How to survive a Wedding

If you have ever attended a wedding that was being held in an out of the way place you will understand how I felt. I was given the instructions on how to get to the remote place, but I was not given the address.

i have a GPS that I use for just these situations. unfortunately I asked my navigator to set it(My wife). After much shouting and crying that she could not find it I set it for the street it was on in the town it was in and the state it was in. Everything went well until we got to the street where the wedding was to be held. I had entered 400 thinking that we would surely pass by and know where we were. Big mistake, I drove right by the place. Then I took the GPS and looked for the place a different way and low and behold there it was. I had only driven past it twice so that wasn't bad.

Now that we had arrived safely it was time to check in. Now this place is a small hotel with only ten rooms so you would not think there wouldn't be any difficulty. Wrong assumption. Even though it was a small hotel, it had a small staff. The rooms would not be ready for at least an hour.

Okay, take the time to check the place out. Once you left the building you could not re-enter without calling for someone to open the door. Remember small hotel, no registration desk. fortunately the weather was pleasant and a walk around the grounds was a nice side track.

A check in with the bride and groom found them running amok trying to get last minute things done. We had brought along some of the flowers and were told where to place them. The make up lady had to do the wife's hair and face. The flower girl, brides maid, all had to be done as well.

The bride needed to get dressed, then her hair and make up. The brides maid, flower girl and the ring bearer (cute little fellow) had to be given final instructions.

Now it was our turn to get dressed. Thankfully the room was now ready. a quick shower and shave for me, a shower, get dressed and off to the hair and make up for the wife. Not as hectic as it sounds.

Once dressed boutonnieres pinned on and tucked tightly in my suit it was time for the proceedings to start.

It could not have been a nicer day to hold the ceremony outside. The temperature was in the high 70's, the sun was out and there was no breeze. The flowers were all in bloom and the Gazebo was trimmed. Being the fall of the year the tree's were changing colors and added to the beauty of the day.

With almost everyone seated the music began and the ring bearer and the flower girl led the procession. With flower petals tossed along the path. the Mother and Father of the groom along with the Grand mother followed. then it was our turn and I led my wife down the aisle to be seated and returned to bring the bride.

Dressed in her beautiful flowing white gown her arm in mine we walked down the aisle. When asked who giveth the bride away I proudly acclaimed I do. But then I told the groom if he didn't care for her I would be back and should I be dead I would haunt him for life.

I took my seat and listened to the pastors words and then to the vows that each had prepared for themselves. The pastor spoke the words that would united them forever and they were pronounced man and wife.

It was then that I felt the great joy that a father must know when his only daughter is married. the joy in her eyes, the glow of happiness. it was the moment to treasure forever.

Following the ceremony it was picture taking time.

While the bride and groom and the family pictures were being taken the remainder of the guest were invited to partake of snacks and drinks in the hotel. When the newly wed couple entered the hotel, greeted by everyone, a diner was served.

All the tables were decorated with an array of colorful fresh flowers, one table was set aside for the wedding cake and the grooms cake. A class of champagne was poured for all to toast the newly weds. Then toasts were offered by several of the guest as well as myself. It was when I heard what friends and fellow workers had to say about my lovely daughter that my heart strings were pulled taut. I had all I could do not to cry.

When everyone had eaten the tables were cleared away and a dance floor was made. The music that had been chosen by the couple began to play. As tradition demands the first song was for the bride and groom, unfortunately the grooms mother thought that meant she got to dance as well and she pranced around with one of her grandchildren while the couple danced. It made it difficult for the photographer to take pictures as she seemed to want to be in the picture as well.

when it became our turn to dance I spun my daughter around the dance floor with ease. Many of the guest had a look of surprise on their faces at the ease with which we covered the floor. my wife and I followed with our dance and again the looks of surprise as we stepped lightly. I suppose when you are over sixty they thought you were not supposed to be able to dance.

The party continued well into the night, I however turned in to let the younger crowd make fools of themselves.

if you have been a good person the night before your head is clear and you are able to face the day. A breakfast was served to the guest and I took note there were a few who would suffer the day until their heads could clear.

After gathering the remains of the flowers and other odds and ends i loaded my truck with all the big items and then said my good byes. To the new friends I had made, the in laws I had acquired and the staff of the hotel i wished them a safe journey.

The end was here and I will miss my daughter, but I will be happy in the knowledge that she is happy.