# God is a lousy wedding planner **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 22, 2021, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552 "2021-04-22T17:27:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/1 "2021-04-22T17:27:52Z")
Florida (of course) couple plans an elaborate wedding at their dream house which God chose for them. It wasn’t their house. They didn’t have permission. The owner was home. God sucks. [https://abcnews.go.com/Weird/wireStory/wedding-bride-groom-crashers-77215649?fbclid=IwAR10vIwaP2G0CdmVvZLma8mCcmEtMg8HlSOFrFyfdMf4h8OoygLFVxhdkak](https://abcnews.go.com/Weird/wireStory/wedding-bride-groom-crashers-77215649?fbclid=IwAR10vIwaP2G0CdmVvZLma8mCcmEtMg8HlSOFrFyfdMf4h8OoygLFVxhdkak) [https://web.archive.org/web/20210421175401/https://www.zola.com/wedding/shenitaandcourtney](https://web.archive.org/web/20210421175401/https://www.zola.com/wedding/shenitaandcourtney) ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/2 "2021-04-22T17:29:50Z")
Some people’s notion of God is that God is their enforcer who mandates that the world clear out a path for them. I foresee a short-lived marriage. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/3 "2021-04-22T17:45:13Z")
The guy’s last name is Wilson. The wedding invitation listed the location as “The Wilson’s [sic] Estate”. Contacted by the local paper after being thrown off the property, Wilson said “I don’t want to talk about it”. I guess not. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/4 "2021-04-22T17:50:11Z")
This suggests to me that the bride and groom wanted to impress their wedding guests with “their” luxurious estate, thus suggesting to their families and friends that they are much more successful than they actually are. (It’s also possible that the deception was entirely on the part of the groom, and that his fiancee did not realize that the place was not, in fact, his.) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/5 "2021-04-22T17:51:30Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > (It’s also possible that the deception was entirely on the part of the groom, and that his fiancee did not realize that the place was not, in fact, his.) - Before I marry a person, I would confirm where they live. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/6 "2021-04-22T18:07:11Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Before I marry a person, I would confirm where they live. Well, yes, that would be smart. I can imagine a couple of scenarios, but primarily one in which the groom has told his fiancee that he has just bought the place, and that, while they can’t move in until after the ceremony, at least they can hold the wedding on the grounds. (Yes, it’s a stupid scenario, as sooner or later she does find out that he’s lied, but I don’t think we’re dealing with particularly cunning people here, in the first place.) ---
**Author:** ![TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thegunismightierthanthepen/32/2981_2.png) [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheGunIsMightierThanThePen)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/7 "2021-04-22T18:08:51Z")
Well, this couple’s got balls, I can’t deny that. Wouldn’t be surprised to see their shtick duplicated in comedy movies down the line, if it hasn’t already. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/8 "2021-04-22T18:09:08Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > but primarily one in which the groom has told his fiancee that he has just bought the place, - Add “verifying their finances, employment, etc”. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/9 "2021-04-22T18:10:03Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Add “verifying their finances, employment, etc”. “Baby, trust me!” This is why you will likely never wind up marrying a con artist, @running_coach ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/10 "2021-04-22T18:26:47Z")
**[This is the place.](https://www.google.ca/maps/@26.0498732,-80.3377558,3a,75y,103.49h,87.79t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSJOqHZCnY45i1isXMC-cYg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en)** It seems to be more of compound than a house, consisting of one mansion and a bunch of smaller houses, in one of which apparently the owner lives, much to the surprise of the erstwhile wedding party! (Ignore the “5561” address at the top of Google Maps. You can see on the post that the address is 5550, which is the address given on the invites for “The Wilson’s [sic] Estate”. You can also see what appears to be a “No Trespassing” sign to the left of it.) ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/11 "2021-04-22T18:27:51Z")
> But despite what the invitation **inferred** , the actual owner, Nathan Finkel, never gave them permission to hold the festivities there. He was stunned when Wilson showed up Saturday morning to set up and he called police, according to the South Florida SunSentinel. Gah, implied, implied, implied ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/12 "2021-04-22T18:28:52Z")
> [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](#): > > Wouldn’t be surprised to see their shtick duplicated in comedy movies down the line, if it hasn’t already. Not quite the same, but it reminds me a bit of the Korean black comedy _Parasite_ (2019), which won 4 Academy Awards. It’s about the scams and goings on in a very upmarket house, behind the rich family’s back. Good movie! ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/13 "2021-04-22T18:33:50Z")
Sounds kind of like a sitcom trope to me. Floridaman Wilson should have tried to schedule the wedding the same day as an actual party that the owner was having. Then Wilson, dressed in a tux so he looks like a groom slash caterer-waiter, could have taken turns pretending to be a host to the wedding guests and pretending to take orders from the actual guests. ---
**Author:** ![TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thegunismightierthanthepen/32/2981_2.png) [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheGunIsMightierThanThePen)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/14 "2021-04-22T18:35:07Z")
Yeah, that’s been on my movie backlog for a while. Thanks for reminding me. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/15 "2021-04-22T18:40:18Z")
> [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](#): > > Wouldn’t be surprised to see their shtick duplicated in comedy movies down the line, if it hasn’t already. I think the title character tries something akin to **kenobi\_65** ’s theory in **Lady Bird**. (It’s less successful than when Miss Piggy tries it in **The Great Muppet Caper**.) ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/16 "2021-04-22T22:17:54Z")
The article says that as of Wednesday they had not been legally registered as married. What are the bets she called the whole thing off? ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/17 "2021-04-22T22:49:39Z")
Since when is Courtney a man’s name? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/18 "2021-04-22T22:52:04Z")
Here are quite a few examples of famous (or, at least, semi-famous) men named Courtney. Most of them were born in 1960 or later, so the answer to your question appears to be, “since around 1960.” > **[Courtney | Male](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtney#Male)** > > 1.Courtney Alexander (born 1977), American basketball player | > 2.Courtney Anderson (born 1980), American football player | > 3.Courtney B. Vance (born 1960), American actor | > 4.Sir Courtney Blackman, Barbadian economist, business consultant and diplomat | > 5.Cortney Lance Bledsoe (born 1976), American writer | > 6.Edward Courtney Boyle (1883–1967), English recipient of the Victoria Cross | > 7.Courtney Brown, American social scientist and proponent of remote viewing | > 8.Courtney Brown (born 1978)... ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/19 "2021-04-22T23:11:00Z")
> [@digs](#): > > What are the bets she called the whole thing off? I’d say pretty good. As a guy myself, I think I have the right to say that this sort of outrageously harebrained scheme is the sort that could only be dreamed up by a guy. It would have to be an astoundingly stupid dimbulb of a guy, sure, but there’s no shortage of those. But I blame the bride for the moniker “The Royal Couple” that is peppered all over their wedding website. I bet she is mighty pissed. Hell hath no fury like royalty that has been deposed and kicked out on the street by the local constabulary. A wedding gone horribly wrong is not normally a basis for amusement, but these idiots totally brought it on themselves, the guy for hatching this harebrained plot, and the bride at least for being hopelessly gullible. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2021, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552/20 "2021-04-22T23:11:44Z")
Look at their schedule (from the “hamburger” menu on the wedding page.) They planned to be there from 3:30 PM to 2:30 AM, with Sunday brunch there afterwards, where they “are honored to invite you back to our home for a wonderful Sunday brunch. Our guest will be served up delicacies from our renowned chef on our resort style pool, while being entertained by the sounds of a live Jazz band.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-a-lousy-wedding-planner/940552.md?page=2)