My last two weddings have been for strangers. These couples I had not met before their first text message asking me for my services. Like all times, meeting new people can often be awkward and a little nerve racking and when you’ve only communicated with people via phone, meeting face to face brings a whole plethora of new anxieties. I am a wedding celebrant and meet new people all of the time but the anxiety attached to meeting brand new couples face to face doesn’t go away even when you do it all of the time.
I had only spoken to Jenny on the phone. We had texted and talked but not actually met in person. Breaking the ice with your celebrant is by far the most important thing you can do. Once we both moved past the apprehension of first time meetings and hellos our relationship and their wedding took on a totally different feel.
From the moment I met Jenny and Rob, they welcomed me into their home with a cup of tea and their middle child crawled onto my lap to say hello and we drew while we talked. From the first four seconds of spending time in their presence, they were no longer strangers but people I shared tea with and people I talked to about the everyday goings on of life.
When four months later I stood with Rob under a beautifully white decorated gazebo, I was not at his wedding as a stranger. I was at his wedding as someone he knew. We had laughed together, shared cups of tea and talked about Jenny’s ongoing DIY projects long before the day they would both say ‘I do’ and now this wedding was about all of us. The guests, the family, the lady from next door who rushed down a bouquet or some other forgotten necessity and me. I was personally invested in making sure this day went perfectly and watching Jenny walk towards us, I was genuinely happy to see her and Rob so happy at the thought of what comes next.
At the end of their ceremony my cheeks were so sore from smiling and my happiness so severe that it took a lot out of me. Giving Jenny and Rob a great big hug as Mr and Mrs Watts was truly a moment of happiness and joy that they let me share with them. Jenny and Rob, it was a privlege and an honour to spend the day with you and I thank your beautiful friends family for making me feel so included in your special day. (Someone needs to share that punch recipe immediately and tell that lady she needs to start selling her cupcakes!) Rob and Jenny I can’t wait to see a photo or two of your day!
