Marriage is More Than a Wedding
By Sydney Pritchard
May I see your ring? It is beautiful! When is the big day? Where is it going to be? Where are you having the reception? Who’s in your wedding? What are your colors?” A million questions follow a newly engaged person, like me, on a daily basis.
With all the questions, comments, and social media like Pinterest, getting consumed with decorations and creative ideas for the big day can be really easy.
Generally, it seems like everyone always focuses on the details of the wedding, making a big deal about everything from the bridal party to the colors of the flowers to the food. I used to be someone who thought about these details a lot too. Then one day a friend asked me what part of marriage I was most excited about, which was really refreshing to think about instead of just discussing the details of the wedding.
In two months I will be a bride, but lately I’ve been thinking less about that role and focusing more on my role as a wife. How I fulfill that role is much more important than who was at my wedding, what food we ate, and what my colors were.
A wedding is more than a party. It is a celebration of the life-time covenant between two people and God that should be focused on reflecting God’s love to His people. As Ephesians 5:20-29 talks about, wives should submit to their husbands and husbands should love their wives to represent how Christ cherishes the church and how they submit to Him in response.
Focusing on the marriage can be looked at in several different ways. For instance, it can mean not merely zeroing in on the details of the big day. When the details get overwhelming, remember why you are getting married in the first place—to reflect and glorify God (remember that it isn’t really about you). Spend time preparing to fill your role as a spouse. Seek counseling from older and wiser couples. Pray for your life together.
I will be the first to tell you that I do not have all the answers. I am saying these things because I know how easy it is to get wrapped up in the excitement of planning the biggest day of my life—and that is fine—but that shouldn’t be it. There is so much more to think about and so many more reasons to be excited. The wedding is one day, but marriage lasts a lifetime.
