Warning for all couples on their wedding day
I just performed a wedding ceremony for a couple that was from out of state but wanted to get married at the Buxton Inn in Granville (spectacular garden location by the way).
I had met the bride once while she was in town once working on some of the local plans…but never actually met the groom.
The ceremony is very formal with about 150 guests in attendance.
It begins very nicely. I can tell they had a good rehearsal the night before since each member of the bridal party knew their cues. (They did not wish me to participate in the rehearsal but I always offer pointers for couples working out the details on their own).
After the final bridal couple arrive at the front of the ceremony location and are situated next to me I am puzzled by the still missing groom.
So I ask the maid of honor if the couple decided to walk down the aisle together? No she tells me.
Then I ask the best man if he knew the location of the groom. Now I would like to point out that at this point the music has changed, the witnesses are standing and the bride is heading my way down the aisle.
The best man realizes that no one must have told the groom it was time to start. Poor guy asks me. “should I go get him?”
I say, “yes please, we are going to need him for this part.”
He darts away just as the glowing bride and her emotional father reach me at the front. I can see her beaming face change to a look of confusion…then horror.
I quickly tell her that there was a little mix up and we will start in just a moment.
Luckily the two men rush out very quickly but it was long enough for most people standing to notice.
The poor groom just shrugs grandly and everyone laughs….and then we begin.
So I beg all couples conducting your own wedding rehearsal to please be sure to assign someone the tast of notifying the groom when it is time for him to arrive at the alter BEFORE allowing the bride to make her way up front. It just saves alot of confusion and worry this way!!!
Life and marriages are full of bumps, no matter how much you plan. Their wedding was just a reality and now they have a story that they will always share when talking about their wedding day.
Lesson for me – don’t let things start without being certain I know the location of the groom!!!