Common wedding emergencies and how to handle them

Every wedding includes hundreds of details. With so many big and small factors being part of this special day, there is a probability of at least one thing going against the plan. From vendors and bridesmaids to guests and family, there are so many people involved. Although you are in charge, these several others have to all co-operate to make your wedding happen.

This is one of the reasons why couples hire wedding planners. They come with a lot of experience in planning weddings. They have already seen their fair share of problems, and know the quickest fix to all of them. Unfortunately, if you do not have a wedding planner on board, it is all up to you to make sure everything progresses smoothly.

Definitely brace yourself for a wedding emergency or two on the day. Prepare yourself in advance for every likely situation and you can still enjoy your big day despite any drama that unfolds.

Here is a compilation of the different likely glitches that happen at weddings. Fear not, for we have the solutions too. Although we advise you to read through the possible situations and prepare yourself with plans, remember that this is not to stress you out further. Keep those wedding jitters at bay, because forewarned is forearmed!

Is that a pimple?

Call it wrong timing, but zits do appear when you least expect them. Lack of sleep, proper nutrition, and stress will all contribute to pimples that pop up close to the wedding day. If it is just a small pimple, it is best to conceal it with makeup. Before you apply makeup, put ice on the zit. This will reduce the size, redness and puffiness. Then cover it up with a smooth coat of concealer and then apply foundation. Don’t disturb the pimple too much and it will heal quickly.

The child attendants go on strike

Even the most well-behaved children may refuse to don the role of ring bearer or flower girl at the last moment. Some children dread the idea of walking down the aisle by themselves when there are onlookers. Or in the case of a younger child, he or she may feel tired, hungry, or sleepy. Prepare yourself for such a scenario when you decide to have children in your ceremony. If the child is frightened and refuses, you can ask one of her parents or a bridesmaid to escort her. If the child is too tired or fussy, think carefully about whether it is better to cancel the child’s role or proceed with it. It is better to prepare for such a situation in advance, so the child is comfortable and ready for the ceremony.

Wedding dress disasters

Your clear, white wedding dress, as beautiful as it is, is an invitation for disaster. So, take extra care once you are in it. Here are some of the likely issues you may face and the solutions to each of them.

Makeup stains: On a day when you have to wear makeup, there is every chance of it staining your gown. To avoid this, complete your makeup before you change into your dress, and then step into the gown without letting it brush against your face.

Should any makeup stain your dress, immediately blot the area with a towel? Don’t rub it at all. Use white chalk or talcum powder to cover up the stain as much as possible.

• Oil stain: This could happen during the reception, when oil from your plate may drip onto your wedding dress. Don’t worry. Simply dab on some talcum powder onto the stain and let it set. It will soak up the moisture and the stain will disappear.
• Wine stain: Soak up the wine from the dress with a blotting paper or cotton towel. Once you get it out, sprinkle talcum powder or chalk on the stain. Send the dress to the dry cleaners soon after the wedding, and they can prevent the stain from setting.
• Ink: Tackle ink stains quickly with hairspray or rubbing alcohol. Spray it on the area and rub it off with a clean white cloth.
• Ripped gown or veil: Use safety pins, super glue or double-sided tape and attack the problem, based on what is most effective in the situation. Safety pins can hold buttons in place as well as attach torn pieces of fabric. If you have enough time and someone in your bridal party can quickly cover the damage with a thread and needle, ask for their assistance in restoring your gown.

Since your white wedding dress is very prone to stains, make sure you carry an emergency kit with all these essentials. You can then address the problem without delay rather than wait for the supplies. Either set up your own wedding emergency kit with the help of this article or buy a complete emergency kit like the one here. 

Who is that arguing?

Tempers may soar and there is scope for heated arguments when different personalities come together at a wedding. Such a scenario isn’t pleasant for the couple, or the guests. So, don’t wait for an argument to settle on its own. Interrupt with a suitable distraction. Have a member of the wedding party split up the two people in the discussion with a good excuse. Make sure that they sit separately and don’t cross paths afterward, so decorum is restored.

Rain, rain, won’t it ever go away? 

When you plan an outdoor wedding in spring or summer, there is every chance for a sudden shower. You should always have a Plan B in case Mother Nature decides to pour over your wedding. An alternate venue as backup is a wise option. Either have a tent or an indoor hall that you can quickly shift to if needed. You should also arrange umbrellas at the venue for your guests to use in case of a light shower. You can always continue with plans as long as there isn’t heavy rainfall and provided nobody is becoming wet. Or if you are a good sport, you can even enjoy the rain and make it a part of your wedding scenery. Just like these couples did! 

Your makeup melts in the heat

A definite risk at outdoor weddings. So, if your nuptials are at an open-air venue, make sure you use waterproof makeup on the day. Instruct your makeup artist to use cosmetics that won’t smudge or run when you are outdoors. If you are doing your makeup yourself, invest in good quality waterproof makeup and stay away from oil-based foundations. Before you apply makeup, it is a good idea to drag ice over your skin. This will close off the pores and improve the chances of your makeup staying put.

Unexpected plus-ones

It is nothing short of a nightmare when your single friends turn up with the company, and you do not expect it. Inconsiderate that this may seem, it is still up to you to accommodate them in some way. Contact your caterer and the venue decorator, and ask them to get you extra chairs and plates of food. Unless the number is more than what you imagined, don’t worry too much about it. Don’t fret over how you would have to alter the entire seating arrangement for this purpose. Simply put them on a table where you can squeeze in an extra chair.

It looks like someone is about to faint at the altar

For some people, the pressure of walking down the aisle is more than you can imagine. Unless it is the bride or groom, it isn’t a big problem if someone at the wedding party is feeling faint. Remember the emergency kit we mentioned about earlier? Have some smelling salts in it for this reason. These will alleviate the dizzy and nauseating feeling and help the person bounce back to normal. In any case, ask the person to sit down and relax, and continue with your wedding on schedule unless there is a medical emergency.

What to do if someone is giving an inappropriate or unending speech at the reception

Not everyone hides from raising a toast at the wedding. In fact, there are few people who eagerly look forward to speaking more than just a few words. Unless it is an unending speech or an inappropriate one that sounds embarrassing, there is no issue. If you notice the speech progress in the wrong direction and your guests are bored or shocked, it is a good idea to get your Maid of Honor or Best Man to regain control of the situation. They can slowly interrupt to create a quick distraction, and ask for music. If you have a DJ, he ought to help you out in such a situation. With previous experience, he will have a good idea of how to break up the speech and get the party back on.

Your bridesmaid is late

When you pick bridesmaids, make sure they are reliable and responsible women. This way you needn’t stress over them on your wedding day. In case you have a friend who is a regular late-comer, prepare in advance. Ask your maid of honour to take charge, and make sure she has everything in place and on time. Or you can send reminders to her, so she doesn’t miss out on anything she should complete. On the day of the wedding, give her a call just in case she forgets or is likely to slog. When a bridesmaid is late, it is best to ask the rest of the girls to help her dress up on time.

The DJ plays songs you do not like

Always share your favourite song list as well as a list of the songs that shouldn’t be played at your reception. This will allow your DJ or band to prepare for the event. Nevertheless, it is possible that he still picks a song that you do not like, but have missed adding to the list. Avoid this from continuing by designating a wedding party that will tell the DJ when the couple does not appreciate this song. Inform the DJ in advance about who this person is. This will avoid any confusion when the person you designate for the job walks up to him and tells him to halt.

Last-minute vendor cancellation

Make sure you read your vendor contracts carefully and clarify any likely gray areas. Explicitly ask about cancellations and last-minute emergencies. This will help you prepare in advance for the worst-case scenario. In any case, situations may occur when a cancellation is inevitable but the wedding must go on. First of all, check whether the vendor can still make it to the event or arrange for a replacement. If that is the case, slightly adjust the schedule to accommodate this change.

However, if it is an actual last-minute cancellation, it is best if you ask for assistance from the other vendors at your wedding. They will know many people in the wedding industry and may have the right contact who can handle the task at short notice. In any case, make sure that you have copies of the pictures and details of the plans you made so you can quickly help the new vendor understand your requirements. Also, be flexible with your demands. Go with what can be done at such short notice, then be unbending about what you want to have.

Besides these common problems, there are many other issues that can go wrong at a wedding. Nonetheless, the day must go on. Keep yourself cool and ready for any hassle, with the help of this article here. 

Visit Best for Bride to enjoy our interesting range of wedding services apart from every wedding-dress-related service for the bride. Check out our impressive inventory of designer wedding dresses and all that we have on offer by visiting our website here.