Here comes the bride, Guatemalan style

I was supposed move out of my apartment today for a lady who’s coming, but after my friend Chepe called me three times in less than an hour this morning, I realized he really wanted me to attend a wedding at his church.

And why not? I’ve got a good set of earplugs. So nevermind packing. Off I went, ready for the audio onslaught of the evangelical Guatemalan church. It was my first wedding here and hopefully not the last.

The festivities began promptly sometime after 10:30 a.m., more than an hour later than advertised. As tradition requires, pine needles
covered the aisle for the bride and groom to trod. As the band played and the music leader shouted into the microphone, giving a play by play, the bridesmaids and groomsmen marched in, pausing every couple steps as the boys spun the girls in a pirouette. At assigned points in the aisle, the couples paused and held up flower-draped hoops. Cute little children in white dresses and suits passed under the hoops bearing a Bible, white flower petals, heart-shaped pillows and rings, then the families and the blessed couple. The bride’s train was so long, four little girls followed her keeping it aloft.

The booming music team played many popular worship songs, although none seemed designed for a wedding. I was glad to have remembered my earplugs. Chepe’s youngest daughter plugged her ears.

The pastor preached on Jesus’ command to love one another, based on John 15:11,12 and Ephesians 5:2. He described the phases of a relationship, urging the couple to let love rule their home. Much of the sermon seemed directed at the groom, urging him to care for his wife, provide for her (I Tim. 5:8) and not hit her. He also emphasized the greatest commandment: to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind and strength.

I can’t remember a more Scripturally based wedding sermon. It made my heart happy to hear a pastor, honor God's institution of marriage and calling the audience to honor God in our relationships. Afterward, it was time for grateful speeches from the groom, the bride and select family members.

As soon as people began departing, a number of audience members started reaching for decorations on the wall. Apparently, this sort of free-for-all is acceptable. Instead of a limo to whisk the happy couple away, a small white car led them and everyone else on foot through the town streets and down the hill a good half-mile or more to a reception at the groom’s parents’ home. I felt conspicuous walking in the middle of the street as traffic backed up behind us, but I was in good company. At various points along the way, friends lit long strings of firecrackers, enveloping the crowd in smoke. Firecrackers are obligatory at any Guatemalan celebration.

Once we got to a straight stretch, the crowd moved to one lane, and politely honking traffic managed to squeeze by. Chepe & I got a big surprise when Renzo, Viña Studios’ injured employee, greeted us from a minibus. We stopped traffic to greet him and ask how he’s doing. He looked better and happier than I would have believed possible, telling us he got his stitches out today. He hopes to be back to work soon.

At the groom’s parents’ home, it was nearly impossible to find seats, but somehow Chepe managed. We enjoyed cornmeal tamales with a piece of beef in tomato sauce with rice and a vegie salad. I had been hoping for some pupusas since the bride is from El Salvador, but the tasty meal did not disappoint. It was a blessed day.

Francisco & Glendy, may God bless your marriage and lives together.