Weddings a whole lot more than just a simple, I Do

The summer of love continues, as every person I know gets married the same summer.

Weddings, like people, are extremely diverse. No two weddings are alike both in appearance, and behind the scenes.

After surviving five weddings in less than two months, Im looking forward to another long winter of having Saturdays free, without having to wear a tie, or worse yet, a tuxedo, until next summer. After the things my wife and I have seen, it will be a welcomed change.

There were happy brides, angry brides, very unorganized brides and those who had things scheduled down to the exact minute. The grooms ranged from nervous and scared to calm and collected. There were flower girls who didnt spread flowers and ring bearers who had no rings and instead, utilized their pillows as weapons. Pastors and preachers, churches and chapels, best men, scared men, crying mothers and fathers without druthers, these weddings had it all.

We saw long wedding gowns, best men who thought they were clowns and even a bride with a frown. There was a groom who was ready to scamper while his bride was being pampered. Large rings and bridesmaids who sing, these are just a few of the things.

My wife and I have been as far away as Michigan, as close as Wasilla and nearly everywhere in between, all for the glory of marriage and the love of our friends. After seeing five of them, I have come up with a list of things to do, and things not to do, for those getting married in the next few months.

Get fitted for a tuxedo. Early in the game. In the last wedding, I was a grooms man. And, I found out the day before the wedding, I was the only member of the bridal party who was fitted for one, including the groom.

So, we picked up seven tuxedos, based on the measurements that the best man is about six inches taller and 40 pounds lighter than me. And the other grooms man, hes a little shorter than me and skinny, like, probably 160 pounds.

Disregard your watch. Time means nothing when it comes to weddings. If a wedding is supposed to start at 2 p.m., plan on packing dinner with you.

While youre at it, grab a marriage license. I still have one in my truck, from last weekends wedding. But you cant use it, because I have to mail it in. The groom forgot to get one until the day before he was getting hitched, and found out that its just like buying a gun. You have to wait three days, first. So the pastor signed it and handed it to me, who promptly handed it to my wife, just to make sure it gets done. Side note dont worry Jason and Ellen, itll get into the state sometime soon.

Bagpipes make the wedding. Enough said. They made an already beautiful ceremony the best Ive ever seen.

Remember, its your wedding day. Too many times, my wife and I have seen grooms and brides upset because something did not go right or did not go according to the plan. Why get upset on the most joyous day of your life? Remember that when something comes up.

After going through my own wedding a few years ago, I found myself with a better appreciation for the ceremony, and for the couple entering into marriage. I get choked up every time I hear the bridal procession, even when people I remotely know are getting married.

Thats what makes weddings so special. It isnt forgetting the marriage license or last-minute tuxedo fittings. Its the look on the grooms eyes when he finally sees his bride coming down the aisle, and looking over at your own bride with a tear in your eye and a warmness in your heart.

Casey Ressler (ressler@alaska.net) is the Frontiersman Valley Life editor. He plans to fish every weekend to make up for lost time spent at weddings.