What do you think about dancing down the aisle at a wedding?

[Kathan]

I'm sure everyone in the world saw the the video about the couple who danced and somersaulted down the aisle to the song of Chris Brown ( The chris who just went to court and got off scot-free after beating up his wife) at the Lutheran church in St Paul, Minnesota</P>


I don't think my pastor would allow something like that to happen in our church, at least I hope not. I wished they had had their wedding in a community center or someplace that was not a santuary. I feel that the santuary of a church has a defineing name- a place of refuge, a place where we meet God- a place of blessing from God in rituals- a place of worship. And a marriage is certainly a ritual from God.</P>


Of course, people get married on horseback, scuba diving, parachuting out of an airplane, any thing for extra attention. That is fine with me, but I just wish they would leave their antics out side the church.</P>


( I am sure there was no organ playing in that wedding!)</P>


Kathan</P>

[davidecasteel]

Re: What do you think about dancing down the aisle at a wedding?



I confess that I was stunned when I saw that video. I think it's wonderful that they wanted their wedding to be upbeat and happy, but I do think they went over the top with it. I'm sure that there are churches (and whole Denominations) that would not find those antics unusual, but I would not have thought it of the Lutherans. I agree that the Sanctuary is a place where a certain modicum of decorum is (and should be) expected. My church occasionally has "Liturgical Dance" as part of the service, and I am of mixed emotions about it. On the one hand I can see the grace and artistry portrayed by the dancers, but on the other I harken back to the "Dance of the Vestal Virgins" and see it as being pagan. We have a few staunch defenders of it in the church (which is why it happens once in a while), but there are a great many who don't like it at all.</P>


Methodists asa group are not against dancing in general (unlike the Baptists) but I don't think most of them approve of it during a worship service (and a church wedding is a worship service). On the other hand, we do turn the Sunday service over to the children or youth a couple of times a year during which they perform a religious play that sometimes includes some dancing.</P>


Frankly, I don't know what my church would have done about that wedding. I suspect that if the bride and groom were not members that the church staff would have declined to host the wedding there. If they were members, they might have been counseled to alter their plans somewhat to be a little more in keeping with the sensibilities of the congregation about decorum. We have a pretty modern group of staff, but I think they would have been put off by that spectacle.</P>


David</P>

[regeron]

Re: What do you think about dancing down the aisle at a wedding?



Ha, too funny. I was actually impressed to see the whole wedding party come down the aisle and be able to keep in time to the music. I usually tell those walking to "stroll" and not try to walk in time to the music, because I know that most of them can't, and then it just looks silly and it adds extra, unwanted stress to their day, and that shows in their faces. This way, strolling, they can relax and smile more.</P>


I also like the men and women coming in together. It would have been nice if the bride and groom had appeared in the doorway at the same time, too. Two consenting adults, approaching this with a feeling of equal partnership, right from the very beginning. And no ownership issues [Some brides still have to be"given"away? Isn't the bride supposed to be an adult capable of making her own decisions?] This video dispensed with that antiquarian notion.</P>


Interesting to see two colors used for the bridesmaids' dresses - shows more originality than you usually see.</P>


Biggest issue? What are they going to do for the Recessional to top that?!</P>


[I know that can never happen in my church - the aisle is too narrow. Phew![;)]</P>

[Austin766]

Re: What do you think about dancing down the aisle at a wedding?



I confess to being entirely unfamiliar with this particular video, but I will add my two cents about dancing in the church (particularly the sanctuary).

I don't particularly care for liturgical dance. I know that for some people dance is a meaningful form of expression, and I realize that dance is a legitimate art form, however, most liturgical dancers are not even close to being in league with Martha Graham or Rudolph Nureyev (to pick the only two examples I can think of at the moment). I personally think that a lot of "liturgical dance" is, well, rather silly, if the dancers moved more like professional dancers, and less like people in a group participation effort, it might be more palatable.
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Now, as for this business of doing gymnastic tricks down the aisle at a wedding. On one hand that does sound impressive (and a bit nuts, who would do that kind of stuff in such nice clothes), and I am a little bit impressed. On quite the other hand I'm surprised that anyone would do this, I'm surprised that the church allowed it and I'm surprised that the couple did this in a Lutheran church. I admit I am, myself an Episcopalian, but am somewhat familiar with the Lutheran church. I always thought the Lutherans (as a whole) to be a bit "stiff," (certainly that is the stereotype Garrison Keillor plays upon). This business of doing somersaults down the aisle just seems so un-Lutheran.

I can state confidently that at my mother's (Episcopal) church, no one would do such a thing, in part because they'd look even dumber for doing it there than they would look doing such stunts elsewhere. I attribute this to the design of the sanctuary, which is in essence a very large triangle set up with pews on three sides, and the altar in the middle of the room. The architect (ca. 1960) designed the space to be a sort of church-in-the-round, which has certain advantages and disadvantages to it, which I won't discuss here.
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[soubasse32]

Re: What do you think about dancing down the aisle at a wedding?



[quote user="regeron"]Biggest issue? What are they going to do for the Recessional to top that?![/quote]</P>This</FONT></U>ought do do the trick. [8-)]

[Mondochuck]

Re: What do you think about dancing down the aisle at a wedding?

<DIV class=watch-video-desc><SPAN class=description>"The dance of Limbo was invented in Trinidad and has become a special part of our culture celebrating our African ties. This particular version is done with fire. "</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=watch-video-desc><SPAN class=description></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=watch-video-desc><SPAN class=description></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=watch-video-desc><SPAN class=description></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=watch-video-desc><SPAN class=description>soubasse32, I want to see you do the limbo with fire. How about a youtube video????</SPAN></DIV>

[soubasse32]

Re: What do you think about dancing down the aisle at a wedding?

It wouldn't be a pretty sight. [:D]

[alsmith]

Re: What do you think about dancing down the aisle at a wedding?



I agree with David; it's nice to see such happy jubilance, but a bit distasteful in a church when carried out to such a degree. In my opinion, it made something of a mockery of the ceremony (although I'll admit I haven't seen video from the rest of the service -- not that I've made any effort to look!). Why is it that our society rewards such outlandish behavior with million-dollar book deals and reality shows? Are we that desperate for entertainment? [:(]</P>


I wonder if people increasingly participate in such antics simply for the shock value -- and the hope that in this YouTube age it will get picked up by enough in the media to turn them into instant celebrities. We'll have to see if their marriage stands the 'test of fame' -- or will they become the next Jon &amp; Kate?</P>
<P mce_keep="true"></P>

[pipecutter]

Re: What do you think about dancing down the aisle at a wedding?

This video came up during a discussion at a dinner party that included the head of our worship committee. The dancing aspect is not covered in the wedding policy! BUT the music would not have been allowed on two counts: It's secular and was a recording. Guess they'd have to boogy to my organ music. I don't see it happening!

[gsneide]

Re: What do you think about dancing down the aisle at a wedding?



As a Lutheran (and a Minnesotan), I am of mixed opinion about this. But one thing that is not in dispute is the unadulterated JOY on the faces of everyone--wedding party, guests, bride and groom. Somehow that makes it kind of ok in my mind. </P>


I doubt it would happen in my parish, but onlybecause of the inappropriate music. Perhaps if they could choreograph it to a snappy version of an upbeat Bach fugue.....</P>


Minnesota, the land of Jesse Ventura, Michelle Bachmann, Garrison Keillor, and Lutheran wedding processional dancing....</P>

[davidecasteel]

Re: What do you think about dancing down the aisle at a wedding?



What you describe as "joy" may in fact be something else. The wedding party may only be extremely happy that they are doing something outrageous in the church sanctuary and getting away with it. Some of the guests may simply be shocked into smiling or laughing at the absurdity of it all. And some may just be cheering because someone has had the nerve to be that audacious. None of those expressions of "joy" would be a valid reason for doing it during a ceremony that is generally intended to be a solemn promise of two people to love and cherish each other forever. Those are serious commitments (or are supposed to be, at least) and I don't think such frivolity is commensurate with the intent of the service. </P>


I don't give that marriage 10 years because it is obvious that the participants had no clue as to the seriousness of what they were undertaking.</P>


David</P>

[wombat11]

Re: What do you think about dancing down the aisle at a wedding?



I think you are being extremely generous giving that marriage 10 years-I would be surprised if it survives ten months,or even a shorter time than that!</p>

This current world is full of idiots(and most of them are on the television)or in the public eye,who seen to think that doing something outrageous is automatically clever?</p>

It can be,in certain circumstances,but most definately not at a wedding!.</p>

Like many things today,this solemn event has been rendered down to the lowest common denominator,and means little to some,other than another oportunity to make merry ! </p>

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Wombat.
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[Menschenstimme]

Re: What do you think about dancing down the aisle at a wedding?



Well said, David and Wombat!</P>


But let's be generous and refer to them as imbeciles, or more generous still, morons, rather than idiots. Even so, morons are more "dangerous" since the are more functional.</P>


SIGH!</P>

[regeron]

Re: What do you think about dancing down the aisle at a wedding?



alsmith: "it's nice to see such happy jubilance, but a bit distasteful in a church when carried out to such a degree." I think that if any activity is distasteful, it will be distasteful whether it's done inside or outside a church.</P>


David: I like your bringing in the word 'frivolity,' and contrasting it with'joy.' I believe in true joy being present, to the point of being requisite, even during the most solemn moments. When the event is truly that important, how can one not be joy-filled, whether you are walking down the aisle, or signing the marriage register? If I were to get married, it would only be to someone with whom I shared a true sense of love. That in itself would be cause for overwhelming joy. [Embarrassingly,it would be that same joy that would make me bawl myeyes out during most of the event, adn choke on the vows. lol] The signing of the documents would be solemn, and recognized as such, but that solemnity could never overshadow the joy in my heart. After all, isn't joy one of the reasons that the angels are reported to surround God's throne, continually singing and praising? Frivolity is shallow and short-lived. It will never substitute for joy.</P>

[regeron]

Re: What do you think about dancing down the aisle at a wedding?

It is very difficult for me to believe that this "wedding" is not staged.