When what is celebrated is real, celebration is not soon over and done with

So many celebrations drown in preparations these days; in fact, often it seems that the preparations are the celebration, and the celebration itself little more than an afterthought, a moment in time, soon over with and forgotten. For that matter, it often seems that the celebration, soon to be over and done with, is more important than that which is celebrated.
Think about weddings; it seems that in our day and age, as marriage itself has come to mean but little to most - and particularly is the awareness lost to many, that marriage as the ordinance of God is a life-long obligation and commitment – all the more preparation, and money, go into planning perfect weddings down to the smallest details, lavish and luxurious celebrations of what are already long time relationships, sometimes even with the parties themselves being very well aware that the relationship might not be long for this world.