Planning a wedding?
You’ve got the Pinterest boards, the spreadsheets, the checklist with seventeen tabs… but let’s be real: things still go wrong. As a romantic comedy author who’s written her fair share of wedding chaos (I’m looking at you, Bella Rossi!), I’ve learned that surviving the unexpected is half the story—and sometimes, the best part.
Here are 15 wedding disaster survival tips to keep you laughing, calm, and maybe even inspired when things don’t go exactly to plan.
15 Wedding Disaster Survival Tips
1. Dress ripped before the wedding?
Safety pins, prayer, and a bridesmaid with sewing skills can save the day—preferably in that order.
2. Your DJ canceled last-minute?
Grab a Bluetooth speaker and ask Uncle Joey to emcee. He’s been waiting for this moment his entire life.
3. The wedding cake collapsed?
Stack cupcakes. Add flowers. Smile big. The photos will be “rustic chic.”
4. Rain ruined your outdoor ceremony?
Move under a tent or into the church foyer. Romance > raindrops.
5. Bridesmaid drama?
Stick a cookie in her hand and remind her it’s not her big day.
6. Power outage at the reception?
Candles, acoustic guitar, and instant ambiance. It’s giving vintage romance.
7. Lost the groom’s ring?
Borrow Nonno’s pinky ring and roll with it. (He won’t mind—much.)
8. Flower girl meltdown?
Let her toss petals while eating M&Ms. Bribery is not beneath us.
9. Catering disaster?
Call your Italian relatives. They’ll have 15 casseroles delivered by the hour.
10. Bad hair day?
Twist it up, pin in a flower, and smile. You’re the bride, not the blowout.
11. Tulle explosion?
Lean into it. The fluffier the dress, the bigger the entrance.
12. Wrong playlist?
“That’s Amore” on loop never hurt anyone.
13. Missing officiant?
Pastor’s wife’s cousin is ordained online—get creative!
14. Your heel broke walking down the aisle?
Kick off both shoes and strut barefoot. Island wedding chic.
15. Everyone’s crying… even the groomsmen?
Good. That’s how you know it’s a bella success.
What These Tips Really Mean
Behind the laughs is this truth: weddings are beautiful because they’re imperfect. The moments that go sideways? They’re the ones you’ll tell your grandkids. And in fiction—as in life—it’s often the mess that makes the magic.
Love Wedding Chaos? You’ll Love Bella.
If you enjoyed these tips, check out my Weddings by Bella series—a Christian rom-com collection set in Galveston, Texas, where wedding disasters are pretty much guaranteed (but love always wins in the end).
Explore the series here
Or start reading on Amazon: Fools Rush In
Before you go, why not pin a few photos?
