Your wedding day is the result of thoughtful planning, creativity, and excitement. And while it's designed to be unforgettable, it's also a live celebration filled with real moments. Occasionally, that means small surprises may pop up.
By: Meghan ElyFortunately, with a bit of preparation and the right support in place, these moments are easy to handle and rarely disrupt the day's joy. Here's how to prepare in advance so you can stay present and fully enjoy every part of your celebration.
Photo: Melani Lust Photography
"Confirm with vendors in advance and share a detailed timeline and contact list with them. Work with vendors who have a backup staff and have a planner managing arrivals and troubleshooting." —Alex Bovee, Vision in White Events
"As cliché as it sounds, prevention is always better than cure. Couples can prevent this by having a reliable planner. As one, I always travel with my own small emergency kit, which contains anything and everything we might need for minor issues, including plasters, tampons, safety pins, and sugar sweets in case of a diabetic episode. I also include stim toys and earplugs for neurodivergent children or babies. I also carry practical spares like candles, lighters, scissors, a sewing kit, and a steamer. I try to foresee what might be forgotten or what a destination couple might not be able to bring in their luggage." —Jillian Canney, Peach Perfect Weddings
"If you're having a tropical destination wedding in the Caribbean/Mexico, inclement weather can arise (especially during hurricane season), and cause an emergency where you may have to move your venue indoors. We recommend couples always have a backup venue should inclement weather arise." —Jen Avey, DestinationWeddings.com
"It is common for a glass to drop on the dance floor. It's so common that many caterers switch to plastic cups after the last course. As the night goes on, guests tend to remove uncomfortable shoes to keep dancing. The combination of bare feet and broken glass on the dance floor can be avoided. Besides asking your caterer to switch from glass to plastic, another way to help prevent your guests from taking a trip to the emergency room is to provide flip-flops for dancing once the dance floor opens." —Mary Angelini, Key Moment Films
"If something does go sideways, the best thing a couple can do is pause, breathe, and let their team handle it. Give your planner or trusted friend permission ahead of time to make decisions like moving the ceremony indoors, shifting the photo schedule, or calling in a rideshare for a stranded guest, etc., so you are not stuck fielding every question. Once the immediate issue is handled, just reset your mood, make a joke, or take a few minutes alone together to recoup. Weddings are better when you just embrace something going wrong instead of losing your cool." —Craig Peterman, Craig Peterman Photography
"There is nothing more special than the memories made with grandparents at weddings. However, elderly guests who may require special attention are overwhelmingly the most likely source of accidents and emergencies on your big day, and you do want to be sure they are cared for. By ensuring these guests have an identified caretaker who is specifically tasked with helping them attend your day in comfort, you can be a step ahead of any incidents. We also ask our couples to identify these older guests and their caretakers, plus any differently abled guests, with some specifics of any accommodations that need to be made, so we, as planners who see the event in its entirety, are ready and well-informed. This has helped us head off so many incidents and also ensure that everyone attending your event does so in comfort and safety." —Margaux Fraise, Harmony Creative Studio
"If possible, move your guests to a separate room so that the emergency does not become a spectacle, and it gives space to the professionals to address the medical emergency and the person who needs help. Once the emergency has been cleared, and the outlook of the person's well-being is positive, it is helpful to have someone in charge or the DJ address the situation on the mic, ease guests' minds, and have them refocus on celebrating the couple so that it's not an elephant in the room that everyone is worrying about." —Lauren Tankersley, 828 Venue Management Company
"The best way to remedy an emergency during the wedding is to delegate. Couples should not be the ones running around with duct tape or chasing down the florist. Hand the reins to your planner, coordinator, or a trusted friend who can quietly fix the issue while you keep sipping champagne. Recovery is about perspective, as guests will remember the joy, not the hiccup. If the power goes out, light candles and call it romantic. If the rain pours, embrace it with umbrellas and laughter. The trick is to pivot gracefully and keep the celebration moving forward. And you'll be surprised how great the photographs will be of you laughing through the chaos." —Amos Gott, AmosEvents
"Oftentimes, after an emergency has passed, guests and the couple may have a hard time shifting back into celebration mode. It's completely normal to feel stunned and not want to return to being gracious hosts. The couple may feel obligated to greet their guests and put on a smile, and guests often look to the hosts for cues on how to proceed after an emergency. It can be helpful to step away from guests for a few moments to process what has happened. Take time to step back from the spotlight and discuss your next move. Most importantly, allow yourself to feel whatever you’re feeling. It’s okay to not be okay when someone important to you is not well. Give yourself time to process your emotions before jumping back into wedding mode." —Mary Angelini, Key Moment Films
When you plan ahead and surround yourself with a trusted team, even unexpected moments can be handled thoughtfully. Preparation allows small challenges to stay just that, while giving you the freedom to stay focused on what truly matters. In the end, weddings aren't remembered for the minor hiccups. Instead, they’re remembered for the love and laughter shared!
Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and marketing firm OFD Consulting and the founder of OFD Collective, a membership community for wedding pros looking to elevate their visibility. She’s a sought-after speaker and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.
