The Time I Caught the Best Man and the Bride Kissing in the Garden (Yes, You Read That Right)!!!
I embrace the role of a wedding planner and often I feel like I'm more of a guardian—we’re the keepers of secrets, guardians of grace, and the ultimate problem solvers.
As a wedding planner, I’ve seen it all—the emotional vows, the tearful first dances, the dramatic cake cuttings, and the occasional dance-floor mishap. I've had couples embarrassed saying to me, "I can't believe I drank this much in front of the Wedding Planner!" I have a special bond with our clients and I love every minute of it! (sometimes...)
But let me tell you, nothing could have prepared me for the day I walked into a garden at a wedding and found the bride and the best man—wait for it—kissing. I froze, they froze, we all froze! Isn't there a cool dance that goes with this phrase? {when I dip, you dip, we dip}
I didn't know what to do! I literally started doing the "I gotta pee dance" trying to quietly escape the scene but listen, I saw what I saw and I couldn't unring that bell!
Let me back up for a second, though. How could this have happened?
This was supposed to be a picture-perfect wedding. The couple was madly in love (at least, so it seemed), the ceremony went off without a hitch, and the reception was flowing smoothly. Guests were sipping champagne, the dance floor was buzzing with energy, and everything looked like it was heading into the night on the highest of notes.
BUT...
As I made my rounds, checking in on vendors, walking the property to make sure nothing was not destroyed (LOL, planners y'all know!), and making sure everything was going according to plan, I had no idea that what I was about to witness would make me rethink my entire career as a wedding planner. I headed out of the event center into a garden on the side of the venue. This garden wasn't used much during the day other than a few guests taking some pretty photos.
The Backstory...
It’s not unusual for me, as the wedding planner, to know the backstory of the wedding party—who they are, their relationship to the couple, how they met, and more. During one of our "processional order meetings," the bride casually mentioned that the best man wasn’t the groom’s best friend, but hers. At the time, it didn’t strike me as odd. It’s actually pretty common for one side of the couple to have more close friends than the other and to keep things balanced on each side of the altar, they’ll often “borrow” friends for roles like groomsmen or bridesmaids.
At the rehearsal of the wedding, I noticed the best man was a bit more on the quiet side, but I could tell he had a special bond with the bride. They’d grown up together, and there seemed to be a sibling-like energy between them. I didn’t think much of it—until, of course, the night of the wedding. And boy oh boy, was I in for the shock of my life!!
The Unforgettable Moment
I had just walked out of the bathroom (because you know how important bathroom breaks are at weddings) when I stopped to talk to the DJ. I told the DJ I was going to make my "rounds" and if he needed anything to text me. I'd be gone for about 10-15 minutes.
As I was walking out of the event center to a beautiful garden, I heard whispering. My first thought was, Oh, great—here we go. In my experience, stumbling upon whispered conversations in secluded corners rarely leads to anything wholesome. Over the years, I’ve caught teenagers sneaking drinks and even witnessed a few hookups. But nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to walk into.
Looking back, I should have trusted my instincts and steered clear of that garden. But, being the curious (and perhaps overly nosey) person I am, I couldn’t resist. Armed with my cellphone flashlight, I ventured into the shadows. And there they were—my bride and the best man—arms wrapped tightly around each other, lips locked in a kiss. It was a moment so shocking it stopped me in my tracks. As I tried to tiptoe out of that garden, they froze, I froze, we froze...
It was one of those moments where time stood still, and I’m pretty sure my brain decided to take a coffee break. I was so stunned that I forgot how to form actual words. I’d like to believe I handled the situation with grace, but let’s be real—my face probably said everything I was trying not to. In a barely audible whisper, I managed to blurt out something along the lines of, “Oh my God... what’s happening here?” It was as if my instincts kicked in, screaming, Whatever you do, don’t yell! Don’t make a scene! Just... pretend this isn’t happening.
The best man pulled away first, looking like he had just seen a ghost, while the bride stood there, flustered and trying to adjust her veil as if that would solve everything. Yeah queen, fix that crown (insert eye roll!)
The Aftermath: Drama, Denial, and Real Talk
After the initial shock wore off, things got... interesting. I couldn’t just pretend I hadn’t seen what I had. But of course, I had to keep my cool. I immediately pulled them apart like an elementary school principal breaking up a fight on the playground. I immediately started crying! Y'ALL I STARTED CRYING asking them what do we do? It was like I witnessed a murder and then asked the murderer, "What do you suggest we do from here?"
Maybe it was just a moment of stress or an accidental kiss—right? But deep down, I knew that this wasn’t just a mistake. It was a mess, and I had to figure out how to clean it up before anyone found out. YAY! Being a wedding planner can be so much fun ;)
I did what most experienced wedding planners and rational people would do in this situation. I marched the bride over to her groom, flagged the DJ to play their 1st dance song, ordered an Uber for the best man, told him to leave, then walked over to the bar and asked for the BIGGEST Dr. Pepper I could get my hands on. The show went on! Because to me (at this point) this was a show not a celebration of a marriage. No judgment but y'all...Y'ALL!
Until now (cue the dramatic pause), I’ve kept this story pretty much under wraps. Only a handful of people in my inner circle know the details—and even now, whenever I hear their names or catch a glimpse of an old wedding photo, I still get that sinking feeling in my stomach. Should I have said something? Should I have reacted differently? N-O-P-E. Not a chance. Ever heard the phrase, “Not my monkeys, not my circus?” That became my mantra that night. I made the executive decision to zip my lips and let the evening play out as if nothing had happened.
The Takeaway (Because, Of Course, There’s Always a Lesson)
As much as I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the situation (because, honestly, what are the odds of this happening at a wedding?), it was also a stark reminder of something we don’t often talk about when it comes to weddings: relationships are complicated.
The wedding day is supposed to be about love and joy, but sometimes there’s more going on behind the scenes than meets the eye. From this experience, I learned that as a wedding planner, it’s not just about the details—it’s about people and emotions, and things can get messy, even in the most picture-perfect settings. But no matter what happens, my job is to keep the show going and make sure everyone has a good time—whether there’s a kissing scandal in the garden or not.
So, here’s my advice: always be prepared for the unexpected. And, if you find yourself in a similar situation, just remember: when in doubt, do not walk into the garden without announcing your entry first!