Most people love weddings. Whether it’s the dress, the cake, the reception, or the song “Shout!” we all have our idea of the perfect wedding. Most of these ideas sprout from famous “I do’s,” the weddings (real or staged) we’ve seen as a culture that we feel are a part of us even though we may not have attended. Here are four wedding celebrations to help you remember what you love about weddings:

Prince Charles and Princess Diana

The world turned to St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England on July 29, 1981 to watch a prince marry a princess. The wedding was truly royal; Diana wore an ivory white dress complete with 25 foot train, while Charles donned his complete naval uniform. Millions cheered the wedding couple remotely, through television and radio broadcasts of the ceremony.

This wedding symbolized a change in English monarchy: Diana was the first commoner to enter into the royal house in over 300 years. This year, another similar wedding will take place in London. Prince William, the son of Charles and Diana, is set to marry Kate Middleton, a commoner from Great Britain. William proposed on November 16, 2010 with his late mother’s engagement ring.

Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy

America’s version of the royal wedding happened on September 12, 1953 in Newport, Rhode Island at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. John and Jackie were wed in front of more than 800 guests. Jackie was the epitome of elegance; according to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library website, she “wore a dress of ivory tissue silk, with a portrait neckline, fitted bodice, and a bouffant skirt embellished with bands of more than fifty yards of flounces.” Pearls adorned her neck and wrist.

Seven years after this happy union, John and Jackie would move their small family into the White House, and into the annals of American history.

Priscilla and Elvis Presley

In today’s day and age, many people unfortunately associate Las Vegas weddings with Britney Spears who was wed in Sin City for less than three days before having it annulled. But Vegas can have its share of romance, too. In 1967, Priscilla Beaulieu married one of America’s most eligible bachelors in a beautiful white gown. The King wore a black tux.

Today, in homage to this wedding, nearly anyone can get married by an Elvis impersonator in Las Vegas.

Jim Halpert and Pam Beesley

On the well known NBC show, “The Office,” adorable couple Jim Halpert and Pam Beesley wed in Niagara Falls during season six. Of course, in true comedic fashion, many of Jim and Pam’s co-workers helped to make their ceremony silly and unique. But this wedding has a secret, too. Before the church ceremony, the happy couple hopped on a mist boat, and wed privately next to the powerful Niagara Falls. After this intimate ceremony, they reunited with friends and family at a small church. The bridal party grooved down the aisle to “Forever” by Chris Brown, in salute to the YouTube wedding video of the same character.

The true beauty of a wedding lies in the promise that it brings. A couple stands in front of their loved ones, and takes an oath to share a life with someone. It’s this hope, this ambition that makes the promise special. By being a party to this promise, we support it, and love becomes stronger.

Sources:

• http://www.elvispresleynews.com/ElvisWeddingPhotos.html

• http://www.vegas.com/lounge/centennial/craziestmarriages.html

• http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Ready-Reference/JBKO-Miscellaneous-Information/Wedding-Details.aspx

• http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/11/16/2010-11-16_prince_william_proposed_to_future_queen_kate_middleton_with_princess_dianas_enga.html

• http://womenshistory.about.com/od/diana/a/diana_wedding.htm

• http://www.nbc.com/The_Office/photos/categories/episodes/1534/

• http://www.officetally.com/archive/the-office-wedding

• http://blog.vivalasvegasweddings.com/2010/05/5-famous-historical-weddings/