Write A Family Wedding Story

My mother was a great storyteller, but so was Dad. After dinner, they lingered at the kitchen table with their coffee. It was a time when they talked over the day and also for telling us kids family stories. A little comment might trigger a memory of something and we were soon treated to another family story. Many of those stories were told multiple times, which is the reason I remember them now. I have to admit, there were moments when I thought Oh no, not again! but now I am thankful for the repetition.

Regular readers here know that I frequently urge writers to stop only listening to those family stories. They need to be written and preserved for future generation

Every family has at least one, if not several, wedding stories to tell. In my family, we heard many times about our parents' elopement and secret marriage. It certainly was not like the extravagant weddings we often see today. Only recently did I write this story about my parents' wedding.  I entered it in a contest, but it didn't win. Not a problem because I'd been wanting to write this story for a long time, and now it is done. I posted it at Our Echo last evening. You can read "The Secret" on this website for writers and readers.

Then think about various weddings in your own family.  Some of those stories can be humorous. Others may be filled with romance, and a few may have sad overtones. No matter what they hold, they are important to your family. If you don't know about your parents's wedding, ask them to tell you, then write about it. Delve farther back if you can to grandparents, great-aunts and uncles. Note the place they were married, the era, the cermeony and any celebration afterward. Bring in the human element as well. What is more emotional or sentimental than a wedding? I've written short pieces about my son's wedding and my own. Next, I need to write about my daughter's wedding. Her tenth anniversary comes up in June, which might be a perfect time to do so. 

Keep right on telling those family stories but be sure to write them, too. You have no assurance that another family member will continue realting these stories once you're no longer able to do so.