Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Wedding Day Disasters by Sarah Raplee

  

The potential for disasters to occur at important events like weddings is almost limitless. I like to collect ideas to add drama, tragedy, humor, miracles or magic to wedding scenes. 

Using weather-related disasters is a time-honored tradition based on real-life events. For example, I missed my real college graduation in Texas because of a tornado. Depending on where your fictional wedding is taking place, a tornado might be used to add drama or humor to your story. 

Pets at weddings are a growing trend. I learned of a wedding where the bride and groom wanted their two dogs to act as ring bearers. Unfortunately, the dogs freaked out. A chase ensued and...I'll leave the rest to your imagination. 

My husband once caught his sweater on fire while lighting candles at a birthday party in a Chinese restaurant. Small children burst into tears as I doused him with water from my glass. Luckily the fire spread across the loose surface fibers and was quickly extinguished, so he didn't get burned, but fifteen years later those kids still talk about Grandpa catching on fire at the restaurant!

Bridal gown disasters, tuxes that are the wrong size, mixed-up reception deliveries, pregnant brides going into labor...Let your imagination run free!

Have you experienced a 'disaster' at an important event?

5 comments:

Judith Ashley said...

OMG! Chuck caught fire!!! I'd still be talking about it also. What comes first to mind is our priest's dachshund, Gertie, got into a box of Christmas chocolates which she then puked up all over other wrapped gifts, carpet, etc. More than 15 years ago - more like 30 but I've always checked where people and animal "treats" are during the holidays.

Sarah Raplee said...

You could certainly use that as inspiration for a wedding disaster, especially now that having pets in the wedding party is a popular option. Thank you for stopping by, Judith.

Luanna Stewart said...

My aunt fell down the stairs while leaving her wedding reception, in front of everyone who'd gathered to wish them well and toss confetti. The wedding was beautiful, the reception was held at an old family lodge, gorgeous, perfect day - but we all most remember Carol falling on her butt. Thank goodness she had, and has, a great sense of humour.

Maggie Lynch said...

Those "disasters" do make it memorable which I guess is better than no memory at all. :) I do have a story that was a small disaster. My first marriage, back in 1977, was in a church. Just as I started down the aisle and the organist was playing "Here Comes the Bride" the organ died. Literally, it stopped working. I walked down the aisle in silence.

Of course, that made the reception filled with all kinds of colorful jokes from college friends asking my husband "how is the organ?" And our car had it also marked on it for all to see as we drove away. I was just 21 and out of college and found those kind of references very embarrassing, as I grew up in a household where no one ever made reference to the fact that anyone had sex. However, for the five years of that marriage it did make for great ongoing conversations.

Diana McCollum said...

Interesting blog post and coments!