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I've been doing a lot of vow renewals lately. On Monday night, I was
scheduled to meet my couple and their three kids in Kihei. When they didn't
show up on time, I called their cell phone and found out that they were
still in Lahaina (about 25 minutes away -- when there is no traffic on the
road). But they were still stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
I told them to keep coming in my direction, and we would be flexible on
which beach we ended up at. I know where all the good beaches are. So I
started driving in their direction. We decided that I would call them in 10
to 15 minutes to see what our locations were. As it turned out, I had no
traffic at all going towards them, while they didn't move more than about
two miles during the same period.
Listening to their description of where they were, I could tell I was
getting close to them. Finally, they told me they had passed a mile marker
(16) and when I came to mile marker 17, I just pulled over and waited for
them to see me beside the road. We were in an area where there really isn't
any sand on the beach, an area where people camp and snorkel, but where
Highway 30 and the noise of all the cars is right next to the ocean. Because
the sun was going to set in about 25 minutes, I knew that we would never be
able to go south to get to a sandy beach down there. It just wouldn't have
given us enough time to do everything without being rushed.
So we went back another mile or two to a park where there was some sand and
a good spot to perform the ceremony and do our photography. It actually
worked out very well and they were very happy. The couple had just booked
their vow renewal last week.
If I had not been flexible and willing to drive to meet them, we would have
had to postpone their renewal for another night. Whenever we encounter
anything like this, whether it is traffic congestion or rainy weather or
someone getting lost, we always try to be flexible. We know that the
important thing for our couples is that we get them married. We always try
to keep their spirits up so they can enjoy the day. The exact beach does not
matter, as long as we accomplish the most important part of the evening.
I would recommend that you leave early to come to your wedding, especially
if you are on the west side where traffic congestion lately has been pretty
bad. Better to be early than sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic wondering
if you're going to get married or not. Or should I say, "or knot"? ;>)
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