What happens when your wedding doesn’t go to plan?

It’s every bride’s worst nightmare that some completely unforeseen technicality, error or act of God interferes with the plan they had in their head for the perfect day.

But what elements are truly flexible, and which are absolute deal-breakers?

It’s so important to know that the dream you’ve concocted might play out in a different way - but just because your wedding doesn’t go to plan, that doesn’t mean it’s any worse. In fact, a spontaneous change of plan can make it all the more beautiful, personal and unique!

When your wedding doesn’t go to plan: a fantastic Claridge’s celebration

Claridge’s is so iconic. What a historical London venue, with all of the glitz, glam and timeless elegance you could hope for.

Kris and Dan had it all planned out…but I’ve never had a wedding where so many plans had to spontaneously change. I feel like nothing can phase me this year now! But no matter what happens, I can get great shots. Two decades of experience are handy to have behind you when everything has to change on a whim!

Your Maid of Honour falls by the wayside

My beautiful bride was surrounded by loved ones, and her bestie Bethany was certainly central to celebrations. So when we discovered she had a sickness bug the morning of Kris’ wedding, we were obviously all downhearted. But bridesmaid Bethany soldiered on as far as she could - finally having to drop out of proceedings during the ceremony.

Keep an eye on the time

Everyone wants to relax and enjoy the process of being pampered on the morning of their wedding. I always advise my brides to build more time into their day where they can - but nine times out of ten time runs away, and that half hour of spare time is suddenly gone. 

This was one such morning, with hair and makeup running over in all the joy. 

Beautiful Kris had a wonderful morning getting ready in her incredible Claridge’s bridal suite, but our time to capture fantastic bridal portraits was slipping through our fingers like sand. The timings were too stretched, so we grabbed a few dream portraits for five minutes, and got on the road, into her fabulous car. 

London traffic grinds to a standstill

We knew a protest was happening in central London, but we weren’t intending to get snarled up in it. We left only fifteen minutes for our journey, and that…disappeared. After sitting unmoving in traffic, we were an hour late for her ceremony. The bride and her father were faced with a brave decision.

Mind your veil in the closing doors

With her characteristic optimism, Kris abandoned her idyllic Rolls Royce and hot-footed it to the nearest tube station, boarding a crowded and sweaty tube in her full wedding get-up. Most brides would’ve been in tears, but the optimism shone out of Kris. And, once the shock of the change of plan subsides, what a story that will be in the years to come!

To have and to hold

An hour late for the ceremony, we entered church. And it was idyllic. A very relaxed celebrant allowed a beautiful ceremony and beautiful choir to make this moment magic, and it all was all completely wonderful.

I knew that Kris and Dan wanted some couples shots around the City before heading back to Claridge’s. As high-flying lawyers, it’s the buzzing atmosphere they thrive in, and it allowed them some much-needed time together on this frenetic day. We spent half an hour getting some incredible couples shots around central London, and then hopped in a taxi to shoot back to the venue.

More delays throw out the schedule

Except of course our taxi turned a corner…and ran into a completely blocked off road. We were assured there was NO chance we’d get back to Claridge’s that way. So, unphased, the wonderful bride and groom hopped on the tube (Kris for the second time that day!), accompanied by me, the Content Creator, and the Planner.

The tight schedule at Claridge’s demanded we carry on a-pace, so Kris and Dan missed their drinks reception - they’d find time to catch up with the hosts of loved ones dying to congratulate them soon. I know the heartfelt speeches, combined with the fact that the band were five hours delayed due to the protests, might’ve been just enough to give Kris, constantly optimistic and eternally bright, a little wobble for a moment. Their schedule, and so many plans, had been turned on their heads! But Kris and Dan met each challenge, and saw the beauty in their day - not the one they’d painstakingly planned, perhaps, but the joyful celebration of their love that presented itself.

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What happens when your day doesn’t go to plan? You rip up the plan.

You enjoy each beautiful moment you're gifted with. You don’t sweat the small stuff. You rely on the trusted team you’ve surrounded yourself with, as consummate professionals, to make sure everything goes beautifully - even if it goes differently. 

After a lovely meal, Kris and Dan got dancing and catching up with their roster of lovely guests. They left over the moon. They have galleries full of the spontaneous changes their day presented - as well as the iconic city couples shots they were keen to catch. We all swivelled, pivoting our plans in favour of what worked best in the moment. Two decades of photography has taught me how to pivot to meet most challenges, hurdles and obstacles! 

When your wedding doesn’t go to plan, it can be heartbreaking to see the plans you’ve spent so long finessing fall apart. But how you experience this day, and the memories everyone you love takes away from this day, is in your power. Will you crumble into resentment, berating the situation, and anyone at fault, for the change of plans? Will you spend this precious time angrily grieving for what should’ve been? Or will you move? Will you allow the tide to take you to its new destination, and enjoy the journey? Stop swimming against the current, I say - and get on that lilo! 

Thank you to a beautiful, kind and resilient couple, who showed just how this is done. Their wedding wasn’t what they’d planned - but it was so much more!