People Are Cringing At These 50 Trashy Wedding Moments

We've all been to a wedding or two where the bride and groom made some questionable choices. Perhaps they demanded that all guests dress to fit a very specific color scheme, or they informed guests on the day of that they would be expected to pay for their food and drinks at the reception. We tend to overlook these annoyances when we're celebrating people we love, but it's a lot easier to judge strangers online for making bizarre choices at their weddings...

The photos on this list might give you strong secondhand embarrassment, but spreading awareness about bad bridal behavior might convince some couples to tone it down. Your wedding should absolutely be a wonderful day that you remember for the rest of your life, but it should be a great memory for all involved. And if your best friends are pouting the whole time because you forced them to get hair cuts for the ceremony or spend $500 on shoes, your priorities might be a little bit out of whack.

To gain more insight into this topic, we reached out to wedding expert and Editor at Bespoke Bride, Jhona Yellin. Jhona was kind enough to have a conversation with Bored Panda about some etiquette brides and grooms should keep in mind, while still making their big day all about them.

"When it comes to gifts, we tell our brides-to-be to always think of their registry as a treasure map for their guests. Provide a variety of price points to make everyone comfortable," she shared. "And if Aunt Marge gifts you a third toaster, smile, thank her, and quietly handle the return. Nobody needs to know about the great toaster swap of 2024. By the way – we created a fun guide on curating a wedding registry for the home of your dreams."

Jhona also noted that setting a dress code can be fantastic, but it's important to be reasonable. "Asking your guests to show up in ball gowns and tuxedos might be a tad much for a beach wedding," she shared. "'Black tie optional' is sophisticated; 'lavender sequin jumpsuits' is a bit... Eccentric. Also for this, by the way – we created a post about creative wedding dress codes that are in fashion today."

"Just remember, these wedding guests are your friends and family who love you enough to wear matching outfits," the expert added. "Appreciate their effort, don’t turn them into personal assistants, and remember they have lives (and wallets) too."

We also asked the wedding expert how friends and family members can know when it's time to speak up and try to reign in the bride and groom. "When the bride or groom’s requests start sounding like they belong in a royal decree, it’s time to step in," Jhona says. "Close family or friends are the best candidates to have 'the talk.' Pick a moment when the bride or groom isn’t mid-meltdown — preferably over a calming cup of tea or a stiff drink."

It's also important to tread lightly when addressing a bride's unreasonable behavior. "Use 'I' statements to keep it gentle," Jhona recommends. “'I’m worried that asking guests to arrive by helicopter might be a bit much. Not everyone has their pilot’s license, you know?' This approach keeps the conversation constructive and less confrontational."

Jhona says that, yes, the wedding is all about the happy couple. "But let’s not forget about the lovely folks who are there to celebrate your love. Your guests have put in effort to be there—time, travel, and probably a new pair of shoes," she explained. "Make sure they’re well-fed, entertained, and can hear the vows without needing binoculars and a sound system worthy of Coachella."