Let's Talk About Marriage (and not just a wedding event)

As a wedding planner, I have witnessed countless moments of couples saying "I DO" infront of the ministers of God and the people. I've seen nervous grooms, stressed-out brides, excited bridesmaids, emotional parents and eccentric crowd in the arena of the wedding ceremony.

But there's one thing I also witnessed and to my simple understanding what Marriage is all about. Here's what I understand:

A wedding is not the start of marriage nor it guarantees the start of any marriage. For many in history have made it to their wedding day with other reasons than their love for their partner. Many have fallen in the pressure of following tradition or worse bribed with coercion. Still others marry for the love of money and not for their love of the other person.

A marriage is a relationship while a wedding is an event to highlight that relationship. A marriage is created even before the wedding event. Many couples have been married for a very long time before they have decided to let the world know and share the momentous event that they have. They must be friends first with complete trust and confidence to the person of their affection.

A marriage happens when the two have committed to each other and devoted all their time and attention to supporting and making the other person become the best person he/she must be. A good marriage is knowing that your other half is out there in the world utilizing all his/her potentials and trusting that he/she'll be ready to share to you the learnings and experiences when he/she comes back to you at the end of the day.

A good marriage, even stripped off with all the glamour and glitter of a grand wedding, will withstand all the conditions that life will bring. For between the wedding event and the life of ever after, there are two people always trusting, always looking after the welfare and happiness of the other, always sharing what they have, always giving and forgiving,  always having faith and complete dependence to God for provision of graces everyday and always...

And that is what Marriage is all about.