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March 13, 2006
With This Ring . . .
I thee wed. Sort of.
Apropos that this is Bridal Week here at the L.C., because seven years ago today, I myself was a blushing bride.
Actually, I was a wet bride, too: it poured on our New Orleans wedding day, nixing all hopes of outdoor wedding photos.
George and I had originally planned a lovely wedding. It was going to be small and elegant, more like a dressy dinner party than a full-blown reception. We were going to get married behind the Ritz in Austin, and I was going to walk down the grassy aisle to “My Baby Just Cares For Me,” played by a pianist who sounded just like Nina Simone.
And then our families started to drive us crazy, and so we cancelled the whole thing and eloped instead.
I don’t regret eloping, since we had a blast. We were married in a wedding chapel near the French Quarter, went on to have Jazz Brunch at Commander’s Palace, and then drove out of the city to spend the night at a glamorous old B&B. It was romantic, and fun, and I had a kick ass dress.
Isn't my dress pretty?
But there was just one small hiccup in the whole weekend: I’m not sure that George and I are actually legally married.
Let me back up. The wedding chapel we were married at was in one of those gorgeous old New Orleans’ Greek Revival homes, which had been recently restored. When we’d booked our ceremony, we’d explained to the proprietor of the wedding chapel, Father Vick, that we wouldn’t be bringing anyone with us, so he agreed to provide the two witnesses that Louisiana Law required.
One of the two witnesses was Father Vick’s mother, and she was clearly insane. I mean that literally: she had no idea where she was, who we were, or what she was signing when handed our wedding license. If I’d told her I was Queen Elizabeth, and that this was my coronation, Father Vick’s mother would have nodded obligingly, and said, “That’s nice, dear. May I have my jello now?”
So, I think we’re married. I mean, I assume we’re married. But, you know. There’s some gray area there, what with the whole incompetent witness glitch.
And to my handsome husband – It's been a wonderful seven years, my love. Here’s hoping for seventy more. Happy anniversary!
This blog was brought to you by Un-Bridaled, Eileen's hilarious new novel about a commitment-phobic bride and love on the run!
Posted by Whitney at 1:26 PM | Comments (7)
Comments
Happy Anniversary, Whitney! Your wedding sounds marvelous. I think having at least one insane guest should be a wedding tradition for everyone.
Eileen
Posted by: Eileen ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.literarychicks.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 13, 2006 1:47 PM
Happy anniversary!! Ours is the 23rd - 10 years. A whole decade. wow. and yes, your dress is GORGEOUS - as are you!! Our preacher was a little loopy, he nearly fell over and knocked the giant candlesticks into the pews, which is of course all caught on tape, complete with the guests cracking up. Oh, and me with a hand each on the heads of the ringbearer and flower girl, who kept trying to start trouble. Is it any wonder I had to drink wine while I was getting dressed? Oops. Not sure Navy Guy knows that last part . . .
Alesia
Posted by: Alesia Holliday at March 13, 2006 6:04 PM
Oh, Whitney! What a lovely post! I LOVE your dress - you're gorgeous! Adam and I eloped, too - Vegas - and I'll never regret it. Unfortunately, neither of our witnesses was insane. You have all the fun!
Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Lani at March 13, 2006 6:45 PM
Ah, my shameless compliment fishing paid off! Maybe I should try it more often . . .
Posted by: Whitney at March 13, 2006 10:01 PM
If it wasn't a crazy stranger it would have been a crazy relative. Trust me on this. Something about all that free cake and an open bar pulls them in.
Posted by: Eileen at March 14, 2006 11:45 AM
Wonderful photo--so romantic.... I got married in Reno with our three foster boys standing up for my husband and his best girlfriend standing up for me. It's a long story, believe me! Just suffice it to say that she is not one of my favorite people and I think I would have rather had the minister's crazy relative, but she insisted and I needed a bridesmaid sooooo..... We celebrated 18 years on the 28th of last month! And I STILL don't like her! LOL! Congrats on your anniversary--ain't love grand?!!!
Posted by: Sheri at March 15, 2006 10:33 PM
I LOVE your photo--looks like it should be a book cover or something! I think I would have preferred the crazy witness to the one I was stuck with! My husband's friend INSISTED on standing up for me, and since my cousin couldn't get the time off (it was sort of a last-minute type of thing) I reluctantly agreed. Did I mention that my matron of honor was VERY pregnant at the time? I was afraid she was going to have the kid right there in the chapel! LOL! She even had to sit down about half-way through the ceremony.... I guess it would have been nice if I actually LIKED this chick, but she isn't one of my favorite people. I still only see her when I absolutely have to, and that is only if the "have to" is every ten years or so. Just went to her 4th? 5th? wedding in Vegas (don't get me started!) and so I have a good ten years to go before I am forced to visit with her again!! Oh come on--she tried to set me up with some dentist guy when I was living with my DH!! Hello?! I'm in a relationship here! "Oh, honey, DH will never have to know--and this guy makes lots of MONEY!!" And you wonder why she is on marriage #5, or is it #6?! Yes, I know--wicked of me!
Posted by: Sheri at March 17, 2006 9:08 PM
