I do to the cheap wedding rich in community spirit
Of the three weddings, two captured my particular interest.
There was the inherently sad case of a young couple doing it on a very limited budget where everything that could go wrong, did so. Their simple plans were blown out of the water by everything from an ill-fitting dress bought from eBay, caterers who turned-up very late, to a DJ who did not turn up at all — nor did half the number of expected guests!
This couple tried hard and did everything themselves with little support, seemingly adrift and disconnected from their community. Family was largely non-existent and the bride’s mother refused to attend — the backstory was not revealed but apparently troubled.
Even the “friends” in their wedding party seemed disinterested in the whole affair. At one stage, the bride said to her bridesmaid “You look like you don’t want to be here”. The disturbing thing is, she didn’t. Excruciating viewing.
Contrasting this was the Norfolk Island couple whose only outgoing cost was the $90 local hall hire fee after a storm stymied their plans for an outdoor reception. Alongside the bride and groom, legions of locals chipped in, quickly packing up all the gear and reestablished in the hall, converting a plain building into something of a wonderland.
Everything else was provided no cost — local flowers, fish caught by the groom, friends baked food. Maybe someone donated the drinks. The goodwill in the room was palpable and the love shared. The saying “it takes a village to raise a child” could well be rewritten for this couple as “it takes an island to create a wedding”.
This clearly jubilant occasion was all about the couple’s relationship with their local community. There was nothing forced about any of it and their appreciation of what everyone had contributed was genuine.
Most probably unintentionally, this particular episode provided a fascinating study of community connectedness. When such is absent — no matter whether the individuals or their community are “at fault” — people can be badly let down and left feeling isolated.
Conversely, the inherent strength of a vibrant community — where individuals are actively making a contribution and people rally around when needed — can be joyously uplifting and deeply moving.
In my experience, connectedness is a hallmark of Geelong’s community; we are generally pretty good at helping. Our ongoing challenge is to encourage and nourish community and connectedness for those people and situations where such is lacking.
As for the newlyweds’ future matrimonial bliss, all one can ever do is wish them very well — mazel tov!