Just a few months ago my little JW sister got married at 19. I remember how excited she was when she started planning the wedding. Both she and her partner made it clear that there were lots of none JW's present (myself included) so it was not to be a "Theocratic" event. None of those stupid plays or performances. Just good food, good drink and good dancing. Just like a normal wedding. In fact she even wrote it on the invitations just to make sure every one was 100% clear. Dream on sis!
Well things started going wrong right from the beginning. What started as a 75 person guest list increased to over 200 as they were pressured to invite all the witnesses in both congregation. At the wedding things got worse as even more uninvited guests started to turn up. Free food and drink, for over 250, all paid for my teenage sis and hubby.
Never mind, it was only one day. It will be perfect. They had a fantastic band lined up.
But no, congregation could not resist butting in. 6 hours of pathetic witness related plays and games. The worse one was a watchtower version of who wants to be a millionair. Poor sis and hubby could not answer a single question. They stood there for about half an hour with a blank look on their faces completly humiliated. All they could do was watch everyone get bored out of their brain. Most of the non witnesses made their excuses and left. Finally, it dragged on so long even most of the witnesses left It was not until 11pm, that finally the music began.
The last hours was brilliant. It was just unfortunate that there were only about 20 people left dance and none of their friends or work collegues.
Poor sis was so angry and embarrased in front of her friends. Not to mention was left with a collossal bill. Even on her day, the best day of her life, the congregation could not help going against her wishes. I wish I had the guts to have just grabbed the mic and said cut the crap, lets dance.
Any coment on witness weddings you have attended.
Arte