5 Wedding Reception Emergencies And How to Fix Them
Let's level set on this: there is no such thing as a perfect reception. Seriously, among all the moving parts there is bound to be at least one small snag over the course of the evening. To be honest, those are usually the funniest memories to tell for the next 50 years. So whether your BFF drips on your dress, or your brother loses his speech, you won't even break a sweat.
When Red Wine Stains Your Dress
This is surprisingly quick and easy to fix using items from the bar! Ask the bartender for salt, club soda, a black napkin - and your next drink. This will only take a minute.
Tip: Before wetting your dress, pour salt over the stain. The salt will absorb the excess wine and start pulling the stain away from the fabric. Then wet a black cloth napkin (it won't leave paper residue or white "fuzzies" on your little black dress) with club soda and dab lightly at the stain in a circular motion. Do not rub! Rubbing only spreads the wine and deepens the stain.
This is surprisingly quick and easy to fix using items from the bar! Ask the bartender for salt, club soda, a black napkin - and your next drink. This will only take a minute.
Tip: Before wetting your dress, pour salt over the stain. The salt will absorb the excess wine and start pulling the stain away from the fabric. Then wet a black cloth napkin (it won't leave paper residue or white "fuzzies" on your little black dress) with club soda and dab lightly at the stain in a circular motion. Do not rub! Rubbing only spreads the wine and deepens the stain.
When You Can't Find the Venue
If you're directionally challenged like me, you stick to Uber or provided transportation. Unfortunately, you can't always depend on technology to save the day.
I was once a bridesmaid in a mountain wedding in the mountains. Maps couldn't even find the scenic town where my friend chose to tie the knot! I suddenly realized all the trees started to look the same. And I was dangerously close to missing the first dance.
You CAN figure this out! Do NOT text the bride or groom that you're running late. There's no reason to stress them out with your status update.
Instead, take a breath and call a local. Pick up the phone and call a wedding attendee who lives or used to live in that town. Or stop in a local shop – a gas station, a diner, a boutique. Odds are they'll be able to walk you through where to turn and how to get back on track.
If you're directionally challenged like me, you stick to Uber or provided transportation. Unfortunately, you can't always depend on technology to save the day.
I was once a bridesmaid in a mountain wedding in the mountains. Maps couldn't even find the scenic town where my friend chose to tie the knot! I suddenly realized all the trees started to look the same. And I was dangerously close to missing the first dance.
You CAN figure this out! Do NOT text the bride or groom that you're running late. There's no reason to stress them out with your status update.
Instead, take a breath and call a local. Pick up the phone and call a wedding attendee who lives or used to live in that town. Or stop in a local shop – a gas station, a diner, a boutique. Odds are they'll be able to walk you through where to turn and how to get back on track.
When Your Friend is Overserved
Don't worry, it happens to the best of us. The worst thing to do in this situation is let an overserved guest stress out the happy couple.
If your friend is tearing up the dance floor (not in a good way), do them a favor and get them home. Best case scenario: you order an Uber on your phone, type in their destination, and watch your app to make sure they make it back safely. Worst case: you tuck them in bed and head back to the party! Either way, the bride is none the wiser (and your friend has fewer regrets in the morning).
Don't worry, it happens to the best of us. The worst thing to do in this situation is let an overserved guest stress out the happy couple.
If your friend is tearing up the dance floor (not in a good way), do them a favor and get them home. Best case scenario: you order an Uber on your phone, type in their destination, and watch your app to make sure they make it back safely. Worst case: you tuck them in bed and head back to the party! Either way, the bride is none the wiser (and your friend has fewer regrets in the morning).
When The Power Goes Out
We can pull out all the stops for these wedding receptions, but sometimes God has other plans. Don't let a terrible storm put a wet blanket on your party!
If the power goes out, have the wedding or event coordinator contact the building manager. In the meantime, gather round the candle centerpieces and tell the band to switch into acoustic mode. If that's not an option, light whatever candles are available and encourage "open mic" speeches for the bride and groom. Grab a glass of wine and keep the toasts going with marriage advice, wedding guests' favorite memories with the couple, and best wishes for a long and happy life together. At the end of day, this will probably be your sweetest memory from the reception.
We can pull out all the stops for these wedding receptions, but sometimes God has other plans. Don't let a terrible storm put a wet blanket on your party!
If the power goes out, have the wedding or event coordinator contact the building manager. In the meantime, gather round the candle centerpieces and tell the band to switch into acoustic mode. If that's not an option, light whatever candles are available and encourage "open mic" speeches for the bride and groom. Grab a glass of wine and keep the toasts going with marriage advice, wedding guests' favorite memories with the couple, and best wishes for a long and happy life together. At the end of day, this will probably be your sweetest memory from the reception.
When You Lost Your Wedding Speech
You were already nervous to give a toast – and now you've lost your notes!
Here's a quick fix: open the "notes" section in your phone and start typing out what you remember. Ask the rest of the wedding party for their favorite memories with the bride and groom or their favorite thing about the bride.
Start your speech with your favorites, then fill in the blanks with everyone else's. Close your toast with a line like, "For these reasons – and so many more – we all know you two are meant to be. Raise a glass to a lifetime of love for the bride and groom. We love you so much!"
And just like that – the reception was flawless! And the bride will never know the difference.
Madeline Littrell is a corporate PR strategist and freelance writer. Born and raised in the South, she loves big hair, country music, and chicken fingers. Madeline plans to spend Valentine's Day in Dallas with her Sheltie puppy, Tennessee.
You were already nervous to give a toast – and now you've lost your notes!
Here's a quick fix: open the "notes" section in your phone and start typing out what you remember. Ask the rest of the wedding party for their favorite memories with the bride and groom or their favorite thing about the bride.
Start your speech with your favorites, then fill in the blanks with everyone else's. Close your toast with a line like, "For these reasons – and so many more – we all know you two are meant to be. Raise a glass to a lifetime of love for the bride and groom. We love you so much!"
And just like that – the reception was flawless! And the bride will never know the difference.
Madeline Littrell is a corporate PR strategist and freelance writer. Born and raised in the South, she loves big hair, country music, and chicken fingers. Madeline plans to spend Valentine's Day in Dallas with her Sheltie puppy, Tennessee.