As I mentioned in my most recent post, My Cowboy’s brother and his bride tied the knot this month. He is the youngest cowboy in the family and the final brother to take the plunge. For the rest of us ladies, this means our bride tribe is complete. No more being outnumbered by boys in this family. 

It was a beautiful day and we couldn’t be happier for the newest couple in our family. It is so refreshing to witness two people so in love start their life together as husband and wife. For more thoughts on that topic, click here. Now that all the cowboys have claimed their brides, I can share something I’ve been wanting to share for a while without spoiling any surprises for future sisters.

I am all about traditions. I love them. They can be especially meaningful and unifying when shared in our families. Plus they can be super fun. I love fun. This tradition just might be one of the most fun wedding traditions I have ever encountered. The nature of this tradition totally suits these cowboys too. What’s more western than a kidnapping? In our family, each bride has been kidnapped and held for ransom on their wedding day.

This is my kidnapping on our wedding day. Fortunately, our photographer captured it all.

Oh and no worries, because we always wait to kidnap until after the ceremony has been performed. Kidnapping the bride before then would just be mean. The kidnapping generally takes place during the luncheon, after the bride and groom have finished their meal. In our case, it happened while we were thanking our guests for coming. 

I love that unsurprised look on My Cowboy’s face.

Wait, what? Where are you taking me?

So what happens after the bride has been taken hostage by the cowboys? The boys leave a ransom note which is read aloud to the luncheon guests. In that ransom note, they generally require the groom to beg, plead, sing, or all of the above, for the money to get his bride back. The boys then head towards the nearest store with the bride (Wal-Mart preferred). Soon after, the sisters-in-law bring the groom once he has gathered the ransom money required. Here is an example of a ransom note, from another brother’s wedding a few years ago. 

(Back to my kidnapping photos)

My Cowboy was required to procure a wheel barrow to push me around the store. Unfortunately/fortunately, the grocery store we shopped at didn’t have any wheel barrows! So he had to visit the neighboring store and barter with them to borrow their wheel barrow. To prove he wouldn’t steal it and would return it when he was done, he had to give up his car keys :D.

Once the mode of transportation for the groom to push his bride is procured, they are given a shopping list. This is where the money the groom gathered comes in. The groom then wheels his bride around the store (preferably wedding dress clad) as they search for each item on the list. You know, items needed for a wedding night. If the money they gathered isn’t enough, then they beg some more, this time to complete strangers in the store. 

Honestly, one of the best parts of this whole ordeal are the looks strangers give the bride and groom. Some offer congratulations, some look confused, some appear annoyed, and some are pleased. One lady even commented, rather unkindly on the bride’s wedding dress. Fortunately however, most onlookers are plain amused! It all adds to the enjoyment we take in this tradition. 

Another kidnapping I took a few pictures of. I always thought the cardboard sign was a nice touch. Especially outside of Wal-Mart!

 

What made our most recent kidnapping even better was when we discovered the grocery store didn’t have pregnancy tests out on the shelves. The groom had to push his bride in her shopping cart up to the pharmacy and ask for one. Other wedding night valuables were also nowhere to be found on the shelves. Where would they be? Behind the counter, with the cigarettes. Red-faced, the groom wheeled his bride up to that counter and inquired after the items needed. Fortunately, the youngest cowboy in the family was the best sport. He was definitely the most willing of all the brothers to do everything we asked. 

This tradition really is so fun. I find it one of the best parts of the wedding day!

Does your family have a fun wedding tradition? I’d love to hear about it!