The Best Part of the Wedding Process for Me!

Recently, a bride-to-be asked me which part of the wedding process do I enjoy the most. Although I’ve been asked this before, I thought now is a good time to answer the question publicly!

A Person’s Best Friend

I most enjoy the initial meeting, when I’m asking the couple questions about them, such as how did you meet, how long have you been a couple, what do you most admire about your partner. In getting to know the couple, I also ask various other questions such are you pet owners. I’m a huge dog lover and if they are dog owners, we generally connect over our joint love for dogs. I’ve had four rescues in my adult life, two miniature poodles and two Maltese. 

In January 2021, I met a couple who opened their home to three rescues, but the rescue that captured my heart is Jerome. Jerome is a pit bull who was adopted from a pit bull rescue organization. Jerome is a “senior citizen,” happy and well-loved in his forever home. His mommies recognized he needs special loving as he lives out this season of his life. 

Then there’s Leonard. Leonard has anxiety issues. He seems to be okay one-on-one with the soon to be bride, but when the groom-to-be leaves, Leonard becomes anxious. Leonard was named after the beloved grandfather of the groom. The couple are dedicated to helping Leonard be less anxious when his male caregiver isn’t home.

For the Love of Cats 

                Patsy Cline

Please don’t think I don’t care for cats. I do! My mom was a lover of cats. After I left home in 1977 to pursue a master’s degree, my sister enlisted in the Army; and my brother married. Our mom decided it was too quiet so she rescued two kittens whom she named Rainbow and Harmony. The “girls” were followed by Pepper and then Patsy Cline.

I have the honor of standing with a couple this fall who are parents to two cats. And in June 2022, I will officiate a wedding for a couple with three cats. The soon to be groom, refers to the female as “daddy’s” girl. 

America’s Favorite Past Time

Baseball is another topic that allows me to connect with a couple. I recently meet with a couple marrying April 2022. One is an Orioles’ fan and the other is a Cubs fan. I’m loyal to the Washington Nationals, however, my husband and I have been to 17 of the 30 MLB parks. So I was able to able to talk with the Cubby about my experience at Wrigley Field and the other about Camden Yards. It’s always great fun to talk with couples about the game of baseball, the fan experience and the uniqueness of each ballpark. Aside from Nationals’ Park, PNC is awesome.

In May 2019, I experienced one of the biggest thrills of my tenure as a wedding officiant. I officiated a wedding in the Silver Slugger Suite at Nationals’ Park. The ceremony occurred before the first pitch. After the ceremony, I joined my husband at our regular seats and we watched the Nationals defeat the Cubs 5 – 2. What an exciting evening!

Compassion, A Necessary Trait

These past 14 months, I’ve been able to connect with my brides and grooms in the health care field. Although I’m not involved with the physical well-being of others, I am a mental health professional. I was able to reach out to my couples who planned to marry in 2020, but had to reschedule or cancel their wedding due to Covid-19. I stayed in touched via email to let them know I was thinking of them, grateful for their commitment and hopeful that we would be together soon at their rescheduled wedding celebration.

My sharing with you is just a sliver of what I experience about 50 times each year. Getting to know couples informally so when their formal celebration rolls around, they each know I appreciate their humanness! 

 

 

THE BUZZ OF CICADAS AT YOUR OUTDOOR WEDDING

MAY 5, 2021

Cicada, A 17-Year Phenomena

Photo courtesy of @santaanaweddings

When I think about outdoor weddings, I think about several factors that can impact the ceremony. Noise from traffic, airplanes flying overhead, an unhappy guest (usually under the age of 5) and the general laughter from the guests. This summer I may have to contend with the noise of the billions of cicadas expected to descend on the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The phenomenon happens once every 17 years. Cicadas are alive underground eating tree roots for sustenance. As the ground warms up and reaches 64 degrees, the bugs begin emerging in mass. “The District, Maryland and Virginia are likely to host more of these animals than any other of the 14 states that share the experience.” The wildlife will begin its eating frenzy. Birds, squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, ants, raccoons, snakes, frogs and possums will over indulge on cicadas. Be aware when you are walking your dog, your furry friend may try to consume a cicada or two.

Preparation for Cicadas?

So how do you prepare for your outdoor wedding knowing that possibly millions of these uninvited guests will crash your celebration? Unfortunately, you can’t avoid them.  But, there are a few things you can do. Here are 4 suggestions to make it easier to deal with these unwanted guests:

• Be prepared for the noise.  Hopefully, your DJ will adjust the volume of the music to try and drum out the buzz.
• Make sure your wedding officiant is wearing a mic to help with projection. If you can, have mics for you and your partner as well.
• Rather than stand on the ground, lay an ornate area rug or throw on the ground for you and your partner to stand-on during the ceremony.
• Ask the venue coordinator if someone can canvass the area maybe 15 minutes prior to the start of your wedding ceremony to sweep away any cicadas or the remnants of cicadas from the immediate area where the guests and bride party will congregate.

I think we can all agree that cicadas can be a distraction during your ceremony. Luckily, they are harmless.  Personally, I will be more focused on mosquitoes at dusk aiming for whatever exposed body part they can bite. I still remember years ago being in tears after I being attacked by mosquitoes. Thankfully, once I returned to my car, I was able to take an antihistamine to calm the itching. Definitely not a fun experience!

Bottom Line

Remember to focus on the reality you are marrying the person who complements you, the person you plan to spend the rest of your life with. Think that in addition to all the wedding related memories, on your 17th, 34th, 51st and so on anniversaries, you will be joined by a generation of cicadas whose ancestors witnessed your “I do” the summer of 2021!