It started out like a normal wedding on June 27. The mother-of-the-bride (that’s me) had eyes that started “sweating” even as her son ushered her down the aisle. The three-year-old flower girl was cute-cute-cute as she flung petals along the aisle to the tune of “Humoresque.” The bride (my daughter Inga) glowed as she entered with her dad. The worship band and scripture readings kept the focus on God’s faithfulness.
But those of us who knew were waiting for the final act of the ceremony. After pronouncing the couple “man and wife,” the minister turned to the guests and explained about their unusual pledge. At the beginning of their public “courtship” and on through a year and a half engagement, this couple had established certain physical boundaries to honor the other’s purity. One was that they wouldn’t kiss until their wedding day.
Deep breath. Then, “Trevor, you may kiss your bride.”
We didn’t have to wait a week to the Fourth of July to witness some fireworks!
In an age in which promiscuity is rampant, even among Christian teens (including, sadly, those who made “abstinence” pledges marked with rings), it was a pure, sweet moment.
By the way, do you know the origin of the wedding kiss? Pagan cultures believed this was how the couple “exchanged spirits.” The first bridal bouquets were nosegays of fresh herbs that supposedly warded off evil spirits. The first wedding rings (braided grass wrapped around the bride’s wrists and ankles) supposedly kept her “spirit” from leaving her. More “spirit” stuff: guests clinked glasses in wedding toasts to ward off evil spirits. Carrying the bride over the threshold was supposed to keep her safe from any “evil spirits” lingering there.
Ready for more wedding trivia? The first “best man” was actually a warrior to help capture a likely woman from another tribe! The first bride’s attendants were partners in crime to help a bride escape her family and other suitors to run away with her choice of mate.
Despite all the strange beginnings of many wedding customs, one truth remains. One mother-of-the-bride shared how, between photo-taking and arrival of guests, she took her daughter to the doors leading into the sanctuary. As they looked at the cross at the front of church, the mother said, “Remember this day isn’t about you. It’s about Jesus.”
Amen.
