Maybe you've seen it before. You're attending a wedding and the happy couple is up in front, perhaps listening to the minister, priest, or judge speaking about the sanctity of marriage and leading up to the part where they say their vows. At that precise moment, either the bride or the groom begins to sway, and before anyone can react they are on the floor. Naturally, pandemonium ensues, with the other party immediately saying (perhaps yelling) the unconscious person's name while the wedding party mills about and someone yells for water.

Having the bride or groom pass out during the wedding is actually not that uncommon an occurrence, and you might be surprised to discover it is more often the groom than the bride that succumbs to gravity's pull. A combination of nerves, heat, and warm clothes are often blamed, but there is another common cause: the person who passed out hadn't eaten all day!

Why would someone forget to eat? Many people don't realize, or perhaps forget how crowded the days leading up to the wedding are for the couple. There are lots of last minute preparations that need to be handled, with a lot of running around. On top of all that, butterflies may cause people to feel like if they eat, they might get sick. This is normal, but it is also something that must be addressed in order to avoid potential disaster.

Holes in the stomach created by holes in the eating schedule! A lot of people don't realize that most of a very busy day can pass without eating. Many couples will have their rehearsal dinner the day before the wedding, but after that, the couple might not have eaten for a full 24 hours. Consider that eating after the dinner is unlikely, as the couple is probably already full and besides, who wants to do anything before the big day? And when the big day arrives, many people feel too nervous to eat. The bride will also be frantically busy on the morning of her wedding, and forgetting to eat is extremely easy. With pictures right after the ceremony, it is improbable that either the bride or the groom will have a moment to grab a bite until the reception dinner!

Plan ahead. In order to make sure you don't pass out or suffer one of hunger's many other symptoms on your wedding day, make sure that you have a plan so that you don't forget to get something to eat. Grooms are not as busy the morning of the wedding as brides, and it might be a good idea to take out your groomsmen, best man, and your father and father-in-law for breakfast. This can be great time for "the guys" as well.

Brides have a trickier time, because of the lengthy preparations on that busy morning. Still, you should make time to grab a muffin and some juice to get you started for the day.

Couples might also want to think about having a fruit tray or meats and cheeses available for them and their bridal party at the reception hall. Try to avoid anything that is juicy or may leave any kind of stains on the wedding apparel for the pictures, and bring a toothbrush as well!

Having butterflies in the days approaching your wedding is natural, but don't let them trick you into not eating. The day is very tiring in more ways than one, and the both of you will need al the fuel you can get to keep the day going and keep it special. Take some time out and make sure to eat!