Everybody loves a wedding

I used to dread weddings. It’s true. I really never got into weddings because I thought they were dull. Weddings – at least the ceremony part – always seemed to be longer than they needed. They took place in either an overcrowded un-air conditioned church or in a large area with uncomfortable seats. They always droned on and on. They always left me fidgety; not quite bored, yet still a little stir-crazy.

It took finally participating in a wedding – my own wedding – for me to understand the importance and planning that is required to make the ceremony run smooth. Everyone had their places, and everyone needed to be there right now.

Now I can appreciate a well thought out wedding. I understand what each part means, and how each wedding can be different. I’ve been to at least two weddings per year since I graduated from college, and I find, more than anything, that the construction of the ceremony is actually quite interesting.

Everyone has their own way of making their special day even more special than the wedding they may have just gone to. Those who get married later in life and, therefore, have attended more of their friends and families weddings, have a virtual smorgasbord of choices. They can pick and choose from each wedding they’ve been in or attended and take out the things they thought were tacky.

A wedding is the ultimate representation of a couple at that point in their lives, regardless of their ideas. It’s what everyone will remember about the newly married couple for the first few months after the ceremony. It’s a grand spectacle for everyone to marvel at – that’s the idea – and it’s all anyone can really think about for a few days. It defines the newly married couple, in some cases for years, and is much more important than I ever thought it was when I was young.

Regardless, I watched two close friends of our get married this past weekend, and I remembered how happy I was and how much fun I had at my own wedding. I remembered how nervous I was to have everything go right. I enjoyed seeing how happy Ryan and Heather were when they walked back down the aisle as husband and wife.

At the same time, I’ll admit that the entire time I was enjoying being part of the wedding without having to actually do anything aside from read a passage. I looked forward to going to a reception without having to set anything up. I actually enjoy weddings now, because I know exactly what has to happen to make it perfect, and it’s a lot of hard work. So I can sit back, enjoy someone else’s hard work, and relax.

Weddings are great. They’re one of the happiest times anyone can spend with their friends or family. Maybe that sounds mushy, but I’d be lying if I commented differently.

Congratulations Ryan and Heather.

May every day be as enjoyable as your wedding day.