Wedded Bliss

What to expect from a wedding in which the bride (Did) leans toward the vintage and bohemian and the groom (Mr.S) was born and raised on a "hippy commune": A fabulous time and a beautiful wedding.

The bride was resplendent with her hair up, braids, bun, curls, veil, and clips made from her grandmother's necklace. Her dress was perfect. She took a 1970's fake Victorian monstrosity and rebuilt it on her own (Did is a costume designer). It could not have been more perfect for her.

The bridesmaids (all 8 of us) were in different dresses in different shades of purple with matching shoes and beautiful necklaces Did had made for us. We carried flowers arranged by friends of the bride including some of the bridesmaids (hydrangeas & freesias & little red berries).

The groom was tall and dashing in his dark suit and cream shirt that matched the bride's dress. You hear of love shining in someone's eyes...his shined like no other. His groomsmen were debonair in their dark suits and matching purple striped ties. Very handsome one and all.

The church was old, dark wood, stained glass, dim lights, bell tower, giant hand painted pipe organ...magnificent. The organ played accompanied by the bride's cousins on their violins (all very talented musicians). Moon River started, the doors opened, & Did slowly drifted down the aisle on her Daddy's arm. It was perfect.

Everyone cried...everyone but me. I did not shed a tear. Did not choke up. Totally dry eyed. In fact, I found the entire situation fabulous. I nearly laughed I was so happy. The other bridesmaids joked that I was heartless. So not true. I was too happy to cry.

The reception was at the commune the groom grew up on. It was wonderful! The pictures were short lived (thank goodness), the food was vegetarian and wonderful (nearly vegan except for a small amount of mozzarella sprinkled on the manicoti), the music was sweet (lots of soft jazz & Frankie), the cakes (made by an amazingly talented bridesmaid) were beautiful and decadent (I say cakes because there was the traditional wedding cake and the southern tradition of . After dinner the toasts began- Best Man, Maid of Honor, Friend of Bride & Groom...and then it happened. The Father of the Bride walked to the middle of the room. It went something like this:

Did! Mr.S! I don't need a microphone. [Laughter as we all know he doesn't, but everyone else did.] You two are very lucky to have found one and other. Very lucky. We call that Irish luck. And the Irish have a blessing [*] I'd like to share part of:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

*That is where I started to cry. All he had to say was "blessing" and I was a lost cause. I wept. Not sniffled. Not teared up. Not choked up. I wept. I nearly sobbed in that hysterical way only pregnant women and small children can, but caught myself just in time. KB (bridesmaid) put her arm around my shoulder. Art reached around KB and held my hand & I wept...

Once I was composed I heard KB say, "Finally! Did's Daddy broke Farm Wife!" It was rather funny...I made it through what broke everyone else down only to loose it when everyone else was fairly composed. But then I practically lived in Did's house the entire 4 years of high school & I know her Daddy fairly well. This was a rather unexpected speech...at least for me.

Once dinner was over, the cakes were cut, the bouquet was tossed and the tables were moved back so the party could start. And what a party it was! We all stood around the perimeter of the floor until the familiar opening notes of Love Shack were played. That's when we all hit the dance floor...Did included

I have to say, I have not really danced (like at a party or club or what not) in nearly 10 years. I was a little nervous about getting my groove on, especially being 7 months pregnant, but I think I got into the swing of things fairly quickly. We Are Family was next (I never knew that song was so long) and I soon heard Stanford (Art's friend who I met this weekend for the first time & adored) say, "Art, Farmie, turn around quick!" Behind us were 3 rows of grey haired hippy mamas were doing the Electric Slide. It couldn't be helped...Stanford and I quickly joined the group and had a wonderful time! I'm telling you, if you want to party, go hang out with ageing hippies. It was so much fun!

Art, Stanford, and I stayed through all the "DJ" music and the first two of 4 or 5 bands to play that night. We stayed long enough to wear ourselves out dancing and hear the Bride and the cake-baking-bridesmaid sing Love Shack with one band. Every time I stopped dancing, Bitsy would start. I'd start again & she'd be still.

The other great thing about being on the commune was all the attention my mid section got. Everyone wanted to dance with the bump. Everyone wanted to touch the bump (including Mr.S). Everyone asked first (wonderful...I don't mind the touch as long as you ask first). And I got to have my favorite pregnancy conversation a few times:

Oh, you're expecting? How far along are you?
28 weeks.
Is this your first?
No, this is my fourth.
*****shocked silence*****
Fourth?! You?! You've had 3 kids?! No way!

It was a wonderful wedding & reception. It could not have been better. It could not have reflected the personalities of the couple of honor better. And I had a blast! One last Hurrah before Bitsy. Thanks to QM and Daddy for whisking my boys away so I could stay and play.

Oh, and Art and I were the first ones Did got to say, "My husband," to. She was so funny about it. "Have you seen Mr.S? I mean, have you seen my HUSBAND (giggle)."

Thank you, Did & Mr.S! Congratulations & God Bless you in your new life together! I love you!