Oh, the favorite rom-com question, “Speak now or forever hold your peace.” It’s dramatic, thoroughly juicy, and serves a plot twist that makes for a great movie. But does anyone actually storm into the church to stop the couple from making the worst mistake of their lives?
Apparently, they do, because when redditor Bowlingcabbages asked netizens if they ever witnessed a wedding objection, more than 600 people shared the unfortunate protests. From cuckoo clocks to fed-up priests, these people have seen a lot of stuff. So, grab some popcorn and scroll down to enjoy the drama and absurdity of these unfortunate ceremony interruptions.
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Fortunately, the phrase “speak now or forever hold your peace” is rarely used in wedding ceremonies nowadays. Which raises the question why was it incorporated in the first place?
Like many Western wedding traditions, this question comes from Christianity and European customs.
In fact, the phrase is a shortened version of a longer sentence “Should anyone present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.” Phew, try saying that in one breath.
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It originated in Medieval times when communication between areas was slow and tricky and record-keeping was anything but orderly. That’s why the Christian Church initiated the phrase to give some time for any legal issues in matrimony to appear.
This includes information like the bride or groom being already married, related, underage, or unbaptized. Because people are creatures of habit, this tradition has been included in ceremonies for generations and is still used to this day.
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In case you’re wondering, can the couple get married if someone actually says, “I object" - they absolutely can. The only obstacle to getting legally married would be if they are already married or a close relative. However, in strict, conservative religious communities, any objection can impede the approval of extended family and guests.
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A way to work through any potential threats in a successful wedding ceremony is to have premarital couples counseling. It provides the opportunity to put any issues on the table, work through them together, and begin the marriage on an honest and happy note.
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