Wedding Guest Etiquette

I talk a lot about etiquette rules for brides and grooms, but what about rules of etiquette for the wedding guests? They have obligations and responsibilities as well. Unfortunately many of them are blithely unaware or don't care and disregard common courtesies in favor of free food and drink.

One of the most broken rules of guest etiquette regards the wedding reception.
A reception costs money. Food and drink do not come free and caterers are expensive, no matter what the menu is. If the bride and groom send out for RSVP's, then please be kind enough to reply. Your RSVP lets them know how many are coming to the reception so that they can in turn let the caterer know how many guests to prepare food for.

The day arrives and the food is prepared. Some guests are no shows. Does a guest that replies yes, but decides not to attend the wedding reception mean that the caterer won't charge the wedding couple for the empty plates? Think again. The caterer was told a specific amount of people to prepare food for. They purchased the food, prepared it, hired Waite staff to serve it and will have to clear away plates from the table. Their costs are still there and therefore they pass that cost onto the wedding couple. A contract is a contract. Fair is fair. Unfortunately, the guest was rude and didn't consider that their no show turns out to be a costly expense for the wedding couple. They could have called and gave their regrets.

Most caterers don't need a final count until three days before the event. Most guests know that they are going to be preoccupied with something else by three days before an event. I know that life happens, but over and over and over again? There is a definite etiquette-rule breaking going on.

Wedding guests, be considerate of your hosts. A reply is a promise to attend their special day.
Please keep your promises.