Bride threatens to fire guests for breaking wedding rule
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My fiancé and I are getting married next year and so far so good. The only problem I have is how to tell our guests – without sounding like a bridezilla – that there will be a very strict “no cellphones” policy during the ceremony.
They can pull out their phones during the reception all they want, but I want them to keep them away from the ceremony!
We’re both very laid back and tend to go with the flow, but every time I see people taking photos and videos during wedding ceremonies instead of actually being in the moment with the happy couple, this fills me with rage! I mean, that’s what the paid photographer is for, isn’t it? !
Nobody, and I mean person, on social media really cares about the 200 photos you posted of a wedding for people your followers/friends don’t even know. People who are keen on the event will already be present at the ceremony. So why even bother?
I absolutely do not want our very expensive professional photos to be riddled with phones!
I’m so serious about this issue that I debate asking people to leave if they break the rule. I’m sure most will be okay with that, but there will always be a few who will do what they want. I feel like if I’m too nice, people will take it more as a suggestion than a rule.
What’s even worse is that I already feel so mean for enforcing this simple request. I hate to fuss, but I really want our guests to respect that.
NICE READER: Find a busy relative – everyone has one – who likes to feel important and assign this task to this person: “Aunt Celia, do you mind watching people on their cell phones? And politely ask them to put them away?
If Aunt Celia, in fact, doesn’t ask politely, Miss Manners suggests that you respond to guest complaints by saying, “Oh my God, she was supposed to keep an eye on it, but we sure didn’t mean to offend you.”
However, don’t be tempted to completely blame Aunt Celia – or you might end up on the nasty side of her anger.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: On two occasions, one at a restaurant and the other at the gym, an individual asked management to raise the temperature on the thermostat. Both times management complied. I already had an uncomfortable heat, and of course I was getting even more so.
My stance on warmth is that someone who tends to get cold can always bring a sweater or hoodie into a temperature controlled environment, whereas I can legally only take out enough of it for comfort .
Is it rude to ask for a temperature change without considering the comfort of others present?
NICE READER: It’s rare for two people to agree on the perfect indoor temperature – and if they do, they should immediately find each other and live together.
Public establishments are just trying to satisfy their customers. So Miss Manners begs you not to blame them unduly when it becomes clear that they can’t please everyone.
Please send questions to Miss Manners on her website, www.missmanners.com; to his email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or by mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
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