Family values: Jolie-Pitt wedding an interesting look at why marriage matters

Say what you want about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, but there is no question that their family comes first.

The Hollywood couple -- well-known for their long-term, happy and child-filled relationship -- did not get married in front of a glamourous group of celebrities. And they did not have a ridiculous bill at the end of their nuptials.

The ceremony was small -- family only -- and was held in absolute secret.

That was because the Hollywood A-listers tied the knot for their children -- not because they wanted to be on the cover of US Magazine or People.

The one extravagant expense was the custom gown Jolie wore, which included a veil that featured drawings created by the couple's children.

They said they got married because it was important to their children that they do so.

And that is why those children played such a large part in the ceremony.

There is a lesson to be learned here -- one many of the Hollywood publicity hounds should remember as they drop small fortunes on weddings that in many cases don't even last a year or sell their vows for big bucks.

Family should come first, and something as sacred as a marriage ceremony does not have to be a production. It can be a special day for two -- or eight in this case.

And it can be just as beautiful.

After all, the vows, not the glitz are what matter.

Published in Editorials on September 4, 2014 11:08 AM