Wedding season has arrived! Love is in the air, invitations are flooding our inboxes, and our calendars are filling up with dress fittings, travel plans, and registry stalking.
And while weddings can be beautiful, emotional, and full of celebration... they can also be kind of a nightmare. From awkward traditions to logistical headaches, even the most well-meaning wedding can have guests gritting their teeth behind polite smiles.
We’re not here to bash weddings – we just think it’s okay to admit there are a few things that drive us a little crazy. Here are 17 of them …
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1. When everything starts way too late
There’s “fashionably late,” and then there’s “why did I bother arriving on time?” Waiting around for an hour before anything happens is a test of patience.
Sure, a dramatic entrance can be fun, but no one enjoys stiff church pews or restless guests wondering when the party actually begins.
2. Confusing dress codes
What exactly is “garden formal”? Are jeans okay for “rustic chic”?
Give guests a clear idea of what to wear. We don’t want to end up underdressed … or worse, sweating in a tux at a beach wedding.
3. The dreaded seating chart
Being stuck at the “leftovers” table with strangers and someone’s ex is never fun. Seating arrangements can make or break a dinner – and a mood. And don’t even get us started on being seated directly beside the speakers.
4. Oversharing during speeches
We all love a good story, but when speeches veer into TMI territory, it gets uncomfortable.
Inside jokes that only a handful understand, tales of questionable decisions, or anything involving “then we blacked out” aren’t the best material for a mixed crowd.
Keep it heartfelt, funny, and inclusive — nobody needs a therapy session at dinner.
5. Long speeches
There’s a fine line between a touching toast and an epic saga. Five to ten minutes is plenty to share a meaningful message. Beyond that, guests start zoning out, checking their watches, or plotting bathroom breaks.
Remember, it’s a wedding, not a TED Talk.
6. Putting food on hold for speeches
Guests have been sitting through the ceremony, smiling for photos, and possibly sipping champagne on an empty stomach. At this point, food is survival. Let people eat while the speeches happen. No one minds a toast over dinner. In fact, it makes everything more enjoyable.
Cold chicken and rumbling stomachs? Not so much.
7. The bouquet and garter toss
This tradition is on its last legs. Calling all single people to the dance floor and throwing a sweaty garter or bouquet into a crowd feels more awkward than charming.
It’s a forced moment that many dread, and honestly, most people just want to keep dancing or chatting.
8. Bad food. Or not enough food.
Yes, food is one of the biggest wedding expenses. But it’s also the one thing guests will remember – for better or worse. No one’s asking for a seven-course tasting menu. But something filling and decently tasty goes a long way.
What really stings? When you wait hours to eat, only to get a few bites of something forgettable with no sign of seconds. Guests are hungry. They danced, they clapped, they wore real pants. Feed them well and they’ll rave about your wedding for years.
9. Cash bar confusion
We’re not here to shame anyone’s budget. Weddings are expensive. But if guests are expected to pay for drinks, let them know in advance.
No one likes being caught without cash at an open-but-not-really-open bar.
10. Too many events
The welcome dinner. The post-wedding brunch. The after-party. The group hike. Sometimes it feels like a wedding is a four-day marathon. We love the couple – but we also love sleep and our own schedules.
Make extra events optional so everyone can pace themselves without FOMO or exhaustion.
11. Weirdly timed gaps
A ceremony at 1 p.m. and a reception at 6 p.m. sounds fine until your out of town guests are sitting in your car for four hours trying to find something to do in dress shoes. If there’s a big break, provide something to keep guests busy or suggest nearby hangouts.
12. A DJ who won’t read the room
We’re here for the Cha Cha Slide if the mood is right. But when the DJ demands we all get up for a synchronized line dance five minutes after dessert, it starts to feel like summer camp.
And then there’s that one DJ who insists on playing deep cuts when everyone just wants to dance to the classics. Or worse, they keep talking over every track.
Read the room, spin the hits, and please – let the music breathe.
13. Endless photo sessions
We totally get wanting those perfect golden hour shots.
But if guests are standing around hungry and unsure where to go while the wedding party vanishes for an hour-long photo shoot … it’s not ideal. Plan something for guests to do, whether that is chatting over apps and cocktails, playing some fun games or even having a little live music or entertainment nearby.
Keeping everyone engaged makes the wait feel shorter and keeps the energy up until the party really kicks off.
14. Forgetting accessibility (and basic comfort)
Weddings should feel welcoming to everyone. But too often, basic accessibility is overlooked.
If someone uses a wheelchair or walker, they shouldn’t have to struggle through gravel paths or uneven lawns just to get to their seat. And guests with mobility issues shouldn’t be expected to climb stairs or stand for long stretches.
It’s not just about physical access, either. Shade, seating, washrooms—all of it matters, especially for older guests, young kids, and anyone with health concerns.
15. Overly scripted weddings
We love tradition. But when every moment is overly choreographed and you’re being directed around like extras in a film set, it’s hard to feel relaxed.
A little flexibility lets the day breathe, and often leads to the best, most memorable moments.
16. No plan for weather
Outdoor weddings are lovely—until it rains, or the wind topples the arch, or guests are melting in 35°C sun.
A solid backup plan is essential. “Hope for the best” isn’t enough when guests might be drenched or melting.
Tent? Umbrellas? Indoor option? Fans or heaters? Plan for it so no one’s stuck miserable.
17. No transportation or parking plan
Cute barn venues or scenic spots are lovely until you realize there’s no parking or shuttle service.
Guests juggling heels, kids, or mobility issues don’t want to circle for hours or miss the start because of transport hassles.
Clear instructions and options keep everyone on time and stress-free.
18. Overly curated, Instagram-first weddings
Yes, we all love aesthetics. But when every detail feels planned for the perfect photo instead of a real celebration, guests start to feel like props.
It should be about the people and the moment – not just the Instagram likes.
19. No room to mingle
Weddings bring together people who haven’t seen each other in ages. Old friends, distant cousins, co-workers from way back. But when there’s no space (or time) for guests to just hang out and talk, those meaningful catch-ups never happen.
A little lounge area or some unstructured time goes a long way. Let the guests enjoy each other, not just the itinerary.
20. Outrageous gift expectations
Registries are helpful. But when couples ask for $500 espresso machines or link to a “honeymoon fund” with a minimum donation amount, it can get... uncomfortable.
The reality is, most friends and family will give generously, but setting a minimum can make people in hard situations feel like they would be better off missing the celebration.
21. Complicated RSVP systems
If replying means logging into a site, creating a password, and entering a code just to pick your meal, the system might be overdoing it.
Keep RSVPs simple so guests can respond quickly and without stress.
Just plant for a good time
At the end of the day, most guests aren’t expecting perfection. They’re there to celebrate a couple they care about, eat some decent food, and maybe dance to a nostalgic song or two.
But a little thoughtfulness can go a long way. When weddings focus less on performance and more on people, they become what they’re really meant to be: joyful, memorable, and full of love — not just between two people, but between the two families coming together.
So here’s to the couples who get it right – and to future weddings that feel less like a production, and more like a great party with a side of vows.
