My brother told me before the wedding started that we were NOT absolutely NOT to discuss politics or the economy. His fiancé had told him she would leave him at the alter if he talked about the economy... so... we talked really quietly while she wasn't around. So it was an... odd sort of affair. The wedding was at a campsite retreat out in the hills of West Virginia (if you listened carefully you could almost hear the banjos... or maybe someone's iPod was up too loud. If you ever are out in those remote places at night starring at the stars you can see why West VA is a hot bed of UFO sightings). The ceremony was under a big tree. I think some of the guests were barefoot... or maybe I was "projecting". I always think of everyone in that area as walking around barefoot. The photographer and her assistant looked like authentic 60's hippies. They came there on a motorcycle. My nephew actually did wear a tie and was WAY over dressed (yes, the radical leftist nephew who shaved his head to infiltrate and expose an evil skin head white supremacy group at the Barnes & Nobel and got arrested... <sigh> long story... it's here somewhere). I believe this will be the one rare occasion we will ever see him in a tie. He told me later that his boss asked him to please wear shoes to work from now on. He works in some sort of day care/pre school type place, working with young kids. No shoes at work is not the proper impression to give young minds no matter how nice the weather is. I suggested it might not even be safe for him considering all the hard plastic pointy toys kids play with.
There was only a few short rows of folding chairs in front of the tree for the ceremony. Very small wedding. The reception was "pot luck" in the main cabin eating area of the camp grounds. People volunteered to bring food instead of gifts. There was a spot on the invitation asking "what are you bringing to eat". Very rustic... I mean... like rustic dude. The ceremony was VERY laid back. Even had some non scripted audience participation. My mother and father both read to the group about their experience on keeping a relationship strong for 52 years. After my parents finished speaking someone yelled out "Hard act to follow!". Lots of laughter... and applause. Strange that. Applause. I'm not use to hearing applause at a wedding. You would like to applaud at church after a good sermon but that is frowned upon for some reason. I think this was the first "sermon" my father gave as a minister that got a round of applause and cheers (Conservative Mennonites can tend to be a bit stuffy).
Considering the circle of friends my brother has down in West Virginia, right in the center of JMU and EMC, all those young college students and actors he works with in the theater, there was lots of long hair and long beards, jeans and casual dress. I left my jacket in the car and never even considered wearing a tie. My brother didn't even wear a tie. He looked like a plain Mennonite in his black jacket and white shirt buttoned all the way up. It was a very short and simple ceremony (20 to 30 minutes). Not a lot of fuss. The food was really good, all home made and it didn't cost them a thing (I totally forgot to bring the box of donuts I mentioned in my RSVP but I don't think it was missed).
My contribution was a bit... complicated. You see my brother's fiancé wanted to have her friend sing the same song that was sung at my parents wedding as a surprise for my parents. The only music available was from a home video from my parents 40th wedding anniversary. I had to find a 10+ year old video tape somewhere in my parents house. Steal it, find the darn song, get it on the computer and email it to the singer for my brother's wedding... I had like... a day to do this. This is problematic since my parents do not leave the house much these days. I gave up and explained the situation to my father one night while my mother was out shopping. After searching the house we found the tape, found the song. I converted it to mp3 and sent it. SUCCESS! I think this made up for my not bringing any food to the wedding and not wearing a tie. (I discovered later much to my embarrassment, that I had a large hole in the back pocket of my pants. Hopefully it helped me blend in with all the jeans and t-shirts).
All in all a pretty good day... uh... except I forgot my hat and my head got burned sitting outside in the sun. What is it about that hat? People asked me "Vern! Where's your hat? We love your hat!".
I'll probably be moving down there soon. I wonder if I'll fit in?
-vern
