Weddings are meant to be joyous occasions celebrating the love shared by two people, but not all of them unfold as smoothly as planned. In these nine surprising instances, what started as a dreamy journey down the aisle quickly transformed into a nightmare.
A couple getting married surrounded by their loved ones | Source: Pexels
As lovers embark on the journey of marriage, they look forward to a day filled with beautiful moments and golden memories. However, the reality for some couples can be quite different than their expectations, which is precisely what happened to these folks whose big day celebrations turned into complete disasters.
When things went down for them, they couldn’t help but narrate their nightmarish ordeals on Reddit. These stories are proof that even the best-laid plans can experience unexpected turbulence, reminding us all that weddings, much like life itself, are unpredictable and can take us on a rollercoaster of emotions.
9. All Dreams Shattered
On the first day of his wedding, the original poster encountered a series of unfortunate events. As he approached the church in the pouring rain, lightning struck, though the power miraculously remained on. The reception took a tragic turn when a relative, uninvited and dancing with his grandma, suffered a fatal heart attack.[read more]
“Given the major turn of events, we cancel the reception. Wife’s dream wedding reception is now blown to hell. We end up getting wasted in the bar with a few close friends. Hotel won’t refund any food/beverage expenses. I understand the food, but wouldn’t even refund untapped kegs or unopened wine,” lamented OP.
A lightning storm with a church in the foreground | Source: Shutterstock
On their way to a supposedly romantic island, OP and his wife shared a cab with another newlywed couple, enduring an obnoxious and loud companion. The cab raced down winding mountainous roads at a dangerous speed while dodging wild cats.
Upon reaching the resort, expectations were shattered as the travel agent’s promises of a premium room with champagne, flowers, and chocolate-covered strawberries were unfulfilled. Instead, the newlyweds found themselves in a family resort catering to children, with circuses and silly chants overshadowing any semblance of romance.
Newlyweds drinking champagne | Source: Pexels
The couple spent the week drinking heavily, delaying the consummation of their marriage until they returned home. Along the way, the man lost his wedding ring in the pool, the camera malfunctioned, and the presence of topless French tourists at the pool added an uncomfortable layer to his less-than-ideal honeymoon experience.
8. The Major FallOut
In a second story, a woman and her husband initially planned a simple courthouse wedding without involving their parents because her family couldn’t make it. However, complications arose when her husband’s parents insisted on being present, causing delays and irritation with the magistrate. The wedding itself lasted for only 15 seconds, setting an inauspicious tone for what was supposed to be a joyous occasion.
A couple exchanging rings in front of a wedding officiant | Source: Shutterstock
Their honeymoon, intended to be a shared experience at the aquarium, turned into a complete drama as OP’s husband’s parents expressed discontent with every aspect, from the ride to the choice of dining place, exacerbated by their strict vegan preferences. The day ended with the woman enduring comments about her weight from her mother-in-law, setting the stage for a strained relationship.
Further complications ensued when the woman declined bridal presents and a shower, only to have her MIL insist on having one without considering the distance that prevented the woman’s family from attending. The event ended with her MIL criticizing her outfit and later expressing dissatisfaction with the monetary gifts received—$200 in cash and $50 in gift certificates.
The woman’s attempt to navigate these challenges culminated in a confrontational call from her mother-in-law, questioning the delay in sending out thank-you notes and adding another layer of strain to an already tumultuous post-wedding experience.
7. The Sliding Cake
A wedding cake | Source: Shutterstock
A wedding photographer shared an interesting story where a couple’s relative took charge of baking the cake. However, as the festivities unfolded, the cake unexpectedly succumbed to the heat, melting and beginning to slide. “[Cake-cutting] pictures look like they’re cutting into the leaning tower of [Pisa]. (It was still delicious).” concluded the photographer.
However, their joy was overshadowed by an unexpected twist.
6. The Teary-Eyed Bride
Groom kissing his teary-eyed bride | Source: Shutterstock
The same wedding photographer narrated another story where, during the pre-wedding preparations, a bridesmaid faced a wardrobe malfunction as her dress tore. This wardrobe malfunction triggered panic from the bride, leading her to cry.
The beach setting, intended to be picturesque, was marred by fog and drizzle, prompting another bout of distress from the bride, who found herself in tears. As the reception unfolded, the couple faced the challenges of an overbooked venue, juggling various tasks. Overwhelmed, the bride freaked out and became teary-eyed once again.
5. Bride Suffers Wardrobe Malfunction
Finally, the wedding photographer shared their favorite wedding mishap about a bride facing a wardrobe crisis as the zipper of her dress unexpectedly ripped out while she was getting ready. At that moment, the photographer quickly sprang into action, setting aside their camera and skillfully sewing the dress.
A person helping a bride zip up her dress | Source: Shutterstock
Despite the unconventional start, the couple showcased remarkable composure. The wedding proceeded smoothly, turning what could have been a major hiccup into a memorable celebration of their love.
4. The Ill-Fated Wedding
A man narrated how he and his wife spent their big day battling severe illness. On their wedding day, the couple’s initial worry about rain faded away as the morning dawned bright and gorgeous. However, their joy was overshadowed by an unexpected twist.
A bride and groom holding hands | Source: Pexels
The day began with the man and his wife experiencing severe stomach pains and an unfortunate bout of explosive diarrhea. Despite these challenges, they pushed through with the help of friends and family, including a photographer capturing the moments.
As they navigated through the ceremony and various festivities, the couple struggled with illness, especially OP’s wife, who found it difficult to stand. The reception, though memorable, was marred by their physical discomfort, with both unable to eat anything. “Some of our guests started coming down with the bug (definitely a bug, not food [poisoning], some people had had it before they got there, some people got it the next week) at the wedding,” recounted OP.
A sick girl holding a bag and trying to vomit into it while her boyfriend looks at her feeling disgusted | Source: Shutterstock
Fortunately, the couple managed to salvage the situation. A “doctor friend” provided them with anti-nausea pills, allowing them to enjoy the last 20 minutes of the reception. Despite the initial ordeal, they were later given the opportunity to have another wedding a month later, which turned out to be a smaller, quicker, and more pleasant affair with beautiful pictures to cherish.
3. Too Many Hiccups
The man in this story embarked on what should have been a joyous journey into marriage. Opting for a quaint ceremony at his bride’s grandparents’ riverside house, things quickly took a turn for the worse. Rushing to guide his lost parents to the venue, he arrived 30 minutes late, only to discover her grandparents harbored unwelcome racist views, causing tension with his own black grandfather.
A bride walking down the aisle | Source: Shutterstock
Entrusting the music selection to his soon-to-be wife, the man was shocked to see her walking down the aisle to Sarah McLaughlin’s “In The Arms Of an Angel,” a choice notoriously linked to an animal abuse commercial. After that, tearful vows followed, but the challenges persisted.
A surprise honeymoon gift from his dad turned into a comedy of errors, with a bungee strap prank delaying the couple’s departure. A hydroplaning incident, a hotel hiccup, and a persistent rainstorm further dampened their spirits.
To add to the misfortune, his wife’s sudden yeast infection plagued OP’s honeymoon, rendering the entire trip devoid of intimate moments. As if that weren’t enough, a speeding ticket less than a mile from home marked the end of his disastrous tale.
2. I’m Glad It’s Over
A woman related the story of her small wedding with her now ex-husband. Despite the intimate setting with only close family and friends, the ceremony took an unexpected turn. “My [now ex-husband] was nervous…and he messed the vows up three times. Right after we kiss, he runs outside… and says he’s just glad it’s over with,” recalled OP.
Bride and groom kissing | Source: Pexels
Back indoors for a champagne toast and cake cutting, the atmosphere became increasingly awkward. The ex-husband’s alcoholic mother, in an inebriated state, loudly criticized the cake-cutting process. To add to the chaos, a friend pointed out what seemed to be a short, curly hair on the cake. Despite the bizarre incident, the mother insisted on everyone eating a piece from a hair-free section.
The newlyweds later discovered that their stay at a winery hotel had been paid for by the mother’s boyfriend, who was having an affair while still married. The night took another unexpected turn when they reached the hotel, where the ex-husband pulled out a bottle and downed multiple shots.
1. Things Didn’t Go as Planned
In this final wedding nightmare tale, OP’s parents arranged a small ceremony attended by their close family and friends. However, the church event took an unexpected turn when, upon arrival, they found themselves alone briefly as everyone else had been invited to the rectory for pre-ceremony tea.
A newlywed couple standing in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris | Source: Pexels
The couple’s honeymoon plans from London to Paris faced a setback due to fog, leading them to stay in a hotel near a busy London train station, where the constant announcements disrupted their night. Despite this, they decided to treat themselves to breakfast in bed. To their surprise, a frail older man delivered cold toast, sausage, and eggs an hour later. Meanwhile, everyone else believed they were enjoying a romantic time in the “City of Light.”
Have you ever been to a wedding that turned into a complete disaster? Click here to read about the worst moments caught on camera shared by 30 wedding photographers.
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