Open flames can present a fire danger
Back in my San Francisco DJ days, The Fairmont Hotel never allowed candles… under any circumstances. The policy stemmed from an incident several decades earlier. When that hotel said NEVER… that is precisely what they meant… NO EXCEPTIONS.
On the other hand, the much newer San Jose Fairmont allowed indoor fireworks. It required a plan, a permit, specially crafted pyrotechnics and a member of the local fire authority on hand.
Those two hotels give a solid example, even with the same hotel group, that there can be different rules, covering different situations. Both emphasize safety. One is absolute! No flames, period!
Recently, one of my Mid-West pals told me about a wedding he attended as a guest. The ceremony was being held in a hotel ballroom, the reception in an adjacent ballroom. He described the beautiful, covered chairs, a red runner, and candles in containers, next to every row of chairs. Sounded beautiful.
The stage was set, for the ceremony, and suddenly there was a commotion across the aisle. Apparently, one of the grandmothers had lingered too long, near one of the candles. The fabric of her dress ignited and all-hell-broke-loose.
From what he told me, the fire was extinguished, quickly, but some damage was done. Grandma’s dress was toast. She received some burns and was treated at a local hospital. Though the worst case outcome was avoided, nerves were frayed, and the incident put a damper on the wedding and reception.
Not knowing the exact circumstances, it made me wonder who/whose decision this was, to place open-flame candles in such a dangerous place.
Who might have observed the hazard and who might have (or did) speak up about it? If someone spoke up, where they ignored, shined on, or belittled?
Your options for responsible parties might include:
- The Bride and/or Groom
- The Wedding Planner or Day-Of Consultant
- The Decor Company
- The Banquet Manager and/or Catering Manager
- Other wedding professional, present, with eyes on the room
It strikes me that the last word on preempting this kind of dangerous situation is the venue representative (banquet, catering or event manager). Regardless of whose idea it was, who approved it, or whether it was permitted or not, the risk is obvious.
That doesn’t mean other parties might not be partially culpable, including the bride, decor company, and a wedding planner/coordinator (if involved in this event).
Is it simply a case of saying YES to the bride, ignoring the issue? Possibly
To me, the oversight is so blatant that EVERY wedding professional in the room, providing they have two eyes and a pulse, should mention it to the venue representative. That person may be highly focused on a variety of issues and might be in tunnel-vision mode, seeing only their BEO and what it states.
Should that venue event manager(s) have the peripheral vision and awareness to see the problem and mitigate the risk? One would hope so, but apparently not, in this instance.
ALTERNATIVES: Battery-power candles are easily available, to accomplish the effect. They are a worthy substitute, without presenting any of the risk.
I don’t find it amazing that a non-professional (the bride) would be dialed-in to the effect, and fail to see the danger. It is amazing that multiple wedding professionals absolutely missed it.
An instance such as this, could result in dress damage, burns to grandma, and in a worst-case variation, a full-scale fire.
I’m interested in your comments… on this scenario, and generally.
- What policies do you come across, allowing or restricting open flames at weddings or receptions?
- Who do you think bares and shares responsibility (in this case and generally)?
Andy Ebon
Chief, The Wedding Police
