The Weird Things People Say When You’re Planning a Wedding That You Should Ignore

Written by Melissa Woods

If there’s one thing nobody warns you about when you get engaged, it’s this:
everyone suddenly has an opinion.

Family, friends, colleagues, the woman who does your brows, your partner’s mate from uni you’ve met once — all of them will have something to say about your wedding. Often well-intentioned. Sometimes genuinely helpful. And occasionally so annoying it will live in your head, rent-free, forever.

Some advice — like “This wedding photographer was incredible, you should check them out” — can be a godsend (it’s basically the reason platforms like MNT exist). But other comments land somewhere between mildly insulting and deeply unhinged.

So, in the spirit of community, comedy and collective eye-rolling, here’s a roundup of the weird things people say when you’re planning a wedding — plus an alternative affirmation to quietly repeat to yourself while smiling politely.

“You have to invite so-and-so.”

‘So-and-so’ being a person you haven’t spoken to since a christening in 1998, your mum’s friend from “the old days” that you’ve never met she hasn’t seen for years, or a cousin you wouldn’t recognise in a police lineup.

Here’s the thing: you actually don’t have to invite anyone you don’t know, love, or want there. Weddings aren’t compulsory family reunions. They’re celebrations — and guest lists are not a moral obligation.

“Aren’t you going to cover up your tattoos?”

This one crops up a lot when you’re shopping for your wedding outfit, usually said with a tone that suggests your tattoos might suddenly become… embarrassing? On your wedding day? After being part of your body for years?

Your tattoos are part of you. They tell your story. They don’t suddenly stop being valid because you’re wearing something special.

“It’s not going to feel like a real wedding.”

This can be in response to almost anything:

A non-religious ceremony.
A small guest list.
A coloured outfit choice..
Doing things differently from everyone else in the world.

But here’s the truth: a wedding is two people choosing to celebrate their love in a meaningful way. That’s it. That’s the whole definition of a real wedding.

Some random person: “Will you be inviting me to your wedding?”

Is there a more awkward question?

Even when it’s “just a joke”, there is no non-awkward response unless the answer is yes — and if it isn’t, you’re suddenly trapped in a social hostage situation you didn’t consent to.

“I expect you’ll want to lose a few pounds for the wedding.”

Firstly, you might want to consider kicking this person off the guest list.

Fancy making that assumption about someone else’s body.

Also? Trying to change your body for your wedding is a pretty reliable way to hate the run-up — and possibly the day itself.

“You can’t do that…”

This tends to be said about pretty much everything.

Choosing to stay with your partner the night before the wedding… your outfit choice… your music choice… your food choice… your ceremony choice.

What people usually mean is “I wouldn’t personally do that” — fascinating information about them, but totally irrelevant to you.

Things to remember when planning your wedding:

Wedding planning has a way of inviting opinions you didn’t ask for — but none of them get to override what feels right to you.

If someone else makes you feel second-guessy, upset, or annoyed, you’re allowed to ignore it. Laugh about it even.

If all else fails, maybe just deploy the TikTok-approved classic:

“What a weird thing to say out loud.”

Your wedding doesn’t need to make sense to anyone else.

Plan your wedding without judgment using our Book Of Love Directory — a curated space filled with modern wedding suppliers who won’t ask stupid questions.