That's Life...

I was just thinking about all the weddings I've been to and thinking particularly about the more recent ones I've been to, because unlike in my childhood years.

I've begun to notice things (and to begun to listen to the sermon at church). And it must be said that one of my most strong beliefs has just been proven wrong. Indeed, I was under the distinct impression that the bride and groom are the most important people in a wedding. Oh I couldn't have been more wrong. Why, it is the photographer and his lamp-post toting assistant who are the important people in a wedding ceremony.

The photographer always gets to walk about and I firmly believe that in their school of photography they are always taught to stand in such a way as to block someone's view of the couple exchanging vows and rings.

And of course the same can be said of his assistant who darts here and there flashing that light all over the place. Oh and only they get away with wearing those scruffy shirts, trousers which always give the impression that the photographer and his assistant had walked through herd of angry bulls on their way to church (not the bulls, if you please).

Why, the other day Groom came to church one hour late. Most inconsiderate of him, but he looked so very nervous when he walked in and it all made one feel rather sorry for the poor fellow. Now you'd have thought that they'd get on quickly with the ceremony. You know, bustle in the bride, slap on the rings and all that sort of thing, what with the guests having had to wait for one hour and all that.

Ah, but no. The grim faced photographer made the groom and his retinue walk right back to the entrance and then asked the groom to walk back again slowly if you please.

Groom would walk on a few steps and then he'd be made to pose. Groom would be made to turn this way and that, to stand on his head and to hold hands with the bestman and such and finally the small party made it to the special pew in the front row. 'Phew!' (and it wasn't only the groom who said this).Ages later, Bride walked up and the photographer kept stopping her on her way to adjust her bouquet of flowers and to pull at her veil.

Then when it was time to exchange rings it was as if the whole thing was being officiated by the photographer rather than the reverend. He'd tell them to turn this way and that, to stop right there and stand still and it was pretty dear that the photographer didn't have a very rich vocabulary.

And while the sermon was being delivered, I bet the photographer wanted to do this too... he'd come sashaying to the couple to arrange bride's train.

He'd fluff it up to resemble a gigantic candyfloss, then he'd shake his head and smoothen it. Most peculiar. There he was prancing this way and that like a hyperactive five-year-old only with several cameras hanging round his neck and with an assistant in tow.

Oh I do hope they'd go back to traditional weddings where everyone could listen to the sermon without being disturbed... well, okay, at least pretended to listen to the sermon then.

Dilini Algama.