Avoiding Wedding Disasters

From Booze to Bad Deejays: Heading off potential wedding day disasters

When it comes to bumps in the road, you don’t have to be caught entirely off-guard. Here are a few examples of some potential obstacles, and how to deal with them.

A real boozer

 We’ve invited a relative that drinks like a fish – and she gets really obnoxious when she’s had few. We’re afraid she’s going to get out of control.
Since you can’t go and uninvite her, you should take some precautions. First, have a relative or friend keep an eye on her. Secondly, inform your bartender beforehand about this woman so he can monitor her alcohol intake. Have him substitute non-alcoholic coolers or beer if her drinking gets out of hand.
 One of our guests had too much too drink. When we noticed her wobbling across the lawn, we informed the bartender, and he began substituting wine coolers with virgin coolers. She didn’t even notice the difference. Another important point: Make sure the woman - or any other liquored up guests - isn’t planning on driving home. Offer up a taxi.

Speaking of spirits

We’re having 50 guests, and we’re really not sure how much booze to buy. We really don’t want to run out, but we also don’t want to buy too much and have it go to waste.
Check out the handy liquor calculator at  http://www.lcbo.com. Darin and I ended up buying more alcohol than we needed because we didn’t want to be short on spirits. We found out from the store beforehand that we could return any unopened bottles of alcohol, so we weren’t worried about it going to waste.

Bad tunes

A friend of ours was disappointed by her wedding deejay. He played a bunch of songs they didn’t like, even though they told him the style of music they enjoyed. We don’t want that to happen to us.
When you meet with your deejay, find out if he’s willing to play only the songs you request. If so, give him a song list and be very specific. Another option is to burn CD’s and have a friend or relative handle the music for the night. That’s what we did, and it worked out great.

Photographer’s a jerk

A friend of mine recommended a wedding photographer. Although I really like his work, I really can’t stand his personality. In fact, he gives me the creeps. I’m not sure what to do, because his photographs really are wonderful.
Think long and hard about this one. Do you really want to spend your wedding day with someone that makes the hair on your neck stand at end? You’ll be spending plenty of time with him, and he might end up making you miserable. If you’re willing to sacrifice your wedding day bliss for some great photos, go for it. Otherwise, keep searching. There are plenty of talented photographers out there - ones that you’ll actually like.

Grub for kids

We’re inviting young children to the wedding, but we don’t think they’ll be crazy about the seafood dinner we have planned. We don’t want to waste $75 a plate if they’re not going to eat the food.
Instead of having the kids eat what everyone else is eating, have your caterer make up a pizza or some chicken fingers. You’ll save money, and the kids won’t have to pick at a meal they don’t like. 

Flowers in the sun

We’re having an outdoor wedding and the weather forecast says it will be 90 degrees that day. I’m afraid my flowers are going to wilt in the heat.
Have your maid of honor or another trusted ally carry around a bucket to put all of the wedding bouquets into when not in use, and also use a misting bottle on the flowers. Both will help to keep your flowers looking fresh. Also consider using a floral holder containing floral foam. Floral foam will maintain the moisture in the flower stems. Lastly, you might want to avoid flowers that are more fragile in the heat include roses, stephanotis and delphinium.

Out damn spot

My girlfriend spilled tomato sauce on her dress at her reception. The entire night she had to walk around with a red stain above her boob. I don’t want stains to be part of my wedding day.
Have some Shout wipes handy. I kept a package in my purse in case of emergencies. Luckily, I didn’t need them.

Godzilla breath

At the last wedding I attended, the groom’s breath was positively toxic. Every time he got close to me, I had to back up a few feet. The last thing I want at my wedding is chronic halitosis.
You can bet that at your wedding you’ll be face to face with many a soul. Not only will you be up close and personal with your partner, you’re guests will be near you, offering their congratulations. Hence, there will be no better time in your life to keep a handy package of mints, breath spray or chewing gum in your pocket or purse.

Can’t sleep

Whenever I get excited, I have trouble sleeping. I don’t know how I’m going to get any sleep the night before my wedding.
I got a total of three hours sleep before my wedding. I tried having a couple of beverages to calm me down. Didn’t work. Then, on the advice of my maid of honor, I had a glass of warm milk. An hour or so after that I finally got some sleep. What I discovered is that wedding day adrenaline is much more potent than caffeine. I didn’t feel tired at all on my wedding day – at least not until my head hit the pillow at the hotel later that night. So, don’t worry too much about not getting enough sleep. There have been many a bride and groom that has pulled a pre-wedding day all-nighter.