I’m a wedding expert and people from the same part of the guest list are always a nightmare – I can spot them a mile off
A WEDDING singer has revealed the “nightmare guests” she can spot a mile off.
But “these gargoyle guests come in many sizes, shapes and forms” and may not be who you expect, Rachel Darwin warned.
The singer, who has over 20 years experience, has been to “countless weddings” – both to perform and as a guest.
And she has spotted a theme in certain terror-striking guests.
Rachel has noticed that close family members tend to be the worst guests on a wedding day.
Yes, that includes your grandma and favourite cousin.
“We could be talking about a ghoulish grandmother, who gnashes her teeth and shows her claws whenever you express any desire that doesn’t align with hers,” she wrote in an article for bridal magazine, Rock n Roll Bride.
“It could be a clumsy cousin, who knocks over a Kilner jar tealight, igniting a hay bale and setting your veil on fire.
“It could even be a fiendish friend, who gets so drunk he tries to kiss one of your bridesmaids (twice!) even though he has a long-term girlfriend back home.
“And then never speaks to anyone in your group again just so he doesn’t have to face up to it.”
But Rachel warned the “worst of all guest” might be even closer to home.
“Your nightmare wedding guest might come in the form of a parent, a sibling, a very closely-related family member, who has done you emotional harm in the past,” she penned.
“Maybe even during the wedding-planning process – and whose unpredictable behaviours you and/or your partner are still struggling to navigate now.
“This sort of situation can be difficult at any time but during a wedding, it can be downright destructive.
“Any emotion can be heightened while wedding-planning, and especially during the day itself.”
Rachel forewarned 2024 brides how guests like this can cause more “anger, resentment, embarrassment and deeply-rooted, unresolved pain than ever”.
She recommended calling upon the help of your trusted guests to keep difficult ones in check.
For example, getting your sister to keep an eye on your judgmental nan or asking a close friend to monitor guests who are known to forget their limit when it comes to booze.
“Don’t keep up a dumb, proud pretence of perfection,” she said.
“No one’s family is perfect. Everyone’s cupboard has skeletons.
“Let your friends in. Be vulnerable. They will help you get through it.
“Just communicate and delegate.
“The two of you should not be the ones having to deal with these things on your wedding day.”
5 ways to save £10k on your wedding
Josie Griffiths, Deputy Digital Fabulous editor and bride-to-be shares her tips to cut the cost on your big day.
“There’s no getting around it, weddings are expensive, but there’s some easy ways to strip back the cost without your guests noticing.”
Ditch pricey invites
We made our designs for free on Canva, and then sent them out on email or WhatsApp. If you want to post invites to important people, VistaPrint is brilliant and cost us less than 30p per guest to sort. SAVING: £600
Cut back on flowers
I was pretty stunned that lots of wedding florists quote £3k-£5k as a MINIMUM spend. Your wedding flowers will be dead within days, save your cash and invest it in pics and video instead, as these actually last. Keep shopping round until you find someone reasonably priced, or speak to your local florist two months out to arrange bouquets. SAVING: £4.5k
Ditch wedding favours
They don’t fit in people’s handbags and were cleared away by catering staff at half the weddings I’ve been to as a guest. The best way to save cash here is just not to bother. SAVING: £300-£700
Be ruthless with your guest list
No one’s ‘entitled’ to a plus one and the groom’s second cousin doesn’t need to come. Your true friends won’t kick off and if anyone chooses not to come over guest list dramas, that just means you’ve saved twice. SAVING: £150 PER HEAD
Do your own booze
Make finding a venue where you can do your own bar a priority, ideally with no corkage or a £500 max cost. Aldi’s £22 Champagne beat Veuve Clicquot in a Which? blind taste test and they have tasty wines for less than a fiver, you won’t do better on a paid bar. SAVING: £2k