Forget that the recent wedding reception of Tampa, Fla., couple Tasha Johnson and Markeith Brown was held at a restaurant called the Rusty Pelican -- it was apparently a classy, fairy tale-themed event, complete with a horse and carriage, romantic vows exchanged at an oceanside gazebo and a ballroom reception. The affair remained classy until around 9 p.m., when Tampa police say Brown began throwing money on the dance floor for children to pick up, which angered one of his guests. When the groom and his brother asked the guest to leave, a fight broke out that escalated and spilled into the parking lot. Cops came -- but it doesn't end there. After guests left, the fight started up again in a hotel parking lot, where the groom's 74-year-old grandmother was put in a choke hold after trying to break up the brawl.
At least one person has been arrested and one was treated in the emergency room as a result of this wedding brawl, but you might be happy to learn that Tasha and Markeith, "the money thrower," are enjoying their honeymoon in the Bahamas right now. They might not be any worse for the wear after their wedding gone wrong, but if you want to avoid making some major mistakes -- as either a bride, a groom or a wedding guest -- pay attention to the following five things you should never do at a wedding.
1) THROWING MONEY AT YOUR GUESTS: It can be a cultural tradition for the bride and groom to do a "money" or "dollar" dance at a wedding, but sprinkling dollar bills on a crowd of people, aka "making it rain," is a totally different story and is never a good idea (see: Jones, Pacman). Also, as generous as it might be, it's pretty gross to give money to your guests in the same manner that you gave out money to the dancers at your bachelor party.
2) GET BOOZY & BELLIGERENT: If treated responsibly, open bars are nice accents to a fun wedding. If treated irresponsibly, well, see above. There's really no better way to ruin what is supposed to be the best day of two peoples' lives than to get drunk and start throwing blows. On days like these, family ties come undone. The bride will call the police on you.
3) SCREW UP THE TOAST: Write notes. Don't have too many drinks beforehand. Remove all thoughts of his or her exes from your mind. Be discreet. Because if you call the bride by the groom's ex-girlfriend's name or let it slip that she's in her first trimester, she'll never let you come to the house again. Ever.
4) HIT ON SOMEONE INAPPROPRIATE: It should go without saying that the groom's grandmother is off limits, right? It's hard to be single at a wedding, but there's no rule that says you have to find someone to hook up with at every wedding celebration you attend. Relax.
5) BE TACKY: Of course, tacky people don't necessarily know they're tacky. But if you don't do any of the things that this family in the UK did for their 16-year-old daughter's wedding last year, then you at least know you won't have the tackiest wedding the world has ever seen.


Comments: (170)
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By: rachelle on 11/11/2009 2:10PM
Neo, Black Voices is just a title that a person(s) came up with for a web page. It is not racists for them to title it that. And it isn't racist for a person to title it White Voices either. If there is a law that says there can't be a blogg called White Voices then you need to seriously lobby to have that law abolished. So if you or anyone else desire a blogg titled White Voices...go for it and Go in Peace!!!
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By: TurnOfftheBoobTube! on 11/18/2009 6:09PM
Another argument AGAINST having big, elaborate, expensive wedding receptions. It creates a lot of unnecessary debt for one side of the family or the other, and with families there is always one oddball who isn't going to be "happy" for one stupid reason or another. Flashy wedding recepitions don't guarantee anything - most important thing of all - that a marriage is going to last.
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By: phil on 11/11/2009 11:56AM
Weddings have now become a joke. So much has been made of the ceremony and not the reason behind the celebration. Too much is spent trying to impress others (raining money), instead of seeking to share the joy of the union. All MUST be perfect!
I plan to never attend another wedding, if I can help it. (nor another High School graduation ceremony.) I tell everyone to forget the wedding invitation and just invite me to the divorce. (It tends to be happier!) (over 50% will end up this way.)
In lieu of my attendance, I would offer a gift much more valuable than most you will receive: A coupon for professional counseling! Tell me in one sentence WHY you want this union? Be specific. This may serve you better than all the silver and china that will be pawned later on.
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By: Erika on 11/11/2009 7:12AM
These people were throwing money...not at the adults...at the kids...what kid does not like money?? The person who got offended need's a drink and a chill pill!!
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By: Connie on 11/11/2009 7:50PM
In response to Jackie's comment,
I'm black and when I use the N word its always negative, never affectionate. I fail to see how such an ugly word can ever be used endearingly. As a matter of fact I think that the word should be used for other races as well because it has come to mean a type of dispicable behavor or attitude; for me anyway.
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By: Joseph on 11/11/2009 7:42AM
I am a white Italian American born in the U.S.A., and all I can say is that not even the Mafia would act in this manner. What the hell is wrong with people that start a fight at a wedding. what happens at a funeral or a dinner party? My God why don`t people grow up and act like adults.
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By: Mouse on 11/11/2009 7:44AM
I wonder how the wedding march sounded with all that bass.
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By: Ken on 11/11/2009 9:57AM
People should calm down or tone down about all these race comments on any circumstances. Judge people on their actions and characters not on race. This incident happened by a black race, so what. other stuffs happen too by white race e.g Lambert the soccer player, and these other girls fighting during soccer game, dont mean whites are animals, this incident dont mean blacks are either. So stop that ignorance and wise up.
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By: Shannon on 11/11/2009 7:56AM
Why does everything have to be a battle over race? We all bleed red. We are all human. This is just coverage on an unfortunate event that took place on the special day of a very beautiful couple. It could happen to any race of people.
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By: kjk443 on 11/13/2009 4:03PM
You are right. Also, remember our veterans today. Since this blog is putting down blacks, let's educate the haters a little. The men that went to concentration camps to free the victims of never again were black. I say look up other stories today about heroes in the Black Culture. I know you hate them, but maybe it might open your eyes to the wonder of it all.
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