How to Prevent Your Love Story From Turning Into a Horror Story

Once upon a time, not too long ago, two different couples wanted to get married. They had a vision for how they wanted their day to go. Each couple knew what they wanted. Each one picked the perfect venue to help make their wedding dreams come true. The menus were chosen with care. The photographers knew all the must have shots the couple wanted.

The big day arrived for couple #1. They arrived at the venue to decorate it. But, where was the unity candle, and other items for the altar? After tearing through the car looking for them, asking around to see who had packed them and being frantic for 20 minutes, it seems they had not been placed on the check off list and were back home. It was decided that they would bring them back when they came back after getting dressed. Now, with a late finish to decorating, they have to drive 30 minutes back to the house to get dressed.

Several distractions at the house required the attention of the couple and getting dressed was delayed. Questions about what was going to happen at the reception, being held at a different location from the ceremony, needed the couple’s attention. No one knew exactly who to approach with their questions. Questions from the photographer about when they would be ready for photos could not be directly answered. They could not get dressed and back to the chapel on time.

The officiant arrived at the chapel at the agreed upon time. But there was no wedding party! What should she do? She noticed that the unity candle and other ceremony supplies were absent. She spent the time reviewing the wonderful ceremony she had spent hours writing for the couple to see how she could adapt it on the fly to leave out major portions of it and not affect the beauty and meaning. It was important to be prepared if the ceremony supplies did not arrive. She also worried that something had happened. There were no answers to her texts, no phone calls answered. Thirty minutes later half the wedding couple arrives! When asked where the rest of the wedding party was, they responded that there had been problems getting their make up like they wanted and had to start over. They would be coming along in a while!

The officiant asked about the missing unity candle and other ceremony supplies. She was told they were in the other car and would be arriving when the rest of the wedding party got there.

The group already present began pacing and wondering where everyone else was. They were calling and talking to the other members of the wedding party, delaying their preparations even further.

The other half of the wedding party arrived! As they began their approach to the chapel, they realized they forgot the ceremony supplies and had to go back to the vehicle to get them, just as the other half began their processional into the chapel. The officiant asked where the supplies are and was told they are on the way. The folks already in are asked to come back out so the photographer can get in place to get a good shot of the entrance. Then the unity candle was placed on the altar. The other supplies were left in their boxes and placed on the front pew.

The couple was escorted into the chapel by their parents. One set of parents remained up front while the other parents went to their seats in the middle of the officiant asking who presented this couple. This caused a stumble in the flow of the ceremony right at the very beginning.

When it came time for the unity ceremony, the presenters had to find the box, take the supplies out and bring them to front. This also created an interruption to the flow of the ceremony. The same thing happened for the next part of the ceremony. After the officiant pronounced them married, the couple left the chapel. There was confusion concerning which set of parents went out first. Once the guests left, the couple returned to get photos and sign the necessary paperwork.

The tension and frustration was palpable while photos were being taken. Fortunately, there was still time for the officiant to get to the next ceremony she had scheduled that day.

Their big day arrived. Couple #2 was so excited. Everything seemed to be going without a problem. The wedding planner/day of coordinator they hired kept everything running smoothly and professionally. The time line was being followed, make-up and hair was done on time, photographs were taken before the ceremony, the first look was perfect.

When the officiant arrived at the agreed upon time, she found everything in place and ready for the ceremony to begin on time. The ceremony was exactly as they had wanted. After beautiful heartfelt vows and rings were exchanged, they were pronounced as husband and wife and went off to begin their wonder married life.

But, first there were more photographs to be taken, a delicious meal to be eaten, love filled toasts to be given and a lot of dancing to be done under the moonlight. There was one problem; the delicious meal did not arrive as planned. Most of the food was perfect and right on time. However, the signature dish was not done! Under cooked food had been delivered to this most perfect wedding.

This problem was brought to the attention of the planner/coordinator. She went right into action, just as her training had taught her. She immediately contacted the catering company and had additional food prepared and brought to the venue. Of course this was going to mean a delay in the beginning of dinner. She notified the photographer to keep the couple occupied for a little longer—take lots and lots of unique photos of them! The dj was told to add to the cocktail hour play list to keep guests entertained. She also let both sets of parents of the couple know what was happening; but there were no expectations placed on them to solve this issue.

The couple was kept very busy with photographs, enjoying their time together and with their very closest friends. They never realized the delay in the overall schedule. At no time prior to dinner were they told there was a problem. It was simply handled. They never experienced any stress over what was happening or how to solve such a problem. They continued with their wonderful evening filled with love and happiness, completely stress free.

Of course, after the wedding, the planner/coordinator did inform them of the issues she had addressed and the catering company’s response to the issues. This allowed the couple to give correct reviews and feedback to the vendors.

I wonder which wedding was enjoyed the most by the couple with loving fond memories? Which wedding would you want yours to be? How can you be sure of having a well run stress-free ceremony.