I have heard a lot of people complain about not getting food at weddings. It isn't that one cannot  afford to feed oneself but there is something about looking at steaming plates of jollof rice and Amala that makes you hurt and angry if you do not get a plate.

 I've been in those shoes before but the moment I found out that I didn't like looking at other's mouth while I ate, I devised means to ensure that I always got food at a wedding. Are you like?  Here are a few tips to make sure you don't get shortchanged at a wedding.

 1. Go early

If you aren't part of the bridal train or aso-ebi,  going early to a wedding is very sensible. Do not think that you do not have to get there early since you are not playing any significant part.  Going early means that you get a good seat, probably at the front and you get served before others.

 2. Dress well

You know what they say about impressions. There is something about a well dressed gentle man or lady that reeks of class. There is every probability that if you dress well for an event, hair combed, shoes well polished and nice, well sewn buba and Sokoto and gowns, you will radiate a nice aura which would make the waiters notice you and pass you a plate of food.

 3. Seat with the right party

No matter how you do it, there are someone that are more important than others at a wedding. If you sit at a table where the intimate friends of the couple are seated, you are likely to get served well. If you cannot manage that, sit at the table very close to where the important people are seated. By this, you get treated like dignitary and you won't hustle for food.

 4. Have a good disposition

 Yes, this also helps. The moment food is being served is not the time to get saucy. Smile at the servers, offer polite but real compliments, keep your face well comported and with a little luck, you'll get a plate of food passed to you.

 5. Sit with a guy.

This tip might be too obvious but it works. A perfect gentleman would ensure that the lady gets food and is comfortable. Therefore, chances are if you sit with a man(good one),  you would be saved the stress of straining your neck, trying to catch the attention of waiters and get yourself a good Plate of food.

 6. Be smart

Why wouldn't you be smart at a naija reception?  Be watchful too. Some people go to weddings to pack away anything they can lay their hands on. If you aren't careful and watchful, you might realise at the end of the wedding that you did not get to taste from the small chops, neither did you get a glass of the chilled juice placed on your table. You know why?  Some clever ones had craftily put all the goodies into a polythene bag secretly concealed underneath their chairs. You do not want to be a victim of this. So be careful!

 So you are ready! At your next wedding, why not try one of these tips and get back to us on your result.