Since my husband is the one who actually officiates at so many weddings, I asked him for his top ten pointers. And here they are.
1. Don’t lock your knees. (He’s only lost one groomsman in all these years!)
2. Respect the customs surrounding weddings. (In other words, the mother of the groom doesn’t run the wedding).
3. Decorate according to your taste, but stick with what is the established norm. Don’t try to invent a whole new way of having a wedding.
4. Don’t use trumpets unless you have a world-class trumpeter.
5. Don’t make the bride look good by making all the bridesmaids look bad. (Okay, I must add an editorial comment here. My husband really thought for years that there must be some custom of making the bridesmaids look awful. I know, that’s sad, isn’t it? See my point #5.)
6. The attendants always face the bride, where ever she is. She is the crown, the focal point of the coronation.
7. Give mile-markers at the reception, such as, “The bride and groom will be leaving at eight o’clock…” That way your guests have an idea of how long the party will be going.
8. Just an observation here: It’s a lovely custom for the bride and groom to give gifts to their attendants at the rehearsal dinner.
9. Use standard vows; don’t write your own. And don’t be affected by egalitarianism and feminism when it comes to taking your vows. Stick to the Bible.
10. Honor the Word of God at your wedding: have it read, declared, and have your vows based on it.