Not So Fast Down the Aisle...

Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune had an interesting article about the now infamous wedding dance down the aisle. It comes from the perspective of clergy in the church.

Is it inappropriate or sacrilegious to boogie down the aisle at the church? I guess it depends on who you ask. Some clergy think this is a great way to express the joy of getting married, while others would never allow this to happen in their church.

The article also brought up a cultural difference that I had not thought about. In the West, there is not typically a connection with worship and dance, at least during a wedding ceremony. While in other parts of the world, dance is more deeply connected with worship.

Personally, I thought the dance was very creative and fun. It matched the style of the couple and they were able to express themselves in a way during their ceremony that few others have done before. I don't think it should replace the typical wedding processional, and I certainly hope that not everyone tries to recreate this at their upcoming weddings.

The spoofs have already started. I watched the "JK Divorce Video" earlier this weekend. I know we have not seen or heard the end of this.

MN Couple's Processional Gets National Attention

I have been to a lot of weddings...but I have never seen anything like this. Jillian and Kevin Heinz recently posted the video of their processional on YouTube for their family and friends...and now more than a million people have watched the first part of their ceremony.

You really do have to watch the video, because trying to explain this with text really does not do it any justice.

The couple is flying to New York to appear on a few different national morning talk shows...and we hope to catch up with some of their wedding party members, who live here in Central Minnesota in a future blog...

Will a dancing processional catch-on and become the next wedding trend?

"Must Know" for Destination Weddings

In my last blog, I wrote generally about my experience with destination weddings- and have a few more tips to share.

The biggest thing people planning the wedding need to realize is that if your wedding is outside of the United States- the customs and culture in the country you are visiting are also different. Specifically, how people respond to "scheduled" events and timelines. People in Mexico have a very different interpretation of time than we do in the United States. Their culture is a lot more laid back and not as concerned with the minutes hand on the clock.

If you are the type of person that needs everything to be "on-time" - a destination wedding may not be for you. In my experience, there is always something that is "running late" hours before the wedding starts...flowers, chairs, officiant, etc...

Most of the resorts do have "wedding coordinators"- but often times this person is juggling multiple weddings or working on other projects at the resort.

My biggest pieces of advice for people...hire a travel agent to help you work with the resort and go into the wedding realizing that all of your plans may be subject to change. If it is outdoors- there is always a chance that it could rain- or something may not show up on time.

Find a travel agent you can trust and has experience working with destination wedding resorts. Their services are less money than you think and will make your wedding planning experience a lot more pleasant and less stressful.

We have a number of great travel agents in the Central Minnesota Wedding Association- be sure to check them out during your search!