The tough conversation. What do we really want to say – or want said – in front of our loved ones.
He suggests a simple: “Do you?” “Yes.” “Do you?” “Yes.” ((and the ceremony ends))
I say: Don’t expect the photographer to capture any great pictures. And what would our Mother’s think? (My gut says they both wish the ceremony was in a Catholic church).
Eventually, I located a book that I read years ago. It was about rituals from birthday parties to funerals – and everything in between. It was good to reread the wedding chapter. And share it with Bill. It helped us come to the conclusion that we wanted a pre-wedding gathering. A happy hour of sorts. Which fit nicely with the venue as there was a garden tour at 6:30 each evening. A tour in the garden that WE were getting married in.
And as the weeks wore on, the ceremony thinking cropped up in conversation here and there. Most of it seemed to involve a certain scene from the “Princess Bride“.
Some where along the way, we started researching possible for an officiate. Most options were referrals on wedding websites. It just all seemed so impersonal. And commercial. I felt like I was shopping for a Santa to surprise my family on Christmas Day. Then Bill had a brilliant idea. He brought up asking his friend John. I immediately agreed. Luckily, so did John (at least that is what Bill told me).