Worst Wedding You've Ever Attended

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

it was a baptist church, but it was that particular church. i have been to plenty of weddings in baptist churches on saturdays-mornings, afternoons and nights.

as my husband pointed out, unless the reception is being held in the church social hall, what's to clean up? and as most churches ask for a nominal fee, where does that go, if not to pay the church warden/janitor?

I always thought weddings were money maker for a church. However a church near my in-laws doesn't allow weddings in the main sanctuary-they are held in the atrium instead. Not that I would want to be married in the sanctuary since it looks more like a basketball arena than a church.

Which reminds me of a former co-worker's wedding. He was married in a church that has steps going down the main isle. Well, here comes his bride down the steps in her really wide dress. About half way down the steps the inevitable happens. She bites it- luckily her Dad was able to keep half of her upright. Well, then she starts crying about how embarassed she is- so the minister lets her try it again. So the wedding starts over again- including all the bridesmaids and flower girls walking in again.

Then at the reception they served us fried chicken, green beans, and mashed potatoes catered in by Grandy's (a local fast food place similar to KFC).

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

I always thought weddings were money maker for a church.

Except for a few "popular wedding churches" in big cities, I've never known of a church that charges anything more than the cost of paying the sexton the extra hours, a nominal charge to cover utilities or the like. Often, those charges will be will be waived if the bride or groom (or the family of either) is a member of the church. Separate arrangements usually have to be made with the organist or other musicians.

But then, I'm also used to churches where it is made very clear that the wedding is a service of worship, not The Bride (and Groom) Show, and that have very strict rules on flowers, music and the like.

[APhi Sailorgirl]

Ok, here it goes. I mentioned the "wedding" I attended yesterday in the christmas gifts thread, so here's the story. Let me also state that these people will be family in less than a year since my boyfriend and I got engaged 2 weeks ago.

Ok so I get back from my cruise on Friday to find out that yes, we know what church to go and what time. Wow, well at least we know two days before the wedding instead of the day before. I mean these people couldn't even send out an evite so we know what is up? Then the attire question is asked. Fiance says, he doesn't think guys will be wearing suits. What?? This is still a wedding, whether it's the 5th btwn the two of them or not. So we find out Sat night that no, guys aren't wearing suits. I ask, is the groom, my fiance can't answer that.

And wedding day is here. We pull up, I'm overdressed. I am wearing a navy blue dress with white polka dots, a white cardigan and navy blue low wedges. AND I'M OVERDRESSED!! The groom does have on a suit and the bride wore a tasteful cream suit (white white hose, but hey, I'll take what I can get).

The kids all look like they rolled out of bed, but with 5 combined, I guess just having them dressed is a blessing. The ceremony starts. Apparently no one told people where to sit. We have bride people on the groom side, groom people on the bride's side and the kids run back and forth in the front row during the ceremony. The bride actually cries during the ceremony (which is ironic to me, she's done this 2 other times, she's got it down.)

Ah the reception, we head over to their new we-can't-afford-this-but-we-bought-it-to-look-classy house for the "reception." We are all supposed to sit outside under a tent. WHAT?? It's November. It's cold and windy! For food they have frozen shrimp, ham sandwiches (helloo, what if eating pork is against your religion?) meatballs, chicken nuggets, fruit and crackers and dip. Not too bad, if you don't mind sharing with the 50 other people. I don't think they ran out of food, but I didn't chance going back. Then the cake. They actually had a wedding cake. Unfortunately you could see the cake through the icing and it tasted like cardboard. Oh and did I mention that the kids and groom have all changed into jeans at this point? Yep they're running around the backyard kicking balls and throwing toys.

The funniest part was the bride looks at the tent and goes "Oh where where will I and husband sit?" Helloo, you don't have enough seating for everyone? And I thoroughly enjoyed the CD on the boom box that kept being repeated over and over. Thankfully no one danced and it was just background.

Oh and they ran out of soda. Lots of beer, some wine, but no water, no punch, and no soda. You all have 5 kids and no regular drinks?

But hey, there wasn't a riot, they're married and come next October they'll be my brother and sister in-law.

[FSUZeta]

good one!! now i'll have to cruise over to the christmas present thread to see what you decided to do.

[LegallyBrunette]

Okay, I thought I had been to some awful weddings, but these are priceless!

My contribution:

A few summers ago, my (now ex) boyfriend and I attended the wedding of one his childhood/hs/college friends. The ex was a groomsman and his mother was also invited since they had been friends for such a long time. The wedding was held at a beautiful old church and the reception was held at a historic home in downtown Portsmouth, NH, about a half-mile away. The ceremony was nice enough, nothing really to note.

BUT, after the ceremony, it was announced that since there wasn't any parking at the reception site, all guests were expected to walk in a procession behind the bride & groom, who would be travelling in a horse drawn carriage. Had it just been the ex and I, this wouldn't have been a problem, but his mother was recently recovering from foot surgery, so walking that far was totally out of the question. The compromise, I would drive her enormous SUV through the winding, cobblestone streets of the city, drop her off, then walk myself. My ex didn't feel he could skip the bizarre processional, since he was a part of the wedding party.

It was a bit of an adventure to get my ex's mother all dropped off--I drive a tiny car and nearly took off side view mirrors a few times, then walk the half mile alone in stilettos. I was slightly annoyed by the time I got to the wedding and only become moreso, when I got there and realized the only food being served was a sweaty wheel of brie and some wilted grapes (trust me, money was NO object for these two).

It doesn't often get over 90 in NH, but on this day it did, and not anticipating the hordes of thirsty and hungry guests, the reception site ran out of water and soda, leaving beer and sangria as the only beverage options. To recap: that's 90 degree heat, no food, no water, lots of booze. Amazing combination and my ex refused to be anyone other than the last guest to leave since he was a groomsman (did I mention he's my EX?) Needless to say, I was not in any condition to drive home that night, but totally not in a fun way. Instead, I, along with most of the other guests, was disgustingly dehydrated, sweaty, hungry, and sporting some nasty blisters from my 1/2 mile walk in stilettos.

And I never got a thank you note for my gift.

[Still BLUTANG]

another example of cute ideas that don't work in the real world.

we had a procession when my old roommate got married, but this was at a resort. it was fun but my fee hurt and we just walked from the grand entry to the gazeebo (2 minute walk).