LUNCHEON weddings are still more popular than the evening ones, although many believe that the evening ones are stylish and memorable, this is not true; if you’re worried that a daytime wedding won’t be memorable, well then think again.
Some wedding crises are as a result of poor planning, others just come unexpectedly, whatever the reason, the question is how you can turn a crisis into a celebration. A student’s dictionary defines a crisis as a stressful time when something serious is happening. The oxford dictionary elaborates further by defining a crisis as a time of great difficulty or danger or when an important decision must be made.
As i was writing this topic, i met a groom who caused a crisis on his wedding day, he did not organize transport for the bridal party, the bride and bridesmaids were the first to arrive at church, they were stranded, the only car available was for the matron’s husband, he had to leave them at church on his way for work.
The second one to arrive was the groom, guess what mode of transport? Public transport! to make matters worse the bus stop is directly opposite the church’s main entrance door, the people in the buses are able to see the one standing on the alter.
The groom was dressed in a nice suit arrived alone, leaving the groomsmen at home, they arrived in third position in a taxi. The ceremony was over, no transport from the church to the photo session then reception venue.
Once a wedding planner, always a wedding planner, even when there is a crisis and you are just an invited guests you do not cease to be who you are, you have to help even if you are not hired to organize, we spoke to those who had either personal or company vehicles to take the bridal party for a photo session.
From the photo session to the reception venue negotiations were made with the taxi drivers to reduce the price to suit the money available and after the reception the matron’s husband come to the rescue.
Despite all these mishaps, the wedding was beautiful, the guests were not aware of the crisis, bridesmaids and groomsmen had put everything behind them and danced with all their might, the bride cried the whole day. If you are financially inconvenienced, let other people’s money work.
My wedding is not an exception to a crisis. As we were about to leave the celebration venue the circuit breaker cried overload and music is one of the most important aspect on the wedding day. In times like these, two names are usually mentioned, Zesco and Satan with his tricks by everyone attending the wedding.
The venue was a stone throw from Zesco offices, others suggested someone to go there log in a complaint, some prayed loudly without even realizing it or taking time to informing the house that it’s time for prayer that’s how they overcome a crisis when they face one.
An unknown man, who was not our wedding planner or one of the organizers, so i will call him an opinion leader and this title won’t be an abomination, came up and told us to walk out without any music, according to him we were behind time. We said our going out should be accompanied with music whether behind or ahead of time.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen refused totally to walk quietly as their step was a combination of the dances found in all the provinces of Zambia, this was not to go unnoticed. The master of ceremonies (mc) attended the church service so he started his work, entertaining the invited guests seeing that there was a crisis, the youths rose from there seat to fix the problems, what could we have done without these. They kept assuring us that it will play, a youth does not give up easily, and it’s not their nature to give up. They fixed the problem!
When planning a wedding, it’s important to have a plan a, and b so that if the first plan fails to work out you can quickly use the other two plans. What can one do in case plan a, and b don’t work out? Before l go any further this plan only works when planning a wedding and not in marriage, your spouse is the only plan you need, no plan b, moving forward.
I was invited to an evening wedding, it was supposed to start at 18:00 hours, and the bridal party came at 20:00 hours. The master of ceremonies announced their arrival and they were ready to give us their first dance after waiting for them, we all clapped, ululated not only because we were happy but we were bored seated and doing nothing.
While we were still clapping, there was load shedding; the bridal party refused to come in, it was so dark. The venue had a generator which is plan b, but it needed an electrician, he’s working hours are from 08:00 hours to 17:00 hours.
At this point, plan c has to be thought of and this is in the hands of the mc. He started by making a request if there was an electrician or anyone from Zesco among the invited guests, all in vain so he started cracking jokes then realized, the night was young, no one knew when power will be back and he had to come up with a tactic.
The mc choose some couples from among the guests to say anything worth hearing about their marriage life. Many are called but a few are chosen, the author of this column was glad to be among the chosen who share about marriage life.
This was very interesting, educative and by the time we realised it, power was restored and the guests celebrated like school children tumbling and frolicking out of school screaming at the sheer delight of freedom from the classroom.
As an mater of ceremonies this tactic is vital to such a gathering, but be very careful on who you call so that you do not invite the folks who define marriage as a “shipikisha club” to start with marriage is not a club, according to the dictionary club is defined as a group of people who meet for a common purpose, rather it is a commitment to a way of life and instituted by God. Marriage is the only institution you are given a certificate before you write your examination and the answer to the question is given.
If you are married, one thing is certain, when you attend a wedding, your story will have to be told in one way or the other.
Do not make your talk as dry as dust, as you leave home be prepared to talk confidently and interestingly on the subject of marriage to a large audience.
Many give excuses saying i am not prepared, I did not see this coming, I am not a good public speaker, and you know this subject so you have no handicap which can prevent you from speaking loudly enough and clearly enough to be understood. Start now by performing for an audience of just one. Your own reflection in the mirror, you never know when and where you will be required to speak.
Another way you can handle a crisis is by picking up a newspaper or magazine latest or from the archives a day before the event and look through and read about any local story.
You may be able to impact some information to the audience which may not be known even by the oldest inhabitant.
You can talk about health, when one relaxes, there health will benefit and many people seem to be worried about their health these days, if you can speak on something which helps to benefit their health, you will be rewarded by the interest shown.
As a mc you don’t want the audience to sit back and wait for something to happen, hold their attention as they feel like their time is being wasted even during this crisis. The topic you have chosen will it impact knowledge or inspire.
When calling out those to speak are they willing to share their story so use a tactic that will encourage them to speak and many people do not know that public speaking helps to overcome shyness and nervousness.
Many Zambian master of ceremonies are really enjoying what they are doing and connecting well with the wedding guests. For comments and contributions:Cell: 0966665468, Email: sunittasyabeene@yahoo.com