How to Avoid Fainting at Your Wedding

Watch any program featuring "outrageous videos" and you'll see footage of numerous people fainting at their wedding, the grooms as well as the brides. These clips may be funny later, but fainting at your wedding can be both embarrassing and dangerous. Your special day will be full of intense excitement as well as stress, and it's important to take care of yourself and plan ahead. Follow these guidelines to avoid fainting at your wedding and have the perfectly happy day you deserve!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Appropriate clothing and shoes
• Light, energy-rich food
• Clear, caffeine-free liquids

1. Choose temperature-appropriate clothing. If you're getting married in the summer, it's a good idea to avoid long-sleeved dresses and bulkier synthetic fabrics that don't breathe. If you're getting married outdoors in a warm climate, make your attire match that climate. Go with silk or linen and other light fabrics that let the air in against your skin. Skip the tuxes for the guys and consider linen suits or go with something even more casual. Formalwear may look nice at first, but when everyone starts sweating and fainting from the heat, your wedding will turn out far from the perfect day you imagined.

2. Buy clothes that fit. Everyone wants to look fabulous for their wedding, but squeezing yourself into a dress or tux that is two sizes too small is a mistake. There's a reason "fainting couches" were invented, back when women were wearing corsets and couldn't get enough air into their lungs to breathe. A tiny waist might look nice in pictures, but the bride sprawled on the ground after passing out doesn't make a very nice photo op. Think about the fun you want to have at your wedding, laughing with your family and friends, and dancing with your new spouse. If you can't move in your clothes, you're not going to enjoy yourself, and that's a shame when the party is supposed to be all about the two of you.

3. Wear shoes that fit. Constricting your feet is also a bad idea. Anything that decreases circulation can have an adverse effect and make you prone to fainting. And for the bride, super high heels should also be avoided, as the added unsteadiness will work against you. You can wear an elegant shoe and still be comfortable if you stay away from extremes.

4. Check the temperature of the church or hall. If you're getting married indoors, be sure you know what it'll be like the day of your wedding. Do they tend to have the heat turned up to blasting? Does the air-conditioning constantly break down? Find out if there'll be a staff member on hand the day of your wedding so any adjustments can be made. It's a good task for an usher or family member to get to the church early on the day of the wedding, and make sure the temperature is right. Don't worry if it's a bit cold, the big concern is if it's going to be too hot.

5. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids during the day, especially if it's hot or excessively dry. Steer clear of caffeine. Stick with water, ginger ale, or other clear liquids in case there's an accidental spill.

6. Eat something. You may feel too nervous to eat but it's important to keep your energy up. Have a piece of toast and jam or some chicken soup. Have some fruit, such as bananas, apricots, and nectarines, which are high in potassium. This keeps your electrolytes balanced and helps give you energy. Eat before you dress, or cover up your clothes to avoid any accidental food stains.

7. Avoid alcohol. Alcohol dehydrates you and can make you dizzy or light-headed. The effects will be stronger if you haven't eaten much. Save the champagne as part of the celebration after the wedding.

8. Don't take any new medication. Well-meaning relatives may offer you sedatives or nerve pills to help calm you on your big day, but don't be persuaded. If you feel you may need something for your wedding jitters, talk to your doctor well beforehand, to get something that's specifically prescribed for you. Be sure to try the medicine first to be sure how you react to it. Many medications can cause dizziness or a racing heart and you don't want to be surprised by adverse reactions on the day itself.

9. Don't lock your knees. This a trick choir singers learn, where fainting and falling off of the risers was no laughing matter. Keeping your legs rigid while standing for a long period of time can interfere with circulation and cause the blood to pool in your lower extremities. If the blood has trouble getting back up to your brain, you're in danger of passing out. Keep your knees loose and shift your weight occasionally, especially if you start to feel some numbness. There's no need to dance around, just slight movements will help keep the blood flowing.

10. Remember who the day is for. Imagining your wedding as some grand event where you have to perform for a big crowd is the sure way to faint from anxiety and pressure. Think instead about why you are there--to get married to the person you love. The only person you need to look at is her, and she the only person you need to say your vows to. Enjoy the bond you're making with the person you want to be with, and forget all the rest.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're starting to feel faint and don't think you can stop it, quickly bend your knees and try to get yourself safely to a seated position on the ground. The closer you are to the floor when you faint, the less danger there is of injuring yourself from the fall.
• Keep an eye on your partner. You can usually see the signs ahead of time before someone faints. Agree to look out for each other throughout the service. If your new spouse looks too rigid, his eyes unfocused, or you feel him swaying slightly, be sure to quickly intervene. Often a quick squeeze of the hand can remind him to unlock his knees and get the blood flowing again. If not, you'll at least have awareness of him and be able to catch him when he starts to fall.
• Be sure to share this information with your bridal party as well. Bridesmaids and groomsmen faint at weddings, too, and it's good to keep them informed and safe as possible from injury.

Resources

• Browse through wedding gowns at David's Bridal
• Learn about potassium-rich foods at Drugs.com