#48 Unfortunate Timing
I was a banquet chef for about 5 years at a Country Club near Vancouver, where we had 4 reception rooms. Quite often we had more than one wedding on the same day, which could get interesting with parties running into each other. On New Year’s Eve (this was probably 2003-4?) we had two weddings, one upstairs and downstairs, so no worries normally.
I was working the upstairs wedding when the father of the bride had a heart attack during the reception and was rushed to the hospital. Obviously, it was quite somber, but the guests were still trying to celebrate the wedding, while the mother of the bride and a few family members were with the father. But it was about to get worse.
Unfortunately, the family found out the father passed away in the hospital and decided to announce it to everyone. Right as they told everyone (no joke, like 30 seconds later), the party downstairs were starting a countdown for a “Toronto New Year’s,” as many of the guests and family were apparently from there and celebrating it at 9pm for the time difference. So as everyone in the upstairs banquet room was in shock, they heard 100+ downstairs cheering and singing with joy. To say the least, one of the most awkward moments I’ve witnessed.
Credit: grobi52