One writer’s experience consuming cannabis on her wedding day, without having a weed wedding.
This article first appeared in the Weddings edition, a digital version of FNM published in October 2022
The sun was shining on a warm Friday. A gentle breeze rustled through the orchard, stirring up the scent of ripening apples. Behind me, there was the sound of shutters closing rapidly, two cameras snapping. In front of me, my soon-to-be-husband flicked open a comically large lighter and withdrew from his pocket a plastic doob tube.
The moment I had been waiting for all day was finally here; it was time to smoke my first joint on my wedding day.
Weed at my Wedding, Not a Weed Wedding
I got married in August 2022, the culmination of nearly two years of planning. The weather was picture-perfect: clear blue skies and warm summer temperatures, cut by a light breeze. Our venue was decorated, and I had spent the last six hours with my bridesmaids as we rotated through hair and makeup. It was like being in college again, all of my girls gathered in one room to blast music and go through the motions of styling, priming, and primping.
But despite my satisfaction with the way the day was coming together, my body was on edge. This was the biggest day of my life; certainly, the most photographed. No matter how excited I was to get married, there was no denying my body was in full-on panic mode.
How I Brought Weed into my Wedding Day
I woke at 6:15 the morning of my wedding, sun already peeking through the clouds, and my stomach in knots. My mind was jumbled and cluttered; I knew I had a million things to do, but I just couldn’t sort through the list. So, the first thing I did was take a bong hit. Packed in my bowl was a custom blend of CBD and THC at a 3:1 mixture, along with a mix of lavender herbs. I needed the relaxation properties of THC (along with the anti-emetic properties) but with enough CBD to keep me centered and focused, not spacey and lost in thought.
I made it to the venue by 8:20 – only 20 minutes late – and already the feelings delivered by my bong hit were dissipating. My stomach was in my throat, and none of the snacks I brought were appetizing. I had some fruit purée and tried to settle in. Being surrounded by my bridesmaids with my favorite playlist going helped.
Around 10:30, my sister broke out the CBD gummies she brought with her, and I snagged one. I’m primarily a smoker, but the long-lasting effects of edibles and the calming effects of CBD were exactly what I needed on such a high-stress day.
The photographer arrived and set up. I got my hair done, then my makeup done. We took getting-ready photos, bridesmaid photos, and photos with the dress. I went through portraits and the first look with my dad (highly recommend.) And then finally, finally, it was time to see my fiancé.
My photographer led me outside to a private section of the apple orchard away from the wedding venue. He was waiting, back already turned. Seeing him, I let out a sigh of relief better than any joint could bring me.
After we went through the first look and portraits, it was time to smoke. In one pocket, he had the joint, and in the other, a comically large lighter.
The joint was a CBD/herbal blend, packed with anxiety-reducing lavender and sized perfectly for the two of us. It wasn’t packed with THC or rolled into a cannon, both of which would have left us too high to utter one coherent line of our vows. Instead, this was a small joint with a balance of cannabinoids and herbs, thoughtfully crafted to meet our needs for the day: reduce stress levels, lower tension, and give us a moment of pause and breath.
The lighter was comically large because somehow both of us had forgotten to bring one, and his groomsmen didn’t have any either. The only lighter the venue had was a grill lighter, but it still got the joint lit!
Standing outside in the shade of the trees, breathing in the scent of fresh apples and weed smoke, I could almost forget it was my wedding day. It was just me and my best friend, doing something we love to do – smoking a joint outside.
Why Smoke a Joint at Your Wedding?
I love smoking a joint because I love the ritual of it. You have to grind the weed, creating a custom blend of CBD, THC, and smokable herbs, putting an intention into the joint. You have to focus on what you’re doing to roll it well. And when you smoke outside, there’s nothing to do but sit back and enjoy the scenery and the taste of the joint.
We cleared the joint with our photographer on our last call before the big day, letting her know it was important to us to be able to light up after we did our first look and couple portraits. She was game and seemed excited to shoot it – perhaps it would be her first time shooting someone smoking a joint.
As a cannabis writer, I’m always looking for avenues to create content from. Content isn’t my favorite task as a business owner, but it is an important one. Talk about getting your money’s worth!
Timing the Joint Before the Wedding Ceremony
We smoked the joint 90 minutes before the ceremony. Joints take around 10 – 15 minutes to kick in, and 30 – 45 minutes to peak. Although it can take over three hours to fully come down from smoking, having a CBD-only joint meant that we were both fully functional and relaxed (as much as possible) during the ceremony.
I didn’t get a chance to smoke again for hours, until after dancing, speeches, and dinner. A few friends who also enjoy smoking came prepared with several joints, blunts, and spliffs ready to go. The moment I was done with the cake-cutting, I rushed outside to the smoking area and puffed on the first joint passed my way. I made my way outside periodically throughout the night, seeking whatever was already lit.
As a cannabis lover, I’m not a big drinker anyway. But on my wedding day, when I was too stressed to even eat, drinking alcohol was fully out of the question. Instead of getting drunk, I got high. It had the same results – allowing me to cut loose on the dance, have a good time, and soak in the love from all angles.
But the CBD had another effect that I wasn’t expecting – it kept me present. I’d heard time and time again from brides that the day seemed to fly by, and it was over in a blink. But I had the opposite experience – the CBD I consumed kept me present and in the moment, allowing me to soak everything in without feeling like it was flying by too quickly.
How Weed Improved my Wedding Day
I rely on cannabis during many moments in my life, tapping into the power of my endocannabinoid system. And on my wedding day, it was of the utmost importance to me to feel centered and in control. Your endocannabinoid system is a major neuromodulatory system in your body, and a key regulator of both stress levels and stress responses. No matter how well you plan or how many deep breathing exercises you do, your wedding day is stressful.
Intentional cannabis use made all the difference. I didn’t smoke just to get high – I smoked to create specific feelings and reactions in my body and my mind, allowing the cannabis to help me get somewhere I couldn’t get on my own.
I relied on a cannabis blend I had made before and understood. The combination of a small amount of THC along with CBD and lavender herbs helped elevate my mood, calm my nervous system, and give me enough space in my mind to take a step back from the spiral of anxious thoughts.
Weed at the Wedding Does Not a Weed Wedding Make
I would never classify my wedding as a “weed wedding.” Cannabis was not the central theme, nor was it included in the decor, food, or drinks. But cannabis was an essential part of my wedding day, because it’s always my trusty partner when I need to take the edge off, relieve nausea, or hit pause for a moment. All of that made it perfect to include.
We chose not to incorporate cannabis in a more significant way into the reception or the ceremony because most of our guests aren’t weed smokers. Many of our older guests prefer edibles, and splurging on enough for 120 people was simply out of the budget. But I was prepared for what I needed, including a specific blend of cannabis and time to enjoy it.
Is Weed Right for You on Your Wedding Day?
If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you already love weed. But just in case you’re new to the plant, your wedding day is NOT the time to try a new strain or a new product or a new blend. It’s about stimulating the system with the right dose and the right cannabinoids. Stick with what you know.
Tips for Consuming Weed on Your Wedding Day
- Don’t use high THC strains. These are known for increasing anxiety, stress levels, and heart rate. Opt for a type II strain or blend, which has a balance of CBD and THC.
- Consider adding smokable herbs. The terpenes herbs bring to the table can complement your weed. Lavender, in particular, is known for being calming and soothing.
- Ask your stoner friends to come prepared. Most venues have a smoking area, and knowing that you have friends ready to share their joints takes one thing off your to-do list
- Look outside flower. Edibles have a long-release time that can help you find balance throughout a stressful day. Topicals can help you calm down or relieve pain from pinching shoes.
- Mocktails! Have a fun mocktail option at the bar for the inevitable cotton mouth (guests who don’t drink will thank you too.)
Ways to Incorporate Cannabis into Your Wedding
- Smoke a joint during your first look
- Pop an edible while you get ready
- Bake a tray of brownies to share at the reception (LABEL CLEARLY)
- Have cannabis-infused beverages while getting ready or at the reception
- Roll a personalized joint for everyone in your wedding party
- Get your wedding party personalized stash jars
Consuming cannabis intentionally on my wedding day made a major difference – in my anxiety levels, in my ability to be present, and in my comfort. Weed is a part of my daily life, and I knew I wanted it to be part of my wedding day as well. Thinking through how best to utilize the plant’s many compounds, and the benefits of other medicinal plants, meant the weed I smoked on my wedding day enhanced, not detracted, from what was one of the most special days of my life.
