Burgundy Velvet polyester shirt and a Silver silk tie. Black wool and silk trousers. Black square toed shoes. Not the most cool outfit to be wearing at an outdoor wedding on one of the hottest days of this summer so far, but damn, I felt like I looked good. Add to that a white satin stole, and I felt positively priestly! Which was a good thing, took considering I was marrying two dear friends yesterday in the very first Cyber-Amish commitment ceremony.
Richard and Trey looked very handsome in their wing-collared tuxedo shirts, utilikilts and steel-toed boots. The assembled guests, about 60 or so, were all elegantly casual, with Richard and Trey’s mothers both in unplanned peacock blue: Martha, Richard’s mom, was in a smart-looking blue pantsuit, and Betty, Trey’s mother, was in a snappy but modest dress. That they were both in the same color was really delightful.
I took my place right at 16:00, and when Martha and the Vandella’s “Heatwave” started, the first flower girl, the daughter of Trey’s best man, came and scattered rose petals along the aisle, then took her seat in the front row next to her mom. Next came Trey and Betty, down the outdoor stairs that lead from 
Michael’s (pharmbear) upstairs patio down to the backyard. Trey seated Betty then took his place to my left, next to his best man. Sister Jane D’oh of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence came, flinging rose petals everywhere in a most satisfying fashion. Finally, Richard and Martha came up from the “tunnel” from the garage, the breezeway between the sidewalk and the backyard. Richard escorted Martha to her seat, then came to my right. It was time for me to begin.
Deep breath. OK, let’s turn on the radio announcer voice and start the text. It’s always amazing when I do one of these ceremonies how everything else gets largely tuned out except the people marrying and my text. I could see Trey, I could see Richard, and I could see the words I had written for them. It wasn’t until I ask the assembled friends and family for their commitment to support this new marriage that I see them at all, but then I deliberately look out at them to engage them. Finally, Richard and Trey are kissing, and I am introducing them to the congregation as a married couple for the first time, and everyone is really happy and applauding and cheering.
Whew! I can get out of that hot, heavy velvet shirt and tie and get comfy!
Steven’s (kitchenbeard) food was simply amazing, as always. I loved every delightful morsel I tried. Victor’s (bearzbub) DJing was great, and set a wonderful celebratory mood. Tom’s (peppabear) portraits are going to be great, I can tell already.
After the ceremony, and food and champagne and what-not, about 40 of us all walked over to Picardo (at least, I think that was its name) for tapas. I ordered the albóndigas (meatballs in saffron sauce) and japanese eggplant, which by the time they arrived I had sampled so many yummy nibbles that I only ate one of the meatballs, but most of the eggplant, both of which were incredible.
Well, that was enough food, and the celebration was winding down, so I walked back to Michael’s house and retrieved my shirt and tie and folder with the text. Tom and his hubby gave me a ride home, and I was out pretty quickly after my nightly conversation with Darwin. A great close to a great day.
