Monday, November 4, 2013

A Ceremony Is Not A Performance.

Over this past summer, as I worked every weekend on a wedding, I had a wonderful time getting to help produce some very different and unique weddings. That's the great thing about this job, is that you really get to try it all. You get to see what it would be like if someone actually did *that* or had *that* or managed to pull *that* off at their wedding.. and it's fun to do new things every weekend.

However.

There were a couple times this season that I noticed a little more about the different and unique ceremonies. They were more of a performance than a marriage ceremony. Either the couple was way too picky, and detailed about how they would be seen during the moments giving their vows, or they were too worried about how every little thing had to be just right.

Now let me set straight the line between a performance, and making things pretty.

Dictionary definition for performance:

per·for·mance
noun
: an activity that a person or group does to entertain an audience.

Did you see that? "Entertain.."

Now, is a marriage ceremony about entertaining an audience? I don't think so.

Dictionary definition for ceremony:

cer·e·mo·ny
noun

: a formal act or event that is a part of a social or religious occasion

: very polite or formal behavior



Now obviously, I'm a wedding planner. I out of all people understand how all the little things need to be done correctly in order for everything to be perfect. I like to make things pretty, and special. But I also am a traditionalist. And I love the incredible, powerful and emotional importance of what a wedding ceremony is about. I mean after all, the reception is a celebration for what the ceremony holds. The ceremony should be about two people coming together as one. They are giving their lives to one another, to make it one life they will live together until the day they die.

The people seated behind or around you, are there as witnesses to that vow. Because they love and care for you. Sure, the set up can be (and I think should be), pretty. And it should be special. But, it's not about performing to the guests. Doing all this confusing choreography, standing here, now there, worrying about who can see you when... They all can see you just fine, even if they only see your backs. They still know what they're watching, and understand why they are there. You, as the bride or groom, just need to focus on why YOU'RE there. What's happening in front of you and to you. Don't worry about anything else! It's about vowing a new life with that person you're holding hands with, and what the officiant is saying. Don't make it a big show. It's already an amazing show. It doesn't need more than that.

Hope that isn't too confusing. It's not always easy for me to write down what is in my head, to make sense of what I'm expressing.

Until next time..
t.

I think I'm back.

Ready to write again!

Ok, wow. It's been a long time since I last posted anything. My blog came to mind quite a few times, but I just never had the right words in my head to create something meaningful on here. I was also busy. Very busy with work and vacations, and changes, and family and LIFE.

Over these past few months, I've really been thinking about how much time I spend on social media and trying to cut that time down. But it's so hard, because these days, that's what we live by. Like for instance, I feel so silly when I realize I never leave my phone. I'm not just talking about when I leave the house. No, I mean when I go from room to room. Or even to the bathroom. I always take my phone and it's just ridiculous! So then I'll try leaving it. If I'm going to the kitchen to get something, or to the living room, I'll leave it in my bed room. And then I miss an important phone call. Of course. So I guess it's just a matter of delicately understanding the line between how much is too much. I get so annoyed when I see people using Facebook as their diary. Or their daily log book. I really don't understand why people don't understand that the world doesn't care what you do, every. single. hour.

I think about Twitter. I have an account. And at one point, a couple years ago, I was on it every day. Now? I'm never on it. I like what it is. It's cool for a lot of people and a lot of reasons. But I realized lately, when thinking about it, that in order for me to really use it to it's full potential, would mean me looking down at my phone way too often, and not looking around my own surroundings enough. I could be missing out on life's greatest pieces of art, because I thought that tweeting or reading tweets about other people's lives were more important. They're just not, for me.

Anyway, a LOT has gone on this past year! And I thought 2012 was a great year! My last post was in Feb. At that time, I was somewhat dating a guy, long distance. We hadn't 'named' it yet, and hadn't made things official. But now as I'm writing this, we've been "officially dating" for almost 8 months, and still long distance! (He's in Alabama and I'm still in Idaho!) Happy moments have been made though! ;)

I can't say that long distance relationships are easy. I also can't say they aren't worth it. Some might not be, but ours? Totally worth it. It's so hard to be away from him and only getting to hang out every couple of months is not super fun. But we don't plan on this lasting for forever. I mean, if we were, now then it would be pointless. But this is just where we have to be, how it has to be, and why it has to be for now. And until it can move forward and change, we're just relying on the Lord to help and keep us strong in the meantime.

My job was crazy this summer! As I've mentioned, I'm a wedding and event planner and stylist. Last year (2012) I was an intern. It was a busy summer, but very fun! Some hiccups along the way, but nothing too extravagant. This year? I am a lead assistant, and it was another busy and fun summer. However, we had some major hiccups and learned a LOT of good lessons! When you work with people, couples, families, relatives, and other vendors, you just have to realize, you're going to encounter every kind of person, and they are not always going to be easy, nice, or respectful. And you just have to be prepared to deal with it anyway. ;) But never the less, it was a good season.

My boyfriend and I were able to be together four different times, from Spring break, to a beach vacation with my family, his sister's wedding week, and then I just spent a month down in Alabama. I was visiting, well yes, him, but also spending time with my relatives there. It was a nice month away, getting to relax, and getting to spend non-vaction-but-actual-regular-time with him. :) (I was also sick with a nasty cough/cold the first two weeks :P)

Now it's the beginning of November, the leaves have been covering the ground, Christmas is hinting through store catalogs and displays, commercials and my Spotify account, and I'm realizing I need to make a Christmas gift list! Where did the time go?!? I absolutely LOVE this coming time of year and cannot wait to get it officially started, with Thanksgiving!

So many more things have been going on and changing as of this year, but it's all for the better. I think. I hope.

Anywho, now that I've got my re-introduction//coming back after a few long lost months, I will end this, so I can begin writing my next and new thoughts that I would like to share. :)

Happy raking. (Not.)
t.