Wait the corners lifted TWICE before the ceremony even started?? That would have sent me into full panic mode, honestly. I can't believe she still wanted to keep them on after that, like did she not see it happening in the mirror? You did the right thing switching to the fans, there's no way that strip set was making it through a whole reception with a crying bride. I've seen strips pop off during the first dance and it is a mess every single time, so yeah I'd be saying no upfront from now on. Some brides just don't get that the cheap option costs way more in the end when the photos come back looking rough.

Man. 38 years and he spots one backwards twist from just walking by? That is wild. I did the same thing on a brake line once, thought it was perfect, and my lead made me redo the whole thing because two twists were going the wrong way. Twenty minutes feels like forever in the moment but that lesson sticks with you for years. Dude probably saved your butt and never even made a big deal about it.