You have received an invitation to the wedding of a good friend or family member.  Consider it an honor to be selected to help those close to you celebrate a wonderful part of their lives.

Once you have sent an RSVP with a positive response, you become an official guest at this party.  You will no doubt bring an appropriate gift, but did you realize that another gift you give to the couple is the knowledge of how to be a good guest and the wisdom to use that knowledge.

Here is a check list of do's and don'ts that you can use to insure that your behavior will fit the occasion and not be a reason for the couple to grimace on their anniversary.

DO

• Send back your RSVP in a timely manner.
• Arrive at the wedding at least 15-20 minutes before the ceremony is to begin.
• If you are unavoidably delayed, stay standing in the back of the church.
• Keep your phone on silent.
• Dress appropriately.
• Have fun dancing at the reception but do not call attention to yourself or partner.
• Respect your host's choices even if they aren't what you would choose.

DON'T

• Change your mind about attending once the RSVP is sent.  Don't cancel and then decide to show up anyway.
• Sit in the front rows.  They are reserved for family.
• Text or tweet during the ceremony.  Don't take and send photos of the bride before she does.
• Wear jeans or sweats unless specifically requested by the couple.
• Get in the way of the professional photographer hired to capture the moments of the wedding.
• Trash talk the couple's choices.
• Don't take ceremony or reception photos and post to social media without the couple's approval.