Wedding Blog

Last week, Mr T. and I attended our first wedding as a newly-married couple. It was a beautiful, touching evening perfectly suited to the personality of the couple. But, boy, was it weird for us!

On your own wedding day, every moment is about the two of you. You are intensely connected with every detail, over which you have lovingly slaved for many months. The experience as a guest is quite different, and having the two events so close together highlighted the contrast for us. So thought I’d share a bit of the experience from the guest side, to put things in perspective for anyone still planning their own wedding….

(Our photos were few and rather awful. But Mrs Lovebug’s hot tip has gotten me into Picnik in a big way, so here they are, artsied up in best “memories of old” style…..)

1. My friend is getting married to a wonderful guy, and two other old friends will be in town for the wedding. We’ve all known each other for almost 25 years (yikes), so this is huge! I’ve been excited for days, to the point that I’m checking the weather forecast as obsessively as the bride herself must be.

2. Stress overly much about own dress (was it always this short-waisted?) and choice of shoes.

3. Get stuck in rush-hour traffic and arrive 15 minutes late. Where’s the wedding? Where’s the wedding? Maybe through these buildings? Ooh, here’s the reception spot — look at the pretty lanterns! And flowers! And table linens! Argh, no time, must find wedding.

4. There they are, to our left, in a beautifully sunlit spot. Unfortunately, our late arrival means we missed the processional and half the ceremony. Can’t make the chairs without being rude, so settle on a garden bench near the musicians, and strain to catch every word.

5. Can only see the dress from the back, but it’s cool. I spot one friend in the bridesmaid party, along with two ladies I frequently hear of from the bride. Wonder who those guys are, standing with the groom?

6. Recessional and receiving line. Excited reunions and hugs all around. Oops, the bride must leave for photos.

7. Aw, they want a photo with high school-types. I made the photos!

8. A beverage and some snacks? Why, thank you, waiters! But I have trouble standing. Think it’s OK to sit at a dinner table? Some others seem to have done it, so we’ll give it a try. Hmm, no table designations — how do we know which one to leave open for the bridal party and their family? Guess we’ll just pick one.

9. Oh no, the bride and groom got caught in a sudden downpour mid-photo. Hope that doesn’t put a damper on their moo—why, yes, I *would* like another snack, thank you!

10. Tapas? Fabulous! Does the fact that those other people are loading their plates mean it’s OK for us to go up too? We decide to wait three minutes to see what happens. (Three because two is too short, but five is FAR too long when tapas are beckoning.)

11. There’s time to admire the table linens and floral centerpieces while we stuff our face. Wow, I *really* like this color palette.

12. Bathroom break. Oh, look, the bride and groom are getting a few minutes alone outside. Good for them. Hey, cake! Oh, and here’s the guestbook by the cake. Stress over saying something interesting.

13. Cake-cutting. Always a far-away event over a sea of heads.

14. But the cake is tasty — well done, my friend! And those toasts are touching. I am SO HAPPY for them. And tearing up a little, sniff.

15. Wonder where they’re going on their honeymoon. I forgot to ask them their final plan. The bride is coming to sit with us, I can ask her now! But shouldn’t she be somewhere? I feel bad taking up her time….

16. Thanks, dear friend, I’d love to take a centerpiece home! Pause for one last air smooch and photo.

17. The bride and groom are off to a new life together in the wake of this incredible evening. And we? Are off to walk the dog.