Humorous Moments at Weddings
Nov 19th, 2008 by Dr. Kelly Carr
Weddings can be funny events. They happen in real time and without much rehearsal. They are filled with high emotions. They are primed for anything. I have performed weddings for 20 years and seen interesting things.
The bride had a six year old son in the wedding. Kids provide many interesting moments. Halfway through the wedding, before the wedding vows, he announced, in a loud voice that he had to go to the bathroom. His mom, the bride, told him to go ahead. So, he ran full speed down the aisle and out to the restroom. We continued the wedding ceremony. In a few moments, he ran back into the auditorium, up the aisle, and jumped onto the platform into his place as if nothing had happened. We managed to finish the wedding vows and ring vows and say “I do” without having to take any more bathroom breaks.
The unity candle ceremony is always a beautiful and significant part of a ceremony. It symbolizes the union of the man and woman into a new “oneness.” They are no longer two, but one. However, it is also a good idea to remember that you are working with a live flame. The mothers of the bride and groom usually come to the front before the ceremony begins and light the tapers so they will be ready for the bride and groom to light when it is time. They did this. The father of the bride escorted his darling daughter down the aisle ready to give her away. I began to welcome everyone when I heard a “crack” behind me. It did not sound good. The groom peered around me with a concerned look on his face. I knew something was wrong. I hurried through the welcome and asked the important question: “Who gives this woman to this man in holy wedlock?” I knew it would be my one chance to turn and check out the situation. Sure enough, the small candle used to light the tapers, which had been sitting inside a small glass holder, had cracked the glass and the flame fell to the table which was covered in lace, paper lace. Though very small, the flame was beginning to spread quickly. The entire backdrop behind the small table was covered in paper lace. I laid down my Bible and used my hands to snuff out the fire before it spread. It only took a few seconds. By the time, I turned around, the father had kissed his daughter, given her hand to the groom, and they had stepped into place. No problem. I learned later that the groom was actually a fireman, so we were safe all the time.
Whenever a person locks their knees while standing for a long time it has the potential to cause fainting, especially if this is combined with heat, fatigue, or lack of food. The ceremony had started and we had almost gotten to the wedding vows when I heard a loud “Crash!” Everyone seemed to gasp at the same time. The ring bearer, a boy about nine years old, had passed out and fallen flat on the floor. His dad rushed onto the platform and scooped him up and off to another room. My philosophy is that the wedding must continue and since the boy was alright and the situation was under control I continued with the wedding vows and ring vows without comment. As soon as the wedding was over the dad came out and triumphantly announced that his son was alright he had just fainted. The room erupted in applause.
Should you eat or not eat before the wedding? The bride always asks this question. Many brides skip breakfast because they want to be able to fit into their dress. Let me tell you about one. We were barely into the wedding ceremony when the bride turned and whispered into the groom’s ear. He looked worried and asked if we could take a break. His bride was feeling sick. I announced to the audience we would take a break. The wedding coordinator escorted the young lady to her dressing room. A few minutes later I investigated to see if she was alright. She had not eaten at all. The coordinator got her some juice and crackers and she was ready to try again. We actually brought a chair for her. When we resumed the ceremony, the bride was sitting down. About the time we got to the ring vows, she was feeling well enough to stand back up. She was able to finish the ceremony standing up.
There are many opportunities for verbal mistakes. I have done plenty of these. Aside from losing my place, I have asked, “Who gives this man to this woman in holy matrimony?” I did not realize it until the everyone started to laugh. More than once I have asked the bride “do you promise to be a good and faithful husband?” Or, asked the groom, “do you promised to be a good and faithful wife?” One groom answered, “I do, to everything except being a good wife.” My face was bright red.
Sometimes, you have to improvise, such as when the unity candle blows out. This is a hazard of having an outdoor wedding. After one couple lighted their unity candle and it blew out, lighted it a second time and it blew out, and then the third time, they gave up and went back to their place. (Of course, the photographer can put the flame into the picture.) I had to say, “And in marriage, the spark of love has to be rekindled many times.” The crowd laughed and the tension was gone.
