Woman Plans Wedding for 6 Years, Then Gets an Unpleasant Surprise 5 Days Before Saying 'I Do' (Exclusive)
Taylor and David Imus got engaged in 2016
Taylor Imus; JB Peters Photography
Taylor Imus leading up to her wedding day, and at her weddingOne woman's wedding week prep didn't exactly go as expected.
Taylor Imus had been planning her wedding to her longtime fiancé, David Imus, for six years after the couple, who met through mutual friends, got engaged in 2016. But just five days before their wedding, the unexpected happened.
"I was playing co-ed slow-pitch softball, playing second base, when a ground ball took a bad hop and hit me on the head," the bride, 36, tells PEOPLE exclusively. "It knocked me out, and I had to go to the ER. This happened on Monday evening, and my wedding was just five days away, on Saturday!"
"The first thing I thought was, 'My wedding is in five days!' " she continues, recalling how she was sobbing at the time.
After the accident, Imus went straight to urgent care, where she received an MRI and was referred to a concussion clinic. She says some of her symptoms included headaches and random bruising all over her body. Following her visit to urgent care, she had a follow-up appointment with her primary care doctor, who then sent her to a neurologist.
"My husband supported me through it all, working while I had to be off work for a month," she says, adding how for the first two days after the injury happened, she was devastated.
"But then I was in good spirits," she continues. "My family, friends, coworkers were all hyping me up, making me feel beautiful. I never thought to postpone, I was just positive my bruising would go down in five days. It in fact did not."
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Leading up the wedding, Imus explains how she had already hired an airbrush makeup artist to do her glam. After the accident happened, and her face was severely bruised, she knew the artist had her "work cut out for her," she says.
"It in fact was her hardest job, but she nailed it," Imus, part owner of a breakfast restaurant in Richland, Mich., says. "I was absolutely insecure about my face, but I believe I rocked it and I got lots of love and support from friends and family."
After the wedding, Imus shared her story on Facebook and later posted a video on TikTok. The TikTok has since gone viral, with 3.5 million views and more than 1,000 comments. Reading through the comments, the newlywed says many were overwhelmingly positive, and their replies have boosted her self-confidence, making her feel like the most beautiful bride.
"Okay, but so many women give up their sports and interests. I’m kind of loving that an upcoming wedding didn’t stop you from having fun! 🥰," one comment reads.
"Oh man, that’s painful—physically and emotionally, especially with such a big day ahead. The good news is, he’s loved you through it all for 13 years and will still totally think you’re the most beautiful person in the world on your special day. Congrats!" someone else responds.
"I cannot stop smiling!" Imus says, adding how she's loved sharing the story with others. "Beauty is pain!"
Although her wedding day is now behind her, she has one piece of advice for future brides: "Always wear a face mask when playing contact sports."
