How to Have the Perfect, Fairytale Wedding

Have you ever wondered just what it takes to have the perfect wedding? Does it start with the perfect couple? A beautiful dress and elegant atmosphere? Does it require a perfect service or that heavenly first kiss as a married couple?Is it the joy of being with your family and all your favorite friends?Is it in a romantic setting for the reception after… or an abundance of great food? Does it need a perfect end…leaving in a trail of bubbles and good wishes?Just what does it take to make a bride’s fairytale dream come true?I would say that ideally it starts with two sets of parents who have remained committed to each other through thick and thin and have nurtured their children to the best of their ability. This particular wedding was a special blessing for me, because I’ve known (and greatly admired) both sets of parents for nearly 20 years, and I’ve had the privilege of watching Bethany and Seth grow up! Seth’s father officiated at the service, & both sets of parents deeply love their kids.Well, you may say, that let’s me out. I don’t even have 2 parents. Not to worry!If you are a child of God, you have a heavenly father, and he can guide you into all you need to have your own version of  “the perfect” wedding.I do think there’s something about having a father-figure entrust you to your husband-to-be, and I do think there’s something about the dress. But, my mother was married on a mountain side, without her dad, in her prom dress, and she always remembered it as one of the most magical moments of her life.I think there’s something very good about being surrounded by your friends and family as you say your vows. They will pray for you and encourage you when you’re down and need a good reminder about those “perfect promises” you made (which never seem like they’ll be hard to keep…but sometimes are).   By the way, Seth and Bethany actually kept themselves just for each other… almost unheard of today but a wonderful foundation for security and trust!Beyond the tremendous background preparations, it often takes a host of people working hard behind the scenes in order to make a perfect marriage…               (but there doesn’t have to be)!Bethany’s two sisters put their whole hearts into helping with the wedding prep. Seth is from a family of nine and has six brothers. You can bet they all helped… well at least by teasing and cajoling Seth into making the dive! They’re super.Bethany’s dearest friends from childhood were a great encouragement to her too.Rex and Cindi worked tireless to prepare decorations…for months!Meredith has mentored Bethany for years, and Meredith and Chad did a super job in the very critical role as master and mistress of ceremonies. There were lots of other folks in the background, too, like Dan and Rhonda, who did premarital counseling for them, & Doug and Bev, who ran the sound board,and Lynn and Tom, who catered the feast. Our chapel family sure pulled together to help Bethany and Seth have a truly fairy tale wedding!Well, you may lament, I won’t ever have a perfect wedding. I don’t have the  background; I don’t have the resources and support; I don’t have the friends…Or, maybe you feel like you’re not beautiful and fear you’ll never find a mate.Or, perhaps you had a perfect wedding, but it all fell apart and now you’re alone.Take heart, my dear friend, God has a special plan for each of us!Jesus has called us to himself. He wants to be our brother, our friend, our “Prince Charming” if you will. If we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, then  we still have something wonderful to look forward to in the future! We are all  invited to the “marriage supper of the Lamb,” and Jesus promises that all who are willing to repent of their sins and put their faith in him will become a part of the “bride of Christ,” and that someday he will take us home to heaven to be with him  forever. Are you willing?  Are you “engaged”? Are you excited? I am!“Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, ‘These are the true sayings of God’.” (Revelation 19:9)

(The best pictures were used by the permission of Meredith, Bethany, and Susan.  I was the videographer, and the resolution of the pictures I took from the video was relatively lower!)