Wedding Planners

Last night I noted that the movie, "The Wedding Planner" was showing on television. Does anyone use wedding planners any more?

Who are these people anyway?

Candles

I've seen some really funny weddings because of candles. I've seen candles that wouldn't light, candles that nearly explode with flame, candles that burn for a few seconds and then fizzle. I've seen brides break down and cry over candles, flush with anger when candles wouldn't light, and toss candles away in disgust.

And yes, I've seen sleeves catch on fire and, on one terrible occassion, a groomsman's hair went up in a poofball of orange flame.

Cost of wedding? $10,000.
Memories of seeing a groomsman catch on fire? Priceless!

Readings

I officiated at a wedding on Saturday. One of the readings selected by the bride was from Ecclesiastes: "A threefold cord is not easily broken."

I liked it.

Any other favorite Bible passages, readings, or poems for weddings?

Wedding Times

Over the years, I've heard so many brides, mothers, and grooms talk about wedding times, I get confused about the traditions.

Some say you should always begin a wedding at the top of the hour, so that life will be easier, as the hand is scrolling down on the clock.

Others say you should get married at half past the hour, so that the hands are moving up, signifying that life will be on the upswing as the years go by.

So my question: Who's correct?

Invitations

A rule of thumb that many brides and grooms may want to memorize. When planning the number of invitations you will be sending out to guests...you should expect about a 50% response rate. Considering that most people have busy schedules, the cost of travel, etc...many invitees won't attend. Couples that get sixty percent or more of their invited guests are doing very well.

Proposals

I continue to hear stories about unique ways to propose marriage. Anyone have an idea that's worked well for them?

White Aisle

A little known historical tidbit...did you know that the white aisle runner that is traditionally used in weddings has no symbolic significance? Aisle runners were used in churches years ago to shield a bride's dress from dirt floors. Over time, the utilitarian use of the carpet was lost and was replaced with a white runner.

In the past decade, however, the white aisle runner has begun to go out of vogue. About one half of brides no longer us them. Some even ask: "What's that white runner used for?"

The answer: "To keep your dress from getting dirty against the dirt floor" doesn't seem like a good response.