Wedding etiquette on when to say congratulations or best wishes

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If you'll be attending the wedding of a friend or loved one soon, it's best to be aware of the etiquette associated with wishing the couple well. There is an appropriate time to congratulate the bride and groom that will show your manners as a guest and sincere happiness for their union.

1. Size

   • The size of the wedding will have a lot to do with when you can congratulate the couple on their union. Many couples, along with their parents, will stand in a receiving line at the reception so that guests can greet them. However, if the wedding is small, the bride and groom may accept their congratulations immediately after the ceremony, before the reception. It's best to follow the rest of the guests to ensure you're extending your well wishes at the right time.

   Relationship to the Couple

   • If you are a family member of either the bride or groom, chances are you will have the opportunity to congratulate them first, since you'll be near the front of the receiving line. This may also be the case if you are a member of the wedding party (chances are you have already extended your well wishes several times during rehearsals or wedding-related parties if you are a bridesmaid or groomsman).

   Additional Information

   • When you are greeting the couple, it's best to address the husband first, since he is technically the one receiving the congratulations. According to etiquette, the husband has accomplished the task of finding a wife. When addressing the bride, it is proper to say "best wishes" or "I wish you well" to show your support for her marriage.

Source: www.ehow.com

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