As your wedding day approaches I’m sure you’re worried that your guests won’t show up on time, you’ll accidentally spill something on your dress, or your ceremony will start late. We all know that being perfect is impossible, and I can tell you I’ve witnessed some quirky wedding day mishaps.
Wedding cake melted, damaged
Your wedding cake has to be delivered to your wedding venue, so, unfortunately, there’s always a chance that it could fall over while in the car or could be damaged by guests during your reception. I actually saw a cake that had melted due to extreme heat. Your professional cake artist should have the proper storage so that your cake is safely delivered, at room temperature, to your venue.
Ceremony décor caught on fire from unity candle
The unity candle represents and celebrates the joining of two people in their new marriage. It’s ofter decorated with flowers, photos of loved ones or other special décor. During one wedding, I happened to be photographing facing the couple with the guests in the background. I noticed the flowers next to the candle had caught fire. I quickly blew it out without anyone noticing.
Where’s the food?
I’ve been to many weddings and the food is one of the most important things a bride makes a decision about. I’m sure you’ve seen it yourself. You’re asked to choose between chicken or fish when you RSVP. There’s also the bride who decides she wants some of everything and decides to have a buffet. Unfortunately, some guests don’t RSVP or may RSVP no and then come anyway.
If you’re reading this and getting anxious or worried about your day, don’t! I didn’t share these wedding day mishaps to overwhelm you, but to remind you that things won’t always go as planned and that’s okay. While you may not be able to control these mishaps you can overcome them. Here are just a few ways:
Allow extra time during your day
Any problem can be fixed with enough time. While I’m sure you want a tight schedule, give yourself more time than you think you need. Don’t be afraid to plan an extra 30 minutes for photography, or an extra hour to get ready. By having this additional time you won’t feel rushed and have time to recover from if wedding day mishaps occur.
Delegate decisions to professionals (or ONE trusted family/friend)
A talented & experienced professional will handle logistical challenges without burdening you on your wedding day. If you aren’t hiring a professional, you can decrease the amount of chaos and confusion by delegating decisions and responsibilities to one person. That person will take on the role of your day of coordinator and execute your plan for your wedding day. They can watch the clock, find missing family or wedding party members, pin boutonnieres or tie bow-ties. They can act as a liaison between your vendors and make sure the DJ doesn’t announce the toasts while the photographer is eating their vendor meal in another room.
Keep calm.
All you need is your fiancé & officiant. Everything else is extra. At the end of the day, the two most important aspects of your wedding are you and your fiancé. The reception and ceremony are just bonuses. If something goes wrong or you experience wedding day mishaps, don’t stress. Take a look at your fiancé and remember what the day is truly about.