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J
Savvy December 2021

Emergency on Wedding Day

Jessie, on January 12, 2022 at 8:26 AM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 6
Hey everyone! So my wedding day didn't go as planned. My Grandmother had, what we now know to be, a mini stroke in the church after the ceremony and receiving line had ended and we were preparing to take portraits. From there she went to the ER with my Mother. I, the bride, tried to go to the ER with them, but due to covid wasn't allowed in. My Mother didn't want me to be alone as I was very emotional and asked that I go to the reception to try and eat. I really just wanted to sit in the parking lot or go home which is closer to the hospital. My Grandmother and Mother are my only living immediate family and we are very close, so it was horrible not being with them. I tried my best to eat, but I was a mess and cried throughout my time there. I kept checking my phone worried about my Grandmother. I didn't allow any party music at the reception because it just felt wrong. I just wanted people to eat, since the food was made and guests were already on their way when everything happened. In the ER my Grandmother bounced back a bit and called and asked that my husband and I do our first dance and cut the cake. We did this and live streamed it for her to watch. Again I cried and was so sad during my first dance. During the dinner my Grandmother had a massive stroke. My husband pulled me aside to tell me and I immediately informed my guests and asked us to pray before leaving in my gown for the hospital. They were transferring her to a new hospital for surgery and this hospital would allow me and my Mother in. I have no formal portraits with my Grandmother and Mother from my actual wedding day and the portraits with my in-laws, I look horrible as I had been bawling on and off for hours. Honestly the day feels like a sad and horrible memory and not a joyous one that everyone envisions for their big day. I worked so hard planning and I look at pictures of the reception and just want to cry. At the same time, I am truly blessed because my Grandmother is alive and there is a chance she will recover. Our wedding day saved her life, which is such a gift. I have been searching for support groups for brides who had these types of experiences, but can't find anything. I'm also hoping my insurance will help cover another reception as it wasn't what we planned, numerous people didn't come or couldn't after my Grandmother's ministroke (my flowergirl was traumatized) and I wasn't there for a good part of the night as I was either trying to get into or going to the hospital to be with her, or on the phone with the hospital trying to relay different guests accounts of the first medical episode which we now know was a ministroke. But I'm also struggling thinking about another reception and retaking of portraits. Is it strange to redo the original reception since it isn't going to be on our wedding day? Can I include all the normal wedding traditions or is that strange? I really want to have some joyous memories of celebrating our wedding and I want my Mother and Grandmother to be there. I have so many thoughts going through my head and so many emotions. If anyone has gone through something similar I'd love to chat and hear what you did to cope.

6 Comments

Latest activity by Eric, on March 9, 2024 at 6:03 PM
  • Cece
    Rockstar October 2023
    Cece ·
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    Oh my gosh, I am so sorry! This sounds so extremely difficult, and my heart truly goes out to you!
    Considering the circumstances, I think you should definitely have a “redo”. Maybe you could do a vow renewal on your one year anniversary, and include most of the usual wedding elements. I suggested the one year anniversary because then it will still be a very special event, so it doesn’t feel like you are just having a party on a random day. And it would also allow your grandmother some time to recoup and recover.
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  • Sydney
    Dedicated October 2021
    Sydney ·
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    I am very sorry to hear this. I hope your grandmother is ok. I had a minor medical emergency at my wedding but it was not bad or disruptive compared to yours. My mom’s friend had a seizure and passed out right after cocktail hour in the barrel room as we were lining up to go do our grand entrance. Luckily a lot of people in my family are MDs so lots of people looked after her and the ambulance came and her husband went with her. It disrupted my wedding for about 30 min but since a lot of the guests were already upstairs in the restaurant they didn’t notice. My timeline was delayed by half hour so I didn’t get to complete my shot list bc I still let my photographer leave at 9pm as planned, so other than that everything was fine. I was very grateful to see my moms friend at brunch the next morning. She was totally fine. It was such a relief! Of course I’m not as close to this person as you are to your grandma and I didn’t let it disrupt my whole wedding but my wedding coordinator did say it was the most stressful thing to happen to her on the job. So, I don’t think this kinda of medical emergency is very common but wishing you the best in finding a support group and trying to recreate your special day. I think a vow renewal on an anniversary sounds like a nice option.
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  • Sharon
    Super September 2021
    Sharon ·
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    Oh what a nightmare!! I'm so sorry and pray for your grandmother's speedy and full recovery.
    I love CeCe's idea of doing a vow renewal for your first anniversary. No one will think it's weird especially knowing the circumstances. And if they do think it's weird, who cares?!
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  • M
    VIP January 2019
    Maggie ·
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    Sending my best wishes to your grandmother's recovery, and to you and your mom while you navigate everything.

    Of course it's fine to plan another party that your mom and grandmother can attend and you can enjoy. Since it was so recent and you are still actively worrying about your grandmother, I would give yourself the gift of not making any big decisions about this right now. Wait until enough time has passed that you know you can enjoy the planning process without it triggering sadness and stress.

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  • Samantha
    Super May 2022
    Samantha ·
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    I would at least redo some pictures as memories fade but the pictures will last forever. And yes I like the idea of an anniversary party at one year. So sorry for what happened to you all Smiley sad

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  • W
    Just Said Yes August 2022
    Wendy ·
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    So I am mother of groom fainted getting hair and makeup done. I was taken by ambulance to nearby hospital. I was told once checked out could come back. There were under lying circumstances and not released tell next morning. Family and friends streamed all important speeches and vow's now heart sick missed my sons most important day. I Am fine but heart sick,

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