As you and your future spouse are imagining your special day, chances are you’re envisioning everything as picture perfect. The wedding party looks gorgeous and radiant, the music is emotive and lovely, you both get through your vows without stumbling, the food is amazing and the cake is a delectable work of art. Unfortunately, an unruly guest can quickly make things go horribly south. Taking a few steps beforehand, as well as working out a backup plan for the day of your nuptials, can help prevent or derail a disastrous outcome.
Take a Hard Look at Your Guest List
When you’re reviewing your guest list, you might already have a sense about who could potentially cause unneeded drama. You may feel pressured to invite these individuals anyway, especially if they are family members. These could include people who object to your union, a narcissistic parent or an abusive relative. Nevertheless, your happiness is paramount, and you are not obligated to have them present at your wedding. Ariel Meadow Stallings at Offbeat Bride offers some helpful suggestions for dealing with this issue. Be firm, and provide a simple and short explanation if you're asked why you're not inviting the person in question. Furthermore, don’t allow anyone to cajole you into changing your mind.
Alcoholic Family and Friends Present Additional Complexities
While the behavior of alcoholic loved ones can certainly be harmful and destructive, keep in mind that they may be struggling with the challenges of overcoming their addiction and remaining sober. Moreover, the possible consequences for them go far beyond simple social embarrassment, as they may engage in risky actions that could lead to harm for themselves or others. Taking important precautions might avoid the negative aftereffects of a ruined wedding, as well as save their lives.
Thankfully, you have a few options at your disposal. One possible solution is to hold a dry reception and reserve celebratory drinks for you and your future spouse in private. If you’d rather not go with an alcohol-free affair, consider limiting how long your open bar is available, and give your bartender the heads-up about guests who might overindulge. You could also ask a friend to stick close to any loved ones dealing with alcohol addiction during the festivities, as the additional company and accountability may help them stay sober and out of trouble. Finally, be ready with the phone number of a reliable taxi service and don’t hesitate to call them for an inebriated friend or family member.
Use Seating Arrangements and Plainclothes Security to Your Advantage
If you can’t or don’t want to back out of inviting potentially problematic friends or relatives, you have other ways to ensure your event is as drama-free as possible. Writer Elizabeth Mitchell offered some vital hints in a 2014 Bride article, such as seating people acrimonious to each other as far apart as possible. Additionally, mixing in plainclothes security masquerading as wedding guests may help keep things under control should someone get too rowdy. If you’re using a wedding planner, let him or her know so he or she can make these arrangements for you. Finally, have a deadline for reservations and prepare a detailed seating chart and guest list. If you do this, it will be much easier for your planner or security to show an unwelcome interloper the door.
Let Your Special Day Be Memorable for the Right Reasons
Depending on your social circles, there’s always a chance that you could have an unruly guest at your wedding. Try narrowing down your guest list, crafting a strategy to deal with drunk attendees, carefully planning your guest seating and adding unobtrusive security staff. These are some useful and proactive ways that will help ensure your special day is happy and memorable.
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