In order for your wedding day to be perfect, there must be a certain level of organization in the planning of the ceremony. This includes not only the usual items like the cake, the location, and the photography, but also the proper wedding etiquette for the bride, groom, the bridesmaids, the groomsmen, and the guests. Although not following proper wedding etiquette will not necessarily ruin a wedding, it can cause feelings to be hurt and may even damage the traditional goal of the ceremony.

The groomsmen and bridesmaid are a large part of the celebration, but they are also supposed to give the bride and groom support when needed. Bridesmaids who try to make themselves the center of attention are certainly displaying poor behavior. Remember, this day should only be focused on the couple and their union in love, so the general focus should definitely be on them. Trying to pull the attention away from the bride and groom happens far too often and should certainly not be attempted by members of the bridal party.

In the ceremony stage of the wedding, it is important for the guests of the nuptials to be respectful of the sanctity of the ceremony. Many guests act at a wedding as though they are in another public forum where certain behaviors are allowed or encouraged. Guests should be sure that they remain quiet through the ceremony unless asked to speak or pray, and should also refrain from getting up to use the restroom or be so unkind as to fall asleep or make unnecessary noise throughout the ceremony.

This point should be heeded more closely by the parents of the bride and groom, as they can provide the biggest distraction to the ceremony. Hysterical parents whining out during a ceremony in happiness is something that can easily cause an interruption to a wedding, and also create a spectacle that many guests will pay attention to more than the exchange of vows.

For the bride and groom, keep in mind that everyone in attendance are your guests, and should be treated as such. Yes, they are there for you, but at the same time you should ensure that everyone is comfortable both during the ceremony and the reception afterwards. Try to put yourself in their shoes. What would you like at a wedding or reception as a guest? Is the seating comfortable? Are there enough entree choices to cater to vegetarians or any other dietary issues? What have you done to make your guests feel welcome and appreciated? Always make sure to make the rounds to each table and thank everyone for coming.

A special point of emphasis should be placed on proper giving of wedding gifts. Guests should pay attention to registries and other lists of needs made by the couple for gift ideas and not try to stray from that if at all possible. If a physical gift doesn't strike you as something you could select for the new couple, you can always give money - it is acceptable to give cash as a gift. In that case, do not go overboard and give too much.