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As the warmer months approach so does wedding season - an exciting time albeit sometimes filled with social pressures and potentially awkward interactions.
Wedding etiquette can be tough to get right at the best of times, but when an invitation to a wedding of a different culture arrives, many experience enhanced pre-celebration jitters, fearing they'll do or say the wrong thing.
FEMAIL spoke to bridal coach and director of Inlighten Photography, Rachael Bentick, who has consulted on over 1,000 weddings, to find out the biggest do's and don't's for the upcoming season.
'If you've been invited to a cultural wedding, chances are the expectations of you are relatively unclear, creating a breeding ground for faux-pas and embarrassing blunders,' Ms Bentick said.
Wedding season! With cultural weddings among the many planne d this coming season, wedding expert Rachael Bentick has revealed the biggest do's and don't's for those attending different weddings
CHINESE WEDDING
Be careful with attire
'You need to be more careful with colours you choose to wear to a Chinese wedding,' Ms Bentick said.
'Often the bride will wear two dresses - a red and a white - so you need to avoid wearing red too.'
Wearing black to a Chinese wedding is also considered bad luck to the newlyweds, with Ms Bentick suggesting guests avoid any dark colours just to be safe, and instead 'stick to pink, peach or purple, as these are symbolic of new life and happiness.'
Dress neutral: Guests to a Chinese wedding are encouraged to wear pinks, purples or peaches as all dark colours are considered bad luck
Wardrobe change: The bride often wears two dresses - a red and a white
Don't insult the food
'It can be quite accidental to insult food when really what you're meaning is it's different,' Ms Bentick said.
'When you see food that looks different, rather than commenting, just play it safe and try it...you might be surprised.'
INDIAN WEDDING
Get involved! Indian people love people to get involved and wear traditional saris to the wedding
Never kiss the bride: No one other than the groom should kiss the bride at an Indian wedding - at some weddings even the bride and groom don't kiss in photos because their parents are there
Get involved and wear a sari
While not obligated to wear a sari to a tradition al Indian wedding, it is appreciated if guests do.
'It's respectful to wear what their culture wears and wedding guests will resemble human rainbows which is great,' Ms Bentick said.
'At one wedding I photographed, the bride wasn't Indian and all her friends were unsure what to wear so all of the groom's aunties and cousins and family members brought along the saris and had all the girls arrive early so they could dress them - they were taught make up and henna as well and it was wonderful.'
'Human rainbows': While not essential, wearing a sari to a traditional Indian wedding shows respect
Don't kiss the bride
At most Indian weddings, male guests will never be seen kissing or dancing with the bride.
'I have had Indian couples who won't even kiss in photos because their parents are there,' Ms Bentick said.
'They're more demure than some other cultures on their wedding day.'
RACHAEL'S TOP FIVE WEDDING FAUX PAS NO MATTER THE CULTURE1. Dressing inappropriately in low cut outfits that may show a lot of cleavage or leg
2. Not trying the food or insulting meals because they appear 'different'
3. Not getting involved because you are afraid to insult a particular culture during a dance
4. Not being respectful in the church - it's important to be quiet and stand in the right area as I have seen photographers and guests walk through areas of the church that have never before been crossed by anyone other than a priest
5. Phones in the church - this is my biggest issue with modern weddings. I encourage all guests to put their phones down during the ceremony as it is about being in the moment and listening. I've seen something like 18 phones down the aisle of a church and there's nothing worse than taking a photo wi th the bride and groom in the foreground and a bright red ipad appearing in the background and ruining it completely
JEWISH WEDDING
Wear a kippah: It is important and respectful for all male guests to wear a kippah at a Jewish wedding
That means everyone: 'If our photographers are going to a Jewish wedding and they're not Jewish they will wear a kippah,' Ms Bentick said
Wear a kippah
Any males at a Jewish wedding will cover their heads with a kippah - even non-Jewish guests - as a sign of respect.
'You should absolutely wear a kippah to a Jewish wedding - it's respectful to do what the culture does,' Ms Bentick said.
'If our photographers are going to a Jewish wedding and they're not Jewish they will wear a kippah when they walk in the door - they will usually have an usher at the door who will provide one to those who don't have one.'
Keep it conservative: Jewish weddings take place in a synagogue - a place of worship
Play it safe: Women should avoid sheer fabrics, wear a dress that covers the collarbone and neckline, wear a hem below the knee and avoid mini dresses and skirts
Play it safe in fashion
Jewish weddings take place in a synagogue which is a place of worship and people should cover up.
'Play it safe at Jewish weddings - if you're not sure then you are probably not covered up enough,' Ms Bentick said.
'Avoid sheer fabrics, wear a dress that covers the collarbone and neckline, wear a hem below the knee and avoid mini dresses and skirts at all costs.'
GREEK WEDDING
Big fat Greek wedding! Greek weddings are big and guests are encouraged to stay until the farewell circle at the end as it gives the bride and groom to speak to guests individually
Stick it out until the end
The farewell circle at the end of a Greek wedding is the perfect time to send off the bride and groom.
'These weddings are very big and it can be hard for the bride and groom to find time to get around to everybody,' Ms Bentick said.
'One moment they do have is the farewell circle at the end where they can give individual hugs to people and say thank you and have that time with each guest.'
It's not a party during the ceremony: During Greek weddings guests should remain reserved in the church
Keep it reserved in church
While the Greek population is rarely referred to as timid, this isn't the case in church .
'Be sure to remain reserved during the ceremony,' Ms Bentick said.
'Greek's might love to party, but this doesn't apply in church.'
LEBANESE WEDDING
Get loud! Lebanese people love guests to join in and get involved at their weddings
Be prepared for a lot of noise and get involved
'Traditional Lebanese drumming is noisy and a spectacle all to itself - it announces the beginning of the marriage,' Ms Bentick said.
'When I first attended weddings I was standing back a lot more and I wasn't game enough to go and join in for fear of offending someone but realised everyone was there to celebrate and wanted to share their culture with me!'
Song and dance: Traditional Lebanese drumming announces the beginning of the ma rriage
Dress to impress
'While still never breaking the cardinal rule of "don't wear white", it is okay to dress up and wear an amazing outfit,' Ms Bentick said.
'It won't be considered upstaging the bride, but rather shows that you put in the effort to look your best.'
You won't upstage the bride: Guests at Lebanese weddings are encouraged to dress up and look their best
Source: Steer clear of red and black dresses for a Chinese ceremony, don't kiss the bride at an Indian reception and NEVER leave a Greek party early: The cultural faux pas to avoid ...
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