What to Do if a Guest Has a Health Emergency

Planning a wedding is stressful enough — the last thing that you want to think about is having call an ambulance on your big day. However, you never know what could happen, so it pays to be prepared. Here are a few tips to keep in mind if that situation comes up — or better yet, forward this article to your maid of honor so she can take care of it for you!

Try to Prevent Emergencies

Even though you can't completely prevent medical emergencies from happening, there are steps that you can take to help keep your guests safe. Offering ample shade and plenty of water for your guests for an outdoor wedding in the summer can help prevent heat stroke and heat exhaustion, for example. Inquiring about whether or not your guests have any food allergies and working with your caterer to accommodate these guests can help you avoid allergic reactions or other similar issues.

Provide a Quiet Place for the Guest to Sit Down

If possible, invite the guest to sit down in a quiet place within your venue. Even a spot in the corner, away from all of the activity, can be better than if your guest is in the middle of the action. This can help your guest relax while further aid is sought, and can also help prevent everyone else from noticing what is going on, which can dampen the mood of the party.

Ask for Help

If there is a guest who has some sort of healthcare degree or medical training, keep their number in your phone or memorize their face so you can ask them for help. If you don't know much about how to handle a health emergency, having someone who is a bit more experienced and knowledgeable can help you handle the situation better. It will also ensure that the person gets the help that he or she needs.

Call an Ambulance

If your guest is in need of immediate medical attention and they have not indicated otherwise, call an ambulance. Even though you might not have pictured having sirens and flashing lights at your wedding, calling for help promptly can help ensure that your guest is properly cared for—and even save their life.