I don’t have a lot of regrets but this is one: I wish I had kept notes on of all the – what should I call them? – unusual, things I’ve seen at weddings.
Here are some I remember:
- A wedding in which there were no religious songs, no prayers or verses from the Bible — no mention of God. That’s unusual? It is in this neck of the woods and, besides, the groom was the son of a Baptist preacher, and he was there.
- A reception with a “Baptist” punch bowl that was full and a “Catholic” punch bowl that was empty. You know why, don’t you.
- A couple that allowed photographers to hover around them at the altar — one even laid on the grass next to the minister, snapping away — while they took their vows. Why? The bride was a photographer. They were her friends.
- The bride’s much beloved dog, Zoey, sitting next to her, barking, during the marriage ceremony.
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Zoey, assisting at the marriage of Mandy Locke and Alex Granados A bride, standing outside the church in 90 degree heat, sweating along with scores of guests waiting to throw rice, while the groom combed his hair.
- A rock-ribbed Baptist father-of-the-bride holding a bucket of holy water for the priest.
- A wedding with a “Best Woman” instead of a “Best Man.”
- A fall wedding where the groom announced the wedding would be delayed a few minutes. He and his bride had made it to the church on time but some guests had not — they were caught up in football traffic.
- Police at the reception, investigating a theft at the wedding.
- A popcorn machine next to the reception line so guests could snack while they waited to greet the wedding couple.
- Two grown men, a brother and a cousin of the bride, serving as flower girls. Did a good job, too.
- Bouquets of honey suckle in mason jars sitting beneath the pews to make the church smell good.
- Baptist weddings that were much shorter than the last two minutes of down-to-the-wire University of North Carolina basketball game.
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Chelsea and Jim Waddelow A bride who wore a patch over one eye, like a pirate. She had injured it a few days before the wedding.
- A groom, a former Marine aviator with more than 200 combat missions in Viet Nam, with his hair in a pony tail, adorned with baby’s breath.
- A bride and groom who washed each other’s feet during the ceremony.
- Bridesmaids wearing masks. Oh, yes, remember the pandemic of 2020?
- And, top this: A bride and groom who married themselves. They exchanged vows; signed the marriage certificate; had it witnessed, and then pronounced themselves man and wife.
Coming Monday: No Name Peak