Wedding etiquette tips from expert William Hanson

We're well aware the wedding is all about the bride and groom but it wouldn't be much of a celebration if it weren't for the guests. So to make their day special there are just a few little things you can help with and apparently taking advantage of the free bar isn't one of them. Team LBD found none other than author of the Bluffers Guide to Etiquette, etiquette expert William Hanson to give all his advice on being impeccably behaved at a wedding. So to set you off on the right foot, follow these steps¦

Don't turn up if you can't live without your phone Let's face it we're all guilty of having a relationship with our phone, but apparently this is one plus-one that's not invited: Å“Turn it off, if you need to check it then discretely (during the reception or break in between service and wedding breakfast) find a secluded spot and quickly see if anything urgent has come in. If you can't tear yourself away from your work, Facebook friends or twitter followers then stay at home/the office.

Do stay for dinner Whether you have work the next day or a babysitter to relieve, we asked Mr Hanson when's the right time to leave? Å“Generally if you have been invited to both the service and the reception the time to go is after the speeches and just as the dancing has started - presuming you don't want to stay for the dancing (the author hates all that!). Find the perfect dinner cocktail dress

Don't go for the Liz Hurley safety-pin dress If you're bringing a date or know someone you really want to impress is there, it can be tempting to skip on the material and sew up the hem. But how much flesh is too much flesh at a wedding? Å“Less on display is definitely more! Leave potential dates with something to think about rather than doing the work for them by wearing very little! Also - many weddings happen in religious buildings and too much flesh can offend many - and in some cases you may not be allowed in. For fail-safe wedding fashion look no further than our Wedding Guest Dresses collection.

Do mingle In that awkward situation where you have no plus one and none of your mates are about? Help yourself to William's conversation tips: Å“Avoid talking about taboo subjects such as sex, politics, health, religion or money. Instead ask them how they know the bride/groom? Have they come from far? How did they get here? Salacious gossip about either the bride or groom, or questioning the union should be avoided... You never know who is listening!

Don't expect to bring an entourage So if your new boyfriend isn't on the list what should you do? Call up the bride and ask if you can bring him? Å“No! The people listed on the invitation are the ones invited. Similarly, if there is no mention of your darlings little Hugo and Hattie, then little Hugo and Hattie are not invited!

Do drink and be merry Yes that's right, you can drink but how much is too much? Å“Merry but never paralytic. Short and sweet, you get the message!

Don't flaunt your gift¦and how much do we spend?! If you haven't been to a wedding since you were the bridesmaid for Aunty Alison then you might not be clued up on the dos and don'ts of wedding gifts, take it away Will: Å“Spending depends on how well you know the couple. It's really up to you. The wedding list should have a range of gifts of batting prices for you to pick from. Ordering from the wedding list store is always easier as the shop will then deliver the gifts to the couple in their (new) home after the ceremony. You should not turn up with a gift. Especially if you've given them a full canteen of cutlery, for example - totally impractical for them to store whilst entertaining guests.

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