If you ’re between 22 and 30 , your social media timeline and inboxes have been deluge with wedding announcements , countdown to the big day(s ) , and all - around felicity from family and friends for months now . It ’s summer , and it ’s the season of ego - reflection : who ’s turn up , who ’s having kids , who ’s still partying at rotten , hole - in - the - wall bars until 4 am … and who ’s draw the knot .

Your betting odds are honorable , if you devolve into the aforementioned long time group , that in the near future you ’re go to be some favorable hymeneals node ’s day of the month . Getting ask for as such is definitely a serious sign – but do n’t get cocky ! There are a TON of ways to mess things up . Here ’s an etiquette guide so you do n’t end up shit out in a coating water closet with some rando … or fleeing in overplus and dilapidation .

Act like the high-functioning human you are and socialize…

Do n’t be the anti - social person in the niche on the speech sound . Yeah , it ’s not light – and hoi polloi at weddings can be pains in the ass , especially if you do n’t know any of them . There ’s no lieu like weddings for old friends to be catching up , leaving their uninitiate date in the pitch . Worse yet , your date could be a bridesmaid or groomsman . Still , you ’ll seem standoffish if you do n’t mingle – and it can reflect poorly on your date .

As a shy individual , I totally get how frustrating this can be . But you ’re the plus - one , so it ’s your responsibleness to be there in a back role to the soul who asked you to add up along . There are many payoffs to this – one of which begins later as soon as you get back to your hotel room .

There ’s a time to apportion your public opinion on world and personal issue . This is n’t it .

People at a wedding

IVASHstudio/Shutterstock

… but don’t editorialize too much

It will be beguiling , after your third cocktail at the bar , to reply to Uncle Jimmy ’s monologue on the land of political science . You ’ll desire to offer some supportive nuggets of wisdom to your escort ’s friend , who ’s been ride across from you drowning her recent breakup in a sea of white zin .

Do n’t . There ’s a time to share your opinion on world and personal issues . This is n’t it .

Appear poised, i.e., fake it till you make it

If your date is in the wedding party or has a cheeseparing kinship with the St. Bride and groom , chance are you are going to be scanned over from head to toe by them along with everyone else . That can make the most unhesitating among us find a little trembling . prison term to grow a loggerheaded skin and walk into that reception with confidence . allow no one see you perspire .

Do your research

accept your escort knows either the Saint Bride or groom ( or both ) , you ’ll need to brush up on a few detail about their life . Anydecent wedding guestshould have perfunctory cognition about how long they were together , their connection to your engagement , who the parents are ( just having them pointed out will do so you could offer the obligatory congrats in pass ) , and any glaring subjects trusted to come up over the course of the evening ( mostly related to any major recent drama among the friends you ’re liable to be hanging with all weekend ) .

hump who the informal shank are , which distasteful guests are in the mix , and what awkward tension may spring up will put you in a good office to be navigating the wedding amniotic fluid whether or not your date is standing by your side the whole sentence .

Dance – but dance with moderation

No need to get whole half-baked here , but dancing is a great way to flux and mingle with the other guest at the wedding … and it keeps you from face like a loner at the tabular array . You ’re at this event amongst stranger to do two things : a ) to show your escort you ’re hearty in any societal situation , and b ) to have some fun . Please do n’t say no if your engagement require you onto the saltation level – and do n’t be shy about enjoying a few fast call on out there . Just forebode to abide by the next rule while you do .

Be polite , be set aside , and be in control .

Be fun, but a little reserved

No stealing the spotlight ! Let everyone else hog the photo booth . Do n’t compete for that bouquet . PLEASE stay away from all microphones . And be overnice to everyone – even ( especially ! ) your appointment if they accidentally get catch up reminisce with old ally and you ’re not being shower with attention . Even your date ’s ex-wife , who slurs something hateful under their breath as you walk preceding . EVERYONE .

Beware of the single squad

make out to a wedding as someone ’s appointment is great – come alone can be nothing poor of a complete nightmare . You always see the chemical group of singles cast around looking for other singles they can impart the party with . It ’s your job to verify that if you came with the best man , you do n’t bequeath with one of the groomsman you bonded with at the saloon .

Keep your emotions in check

Weddings bring out all kinds of emotions : that much love life ( and eternal admonisher of your singledom ) packed into one elbow room can be overwhelming . But please , take back the bout – no one likes a crybaby .

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