It wouldn’t be summer without a calendar full of weddings, and when the season kicked off this weekend, so did a very busy week of nuptial activities for me.

I’m at the age where it’s starting to seem like everyone I know is getting married. I’ve been to more weddings since college than the 22 years before combined, and my closet full of bridesmaid dresses is beginning to look a little too much like a Katherine Heigl romantic comedy.

Plenty of people moan and groan about their long list of summer soirees, and I’ll admit, there are plenty of undesirable traits guaranteed to be part of every wedding.

First, there’s the dress code. For guys, it’s simple: collared shirt, nice slacks, maybe a tie if you’re feeling extra snazzy, but for us ladies, it’s so ambiguous. There are far too many options, and way too many ways you can go wrong.

Then, there is the undeniable fact that weddings are expensive. Even if you pick from the registry the day you get the invitation, there are still the added expenses of travel, lodging, attire, pre-ceremony festivities, etc.

And for some people, weddings are just another reason to see those unpleasant people you’ve avoided since high school, college, etc. In your hometown, weddings are like mini-high school reunions, and those are intimidating!

Despite all the headaches that a lot of people dread with wedding season, my hopelessly romantic self believes in a few moments at each wedding that make all of the awkwardness and expenses worth it. Those moments are:

1. Seeing the groom’s face when the bride walks down the aisle. Everyone tends to look at the bride as she heads down the aisle. I prefer to see his face when he sees her the first time.

2. The father’s face as he reaches the end of the alter to give his daughter away. Inevitably, it’s filled with pride, not only for his daughter, but for the man he’s welcoming into the family.

3. The first dance. I love to hear which song the couple chooses, and then watch them sing it to each other and laugh as 250 eyes stare at them attempting not to step on each other’s toes.

It goes without saying that weddings are romantic, and to me, the love you get to witness when you attend these ceremonies is gratifying enough to be worth all the hassle of hot weather, money spent and awkward encounters with old schoolmates.

To all the brides and grooms getting married this season, I wish you a lifetime of happiness, and to my friends and family celebrating these reunions this summer, thank you for letting me be part of your special day.

 

Ambrosia Neldon is the managing editor at Leader Publications. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7713, or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com.