In 2005, Wedding Crashers taught viewers how to crash weddings using sly tactics and absurd lies. Business partners and best friends John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn) assume false identities and seduce female attendees at each wedding, with hopes of getting these women into their beds by the end of the night. Future contact with them is forfeited, and the wedding crashing couplet is bound for their next wedding reception.

To be that amazingly slick and convince others to believe that you received an invitation, RSVP’d properly, and were added to the guest list requires practice (and ability to be a phenomenal pathological liar), but these simple steps will get you going on your way to crashing your first event: birthdays, bat and bar mitzvahs, fashion shows, and other parties that you are just dying to attend.

You won’t even need to know the host! All you need is the right attitude, a desire to play up your role, and a great outfit. Don’t forget to add a hefty amount of character and dash of spunk. These things may just get you invited to the next event, or at least a date with another guest.

On USAToday.com, a rather unlikely source for finding advice on such topics as how to crash an event, I came across a short blurb between an anonymous male (I’ll just call him Ian) and feature writer Craig Wilson:

Ian: Hi Craig - While I’ve never crashed an event, I have always been amazed at the people who do - and those who crash things like the Oscars or SuperBowl as their claim to fame. In fact, I might have preferred crashers at my wedding to the people who RSVP’ed and never showed.

Craig Wilson: I agree…I think crashers are more often much more fun than those invited!!!

Do Your Research

Know exactly who is hosting the event and get a feel for what that person is like. Without being obvious, try to pry into some aspect of their lives in order to start up conversation with the host or any of their guests. Chances are they will be interested in talking with you about whatever subject you start babbling about. If possible, talk about something that relates to them directly. People love talking about themselves.

Are they into music and just waiting for the opportunity to boast about their success as a hair metal guitarist in high school? Or are they passionate about wine pairing and love to brag about their budding career as a sommelier? Whatever it may be, spark the conversation with something interesting that you have managed to obtain from your research.

Be sure to know who is who, especially those who are highest in the social ladder or family at the event. However, don’t go crazy with trying to impress anyone. There is no need to memorize an entire family tree, Facebook friend list or anything like that. In fact, this would be entirely creepy and would definitely raise suspicion about who you really are. If you panic, just play long-lost cousin twice removed. Most people can barely wrap their heads around it. They end up playing it off saying “Oh yeah!” and bite off the olive from their martini garnish.

Bring Some Manners and Perhaps a Gift?

If you’re off to a party or reception, bring your best manners. Smile, be friendly, and introduce yourself to the people you at first find most approachable. This is the best way to break into the scene and get a feel for what is going on. Finding a niche with a group of other guests will help in getting introduced to everyone else and build a “guest profile”.

It’s also crucial to give off a good vibe. If you let yourself loose, have some good laughs with your new friends, dance the funky chicken, and become one with everyone else, you will certainly be on your way to becoming a “popular” guest.

Finally, don’t forget to scout out the host and exchange a few words. After all, they may be well on their way to being quite tipsy if they are having a good time. If they have heard about you from other guests, it’s amazing how open they will be with you soon after they shake your hand. They won’t even recall their guest list and may even have their arm around you in no time (as was the case when I crashed a wedding reception a few years ago)!

If the event is smaller, such as a backyard barbeque, bring a small gift or a plate of cookies. Jonathan Marine, contributing writer for PointsInCase.com, jokes, “Casually say that you were curious about what all the fun is about and just thought to stop by.”

The host will then be reluctant to let you leave and will most likely offer for you to stay on the spot. Just remember, you are below the invited guest, so manners and proper etiquette are a must for escaping an embarrassing confrontation where you might be escorted out or asked to leave. Conclusion: Don’t be a snob. You weren’t even invited in the first place.

Dress for Purpose

What you wear to any event, be it formal or informal, is important because you want to blend in seamlessly with the rest of the crowd. You’ll then be fit for showing up fashionably late, which will be in your best interest if you don’t exactly want to be noticed. For more casual shindigs, like a birthday party, simply wear jeans, a nice top or shirt, and comfortable shoes. For girls, wear an interesting piece of jewelry (which will be a fantastic way of getting the attention of other party-goers).

Don’t ever go into a party looking greasy and unkempt, thinking your amazing personality will get you far among a bunch of strangers. Believe me: no one will talk to you. Showering, doing your hair, and putting on a little make-up will make seem more sociable and attractive.

Katie Rigg, a New York native and blogger advises, “Wear a subdued extremely expensive looking outfit. Do not wear anything with swirls or chartreuse or orange or pink unless part of your gambit is to see how long it takes to get kicked out. If you look TOO HOT you will again get too much attention which is danger.”

If the occasion is more formal, like a wedding or other type of dressy ceremony, go all out. I suggest that girls wear a pretty black dress with heels or stilettos to attract attention without looking desperate. Guys should wear a suit with a simple tie- no cheesy prints. Slip on a pair of detailed leather loafers and you will give a great impression without looking out of place.

Since larger, more closed-off events at venues or hotels are definitely more difficult to crash, stay on the safe side by dressing as a caterer or part of the extra help. No one will notice and you can skip the introductions and go right for the bar or unlimited buffet.

Don’t Forget to Have Fun

Get into the party and have fun! There’s nothing better or more attractive than being yourself. Your adrenaline will be pumping when you know that you’re dancing to the band and feasting off the hors d’œuvres at the expense of someone else, Wedding Crashers-style. Unless, you did end up bringing a small gift, which definitely scores you a few brownie points.

However, you never know when your disguise might be figured out and you become flustered not knowing how to explain yourself. EHow.com says, “Some party crashers take things too far without even realizing it, and can end up at the wrong end of a disgruntled host or hostess’s wrath. Take stock of the situation and think about what your behavior could cost you in the future (lack of invites) or in the present (injury).”

Need an excuse? Just say you wandered into the wrong room and scurry out with a big smile on your face knowing that you officially have crashed an event that you didn’t even receive an invitation for.