Worst Wedding You've Ever Attended

Lobster1987

So, I am planning my wedding and have been researching proper wedding etiquette like a hawk.

Tell me the worst wedding you've ever attended and why.

I'll start...

I went to my "friend's" wedding last summer, in which she had several etiquette breaches, starting with the invitations. I, fortunately, was invited to the entire wedding- ceremony, reception, and dance....my cousin, a mutual friend, was invited to just the dance part...(rolls eyes)

I also had a long term boyfriend and he was not listed on the invitation, which I thought must have been a mistake, so I called and asked if I could bring him- which she said was fine....but 2 weeks before the wedding, she told me not to.

Well, I showed up at the wedding...the ceremony was nice...but afterwards we had to wait almost THREE HOURS to eat! and it was a CASH BAR! I didn't bring any money to the wedding, so I couldn't drink anything...huge bummer...

And then the food was horrendous...the chicken was so dry that I didn't even finish it- which is a big deal for me because I am a pig and will eat anything set in front of me...

And then the dance started and all they played was theme songs to Star Wars, Ghost Busters, and Star Trek....

I left at that point...I had enough of that. I had such a bad time and it was really boring with having very few people there that I knew.

And then she deleted me on FB a week later, I am assuming due to me not bringing her a big fancy gift. I tried talking to her to see what was up but she ignored phone calls and texts.

What's your worst wedding story?

gerard54

2 words. CASH BAR...

2stepscloser

Cash bar or no bar at all!

Or a Summer wedding where the church and reception area didn't have enough a/c to cool the building. It was over 100 outside!

vtmoon

2 words. CASH BAR...

beat me to it. Even if not fancy as long as there is booze flowing.

Actually now that I think about it, I attended a wedding in Texas like 10 years ago, it was a great wedding. But the ceremony was outside in July with no shade, it was not pleasant.

3dogsrunning

I honestly had no idea about wedding etiquette until I planned my own. Cash bars are the norm here, as are the "dance only" invites (although I always declined anyway even before I knew the breach). Gaps are normal (ie a large gap between wedding and supper; supper and Reception). None of that stuff bothers me (although I did follow etiquette for mine, though most people didn't understand why).

The worst thing I can think of from a wedding I've been to was one where it was very hot, crowded for the supper and the mother of the bride insisted that each of the bridesmaids talk for 7 minutes each. There were 7 bridesmaids. That's a lot of speeches, Especially when the girls were trying to fill in the time. It was the only wedding I've been to with open bar (and I've been to a lot). The rest of it was actually really fun.

FitnessCharl

I didn't end up attending this one...But...My partners best friend was getting married, originally he was best man, 2 months before that went to usher... 1 month before this went to not even invited to the ceremony, just invited to the after party. This was because the bride didn't like my partner as she thought he was a bad influence on the groom (other way round really)...

We had been dating for 5 years and I wasn't invited. Heard it was a cash bar in a rough pub, on the 26th December (funny enough that was the date of my 21st birthday).... So we eneded up having a 21st Birthday shin dig and haven't spoken since.

As long as you don't top that you will be grand :bigsmile:

NaomiMc_Ra

I don't know if you're all fromt he US but it's seems funny that a cash bar would be such a horrendous thing! In the UK (unless you're lucky) most weddings have a cash bar - or are only free up to a certain point or certain drinks. Sounds like I should go to some US weddings!

3dogsrunning

I don't know if you're all fromt he US but it's seems funny that a cash bar would be such a horrendous thing! In the UK (unless you're lucky) most weddings have a cash bar - or are only free up to a certain point or certain drinks. Sounds like I should go to some US weddings!

It's not just US, some parts of Canada too. Mention cash bar on a wedding etiquette forum and you'll be roasted.
Like I said, where I am, open bar is pretty much unheard of.

stevewynjones

The worst wedding...my own.

I turned up...big mistake

Lobster1987

Yes! I didn't know etiquette was a thing until I started planning either! And now I am just bound and determined to be a great host and to not be a rude bride. Open bar all night...no more than an hour between ceremony and supper, etc...and the ceremony and reception will be in the same place.

And reading about invitations and how much etiquette there is to that...and inviting plus ones and etc...omg! There was so much I didn't know!

I love reading about awful weddings though! It makes me plan to not do things at my own wedding. Keep 'em coming!

SkimFlatWhite68

Mine.
Married the wrong man, realised it at the reception.

I think as long as you have that part covered, you should be ok.

2stepscloser

I don't know if you're all fromt he US but it's seems funny that a cash bar would be such a horrendous thing! In the UK (unless you're lucky) most weddings have a cash bar - or are only free up to a certain point or certain drinks. Sounds like I should go to some US weddings!

I think where it becomes horrendous is that some people spend upwards of $20K on the wedding, everything is elaborate and then you make your guests pay for drinks. If you're spending that kind of money, just take care of the guests. Even if you are only doing beer and wine.

Personally, we only offered beer and wine (nice selection) and champagne toast. We know our friends and family and that's what they drink the most.

Lobster1987

In some circles, that's generally what happens....they have open bar for an hour up until supper...and then it's cash bar for the rest of the night.

Nope...not for me. I'm gonna fork out a lot for it, but I don't want my guests opening their wallet at all during my reception. Drinks on me!

Lobster1987

Personally, we only offered beer and wine (nice selection) and champagne toast. We know our friends and family and that's what they drink the most.

I wanted to do that, but my dad and fiancé really like their captain morgan and EJ& coke, so I lost that argument...lol

sangeyvang

One wedding I went to, it was totally unorganized. The night before the wedding, the bride asked me to make a slideshow of her and her husband and kids. She didn't even give me pictures. And, I didn't have a scanner and I also did not have time and I'm not even close with her. During the ceremony, we couldn't find her daughter's dress so the daughter was just naked and had to find something to cover her while a friend went out to the closest store to buy a dress for her. And was also annoying they kept referring the wedding as a military wedding. And, a lot of other crap. haha.

SenseiCole

I went to 2 weddings (same bride ) both times cash bar, and nibbles only and nothing gluten free:sad:

both weddings had big delays




anyone can add me

SenseiCole

not sure if you are interested, however if you are planing your wedding you might be intersted in some of the good thing what have happened at weddings

paulperryman

my friends wedding that i was a best mine too.
we had to pay for our own outfits and weren't allowed to rent, had to pay the limo cost, the food cost (well i refused but they were insisting we all pay as part of the wedding party)
I did my speach and the father complained cause i took part of his job
and the bridesmaid while she danced with me said she didn't want to look at me.
Yeah awesome fun.

My brothers wedding on the other hand was pretty good, ceremony in a movie theatre with a homemade movie, reception at a top class hotel and pictures in town parklands with classic cars and a bridesmaid that was not only pretty but we got on really well, once again the best man and one issue after another mostly for the bride as is usually the case but in the end it was a great day.
The only thing that ruined that was i had to get up at 4am the following day to goto work.

casy84

Where I come from there never is a cash bar, people just put money in an envelope and give them to the groom when they leave. By money I mean a bit more than 100e/person, so basically at the end of the wedding you have a profit for the newly weds to start a life together with. I would prefer a cash bar instead of making a profitable wedding, but can't beat tradition.

_castiel

Worst wedding I ever went to was a family-friend's years back. It was ridiculously sunny after the ceremony, and we weren't allowed inside until they'd set up the dining area so we were left in the sun (in a field with no trees) for several hours. I've never had sunburn like it.
To make matters worse, the speeches then went on for three and a half hours. Three. And. A. Half. Now I wasn't a close family friend so I didn't understand any of the stories, and believe me, they were so boring that I saw at least three people asleep at their tables.
The highlight of the evening was the fire alarm going off (complete with sprinklers) and having to wait outside in the freezing cold for about an hour, soaking wet.
And this isn't even mentioning how the food was disgusting (cold fish, cold potatoes) and how there was a fight and the police had to be called.
Not fun.

smoootka

Lol, no cash bars here in Slovenia as far as i know. Food and drinks are free and it has to keep coming. Having an empty glass is almost a sin over here (and no, this is not a joke). There's always someone who will refill your glass while waiting for the ceremony and after and basically all the time lol. Have a wedding with guests having to pay for their drinks or food here and you're talk of the town and your wedding is a crash and burn. Hey, if you invite me and i have to bring you a nice gift the least you can do is provide drinks and one hell of a party:))

Also, long boring speeches... Not a fan either, specially from the priests. Just do your job, get them married, get them to kiss and let's go eat, dammit!

When you know there will be some waiting, make sure you have some chairs or benches or something. Some people can't stand for long, there are elder people and ladies in high heels. My boyfriend's sister was pregnant at the last wedding we attended and they were so nice to get her a chair from somewhere. Looked weird, tho. Everyone else was standing up and she was the only one sitting. I'd do it differently, but hey that's just me.

Music is very important here, so DJs and playbacks are not really welcome, that's not a proper wedding for me. Have to have live music, meaning a band that can play a nice variety of songs for all tastes.

Also, invitations. Never heard of only being invited to the after party. LOL? Are you kidding me? I'm not good enough to be invited to the whole wedding? Well, *kitten* you then:) Here if you're invited you're there for the whole deal and all the traditions and ceremonies. These days couples sometimes decide to have a smaller wedding, mostly family only and then on a later date organize a picnic/party for everyone else. It's just cheaper that way. That I can deal with and understand, but seriously, invitation to only half of the wedding? No thank you. Rather not be invited at all.

People inviting individuals that they don't really know and only see once a year is annoying too, but "it would be nice to invite them and a proper thing to do" just because they are their mother's cousin's second cousin's aunt or sth, we can't NOT invite them. Blablabla. People that matter in your life should be by your side on that special day, you don't need the whole world there and it's your wedding and not your families. You decide who's there and who is not.

But that's just my opinion on the matter

smoootka

I think where it becomes horrendous is that some people spend upwards of $20K on the wedding, everything is elaborate and then you make your guests pay for drinks. If you're spending that kind of money, just take care of the guests. Even if you are only doing beer and wine.

^this!!

fat_harrie

I don't know if you're all fromt he US but it's seems funny that a cash bar would be such a horrendous thing! In the UK (unless you're lucky) most weddings have a cash bar - or are only free up to a certain point or certain drinks. Sounds like I should go to some US weddings!

I think where it becomes horrendous is that some people spend upwards of $20K on the wedding, everything is elaborate and then you make your guests pay for drinks. If you're spending that kind of money, just take care of the guests. Even if you are only doing beer and wine.

Personally, we only offered beer and wine (nice selection) and champagne toast. We know our friends and family and that's what they drink the most.

Average wedding in the uk is £25k. All that should really matter is the bride and groom!

hammomh

Worst part I find in weddings.. standing around waiting for the endless number of photographs to be taken. It's the worst for those who are not in the photographs, or only in very few as not part of the bridal party.

Another dislike of the weddings is the seating plans! I hate being put with people I don't know as the bridal party think it is good to mix people to get to know new people, all that happens is people are polite during dinner and as soon as it is over and the evening part happens, everyone moves chairs to sit by who they want to. (maybe I'm just unsociable though :P )

Other dislikes, I could probably go on forever...

overly long speeches
speeches that try too hard to be funny
having to do the whole line of kisses/hand shakes/congrats to the whole bridal party on entry to venue
bad food (I don't understand how it is sometimes really bad when usually the bride/groom will have sampled it first and made the selection)
long waits between anything happening when there is no entertainment or anything going on to occupy the time
too many children (this is obviously just a personal preference but I don't like too many children to be at a wedding unless bride/grooms children)
choreographed dances (another personal thing, I just dislike them, the whole start slow then break into some weird rehearsed dance, I don't get it )

So, there is my list, as you can tell, I am obviously a crank when it comes to weddings

lexif14

I'm in the middle of planning my wedding here in australia. its been a breeze we have been semi traditional. The ceremony is very late in the afternoon so it will be nice and shady in the park. We have organised to have people have a 2 hour wait from the ceremony to the reception however canapes and drink will be served when people arrive at the reception venue so they don't get bored waiting for us. Minimal speeches about 3 per side at the most and thats it nice and simple. Hopefully it all goes off without a hitch Good luck with your I just had my first wedding dress fitting I am sooo excited

fat_harrie

The only people that you should be worried about is you and your partner. Surely best part of a wedding is the end result, being married... The day itself is about 2 people making a promise to each other, not promising to feed everyone or provide enough alcohol to inebriate the entire southern hemisphere!

Chill out about the small stuff and you might enjoy the day more

miriamwithcats

What I find awful is that couples, the brides especially, spend all this effort and money on the wedding, and don't give much thought to the marriage. The couples discuss details like the color of the dresses, but not how many children (or even whether) they want!

Cr01502

1. Good music
2. Fun people
3. Lots of booze.

Don't waste money on really good food/cake. Most are too drunk to appreciate it anyway.

Gracie1214

Mine ! lovely day but in hind sight I could have chosen a different groom

CarolinaMoon76

Cash bars are the norm here - I would NOT have a free flowing bar at an Irish wedding. That would be a disaster. The thought fills me with horror at what that would lead to....the mess, the fights, the bill......just no.

We paid for sparkling wine at the drinks reception with tea and coffee and soft drinks and free flowing wine at the meal (and even at that there were a few casualties who had to down it and pass out).

Here in Ireland the important things are good food and a good band and DJ to keep going until 3am and a residents bar till 6am if its at a hotel.

Worst wedding ever was one that went on and on - the speeches finished at 11pm but were due to finish at 8. It was awful and everyone was just sitting there as they were done in Italian and English.....the venue closed at 12 and the evening food was wasted because people weren't able to get up and eat it. There was a DJ hired but of course he didn't get to play......

mpmama2re

worst wedding- the one where there's old drunk men yelling obscenities and falling over on people tables and the floor. come on people control your families!