As 2024 comes to a close and people look forward to 2025, some wild wedding stories stood out over the past year that left many laughing, crying, or covering their mouths in shock. These stories shared by brides, grooms, wedding party members, and others were shared and discussed by etiquette experts and other professionals. Among the stories that stood out this year, one involved a couple who charged guests $333 each to attend their wedding experience in New York City, which included a full day of activities throughout the city for a select guest list of 60 people. Another story featured a betrayed bride who donated her nonrefundable wedding reception venue to Parents Helping Parents, an organization that supports individuals with special needs, to host a “Ball for All” party for people with disabilities of all ages.
A humorous story from England showcased the embarrassing moment when the father of the bride, Neil Crossley, started walking down the aisle without his daughter at her wedding in Yorkshire. Although Crossley experienced a miscommunication and began walking prematurely, he turned around to fetch his daughter before making a traditional entrance down the aisle. Another amusing story involved a Reddit user who ordered pizzas at a wedding reception after finding the buffet food had been depleted before all guests could eat. Despite being kicked out for ordering food, the bride’s father later apologized and planned an “after-wedding shindig” to make up for the incident.
A cousin’s upcoming wedding, described as a semi-destination wedding by Reddit user “joyousfoodie,” received criticism for informing guests that everyone had a role in setting up for the ceremony. The couple sending cards to people not invited to the wedding before the event raised eyebrows, with the guests eventually being instructed to set up tables for the reception after the wedding party left to take photos. The couple claimed they couldn’t afford to hire help for their wedding setup, despite going traveling instead of saving up for the big day. Other Reddit users expressed disbelief at the couple’s behavior and advised “joyousfoodie” to skip the event entirely if the hosts were going to dictate tasks to guests.
As wedding season approaches in 2025, these stories from the past year serve as a reminder of the unexpected, heartwarming, and amusing moments that can occur during special events. From charging guests to attend a full day of wedding activities in New York City to finding creative ways to repurpose a nonrefundable wedding venue and entertaining mishaps during ceremonies, these stories illustrate the diverse and often unpredictable nature of weddings. While some stories may shock or surprise, others inspire with acts of generosity or demonstrate the resilience and humor that can be found amidst the chaos of wedding planning. Whether guests are put to work or guests order pizzas to replenish a depleted buffet, weddings remain a space where the unexpected can happen, and memories are made for years to come.
