Wedding Bliss

As you all are probably tired of reading about at this point, my sister’s wedding was this past weekend! And oh what a great night it was!! Everything from the rain holding up, to the ceremony running smoothly, and the band rocking until 12:30, the night was one worthy of a Disney princess, which my sister, rightfully, thinks she is. However, throughout the night of dancing, catching up with family and friends, and taking pictures, I learned a couple of critical tips for how to be the best groomsman the wedding scene has witnessed.  Some may seem lesser than others, but trust me, you need to know every detail to put on the special night for the bride and groom.

This first tip is one that really tested my buttons (literally). You know the old saying, “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me?” Yeah, well all I can say is, shame on me. One part of the wedding that probably could’ve gone smoother was our tux situation. For some, the tuxes were just completely the wrong size, as in a 10-size difference for pants, some were the wrong color shirts, but for me, I had self-inflicted wounds. When I first took the tux home, I put on my own runway show for sister to show off how snazzy we were going to look for her. Everything went smoothly until my top button came popping off when taking the jacket off. Imagine the buttons on your food-loving uncle’s shirt during Thanksgiving stretching further and further, until POP goes the weasel. It may have been the top button, but I was convinced I could pull it off. Nothing was going to hold back this wedding!

On the wedding day, we made it past the pictures and ceremony without anyone noticing my button was gone. Then, on the dance floor while busting my signature “I know I can’t dance, but I don’t care” moves, POP went the other button. It was like the buttons couldn’t bear to be near such a poor dancer. Whatever, I didn’t like them anyway. But I did learn that a top-notch groomsman knows to bring a handy-dandy emergency sew kit. So, don't be like me. Unless you want to look like a button-less fool, bring a sewing kit!

This second tip was one of my favorite parts of the wedding: come up with a great entrance dance! As some of you may know, before the reception begins, the bridal party kicks off the night with an entrance to bring in the two lovely newlyweds. Every type of dance you can think of is used. Sometimes, the more creative, the better, and in some cases, a toned down version would’ve been certainly been fine. As the brother of the bride, I was naturally paired with the groom’s sister. We knew we had to make an entrance that would be remembered for ages. In 100 years when historians look back on weddings, they’d use this single, 10 second moment as how to correctly welcome a new bride and groom. However, we couldn’t come up with any ideas. Literally nothing. Our list was dryer than a tumbleweed filled desert in the summer. Luckily, my sister came to our rescue and actually wanted us to do a certain entrance. 

We were the last ones to walk in before the new couple, so our role was to not only introduce them but to also bring together two large families. To do this, we each carried two signs to portray the lovebirds tying the knot. The first sign had our last name, and then the second posters put together spelt out, “One Happy Family.” We both thought this was a sweet moment to showcase what the wedding was all about.  Sure there was a great band and an open bar, but we were all there to show our love for these two as they take a major step in their life.

This last part should be a no brainer! Any solid groomsman knows this is a staple of weddings (except for me, apparently. But I know now!). You should always bring a pack of tissues! Everyone knows a wedding is a tear-jerking, emotional ceremony. From the music playing in the background to seeing the doors open up and the bride stepping out onto the church for the first in her long, flowing white gown. It’s a moment she’s probably dreamed of many times, played time and time again with her friends, and now, it’s finally here. It’s an emotional moment for even the non-emotional. I don’t care who you are; no one can go through that without any sentimental feelings. It’s simply impossible! So that’s where the tissues come in. You can use them for yourself, hand them off to the grandparents who are filled with so much joy, or keep them for the bride and groom because they can’t make it fully through this moment either.

Tears aside, my sister’s wedding was an amazing day and night. We were able to celebrate with family and friends whom we haven’t seem in a while. But my personal favorite part was shredding up the dance floor with childhood friends! I am worried about the pictures that may come from the night, though. I am fully aware that I should never try out for Dancing with the Stars. But as they say, when in Rome! It’s simply not right to stand clear of the dance floor when at a wedding. You have to dance away the demons and bring luck to the newlyweds as they begin their journey together! Congratulations again, Amanda and Jerry!