The Wedding Zone

In a world surrounded by living together and co-habitation in the place of marriage, there exists a place where marriage dreams take the shape of excitement and planning. Filled with flowers, gowns, photographs and signup sheets, the South Hill Mall in Puyallup became such a place. The young couples traveled from place to place amidst the music and atmosphere of anticipation for an upcoming marriage. Here in center court there was such a place where marriages still can happen.

Welcome to... the Wedding Zone.

Last Saturday I found myself planted in the center court of a mall as one of 28 different vendors all with something to contribute to wedding couples and parents. The vendors represented just about every aspect of wedding planning: Photographers with their huge photo shots in frames and thick books of artistic examples; Tux and gown shops with books and books of possible choices; Caterers with cuisine selections to curb the appetite of the simple or elegant; A Flying Tomato mascot for the kiddies; Vocalists singing as example of their artistic contribution of love songs; A horse drawn buggy to go to and leave from the church in style; A wedding fashion show with all the latest styles for an up-to-date wedding; There was even a liposuction booth to get that instant buff look without all the sweat of dieting and workouts....soooooo 2010.

In the midst of all of that was my little booth as a wedding officiant. Some would ask, "What is a wedding officiant?" That question alone reminded me of how the ceremony itself and the importance of the words and vows have all become secondary to the spectacle of the exteriors. Relational preparation in learning the tools of how to make a successful marriage is not a priority on the financial list of investments for that perfect ceremony. Yet, long after the pomp and circumstance the realities of learning to live together with a marriage commitment suddenly take front seat. The value of learning relational skills takes on more importance. My services of pre-marital counseling and performing the wedding ceremony seemed insignificant to most couples, yet the spiritual connection and foundation is worth all of this "stuff" put together.

It seemed surreal and yet symbolic that my little booth was in the middle of all of this white lace and promises. I felt like I needed to arrive at future weddings as the officiant in a horse drawn buggy and then sing the ceremony wearing a white suit. I could also then be the entertainment at the reception doing the boogie or singing with a band in concert. Instead my services look kind of vanilla in comparison. I did pass out lots of information cards and talk to some interested couples. But the mall marketer told me that they have been doing this wedding fair for years and there never has been a wedding officiant as part of it. Wow.

It gets even wierder.

Next to my booth was a vocalist whose name was J'Lynn. Her name seemed interesting so I asked her the story of how she got her name. She told me that her twin brother died at birth and her parents were going to name him Jeffrey. So in honor of him, she was named Jeffri Lynn and then shortened to J'Lynn. So here we were, two Jeffry Lynns right next to one another...one a male and the other a female...our total names both contained 20 letters... I'm a pastor, she's a pastor's daughter...

I look around the center court and suddenly the value of what I contribute to weddings doesn't seem as vanilla anymore. In fact as the room spins around, it is in reality the most important vendor table in the entire room. I imagine the room filled with pastors and counselors and crowds of young couples seeking help and counseling. Most of their resources are spent on seminars, marriage mentoring, books, and retreats...

You've been visiting ...the Wedding Zone!

(You can also visit my wedding website at www.beingusweddings.com)