There’s usually a lot of pressure for your wedding to be perfect. After all, it’s supposed to be one of the most important milestones you’ll ever experience. But in the effort to live up to that impossible standard, some people go a little too far.
Instead of enjoying what should be a happy celebration, they turn it into a nightmare everyone remembers for all the wrong reasons. So when Redditors asked users to share their bridezilla horror stories, they had plenty to say. Scroll down to read some of the wildest ones.
#1
A bridesmaid contract. I said "NOPE" and got out of being in the wedding party and had a great time at the wedding, worry-free.
40points
#2
She slapped me in the mouth in the restroom during the reception. She had this massive, billowing explosion of organza as a skirt. It was beautiful but utterly impractically designed: it took at least three of us to hold up her skirt so she could pee. She had been drinking on an empty stomach and on the second trip to the rest room with all of us holding this dress up while she hovered drunkenly over a toilet she couldn't see, she ordered me to wipe her.
Ordered. Me. To clean her of urine.
I declined.
She slapped me.
The skirt was dropped by all parties while I shouted obscenities at her. She screamed that if I didn't do this for her, this friendship was over! Over!
She tried to apologize years later, but seemed surprised when I was not interested in rekindling our friendship.
Ordered. Me. To clean her of urine.
I declined.
She slapped me.
The skirt was dropped by all parties while I shouted obscenities at her. She screamed that if I didn't do this for her, this friendship was over! Over!
She tried to apologize years later, but seemed surprised when I was not interested in rekindling our friendship.
38points
#3
My college roommate asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. I agreed. Then the bridesmaid dress she picked out for me was $2400. I couldn't afford it and gently told her so. I found a pattern for a similar dress and fabric that was the same color and type, so I asked her if it was okay if I made the similar dress, or perhaps we could go dress shopping together to find something in my budget?
All of the bridesmaids were going to be wearing the same color, but she'd picked out different styles of dresses for each of us, so it wasn't as if I would stick out like a sore thumb.
She cussed me out, told me I was ruining her wedding, that her "vision" required me to wear THAT dress, and can't I just get a credit card to charge the dress on?
When I told her no, she cut all contact with me, claiming that if I was a true friend I would make the finances work. She's never spoken to me again. She'd been like a sister to me up until that point.
One of the dresses she'd picked out for another bridesmaid was $300, by the way. I was pissed when I found that out.
All of the bridesmaids were going to be wearing the same color, but she'd picked out different styles of dresses for each of us, so it wasn't as if I would stick out like a sore thumb.
She cussed me out, told me I was ruining her wedding, that her "vision" required me to wear THAT dress, and can't I just get a credit card to charge the dress on?
When I told her no, she cut all contact with me, claiming that if I was a true friend I would make the finances work. She's never spoken to me again. She'd been like a sister to me up until that point.
One of the dresses she'd picked out for another bridesmaid was $300, by the way. I was pissed when I found that out.
29points
#4
I'm a dude...but this was just too terrible not to share...my girlfriend was a bridesmaid for her friend a few years ago. The bride was 2 hours late to her own rehearsal. This was very aggravating the all of the professional staff at the church who were required to be there. It was equally aggravating to the restaurant staff who were expecting a large party at 7:30, that didn't show up until 9:30, at a place that closed at 10. They refused to serve us any alcohol as a result and I think her dad had to end up paying them a big fee for the incurred overtime and lost business from renting the place out but leaving it empty on a Friday night.
And then when I thought it couldn't get any worse...she was 90 minutes late for her own wedding because she was getting her hair done. All of the wedding party, priest etc, standing there right on time. A full church, everyone waiting. After 30 minutes, those standing up decided to sit down and they announced that the bride would be there shortly. Children crying, people fretting...at least 20 people got up and left. I wanted to, and would have if it were a friend of mine. She finally arrives, gets scolded at by the wedding planner, the priests, her parents, everyone...doesn't even apologize. Just interrupts everyone trying to talk to her to say "excuse me, but this is *my* wedding! and I needed my hair to be perfect!".
And then when I thought it couldn't get any worse...she was 90 minutes late for her own wedding because she was getting her hair done. All of the wedding party, priest etc, standing there right on time. A full church, everyone waiting. After 30 minutes, those standing up decided to sit down and they announced that the bride would be there shortly. Children crying, people fretting...at least 20 people got up and left. I wanted to, and would have if it were a friend of mine. She finally arrives, gets scolded at by the wedding planner, the priests, her parents, everyone...doesn't even apologize. Just interrupts everyone trying to talk to her to say "excuse me, but this is *my* wedding! and I needed my hair to be perfect!".
25points
#5
My best friend eloped. She called me up to scope out places to do the little ceremony in my city (since you can't just go to City Hall, you have to have a officiant come to you) and I found a nice indoor garden. She wore a cute sweater dress, the groom wore a collared shirt and jeans. I wore whatever I felt like, my boyfriend wore whatever he felt like, and the best man wore whatever he felt like. It was short and sweet. Then we went and had drinks and food at the Melting Pot. Best. Wedding. Ever.
25points
#6
Am a commercial (not wedding) photographer, best friend since first grade asks me to photograph his twin sister's wedding because they don't have the budget for a pro that does weddings, I figure out my costs and tell them I'll do it for a break-even fee of $400 (about 1/4 of what they'd pay otherwise) and they agree.
Supposed to pay me on the day, things are going on, she's panicking, doesn't have check book but promises to pay cash later, okay. Follow them around from 9:30 am to 1 am hearing from both the bride and groom that they got enough cash as gifts and they'd settle up right away, never happens. They'll email transfer me, okay.
A week later I'm about 10 hours into what would become 30 hours of editing 250 final photos and still no money, bills from my expenses coming due. Text them, no reply. Had to ask my friend, find out they took off on a month long honeymoon in europe.
Their dad finally called and paid me instead, and I mailed them the photos. They all went on her Facebook, she seemed happy, friends and family seemed happy, not a word of thanks. 6 months later she starts getting my buddy to ask me for all of the photos I took (almost 1400) to do her own editing, which most professionals including myself would never allow and I say as much, and ask why it never came up before, she starts putting horrible Instagram filters on the final photos and posting them with passive aggressive comments about how the photographer won't come through so she has to improve what she's got etc. Buddy and I have a more strained relationship because I had to put my foot down.
I don't shoot weddings or offer friend discounts anymore with no exceptions.
Supposed to pay me on the day, things are going on, she's panicking, doesn't have check book but promises to pay cash later, okay. Follow them around from 9:30 am to 1 am hearing from both the bride and groom that they got enough cash as gifts and they'd settle up right away, never happens. They'll email transfer me, okay.
A week later I'm about 10 hours into what would become 30 hours of editing 250 final photos and still no money, bills from my expenses coming due. Text them, no reply. Had to ask my friend, find out they took off on a month long honeymoon in europe.
Their dad finally called and paid me instead, and I mailed them the photos. They all went on her Facebook, she seemed happy, friends and family seemed happy, not a word of thanks. 6 months later she starts getting my buddy to ask me for all of the photos I took (almost 1400) to do her own editing, which most professionals including myself would never allow and I say as much, and ask why it never came up before, she starts putting horrible Instagram filters on the final photos and posting them with passive aggressive comments about how the photographer won't come through so she has to improve what she's got etc. Buddy and I have a more strained relationship because I had to put my foot down.
I don't shoot weddings or offer friend discounts anymore with no exceptions.
23points
#7
Not the worst in the world but my sister in law had four fat bridesmaids, me included, and the first thing she tried to do was stuff us all into unflattering strapless dresses.
I don't own a strapless bra that can support my girls, I'm pretty sure such a thing does not exist. She had told us earlier to look at the dress selection online and pick something made in X fabric and X color.
I got to the fitting they put me in an empire waist, draped fabric, strapless monster. I very calmly talked to the lady helping us and had her bring me my selection.
Long story short I was the only girl in a flattering dress.
Same wedding, the Mother of the bride kept having the unemployed maid of honor pay for things claiming she'd pay her back and never did.
I don't own a strapless bra that can support my girls, I'm pretty sure such a thing does not exist. She had told us earlier to look at the dress selection online and pick something made in X fabric and X color.
I got to the fitting they put me in an empire waist, draped fabric, strapless monster. I very calmly talked to the lady helping us and had her bring me my selection.
Long story short I was the only girl in a flattering dress.
Same wedding, the Mother of the bride kept having the unemployed maid of honor pay for things claiming she'd pay her back and never did.
22points
#8
Went to a wedding that was a dry wedding only. She refused to let anyone bring alcohol and the wedding was in the middle of nowhere. The wedding was several hours before the reception and there was absolutely nothing to do. There was no entertainment, no food, no drinks, etc. We had to wait for 4+ hours for them. Then the bridal party shows up and they had alcohol for themselves. Our entire group left.
22points
#9
My sister in law asked her bridesmaids (me included) to gain 5-10 kilos to make her look better in comparison. I just can't understand that.
My sister in law is crazy, none of us did it especially as she outweighed the heaviest of us by 20kilos anyway, so I doubt it would have made her look any different.
She was super serious and threatened to replace us all of we didn't, but my SO talked her down.
My sister in law is crazy, none of us did it especially as she outweighed the heaviest of us by 20kilos anyway, so I doubt it would have made her look any different.
She was super serious and threatened to replace us all of we didn't, but my SO talked her down.
20points
#10
My best friend's coworker is getting married later this year, and oh, man, this girl's got some problems. She's very religious and "pure," which, if that's your thing, is fine. Whatever.
However, she told my friend last week that she doesn't want anyone at her wedding who was born out of wedlock. Which includes my friend, who is the daughter of a teen mom.
However, she told my friend last week that she doesn't want anyone at her wedding who was born out of wedlock. Which includes my friend, who is the daughter of a teen mom.
19points
#11
One of my "best" friends was getting married, I was to be a bridesmaid. I was between jobs at the time so I ended up taking a temporary position at the company she worked for. about halfway through the job, I got a great opportunity for a full time, permanent position in my field. It was competitive so if I didn't take it right away, they could have easily given it to someone else just as qualified. I couldn't afford to not take it, so I ended my temporary position with her company as gracefully as I could to start my new job right away.
She took this as an insult and dumped me as a bridesmaid. In fact, she didn't even let me know if I was still invited to the wedding or not until the morning of. I took that as a hint that she didn't actually want me to go but didn't want to be the bad guy so waited until the last minute to let me know, thinking I would have other plans or wouldn't have enough time to get a nice dress or a date.
To spite her, I got a fabulous dress that afternoon, snagged a date, we went to the wedding/reception and drank/ate as much as the free stuff we could fill ourselves with, and on our way out I drunkenly drew a inappropriate member on her car under the JUST MARRIED sign with a bar of soap I took from the bathroom.
She took this as an insult and dumped me as a bridesmaid. In fact, she didn't even let me know if I was still invited to the wedding or not until the morning of. I took that as a hint that she didn't actually want me to go but didn't want to be the bad guy so waited until the last minute to let me know, thinking I would have other plans or wouldn't have enough time to get a nice dress or a date.
To spite her, I got a fabulous dress that afternoon, snagged a date, we went to the wedding/reception and drank/ate as much as the free stuff we could fill ourselves with, and on our way out I drunkenly drew a inappropriate member on her car under the JUST MARRIED sign with a bar of soap I took from the bathroom.
18points
#12
Not a bridezilla but maid-of-honour-zilla.
We got invited to a wedding of a distant friend of my wife. She was a former work colleague.
The bride-to-be's sister was organising everything by email.
"Accommodation and food for two for the weekend - £200. Please pay into my account".
Fair enough, they were getting married in a castle about 200 miles away, so accommodation was a necessity. No problem so far.
"Hen night meal and drinks kitty - £150. Please pay into my account.
Hmm. That seems steep for a meal at the local restaurant and a few drinks afterwards.
"We've organised a canoeing trip for the wedding party the day before the wedding - £100. Please pay into my account."
No thanks. I had my shoulder strapped up from a sports injury at the time so there was no way I was doing this.
"Salsa dancing class before the hen party - £50. Please pay into my account."
I lost my mind with this one. I did some research and found that there was one place within a 20 mile radius of the wedding venue that did Salsa dancing classes and they cost a lot less than £50, in fact they cost the same amount if you multiplied the number of people on the hen party attendee's list by £50, then took away two places for the bride and her sister. So this jerk is basically setting up an awesome weekend for her and her sister, and everyone else was paying for it.
Added up the costs of all her emails and she was expecting over £500 from us before we'd even left the house. We've been on week-long holidays that cost less.
Email sent back: "Will pay for our accommodation and food, and my wife's food at the hen party only. No intention of paying for you and your sister to go canoeing, salsa dancing or getting drunk."
The last straw was when the wife went off to the local restaurant with some of the other attendees in a taxi, whereas the bride and maid of honour had a stretched limo to themselves (which was paid for out of the hen night kitty we found out later). I planned to stay back and watch a rugby game in the hotel bar but within an hour of her leaving she called me and asked me to come and pick her up from the restaurant as it was all the bride-to-be's close friends and family, and she wasn't being made to feel welcome.
Not sure why the best day of someone else's life should be the most expensive of ours.
We got invited to a wedding of a distant friend of my wife. She was a former work colleague.
The bride-to-be's sister was organising everything by email.
"Accommodation and food for two for the weekend - £200. Please pay into my account".
Fair enough, they were getting married in a castle about 200 miles away, so accommodation was a necessity. No problem so far.
"Hen night meal and drinks kitty - £150. Please pay into my account.
Hmm. That seems steep for a meal at the local restaurant and a few drinks afterwards.
"We've organised a canoeing trip for the wedding party the day before the wedding - £100. Please pay into my account."
No thanks. I had my shoulder strapped up from a sports injury at the time so there was no way I was doing this.
"Salsa dancing class before the hen party - £50. Please pay into my account."
I lost my mind with this one. I did some research and found that there was one place within a 20 mile radius of the wedding venue that did Salsa dancing classes and they cost a lot less than £50, in fact they cost the same amount if you multiplied the number of people on the hen party attendee's list by £50, then took away two places for the bride and her sister. So this jerk is basically setting up an awesome weekend for her and her sister, and everyone else was paying for it.
Added up the costs of all her emails and she was expecting over £500 from us before we'd even left the house. We've been on week-long holidays that cost less.
Email sent back: "Will pay for our accommodation and food, and my wife's food at the hen party only. No intention of paying for you and your sister to go canoeing, salsa dancing or getting drunk."
The last straw was when the wife went off to the local restaurant with some of the other attendees in a taxi, whereas the bride and maid of honour had a stretched limo to themselves (which was paid for out of the hen night kitty we found out later). I planned to stay back and watch a rugby game in the hotel bar but within an hour of her leaving she called me and asked me to come and pick her up from the restaurant as it was all the bride-to-be's close friends and family, and she wasn't being made to feel welcome.
Not sure why the best day of someone else's life should be the most expensive of ours.
17points
#13
Last year (April 2013) I cut off 11 inches and dyed my hair bright red (formerly dirty blonde/strawberry blonde-ish). The wedding was a year out (happened this past weekend actually) and the bride threw a fit. How could I so selfishly ruin her wedding by having short red hair when all the other bridesmaids had long blonde hair (like I used to have).
She got over it since I wasn't changing my hair or paying for recolor/extensions.
She got over it since I wasn't changing my hair or paying for recolor/extensions.
16points
#14
A friend was mad because a few days before her wedding there was a terrible flood in a South American country which somehow ruined her chances of being able to get just the right colour flower for the centre pieces. Nutbag.
16points
#15
I don't know if this counts, but my best friend's brother married a woman that literally just used him for a wedding.
He was a long time (over 40yo) nerdy but successful single guy who was suddenly engaged to this very outgoing woman who planned a huge elaborate and expensive wedding that she micromanaged down to the last detail (my friend was a bridesmaid and went through all kinds of stuff) and then about 2 months after the wedding, this poor guy comes home to a half-empty house and a note that says she didn't really want to be married after all.
I'm not normally a violent person, but I could seriously punch this woman in the face.
He was a long time (over 40yo) nerdy but successful single guy who was suddenly engaged to this very outgoing woman who planned a huge elaborate and expensive wedding that she micromanaged down to the last detail (my friend was a bridesmaid and went through all kinds of stuff) and then about 2 months after the wedding, this poor guy comes home to a half-empty house and a note that says she didn't really want to be married after all.
I'm not normally a violent person, but I could seriously punch this woman in the face.
15points
#16
Yes! I can finally share!
We, the bridesmaids, were planning the bride's bachelorette. I suggested we go up to my cottage for the weekend (swimming/drinking etc) and go into town one evening for a big right bash at a bar. It went over well, all was planned!
Since none of us had cars (we live in a big city), except for the bride and one bridesmaid who lived close to the cottage. We asked the bride or her fiance to maybe drive to the cottage, or at least to the bridesmaid-with-the-car's place. She said ok. Phew, all going smoothly.
We took public transit out to her place on the Friday, and her fiance drove us to teh bridesmaid-with-the-car's place.
On the way home, after the cottage, we were told they would only drive us (3 bridesmaids without a car, including me who hosted the weekend), as far as the next big town. That meant we would all be stranded 3 hours from home, while the bride got a ride back to the bridesmaid-with-car's house to wait for her fiance to pick her up. We weren't allowed to go that far.
So we were dropped off at a bus stop, and took a bus home with all our gear. The bus took us over 5 hours with all the stops and connections.
I was very tempted to put the bus ticket receipt in her receiving box at the wedding. I didn't go that far, but she didn't get a very nice gift.
Worst bride ever. Overall, her reasoning was she was the bride, she didn't want to drive at all for her weekend. So it's not our fault. We had even offered to pay for her gas and plus more if she'd drive her car to the cottage. She refused everything. She did not want to lift a finger that weekend. 4 years later, she is now asking if I will make her a bridesmaid at my upcoming wedding.. NOPE!
We, the bridesmaids, were planning the bride's bachelorette. I suggested we go up to my cottage for the weekend (swimming/drinking etc) and go into town one evening for a big right bash at a bar. It went over well, all was planned!
Since none of us had cars (we live in a big city), except for the bride and one bridesmaid who lived close to the cottage. We asked the bride or her fiance to maybe drive to the cottage, or at least to the bridesmaid-with-the-car's place. She said ok. Phew, all going smoothly.
We took public transit out to her place on the Friday, and her fiance drove us to teh bridesmaid-with-the-car's place.
On the way home, after the cottage, we were told they would only drive us (3 bridesmaids without a car, including me who hosted the weekend), as far as the next big town. That meant we would all be stranded 3 hours from home, while the bride got a ride back to the bridesmaid-with-car's house to wait for her fiance to pick her up. We weren't allowed to go that far.
So we were dropped off at a bus stop, and took a bus home with all our gear. The bus took us over 5 hours with all the stops and connections.
I was very tempted to put the bus ticket receipt in her receiving box at the wedding. I didn't go that far, but she didn't get a very nice gift.
Worst bride ever. Overall, her reasoning was she was the bride, she didn't want to drive at all for her weekend. So it's not our fault. We had even offered to pay for her gas and plus more if she'd drive her car to the cottage. She refused everything. She did not want to lift a finger that weekend. 4 years later, she is now asking if I will make her a bridesmaid at my upcoming wedding.. NOPE!
15points
#17
My brother's brother-in-law was getting married. He had a daughter from a previous relationship who was 10 or 11 at the time of the wedding and he had a second child that was 2 with this new soon-to-be wife. The new wife wouldn't allow the older daughter to be at the wedding because, "She's not mine and I don't want her distracting people.".
15points
#18
I used to be frenemies with this girl a few years ago... when she got engaged, she asked me to be a bridesmaid for her lavish wedding ceremonies (there were two). She had always been self-centered though, so while none of what went down actually came as much of a surprise, it was still incredibly rude and I am glad we are no longer friends.
I won't go into too much detail, but the biggest issues we butted heads over were the various financial expectations she had of us. It was her sincere opinion that because it was *her* special day, and because we were her *friends*, that we were obligated to bend over backwards to accommodate all her ludicrous requests - and if that meant spending upwards of $2000 each on outfits, gifts, showers, and travel, then so be it.
I'm willing to do many things for my friends, but if those things threaten my financial security, then I have to put my foot down. As a bridesmaid, you know you're going to be spending money. I would have been fine spending anywhere from $200-500, tops. But $2000? Hell naw.
Unfortunately, being the spoiled daddy's girl that she was, this didn't sit well with her, and she felt I was not being "supportive", or a good friend. I was booted out of the wedding party. Several weeks later, she and the MOH (my best friend) had a falling out about the same issues, and she and I both ended up dis-invited and de-friended.
**EDIT**: I forgot the most ludicrous of all! When I told her I couldn't afford everything she was asking of me, she said (and I quote), "Well can't you just ask your parents for the money?".
I won't go into too much detail, but the biggest issues we butted heads over were the various financial expectations she had of us. It was her sincere opinion that because it was *her* special day, and because we were her *friends*, that we were obligated to bend over backwards to accommodate all her ludicrous requests - and if that meant spending upwards of $2000 each on outfits, gifts, showers, and travel, then so be it.
I'm willing to do many things for my friends, but if those things threaten my financial security, then I have to put my foot down. As a bridesmaid, you know you're going to be spending money. I would have been fine spending anywhere from $200-500, tops. But $2000? Hell naw.
Unfortunately, being the spoiled daddy's girl that she was, this didn't sit well with her, and she felt I was not being "supportive", or a good friend. I was booted out of the wedding party. Several weeks later, she and the MOH (my best friend) had a falling out about the same issues, and she and I both ended up dis-invited and de-friended.
**EDIT**: I forgot the most ludicrous of all! When I told her I couldn't afford everything she was asking of me, she said (and I quote), "Well can't you just ask your parents for the money?".
13points
#19
My ex's cousin managed to be a Bridezilla for *months* after her own wedding. She got married in late April in a very simple off-white strapless gown, which was the high-fashion choice of that year - simple lines all the way. And then she had her dress shortened to knee-length, and wore it to every family wedding she attended over the summer, and probably the non-family weddings, although I wasn't at any of those to be sure. I saw her at no fewer than five weddings wearing a wedding dress - from the waist up completely indistinguishable from the bride.
She might still be wearing it and upstaging brides all over Ireland.
She might still be wearing it and upstaging brides all over Ireland.
13points
#20
I was a bridesmaid for a friends wedding. She was actually really calm about the whole thing. Everything was easy. Then the day of the wedding when she was about to put on her dress is when she freaked. She said there was a stain on the front of her dress. There wasn't. No one could see anything. She was screaming at her mother and mother in law about it. Said she wasn't going to get married in a stained dress. This went on for about 15 minutes and then everything went back to normal and the rest of the day went by smoothly. I was really scared during those 15 minutes though lol.
12points