It’s an honor to be invited to someone’s wedding! It shows that the marrying couple cares about you and wants you to be a witness to their union. However, even a single guest with a propensity for causing drama can derail these celebrations of everlasting love.
Reddit user u/Frosty-Resort-4163 sparked an interesting discussion on r/weddingshaming. They invited everyone to share their spiciest stories about horrible wedding guests who caused unnecessary headaches for everyone else. Scroll down to hear what they had to say!
We reached out to the author behind the viral thread, redditor u/Frosty-Resort-4163. She was kind enough to share her perspective on wedding stress and handling drama-obsessed guests. You'll find Bored Panda's full interview with the OP below.
#21
Attended my good friend's wedding last year as a bridesmaid. Her MIL had the audacity to use the bridal suite to get ready and acted like she was being inconvenienced when we had to kick her out. Groom's entire family ignored the bride during the reception because MIL was a first class narcissist. During the mother son dance, everyone was noticing how awkward it was for the groom when the mom looked too enamored. MOH decided she didn't want to have the makeup or hair that the bride wanted for the wedding, so she could stand out. New SILs were photo bombing the wedding photos. All night, awkward awkward awkward.
45points
The best way to avoid a problem is to anticipate it and prepare for it. Just like we get lots of rest, socialize with our loved ones, eat well, and exercise to avoid future issues with our physical and mental health, so too do we organize big events in such a way as to avoid disaster. One part of this is going through the preliminary guest list with a fine-tooth comb.
To put it bluntly, you want to avoid inviting people who are likely to cause a ton of drama and outrage. If someone has a history of derailing events and wants the spotlight to be on them (and them alone!), it might be worth not sending them an invite. You have to be candid. Weigh whether someone has more of a positive or negative influence on your life.
#22
Mostly a tidbit, but definitely a bad person/guest and well....
My sister's husband's cousin was in a bad relationship. Her boyfriend was into drugs, alcohol, and was abusive. There were plans for an intervention for her, but it was very delicate as a situation, as he'd taken her out of state far from family before.
For their wedding, my sister and husband paid for a block of rooms to be available at a discounted price. There were still rooms available the day of the wedding, which came in handy as the booze was flowing as all good receptions tend to do. Despite this being well known and family even offering to pay for a room for them, the boyfriend decided he was going to drive them home. They were arguing about this (while driving) and he peeled out of the parking area of the hotel and into traffic.
He died, she was seriously injured. There were injuries in the other vehicle but not as severe and no deaths. This was 2 years ago and she has since fully recovered physically, at least. She, as far as I know, is still living with her parents (I think she might also have a kid, which would explain why she stayed so long in the relationship too, and if she does they were not present at the wedding or crash) and they're working on the medical debt, but there's honestly a lot of relief at the end it all.
43points
#23
At our wedding, a "plus one" of my husband's friend got drunk af and tried to hook up with my dad.
My dad was 50+ she 22.
My stepmother went crazy. Was funny at the beginning, ended abruptly as she threw up in the garden at midnight.
My stepmother went crazy. Was funny at the beginning, ended abruptly as she threw up in the garden at midnight.
43points
#24
My husband's mother ragged for MONTHS about how she wanted to match my mom almost exactly on our wedding day. My husband really wanted her and his dad to match him and the groomsmen instead, but she threw huge fits and constantly harassed us over it. It was literally the only request my husband had asked of her, but she made it her hill to die on. Even my husband's father was trying to bully it out of us.
Somehow, my husband's mom figured out what my mom was wearing right before the wedding and bought a similar dress in the same shade, but way more... bedazzled. She has a thing for upstaging, so no surprise there. She was smirking as she walked up to my mom and whispered that because they matched, they were honorary maids of honor now. Right in front of my actual MOH! I believe she made a point to tell all the guests as well; she was weirdly obsessed with having some form of honor or being acknowledged as part of the wedding by other people. She was weird about the wedding in general, but that was certainly the most frustrating. At least I didn't have to worry about her wearing white?
And just to top it all off, this woman tried to make up a "tradition" of all the guests coming to watch us open wedding presents, insisting it was something everyone did. She was even offering to host it as a "second reception," which made me think she had already planned and decorated for this. She pushed really hard about it the entire weekend until everyone was actively heading home or had already gone home. I should also add that her house was almost 3 hours out of the way for half the guests, which I can guarantee nobody wanted to add to their drive home. Oh, and both of my husband's parents were mad we wouldn't tell them which room we were staying in (they chose the same hotel as us) on our wedding night because they wanted to "check in" on us. Lol, no. We even asked the hotel ahead of time to make sure they weren't anywhere near our room even if they asked (and they did, they wanted to be next door, but got put on the other side of the hotel. Thanks, hotel staff!!). All of this was honestly pretty minor, but my husband's parents are very good at being extremely annoying and stressful over really stupid things.
42points
If they’re a big part of your life and you’ve already sent them an invite, but they’ve already overstepped their bounds, consider uninviting them before the wedding. It might be awkward, but tell them the truth without sounding like you’re accusing them. Meanwhile, you may want to leave the door open to rekindle your friendship by getting together for a meal or a drink once you come back from your fab honeymoon!
The truth is that we love attending weddings, dear Pandas. They’re so much fun! However, no large-scale event is immune from at least a little bit of drama or some guests misbehaving. We’d love to hear your own stories about the most bizarre and horrible guests you’ve personally witnessed at weddings. If you have a moment, feel free to drop by the comment section to share your thoughts!
#25
One of my guests (also coincidentally extended family) got so drunk they fell asleep in the toilet cubicle. Later they were being carried back to their room by two other guests when they wet themselves… visibly. Goes without saying they won’t be on the invite list if we ever do a vow renewal!
41points
#26
My best friend’s wedding. Small reception, about 10-20 people, can’t remember.
She was drop dead gorgeous. The father and uncle of the groom get drunk and start dancing in a very suggestive manner around her. I send a bridesmaid to fetch the husband but he’s MIA - he went outside for a f*g and nobody knew *where* outside.
I manage to distract the father of the groom (who took advantage and grabbed my bum). In the meantime the uncle starts hugging and touching the bride. Grabs her, puts her on a table and throws money at her asking her to dance on top of the table. As she wouldn’t, he climbs on the table with her and starts dancing. As he was a fat b*astard, the table breaks. My friend is ok, but he’s definitely not, there’s blood everywhere.
The groom shows up and drives the uncle to the hospital. Everyone else goes home. The bride and I pick up as many bottles of wine as we can possibly carry and spend the rest of the evening in her car, drinking and smoking. The end.
Later edit: Of course she did not drive home after drinking. We left the car there and took taxis.
37points
#27
My bridesmaids boyfriend drank 8 martinis and threw up in the women’s restroom.
35points
#28
Ooooh I had one and now have a couple!
1.) My ex-aunt is living proof that abusive wives exist. She was either your bestie and sweet or absolutely vile and selfish, but both to everyone, depending on the day. At some point she started selling MLM sex toys, paraded it at every family gathering including to grandparents, then announced we didn't support her or her business because we're prude (I'm a sex-positive feminist lol).
At my cousin/her niece's wedding, the family stayed in the same hotel block, but her and my uncle were a no-show for the ceremony and part of the reception. When they walked in, someone asked where they'd been.
"WE WERE F*****G."
She proceeded to dance allll over my cousin's new brother-in-law, literally taking his tie off to Bruno Mars -- my cousin's in-laws are religious/fairly Conservative. Later the brides and young adults went bar hopping, and Aunt Marian was SUPER interested. We dodged her like an ex, and my younger brother said she was PISSED she wasn't invited to go out with the kids.
2.)(TW alcoholism) Same Aunt Marian. Two years later. Her now-ex almost died of alcoholism, and it took my dad and grandpa getting him to rehab, because Marian just left him at home and went to work. About 5 weeks later, my uncle was newly out of rehab and happily sober.
My grandpa and his 2nd wife had a wedding reception, having eloped prior, and another cousin was excited to talk to Uncle since she'd also quit drinking that year! She came over to my dad FUMING. Aunt Marian handed my BRAND-NEWLY sober uncle an empty cup and said, "go get me a drink," right in front of my proudly sober cousin.
Honestly after typing those two out idk if the other ones matter.
34points
#29
I have two:
Drunk MOH and socially unaware mother in law
This happened a couple years ago I was going to a wedding as someone’s date. It was a wedding of his classmate. The venue and ceremony was lovely. Then it was speech time and the MOH aka the bride’s sister took the mic. She was really drunk. She was slurring her speech and then said “I made a song for you.” Think of Patrick Star from SpongeBob yodeling on The Flying Dutchman’s ship. Yes that is what her song sounded like. Then after the speech she walked away and fell. Me and a bunch of people ran over to help her up and give her some water but she refused. Then later on I saw her downing more drinks that night while her husband was with her kids.
Another story was I was a bridesmaid at a wedding. The bride and groom gathered their parents to announce their pregnancy. The whole room was cheering. The bridesmaids and groomsmen were jumping with joy. The parents were amazed and speechless. In comes mother in law from the groom’s side who wasn’t cheering. She takes the microphone and decides to bring up some drama that happened between her and the bride months ago. It went along the lines of oh you’re pregnant no wonder you were acting so disrespectful to me. The whole room went silent and even one of the bridesmaids called mother in law a b***h. But mother in law did not care and decides to bust out in a song in a foreign language because who knows. This left the bride and groom upset. This was years ago and they are cordial since then.
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32points
#30
I got married at 7pm on a Saturday night in February (in Oregon), so I assumed people would dress up a little, since it was evening.
One of our guest's +1 wore denim capris and flip-flops!
27points
#31
My husband's half brother wore trackpants and a graphic tee and cap to my semi formal wedding.
My only brudezilla moment on the day was when someone asked if they should get him for fan photos and I replied with a curt no!!
My only brudezilla moment on the day was when someone asked if they should get him for fan photos and I replied with a curt no!!
He's not a nice person with not much going on that has made my MIL's life harder than it needs to be so I didn't feel bad about it.
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27points
#32
My mom's cousin was strapped for cash, so we all helped out to get him to my wedding - my mom paid for his flight, he stayed at my house, chauffeured him around to/from the rehearsal dinner/wedding, etc. When my husband and I returned the day after the wedding (we stayed in the hotel bridal suite, a groomsman took him back to our house), the first thing he did was complain about the beer selection. I looked him square in the eyes and told him I picked out the alcohol myself. He sputtered out an apology very quickly.
He also complained to my mom the next day that our house was too hot. He slept in our finished basement, which we joke about how cold it is all the time.
26points
#33
Was ten years ago so my memories aren't the best but I'll try.
My ex's (boyfriend at the time) brother was getting married & it was a lovely ceremony but Jesus the reception was a s**t show.
1) My ex and another brother got in an argument because his wife upset their mum (she wouldn't buy her more alcohol because she was a violent drunk)
2) Brother getting married invited a friend who didn't get on with two other guests, resulting in a fight outside.
3) I was babysitting two kids, somehow ended with 6 kids, and 3 were absolutely feral.
4) ex's mum got so wasted, she started arguing with everyone who looked at her & her husband had to drive out and get her which caused her to throw a bottle at him because she didn't want to leave.
& 5) caught my ex cheating in the bathroom.
My ex's (boyfriend at the time) brother was getting married & it was a lovely ceremony but Jesus the reception was a s**t show.
1) My ex and another brother got in an argument because his wife upset their mum (she wouldn't buy her more alcohol because she was a violent drunk)
2) Brother getting married invited a friend who didn't get on with two other guests, resulting in a fight outside.
3) I was babysitting two kids, somehow ended with 6 kids, and 3 were absolutely feral.
4) ex's mum got so wasted, she started arguing with everyone who looked at her & her husband had to drive out and get her which caused her to throw a bottle at him because she didn't want to leave.
& 5) caught my ex cheating in the bathroom.
There was more chaos, but my mind is fussy on details. 😂
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25points
#34
At a friend's wedding this really awkward friend showed up with a date. He did not have a plus one and they just crowded their table. I sat with a different group of friends thankfully and didn't have to deal with that. She also just confirmed to be there as a friend, had a boyfriend, and I'm sure he thought he had to bring a date.
Another friend was doing one of those sparklers arches and as they walked out they picked a spot to do a kiss. The photographers are waiting and as they do it a relative jumps in front of them to take pictures with her phone on a stick. Thankfully the bride missed it and they just said do it again for extra pictures.
18points
#35
I recently got married a few months ago and I’d like to share some of the most annoying guest things I either noticed myself or something else told me about later.
1. One of my MIL’s best friends from childhood wore all white. Like stark white. Head to toe. Even the shoes. Listen, normally I think it’s ridiculous to give a f about some middle aged woman’s wardrobe, BUT, since wearing white to a wedding is such a known faux-pas , it makes me wonder if she was trying to slight me. Very odd. We have no issues and barely know each other and my MIL and I are extremely close. One of my friends who was a little too tipsy went up to the woman in white and asked why she thought it’d be appropriate to wear white to a wedding. The woman snapped “I’ve known the groom since he was in diapers, I can wear whatever I want. My friend said “that still doesn’t answer my question.” LOL! The woman said “well, my mom said it was fine!” WTF? Her mom is like 90?!!
2. I had a formal winter wedding. All guests saw the dress code on the invite. My aunt showed up wearing uggs. UGGS! Lots of people were in light wash jeans and casual sweaters, including the photographer who knew the dress code. Would black pants or at least a skirt have killed anybody? The whole night just had a much more casual feel than what I was going for.
3. I had an unplugged ceremony , announcement and everything, and people still whipped their phones out. This one makes my blood boil. Also, we did allow young children, so it is what it is, but someone’s kid fell and scraped their forehead during the ceremony and instead of excusing themself and their child , this person decided to stay while their kid screamed bloody murder the whole reception. Can’t you just excuse yourself?
4. My uncle was an *sshole. Him and I are not close and haven’t seen each other in a long time. He had never met my husband. The first thing out of his mouth to my husband was “well, I sure hope your vows were good because I couldn’t hear a single WORD from where I was sitting!! I almost went up there myself and shoved the mic closer to your face. ” WTF!! We had a giant wedding and he tried to monopolize our time the whole reception. We tried to avoid him but if you dared glance in his direction he’d aggressively beckon us over and got all butthurt that we didn’t comply. I’m sorry, but there were so many people that it was a feat in itself to even say hello to everyone, let alone spend the entire reception with uncle entitlement.
5. My grandmother in law came up to us mid reception , during the 2 mins I had to actually eat some food, complaining about the seating arrangements. She didn’t like that we had a head table and didn’t sit with the bridal party. I was starving and kind of snapped at her. The bridal party was happy to sit with their +1s and families at guests tables instead of sitting at some horizontal bridal party table where no one is facing each other.
6. At the end of the night, our best man (who is SO polite and respectful) rounded everyone up to line up for our grand exit. We had to exit the venue at a specific time . At this point the DJ had announced last calls multiple times and stated that the night is over. Some older guests were parked at the guest tables refusing to get up when we were literally asked to vacate by a certain time. They were chatting, pouring wine, and ignoring the best man. He clapped his hands and said “I’m so sorry but I’m going to have to ask that you follow me! We have to leave the venue” and the woman yelled at him “DONT YOU DARE CLAP YOUR HANDS IN MY FACE YOUNG MAN.” He was floored.
I could keep going. I think I’d like to do an edition with ways the vendors messed up too. I’d love to hear thoughts , reactions and your own stories
9points