“She Kept That Secret Until We Divorced”: 30 People Who Witnessed Weddings Go Terribly Wrong Spill The Gossip In This Online Thread
We’re going to let you in on a little secret — there’s no such thing as a flawless wedding! While you spend months planning your nuptials to ensure that everything flows without a snag, the day of your dreams can turn into one big chaotic mess in mere minutes. From collapsed cakes and torn dresses to oblivious relatives who do their best to wreck the event, saying "I do" is a magnet for disaster.
And this Twitter thread that has gone viral holds proof. Last week, a journalist based in Australia who goes by the handle @bhakthi invited people to spill the tea about weddings that went terribly wrong. Right after confessing this is a category of gossip she adores, she added, "Please tell me about the worst wedding you’ve been to please and thank you."
So, take a deep breath because we at Bored Panda have gathered a selection of jaw-dropping confessions that sure make for great stories. Just to warn you, though, they might encourage you to embrace your bachelor lifestyle! Enjoy reading through these responses and upvote your favorite ones. And if you have any juicy secrets to share, we’d love to hear all about them in the comments.
Journalist Bhakthi Puvanenthiran recently asked her followers to spill the tea about weddings gone way wrong, and they didn’t hold back
Some people shared their confessions anonymously
Image credits: bhakthi
And others opened up about their unfortunate experiences in the thread, here’s what they had to say
This post may include affiliate links.
It’s impossible to predict everything. And weddings are especially notorious for proving that if something can go wrong, it definitely will. On the big day, there’s always a handful of people who manage to do something inappropriate and leave every single guest shaking their head in disbelief.
Just think about the heated family drama, the ignorant relatives, and unwanted plus-ones who decide it's the perfect occasion to have one drink too many. But while minor mishaps and not-so-ideal situations are unavoidable, there's always humor to be found even in the dimmest of places. After all, embarrassing situations usually lead to a laugh or two or at least become great stories to tell your grandkids.
Well, that’s the lesson we can take from Bhakthi’s viral Twitter thread that has attracted people from far and wide to share their unfortunate wedding experiences. It’s hard to believe that some people manage to make their big day into an occasion that everyone will gossip about for years to come. While some of the stories left us mentally wincing and overflowing with extreme secondhand embarrassment, it’s important to remember that all kinds of things can go wrong when two hearts become one. And no one is immune to mishaps and awkward moments.
"It's really important to expect that at least one thing is going to go wrong on the day," Sarah and Anna, Team Leaders of The Wedding Society, told Bored Panda in an earlier interview. "This event is the culmination of many businesses, people, family members, elements, and months of work coming together and squeezing into one 6-hour period. Something will go wrong and that's totally okay because the end game is not to have a perfectly run event — it's to get married to your love in the same perfectly imperfect way that you live your lives."
"Of course, having a great sense of humor helps any embarrassing situation, but it's also important to remember that these are the people you love and trust the most and who know you best (or at least they should be!)," they continued. We’ve long heard about the therapeutic benefits of laughter and how it boosts our mental health. So sharing regrettable stories online with like-minded people and giggling ourselves silly may be just what we need to move past our slip-ups.
"You're in a safe space with people who love you. If something embarrassing happens, you're in the best company to help you through it," Sarah and Anna added.
But while we know that we’ll never be able to control every single aspect of how the big day is going to unfold, we can at least learn how to manage our expectations and act accordingly. When you stumble upon some bumps on the road, "the first thing is to remain composed and speak calmly, just as you should in any negative situation," Desiree Dent from Dejanae Events told BRIDES. "Address the problem as soon as possible by seeking out onsite vendors or staff to help you resolve the issue. Don't allow it to ruin your day of celebration and love!"
For example, if you find yourself in the midst of a family drama, you should try to keep awkward situations to a bare minimum. Moreover, you can inform your wedding planner (if you decided to hire one) about your family dynamics so they could help you minimize the encounters. "Family disputes really require the work of everyone involved to remember the bigger picture and work towards a higher goal, and also to remember their love for each other above everything else," Sarah and Anna explained.
I don't get it, if you want the best man (or any other person) why go on with the marriage?
What a top chap for taking the hit so you could enjoy your day. Now that's a man you want at your wedding.
I am trying to imagine leather bridal dress and the squeaking. It must be so uncomfortable.
I’ve been to some terrible weddings but I will never get over my SIL and my MIL cutting up my wedding cake and putting it in Tupperware boxes to take home to distribute it amongst their friends and work colleagues. I was, and still am, livid about it. 😡
I would've gotten that tupperware, opened it and thrown it in their faces.
Load More Replies...A wedding and it’s ceremony is one of the few places in life were everyone is expected to show a little bit of class. Astounding how many people fail to do this.
My wedding. My mother in law complained LOUDLY about having to drive an hour away from her home because I just 'had to get married in my childhood church'. And then the ceremony couldn't start on time because she didn't feel good and no way could we start without her. My wedding started 45 minutes late and walking down the aisle someone stepped a little too far out and stepped on my train ripping one seam. The Struggle
Sorry we didn't invite my mil. Convinced husband it would turn into a circus. He agreed.
Load More Replies...I forgot until just now but at my friend's brother's wedding the brides father included in his speech a comment about her breasts and how the baby on the way wasn't the only one who would be enjoying her now larger breasts. Totally forgot about that. It was very cringy and disturbing but the bride just lovingly looked her dad as if it was normal for him to talk about her breasts. They were wierd people but we know he wasn't a pedo; just very freaking wierd
mine. I cried all morning (not happy). witness to JP wedding was ½ hour late because he overslept. some clerk younger than me (I was 23) "officated" and since the inside was ugly as f**k but there were semi decent fountains (and adequate lighting as opposed to the cave in the courthouse), we choose to go outside. but I have to make a side trip for morning sickness. (got engaged. got pregnant. turned down for benefits so moved up the marriage)...... I should have listened to my daughter right then lmao . 17 years later I am STILL in court with him 3 years after our divorce is final. oh and the witness who overslept? made bunny ears in half our pictures.
This was an off the rails moment, but everyone was happy and having fun so it wasn't bad-- I was the matron of honor, and there was also a maid of honor. I had been told my speech time was two minutes. I had written and practiced to make sure I could get the time right. Handed the mic to the maid of honor, and she rambled drunk for several minutes. The MC ended up chasing her and cornering her to get the mic back.
My brother's second wedding. An older lady, guest of the bride, had a huge 1960's beehive hairdo - easily a full can of hairspray to hold it up. She bent over a candle and her hair burst into flames. Got the flames extinguished, she was unharmed (except for her hair), but the entire place smelled like burned hair. Not a good scent.
he stumbled over "eternal devotion" in the vows. they were divorced in less than 2 years IIRC (22 years ago. tech school marriage. IYKYK)
Our officiant's printer messed up the certificate (somehow?) and it was rejected. He called to let us know and we met him with our maid of honour and best man at a Tim Hortons and got "officially" married over donuts. Luckily we were allowed to keep the original date on our wedding certificate...otherwise, our night was almost perfect (I'm a planner). Haven't seen any disasters, yet, but I've been to a few with very poor planning- usually it's because they're not considering the experience from their guests' POV, and just doing what they want. The reception is a party you're hosting, and you need to cater to your guests...the ceremony is for the couple and should be all about what the couple wants.
Not half as bad as many entries here but here goes. 3/4 of our family live in my home country (my hubby is half/half) and we couldn't get married there for legal reasons so we decided to go for a small venue where we now live, just the legal wedding (here it's in the municipal office) and a hotel restaurant lunch/dinner. The lunch/dinner went great, but the municipal office got me fuming for a) refusing us and our 30ish guests the wedding hall for us to get married (we were on time, they had given it to someone else) even though we had booked it ages ago and proceeded to marry us IN THE HALLWAY, placing an end desk for us to sign the paper and b) the dude that married us was wearing a checkered blouse and dirty jeans, just like he had gotten off of his tractor to come wed us (mind you, this is a city, not even close to farm land). No one translated his words to me - which is legally obligated I believe as I'm a foreigner, even though my MIL (bless her heart) offered and was shut down..
Promised gift of money for reception wasn't given and at the end of the night, walked home pushing children in a pram, in my wedding dress. :/ And the husband wonders why I won't renew our vows. It's been 28 years and I have no good memories of that day/afternoon. :(
I’ve been to some terrible weddings but I will never get over my SIL and my MIL cutting up my wedding cake and putting it in Tupperware boxes to take home to distribute it amongst their friends and work colleagues. I was, and still am, livid about it. 😡
I would've gotten that tupperware, opened it and thrown it in their faces.
Load More Replies...A wedding and it’s ceremony is one of the few places in life were everyone is expected to show a little bit of class. Astounding how many people fail to do this.
My wedding. My mother in law complained LOUDLY about having to drive an hour away from her home because I just 'had to get married in my childhood church'. And then the ceremony couldn't start on time because she didn't feel good and no way could we start without her. My wedding started 45 minutes late and walking down the aisle someone stepped a little too far out and stepped on my train ripping one seam. The Struggle
Sorry we didn't invite my mil. Convinced husband it would turn into a circus. He agreed.
Load More Replies...I forgot until just now but at my friend's brother's wedding the brides father included in his speech a comment about her breasts and how the baby on the way wasn't the only one who would be enjoying her now larger breasts. Totally forgot about that. It was very cringy and disturbing but the bride just lovingly looked her dad as if it was normal for him to talk about her breasts. They were wierd people but we know he wasn't a pedo; just very freaking wierd
mine. I cried all morning (not happy). witness to JP wedding was ½ hour late because he overslept. some clerk younger than me (I was 23) "officated" and since the inside was ugly as f**k but there were semi decent fountains (and adequate lighting as opposed to the cave in the courthouse), we choose to go outside. but I have to make a side trip for morning sickness. (got engaged. got pregnant. turned down for benefits so moved up the marriage)...... I should have listened to my daughter right then lmao . 17 years later I am STILL in court with him 3 years after our divorce is final. oh and the witness who overslept? made bunny ears in half our pictures.
This was an off the rails moment, but everyone was happy and having fun so it wasn't bad-- I was the matron of honor, and there was also a maid of honor. I had been told my speech time was two minutes. I had written and practiced to make sure I could get the time right. Handed the mic to the maid of honor, and she rambled drunk for several minutes. The MC ended up chasing her and cornering her to get the mic back.
My brother's second wedding. An older lady, guest of the bride, had a huge 1960's beehive hairdo - easily a full can of hairspray to hold it up. She bent over a candle and her hair burst into flames. Got the flames extinguished, she was unharmed (except for her hair), but the entire place smelled like burned hair. Not a good scent.
he stumbled over "eternal devotion" in the vows. they were divorced in less than 2 years IIRC (22 years ago. tech school marriage. IYKYK)
Our officiant's printer messed up the certificate (somehow?) and it was rejected. He called to let us know and we met him with our maid of honour and best man at a Tim Hortons and got "officially" married over donuts. Luckily we were allowed to keep the original date on our wedding certificate...otherwise, our night was almost perfect (I'm a planner). Haven't seen any disasters, yet, but I've been to a few with very poor planning- usually it's because they're not considering the experience from their guests' POV, and just doing what they want. The reception is a party you're hosting, and you need to cater to your guests...the ceremony is for the couple and should be all about what the couple wants.
Not half as bad as many entries here but here goes. 3/4 of our family live in my home country (my hubby is half/half) and we couldn't get married there for legal reasons so we decided to go for a small venue where we now live, just the legal wedding (here it's in the municipal office) and a hotel restaurant lunch/dinner. The lunch/dinner went great, but the municipal office got me fuming for a) refusing us and our 30ish guests the wedding hall for us to get married (we were on time, they had given it to someone else) even though we had booked it ages ago and proceeded to marry us IN THE HALLWAY, placing an end desk for us to sign the paper and b) the dude that married us was wearing a checkered blouse and dirty jeans, just like he had gotten off of his tractor to come wed us (mind you, this is a city, not even close to farm land). No one translated his words to me - which is legally obligated I believe as I'm a foreigner, even though my MIL (bless her heart) offered and was shut down..
Promised gift of money for reception wasn't given and at the end of the night, walked home pushing children in a pram, in my wedding dress. :/ And the husband wonders why I won't renew our vows. It's been 28 years and I have no good memories of that day/afternoon. :(