John Gunter

Thoughts on Life and Living

3 overarching thoughts on cultural diversity in weddings (and life)

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(This post is building upon my previous one titled, “My most awkward 20 minutes. . . and culturally rich weddings”. . . you might want to read it first if you have not already.)

John Gunter at the Graham wedding
Ed and Janelle Graham’s wedding and life are examples of the strength and beauty of bringing out the best in multiple cultures.  (I am on the top row second to the right.)

I love seeing the various elements of culture which are present in weddings from different places around the world.  It really is fun seeing the pageantry of differing customs brought to bear in the ceremonies.

Chinese weddings have a rich tradition of both elegance and in light-hearted humor intertwined in the ceremonies.  I especially like how the Chinese wedding ceremony goes to great lengths to honor the parents of the bride and groom.  There is a “tea ceremony” in each wedding.  This is where it is as if the parents are put on a pedestal in the acknowledgement that they have been central in their child’s life up to this point in time.  It is really nice.

Thinking about these experiences and in my life of 10+ years of living, studying, and working overseas, three thoughts come to mind. . .

Cultural diversity in weddings (and life) is stressful at times

A great example of this is of me at Marcus’ wedding (click here if you have not read it).  This was a case of differences in cultures at play.  I would be lying if I said it didn’t cause me stress.  However, in the end, it was an incredible wedding of which I was honored to be a part.

Last year, I was in a wedding here in Asia. [Read more…]

Alaskan beauty and the image of God

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As I type this, I am sitting in a coffee house here in Skagway, Alaska.  Mom and Dad are treating the entire famliy to a 10 day cruise around Alaska.  It will end in Vancouver.  This is in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.

Skagway, AK
This is the view from my current writing spot. . .

Looking out of the window at this old gold rush era town of Skagway, there are snow caps engulfing the two-story building lined streets to my right.  The buildings look like something out of an old western movie you would see on TNT late at night.  To my left, the deep blue waters hold car sized ice-boulders which have chipped off from nearby glaciers.  In a word, this place is astounding.  I’m not much for scenery, but even I have been moved by this rugged, arctic locale.

In the past two days, whales have swum as close as 20 yards from the table from which we were enjoying dinner.  Two otters swam carelessly 50 yards [Read more…]

Of all the weddings. . . this one was the most special

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(This post is part of my series “My thoughts on weddings. . . (a series)”.  For an overview of and to read the other articles in this series, please click here.)

Mom and Dad Wedding picture (3)
June 24, 1962. . . a most special wedding in Glennville, Georgia.

In this season of weddings, my mind is reflecting today upon a particular wedding of which I was not a direct part of, yet it directly affected me more than any other in history.

This particular wedding began at 4:30pm on a Sunday afternoon.  It was June 24, 1962.  Fifty years ago today.

The setting was the sleepy southern town of Glennville, Georgia.  I’m sure it was hot and humid.  Sunday services had been in session there at the First Baptist Church just a few short hours prior to this wedding.  I’m sure there was hustle and bustle in putting flowers out and readying the church for this different type of worship service.

I’m certain the bride was stunning.  She still is 50 years later.  She had come to Atlanta out of Stetson University to become a teacher, but ended up falling in love.  I understand there were quite a bit of nerves that June day, but that was too be expected for an occasion of this magnitude.  Her cousin was performing the ceremony.  Her father had passed away a few years earlier, while she was a freshman in college, so he was unable to give her away.  Her mother, Georgia Mae, was poised and gracious as always, I’m sure.

I’m certain the groom was handsome.  He still is 50 years later.  With his cropped crew cut and quick natured confidence, I’m sure he was a site to behold.   He was just a few years removed from Georgia Tech and at the beginning of his professional career.  He was probably smirking and joking much of the day, as he has always been prone to humor in situations like this.  I imagine he was in rare form this particular June Sunday afternoon.  His family had come in car loads from Atlanta and other destinations.  I’m sure they were taking in the Glennville, Georgia charm.

Fifty years ago today my parents, John Wyman Gunter and Sarah Katherine Seckinger, were married.  My Dad, no doubt, shifted his feet impatiently [Read more…]

My most awkward 20 minutes. . . and culturally rich weddings

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This post is part of my series, “My thoughts on weddings. . . (a series)“.  If you have not read the previous two posts, you can click here now to see them and read about this series.

John Gunter summer 2011
This was Teddy and Carrie’s wedding party from last summer.

One of the joys that has been a result of both being raised in a diverse city like Atlanta and in the profession that I have chosen is I have been blessed by having friends from many, many cultural backgrounds.  In thinking about the weddings I have been in, it’s not merely the amount or location.  It is also a matter of the many TYPES of weddings of which I have participated.

I have emceed at Asian-American weddings, participated in ornate Southern rehearsals dinners, toasted hard liquor at Chinese wedding receptions, and dressed in Filipino traditional clothing at a beautiful wedding in Manila.

John Gunter at wedding in Manilla
This was at Ed Graham’s wedding in Manila, wearing traditional Filipino wedding attire.

My favorite awkward wedding moment was at my friend Marcus Hinton’s ceremony.  You have to understand, Marcus is a beast.  Former state of Georgia football player of the year and four year starter at Clemson.  He graduated and worked with college athletes full-time.  His wedding party consisted of ALL division one football players in skill positions. . . and me.

Everything was quite standard until we literally got to the point of the wedding starting.  The guests were seated and we, the wedding party were uncomfortably waiting in the foyer of the church.  The music started and it was R&B Gospel music with a great beat.  The wedding coordinator then informed us [Read more…]

7 reasons why I love weddings

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(This article is part of a series of posts I am writing this month on weddings.  For an overview of the series, please click here.  My first post in this series was “June is the month of weddings. . . ”.)

John Gunter at Phil Autry's wedding
Some of the wedding party at Phil and Jiexia Autry’s wedding.

So, in honor of weddings and June, here are 7 reasons why I love weddings:

  1. See old friends – Especially with living overseas, weddings are fun in just getting to see old friends.  I love this aspect of weddings.  Seems like weddings are about the only place I see certain friends.  Always fun reconnecting.  
  2. The various facial expressions of the groom – This is a bit of a tricky one.  I will talk of three such facial expressions here.  Some grooms have the look of utter euphoria.  They have waited ALL of their lives for this moment and there she is. . . the most beautiful girl that he have ever seen walking towards him with a sense of glorious finality.  “The race is over and I have won!”  Wonderful to see.  Other grooms have the look of sheer terror.  This is usually not about their pending marriage, but rather the actual wedding ceremony.  They would rather do ANYTHING than stand up in front of that many people in uncomfortable clothes, with the fear that they might mess something up and embarrass the woman that they love with all of their lives.  Funny to see, but [Read more…]

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