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The Anonymous Officiant: Parents NOT Behaving Badly

Published Friday, Jul. 7th, 2023

The Anonymous Officiant #9: This wedding officiant was ready for maximum drama at a big blended family wedding, but the day brought a different kind of surprise, instead... in this heartwarming installment of American Marriage Ministries’ new candid column about real weddings and real officiants.

A drama-free ceremony is the best wedding gift of all…

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AMM Audio Articles · The Anonymous Officiant: Parents NOT Behaving Badly

“I officiated recently at the wedding of a couple who each had a complete set of parents and stepparents, and wanted all of these mothers, stepmothers, fathers, and stepfathers to participate in the pouring of sand during the unity sand ceremony.

I watched the families gather for the wedding of their much-beloved (and I guess you could say multi-beloved) children, and just sent up a silent prayer that everything went smoothly and that everybody remained on their best behavior…

I could have spared myself a bit of anxiety.

Regardless of what rancor might have existed in the past (and I did not ask, nor would I ever ask), not a whiff of it could be detected during the wedding itself.

Illustrations of polaroid photos, showing newlyweds kissing, a large family taking a group photo, and a close up of several people pouring sand into a heart shaped vase during a unity sand ceremony

Illustration: Jessica Levey

Everybody paid attention to the words being spoken, and did their best to maintain an air of affectionate decorum for every part of the ceremony.

The gift those parents and stepparents gave the couple being married was an example of true community, and unselfish love. They put aside their own issues, and acted like truly loving adults.

The photos will reflect smiles, genuine good will, and a magical couple of hours when everybody offered true best wishes and congratulations to a very sincere couple embarking on one of life's most important journeys.”

– Anonymous

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Hey, Wedding Officiants! Share your real wedding story, rant, or advice anonymously in The Anonymous Officiant.

We’re accepting submissions of true stories, confessions, rants, and other revelations from the wild world of officiating. Do you have a secret, a cautionary tale, a wedding day disaster story, or exciting gossip? A true tale that's funny, heartwarming, scandalous, surprising, or informative? Something you want to confess, or get off your chest?

Your secret’s safe with us! Submit a story or advice in 500 words or less to [email protected] or use the anonymous submission form linked below.