August 2009

When I was planning my wedding I was so excited to look at flowers, taste cakes, and make decisions about a ton of things to make my wedding day awesome.  As someone whose dad was a firefighter I also thought about guests safety.  I know, makes me a little weird, right?

But I have just been reading about the 41 women and children who died in the wedding fire in Kuwait.  If you think it can't happen here in the United States I am sorry to say you are wrong.  I can't begin to count the number of times I performed in a venue that crowded way to many people in a room.  Recently I was at a country club and when the guests were all in their seats there was very little room between the tables.  You literally sucked in your tummy and hoped your tush wasn't too big because you were trying to wedge yourself in between chairs to get around.  If that room had caught fire I am quite certain people would have died that day.

So what things can you do to make sure your guests are safe?

  • Know the room capacity and do not exceed it.  If the venue isn't big enough either find another venue or cut your guest list.  You should have enough room between tables to comfortably walk between them.
  • Be sure all candles are in approved containers and arranged in such a way that the flame will not touch anything, including the hair of a guest that might learn over the candle. (yes, I've seen it happen.  Human hair sure smells when it burns.  Thankfully she was able to put it out quickly.)
  • How many exits does the venue have?  Are they well marked?  Is anything blocking those exits?
  • Sprinklers in the room?  They can add precious minutes in case of a fire.
  • Is anyone on staff trained in CPR or first aid?
  • Safety isn't just about fires.  Are you near a river or body of water?  What plans does the venue have in place in case of flood?  In case of tornadoes?
  • On another level, what does the venue do to mitigate a mosquito problem?  West Nile still exists.  Will you need to bring some mosquito spray for your guests comfort?
  • In a tent?  How well is it secured in case of high wind gusts?
  • The sun.  Yes, even the sun can be a bad thing.  If you are having a daytime event be sure that plenty of water and shade is available for your guests. Dehydration happens quickly in our Colorado climate.
  • How does your disc jockey set up his/her equipment?  Are cords taped to the floor to avoid a tripping hazard?  Do they use an approved power strip for electrical needs?  Are they using commercial grade electrical cords (gauge 12 or 14) versus the household extension cord (gauge 18 or 20)?  I saw one DJ who actually used a three way plug which he plugged into another three way plug.  Not a good idea.

Creating a safe wedding environment is not a fun thing to think about.  But it needs to be done.  You'll have a more relaxing wedding day if you know that everything possible has been done to create a fun and safe experience for you, your family, and your friends.