Roasted Potato Sends Groom to Hospital During Wedding Reception, Makes Return in Gown

Weddings are supposed to be unforgettable, but for Emily MacKinnon and Nicholas Birke of West Seneca their big day will forever be remembered as the time the groom nearly lost a battle with a roasted potato.

The couple tied the knot on August 23rd at the Botanical Gardens in South Buffalo. Everything was picture-perfect – the vows, the flowers, the laughter – until dinner rolled around. Emily says she had just complimented the food when she looked over and noticed Nicholas wasn’t exactly savoring his meal. Instead, he was turning shades of red and purple.

The culprit? A chunk of roasted potato that refused to go down. Nicholas had managed two bites of chicken, but the potato became lodged in his throat. Emily immediately leapt into action, smacking him on the back while their wedding party scrambled to help. A bridesmaid, who happened to be a nurse, and the best man jumped in as the reception briefly turned into a medical emergency.

Nicholas was rushed to the hospital, placed on a ventilator, and had the blockage removed. While doctors worked, his biggest concern wasn’t medical jargon or test results –  it was making it back in time for the couple’s first dance.

In true wedding-crasher style, Nicholas returned to the reception wearing his hospital gown, arms raised triumphantly, as the remaining 60 guests cheered. Emily insisted he skip the wardrobe change. “Trust me, it’ll be funnier this way,” she told him. She was right. The gown has now been declared a keepsake, destined to hang on their wall like a retired sports jersey (probably).

The party picked up right where it left off. With the DJ still going strong, the venue staff allowed the couple and their guests to keep the celebration alive for hours past closing time.

In the end, the newlyweds said the night reminded them that wedding details don’t really matter when compared to the bigger picture.

As for Nicholas, he bravely faced potatoes again on their honeymoon in Barbados — just not roasted ones.

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Roasted Potato Sends Groom to Hospital During Wedding Reception, Makes Return in Gown