Marriage & Wedding Information

Were Engaged!


He's popped the question and you're dying to tell someone. Without a second thought the two of you race like the wind to share the good news with your mum and dad.

Wait! Haven't you read enough etiquette books to know that there's a right way and a wrong way to spread your fantastic news? And the way you're going to do it will bring you nothing but regrets.

Without any warning you're going to break into the living room and expect your parents to act as if they've just won the Lotto? Dream on!

It's a cold Sunday evening, and your mum and dad are settled for the night. Snuggled into a flannelette dressing gown inherited from her grandmother, her feet lost in your father's outsize slippers and heavy woolen socks that a lamb would be proud of, your mother's head is a pin cushion of pink and blue plastic curlers.

Beside her, your father is spread across the chair fast asleep. Head back, mouth wide open, his snores are successfully competing with the sound of the television which has been turned up to point 25.

Awakened by a kick on the shin, he exudes all the charm and dignity most people exhibit in that situation.

With your 'Mum, dad, we're engaged,' ringing in their ears, at that moment, believe it or not, they hate you and your partner with a passion. Why couldn't you have given them some warning?

They've seen enough TV to know exactly how they're expected to react when their favourite daughter comes home with a ring on her finger. But they've been caught napping in every sense of the word.

If this scene were being enacted on the screen there would be a bottle of champagne cooling in the refrigerator. Elegant gold-edged flutes would be sparkling in the cocktail cabinet, while mum and dad would be stunning in the fashionable gear provided for them by the wardrobe lady. There would be much laughter and exclamation, with all sorts of delightful sentiments pouring out of dad's well-written script, with mum smiling a warm welcome to your fiancé.

But as it is, even if they manage to recover from the disadvantageous position in which you've placed them, the best your parents can do is offer the two of you a cup of tea and a biscuit or two, and wish you both hundred thousand kilometers away.

Spare them the embarrassment and yourself the disappointment. On Sunday night come home alone. Give your parents a broad hint about what to expect tomorrow, and stock the fridge with all the necessary accessories in the meantime.

News like your engagement, deserves the spontaneity of thorough planning.

Vlady Peters is an Australian Civil Marriage Celebrant.

She is the author of 'Complete Book of Australian Weddings' and 'The Small Organisation Handbook'.

Vlady is a member of Queensland Civil Marriage Celebrants Assiociation, Australian Authors'Asssociation and Romance Writers of Australia Association.

Visit Vlady at her website http://www.vlady-celebrant.com


MORE RESOURCES:

The Associated Press

New City Marriage Bureau Opens Its Doors
NY1, NY - 7 hours ago
The first ceremony, held for Carlos Sanchez and Jennifer Avila, was witnessed by a horde of media. "This place is really beautiful, it's really nice," said ...
NY hears wedding bells, aims to compete with Vegas San Diego Union Tribune
all 222 news articles


Examiner.com

Same-Sex Marriage: Wedding Priestess Believes. But Washington Post ...
Examiner.com - Dec 18, 2008
by Ann Keeler Evans, Philadelphia Marriage Examiner "Oh," says WP, pulling her hair. Reading the Washington Post today, I came across an editorial proposing ...


Cameroon: STV's Consty Ties Nuptial Knot
AllAfrica.com, Washington - Jan 5, 2009
The year 2008 would have rounded off without any major romantic event until STV's rising star, Constantain Mbom took the stage with Mercy Ngahene Assama in ...


Las Vegas Weekly

Morning Call Exclusive Interview: Fergie talks about music ...
Las Vegas Weekly, NV - Jan 5, 2009
By Robin Leach There’s no question that pop superstar Fergie is “over the moon” happy in love with actor Josh Duhamel. There’s no doubt the handsome, ...


The Year In Celebdom: From Beyonce To Tina 'Sarah Palin' Fey
Hartford Courant, United States - Dec 31, 2008
By Tirdad Derakhshani The Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT The year fades away (last ember in fireplace, puff of smoke), but, like an itch at the back of the ...


Xinhua

Lopez, Anthony marriage said to be at 'breaking point'
Newsday, NY - Dec 18, 2008
BY ROBERT KAHN | robert.kahn@newsday.com Singers Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony arrive at the 79th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, ...
J-Lo's marriage 'on the rocks' Telegraph.co.uk
Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony’s marriage in trouble? Fametastic
Jennifer Lopez marriage on the rocks? Marie Claire.co.uk
all 204 news articles


Gay couple fighting to save dream
Santa Rosa Press Democrat, CA - Dec 29, 2008
By ALEXANDRA ZAVIS Fearing taunts and disapproval, they kept their love hidden for nearly two years. But with the Nov. 4 election looming, Christopher Lewis ...


Gay marriage backers to protest Crist’s wedding
Washington Blade, DC - Dec 12, 2008
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — When Gov. Charlie Crist legally weds his longtime girlfriend Carole Rome today, St. Petersburg’s First United Methodist Church will ...


69 Years and counting
Pope County Tribute, MN - Dec 23, 2008
By Chad Koenen From one of the first times they met in high school, Richard Beveridge knew there was something special about a beautiful freshman girl in ...


Proud to be from Massachusetts
Bay Windows, MA - Dec 23, 2008
by Melody Howard Ritt More than 20 years of married life in a small town south of Boston did nothing to prepare my husband, Jay, and me for the reality of ...

Marriage-Wedding - Google News

home | site map
© 2006