When the bride arrived at the church, the pastor met her inside the double front doors. Do you have the marriage licence? Robert has it, the bride (lets call her Vivian) answered. Hell be here in a few minutes, Im sure. Ten minutes later, the pastor knocked on the door to the room set aside for the bride and her female attendants. When the maid-of-honor opened the door a crack, he said, Please let Vivian know that Robert left the licence in his car in her parents garage. He drove back out to get it. Suggestion number 1: Be sure the marriage licence arrives at the ceremony when the groom, bride, or best man does. The florist arrived with the flowers. Professionally competent, she paired all the flowers and the correct people. There were no problems and no errors. Suggestion number 2: Know that the florist has worked with wedding parties often enough that she, or he, is prepared and helpful. The bride and her attendants, after dressing, waited in the room at the back of the sanctuary. The photographer had said he would be there at least an hour before the ceremony to take photographs, but he hadnt arrived. He finally walked in fifteen minutes before the wedding march began. Suggestion number 3: Insist the photographer not only shows examples of his work, but also insist on recommendations and contact them. Discover if he is reliable. Wedding guests started arriving, but the organist hadnt. She had a flat tire, and rather than call for help, she waited until her parents drove by on their way to the wedding. Suggestion number 4: Again be sure the organist, and any other musicians, understand that they are expected to be on site at least thirty minutes before time for the ceremony. The grooms sister and fianc played on the organ, she in her stocking feet, as people entered. Suggestion number 5: Have someone who will organize wedding party members and supervise them. In this case, the bride had to march out into the sanctuary and insist that the couple separate and go to their assigned places. During and after the ceremony, the photographers cameras wouldnt work, yes, cameras plural. Most of the pictures at the wedding itself were those taken by family members. Proofs from the photographer werent ready for over three months. Then when the couple saw how few pictures existed, he did take some shots in his studio. Finally after five months, the dozen or so photos rested in a white album. Suggestion number 6: See suggestion 3. Be sure when talking to former clients of the photographer that he has reliable equipment, and that he has proofs ready in a reasonable length of time. Final suggestion: If possible, have a wedding planner/organizer who oversees all the details, someone experienced in planning and supervising weddings. The wedding itself had many mistakes, in fact could be considered one filled with horrors, but the marriage lasted. What led nearly to tears became a story resulting in laughter. |
