Don't Let Allergies Ruin Your Wedding

You’ve spent months planning for this day, and it’s finally here. You have a beautiful dress, the sun is shining and your family and friends are here. Everything is perfect … except your eyes are watery, your nose is running and you’re more likely to say "Achoo" than "I do."

Your wedding day doesn’t have to end up like this. Proper planning for your wedding day can alleviate many of your allergy symptoms, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). Here are some tips to help you enjoy your big day:

» If you are still in the early planning stages, you may not want to pick a date in the peak of the allergy season that triggers your or your guests’ symptoms. Ragweed, which some say is the most offending plant for people with allergies, begins to pollinate in the middle of August in the Eastern and Midwestern USA.

» Use large, bright colored flowers such as roses, daffodils or daisies to decorate, as these usually do not trigger allergies. They have large, waxy pollens too heavy to be carried about. Or, use dried or silk flowers as an alternative.

» If you know you have allergies, visit an allergist ahead of time to find out what you are allergic to and to receive proper treatment. Take your medication the morning of your wedding, not later in the day when symptoms may already have started.

» If you or any of your guests have food allergies, make sure the caterers understand the offending foods and are able to answer questions from your guests about food ingredients. If you have a food allergy to eggs, you may want to consider a non-traditional dessert instead of traditional wedding cake. Some food allergy reactions can be very severe and even life threatening, causing a condition called anaphylaxis.

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