We LOVE This Neon Glow Wedding With Animals at Reptacular Ranch in California
Wedding Nightmare Turned Dream Day: How This Couple Saved Their Big Day + Our Tips For You To Avoid it!
The one thing no one tells you about your wedding day is that things won’t always go to plan. And the last thing you want to see is how your BIG day turns into a wedding nightmare…No amount of preparation will account for it and you will be expected to think on your feet to deal with whatever comes your way on the day. Julia and Brian’s wedding was predicted to be a total wash out, they were due to be married at a hotel right next to the beach and their reception would take place in the backyard of their family beach house, but with the weather looming over them, the couple were faced with coming up with a plan B. No one could have predicted what happened next…
“The morning of the wedding we woke up to hurricane like weather?” Brian told us. “But by the afternoon, the weather had done a complete 180 and we had the most beautiful day!
Everyone headed up the road to my family beach house for a beautiful and relaxed backyard reception. There was plenty of yard games, places to sit in the sun, lots dancing and delicious food.”
“Our first dance was the one thing I will always find the most memorable.” Julia added. “I think it just solidified how happy we both were to be married, and obviously I was an emotional wreck but in the best way possible. It felt like it was just the two of us, and then to feel how happy everyone was for us, is a feeling I can’t even describe. I know nothing in life is perfect, but that moment was the closest I’ve ever come.
I know it is a lot easier said than done but honestly, don’t sweat the small stuff!”she continued. “You are way more capable of planning for the expected/ unexpected than you give yourself credit for, have fun and enjoy it, it’s a blast!
Planning your wedding will be a little stressful at times but the end result is way more enjoyable when you appreciate how much effort you have put into it. Remember that it is your wedding and you can do whatever you want.”
Super Suppliers – Photographer: Audrey Cutler Photography// Ceremony Venue: Corsair Cross Rip Hotel// Florist: Danielson Flowers// Caterer: KO Catering and Pies// Tent: Party Cape Cod// Cake: The Underground Bakery// DJ: World Record DJs// Hair Salon: Heather’s Hairport// Bride’s Dress: David’s Bridal// Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew, Donna Morgan and David’s Bridal// Tux: Men’s Warehouse//
Tips and Advice to Prevent a Wedding Nightmare on Your Big Day
Let’s get real—every wedding has that moment. The one where you wonder if you’re starring in some kind of reality show where disaster is the main event. A missing bouquet? Manageable. The DJ playing the wrong first dance song? Annoying, but survivable. A hurricane crashing your beachside wedding? That’s when you start wondering if the universe has a personal vendetta against you.
But here’s the thing—every so-called wedding nightmare has a way out. And after 13 years in the wedding world, I’ve seen it all. So let’s talk about how to keep your big day from turning into a disaster.
Weather-Proof Your Wedding (Because Mother Nature Doesn’t Care About Your Timeline)
Look, I don’t care if you scheduled your wedding for the historically driest day of the year. Nature loves irony. If you’re planning anything outdoors, assume it will rain and plan accordingly. That means having a tent rental on standby, picking a venue with an indoor backup, or investing in those cute clear umbrellas that make stormy wedding photos look artsy instead of apocalyptic.
Julia and Brian thought they were in the clear with their dreamy beachfront wedding—until hurricane-force winds had other plans. But because they had a backup plan (and an excellent attitude), their wedding turned into an intimate, sunlit backyard celebration that no one could have predicted.
☞ Pro Tip: If you’re getting married in a legit unpredictable weather zone (Florida, I’m looking at you), wedding insurance might be your best friend.
Vendors: Book Early, Vet Hard, and Get Everything in Writing
I once attended a wedding where the caterer didn’t show up. You know what saved it? A friend panic-ordering 50 pizzas and the bride rolling with it like she had planned a ‘casual-chic pizza party’ all along. Iconic, yes. Ideal? Not so much.
Avoid vendor-related wedding nightmares by doing your homework. Read reviews, meet vendors in person, and sign contracts that cover cancellations, refunds, and worst-case scenarios. And please—please—have a point person (a wedding planner, a super-organized friend, or your bossiest cousin) to handle vendor communications on the day. The last thing you need is to be negotiating with a DJ while trying to get into your dress.
☞ Want to make sure your vendors are rock solid? WeddingWire has a foolproof vendor checklist:
Fashion Emergencies: Pack a Survival Kit Like Your Marriage Depends on It
Zippers break. Buttons pop. Champagne spills. And somehow, someone will forget their shoes. The trick is not if a wardrobe malfunction will happen—it’s whether you’re prepared when it does.
Every bride (and honestly, every bridal party) needs an emergency kit: fashion tape, safety pins, a sewing kit, extra bobby pins, and a tiny bottle of white wine (for fabric stains and stress relief). If you want to go full ‘prepper mode,’ throw in a mini steamer, stain remover wipes, and a power bank for those ‘my phone died’ emergencies.
☞ This wedding emergency kit guide from Brides covers everything you’ll need:
Timeline Tricks: Leave Room for Chaos (Because It Will Happen)
Weddings never run on time. Not once. Not ever. Someone will forget their corsage, a groomsman will get lost, or your uncle will take a really long time in the bathroom right before family photos. The key is building in buffer time. If your ceremony is at 4 PM, tell people it starts at 3:30. If your hair and makeup are scheduled to take two hours, block off three. Future-you will thank you.
Julia and Brian’s wedding ran behind thanks to a literal hurricane, and guess what? The world didn’t end. Their day unfolded in a way they never expected but somehow turned out even better than planned. That’s the magic of weddings—you prepare like crazy, and then, when life throws chaos at you, you embrace it.
☞ Need help building a wedding timeline that actually works? Zola’s guide is a lifesaver:
The Most Important Tip? Let Go of Perfection
The truth is, something will go wrong on your wedding day. Maybe it’s small (your flowers aren’t the exact shade you wanted), or maybe it’s huge (hi, unexpected hurricane). But here’s what I’ve learned after 13 years in the industry: the couples who have the best weddings aren’t the ones whose days go perfectly. They’re the ones who roll with the chaos, laugh at the mishaps, and focus on what actually matters—getting married to their favorite person.
So yes, plan for the unexpected. But when something does go sideways, just remember: the best wedding stories come from the moments you never saw coming.
And if all else fails? Order the pizzas. Trust me.
Thank you so much for the feature Jess & Emily!
It was our pleasure Audrey!
xxx
Love the bursts of colour! I’m having a seaside wedding so loving the inspiration on your website <3 xxx