Maine & NH Wedding Photographer // Chaos & Vows: How to Roll With Wedding Day Curveballs Like a Pro

Weddings are supposed to be perfect. And by perfect, I mean perfectly unpredictable. Because no matter how many timelines we print, backup plans we prep, or how Pinterest-ready the details are, the universe is always like, “You thought.”

But hey — chaos doesn’t have to mean catastrophe. Over the years, I’ve learned that some of the most memorable moments (and best stories) come from things going sideways. So let me give you the inside scoop on how we rolled with the punches — and still made wedding magic happen.

The “Wardrobe Malfunction Meets Sewing Circle” Situation

This one goes out to the bride whose mother went full Hulk mode and split the back of her dress wide open while helping her get into it. Like — loud RIIIIIP, and suddenly there’s a zipper where there should not be a zipper.

No worries. I went full Girl Scout meets Project Runway. The wedding party and I whipped out a needle and thread, and together, we stitched that dress up like a support group with excellent fine motor skills. We laughed, we swore, someone poured champagne — and that bride walked down the aisle like nothing ever happened.

The Hurricane Wedding That Said “LOL” to the Forecast

We were told the hurricane would pass. Just a little wind and maybe some drama in the sky, they said. Lies. The tent started flapping like it was about to achieve liftoff. Wind howling. Decor flying. It was not the dreamy outdoor reception we planned.

So me and the planner went into full crisis mode. We packed up everything — centerpieces, sound equipment, cake, whatever — and moved the whole reception into the Airbnb with military precision. I swear the tent tried to slap me on the way out, but we made it. Candles were relit, dinner was served, people danced. No one died. A win.

The Drunk MOB Situation (a.k.a. “Operation Vodka Mom”)

Weddings bring out all the emotions — love, joy, and sometimes... a few too many tequila sunrises. This particular mother of the bride was lit before we hit entrees. Like, emotionally spiraling kind of lit.

After cocktail hour, it started to get messy. I gave the planner the look — you know the one — and we went into damage control. I gently pulled the couple aside for a little golden-hour portrait break (read: “escape mission”), while the planner called in reinforcements. Her husband legit came and escorted Mom home like a pro-level wedding bouncer. The couple came back refreshed, Mom was safe, and the party kept rolling.

The Family Feud That Turned into the Macarena

Now THIS one had me sweating pre-wedding. I was warned that the bride’s parents couldn’t even look at each other without throwing emotional daggers. Like, "they can’t be in the same room" level tension.

We prepped two totally separate family formal lists. Two different sides. Zero overlap. Everyone kept it civil during the ceremony — but plot twist: by the time the dance floor opened up, there they were. Shoulder to shoulder. Doing the damn Macarena like they hadn't spent years refusing to speak. Sometimes love wins... sometimes it’s just tequila and nostalgic 90s dance moves. Either way, we’ll take it.

So, What's the Point?

Stuff’s gonna go wrong. It just is. Dresses rip. Weather lies. People get a little too boozy or emotional or both. But your wedding isn’t ruined by those moments — it’s made by how you get through them.

When you hire vendors who give a damn (hi, it's me 👋🏼), we don’t just show up for the photos — we show up for you. We sew dresses. We move receptions. We help protect your peace like wedding day bodyguards in all black with camera straps.

Because in the end? The chaos just becomes part of the story — and trust me, it’s one you’re gonna laugh about for years.