Sports & Weddings: When the "Big Game" interferes with your "Big Day"

To a bride, planning for a fall wedding means festive fall colors, leaves on the ground, comfortable weather and a romantic Autumn setting.  But to a guy, discussing a fall wedding brings up a sad realization: "I'm going to miss a big game."  Followed by a desperate hope:  "Please Lord, let us pick a wedding date during the Bye week of [insert your favorite College Football Team here.]"
Some women's blood begins to boil when they read the above, as it is an age-old mystery why sports are worshipped as a second (and sometimes primary) religion amongst men.  Nowadays many women are sports fans themselves, and if you're reading this thinking "I'd never pick a wedding day on the day of a big game!", this is probably a big reason why he wants to marry you!!!

But this brings up a much debated topic on the differences between men and women.  Women often times operate using the word "or" while men operate using the word "and."  For example, to some women, the man must make a choice: Football Sunday OR let's finally clean the garage.  A man will wonder:  why can't we do Football Sunday AND clean the garage, at separate times?
Which brings us to the topic of planning weddings during major sporting events.  Can we not get married AND watch the Michigan/Michigan State game?

A bride can fight it all she wants, but getting married during the fall (read: football season) or during a major sporting event (such as the Kentucky Derby lets say, in May) is going to breed many of the male guests being pre-occupied during the wedding day.
My advice?  Embrace it!  Instead of fighting for the attention, embrace the idea of "AND" instead of "OR."  Its not that your groom or the men at your wedding don't care, but they don't rank importance, and want to enjoy the game AND enjoy the wedding!  How to do this?  Here are several ideas I've seen personally at weddings, where the bride & groom incorporated a sporting event into their wedding:

- Have the DJ give periodic score updates ("You will be dismissed to the buffet one table at a time...and Michigan just scored to make it 10-7!")

- Get the crowd involved by having the DJ play the school fight song (if college sport) for both teams, and have your guests cheer for their song.

- Wheel out a TV during dinner (Guests at a 2006 wedding were very happy to be able to watch a part of the Tigers in the World Series as dinner was being served!)

- Theme your wedding around the event (As mentioned above, click here to see a clip of a

"Kentucky Derby Wedding."  The race was pre-recorded, and played during the Reception on a big
screen, as nobody knew the outcome.  Guests wagered on different horses and were given door prizes if they picked the winner.  Mint Juleps were served during cocktail hour, which is an iconic drink associated with the Derby.)

​Always remember that you'd rather keep your guests informed and entertained, then to have them gather outside of the Reception hall around the one guy who is getting the game on his IPod. 
Post your comments or contact Tom at [email protected] or www.cvideosolutions.com
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