My first Danish - American Wedding

I know a few men who have a firm belief that wedding ceremonies should not last longer than 20 minutes and who would be really uncomfortable with some of the weddings in our body at LHC that last an hour or more with lots of praise and worship as part of the ceremony. Well, they would have really been out of their comfort zone this past weekend at the wedding I attended. Martin -Danish and Lynsey -American got married in Durango Colorado.

Danes love weddings!

They enjoy getting together for days and spending alot of time together before and after as part of the celebration. The wedding ceremony itself (Donny Martin preaches a great mountain wedding service!) was not overly long, about 30 minutes or so and we had the usual visiting and snacking while photos were being taken for another 30-40 minutes. THEN the fun began. The Danish custom (or so I am led to believe) is to have many toasts, skits, photos, sharing, eating, drinking, sharing, toasting, skits, photos, toasts, eating... you are getting the idea. The ceremony began at 3pm and when we finally left at midnight, the dancing had just begun and I am sad to say, the cake still had not been cut. (that could be a whole blog in itself... I do love me some wedding cake) Children ran playing outside, roaming and enjoying the freedom of grownups being occupied, cats carried in rats, the DJ slept on his equipment while waiting, and many words were spoken full of laughter and tears. The event was intended to be experienced as a whole, not in parts. A true celebration of life. Reminded me of what it might have been like when Jesus went to the wedding in Cana in Galilee. I could see the same experiences of people sharing and laughing late into the night and then finding they had run out of wine, Mary went to Jesus...

The Americans were of course uncomfortable with the length, the lack of someone keeping everything running smoothly and of course, they all wanted to eat cake and go home! But, after you had sat and visited and eaten and had a bit to drink and let the time issues go, it became an experience, not just an event. I think we could use a bit more of this in our own American lives, let loose a bit on our controlling natures and live a little. Have us some fun and stay up late.

(then we wouldn't miss out on the cake!)