The JOY of CHOICE when Planning your Wedding
The Privilege of Choice - "Life is a matter of CHOICES, and every choice you make makes you."
John C. Maxwell.
The Marriage Portrait was a pivotal, poignant read for me this year, particularly as I read it in the lead up to my wedding.
This book was the inspiration for my speech that I delivered at our wedding reception (after a few glasses of fizz). It may have been set 470 years ago and times have changed for most of us in the western world, but it still woke me up to the freedom and privilege of choice that I have been blessed with.
From the moment Lucrezia got her period, her intention to be married was sealed, unbeknownst to her. The poor child was caught in the whirlwind of her life plan as a commodity for her family and her betrothed. A child with a brilliant brain, loving heart and artistic soul, she was swept along through the decisions made for her, made with political and financial motivations.
I got to choose Toby (and he me), we planned everything for our ceremony and reception that we wanted together, mindful of the interests and needs of other people, but everything was our choice. We included our love of games, birds, flowers, friends, family, nature, travel, wine, food and music within our ceremony’s rituals (ring warming, Quaich and Unity Candle), Readings (Scaffolding by Seamus Heaney, The Promise by Eileen Rafter and and Maybe by Anon) and our Music (I walked into a mash up of Canon in D that led into Whatever by Oasis, we had Dreams by the Cranberries, Caledonia, The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond and Mo Ghille Mear [an Irish hymn] and our recessional song was If I should Fall Behind by Bruce Springsteen. Our first dance was Bastille’s version of Dancing in the Dark which led into The Boss’ original. And our last song was Bastille’s Shut off The Lights. On our invitations we asked everyone to make a song request for our reception.
Boy, but I feel so fortunate for this gift of choice that I get to enjoy and live out in the most joyous day of our lives.
And with weddings becoming more and more uniquely creative and individualised, what better time is there to get married?! Of course, Celebrant-led ceremonies offer complete freedom of choice, allowing couples to have their wedding day, their way.
What choices for your big day do you feel fortunate to be making?