Sunday, October 07, 2007

The Weekend (A Melodrama in 3 Posts)

Post 2: the wedding...

The whole reason we went to Michigan was for Katie's wedding, so we headed for "way out in the sticks", where the wedding was to be held. We got there shortly before the wedding was to start, but as we made our way to the outdoor venue, I overheard the groom and someone (his mother?) discussing the officiant...

Groom's mother (GM): The pastor isn't here yet!
Groom (G): Do you want me to call her?
GM: I already called, but it went straight to voicemail!
G: I'll try her again...

I felt like saying something, but it wasn't my place. You see, I have a fear that I'll be late to a wedding service, and one of the pastors I worked with previously was famous for showing up at the last possible minute, and it would always freak out the wedding party (and the wedding coordinator). So anyway, I constantly check what the time's supposed to be, then I show up like an hour before the wedding so I don't accidentally show up late. But that's neither here nor there (whatever that's supposed to mean).

Anyway, we were seated...
outside...
in the 88 degree heat...
in the sun...
and we waited...

Finally things started...

Let me preface this by saying that I love weddings. It's so exciting to me to watch a couple declaring their love for one another and starting a new life together. But this was the most disappointing ceremony I've seen. The officiant was this joker, and the service was devoid of any but the slightest (accidental) mention of God. In fact, except for the Irish blessing, there was more mention of "Mother Nature" than of God. And the "sermon" (if you'd call it that - maybe "remarks" would be a better term) was so blah and new-agey that I wanted to puke.
Anyway, following the ceremony, they herded us hot, sweaty people into an air-conditioned room, at which point they started blasting music. Then they said they wanted everyone back outside for pictures. I was figuring group pictures, but, no, they were talking about "spontaneous" hang-out pictures. in the hot sun. At least I wasn't wearing black.

We really didn't want to "hang out" (meaning the boys were antsy), so we went "exploring." This meant that we headed down the stairs into the grassy meadow for a walk. This was much more like what (especially Jonathan) wanted to do.


I took some pictures and we walked around a bit and enjoyed some freedom. Then we went back upstairs and found Tara (and I got a breather). The boys amused themselves by stealing ice from the bartenders' beer cooler (it amused the bartender, too, who told someone, "Yeah, they work for me. Hey, man, pass me a Lite"). We hung around for a long time, during which time Jonathan and Andrew ran around, wrestled, and tried to keep out of trouble. Or in trouble. It's a viewpoint thing.

After another (long) wait, I invited Jonathan to go do some more exploring while Tara took Andrew. This was just what the doctor ordered. Without Andrew to hold him back, Jonathan was in hog heaven. Besides, this kept his mind off his stomach!

Finally it was time to eat. Or so we thought. At least it was time to be seated. We found ourselves back in the corner with the cousins. There's just something about trying to be a proper parent while "the other kids" are just allowed to run wild, to scream, etc. I'm sure some of you know all about that. Anyway, the salads and breads didn't do much for anyone's hunger, so we went for another walk, this time just indoors. Jonathan amused himself by playing with the placecards of those who didn't show up.

Then it really was time to eat, and the caterers graciously provided children's meals for Jonathan, Andrew, Cassidy, Marek, and Seamus (the last three being the cousins). I was extremely impressed and very happy about it, as I hadn't really seen Jonathan eating chicken marsala (Andrew, on the other hand...).


After we ate, it was (as usual at a wedding) dancing time. Jonathan loved it. He was a dancing machine!

The boys did really well, and when it was finally time to go back to the cottage, we were all beat!

3 comments:

Katie said...

weddings are great but they certainly do not keep in mind that children get hungry and antsy far more quickly than the drunk adults.

Sounds like you did a great job keeping the boys busy. My gosh they are getting so big and so cute.

I think Marisa is in love. :)

Mary Beth said...

There is much to be said for a well-planned wedding with good transitions. Weddings without are just miserable for everyone.

Anonymous said...

My favorite is the picture of little boys in ties rolling around in grass. Or maybe little boys in ties rolling around on each other inside. either way...