have had a chance to photograph it yet if they were busy capturing pre-ceremony portraits," says Brindamour. "Leave the place cards where they are until the end of cocktail hour when it's actually time to find your seat.”

Same goes for any type of creative escort card display. Don’t touch anything with your name on it until you’re invited to do so. And never move your table: A seating chart is a laborious process and set up to suit so many logistics.

Don't Have Your Phone Out

Speaking from experience, if the couple kindly asks that you put away phones for the ceremony, entrance, first dance, or the entirety of the night, please be respectful and tuck away your device. It’s not your event, and the couple's professional photographs will likely be obscured by you and your smartphone. Enjoy being unplugged!

Don't Interrupt the Sweetheart Table

Let the couple enjoy their dinner date. "This may be their only chance to eat all day,” says Brindamour. “This is also a rare quiet moment for them to check in with each other on an otherwise chaotic day.”

Don't Overindulge

Open bars are fun and enticing, but a wobbly guest on the dance floor is a liability. Pace yourself with drinks, alternate between alcoholic beverages and water, and know when to cut yourself off.

Don't Challenge the Dress Code

Dress codes exist for a reason, and it’s impolite not to follow them. Wearing a black-tie gown you wanted to show off at a cocktail-style wedding isn’t appropriate. Per tradition, wearing certain colors is also off-limits unless otherwise directed. Now’s not the time to push the limits. If the dress code is confusing, chat with other guests or ask someone in the wedding party.

Don't Pile on the PDA

Weddings sure are romantic—but they’re also social events with plenty of strangers (and kids), and no one wants to feel uncomfortable. Enjoy your date, but keep PDA to a minimum. Pretend your grandparents are in attendance (someone’s likely are), and don’t do anything you wouldn’t want them to witness.

Don't Bother the Caterer

Not in the mood for what you pre-ordered? Want your leftovers wrapped up? Not today. You’re a guest of the couple, not a client of the caterer—whose job is hard enough already.

If necessary, politely confirm you've received the right meal with the right ingredients and that cross-contamination protocols were followed—food allergies and health concerns are serious matters! You can always eat before or bring a snack if you know the meal could be a concern.

Above all else, stay out of the kitchen. Same goes for getting behind the bar: This can be illegal in many states and compromise a venue’s insurance policy. Plus, it’s rude to the bartenders, guests, and hosts.

Don't Offer Unsolicited Feedback

The biggest event of someone’s life isn’t looking for a review. Graciously thank your hosts, offer a compliment, and move on. No host wants to hear about how the food was cold, the music was too loud, or the room was too hot or cold. Remember how much time, effort, and money your hosts put into their day, and keep any negative opinions to yourself.