The 7 Deadly Wedding Sins

Over 80% of Australian weddings have taken the church out of the equation by getting married by a celebrant. But are you worried that you might be committing one of the seven deadly sins on your wedding day? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered—and there’s one sin I’m pretty sure you’re safe from!

Pride

DIY can be heaps of fun and a great way to save money if you’ve got the time. But if you’re time-poor (hand up!) or just want things done properly, don’t let pride get in the way—ask for help! I’ve got some mates I can recommend.

Pride is an excessive belief in one’s abilities, and it’s often the root of all the other sins.

Envy

Envy is the desire for others’ traits, status, abilities, or situations. But your wedding is your wedding—not someone else’s.

Forget what dress she wore, what she pinned on Pinterest, or where they got married. Your marriage is a once-in-a-lifetime event that deserves a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Don’t get caught up in comparisons.

Gluttony

Gluttony is wanting more than you actually need. At your wedding, this could look like inviting too many people, ordering too much booze, or blowing your budget unnecessarily. A wedding is just one day; a marriage is for life.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t hire quality vendors or buy good things for your day—just don’t go overboard. I once went to a wedding where the couple felt the need to invite every last person in their wide, disconnected social circle. They could have saved $20k and still had a beautiful day without us!

Lust

Lust is an inordinate craving for bodily pleasures. You’re probably fine on this one for your wedding, so feel free to go a bit wild!

Anger

Anger, also known as wrath, is often caused by unmet expectations and poor communication. The “bridezilla” phenomenon is a direct result of this. It’s simple: communicate clearly and frequently—whether that’s with your vendors or your partner.

Most wedding day frustrations can be avoided by talking things through beforehand. So, share your expectations, ask questions, and keep everyone in the loop. It’s your day; don’t let communication issues ruin it.

Greed

Greed is the desire for more material wealth or gain than you need. Yes, we all know weddings are expensive, but your guests might not realise just how much you’ve spent. Maybe to them, that $50 Bunnings gift card is a great present!

So, only invite people who truly matter to you—people who value you, and who you value in return. That way, you won’t be disappointed if their gift doesn’t match the price of their meal ticket.

Sloth

Sloth is the avoidance of physical work. Sure, you can be as lazy as you want on your wedding day! But in your marriage? That’s where the real work begins. The hard part isn’t heavy lifting—it’s addressing issues, communicating desires, and making space for each other in your lives. From day one of your marriage, always be hard at work on communication, love, and being awesome.

💍 Josh Withers is an Australian wedding celebrant based in Hobart who travels the world every week creating meaningful, fun, and honest marriage ceremonies for adventurous couples just like you.

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