What happens if someone objects at a wedding? In most cases, nothing drastic beyond creating an awkward situation and an interesting story guests can tell at parties for years to come. But legally, a wedding objection doesn’t trigger any special process.
Typically, the wedding ceremony isn’t where anything serious enough to stop the nuptials would be uncovered. The couple’s marriage is vetted for legal issues like bigamy or age requirements when the couple applies for their marriage license.
So while the “speak now” moment may feel important, it carries little, if any, legal power. Still, some objections could trigger legal problems depending on what’s said and its repercussions.
Wedding Objections: Cringey, But Not Illegal
Countless stories online from wedding officiants and guests recount objections raised at weddings. For example:
- An uninvited wedding guest tells the groom during the ceremony he slept with the bride the night before.
- The best man shoots his shot (albeit not great timing), declaring he’s in love with the bride.
- The son of the groom waited until after the “speak now or forever hold your peace” part to announce the bride was cheating on his dad with her drug dealer and that he couldn’t let him marry her.
- A woman not on the guest list interrupts the ceremony to claim the groom got her pregnant and gave her an STI.
While these examples are certainly cringeworthy, are they illegal? In most cases, no — just bad form. You’re free to speak up and share your opinion on the union. However, spreading false, damaging allegations in front of a crowd could constitute slander.
Can You Sue Someone Because of a Wedding Objection?
It’s possible. If someone simply objects because they oppose the marriage or think the couple is a bad match, that’s just plain rude. But it’s not a legal tort. Also, if the objection reveals an actual legal issue — like the bride being too drunk to stand up — that’s a lawful reason to try to stop a wedding. You can’t sue someone for (correctly) pointing out that both parties must have the mental capacity to enter into a legal contract like marriage.
That said, a few legal theories could apply if someone objects at a wedding, but it depends on what was said and the specific circumstances.
Defamation could apply, but the key here is that the objection is untrue. It also must damage the subject’s reputation in a way that causes financial loss or personal harm. Keep in mind that truth is an absolute defense against defamation or slander.
If the objection is so extreme and malicious that it causes severe psychological trauma, the individual or couple could have a case for infliction of emotional distress.
Most weddings involve several contracts, with everything from the venue to catering to music to photography being part of a legally enforceable agreement. So if someone intentionally and improperly disrupts a contract and ruins a venue event or vendor services, they could be liable under tortious interference.
Origins of “Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace”
Most modern weddings have forgone the “speak now or forever hold your peace” part of the ceremony. But historically, in many Christian churches — especially Catholic churches — this was a key element of every wedding. Asking the congregation, “Does anyone present know of a lawful reason this couple should not be wed?” was a practical way to ensure the couple met the legal requirements for marriage.
If an attendee knew of a valid legal reason the couple should not wed, they were expected to speak up so the officiant could halt the ceremony.
What Actually Invalidates a Marriage?
Marriage laws vary by state, but common factors that will invalidate a marriage include:
- The couple is closely related, like siblings or first cousins (although laws regarding marriage between cousins are nuanced and vary significantly by state).
- One of the parties is legally married to someone else (bigamy).
- One or both parties are underage (keep in mind the age of consent varies by state).
- One or both parties are not legally able to make decisions, including marriage, due to mental incapacity.
- Fraud or coercion was used to deceive, pressure, or manipulate one party into agreeing to the marriage.
If any of the above apply and the couple somehow manages to skirt past a county clerk or make it through their ceremony without objection, the court can void the marriage or issue an annulment.
