Weddings are supposed to be fun. However, a few traditions are more fun for the couple themselves than the people watching, even when they don’t admit it. We asked our readers to tell us about the wedding traditions they dread & here are thirteen moments that they can’t stand. Which one do you never want to sit through again?
The long receiving line
That’s not all for lines. After the ceremony, there’s usually a queue of people who are waiting to simply say “Congratulations” to the couple. This line takes ages.
It’s even worse when each conversation becomes a chance to catch up & share details about your life with the newlyweds. The food’s gone, and the drinks are warm by the time it’s over.
The garter removal
Almost every wedding has a moment when the lights dim & the music slows down. Now, everyone knows what’s going to happen. It’s the garter removal.
During this moment, the grandparents look away, and so do many other guests in a form of collective cringe. It may be a tradition. Yet many readers said they felt so uncomfortable the whole time it was going on.
The bouquet toss
The bouquet toss should be playful. Unfortunately, several readers described it as being more of a competitive sport during the wedding than anything sweet. The single guests get dragged to the floor & someone usually drops a drink.
One reader actually told us that the bride had to throw the bouquet twice. Why? Because the first catch didn’t look good enough in the photos.
The dollar dance
Oh, the dollar dance. It’s the time of the wedding when guests pay some money to the newlyweds, usually around a dollar, to dance with them. You can give the money directly or pin the note onto either the bride’s or groom’s clothing.
But a few readers told us how much they hate this part. They really don’t enjoy having to wait half an hour to hand over some cash & shuffle for thirty seconds with the newlyweds. It’s harmless in theory. But it feels like a waste of time in practice.
The shoe game
It starts off funny. The couple sits back-to-back & has to answer questions like who’s the better cook or who’s messier. They raise their own shoes to answer, and it’s fun at first. But then the interrogation never stops.
Several readers said that the weddings they went to stretched the game past 20 questions, and that they could actually see people checking their watches. It’s fun for the couple, but not really for anybody else.
The extended photo break
Once the ceremony ends, the couple disappears & everyone else has to wander around in dress shoes. What are they supposed to do?
In some cases, a few guests admitted they had to wait for over an hour while the happy couple had pictures done somewhere else. They had to get really good at small talk, just to pass the time.
The clinking-for-kisses interruptions
A couple of clinks & a quick kiss is oh-so-adorable. Then it just keeps happening. A few readers said that the whole thing became a constant chorus of glass tapping every few minutes, forcing servers to wait. The DJ also couldn’t start the next song. Eventually, everyone became exhausted trying to keep up with the noise.
The centerpiece game
Giving away flowers should be easy. But it’s not so simple when it becomes a competition that involves napkin towers & trivia questions.
In fact, one reader spoke about how they had to spin a bottle to pick a “winner,” and that really annoyed them. Can’t they just give the flowers away and be done?
The cake smash
While the cake smash may be fun, there’s often one couple who takes the idea of feeding each other cake a little too far. A reader told us a story of how the frosting went flying during one wedding that they went to.
Yes, sleeves & suits, even the dance floor, apparently weren’t safe. Such an idea is far messier than it is cute.
The forced group dances
The first round of a group dance is fun. But once we’ve done the Cha-Cha Slide & YMCA, even the most enthusiastic of guests look tired.
A few readers said they’ve been to weddings where this celebration drags on for over 10 minutes. Everyone else has to stand around waiting for the regular music to start again, if it ever does.
The anniversary dance
Couples leave the dance floor based on how long they’ve been married. What could be wrong with that? Well, it kills the mood for starters, and a few readers told us that guests have to sit & watch strangers slow dance for several songs.
The DJ then needs to reset the crowd again when it’s done. That takes just as long.
The sparkler exit
Photos of sparkler exits look incredible online. It’s a different story in real life. Readers told us they waited outside holding lit sparklers, only for them to wait again after the couple went inside for a redo.
The bar shuts down & drinks go flat. It’s inevitable that someone burns a finger while they’re all waiting.
The ring warming
The ring warming has the couple pass their wedding rings around the room. Everyone gets to “warm” the rings by giving them good wishes before the newlyweds say their vows, and it sounds quite touching.
However, some readers said they disliked how long it takes. A few guests hold onto the ring for too long & others feel awkward about it since they’re not sure what to do. The whole ceremony stops while this is going on.
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12 U.S. Wedding Traditions That Leave Europeans Scratching Their Heads
