I'm typically not a wedding kind of guy. I suspect most guys aren't. It's not our thing — we, as a group (as if I could speak for the group) are usually more practical, pragmatic... well, ok, weddings are boring, right? Lots of waiting around, chit-chat, lame music... who needs it? Now with all that said, I went to a wedding Friday, and it was without a doubt the coolest wedding I've ever attended.
My cousin Julie was the bride, and her beau Robbie was the groom. They are very
interesting people and they had a very atypical wedding. By "atypical" I mean
one without the usual "dearly beloved... blah blah blah, do you take this woman"
dog and pony show. The bride's processional, for example, was Styx's "Come Sail
Away," and the recessional was The Beatles' "Revolution." They took bits and
pieces from several betrothing ceremonies, wrote their own vows, and basically
told the world in their actions it was their ceremony, and they would do it
however they wanted.
I truly think that's a fantastic way to start a life together.
Robyn, one of my other cousins, was the maid of honor. She stood next to a male bridesmaid who Julie only knew from online interactions and who flew in from Canada for the occasion. Robyn is an attorney and has several areas she specializes in, one of which is divorce. She pointed out to me that all the bridesmaids wore black, and that in addition to them having a divorce attorney as maid of honor, it was indeed Friday the thirteenth. It seems no tradition was left unturned. About halfway through the ceremony, a bird collided with one of the huge windows at the venue (Glen Ferris Inn) and everyone laughed nervously, but continued undaunted.
The theme for the event was teatime in Victorian Wonderland, and creative attire
was encouraged and welcomed. I've never read Alice in Wonderland
or seen the movie, but it's enough of a cultural phenomenon that the characters
and ideas aren't completely foreign (Tom
Petty, anyone?). So in the reception area, there were cards and poker chips
scattered around on the tables, along with bags of tea in champagne glasses,
turquoise plastic jewels, a general chess board motif, and vials of bubbles for
the kids (young and old). No appearances by the White Rabbit, but there was
plenty of raspberry wine practically screaming "drink me" — so I did.
Not at all a bad way to spend a Friday evening in mid-August. One of the best parts for me personally was hanging out with my cousin Robyn, who is about as quirky and ok with it as me, and who I've decided I really don't see enough of. Hopefully we can make an effort to change that second part.