So much of the hype surrounding weddings is about the dress & the reception. Sometimes people let the ceremony - which is the most important part and reason for the wedding in the first place - slip to the back burner. These days, it seems like it's all about the cake and the invitations and the decorations and the party. Don't get me wrong - I love all these things about the wedding, but I really, really adore the ceremony, too.
Back when our grandparents, and even our parents, were getting married, they typically had a traditional ceremony in their church, followed by a small reception in the church hall or a nearby restaurant where light snacks, cake and punch were served. Then, the bride and groom changed clothes and immediately departed for their honeymoon. The entire focus of the wedding was on the couple's commitment to each other. It is sad when the reason some people get excited to attend weddings these days is so they can get a nice meal and have access to an open bar. The reason for the wedding is to celebrate the lifelong commitment the couple is making to each other!
As a newlywed bride, I can tell you I flipped through one bridal magazine after another while I was planning my wedding and hardly ever saw anything about the ceremony! There were countless advertisements for bridal gowns and plenty of articles on receptions and decorations, but hardly anything on the ceremony.
My advice to Brides-To-Be is this: cherish your ceremony! It is the start of your marriage. When you stand up in front of the Lord, your family and your closest friends to proclaim your love for your spouse, don't rush it. Don't get so focused on the reception that you miss out on the simple beauty and meaning of the ceremony. Trust me, when you make an extra effort to plan a meaningful ceremony, you will not believe the warmth of love you feel pouring out from all around you. When your groom gets choked-up while saying his vows to you because he is so overcome with love for you, you are going to wish that moment could last forever! You are going to look back on that moment a million times and wish you could put yourself up on that altar with him again. When I look back on my wedding, that is the moment I remember the most clearly and treasure more than anything else.
Back when our grandparents, and even our parents, were getting married, they typically had a traditional ceremony in their church, followed by a small reception in the church hall or a nearby restaurant where light snacks, cake and punch were served. Then, the bride and groom changed clothes and immediately departed for their honeymoon. The entire focus of the wedding was on the couple's commitment to each other. It is sad when the reason some people get excited to attend weddings these days is so they can get a nice meal and have access to an open bar. The reason for the wedding is to celebrate the lifelong commitment the couple is making to each other!
As a newlywed bride, I can tell you I flipped through one bridal magazine after another while I was planning my wedding and hardly ever saw anything about the ceremony! There were countless advertisements for bridal gowns and plenty of articles on receptions and decorations, but hardly anything on the ceremony.
My advice to Brides-To-Be is this: cherish your ceremony! It is the start of your marriage. When you stand up in front of the Lord, your family and your closest friends to proclaim your love for your spouse, don't rush it. Don't get so focused on the reception that you miss out on the simple beauty and meaning of the ceremony. Trust me, when you make an extra effort to plan a meaningful ceremony, you will not believe the warmth of love you feel pouring out from all around you. When your groom gets choked-up while saying his vows to you because he is so overcome with love for you, you are going to wish that moment could last forever! You are going to look back on that moment a million times and wish you could put yourself up on that altar with him again. When I look back on my wedding, that is the moment I remember the most clearly and treasure more than anything else.
Weddings fly by so quickly, and there is so much planning to do. But never lose sight of the reason for the event in the first place - your love for and relationship with your fiance becoming a marriage. It truly is the most incredible thing!
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