Pierce County Executive, Bruce Dammeier announcement.
By the end of this summer, I will have attended 5 weddings. But the one I’m attending this weekend has a twist – I’m the officiant!
My niece and her fiancé asked me to officiate at their outdoor wedding on Saturday. It will be the fourth wedding I’ve conducted. I’ve also served at four funerals, but that’s another story (and not a movie!)
The first wedding I did was for my sister 30 years ago. She’s still married so I think I did a pretty good job! The other weddings were also for family members so I’m kind of a “niche” service provider.
Serving at a wedding is sort of like speaking at a graduation – which I’ve also done. You have a spotlight, but no one really comes to the event to hear you! Nevertheless, I work diligently to add to the celebration by customizing my remarks.
When you think about it, the choice of a life partner is the most significant decision of your life. Everything that follows – the kind of work you do, where you live, etc. – pales by comparison. That’s why I take my role so seriously.
For each wedding I incorporate what I’ve been asked to say. But I always add a bit extra. The bride and groom and those in attendance hear my perspective learned from nearly 39 years of marriage. And, you can imagine how many things I’ve learned during nearly four decades!
I’ll give you a preview for Saturday: commitment is key. The journey of life as a couple is rarely what you envisioned on the wedding day. The marriages that last are those with a shared commitment, values, and willingness to work through what comes your way. That’s where the support and encouragement of friends and family come in. I will be asking every person at Lael and Evan’s wedding to not just support them on their wedding day but for the rest of their lives.
Do you have any marriage advice to pass along to the happy couple? Let me know – I’d love to share it.
Thanks for reading.
Have officiated over 500 weddings and would love to share my advice. Contact me at ewarn6234@aol.com and I’ll give you my cell.
I read in a church bulletin years ago, “Choose only a date who would make a good mate”.
Although I tested the opposite of that in my younger dating years, I finally followed that advice.
20 years and a daughter later,
that proved to be the winning formula, financially, emotionally, and for all-around happiness.
Part of me wishes I would have figured it out earlier but, short on mentors, where would the lesson be?
The next generation will have to sort through much confusion, as they are having such things as gender identity theory foisted upon them from a very young age.
My daughter is constantly bouncing this stuff off of me, as she is constantly being fed this information from numerous popular childrens’ media sites.
I would strongly recommend a return to traditional marriage and family values, as the opposite seems to be a main contributor to our present day and escalating mental health crisis.
To your niece – a long, happy, and prosperous life.
Extremely well said, Brian! And a hearty Amen.
Marriage is the greatest partnership and test of ones capacity to commit to an idea and expected happiness with the hope the other person is willing to make the same commitment.
I have been happily married for over 34 years and have officiated several weddings. I always include a segment on marriage being a unique and covenant relationship. It is the only relationship where two become one. This does not limit the individuality of the husband and wife, but their complementary relationship to one another is a lifelong process of mutually putting the needs of the other person, before their own. Marriage is work, but it is a good work! Finally, if at all possible, don’t go to bed angry with one another.