Weddings are often seen as magical events marking the beginning of a lifelong commitment. However, not every wedding is a fairy tale. Sometimes, the red flags are right there at the altar—or even earlier—hinting at the challenges ahead. Here are 10 jaw-dropping wedding stories that exposed the cracks in relationships before the ink on the marriage certificate was even dry.

1. The Groom Answered a Call During the Vows

Picture this: a serene wedding ceremony, the couple exchanging heartfelt vows, and suddenly—ring, ring. The groom’s phone interrupts the moment, and to everyone’s horror, he answers it. Worse, the call is from his mother. The bride’s shock turned into fury, and the room was left in stunned silence. Unsurprisingly, the marriage ended shortly after. If this wasn’t a sign of misplaced priorities, what is?

2. A Rocky Horror Dance Break That Didn’t Land

Some surprises are fun, but this wasn’t one of them. In the middle of the reception, the groom and his groomsmen broke out into a choreographed performance of The Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. While the guests laughed and cheered, the bride sat stone-faced, clearly unimpressed. Their differences became glaringly obvious, and the marriage lasted less than a year.

3. Backhanded Compliments in Private

During a small signing ceremony, the groom decided to entertain the officiant with mean-spirited jokes about the bride’s cooking—a hobby she was passionate about. Unaware of this, the bride returned to the room, thinking he had praised her efforts. Her warm smile met his awkward scoff. They divorced seven months later, proving that respect (or lack thereof) can make or break a marriage.

4. A Bouquet Toss Brawl and a Shocking Revelation

At a wedding reception, a woman in a bright red dress ignored the pastel dress code and later caused a scene during the bouquet toss. Though she didn’t catch the bouquet, she fought the woman who did. The chaos didn’t end there; it later came out that this woman was having an affair with the groom. Two months into the marriage, the bride left, and the groom returned to his mistress.

5. A Cake Topper That Said It All

Sometimes, it’s the little things that unravel big secrets. At one wedding, the bride was horrified to see the cake topper: a figurine resembling the groom’s ex-wife instead of her. He had reused it from his previous marriage, thinking no one would notice. The bride stormed out, devastated, and the marriage crumbled shortly afterward.

6. The “Missing” Groom and His So-Called Sister

At one reception, the bride couldn’t find her new husband for half an hour. When guests finally located him, he was outside, locked in an intimate kiss with a woman he introduced as his “sister.” It turned out she wasn’t a sibling at all but a secret lover. The betrayal was too much, and the marriage ended quickly.

7. A Groom Who Chose UFC Over His Bride

During one wedding reception, the groom pulled out his phone and started watching a UFC fight instead of dancing with his new wife. The bride, feeling humiliated, had her answer loud and clear: this wasn’t a partnership she wanted to endure. The marriage didn’t last long, proving some fights aren’t worth staying for.

8. The Father-in-Law Who Stole the Spotlight

At an otherwise beautiful wedding, the bride’s father arrived in a chicken suit, parading around during the reception. While the bride laughed it off, saying, “Isn’t my dad so much fun?” the groom’s family felt mocked. Months later, the bride confessed she couldn’t stay married to someone who didn’t measure up to her father. The couple divorced shortly afterward.

9. Dancing Gone Wrong

Before their wedding, a bride asked her fiancé to practice dancing with her because of her physical disability. He dismissed her concerns, assuring her it would be fine. But on their big day, he berated her mid-dance, loudly whispering, “What’s wrong with you? You’re embarrassing me!” She left the marriage after two years, realizing she deserved someone who valued her for who she was.

10. The “Bride’s Wedding” with a Sidekick Groom

The tone of one wedding was set before guests even entered the venue. A large sign greeted everyone with the words: “Welcome to [Bride]’s Wedding,” with “featuring [Groom]” in much smaller text below. It was clear whose event this really was. Later, during a “ring-warming” ceremony where guests silently wished blessings upon the rings, one attendee thought, May your divorce be relatively painless. It seemed they were right, as the couple split not long after.

These stories reveal a lot about the dynamics that can doom a marriage before it even starts. From blatant disrespect to misplaced priorities, the warning signs were there all along. Some weddings are lavish, dramatic, and seemingly perfect, but a deeper look often tells another story.

Weddings are a reflection of a couple’s values and dynamics, and sometimes, they reveal issues that can’t be ignored. These 10 stories serve as cautionary tales, reminding us that a beautiful day means little if the foundation isn’t solid. True partnerships are built on trust, respect, and shared values—without those, even the grandest weddings are just a prelude to disaster.