Instant Alert: The 5 worst wedding faux pas you can make, according to a wedding planner

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   The 5 worst wedding faux pas you can make, according to a wedding planner by Shana Lebowitz on May 2, 2017, 11:46 AM Advertisement Weddings are supposed to be fun — for the hosts, the hosts' family, and the guests. Unfortunately, the celebrations can easily go awry. Melissa McNeeley, a New York City-based wedding planner who's worked with Steve Martin and Jim Parsons, told us about the worst wedding faux pas she's encountered — and only some of them involve too much champagne. Below, find five breaches of etiquette that will quickly land you on the wedding-guest blacklist. SEE ALSO: 8 books to read before you get married 1. Asking to bring a date who wasn't explicitly invited McNeeley said this happened to her — twice! — while she was planning her own wedding. And she's seen it happen multiple times to her clients. Sometimes, an invitee will ask one of the hosts if they can bring their kids or a date. Other times, they'll be so bold as to write in someone else's name, along with theirs, on the RSVP card. "This is a big faux pas, and really bad manners," McNeeley said. It's not just that your hosts didn't budget for an additional guest, McNeeley added — they may also want a more intimate wedding. Putting your hosts in that awkward position, she said, "puts a weird damper on it." 2. Deciding at the last minute that you want a different meal If you indicate on your RSVP card that you'd like the fish, it's really rude to request the filet mignon right as the waiters are passing out dinner. "It puts a backlog on the food service," McNeeley said, which affects all the other guests, too. Obviously, if you have a food allergy or another dietary restriction, you'll want to let the hosts know beforehand — and most people do, McNeeley said. But it's not okay to simply decide that one dish looks more appealing. "If you're a guest and someone is serving something, graciously accept that." 3. Getting ridiculously drunk McNeeley has seen this happen — and it can be at least "a little troublesome," she said. See the rest of the story at Business Insider   Share the latest business news with your network:    Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011