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You’ve heard of PWD (post wedding depression) from the likes of Mrs. Lab, Mrs. Meatball, and Mrs. Beagle, but I am here to tell you about another terrifying post wedding condition: Wedding Day Amnesia.
Symptoms of WDA manifest themselves in a very simple way - they simply prohibit you from remembering anything of major significance from your wedding day. A sufferer might remember the timeline of the particular event, but will not be able to recall the details. For example, he/she might remember that there was dancing, and that they danced, but not who they danced with or what songs were played. Or, the patient will remember being very touched by a particular toast, but have absolutely no idea what was said during said speech.
Some common causes of WDA include:
It is believed that when one or more of these causes combine during a person’s wedding day, the patient is unable to properly absorb everything that is going on around him/her. The excitement of the day is so overwhelming, that it fails to register in one’s long term memory. This can be compared to cramming for a big exam the night before the test: you store all of that data in your short term memory, and forget everything right after the test is over.
Unfortunately, WDA doesn’t just affect brides. Grooms have been known to suffer from it, and it can affect anyone with close ties to the organization of the event. Poor Sister Pudding is also a sufferer…
If, like me, you suffer from WDA, have no fear! Although there is no immediate cure, there are things that you can do to reverse the damage caused by this awful ailment. Make sure to review pictures taken by your photographers and friends on a daily basis. Listen to the stories of loved ones who attended your wedding but were not afflicted. Watch your wedding video over and over again. Listen to the music playlist from your wedding. Slowly, the symptoms will fade.
My name is Mrs. Pudding, and I suffer from WDA. Am I the only one?
I can’t remember specific details of certain things either. I had no idea which vows we said; I had to ask a lot of people. My recaps are sparse for that reason!
I remember everything from getting up with food poisoning bright and early up until leaving for the ceremony, but I was kind of upset after the fact that we didn’t have a videographer as the rest of the day is such a blur. I remember saying our vows but could not tell you if they were really the ones we chose. I know that we took the limo to the reception and had dinner and danced but I don’t remember seeing all the details we put so much effort into and I know that I did not get to see and talk to everyone I wanted to. The only thing I can really remember loud and clear is how hot it was with the a/c being broken.
Ha ha count my daughter & myself in, too! A good cure for us has been to ask our guests LOTS of questions when we see them! Can’t wait for the video to help fill in some gaps, too 
You forgot another common cause of PWA… alcohol!!!!!! 
I totally know what you mean! I keep thinking I need to sit down and write down everything I remember about the wedding, before it all fades away! (And before I write my recaps, haha!)
me! i got married on 7/31 and remember how the room looked, how the ceremony was and the vows that were said but beyond that…not much! i remember being at the reception but swear that it only lasted 5 minutes. My husband has the same feeling. People told us that we were dancing all night and we were like, really??? I’m hoping that the pro pics and the video bring some of the memory back! Glad I’m not the only one!
Oh my gosh - same here! I didn’t think I danced that much - but I was out on the dance floor for 3/4 of the night! It just rushed by so quickly, I felt like I had barely been out there!
Aww hope it gets better soon & you can remember more! Thanks for the advice Mrs. Pudding!!
Haha, I’ve had this too, that’s why on our honeymoon I made a point to write some notes to myself about our big day. On weekend mornings, when I’m not ready to get out of bed, I think about our wedding day too, and my half asleep state seems to help me remember too! I’m dying to get our pro pics back in about 3 more weeks, I’m sure those will help jog my memory.
Oh, Cola! Good idea about the half awake remembering! I’ll try that, because I too can’t remember everything (but I think that’s a symptom of me as a person, not me at my wedding!!).
I had the same symptoms and disease! I sometimes feel like most of my memories were pieced together from photos and other people’s stories. I do remember feeling euphoric though!
This has ALWAYS happened to me with any important event. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only person, I thought I was nuts! I might be able to remember bits and pieces, but anytime anyone asks me about a particular part of the event, I can’t remember the specific thing they’re talking about. I think once the big day rolls around, I need to have someone there to remind me to take a minute to step back and just take it all in. Hopefully that’ll help a little bit.
I worry that there will be so much going on that I’ll forget what a lovely day our wedding day will be. Any tips on slowing down and combatting WDA?
hahaha awesome post. . .
and now that you mention it. . .I’m afraid that most probably I’ll be affected by WDA. . .
How can I prevent it??
haha! I love this post! I seriously LOL’d when I read it because you described me to a T. The entire week leading up to the wedding including the wedding day was such a blur to me. I know I did all of those things– danced, cried during toasts… but I have absolutely no recollection of the details or what was said. Thank goodness for our lovely photographer and videographer. WDA is serious!
i’m so glad its not just me. i thought i drank too much, but good to know it wasn’t just the alcohol
Oh geez…so glad I read this post. I have been SO upset (literally in tears) about not remembering chunks of our wedding day! You put so much effort and pressure on yourself I think b/w nerves, stress, adrenaline (sp?) and happiness that time just moves by so quickly. It’s odd b/c the same thing happened at my husband’s Dad’s funeral. I hardly remember any of the two long upsetting days…complete blur, which in this case is not a bad thing sadly. So I think it’s just your emotions take over and your brain can’t handle all of it!
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Mrs. Pudding, Greater Toronto Area/Vermont Age and Occupation: 26, High School Teacher Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Computer Engineer Engagement Date: August 2008 Wedding Date: July 2010 Venue: Catholic Ceremony, Cultural Hall Reception About Me: Quite literally a citizen of the world, I was born in Poland, grew up in Canada, and now live in the beautiful state of Vermont. I love reading historical biographies, multi-tasking, teasing my hair, and, despite my height, wearing high heeled shoes. I am the ultimate klutz with an uncanny ability to put on a graceful front. Mr. Pudding and I have been dating for over six years, and are very excited to finally merge our (very large) families. We are planning a traditional Polish-Catholic wedding that is anything but predictable.
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