Michael and I got married on May 27th, 2005. It was a warm, sunny, perfect day. We got up way too early for my taste and got ready. He had seen my dress, which I bought from eBay, and I had helped him pick out his suit from Burlington Coat Factory. We had precious little time to glimspe each other ready before the arrival of family.
Upon arriving at the courthouse, the two of us decided to go make sure everything was ready. What a sight we must have made crossing the street in full dress at noon, him in a black suede jacket, my white dress billowing around my legs as I clutched my bouquet. I dropped my drawstring purse on the x-ray machine’s belt and stepped through the security gate. As the security guard passed her handheld metal detector over my rhinestone tiara, she quipped, “I bet you didn’t think this would happen on your wedding day”. I laughed and Michael and I continued hand in hand to the basement of the courthouse. We found the JP, found all our family members and sat down on bench to wait our turn.
There was another couple getting married right after us. They were probably in their late 30s. The bride’s family was desperately trying to keep the groom from seeing her even though she was dressed in regular clothes, a neutral top and a brown skirt. “Who gets married in a brwon skirt?,” I was thinking.
The JP asked if we’d like to get married outside. We tripped up some marble steps, pausing for pix, and walked into a lovely courtyard. The grass was lush, the trees were verdant and we were posed next to a marble statue of a man astride a horse. The JP, Sharon, gave us a lovely ceremony. She read the Apache wedding prayer. The ceremony was brief, but poignant. I nearly cried and so did Michael. I had hand-embroidered vintage handkerchiefs for each of us – an “M” on one with a blue outline for Michael and an “S” on one with a pink flower for me. I made corsages for the ladies in the wedding party – Sherrie (mother of the bride), Lavon (mother of the groom), and Bea (”adoptive” grandmother of the bride) – that matched my bouquet. Everyone took pictures. They showed that we were happy and emotional. Thomas (the brother of the groom) made a wonderful video that made us cry. Afterward, we had a nice lunch at Doc Pierce’s. It’s a dark and dated steak restaurant. When I was a kid, it seemed so sophisticated and special. “I’ll have ‘the Bartender’s Special’.” Michael had “ambrosia” – chicken breast in a polynesian marinade with wild rice pilaf.
We had our reception in October. We had the main dishes catered and Michael, myself, Lavon and Sherrie supplied the rest. The tables were covered with simple white tablecloths. I made centerpieces for each table with an antique blue Ball jar, neutral colored polished river stones, white daisies and blue irises. They were flanked by small flute-edged glass candleholders, a blue candle burning inside each one. The wedding favor was a fortune cookie at each place setting. Our friend, Mark, was our DJ and played light, instrumental music while we ate. Michael and I danced to “Purple Rain” by Prince and ‘our song’ “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan. It was so nice to finally meet Michael’s extended family. He cried when they left, because, even thought he was so happy to see them, it was even sadder to see them go. Mark played a great mix of music. I danced with my father-in-law, Bruce and brother-in-law, Thomas. Brother-in-law Matthew was occupied with girlfriend Lauren. One of the funniest moments of the day came at the end. I was gathering leftovers to split three ways (between mom, in-laws and Michael and I). I was rinsing out a container when Lauren came up behind me. “Do not tell me you are washing dishes on your wedding day!” After everyone was gone and food was squared away, Michael and I left. For some reason we went shoe shopping afterwards.
I left my tiara on.
