WHAT DOES YOUR WEDDING INVITATION SAY ABOUT YOU?

A British wedding used to be so simple: a ceremony, a reception, and a bit of a “do” in the evening, with one guest list, made up of extended family, old friends and unruly children.

Now, many modern couples stage a weekend with sections featuring a different cast.

Country Life

magazine has called it “the nuptial equivalent of an arms race”. But, the real question, as a guest, is what does your invitation say about you?

Church and wedding breakfast

You are a reliable sort who will get to the church on time. Either that, or you’re an ex-girlfriend of the groom (the bride is particularly keen for you to be present while he slips the ring on to HER finger), but can’t be trusted not to get too drunk at the evening do.

Snub factor: 3/5

It’s a little galling, but at least you’ll get a couple of glasses of bubbly and a scone out of it.

Dinner and disco

For some, it would seem a major slight to have to miss the actual ceremony. But when you’re on your seventh wedding of the summer, skipping the main event is like winning the wedding lottery. You are most likely a colleague of the bride or groom – a reliable dinner companion, can hold your drink, and will lead the dancing like a champ. Snub factor: 1/5

Seen one flower girl sob down the aisle while a dodgy parish choir sings Pachelbel’s Canon, seen ’em all.

Dessert and dancing

Ever found yourself having to fly out to a destination wedding on a Greek island, clutching an invite to the “dessert and dancing” stage of the festivities, then spent the afternoon twiddling your thumbs while more popular guests attended the service, the lunch, the cocktail hour, and the evening meal?

Snub factor: 5/5

Couples take note: it is not OK to invite people to what could amount to three hours of your wedding. Either you want them there or not.