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Because weddings are solemn events whenever something goes wrong it can be very funny. Weddings take place live and the participants do not have much opportunity to rehearse. That is why it is so important to have a wedding officiant or wedding minister with experience. Weddings are full of big emotions and great expectations. Be ready for anything. In the last 20 years I have observed some humorous things. The bride was also a mother and it was her second wedding. Her son, a six year old, was the ring bearer. Children always bring an element of surprise. Just as the ceremony progressed almost to the wedding vows, the little boy placed both hand below his belt buckle and with a look of real urgency on his face and said, loud enough for everyone to hear, "Mom, I have to go to the bathroom." The composed mom and bride said, "Go ahead, honey." So he jumped down from the platform and sprinted to the back hallway to the restroom. As we were just about to finish the ring vows, he sprinted back down the aisle, jumped back onto the platform and took his place. Obviously, no usher tried to give him instructions. Of course, the wedding continued with dignity in spite of it all. The unity candle ceremony can be one of the most beautiful parts of the wedding ceremony. This ceremony pictures the "oneness" between husband and wife. Candles feature a live flame. The two mothers come to the front and light the individual candles before the bride and groom get in place. They did. The father of the bride and bride were in place. I welcomed everyone when I heard a "crackle" behind me. The groom leaned and looked around me. Something was not right. I quickly finished the welcome asked "Who gives this woman to this man in holy wedlock?" It would be my only chance to check out what was happening. The small candle used to light the individual candles had cracked its glass holder and the flame from that candle fell and began to ignite paper lace which covered the table. It was a small fire but was beginning to spread rapidly. The whole backdrop was covered in this paper lace. I began to snuff out the fire with my hands before it spread. By the time, I turned back around, the father had kissed his daughter, and the bride and groom had taken their places. The groom was a firefighter so we were safe all along. It is always a good idea to not lock your knees when you are standing in front of a crowd. It doesn't seem like it would hurt, but the decreased blood flow can actually cause fainting. The crowd was adoring the lovely couple when the ceremony was suddenly interrupted by a loud "Bang!" Everyone gasped in unison. One of the 9 year old boys who was in the groom's party had locked his knees, fainted and fell backwards like a plank. I felt the vibration. His father who was seated in the second row, leaped to his feet and bounded onto the platform. He scooped him up like a ragdoll and carried him to a back room, followed by his mother. My rule is: The wedding must go on. We did not skip a beat. I looked over and saw that it was not serious and that the situation was being taken care of, so we continued without making any passing comments about it. At the end of the ceremony the dad emerged with a comment, "He's OK, just fainted." Everybody clapped. Should you eat or not eat before the wedding? The bride always asks this question. Many brides skip breakfast because they want to be able to fit into their dress. Let me tell you about one. We were barely into the wedding ceremony when the bride turned and whispered into the groom's ear. He looked worried and asked if we could take a break. His bride was feeling sick. I announced to the audience we would take a break. The wedding coordinator escorted the young lady to her dressing room. A few minutes later I investigated to see if she was alright. She had not eaten at all. The coordinator got her some juice and crackers and she was ready to try again. We actually brought a chair for her. When we resumed the ceremony, the bride was sitting down. About the time we got to the ring vows, she was feeling well enough to stand back up. She was able to finish the ceremony standing up. There are many opportunities for verbal mistakes. I have done plenty of these. Aside from losing my place, I have asked, "Who gives this man to this woman in holy matrimony?" I did not realize it until the everyone started to laugh. More than once I have asked the bride "do you promise to be a good and faithful husband?" Or, asked the groom, "do you promised to be a good and faithful wife?" One groom answered, "I do, to everything except being a good wife." My face was bright red. Sometimes, you have to improvise, such as when the unity candle blows out. This is a hazard of having an outdoor wedding. After one couple lighted their unity candle and it blew out, lighted it a second time and it blew out, and then the third time, they gave up and went back to their place. (Of course, the photographer can put the flame into the picture.) I had to say, "And in marriage, the spark of love has to be rekindled many times." The crowd laughed and the tension was gone.
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