By Rev. Alan Viau
“I have a little something planned for the groom that he doesn’t know about”, smiles the bride when I am checking in with her moments before the ceremony. She’s planned a prank on him. Of the close to 1000 weddings I’ve conducted, it seems to be the bride who plays the prank on her groom.
I always check in with the bride before the ceremony. This allows me to see how she feels; nervous, anxious, or calm and ready for anything. It gives me time to review key points of the ceremony such as the entrance, presentation of the bride and any rituals. Checking in also lets the bride know that I am there and not late. It gives her a chance to ask any last minute questions.
Occasionally,a bride will take me aside. “I have a little something planned for the groom. He doesn’t know about it.” I am always slightly apprehensive when I hear this. Unplanned events can be a cause for disaster if not executed or taken properly. I listen patiently and agree to play my part in the prank.
I don’t know why it is that the bride can get organized and creative enough to pull a prank. Grooms I’ve worked with have never done that. I find that grooms will surprise their bride with something at the end of the ceremony. I’ve had a groom present his bride with a 1968 Camero or a re-enactment of her grandfather’s wedding picture. These are gestures that show how much the grooms care.
To give you a flavor of what brides do, here are three recent examples.
Will He Kiss The Girl. After I pronounce them husband and wife, I usually ask couples to seal their vows with a kiss. It is the last thing they do before walking out. This bride didn’t want me to ask for the kiss. Once I pronounced them, I backed away. Her entertainer friend donned a fake dreadlock wig and started singing a song from The Little Mermaid, “Kiss the Girl”. The groom was stunned. The entertainer got the crowd singing the chorus! When he finished he insisted “Will You Kiss The Girl?” Which the groom did, to wild applause.
Huddle Consult. During the ceremony, I asked the bride “Is there no legal impediment to your marriage? Do you love and respect him? Do you stand by him whatever may come?” At this point the bride paused, turned and huddled with her bridesmaids for a consult. The groom, confused, said “What the…?” The girl huddle then shouted an agreement. The bride returned with a mischievous grin and calmly said, “I do”.
A Porsche. During the repeat after me vows, a bride added one line. I asked her, “Do you promise to buy him the latest model Porsche 911?” The cue given, a radio controlled Porsche made its way down the aisle and arrived at her feet. She picked it up and gave it to her groom. With everyone laughing, the groom protested that he wanted a real one.
