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A Wedding Memory – It's All About the Details

photo: vesic.com

Here’s a story that will give you a peek into why I love officiating weddings. . .

Sheryl and her fiancé Tad (names changed) decided to have an intimate weekday wedding at Table Rock Beach, a secluded slice of Laguna Beach. They invited ten close friends to their celebration. Tad’s family is in Tennessee and later in the month Tad and Sheryl were going back for a party in their honor.

I visited Sheryl at her hotel room.  It was small, funky and cramped with her gal pals  fussing over her. Sheryl twirled about showing off her white thrift store dress. Had they been in a presidential suite, they could not have been happier.

I made my way over to the ceremony spot. To get to the beach, you have to walk down 144 steep steps. As I made my way down, I noticed several boys and girls playing Frisbee. They were just a little older than Sheryl and Tad were on the day of their first kiss. He was fourteen and she was thirteen. They became high school sweethearts. After graduation life got in the way and they drifted apart. Over the years they were hazily aware of each other’s whereabouts and then, a year ago, Tad reached out on Facebook. . .

It grows late and light is falling. As we wait for Sheryl and her posse, Tad tells me that his daddy is deceased – he died when his tractor rolled over on him – he was only thirty-nine. Tad’s great-granddaddy died when Tad was twenty.

He talks about these rough-hewn farming men with a quaver in his voice. He loved them and I’m moved by the still rawness of his love. Mist is inching in on us and I have the sense that the spirits of Tad’s father and grandfathers are here with us.  

Today is the 51^st wedding anniversary of Tad’s parents. That’s why he wanted to get married on this day.

He’s starting a new job. He sweated through seven interviews for the job of laying cable in Long Beach. He admits that he doesn’t have “much self-confidence” and so the interview process was grueling. He starts work tomorrow at 7:30am – no time for a honeymoon.

He may not think he has confidence, but on this night he has all the confidence he needs to marry the woman he loves – and has loved for most of his life.

I have Tad and the friends who’ve gathered move over to a spot that won’t be washed up by the in-coming tide.

A woman forms a circle with tossed rose petals.

Folks begin to hum the wedding march as we glimpse Sheryl at the top of the stairs. As clichéd as it sounds, she really is a vision of loveliness as she descends through the mist!

There’s no photographer – just smart phones. They read their personal vows by the light of an i-phone supplied by a friend

They are a stolid couple throughout the ceremony, though they do share an occasional shy, sly wink.

Tad is a simple man whose life is grounded in the continuity of family. He was able to be there on that beach because of them.

“The institution of marriage” is such a cold phrase that doesn’t capture what these two are about. . .standing on that beach – fragile, scared and scarred, brave and hopeful, generous and ignorant. When they first kissed thirty years ago they had no idea what it would take to get to this moment in time.

I’m again reminded of my favorite quote from the movie, “Shall We Dance?”

In a marriage, you’re promising to care about everything.  The good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things—all of it, all of the time, every day.  You’re saying, ‘your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it.’  Your life will not go un-witnessed because I will be your witness.’

Tad has witnessed three generations of men grow old with the women they loved and married. And now he takes his place alongside them. Now he becomes a witness to the woman he loves.

A bride in a thrift store dress – a groom grateful for a new job – a couple who took thirty years to make good on their first kiss – those are not the components of an “institution” and those are not the props of a fairy tale. They are the markers of a life lived in all its glory and in all its uncertainty.

Earlier in the evening, while waiting at the bottom of those 144 steps with Tad, a teenaged boy walked by, noticed Tad’s blue sneakers and then glanced at his eyes.  Nodding to the shoes, he said, “Cool, they match your eyes” and bounded up the steps.

It was a remarkably small detail but what’s a life well lived other than the accumulation of remarkable details?

THE Secret To Successfully Planning Your Wedding

photo: Dale Robinette/Lionsgate

A happy marriage is a long conversation that always seems too short.

Andre Malroux

true story

One night I grabbed dinner at my favorite local bistro. The staff knows me and brings me “the usual” without my having to ask. I was lost in a book when I happened to glance up and look across the room. Two tables lined the opposite wall. 

At one sat a young couple in their twenties – laughing, animated. And at the other table sat an elderly couple in their seventies – talking, smiling. I thought—now here’s a snapshot of marriage – not so much “before” and “after” as “early” and “later.” Except for the wrinkles, little differentiated the older couple from the younger. Smiling, talking, laughing. 

The German philosopher Nietzsche claimed that in its essence, marriage is one long, grand conversation. The simple truth is that a lifetime of hearty conversation is the surest sign of love.

I’ve officiated over one thousand weddings and I’m now convinced that THE question every couple needs to explore before sending out their invitations is this – What does your wedding celebration mean to you?

You need to be clear on your answer at the beginning of your planning because in the hubbub of organizing for your wedding day, it’s easy to lose sight of just what the day means to you and your partner.

In the chaos of planning, you’ll be surprised at how little time you have to talk to each other. So at the beginning of the process, before you dive in, talk about the ceremony and your vows. 

Go some place you both enjoy.

Make a date with each other.

Turn off the cell phones. 

Talk. 

Relax.

Laugh.

Remind yourselves why you’re doing this craziness.

Laugh.

true story

Ashley and Dan invited me to have pizza as we finalized the ceremony details. It was going to be ninety degrees the afternoon of their outdoor ceremony and Dan reminded me he wanted it kept barebones short. As he droned on, I noticed Ashley was quiet and no longer smiling. Her family was Roman Catholic and not happy that she wasn’t getting married in the Church. At our first meeting, she said she wanted a ceremony that wasn’t rushed. As Dan dove into his pizza, Ashley took out some tissue. She was clearly upset, so I asked her to tell Dan her concerns.

Caught off guard, he put his pizza down and listened as she blurted out her fears that the ceremony was going to be hurried and too short. He was surprised and admitted that although Ashley had told him what she wanted the ceremony to be like, he’d forgotten what she’d said. In the weeks leading up to this final meeting, he hadn’t really listened to her.

As they continued to talk – and listen – they were relieved to discover that they both wanted the same thing. Dan’s idea of “short” was no more than twenty-five minutes. He didn’t want the full-blown one-hour Catholic service. Ashley didn’t want that either. She wanted a twenty to twenty-five minute ceremony, which she thought was just right and not short.

It’s been said that listening is the greatest act of love. If so, then the greatest thing you can do for each other is to listen to each other.

Text messages. Emojis. Scribbled notes. We do business and live our lives in a swirl of information. Yet, how often are we actually communicating, listening? 

true story

I recently reunited with a couple whose wedding I officiated fifteen years ago. They look older but their spirits are as I remember them. Open, inquisitive, yet clearly defined in their ongoing aspirations. Jack Daniels joined us at the table and story begat story. It was a magical night.

As I was leaving, Frank suddenly asked me: “Do you know why Renee and I are still in love?” Various answers came to mind, but I simply said, “No, why are you still in love?” He said: “We’re kind to each other.”

So simple.

He explained how they consciously decided that they didn’t ever want to lose sight of being each other’s partner and best friend – not punching bag or dumping ground for the day’s irritations.

Listening is the kindness act of all.

I know that you have a gazillion things to juggle, professionally and personally. But, why go to the expense, time, and emotional investment of your wedding if you aren’t going to be present to it – and to your partner – and to your marriage?

There is no greater thing you can do for each other than to listen. It is the ultimate sign of respect. And yet the #1 complaint I hear from couples is each accusing the other of not listening.

Remember:  You protect and keep each other safe when you talk with each other.  Really talk—silly to serious. You can’t plan your ceremony, your wedding, or your life, without talking.  Real listening keeps you on the same page and helps you to remember what’s important and why it’s important.

A wedding vow, in its essence, is a vow to listen to each other in mutual fidelity and perseverance.

 

 photo: duyhophotography.com

7 SANITY SAVER tips to help you listen to yourself and to your partner:

1.           Get rid of all distractions. Yes, turn the TV off and agree not to answer any phone call. You’ll have time for all those other things later.  Don’t ever multi-task when talking about wedding “stuff” – particularly your vows!

2.           Listen openly to what your partner has to say without becoming defensive, even if you don’t readily agree with what he or she is saying.

3.           Let the other person complete their thought. Don’t interrupt or finish each other’s sentences. 

4.           Engage your partner in genuine conversation. Don’t deliver a monologue or a scolding.

5.           Ask your partner to explain what he means, she means, if you don’t understand his thinking or her take on things.

6.           Pay attention to the feelings that lurk underneath what your partner is and is not expressing.

7.           Paraphrase back to your partner what they’ve said, so you confirm that you do understand what they’re saying. Ask for clarification.

 photo: jonas-seaman.com

10 Questions You and Your Partner Need To Explore

Before You Lose Yourself On Pinterest!

1. Who are your role models for marriage? Why are they models? How realistic a model are they?

2. When people speak of your wedding, what 3 words do you want them to say? What 3 words do you not want them to say? 

3. Is your wedding day a beginning or a touch point in your life together?

4. What was the most joyful wedding you’ve attended? What do you want to be the most joyful moment of your wedding day?

5. Is your partner your life OR does your partner give you life?

6. What makes your partner worthy of your love? What makes you worthy of your partner’s love?

7. What are your expectations of each other? Do your expectations make each of you the best you are capable of being?

8. What is your biggest fear for your life together?

9. What is your definition of success? As an individual?  As a couple?

10. On your 25th wedding anniversary, what would you like to look back upon?

Words For A Bride To Believe In!

photo: lechugayruiz.com

I came across this item and filed it away. I’ve got two nieces and five goddaughters and I thought this was something I’d like them to read (and embrace!). . .

It then occurred to me that this is actually a wonderful “creed” for any bride and so I’m sharing it here.

I’ve looked for “The Real Man’s Creed” and couldn’t find one. Grooms – any suggestions as to how your creed should read?

The Real Woman Creed

By Jan Phillips, CA

I believe that within me lies an extraordinary radiance, and I commit to letting my light loose in the world.

I believe that the source of my power and wisdom is in the center of my being, and I commit to acting from this place of strength.

I believe that I possess an abundance of passion and creative potential, and I commit to the expression of this gift.

I believe that the time has come to let go of old notions and unhealthy attitudes, and I commit to re-examine what I have been told about beauty and dismiss what insults my soul.

I believe that negative thoughts and words compromise my well-being, and I commit to thinking and speaking positively about myself and others.

I believe it is my spiritual responsibility to care for my body with respect, kindness and compassion. I commit to balancing my life in such a way that my physical being is fully expressed and nurtured.

I believe that joy is an essential part of wellness, and I commit to removing obstacles to joy and creating a life of exuberance.

I believe that a woman who loves herself is a powerful, passionate, attractive force, and I commit, from this day forward, to loving myself deeply and extravagantly.