Getting jilted at the altar, it’s one of those dramatic events that seem straight out of a soap opera – not real life.
But for those who go through it, it’s a devastating and life changing incident that goes far beyond the embarrassment and heart break of the day alone.
So what could possibly prompt a bride or groom to let their spouse down in this horrific fashion? Reddit asked the question, and internet users answered.
Final intervention
“[His friends] had a final intervention with him the morning of the wedding and they finally convinced him to just leave. He showed up at this festival I was at during what was supposed to be his wedding. I saw him and said ‘Hey man, aren’t you getting married today?’ and he had this kind of far away look and said ‘Yeah, that’s not happening anymore.’”
Change of heart
“Everything was normal in the months, weeks and days before the wedding. She was excited, busily planning and organising. Then she just didn’t show up on the day.
Her explanation was that she changed her mind. I’ve only spoken to her a few times since then and that’s the best I got out of her.
Saying she changed her mind is pretty rich coming from a girl who could NEVER decide what to have for dinner.”
Third times the charm?
“I have a cousin who basically did this….sort of like 3 times even.
First time, guy 1: everything ready and had bridal showers etc. but she was talking to aunts and family members. Realized her guy was kinda into porn and stuff. And broke it off before the wedding. She kept all the presents.
Second time, guy 2: got engaged, broke it off, don’t really remember why at ALL.
Third time, same as guy 1: absolutely no idea cause really I was fed up at this point with even caring.”
Last minute revelation
“I left a man at the altar. I was in my dress and getting ready to go to the chapel, when I realized I couldn’t. I froze. I didn’t love him and as much as I craved the safety and security that being married would bring, I was fairly recently divorced and very young and scared. He eventually found a lovely woman and they are very happy together. I don’t think either of us would have had that with each other.”
Coward’s way out
“So while I was getting ready with my groomsmen in a house we rented on the day of [the wedding], I just decided I wasn’t going to show up. I didn’t. My groomsmen did for me, and broke the news to her, her family, and my family. It was a coward’s way out, I know. And, in retrospect, I recognize how selfish it was. All the money lost for deposits on caterers, the venue, the honeymoon — all wasted. I’m not on speaking terms with anyone from her family, and I think a lot of people in my family lost respect for me. Oh well — it was what I had to do.”
Lucky escape
“One of my best friends broke her engagement only a month before her wedding after he ‘joked’ about kicking her face in because he thought she hugged her step brother for too long at her mom’s anniversary party. She dodged a huge bullet since he was arrested for assault a year later.”
