5 Wedding Horror Stories

I’ve been in the wedding business in New England for over 25 years.  In those years, I’ve seen some horrible things happen.  Here are five of my best (or worst) stories from the past.

1. Justice of the Peace misses ceremony.  A wedding JP thought the ceremony was on Saturday v. Friday (the actual wedding date).   After waiting for a half an hour, we had the bride’s uncle step in to “fake” the ceremony for her wedding guests.  During cocktail hour, we had a substitute JP perform the ceremony in the back room so the marriage was legal.   LESSON LEARNED:  Touch base with all your wedding vendors the week before to confirm dates and times.
2. Shuttle Bus gets lost.  Our bride arranges for two shuttle buses to pick up guests to bring them from the ceremony to the reception site.  Unfortunately, one of the buses got lost.  Half of her guests were 45 minutes late to the wedding.  They all but missed the social hour.  LESSON LEARNED: Your transportation company should have GPS and printed directions.  If not, assign someone on each transport with their own GPS and directions as co-pilot.
3. Groom & Bride’s Uncle get into fist fight.  Yes- tensions run high at weddings.  Sometimes they boil over and in this case – words were said.   The bride’s uncle (who paid for everything) ended up having a drag out fist fight with the groom.  The wedding ended early (3 hours).  LESSON LEARNED:  If you know of a tension point between certain guests – have a plan.  Arrange to keep them separated.  Assign someone to be the peace maker or make the situation aware to your wedding planner and banquet manager. Do not deal with the issue yourself – it’s your wedding day.  Let someone else handle it for you.
4. Photographer cancels week of wedding.  We had one of our clients contact us the week of their wedding.  They let us know that their photographer would not be there (health issues).   Within 10 minutes, we contacted a couple of local photographers with similar skill and style.  They were able to step in and cover the wedding for them.  LESSON LEARNED:  Whenever interviewing potential wedding vendors – always ask of they have contingency plans.   There should always be an emergency backup.
5. Bride’s aunt dies on the dance floor.  This 200 person wedding was just itching to start dancing as dinner service was ending.  As the first dance song stated – the table emptied and guests packed the dance floor.  After about 25 minutes, one of the bride’s aunts collapsed on the dance floor.  An ambulance and EMTs arrived and she passed soon after due to a stroke.  There was a somber 15 minutes as people settled back into the groove.   That crowd honored her aunt by dancing up a storm for the rest of the night.  I think I booked 6 weddings off of this event in the next couple weeks.   LESSON LEARNED:  A great DJ will help you overcome even the most extreme disasters.  They will make sure you have happy guests with tired feet in the end.

Just remember that shit happens.  Make the best of it and plan for it.  If there are no rain plans in place – it will most likely rain on your wedding.  Work with experienced professionals and they will take care of you every step of the wedding planning process.

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Rob Alberti is owner of Rob Alberti’s Event Services – Wedding Disc Jockey, MC & Wedding Entertainment Director + Wedding Event Lighting design rated by local brides + voted as “The Knot – Best of Weddings”, Bride’s Choice Award Winner from Wedding Wire + his work has been featured in Martha Stewart Wedding, CT Bride, VT Vows, + on numerous national wedding blogs such as Style Me Pretty, Wedding Chicks. Be sure to check out his blog, pinterest boards + on Facebook

Rob Alberti, event director, lighting designer, author
Rob Alberti’s Event Services, DJ & Lighting
1310 Russell Road; Westfield, MA 01085
www.robalberti.com