Your First British Wedding

So you’ve been invited to a British wedding. Maybe you’ve never been to one before, and you’re not quite sure what to do. Don’t worry. Here are a few things you should know before the big day.

First, the invitation. It will tell you the time of the ceremony and the place. In Britain, this is often a church, but these days it can also be a hotel, a barn, or an old country house. You should arrive early. If the invitation says two o’clock, you should be in your seat by quarter to two. The bride is the only person who is allowed to be late.

You should think carefully about what to wear. Men usually wear a suit. Women wear a dress, often with a hat. There is one important custom: you shouldn’t wear white. White is the color of the bride, and on this day it belongs only to her. You also shouldn’t wear black, because in Britain black is the color of a funeral, not a celebration.

During the ceremony, you should stay quiet. When the bride walks in, everyone stands up. You should turn off your phone, and you shouldn’t take photos if the couple have asked you not to.

After the ceremony comes the reception. This is the party, and it can last all night. There will be a big meal, speeches, and dancing. The father of the bride usually gives a speech, and so does the best man. His speech is supposed to be funny, and he often tells embarrassing stories about the groom.

One last thing. When you give your card or your gift, write something warm. You don’t need to write much. “Wishing you both every happiness” is more than enough.