An invitation to a wedding invokes more trouble than a summons

The words of William Feather cut with sharp humor yet carry the weight of wisdom: “An invitation to a wedding invokes more trouble than a summons to a police court.” What he unveils here is the irony of human nature—that what should be the simplest celebration of love often becomes entangled in expectations, obligations, and disputes. The law may call one to a court, but the heart and pride of men and women are often more fiercely tested when the bells of matrimony ring.

For the wedding invitation, though gilded in joy, often awakens rivalry, envy, and the burden of custom. Who shall sit where? Who shall be invited or forgotten? What gifts shall be given, and with what measure of wealth or prestige? In seeking to honor two souls in love, families and friends often reveal the undercurrents of pride and division that lie beneath the surface. Thus, Feather’s words remind us that beneath the veil of festivity, the ancient struggle of ego and tradition still prowls.

History shows us such folly. In the courts of Europe, royal weddings that were meant to unite kingdoms often stirred jealousy, conspiracy, and war. The marriage of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette was intended as a bond between France and Austria, but the extravagance of the ceremony and the resentment it provoked became fuel for discontent, which later helped ignite revolution. Indeed, the “trouble” invoked by their wedding invitation far surpassed the judgments of any court.

Yet, Feather’s words are not merely jest, but counsel. He reminds us that the true essence of marriage is not in the banquet, nor in the spectacle, nor in the politics of guest lists, but in the covenant of two hearts. The more we weigh a wedding with pomp and pride, the heavier the burdens it brings. But when simplicity and love are preserved, the celebration flows without the quarrels that otherwise tarnish it.

Therefore, let this wisdom endure: do not let the joy of a wedding be eclipsed by the vanity of its feast. Remember that the day is for the bride and groom, not for the world’s judgments or contests of pride. For in truth, it is better to face the summons of a court than to see love’s sacred hour drowned in discord. Feather’s jest is a warning, spoken with a smile: keep love central, and even the grandest troubles will melt away.