It's about time we heard from another offbeat groom! Here's one groom's insights into why he's having an “adventuring party” instead of a “wedding party.”
There were a wide variety of thoughts that played into our decision to have an “adventuring party” rather than the traditional set of bridesmaids and groomsmen. First, that particular paradigm didn't shout FUN in the way that an Adventuring Party did. We certainly didn't want to have to pair people off and balance gender count or sides anyway. That could easily become boring, or even *shudder* routine.
Alternative and gender-neutral wedding party names: adventure party, bridesmates, henchmen, and TONS more!
With the rising popularity of gender-blind wedding parties, and weddings without bridal parties, we need terms beyond "bridesmaids" and "groomsmen" to refer to the people... Read more
In addition, one of our wedding themes is “life as adventure.” This is one sentiment we have a great deal of enthusiasm for and it informed our choice. We want to enjoy and risk and push ourselves in as many directions towards fun as possible and there is no better way to do it than in the company of those we love and care about. As such, the adventuring party is particularly symbolic of everyone we share our lives with — both family and friends.
Once we made the decision to name it that, we suddenly began finding other ways that the choice was appropriate…
Both of us played Roleplaying Games, from Live Action to Tabletop to Online, where grouping for better enjoyment and mutual support was a given. Groups of “heroes” abound in literature: from the Knights of the Round Table to the Avengers to Doc Savage's group of assistants. It also sparked the idea that led to the rather unique narrative style of our wedding ceremony.
One of the dictionary definitions of adventure is “to participate in exciting undertakings or enterprises.”
Choosing to eschew the conventional was a debated and measured choice on our part. We do feel strongly about some traditions and wanted to make sure that we changed things around intelligently, being very picky about the way and manner in which we adjusted the traditional format of a wedding. Changing to an adventuring party was one we felt strongly about. Social connections are crucially important to both of us, with our extended web of family and friends forming a bulwark against the vicissitudes of fortune.
All of the members of our adventuring party have helped us prepare for and/or are participating in the ceremony in different ways, as they (and all of our friends) do from day to day in life. From planning to coordinating; from errands to creative projects; from escorts to speakers to ringbearers. As in the rest of our lives, no contribution is unimportant; no moment of love or concern or company unnecessary.
The members of our adventuring party have, in many cases, known one or both of us for years (in the case of our children, their entire lives). Even those younger friendships involved are strong ones and will certainly stand well to the test of time. They are all very emblematic of the type of person we enjoy spending time with, representative of different stages and moods in our lives and having shared with us many exciting times over these years.
One of the dictionary definitions of adventure is “to participate in exciting undertakings or enterprises.” Sounds like living to you, doesn't it? It most certainly does to the two of us. We invite all of you, as a larger adventuring party, to join us in the great adventure of life.
