Cecily Breaux
And what should you do about it?
You may be surprised to find out that many of the things you can spend a lot of time, money, and effort on hardly make an impact at all.
- It's not the flowers or the candles.
- It's not the banquet hall or the limos.
- It's not the music or the band.
- It's not the food you serve or the wine you pour.
- It's not the length of the train or the color of the cumberbunds.
In fact, it's not any of the things that can cost an absolute fortune.
| Here it is: | Guests remember the words that the people in the wedding say. |
That's it. Simple, but it's true.
I know because I lived it. Within weeks of my wedding the details of all my planning efforts were forgotten - except for the words.
- They remembered what my husband and I said to one another at the ceremony.
- They remembered what the best man said at the reception.
- They remembered what my father said at the rehearsal party.
These are the kinds of things people will naturally tend to remember - words.
They are also what is most often recorded. Are you videotaping your wedding? Well, chances are moments like these will take center stage during the recording. And they will be the part everyone will want to rewind and hear again.
Grown Men Cried
I recently attended a wedding that I believe was the most memorable I have ever seen. And it was the words that did it. The bride used love poems in several key parts of the ceremony. It was her tribute to what love - what life - is all about.
As I listened I felt my husband's hand taking mine. In fact, looking around I could see couples all around the church hugging and leaning together as they listened - remembering and sharing. I still tear up when I think about it.
The wedding wasn't the most elaborate or expensive, but it was the most touching and beautiful. In fact, it was this experience that led to me to write these articles. Every bride deserves a wedding like that.
So What are the Words in Your Wedding Like?
Given that words in a wedding are so important, you would think that brides would plan these moments carefully - to use words to greatest effect.
Unfortunately, that is simply not the case. If you have been to a few weddings, you know that what should be highly memorable moments usually go like this...
- The bride and groom repeat the old standard vow after the priest / minister / judge.
- Readers plow through boring selections that everyone has heard countless times before.
- Slurred, sweaty speeches are improvised after a few glasses of champagne.
Sound familiar? No wonder most weddings are so forgettable.
Take Control
To set your wedding apart, you need to plan who says what with at least as much attention as you do anything else. Your event will be remembered for a long time to come if you make the impression you desire - or maybe even longer if you screw it up!
The Most Powerful Words There Are
Brides are beginning to catch on to the power of words - and poetry specifically. At some of the better weddings I attend I am beginning to see more attention paid to speeches and vows - and love poems are getting more and more popular as well.
Love poems are great because they can be very traditional, but they are not so popular that they can't still make your wedding unique.
Why shouldn't you use poetry? After all, if you are looking for powerful words, then you know that great love poems are some of the most powerful words humans have ever devised!
Love poems can touch us in ways that we can all recognize. They do more than describe feelings, they evoke feelings in us - they don't so much make us understand; they make us experience for ourselves. That's power!
Love poetry can be very versatile. Here are some of the ideas for using love poems that I've seen...
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Are you aware of the difference
great love poems can make to your wedding?
Check out these 5
Tips for Using Poetry in Your Wedding.