18 Wedding Moments That Were Bad Omens

From drunken antics to bizarre behavior, these wedding stories foreshadowed doomed marriages.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

A recent Reddit thread asked people to share wedding moments that were clear signs the couple wouldn't last. The responses included everything from brides crying during vows to grooms getting blackout drunk and refusing to participate. Many of the marriages described ended within months.

Why it matters

Weddings are supposed to be joyous occasions, but these stories highlight how underlying relationship issues, lack of compatibility, and poor decision-making on the big day can be early indicators of trouble ahead. Understanding common red flags at weddings can help couples and their loved ones identify potential problems before it's too late.

The details

The stories shared on Reddit ranged from awkward moments, like a groom refusing to hold his bride's hand, to outright scandalous behavior, such as a bride sleeping with the best man. Several brides were described as being visibly uncomfortable or upset during the ceremony, while grooms were often depicted as being disengaged, drunk, or inappropriate. One couple even failed miserably at a 'who knows their partner better?' game at the reception.

  • The marriages described in the Reddit thread generally only lasted a few months to a couple years after the wedding.
  • Many of the problematic wedding behaviors occurred during the ceremony or reception itself.

The players

IndependentTune3994

The Reddit user who originally asked the question that sparked the discussion thread.

r/AskReddit

The subreddit where the original question was posted and the discussion took place.

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The takeaway

These stories serve as cautionary tales, highlighting how seemingly minor or even humorous wedding day incidents can actually foreshadow deeper relationship problems. Couples and their loved ones should pay close attention to any red flags or concerning behaviors that emerge, as they may be early indicators that the marriage is not built to last.