49 Times Grooms Were So Toxic That Their Brides Should Have Just Left Them At The Altar

According to a survey from the Pew Research Center, about 55% of unmarried men and 50% and unmarried women express a desire to tie the knot someday. So why is it that some men look like they’re being held hostage when they finally say “I do”? Many weddings include tasteless jokes about how a wife is a “ball and chain” or feature cake toppers of grooms being dragged to the altar.

This humor is particularly surprising because men tend to benefit even more from marriage than women do. The Survey Center on American Life reports that the majority of both men and women believe that men who get married and have children are happier than other men. However, less than half of men and less than a third of women believe that women who marry and start families are happier than those who don't.

Men also tend to see an increase in earnings in the workforce after getting married and having children, while women are penalized for focusing on their families. At the same time, women initiate a whopping 70% of divorces, and men are more likely to remarry after divorce than women are.

Despite the fact that marriage is supposed to be a partnership, women are often still burdened with the majority of domestic and childrearing responsibilities. The Pew Research Center reports that even in egalitarian marriages, where both partners are earning similar wages, women spend nearly two more hours each week than their husbands taking care of their kids. And wives spend over twice as much time on housework per week than their spouses. So it's best to be 100% before making the commitment of marriage!

To learn more about the toxic behavior that some grooms have been caught exhibiting on their wedding days, we got in touch with wedding expert Jhona Yellin, Editor at Bespoke Bride Magazine. She was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and discuss how common this behavior is.

"While the stereotype tends to cling to brides, we can confidently say that 'groomzillas' (or perhaps 'groom-grumbles' for a softer touch?) are far from rare," Jhona says. "It's less about gender and more about personality, stress management, and, frankly, a latent desire for control that can surface under pressure."

"We've encountered grooms who micro-manage the playlist to an obsessive degree, demand specific (and often obscure) culinary delights, or become surprisingly unyielding about the guest list, treating it like a strategic military maneuver rather than a celebration," Jhona shared. "For instance, we once had a groom who insisted on personally selecting the wedding wine list and inspecting every single wine bottle for flaws, holding up the tasting by an hour."

"In another case, a groom refused to compromise on a wildly expensive vintage car for arrival, despite it blowing a significant chunk of their transport budget," the expert continued. "So, while the label might not stick as readily, the behavior? Absolutely. It’s common enough that we've certainly had our share of stories from exasperated brides and even bewildered wedding suppliers navigating a groom's unexpected dictates."

Jhona also noted that it's common for grooms to be less outwardly invested in the aesthetic minutiae of their wedding day than their bride. "Think Pinterest boards and floral arrangements. Their passions often lie elsewhere, like curating the perfect playlist, ensuring top-tier catering, or, famously, meticulously selecting the precise alcohol brands for the bar," she explained.

"For example, we helped plan a wedding where the bride meticulously designed every detail of the reception decor, but the groom's singular focus (and significant time investment) was on creating a craft beer bar with obscure local brews, often accompanied by surprisingly passionate debates over the perfect signature wedding cocktails!" the expert shared. "It's all about the 'vibe' and the party, rather than the place settings!"

However, Jhona says there's a critical difference between disinterest in decor and disinterest in the union or the effort. "If a groom's disengagement veers into outright indifference, a refusal to contribute to shared decisions, or a lack of respect for his partner's desires, that's a definite red flag," she warns. "A wedding, much like a marriage, is a partnership. If one person shoulders the entire burden or actively undermines the process with apathy, it speaks volumes about their willingness to share responsibilities and support each other in the long run."

So are there any red flags that might pop up during the wedding planning process that may be signs to call the whole thing off? "While wedding planning should be a joyful journey, it often acts as a powerful stress test, bringing any underlying relationship dynamics right to the surface," Jhona told Bored Panda. "It's a great opportunity to really see how you function as a team. If you're noticing controlling behavior that wasn't there before, like him dictating your time or friends, that's a big flashing sign."

"Similarly, constant disrespect or dismissiveness of your ideas and feelings, or a flat-out refusal to compromise on even small things, shows a deeper issue than just wedding stress," the wedding expert continued. "Of course, any form of emotional or verbal ab*se – like yelling, name-calling, or gaslighting – is a non-negotiable red flag."

Finally, Jhona says that if there's a consistent negative attitude or a lack of enthusiasm for the marriage itself, not just the party, it's worth taking a pause. "These aren't just minor bumps in the road; they're fundamental issues that could profoundly impact your life together," she shared. "The wedding is just one day, but the marriage is a lifetime, and it's essential to enter it with eyes wide open."

Is this list making you appreciate your own spouse more, pandas? Or, if you have no plans of getting married, are you feeling relieved that you never tied the knot? Keep upvoting the images that you find particularly appalling, and let us know in the comments below if you’ve ever attended a wedding where the groom behaved extremely poorly. Then, if you’d like to check out another Bored Panda article calling out entitled brides and grooms, look no further than right here!