Ohio bride says she was sure she’d get stung as ‘six or more’ bees flew around her outdoor wedding. Then she reads a message about what bees mean
Andrew and Savannah Shelek’s wedding ceremony was interrupted by a swarm of bees at Glass on Enchanted Acres in Dennison, Ohio, last month. The couple dealt with six or more bees buzzing around them during the outdoor event, according to People. The footage appeared on social media earlier this week, thanks to the bride and the wedding photographer, Allison Glotfelty. Glotfelty included the text, “Find you a man that protects you at your wedding from so many bees,” on the clip.
Savannah mentioned that the bees were an issue the whole time. The couple didn’t see any bees when they toured the venue last year, so they didn’t expect the insects to be a problem. Glotfelty noted that the bees were noticeably everywhere when everyone arrived. She saw them on the bouquets and the bride’s dress, and they were flying all around the group during the ceremony. Glotfelty admitted that having the insects swarming the couple was a little nerve-wracking.
Glotfelty, however, found a positive perspective on the chaos, calling it a moment to remember. She also said she had read a message about the meaning of bees and found it beautiful. As honeybees work together, some see them at weddings as a lucky symbol of partnership and harmony.
The bride says the bees never really left her alone
Savannah felt certain she would get stung as the bees flew around her. “I thought to myself whenever I heard the bees flying around that I was going to get stung,” Savannah said. Her fear became a reality when a bee made its way into her sleeve and stung her, and Andrew pulled the insect out.
Savannah reportedly mentioned that even after the ceremony ended, the bees were still flying around her while they took pictures. She explained that her husband has been her protector since they started dating in high school, so she wasn’t surprised by his reaction.
The couple stayed calm throughout the ceremony despite the unwanted distraction. However, the moment felt far less sentimental, especially after Savannah was stung. They have since enjoyed watching their wedding go viral, and Savannah said she is shocked the video has reached so many people.
Swatting at bees might actually make things worse
Federal guidance suggests a different approach. The CDC advises staying calm and still when a single stinging insect is flying around, as swatting at it may cause it to sting. When several attack at once, the agency recommends getting away and going indoors, as bees release a chemical when they sting that may attract others.
The guidance also covers what to do after a sting. The agency recommends removing a stinger by wiping gauze or scraping a fingernail over the area, and it warns against squeezing the stinger or using tweezers. It also advises having someone stay with the person to watch for a severe allergic reaction, which requires emergency care.
The insects at the ceremony have been described only as bees. However, Ohio State University Extension notes that yellowjackets are often mistaken for honeybees and can sting more than once. Yellowjackets are most noticeable in the fall, when their populations peak, according to Oklahoma State University Extension.
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