Down The Aisle...Stories and Tips From The Wedding Front Lines » 1

Who invited this guest?

downtheaisles — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:01:55 +0000

It was a beautiful spring day in the lake country of Central Florida. The bride and groom had chosen the grounds of a historic mansion on the banks of a pristine lake for the ceremony and reception. Under the canopy cover of timeless live oaks the guests gathered for the ceremony that would make the bride and groom, husband and wife.
The entire ceremony was a wonderful example of the love this couple shared. Family and friends focused on the ceremony and we reached a point where the bride and groom faced one another and I wrapped their hands in my stole. As I proceeded to read a beautiful hand blessing to the couple, no one was aware that lurking (or slithering) in the branches of the live oaks was a black racer about 3 feet long. Once the reading was done I reached forward to place my hand over the hand of the bride and groom and began to pray. Just as soon as I said “amen” I looked up to see the snake fall from the lofty branches right into the laps of two young women seated in the back row.
The scene in the back row that ensued could only be described as chaotic. The woman closets to the aisle jumped up, screamed a word that I cannot print, and ran out. The young lady to her right jumped straight out of her chair into the lap of an elderly gentleman seated next to her and hugged him around the neck. The bride and groom had not seen the snake fall from the trees and they whipped around to see the commotion. I whispered to them that it was nothing and let’s keep going.
The snake, once safely to the ground, slithered down the row in front of the chairs and came to rest under the electric scooter of guest. The bride and groom were pronounced husband and wife without a worry in their minds and then headed down the aisle.

The Panera Bread Wedding

downtheaisles — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:23:57 +0000

Last Saturday I was scheduled to perform the wedding of a most admirable couple. When challenges or circumstances attempt to overwhelm them they just seem to roll with the punches. Their wedding day would be one of those times, but once again they took advantage of the moment and celebrated in a way that I’ve never had the opportunity to experience before.
The couple’s wedding was scheduled to take place at Lake Eola, in downtown Orlando. About ten minutes before the wedding, as guests were getting in place for the ceremony, there was a clap of thunder and the skies opened up into a torrential downpour. This was not small trickle, in fact it rained so hard that seams of my umbrellas could not withstand the force of the rain and I was becoming increasingly wet.
In an attempt to escape the deluge I went across the street to the warm and dry Panera Bread. As soon as I opened the door the aroma of warm bread filled my senses and I made a path for some of their wonderful lemonade. As I was being served my drink I asked for the manager and told Vanessa, the plight of the wedding party standing in the rain. As quick as a greyhound she jumped into action and invited the entire wedding party to come in to the restaurant.
As the wedding guests entered the employees brought out dry towels to help them clean up and dry off. Because of the rain the store was not that crowded and we were able to rearrange some table and create an isle through the back, laid down a white runner, and I had the privilege of performing my first wedding ceremony in a Panera Bread.
When the couple was pronounced husband and wife, the patrons of the restaurant, the employees, and the guests stood, applauded, and celebrated.
Thank you Panera Bread for allowing this wonderful wedding to take place. Thank you Vanessa for your care and concern. You really made this wedding one to remember. And thank you to the employees, who stepped out of their everyday role to help make this wedding a reality for this wonderful couple.
And it all happened down the aisles…

Black Tux, Black Tie, and a Black Eye

downtheaisles — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:45:34 +0000

Balancing family and a wedding orientated business is often a challenge. When the kids are out of school for holidays and weekend, brides and grooms need your attention. Some of the time, those challenges work the other way though. This past year my now teenage son was struggling with all the changes that we each face in life; voice changing, trying to fit in, and even class bullies.
To say that my son was scrawny (and only a father can say that) would be an understatement. At just over five feet tall and probably around ninety pounds, he was no Adonis. My son’s strengths lay in his quick wit and intellect. Those are two things that bullies hate, so he was a frequent target.
I’ve always taught my kids that if someone is picking on you repeatedly and you can’t get them to stop, tell a teacher or adult. If the problem continues after speaking with an adult, then I want them to knock that bully’s light out. If they get sent home from school for defending themselves, then I’ll treat them to a day in the local theme parks.
My son had repeatedly been picked on by a boy that I only knew as Jason. After calls to his teachers, it had not stopped but gotten worse. The day finally came when the bully would meet his match in the nerdy kid. As my son entered class, the bully hit him in the back of the head with a text book, at which time my son popped the kid squarely in the nose and made him tumble over the desks.
Both boys were of course sent to the office and parents were called to pick up their children. When I arrived my son was in one office and the bully and his mother in another. After speaking with the principal, I got ready to leave, but my curiosity got the best of me. I wanted to see my son’s nemesis. As I leaned around the corner and peered through the tiny window on the office door, I was shocked; not at the boy, but his mother.
I quickly turned to my son and told him to go to the car. He asked “What’s up?” I told him “Nevermind, just get to that car.” When I reached the car and pulled out of the parking lot, I asked my son if he knew the name of the bully. As quick as lightening he responded that it was “Jason.” I asked, “Do you know Jason’s last name.” “No,” he replied. “Well, I can tell you his last name is Brooks and do you want to know why I know this piece of information?” I asked. He shrugged his shoulders and waited for my response.
“I’m performing his mother’s wedding on Saturday” I told him. I think I laughed so hard that we both cried.
When Saturday arrived and I stood there performing the ceremony, it was almost humorous to see a lovely bride, a handsome groom, and a teenage groomsman with a black eye.
And it all happened down the aisle.

Note: The bully never bothered my son again, the names have been changed so the bully wouldn’t feel picked on, and the bride and groom loved the ceremony I performed for them.

Please hire a real Videographer….Uncle Joe just won’t do!

downtheaisles — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:40:21 +0000

I know you trust and love your family, but trust only goes so far in saving the memories from your wedding. Recently I performed a wedding ceremony at a prestigious hotel and the couple asked a favorite uncle to videotape the ceremony. Apart from the fact that the gentleman had no idea where to stand (and not stand,) he was not dressed to blend in and not draw attention to himself. Not to mention, he almost burned up the ceremony site by knocking over more than a dozen lit candles. The choice to use a friend or family member resulted in and often does result in lots of cut off head shots, foot shots, jerky video footage, poor transitions, and bad lighting.
Heed my advice, seek out a professional. View examples of the videographer’s recent work. Ask your coordinator or officiant to recommend someone to you. Remember, this is the video you will one day show your children and grandchildren.

The Beefeater

downtheaisles — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:51:41 +0000

Every family has their traditions. Some traditions are centered around holidays, birthdays, and yes, weddings. I met an absolutely lovely couple that asked me to perform their wedding ceremony at a local art gallery. We met the day before the ceremony for their rehearsal and to go over any last minute details that needed to be taken care of.
Everything was set. Everyone in the bridal party knew their role and where they were to stand during the ceremony. Our beautiful bride neglected to give me one piece of information though.
The bride’s family had an uncle that they would later describe as “colorful.” Several years before her uncle had acquired a 6 ½ foot tall fiberglass statue of an English Beefeater. Any time the family would gather for the holidays, birthdays, graduations, and such, the Beefeater would make an appearance.
As I arrived to the ceremony site on the wedding day, the groom met me in the foyer. He proceeded to tell me a little of the family tradition and that our fiberglass guest would be tucked away at the back of the venue—out of sight!
Guests by the dozen poured into the room and took their seats, with anxious anticipation of the ceremony beginning. As the first groomsman started down the aisles there was a flurry of movement and the “colorful” uncle emerged from the back of the venue wheeling our Beefeater down the aisle in front of the groomsman. He slid our fiberglass guest into the position of an additional groomsman and then took is seat, as if nothing had happened. The remaining groomsmen entered the ceremony site and took their respective positions just as they rehearsed.
When the groom entered his attention fell to the Beefeater and when get got close enough to me he asked “Who put that thing up here?” Without as much as a word I motioned to the “colorful” uncle. A scowl of displeasure appeared on his face for but just a moment and then his bride entered the room. When the bride saw the fiberglass guest in his place amongst the groomsmen she laughed out loud and after a private exchange of words with her groom they were both smiling as I pronounced them husband and wife.
Not a picture of the bridal party was considered complete; until they made sure the Beefeater was in the shot.
And it all happened down the aisles.