My pastor warned me that I would blubber when I saw my bride appear at the back of the church in her dress. Of course, I knew he was right when he told me, but that didn't keep it from happening... she was strikingly beautiful, after all. :-D

Oh -- to answer your question properly: we're all aware, on some level, how many marriages encounter serious problems. (The "half end in divorce" thing is a misapplied statistic that grew into an urban legend, but nevertheless.) I think some people cry at weddings because they're in denial and assume the couple will be happy, while others cry because they're overwhelmed that the couple, who look so darn happy standing up there, are giving it a go anyway! :) Plus, let's be honest -- ya can't ignore the emotional resonance of Wagner and Mendelssohn, especially at the hands of a talented organist!

Once you've been married, I think they all make you cry as you look at the innocent couple at the altar, so unaware of what life has in store, but determined to brave it together.

Ick-- I didn't mean to sound like a Lifetime movie. I just think we all remember ourselves, before illness and children, and it makes us proud of all we've been through together.

Okay, I admit it. I cried the entire ceremony and don't even know Molly and Jason, but they are the cutest couple I have ever seen. I think that my 22-year-old heart secretly wishes it was me tying the knot. I know my time will come and I can't wait for that perfect day.

Every time I attend a wedding I can't help feeling a little lonely. I can't wait to find my Prince Charming and live happily ever after with him.

People still believe in Prince Charming? No wonder so many marriages fail: it isn't a fairy tale! It takes hard work, of course coming from a 20-year-old, it must sound absurd.

I cried too. I think they make the most genuine couple I have ever seen. I voted for them so I am glad they won. I felt for her not having her real parents to share with her. He is going to make an excellent husband.

Her being a 20-something has nothing to do with being idealistic. I know a few older women who are waiting for a Prince Charming as well and who cry at weddings b/c they, too, wish they were part of "the happy couple" at least for one day. I, myself, am 24 and just starting out in a new relationship and I feel that I'm far from thinking that he's my 30-yr-old Prince Charming. I've lived through more (as ridiculous as that sounds to women with more "life" experience) and realize that life is happiness, suffering, laughter and frustration all wrapped up in a confusing bundle. But I feel that people cry at weddings because on some deeper level we recognize that sometimes we don't have to go it alone. That suffering, pain, frustration, disease, war and so many seemingly unjust parts of our lives and our world can be borne a little bit easier with someone by our side whom has vowed before us, loved ones, God, Allah, etc. to bear the injustices as well. I cry at weddings b/c I love and will be loved like that as well.

P.S. God and Allah are the same thing. Allah is the arab word for God. Just as Dieu is the French word for God.

Muslims and Christians all believe in the same God.

I think its important to believe in "Prince Charming" no matter your age because women shouldn't settle for less than the best, it is a decision to be made for life after all. Having the ideal "Prince Charming" in mind is nothing to be ashamed of as long as you hold realistic ideas of a future husband and don't really expect a man on a horse with a cape to come to your rescue(which I'm sure the young lady who posted is very well aware of). Of course marriage takes hard work, and no one does you any favors if they tell you otherwise. Generalizing that 22 year olds know nothing about hard work is small minded. The skeptics who have had bad experiences and felt the need to belittle your optimism should take the high road and wish you better luck than they had. There is nothing wrong with being optimistic, more people should try it.

My sister recently got married. I was fine until her friend got up to do a reading and started crying, then it was all over for me. My sister cried so much the priest made her repeat her vows, becasue he needed to understand what she was saying!

I'm a guy and even I get a blubbery at weddings. Something about unification and its pureness that effects me.

Meredith, weddings are such happy times, they usually bring tears of joy but especially with the week you had with your visit to Colorado, the Amish ordeal, etc., I think this happy moment really brought everything out, all the emotions. You are doing a wonderful job on the Today Show. Your caring really shines through, keep up the good work.

I think that alot of women cry at weddings, cause weddings are beautiful and symbolize happines....something we all strive for.....

Ilove weddings, i will watch all wedding related preparation shows, cause when it's my time I want it to be perfect....but the most important thing, will be the perfect partner.

I think that if you can go into marriage with realistic expectations you will ultimately enjoy it. Not all of us have chosen the "fairytale" but that doesn't mean we don't strive for it. I also think that marriage is exactly what you put into it and if you truly want joy, it's yours for the taking. It's definitely 100%/100%, and not 50%/50%!

Meredith.. I think that, as humans, deep down inside, we're rooting for each other. Just a side note: I've followed your career for the past 10 years and was wondering, When did you know you wanted to be a journalist? Did you ever struggle with your confidence to be able to do it?

Your not in trouble your just tenderhearted. You found your life mate I have not found mine yet but I know he is out there. I think People need happy things to look forward to and a wedding is one thing espicially with as much bad news as this country had had.

There is nothing wrong with crying at weddings I always cry at them I am just happy for the folks that are getting married. I am also sad because I have not found him yet my groom and soul mate I know he is out there I think wedding are happy times and people need happy times to look forward to now cause of all the sadness that is there in the world right now.

Many of the comments on this post really resonated with me. My younger sister got married six months ago and I cried at her wedding because I was so happy for her. I cry at all weddings, even the ones in the movies! I know it's partly because I'm lonely (I'm at that age where most of my friends are either getting married or having babies, yet I'm still single) and partly because seeing two people promise to face all of life's challenges together is so beautiful. I can't help it, I'm a romantic at heart!

wedding is a presentation of the couple's vows. a promise that they will create a world, for them to handle and celebrate. isn't that cute. it's the end of the chase of finding the shoe that fits and the beginning of a new path to walk on. no matter what happen in the future?...........who can be certain? the wedding was great and this memory lives on.

congratulation Meredith! you're doing great. so natural and so right to be beside Cute Matt

it was a great wedding and hearing those vows was really a tear jerker. it was grand, a fairytale and so it raises some thought on how this union gonna be like in the future?..........well, who can be certain about anyone's future. everything is a discovery. today the couple were cute at their best and that, their memory beautifully lives on.

congratulation Meredith! you're a darling and so natural...........seems like you've been in the show forever.

without a doubt my two favorite blogs are yours and Ann's on MSNBC... Keep up the good work

Meredith - first off - Mazel Tov on your new gig on Today and this blog. I am a big fan.

I have to say, I got choked up during the wedding and honestly I don't get teary. He loves her so much wow...

I think we are not as cynical as we pretend - and that our true feelings come out with the pomp and cirmcumstance that loves deserves.

Yes Meredith I do think we forget about the "joy of life" as we are caught up in a struggle to survive. We as people must endure the best and the worst and must juggle both with our heads held high. Joy is sometimes forgotten. And when 2 people get married it is a beginning and as we all know beginnings are the best as it is a start of something new. My joy for the wedding couple is mixed as I am sorrowful for the amish children. Again the best and the worst.

Hi Meredith--- I LOVE THIS BLOG...I thought the wedding was very emotional and I remember that the couple really wanted to win! The day they announced they were the winners, I think the bride almost lost it---

Hi Meredith,
I was a constestant on Millionaire (the one who met her husband because of aluminum foil). The wedding was so beautiful because I could see how much they love each other. I think you are great on the Today show. When I was on millionaire, I could really tell how much you wanted me to do well and have fun. I really enhoy your blog.

In a world of so many unknowns & times that seem to be incredibly trying at the moment, stopping to take a breath to witness the 'innocense' of love, the hopes & dreams they aspire to fulfill together - sure its a reason to cry!.. having been through it already, knowing the hardships & joys that will come - at times it can be a flashback to when you once stood in their shoes.. the feelings they share that takes you back. It is so nice to be able to share their joy.. and share something good in the world. To not be dwelling on the loss of life, but the creation of something new & loving. Sure we miss & wish we had the ones we lose.. but as an escape from the 'moment'.. why not cry?...

Dear Meredith, I was excited to read that you had a blog because I was hoping that I would be able to get a message to you fairly directly. I just want to congratulate you for the move to Today Show, and also that I really appreciate all the work that you and your husband do for multiple sclerosis awareness. My mother has MS and has read Blindsided about three times now. She has a very mild case (knock on wood) and has been volunteering as a support group leader. I miss watching you on The View, but you have your name on the Today Show. Thank you for all that you do and please keep up the good work.
Best,
Greg
PS: I know this comment doesn't have anything to do with the Today Wedding, and I apologize for that.

Meredith, you are real and that is why we love you. You display the emotions and thoughts many of us have, and fortunately we feel like we know you because there is no pretense. Keep crying and laughing on TODAY, because we are right there with you!

Life is full of bittersweet moments, and while the bitter, the cynical part of life often looms large, it's the sweet moments, the hope, the chance, the innocence, that can catch us off guard. We cry at weddings, when babies are born, when kids graduate for those reasons. The belief that anything can happen, the person/persons are writing a new chapter in their book, and even though we know the difficulties they may be facing, they might just make it through with enough grace left to go on. If that hope isn't bittersweet, I don't know what is.

Meredith - I know what you mean. I didn't follow this years' wedding planning very closely on The Today Show but I knew I'd HAVE TO watch the actual wedding. I figured it would be no big deal b/c I didn't "know" Jason and Molly at all. As soon as the flower girl sprinkled those pink petals down the aisle, I was bawling my eyes out. It got worse when Jason talked about his love for Molly, and when she talked about being 37 (I'm 37!) and finally trusting their love...I was a mess! Thanks for writing about it and giving others a chance to write about it, too!

Merideth~ I am truely enjoying watching you on the Today show. To be honest I was really sad that Katie was leaving, but you have really brought some charm and warmth to the show. It seems that now that I am older and I am able to apprecitate the news more, the good ones are gone or leaving. Its nice to see you guys on the Today show consistently bringing us the news. Thanks for showing emotions and for being a breath of fresh air.

I think a lot of people cry for the joy of it, but I definately think that sometimes the tears come from another place, the wish that you, too, had what looks like a fairy tale. Real life is full of disappointments sometimes, and I think sometimes seeing a fairy tale makes you cry for yourself, too. But that doesn't diminish that it was a beautiful thing to watch!

Meridith you aren't the only one that cried. There was so much depth to them. It was refreshing to see. Having lost her mother made it very special. When she said on your show that her mom wasn't around to help who would be better than America. It was perfect!!
I lost my father when I was 18 and he never met my husband and children. I know how she felt.
I am a sucker I cry at the graduation music, new years music. A beautiful couple like Molly and Jason are a joy and we need to have our hearts feeling happy.
Meridith your honesty is so refreshing. You are doing a fantastic job thanks for your sincerity!!

Meredith,

I am so enjoying your work on "Today," and I agree the wedding was great.

I tried to post on your previous entry, about flying, but the post kept getting eaten. Anyway, I wanted to refer you to a similar piece by ivillage blogger Cathryn Michon, the Grrl Genius, who also hates flying. It is in her August archives and is entitled "The Kindness of Strangers."

Cathryn contributes to the "Today" show, and so I am sure you will meet soon. When you do, you can affirm for each other that wine is very important while losing it on planes.

I have tried to mentally will a plane to safety, too -- and as far as I'm concerned, we both succeeded at that, right?

Your blog is wise and funny, and there are many wise and funny posters on the Grrl Genius blog who are going to enjoy yours, too, because it is genuine and, well, wise and funny. Thank you for writing it, on top of everything else you do.

To weep over joyest moments is such a gift. It touches our hearts so deeply.

I remember tears of happiness on our wedding day and meeting our son after his birth 2 years ago.

I seem to weep at weddings when couples say wedding vows...to love...to cherish...for richer...for poorer...in sickness and in health. They are promising to be there thick and thin.

I remember my sisters wedding so well, she said those vows eight months after my future brother in laws car accident (hit by a drunk driver). He was in head trauma and was in coma for a few weeks. She sat next to him at the hospital during his coma and lost her job. Such beautiful and great love. Eight months later...she married her honey. When she said "in sickness...in health" everyone got choked up at their wedding.

Meredith, I want to congratulate you for your new job on Today show. I admire your work and sense of humor (both previously on the View and now Today show).

Continue to be wonderful you.

Warm congratulations!

it was a beautiful celebration and i wish molly and jason well. and i also cried at that wedding :)