{swell weddings} tying together

As I sit down to write my concluding post to this swell week of weddings, my mind is clouded with thoughts like, "ugh, I totally should've written about this," and "why didn't I include that?" and "I don't think that this really came across the way I expected it to." Ha! These thoughts are like tiny echoes of making real wedding plans. It's easy to feel overwhelmed when planning after you've sorted through the mags, websites, shops, and suggestions offered by your friends and fam just trying to make sense of it all. It is easy to feel discouraged about your own limitations in budget, site, etc., after watching InStyle: Celebrity Weddings. It's easy to fret over the tiny details; "Will it rain?" "Will the bridesmaid dresses clash with fill-in-the-blank?" But it's tough to let go of these perfectionistic tendencies, especially on such an important day! The truth is, there is no such thing as a perfect wedding, at least not in the sense that each and every plan you make plays out perfectly. Rather, the day will be perfect because you and your spouse(!) are declaring your love and commitment for each other before and with Christ at the center. Your guests are there to share in the beauty of your bond and as witnesses, to help hold you accountable in the future. The rest, the aesthetics: the flowers, fluff, frill, cakes, gifts, and goodwill all play a supporting role in this simple setup. Don't let these things overwhelm and distract from what truly matters. Yes, it's the first day of the rest of your life together and should be celebrated and made memorable, but after all, it really is just one day. Remember to spend ample time planning and preparing for your marriage. It can be very beautiful and meaningful to hand-select the Word and music to be shared at your ceremony. What better way to let your light shine as a couple than to select Scripture readings that have especially shaped your personal relationship with God and your spouse? Now wait--here's my favorite part...It all ties together: God created marriage as an earthly picture of the intensely intimate, perfect relationship He desires to have with each one of us, and will have when we move home to heaven! Beautiful picture, right? So go ahead--your wedding day is a blank canvas, use it to give glory to Him. With your heart in the right place, your wedding day and every day of your marriage will turn out to be more beautiful & perfect than you can imagine! *So sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience.*