Muriel and her husband were scheduled to marry in Mexico. The wedding had been planned for nearly a year. 75 guests were flying in to celebrate this grand occasion. Then, two weeks before Muriel’s big day, news of the swine flu swept across the country and travelers were advised to cancel trips. Muriel was devastated. A year of planning down the drain. Plane tickets and resort reservations wasted. Her dream wedding vanished. What would she do?
Although Muriel was heart-broken that the wedding she had envisioned could not take place, all was not lost. Muriel realized that her wedding day was not all about the exotic locale, the decorations, the food or even the guests. It was about her and her husband. It was about solidifying the bond they share, and making an eternal commitment to one another. Sure, she was disappointed that they couldn’t make this commitment barefoot on a sandy beach, but life is full of such disappointments and obstacles. This was an opportunity for Muriel and her husband to turn the negative into a positive. They would continue with there wedding at an alternate location.
In the end, they had the wedding of their dreams because they married the person they wanted to spend the rest of their life with. Because they were surrounded by the people who love them. Because they remembered that underneath the decoration of a wedding stands the love and commitment of two people.
As you plan your Caribbean wedding, stay open-minded. For instance, if your wedding will be outdoors, create a back-up plan in case of inclement weather. Nearly all weddings present an obstacle to overcome, but these obstacles do not have to be disastrous. Planning ahead will allow you to relax and breathe easier on your big day.