THE SUMMER OF FAMILY WEDDINGS 

This summer we attended three different weddings, each one included a grandchild. What a time of joy and celebration. But, let me share some thoughts about each wedding, and how each one impacted us.

Wedding #1

The first wedding, in Saskatoon, was in a church, and all attendees were invited to the ceremony but not to the formal dinner. The couple walked in joyfully, with the bride giving a nervous laugh, which brought laughter to the audience and a few tears to the bride’s grandma.

There was a genuine sense of joy and love as the couple stood for their vows. The officiant spoke some words of wisdom for a fulfilled married life. After the couple and attendants had left, announcements were made which also included an invitation for all to join the couple in a receiving line. Then, all attendees were ushered into the dining area for some light refreshments. 

After the conversations had died down, and people were beginning to leave the bridal couple and family members went outside for some picture-taking. A few pictures were taken at the church, but then the family drove to a park area for more formal photos.

Those invited to the dinner soon left for the art gallery. Here all were served a delicious meal, and then were given the opportunity  to dance, play board games or do puzzles. A number  danced, others played games, but it seemed that the majority of guests sat and visited. 

The following morning, the immediate family gathered for a wonderful waffle brunch. Here the couple opened gifts.

Wedding #2

In preparation for the wedding, a rehearsal was held at the bride’s home. Because the actual venue was not available, the lawn became the rehearsal location. Once the participants were satisfied, and felt prepared for the next day, everyone enjoyed a dinner of tacos with all the trimmings.

This second family wedding took place near Niagara, in a beautiful park, Plans had been made for an outdoor wedding, and this place certainly lent itself to a beautiful scene. However,because  some rain  was forecast, the couple had made alternate plans. We were aware that the first choice, by far, was to have the ceremony outdoors.

Not too long before the wedding was to start, a shower hit that area. The technicians, not wanting any sound equipment to get wet, quickly moved everything into a beautiful, old, chapel. The photographer had managed to find some sun-drenched areas for individual and  group photos. 

The clouds looked ominous, and just  before the wedding was to start, the rain came, making it impossible to remain outdoors. A few minutes before the start of the ceremony, the rain came in a heavy downpour. All the guests, who had been joying the outdoors, rushed to the chapel, grabbing umbrellas along the way. 

The chapel, although a second choice, made a beautiful setting for the ceremony. The attendants and bridal couple walked up and stood on a small platform. The officiant spoke some words from scripture prior to the exchanging of vows.After the vows were exchanged, the couple, with attendants, joyfully marched out into the rain. Several announcements were made and the guests then hurried out to the barn.

The reception dinner was in a barn right next door. The couple and attendants ran to the barn to find their seats. After this all the guests followed into the barn, which had been redone into a beautiful wedding venue. Once there, the guests looked for their designated places at the dinner tables.Each person received a small jar of peach jam, prepared by the bridal couple. Conversations were muted but joyful. After the dinner, all were invited to join a caller for various dances. Many participated enthusiastically. Eventually all went home, full of joy for the newlyweds.

Just as in the first wedding, the immediate family came together the following morning to enjoy a brunch including waffles and fresh Ontario peaches. Everyone stayed as the couple opened wedding gifts.

Wedding #3

The third wedding took place near Anola, MB, on a mostly wooded farm. The plan was to have the entire ceremony outdoors, with chairs provided for the guests. The ceremony started about thirty minutes late, but was beautiful, with the attendants and couple walking down a grass path, fighting a strong north wind, to an archway in front. This walking path had poles with flowers as an outline along the edge. 

The weather did not cooperate, and stayed rather cold and windy during the entire afternoon. The bride and her attendants stood in the shivery cold throughout the ceremony. The men wore jackets or vests and managed to stay somewhat warmer.

The officiant gave some words of encouragement and love, and then asked the couple to exchange vows. The couple had prepared their vows, but found it difficult to finish their statements, because of the cold wind, and because of their nervousness. Nervous laughter surrounded the declaration of vows. Shortly after this the officiant pronounced them husband and wife, and the couple joyously ran back along the path, followed by the attendants.

The immediate families were asked to congregate at a certain spot for some photos. After that, the couple and attendants moved off for some formal photos. Many of the guests found jackets and other warm clothing in order to remain somewhat warm. The north wind would not cooperate, but just kept blowing, which made all the guests very uncomfortable. During this time of picture-taking the guests could mingle or sit at their designated tables.Watermelon and Rollkuchen were made during this time, which brought joy to many. 

Once the photo-shoot was finished, the couple went into the pole barn where a dance floor had been built. The traditional first dance  by the couple happened and then the bride and her mother danced, and then we had the grand entrance of the couple just prior to the taco dinner.

The MCs for the dinner highlighted several announcements, said grace for the meal and provided some entertainment during the dinner. After dinner, we, and several other guests, left for home because the cold had penetrated our clothes and all were shivering.

We understand that there was open dancing, some comments from family, and general joy that this young couple was ready to enter a life-long commitment to each other.

The next morning, the families connected to the bridal couple, gathered at the wedding site and cleaned the area. After the cleanup, all participated in a brunch consisting of fruit and tacos. The newlyweds came somewhat later, and spent some time chatting with each one there.

Some takeaways and reflections 

1. All three weddings had women officiants, which has been rare in the past.

2. All three sought to have God as a vital part of the couple’s lives.

3. Of the three weddings, only one was in a church, and there the whole church family was invited; one was in a chapel, by invitation only; and one, outdoors, was also by invitation only for family and close friends.

4. Inviting the entire church family is rather a neat thing to do, although this means more  work and more advance planning.

5. Careful advance planning is essential for a smooth-running wedding. This includes formulating a “plan B” if “plan A” is for an outdoor wedding. The second family  wedding would have been disastrous if the planner had not anticipated rainfall. The third wedding was all outdoors, with no plan for weather protection. This meant that the guests and those involved in the ceremony had to fight against the rain and wind.

6. Whether a wedding is in a church, out in nature or in an old chapel, matters nothing if the direction of the couple is pointing to God. 

7. We thought the participation of the church body was great. It seemed to indicate to the bridal couple that the congregation supported them, both at the wedding and in later connections.

8. Although each wedding had a distinct flavour, we enjoyed each. The personalities of each couple came through, whether in the preparations, or in the ceremony itself. We are so glad that each couple had the freedom to show this; no longer are weddings set up to follow a predictable pattern.

9. What joy was expressed at each wedding. But we sensed that this joy went much deeper than the excitement of the moment.

10. We are now left with the question. How can we best support each couple as they begin an entirely new chapter in their lives? How will this marital joy show itself in the coming months and years?