I thought about wearing a big floppy hat to my friend Jennifer’s wedding, but I figured I would just feel silly. Or upstage the bride. NOT good manners.
It turns out I could have worn just about anything. The women ranged from casual cotton sundresses to elegant sparkly pantsuits and little black cocktail dresses; the men, from business suits to khakis and shorts. Yes, one guy came in shorts and loafers with no socks, but he fit right in. It was the Ellis Island of wedding attire.
Did you know you can be ordained as a minister with just a few clicks of your mouse? Jennifer and Toby’s ceremony concluded with the words, “By the power vested in me by…the Internet, I now pronounce you man and wife.” The rest of the service was equally humorous, in a happy, respectful, “let’s all have fun” kind of way. For a newly ordained Internet minister, this guy was a natural. He was articulate and gregarious, with the added bonus of having unruly salt-and-pepper hair and a matching beard. He just looked like someone who should be marrying people.
The ceremony took place on the warm, sunny grounds at the Inn at Ship Bay overlooking Eastsound on Orcas Island. Jennifer seemed to float across the wooden footbridge in her elegant strapless gown. No big meringues here, but rather a lovely vision in cream. As she made her way down the aisle, her expression behind the veil alternated between happy excitement and dogged determination not to cry. She lost that battle, but only intermittently. It was cute. And besides, what’s a wedding without all the crying?
Toby looked equally dapper in his brown pinstriped suit. The color offset both his red hair and Jennifer’s cream gown beautifully. I may be shortchanging Toby here, but I am guessing Jennifer chose his ensemble. I mean, what guy 1) chooses his own wedding clothes, and 2) gets it so perfectly right? Example: my ex chose his own suit for our wedding. He wore a white tuxedo.
Yeah.
I must say this was the best wedding I have ever been to, hands down. I think that’s because Jennifer and Toby made everything feel so personal. Jennifer made gift baskets for her friends and family. She assembled goodie bags for all of the children, with books and games to keep them occupied if they got bored during the reception. And as if her choice of wedding attire did not convey her excellent taste, she also designed the exquisite table settings. In fact, I think she would have assembled them herself, as she did the goodie bags and gift baskets, if Toby had not stepped in and said, “Why don’t we pay someone to do that for you?” God I love him. I don’t think I have mentioned what a great guy Toby is. (Excellent choice, Jennifer!)
The ceremony was beautiful, the dinner excellent, and the reception a dancing/karaoke success. Which brings me to the guests: I have never been around so many people who utilize their brains in my life. It was intimidating and yet not, if that makes any sense…which I’m sure it doesn’t. These people are witty, kind, creative, easy-going, and have excellent work/life balance. I felt like I fell into a vat of Stepford people. And then I realized I was a Stepford people, too! Sweeeeet.
The moral of this story is to have your wedding in a remote location. If it's hard to get to, only people who REALLY like you will come. Odds are they are the same people who you REALLY like back, so everybody wins.
