Rules Of Engagement

When you think about wedding ceremonies, what do you typically remember? The wedding procession? The bride’s walk down the aisle? The priest’s words? The exchange of vows or rings? All great things, but the moment that most often stands out in people’s minds is the kiss. The embrace, the smooch, the smack, the peck, the kiss. As the first official act as husband and wife, husband and husband, or wife and wife, it’s symbolic. It’s a small yet integral part of your public display of love and adoration for one another. It’s the culmination of the entire ceremony and what everyone is really waiting for.

Talk about pressure.

I’ve seen a myriad of different kisses, from ones that are epic and beautiful to ones that simply fall flat. With so much anticipation for the brief moment, I can’t convey how disappointing it is when the newlyweds underwhelm the guests with a kiss that makes you think they’re related. You just married this person. Kiss them with a little passion and with, dare I say, love. One kiss I witnessed was so short, so half-assed, that an elderly woman behind me actually yelled, “If you don’t kiss him for real, I’m gonna come up there and show you how it’s done!” Sassy one she was.. But I shared her annoyance. The kiss is supposed to be the cherry on top of the ceremony. I can’t speak for everyone else, but I and most certainly the elderly woman behind me literally felt cheated.

Of course, there’s definitely such a thing as overdoing it. We’ve all seen one or two examples of kisses that make you want to shield children’s eyes. I’m talking about full-on, deep, tongue kissing that goes on longer than it took to say vows. In these cases, there’s definitely no shortage of passion or love. The shortage instead is with modesty. I can’t even begin to imagine how people can perform what is actually a step shy from full-on foreplay in front of friends and family. In my opinion, there’s just something awkward about doing that with your parents or other close family in the front row. Do us all a favor and save that “enthusiasm” for later.

Like most things in life, the middle ground or moderation is best. Land somewhere between kissing Aunt Petunia and playing tonsil hockey and you’ll probably satisfy the crowd.

Have a kissing story to tell? Post a comment or tweet @GetEngaged!

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