Few people are aware that there is a specific protocol for receiving line congratulations.
One congratulates the groom on his exceedingly good fortune in winning the bride’s favor.
One does not congratulate the bride, as that implies that she’s lucky she managed to land a man.
Instead, one should make some sort of positive comment about the bride herself.
“You’re a lovely bride” is almost always appropriate.
I am a stickler about this sort of thing, refusing to ever congratulate a bride. Such things are important to me.
Important though the protocols may be, I give today’s wedding guests leave to congratulate me all they wish.
After all, I am incredibly lucky (or would be if I believed in luck) to have landed Daniel.
As it is, I do not believe in luck. I believe in a sovereign God who foreordains our steps. It is He, not luck, who brought Daniel and I together.
I have not “landed” Daniel. I have received him as a completely undeserved gift from an aboundingly generous God. That I should have this man’s love is a daily testament to God’s grace.
So congratulate me all you wish. Call me fortunate, happy, blessed.
Because, truly, I am.
I had never connected congratulations and luck — it just seemed like a way of saying to both that you were happy for each of them to have found the other. But I’ll try to remember that from now on. :-)
Yeah, I haven’t connected it that way either. So I’ll say CONGRATULATIONS because I think it sums up the definitions of fortunate, happy and blessed! As you both are, equally, now and always. :) Thinking of you today!!
Oh, my. I’m sure I’ve made this faux pas more times than I can count. Either way, I’m happy for you! :)
Congratuprovidentialations! ;-) How wonderful!