7/2: Wedding Memories

One’s wedding day is said to be the most important day in his/her life.  But, most ceremonies and receptions create special memories for, not only the couple but, just about everyone involved.  And, so, from the personal and poignant to even the comical, a few of us here at The Marist Poll decided to share some of our favorite wedding memories. Enjoy!

“My wife Sandy and I were married in the home of some dear friends.  We only had 9 people at our wedding… and 2 of them were the two of us!  We joke that when we go to the old folks’ home or if we get Alzheimer’s, we’ll have a better shot at remembering the names of all who came.  Besides us, there was the couple who owned the house, the pastor and his wife, my dad and my sister, and oh, yes, the photographer.  He was a shooter at the ABC affiliate where I was working at the time.  He just shot stills, but the big thing about this was that the guy was a rather (understatement) laid-back fellow who was originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Unless he was at work, he was always barefooted, so you can imagine how impressed and relieved we were when he showed up for the wedding wearing shoes!

“We got married February 23, 1991, the day before the ground war began for Gulf War I.  Honeymooning in New Orleans, we were at Pat O’Brien’s two days later when word came that the war was over before it even had really begun.  Reminiscent of that scene in Casablanca where the Germans and the French sang battling anthems at Rick’s Café, everyone at Pat O’Brien’s got up and began singing ‘America the Beautiful.’  It really was touching.” — John Sparks

“For me, one of the most special moments of a wedding celebration is when the bride is walking up the aisle. I always love watching the grooms’ reaction as he gets his first look at his bride-to-be and patiently awaits her arrival between the sea of wedding guests.

“Well, my brother’s reaction did not disappoint. A ‘man’s man’ and definitely not one   to ever share feelings or emotions, my sister-in-law’s beauty overwhelmed him. Tears poured down his face and as Julia got about halfway up the aisle, Jason’s face turned white and he nearly passed out. Thankfully, Mom had smelling salts on hand which kept him upright!  It wasn’t until after the vows that he was able to collect himself. I guess you never know people’s reactions to that life-changing moment!

“And, I have to give credit to my husband for memorable moments — his surprise photo of me imprinted on the back of his tux shirt was quite the hit when he took off his jacket!” — Sue McCulloch

“A few years ago, my brother was a groomsman for one of his best friends.  As the couple knelt down before the priest, the words, ‘Help Me,’ appeared in white shoe polish on the bottom of the groom’s shoes.  (Apparently, my brother and the best man were busy prior to the wedding.)  The entire church had to stifle their laughter.  While I typically get choked up at weddings, this was one ceremony that caused a different type of tears — tears of laughter.” — Mary Azzoli

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7/2: The World of Weddings… Money, Gifts, and More

7/2: Tying the Knot: Bridal Showers, Crashers, & Memorable Moments