Reheasing For Tomorrow

What a fun day today will be! Today is Rehearsal Day ... the day to make sure everything is scheduled and kinks are unkinked. Everything is practiced so everyone is on the same page, hopefully eliminating any surprises for tomorrow. There will be much laughter and silliness. There will be a few mistakes, but this is the day to make them. And there will be a sense of familiarity in the process so that tomorrow will be a little less hectic. It's a fun day.

Then after the details are ironed out, we'll join together with Rob's father and step-mother to bring together families from the northeastern end of the country with folks from the upper midwest and south and the dearest of friends. This is your last night as singles before the most important day of your life. Games, good food and fellowship as folks get to know one another a little bit better in a less formal environment, and perhaps let go of a little anxiety.

What typically takes place at a rehearsal dinner?

Introductions: Take some time to say who everyone is. Name tags may be helpful for this night. Be sure to go around and meet and greet everyone.
Supper: Can be whatever you want. With Rob and Ayla, food trucks are the fare for the evening.
Thank yous: These are the verbal thank yous to everyone who helped and came.
Toasts: Since typically the best man and maid-of-honor do toasts at a reception, this is a good time for parents to make toasts.
Gifts for the wedding party: A good time to give your bridesmaids and groomsmen a token of thanks.
Last Minute Reminders so everyone will know where they need to be and at what time the next day. 

For Rob and Ayla's night they have a few games planned, as they wanted to really get folks interacting together. It's going to be a lot of fun and memorable.

So get ready to practice for the big day and delight in the company of those who love you so very much! Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you'll be married!

Discussion: What things are running through your mind on this day before your wedding? What are the things you most want to practice? What are you hoping will happen at your rehearsal dinner?

Prayer: Lord God, we pray this is a special, fun, tension-less day for our couple and the families. We pray for joy in the greetings and blessings in the memories. We love you, Father. Thank you for this day. In Christ, Amen.

Pick A Side

A friend was sharing a story about her relationship with her mother-in-law recently. She said when her mother-in-law said jump, her husband asked how high. The mother-in-law would come over to their house and completely rearrange the furniture. When I asked what her husband said during those times, she said, "Just keep her happy while she's here." Immediately after her mother-in-law left, she would put the furniture back the way she wanted it. At Christmas the mother-in-law would insist on certain celebrations to which her son would instantly agree. When I asked if her husband ever supported her in these exchanges, she said no.

It was interesting that this story came on the heels of some marriage advice the pastor at Trinity UMC told me about more than a week ago. He said when he has marriage counseling with a couple, he always tells the groom the rehearsal dinner is pivotal. In his words, "I tell him that there will inevitably be a discussion about some part of the wedding where the mother of the bride will want one thing and the mother of the groom will want another. I tell him it is important at that moment for him to turn to his future bride and ask what she wants and support it, telling the other two his bride's decision is final." Brother Ken said way the groom lets both mothers know the couple is a team and that his wife will have his complete support. After hearing my friend Jackie's story above, I see the value in Ken's advice. Apparently some couples forget they are now responsible for their own homes and decisions and kowtow to their former parent. And if you are younger, you fear disagreeing with your parent will be disrespectful.

So there you go - stay tough and support each other, better yet, as the Bible says, "cleave to one another" Gen. 2:24. And on this end, as a future mother-in-law I will try to stay out of the way. :)

Discussion: Do you think there will be any difficulty in dealing with parents after you are married? Do you resolve to support one another, even if it may be against what your parents would suggest or want?

Prayer: Lord, we know you are our first priority and that our spouse if to become our second priority before any other person. We pray we remember to work as a team in support of one another. In Jesus Name, Amen.