Image by Tatum Nelson.

Alright, let’s be honest. No matter how much time and energy you spend perfecting every single wedding detail, there’s always a variety of things that can still go wrong on the big day. From unexpected bad weather to running behind schedule, we’ve seen it all. But, lucky for you, we’ve got your back from start to finish. We’ve asked real wedding couples and Junebug readers what went wrong on their wedding day to help prep you for any unexpected speed bumps you might encounter. 

To ensure you’re set up for success no matter what happens, we’ve created the ultimate solutions guide for handling wedding emergencies. 

Image by Erin Fraser. See more of this real wedding here.

Dealing with Bad Weather on Your Wedding Day 

What went wrong: Unexpected bad weather 

“We were expecting warm sunny weather on our wedding day, so we didn’t feel the need to make an alternative plan. Unfortunately, it poured the entire day and was extremely frustrating.”

Solution: Have a Plan B 

Weather is unpredictable, Junebug readers. Even if you’re expecting sunny blue skies, it’s always important to have a plan B. Work with your wedding planner ahead of time to create an alternative strategy in case the weather doesn’t go according to plan, especially for those hosting an outdoor celebration. This way, you won’t have to scramble to make any last-minute decisions or tweaks, eliminating any stress on your wedding day. Instead, your wedding planner will have a well-thought-out plan ready to roll, handling all those last-minute adjustments like a pro. 

If you’re having an outdoor wedding, have an alternative indoor venue or have extra tents ready and available. If you’re having an outdoor summer wedding where you might experience extreme heat, have fans ready for you and your guests. These are just a few examples of things you should consider before your big day.

Recommended Reading: A Guide to Planning For Rain on Your Wedding Day

Image by Rolling Portraits.

How Junebug Readers Deal With Technical Difficulties  

What went wrong: The ceremony video didn’t save 

“The recording of our ceremony didn’t save.” 

Solution: Hire a videographer 

Recording the ceremony yourself can save you a lot of money. But it can also lead to accidents like your recording not saving, having you lose those once-in-a-lifetime moments. Our top priority is making sure you have no regrets after your wedding day. That’s why we think hiring a wedding videographer is a must. 

You won’t regret investing in a videographer. They’ll be able to capture special moments in an artistic, high-quality way and keep your footage safe so “oopsie” moments like this don’t happen. 

Junebug Readers Having Wardrobe Malfunctions  

What went wrong: The dress didn’t fit 

“My dress didn’t fit the day of. Luckily, I had bought two, and the backup did fit.” 

Solution: Be intentional at your fitting 

Odds are you started your dress search early in the wedding planning process. A lot can change in those months leading up to your wedding. That’s why it’s so important to be intentional while wedding dress shopping and during your fittings. When it comes to shopping, make sure you’re asking the professionals all of your questions. What’s the flexibility of the fabric? What’s the turnaround time for any alterations? Can last-minute alterations be done? 

It’s also vital to listen to their suggestions when it comes to sizing. Wedding dress sizes are typically wildly different from your normal clothes (we know, it doesn’t make sense), and consultants will take your measurements and compare it to a designer’s sizing chart to ensure that you choose a dress that will fit. It’s safer to order a dress that’s too big that you can take in rather than go smaller. Taking a dress in is far easier than letting it out.

When it’s time for alterations, you’ll want to make sure you plan your fittings are close enough to the wedding day while also giving yourself ample time for last-minute alterations if need be. This is why it’s suggested to order your wedding gown at least 8-10 months before your big day.

Now, these are ways to prevent this problem ahead of time. But what if you wake up on your wedding day and the dress doesn’t fit? First, don’t panic. Second, don’t feel bad—our bodies are always changing. It’s a part of being human. Start by getting help from at least two loved ones: one who holds the dress in place and one who can work the zipper. If the fit is close, try zipping a little bit at a time. This will allow your dress to adjust to your body and potentially loosen up.

If this slow and steady method doesn’t work, there are other options. Depending on the issue, you can use temporary solutions like safety pins or fashion tape to make minor adjustments, wearing shapewear, or considering rocking a cover-up to mask the fit issues. 

Image by Derek Wong Photography. See more of this real wedding here.

What went wrong: My veil fell off during the ceremony 

“My dad walked me down the aisle, walked into my veil, and accidentally pulled it off.” 

Solution: Talk to your hairstylist ahead of time about your veil 

You want to rock a wedding veil, but are afraid it will fall off the second you walk down the aisle. We’ve seen this happen countless times, especially when brides or their loved ones secure the veil themselves. Securing your veil properly is crucial to ensure that it stays in place, and the best person to do that is your hairstylist—you hire them for a reason, so take advantage of their experience. 

Before your wedding day, send a photo of your veil to your hairstylist so they can plan accordingly. And if you want that special photo of your mother or best friend putting your veil on for you, make sure your hairstylist walks them through how to properly secure it. 

Wedding Guests and Furry Friends 

What went wrong: Furry friends going crazy

“Our furry friend stole the show on our wedding day! Our dog couldn’t contain his excitement and decided to take an impromptu dive into the artificial pond at the venue. It was a hilarious surprise that had everyone cracking up.” 

Solution: Have a designated pet sitter 

We love it when couples include their furry friends on the wedding day. But with all the built-up excitement and sea of familiar faces, they’ll be ready to run crazy. That’s why you should choose one of your family or wedding party members, maybe even a guest, as the designated pet sitter. They’ll be in charge of transporting the animals to your venue, keeping them calm during the ceremony, and transporting them home after the portraits. 

Image by Nomad by NK. See more of this real wedding here.

What went wrong: Wedding crashers 

“We actually had wedding crashers! We have always heard about this but didn’t know if it really happens. We can indeed verify it does! There was a sign outside Citizen Vinyl that said “Closed for Private Event,” yet there were two (what appeared to be tourists) that waltzed into our reception, proceeded to visit the pretzel cart, and began shoving pretzels in their mouths.”

Solution: Designate helpers

Dealing with wedding crashers can be an uncomfortable situation, and these Junebug readers are proof. To try and keep random people from wandering into your celebration, make sure you have wedding signage at the entrance. But if those wedding crashers are still gutsy enough to enter, make sure you have designated helpers. That could be security, venue staff, or your wedding planner.  

Food and Beverage Issues

What went wrong: Food accommodations weren’t accounted for 

“Since we had a buffet, we didn’t ask for everyone’s food preferences. This meant we weren’t aware of any food accommodations—religious or allergy accommodations were not properly accounted for.” 

Solution: Ask for food preferences and have options 

Yes, even if you’re having a buffet at your wedding, you should ask for food preferences from your guests. When creating your wedding website or sending out wedding invitations for guests to RSVP, add a section where they can note their dietary preferences and restrictions. This will also prevent any unexpected allergic reactions. 

Image by Memorelle. See more of this real wedding here.

Timeline Challenges 

What went wrong: Ceremony alter didn’t arrive on time  

“Our ceremony altar did not arrive until moments before our ceremony. It was placed on the wrong delivery truck, and if you know anything about traffic in LA on a Friday evening, it is truly a miracle the alter even arrived at our venue.”

Solution: Reuse your reception decor 

When uncontrollable delays happen, you have no choice but to pivot. So, if the clock is ticking and you’re still waiting on your ceremony altar, consider reusing your reception decor. You can use your centerpieces to line the aisle. You can even use your sweetheart table backdrop as your ceremony backdrop.

Unfortunately, no matter how much you plan, some of these hiccups are just inevitable. These Junebug readers are proof. So, now that you have all the solutions to some of the most common wedding day problems, you’re missing only one thing—an incredible wedding planner. 

Having a trusted expert by your side is key to a stress-free planning journey and for a wedding day that runs smoothly. And if you’re not yet convinced, you will be after hearing why skipping out on hiring a planner isn’t a good move.

Image by The Martins Photography. See more of this real wedding here.