Happy almost Halloween! Every year around Halloween we always share wedding horror stories from weddings past. And this year is no exception. This year’s horror stories are scandalous, so I’m going to skip the pleasantries and get right to it. Planners and couples – beware. Not only are they going to make you cringe – maybe even get mad – but I’m also going to give you some tips to make sure you avoid this at your wedding.

 

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: Wedding Horror Stories: Real-Life Nightmares and How to Avoid Them 

• Introduction to Wedding Planning Horror Stories [00:00]
• Videographer No-Show [04:20]
• Weather-Related Challenges [08:45]
• Vendor Service Issues [17:27]
• The Importance of Contracts in Vendor Relationships [27:43]
• One Bride's Stressful Experience [36:20]
• Communication Breakdown and Financial Surprises [47:27]

 

1. The Videographer That Didn't Show Up

One of the most stressful wedding horror stories we faced was when the videographer canceled just days before a high-profile wedding. They confirmed everything was good to go, and then—boom!—emailed saying they couldn’t make it. Cue the panic, right? But instead of freaking out, I went straight into problem-solving mode. Within an hour, I had three backup options lined up, complete with pricing and details for the couple. To avoid this nightmare, always confirm with vendors multiple times and work with a planner who’s got a solid network of trusted backups ready to jump in when things go sideways.

2. When Mother Nature Strikes

Mother Nature can be the ultimate wedding wild card, and she definitely made her mark this season. One wedding started off perfectly—ceremony, cocktail hour, everything was great—until a sudden downpour flooded the outdoor patio. We had to sprint to save linens, tables, and even the guest book, while the guests were happily unaware. Another time, a tornado tore the roof off a tent just days before the wedding, but the tent company patched it up just in time. And then there’s the geese poop. At one lakeside ceremony, we had to quietly clear out a bunch of it to avoid any guest, or worse—the bride—stepping in it. To avoid these wedding horror stories, always have a solid rain backup plan, communicate with vendors about weather contingencies, and do a last-minute venue check for unexpected issues like, well, geese!

3. The Audio Nightmare

Sometimes even trusted vendors can surprise you, like the time we worked with a band we knew well, but their MC was a total disaster. During the wedding, the MC announced the bridal party like it was a wrestling match—dramatic to say the least. We were cringing, especially when he kept the same tone throughout the evening. My team had to gently ask him to tone it down, but he didn't quite get why his style wasn’t a fit. It was awkward, but we got through it. Lesson learned, even with familiar vendors, always double-check who's on the team and make sure their style aligns with your wedding vibe. To avoid this, have a detailed conversation with vendors, especially entertainment, about the tone and style you want. Ask for specific examples to make sure everyone is on the same page!

4. The Floral Disaster: Another Entry in Wedding Horror Stories

One of the biggest issues I've dealt with involved a florist that was unresponsive, unprepared, and completely disorganized. Despite multiple calls and emails, the florist showed up hours late, missing key floral arrangements, and my team had to jump in to finish the job—just 30 minutes before guests arrived. The couple was disappointed, but the parents were downright upset. We did everything we could to handle the situation and advised the couple not to pay the full amount. Always make sure vendors are under contract with clear expectations and consequences if services aren’t delivered. Work with trusted, vetted vendors and make sure everyone signs a contract detailing services, deadlines, and contingency plans if things go wrong.

5. The Floral Disaster: Another Entry in Wedding Horror Stories

One of the biggest issues I've dealt with involved a florist that was unresponsive, unprepared, and completely disorganized. Despite multiple calls and emails, the florist showed up hours late, missing key floral arrangements, and my team had to jump in to finish the job—just 30 minutes before guests arrived. The couple was disappointed, but the parents were downright upset. We did everything we could to handle the situation and advised the couple not to pay the full amount. Always make sure vendors are under contract with clear expectations and consequences if services aren’t delivered. Work with trusted, vetted vendors and make sure everyone signs a contract detailing services, deadlines, and contingency plans if things go wrong.

6. The Audio Nightmare

Sometimes even trusted vendors can surprise you, like the time we worked with a band we knew well, but their MC was a total disaster. During the wedding, the MC announced the bridal party like it was a wrestling match—dramatic to say the least. We were cringing, especially when he kept the same tone throughout the evening. My team had to gently ask him to tone it down, but he didn't quite get why his style wasn’t a fit. It was awkward, but we got through it. Lesson learned, even with familiar vendors, always double-check who's on the team and make sure their style aligns with your wedding vibe. To avoid this, have a detailed conversation with vendors, especially entertainment, about the tone and style you want. Ask for specific examples to make sure everyone is on the same page!

7. The Dressmaker Nightmare

One of the most stressful wedding horror stories I’ve dealt with was a bride’s nightmare dress situation. The dressmaker missed fittings, was unresponsive, and showed up late just days before the wedding, leaving my poor bride in tears. The night before her wedding, the dress still wasn’t ready, and the dressmaker kept saying, “the dress will tell me when it’s ready.” Seriously? My team and I had to manage the entire situation while the bride tried to stay calm. Ultimately, the dress turned out fine, but the process was a disaster.  So how do you avoid this? always research your dressmaker thoroughly, check reviews, and ensure clear communication about timelines and expectations well in advance.

8. The Fraudulent Invoice

One of the most outrageous wedding horror stories I’ve experienced involved a caterer who gave me a fraudulent invoice. The couple insisted on using a special caterer from New York, and despite my warnings, they booked him. This caterer was unresponsive for months and sent an invoice for $40 per person—which was shockingly low. Turns out, the actual cost was over $30,000, and they had purposely hidden it from me! I had to confront the mother of the bride just before the wedding, and though it was awkward, I made sure we got paid for the correct amount. To avoid situations like this, always insist on transparent, updated contracts from vendors. Double-check invoices and work with trusted professionals to prevent any last-minute surprises.

Final Thoughts on Wedding Horror Stories

Wedding horror stories may be fun to share during Halloween, but they’re a nightmare to live through. Whether it’s a videographer no-show, unpredictable weather, or vendor miscommunications, things can go wrong. But with a trusted wedding planner and solid planning, these nightmares don’t have to haunt your big day.

Have your own wedding horror story or questions? Share them with me on Instagram or leave a voicemail at 585-210-9485. I’d love to help you avoid these spooky mishaps!

Happy Halloween, and may all your wedding dreams (and none of the nightmares!) come true.