CDC tells you how to survive a wedding
The CDC published a wedding survival guide, just in time for the summer.
The US Centers for Disease Control seem to have impeccable timing.
Last summer, the CDC published a tongue-in-cheek survival guide for the "zombie apocalypse." It seemed especially relevant after the recent spate of face-eating and cannibalism incidents. The popularity of the original blog crashed the servers in its first week online, and has resulted in regular blogs with the tag "Zombie Nation" on the CDC website.
This time, the CDC is tackling a much more real and common threat: weddings.
The "Wedding Day Survival Guide" tells readers, "Being in the throes of wedding season, many of us here at CDC realized that planning for a wedding isn't that much different from planning for a disaster. Just remember: Get a Kit, Make a Plan, and Be Informed."
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The bridal kit, says the blog, should probably include safety pins, makeup and "maybe a few sedatives." The CDC also suggests having an emergency first aid kit, water, medications and extra cash on hand.
NPR writes, "A well-stocked emergency kit would include, among other things, a flashlight, first aid kit, local maps and a whistle to call for help. No argument there. Not sure most bridesmaids would put one together for the bride, as the CDC suggests, though."
The planning suggested by the CDC includes having emergency telephone numbers on hand, appointing a "runner" for errands and questions, and asking the people in charge at any venue about their emergency plans and routes.
"Emergencies could range from a tear in your wedding gown, tornado, health issues, monster-in-laws, or bridezilla on the loose," writes the CDC. "Just like you know the risks of putting feuding family members in one room, you should also know to check the weather report."
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Regina Quadir, the health communication specialist behind the blog, told ABC News that she came up with the idea after seeing the parallels between weddings and hurricanes, tornados, and wildfires.
"The two kind of just seemed to have a lot of similarities," she said. "Both are stressful events where you have to be ready for the unexpected and both require planning ahead."
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