Things I Like in Weddings
Today I went to the second of three summer weddings I'm invited to. All of the brides are former students of mine, and their weddings are a pleasure to remember or anticipate.
Today was David and Rosalyn's wedding, and everything about it was lovely except that Rosalyn is becoming an Oregonian instead of David becoming a Kansan. I told Rosalyn today that I was sorry about that, but I hoped she would not feel guilty for leaving. "It's OK. Just come back often." After all, she's not running away irresponsibly. She is 22 years old and doing as many virtuous women of the past have done--following a godly husband to his home and livelihood.
Everyone thinks of Rosalyn as a "keeper." If you pictured the kind of daughter you would like to have, she would look and act like Rosalyn. She told us once in child development class that her dad says she had some stubborn episodes when she was about two and he had to spank her pretty often. But most of us have never seen anything but a sweet and joyful spirit. In school she never tried to slide by without doing her best, and she welcomed learning opportunities--a teacher's delight.
On to my list of good wedding things--
1. Beautiful singing (I can't get too much of this.)
2. Smiling faces (A few tears are OK too.)
3. Family and friends everywhere--a celebration of Christian community
4. Creative and resourceful decor that reflects the couple's interests and identity*
5. Meeting the couple afterward
6. Good "real" food, with tasteful seasonings
7. Stories at open mike
8. Wise words at open mike
9. A thought-provoking wedding sermon
10. Flowers--lots of them
11. Pretty dishes at the wedding table
12. People telling us who they are when they speak at open mike
13. Introductions of family members
14. Seeing parents of the couple honored
15. Seeing all the wedding "helpers" genuinely appreciated
16. An efficient serving line
17. Evidence of respect for the traditions and values of the family, church, and community
18. Round tables to eat at--for good conversation
19. The service and reception in the same building (I know this isn't always feasible.)
20. A relaxed and worshipful atmosphere
21. Enough spontaneity and humor to keep things fun (A few glitches which everyone can smile at help in this department.)
22. Traditional vows
23. Most important of all--the confidence that the couple is committed to follow the Lord faithfully, and that He has directed their relationship
I've never been to a perfect wedding, but I can't think of a single one that I didn't enjoy. Three of them were the best ones of all--first when I got a husband, and later, when our two sons each got a wife. Like Rosalyn, they are the kind of daughters everyone would wish to have.
*Rosalyn had clear glass cylinders and bowls filled with tiny green apples to pick up the "Granny Smith" green in the decor. Perfect--along with the green zinnias I am so very fond of. She was growing them herself, although I heard she was a little worried that they would not be ready in time. I'm guessing the apples were thinnings from their fruit trees. Rosalyn comes from a market gardening family.
Today was David and Rosalyn's wedding, and everything about it was lovely except that Rosalyn is becoming an Oregonian instead of David becoming a Kansan. I told Rosalyn today that I was sorry about that, but I hoped she would not feel guilty for leaving. "It's OK. Just come back often." After all, she's not running away irresponsibly. She is 22 years old and doing as many virtuous women of the past have done--following a godly husband to his home and livelihood.
Everyone thinks of Rosalyn as a "keeper." If you pictured the kind of daughter you would like to have, she would look and act like Rosalyn. She told us once in child development class that her dad says she had some stubborn episodes when she was about two and he had to spank her pretty often. But most of us have never seen anything but a sweet and joyful spirit. In school she never tried to slide by without doing her best, and she welcomed learning opportunities--a teacher's delight.
On to my list of good wedding things--
1. Beautiful singing (I can't get too much of this.)
2. Smiling faces (A few tears are OK too.)
3. Family and friends everywhere--a celebration of Christian community
4. Creative and resourceful decor that reflects the couple's interests and identity*
5. Meeting the couple afterward
6. Good "real" food, with tasteful seasonings
7. Stories at open mike
8. Wise words at open mike
9. A thought-provoking wedding sermon
10. Flowers--lots of them
11. Pretty dishes at the wedding table
12. People telling us who they are when they speak at open mike
13. Introductions of family members
14. Seeing parents of the couple honored
15. Seeing all the wedding "helpers" genuinely appreciated
16. An efficient serving line
17. Evidence of respect for the traditions and values of the family, church, and community
18. Round tables to eat at--for good conversation
19. The service and reception in the same building (I know this isn't always feasible.)
20. A relaxed and worshipful atmosphere
21. Enough spontaneity and humor to keep things fun (A few glitches which everyone can smile at help in this department.)
22. Traditional vows
23. Most important of all--the confidence that the couple is committed to follow the Lord faithfully, and that He has directed their relationship
I've never been to a perfect wedding, but I can't think of a single one that I didn't enjoy. Three of them were the best ones of all--first when I got a husband, and later, when our two sons each got a wife. Like Rosalyn, they are the kind of daughters everyone would wish to have.
*Rosalyn had clear glass cylinders and bowls filled with tiny green apples to pick up the "Granny Smith" green in the decor. Perfect--along with the green zinnias I am so very fond of. She was growing them herself, although I heard she was a little worried that they would not be ready in time. I'm guessing the apples were thinnings from their fruit trees. Rosalyn comes from a market gardening family.
posted by Mrs. I at
6:45 PM
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