AITA for starting my wedding on time and not waiting for my parents?

Imagine the scene: a sunlit venue buzzing with excitement, a bride in her gown, heart racing, ready to say “I do”—and then a glaring absence where her parents should be. It’s the stuff of bridal nightmares, and for one Redditor, it became reality. Her big day was picture-perfect, except for one snag: her parents rolled in late after a fender-bender, missing the whole ceremony. She started on time; they’re fuming. Now, the internet’s weighing in—was she wrong to kick off without them?

Weddings are a whirlwind of emotions, and this one’s no exception. With a pricey venue clock ticking and guests twiddling thumbs, our bride made a call. But when mom and dad showed up post-vows, the fallout was less confetti and more conflict. Let’s dive into this matrimonial misadventure and see who’s really at fault.

‘ AITA for starting my wedding on time and not waiting for my parents?’

Weddings are a logistical tango, and being late can step on more than toes. “Punctuality shows respect, but unexpected chaos—like a car accident—deserves some grace,” says Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages, in a piece from Psychology Today. Our bride faced a dilemma: wait and risk the day, or start and risk hurt feelings. She chose the former, unaware her parents were roadside, sans cellphones.

The parents’ no-phone stance feels like a relic from the pre-digital age—charming until it’s not. A quick call could’ve changed everything, but landlines don’t travel. The bride’s frustration is valid; she shelled out big for a tight window. Yet, their crash wasn’t laziness—it was bad luck. Dr. Chapman might note this as a clash of “quality time” (parents wanting to be there) versus “acts of service” (her keeping the day on track).

This taps into a bigger issue: communication breakdowns. A 2022 Pew Research study found 95% of U.S. adults own cellphones—making the parents outliers. Their tech aversion cost them, but was it fair to expect clairvoyance from their daughter? Dr. Chapman advises, “Meet in the middle—plan for delays, but forgive the unforeseen.” Next time, they might borrow a phone; she might stall a beat. Should love bend the clock, or does the schedule rule all?

Check out how the community responded:

The Reddit crew chimed in with gusto—here’s their unfiltered take, served with a wink:

“Brace yourselves—Reddit’s dishing out opinions hotter than a wedding toast!”