An almost perfect marriage

Chers amoureux,

The good news is that you said "I do" and set your wedding date. The bad news is that the countdown has begun! Now that you're part of the wedding-to-be community, you've consulted every wedding website, blog, and magazine and followed their wise advice, the most crucial of which is "Organization, organization, organization." Indeed, the best way for you to enjoy your Big Day with complete peace of mind is to adhere to impeccable planning and surround yourself with the right people!

You've probably noticed that the title of this article is "An ALMOST Perfect Wedding." The reason I want to emphasize the "ALMOST" is that I'm convinced there's no such thing as a completely perfect wedding, and that's a good thing! A wedding that's planned down to the last detail leaves little room for spontaneity, for the authenticity of your emotions, or for expressing your personality.

As an officiant, when I prepare a secular wedding ceremony, my mission is of course to write and celebrate the ceremony, but my role is also to share my experience with the couples and encourage them, even if they have demonstrated almost military-level organization, to accept the fact that they are not immune to the unpredictable, that these are the vagaries of live events, and that the service providers will do their best to manage these unforeseen events.

But be warned, I believe there are foreseeable unforeseen events:

Examples:

Your bouquet is full of flowers releasing pollen that covers your dress with canary yellow stains – Predictable – Any good florist will avoid this type of inconvenience by choosing flowers with you that are suitable for your immaculate outfit.

Your fabulous, overpriced heels are causing you excruciating pain from your very first steps – Predictable – Remember to wear your shoes several times before the big day to ensure elegance and comfort.

Your 102-year-old grandmother, who only gets around in a wheelchair, cannot attend the cocktail reception on the castle terrace overlooking the gardens because it can only be accessed by about fifty uneven steps dating from the 17th century – Predictable – When choosing the reception venue, think about your guests (strollers, people with reduced mobility, shoes not suitable for climbing, etc.)

You cannot access the town hall square because the streets in the center are only accessible with a pass – Predictable – Most town halls in large cities offer you a temporary badge on request to avoid you having to run the 500 meters separating you from the town hall on the cobblestones in your 7cm heels.

And the unforeseen, unpredictable events:

Examples:

You cut the wedding cake with such enthusiasm that it starts to wobble dangerously before crashing onto the table – Unpredictable – Put things in perspective, your caterer will use their talent to repair the damage and your photographer will capture this culinary shipwreck and offer you beautiful, funny and memorable images.

During your outdoor wedding ceremony, a lightning bolt rips through the sky just as you're sharing your traditional kiss – unpredictable! I'm giving you this example because it happened to me at a ceremony I officiated in the Dordogne. Everyone burst out laughing, and the newlyweds kissed even more passionately.

Your wedding ceremony takes place in the park of a castle and a flock of chickens joins the festivities – Unpredictable – Again, I have experienced this and it is my role to improvise and integrate this amusing intrusion into the ceremony.

In conclusion, your wedding, this moment you've spent months preparing, will fly by, especially if you don't take the time to appreciate every moment, planned or spontaneous. Choose your vendors carefully and trust them, keep smiling, and keep things in perspective: What's REALLY important is the chance you have to marry the person you love.

See you soon !