Perfect Stranger's Guide to Wedding Ceremonies: A Guide to Etiquette in Other People's Religious Ceremonies

How to Be a Perfect Stranger

by Stuart M. Matlins (Editor)

The handbook to proper behavior at weddings of almost any religion or denomination

Despite the joy of the celebration, attending a wedding can be a tense, uncomfortable experience for guests who are not familiar with the religious tradition and customs involved. And in today's diverse North American society, we are often invited-through family, friends, or business contacts-to religious ceremonies or services that are not of our own religious tradition or faith. If you don't know what's going to happen and what you should do, it's easy to spend more time worrying about how to behave than enjoying the occasion:

What will happen? What do I wear? What should I avoid doing, wearing, saying? (What if I can't attend-should I send a gift?) How long will it last? Can I take pictures? When is it okay to leave? Will there be a reception? What will it be like?

These are just a few of the basic, very practical questions answered in this unique etiquette guide covering all the major (and many minor) denominations and religions found in North America-from Buddhist to Catholic, from Jewish to Methodist-making it the essential wedding-goer's companion.

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000