I was recently in my first wedding. My college best friend got married, and I was so excited to be a part of her day! I learned a lot about weddings watching my friend plan, taking part in the traditions, and all in all, just by being there.

I will now share my Do's and Don'ts of wedding season and being a part of a wedding!

Do: Save up some money.
Weddings aren't cheap. Being in a wedding is expensive. You have to buy the dress, maybe some shoes, jewelry, travel, hair and makeup. It all adds up, and it adds up fast. Plus, if you're like I am, you'll want to whiten your teeth, get a spray tan and do all the crazy girl-stuff to look good in pictures.

Don't: Try your dress on last minute.
For the wedding I was in, we didn't get to try our bridesmaid dresses on before we bought them. So when mine showed up on my doorstep two weeks before the ceremony I tried it on immediately, and thank goodness I did, because that dress needed some alterations. Don't assume it's going to fit because bridesmaid dresses don't look good off the hanger, and they don't fit like normal dresses.

Do: Lie to the bride.
This sounds worse than it is. When it comes down to it, it's the brides day, and there are bound to be things you don't necessarily love or wouldn't do for your own wedding. You can do things the way you want when you get married, and your friends will lie to you too. If you hate your bridesmaid dress, tell your mom about it, not the bride. If you think her décor is tacky, keep that to yourself. It's not your day.

Don't: Bring a date you have to babysit.
There's nothing worse than when you're trying to have fun and your date has over served himself and needs to be taken care of. Or if he doesn't know how to make his own friends and needs you to be his constant entertainment. Find a date that knows how to control themselves at an open bar and can find someone else to talk to if you're tearing it on up the dance floor with the bride.

Do: Be the life of the party!
Have a great time dancing, have a few drinks. All in all, just have a great time. There is no need to be the loser at the table. The bride/groom invited you there to celebrate. So celebrate!!

Don't: Need a babysitter.
Just like you shouldn't bring a date who needs to be babysat, make sure you don't need a babysitter either. Don't get sloppy if you're drinking, and if you don't know a lot of people at the reception, make conversation with the people at the table! No one likes the creep who sits there and silently eats their wedding cake.

Do: Remember one day you'll be having your own wedding.
One day, you will ask your friends to be a part of your wedding, and you'll be inviting your own guests. You know how you'll want the people to be at your wedding, so as the golden rule (wedding version) tells us, "Be as fun at their wedding, as you would want your guests to be at yours."