Why do brides always cry at their weddings?

Actually, it might surprise you to learn that just as many grooms also become "moist" (boys don't cry, do we?) when I perform one of my marriage ceremonies at their wedding. Why am I seeing all these puffy eyes?

Your marriage is one of the most treasured moments in your lives together. When you look into each other's eyes, when you drape a gorgeous flower lei upon your partner's neck, when you slip that wedding ring on your lover's finger -- all sorts of passions should rightfully come to the surface. You want to cherish the moment, allowing your favorite memories with each other remind you of all the reasons why you are now holding hands, committing yourselves to each other for a lifetime of love.

It is my position as a Minister to remind you why you're here. My services don't make your feelings, they simply bring your focus in on your lover and all that he (or she) means to you. That typically creates some emotional moments. And there is nothing wrong with letting that emotion flow a little bit. Because it wouldn't be there if your relationship been through its ups and downs. Strong relationships are based upon good commitments. If you both know that you can trust each other, it is so much more likely that you will have a marriage that lasts a lifetime. Isn't that what we all want? Susan and I have been married for over 35 years, and it hasn't always been a piece of cake. But making (and remaking) our commitment to each other is a significant strategy for staying together.

I like to deliberately drag out the ending pronouncement. I know the couple is hanging on my words at this moment. I know they're eagerly anticipating the pronouncement and the kiss, so I take my time, almost as if I can't remember why we're here. On more than one occasion I've had an anxious bride blurt out, "Oh, come oooon, you're killing me!"

And when I do finally make that pronouncement -- always with a strong powerful voice -- the couple has an exhilarating sense of release. And they will certainly always remember the moment when they stopped being two single individuals and became a real "couple". Now surely that's worth waiting an extra couple minutes?

John has been a licensed and ordained minister for 41 years. He has served as wedding officiant for more than 1,000 Maui Weddings with his wedding planning business, Maui Me Inc. All of his ceremonies are original and he performed his first wedding 35 years ago. John has written almost 50 Christian books (which have been translated into eight languages). In addition to performing wedding ceremonies, he shoots most of the photography.