How Life Goes On (in the nicest possible way)

Wedding in Progess I, originally uploaded by GraceD.

So, mah dollin friend Jennifer called this morning saying she had a whacked out idea and that I should sit down and hear about it. After taking a seat and asking if she was pregnant again, she told me no, but she wanted to surprise everyone and get married to her partner Richard at their going away party today (they're moving back to Washington State). She asked if I could officiate. I had to go to a baby shower first, but told her well sure, honey, why the heck not?

After attending the shower, I changed to a purty gold dress I've had forever at the back of my closet, bought a bunch of flowers, tied up cala lillies and greens in a ribbon for Jen's bouquet, and went to Kinko's to get online so I could become ordained through the Secular Humanists who ordain folks free of chage and on the spot. I checked with California law to make sure all was legal and, WTF, it was. Then, I wrote out a ceremony in 15 minutes, printed this at the Kinko's and headed over to the park for the going-away picnic/surprise wedding ceremony.

Jen, in the meantime, bought a slinky pretty dress for cheap at the Salvation Army, her lovely friend Shannon fashioned a sweet floral headpiece, Richard put on something tropically handsome and their two kids reluctantly got into dress up clothes.

We asked the party crowd to gather round under a willow tree near where the going away picnic was taking place, and blew them all away with a setup of an altar, vases of flowers, Jen and Richard in fancy clothes and the announcement that this get together was also a wedding.

And, just like that, my pals got married. They even had rings.

Isn't that great?

Comments

[Marilyn]

It is indeed! I love the spontaneity of it! My mother's done several weddings (via the 'ULC minister' thing she's had for years.) Not familiar with Secular Humanists...wish I had been when we lived in the tropics...wanted our friend Rasta Cowboy to marry us when he was visiting us there, but didn't do the ULC thing in time. Oh well, next time. ;)

[la dolce vita]

That just makes me happy.

I only wish we had been grown up enough back when we got married to think up something as simple and beautiful and genuine as this.

[nina]

If I ever get married again (and I always swear that I won't), I want you to officiate! What a lovely idea for a wedding.

[heather white]

next october will be my tenth anniversary, you can officiate the vow renewal. you can change the in sickness and health to in sickness unless you complain too much and mostly heatlh.

[Heidi]

Reverand Grace. It suits you.

[Krob]

I think you have a new career, my dear. How awesome for the guests to have attended a surprise wedding!

I must look into this process...

Oh! And did I tell you that we invited to a hand fasting? Dan's cousin is "getting attached" near Seattle, but they aren't officially getting married. Just the good 'ole fashioned pegan hand fasting.

[Lizzy]

This is exactly how I want to get married. I'm 23 and it's high wedding season in my life, it seems. I've been to 5 weddings (and 3 upcoming...actually I've been IN all the weddings so it's been quite expensive for me personally) for either siblings or very close friends in the last 18 months! They've varied in cost but some of the swank ones...good lord, I can't even fathom spending money on a ceremony that is over in a matter of hours. Waking up the next day $70,000 poorer?? NO THANKS!

This picture is sweet and genuine and simple and that's exactly what a celebration of love should be (for me at least).

[Jessica Ashley (Sassafrass)]

This is not the kind of wedding I had. Mine was all fabulously froufy and planned down to the detail. And it was an amazing day. This too looks like a great way to have a wedding and I love love love it that something so spontaneous, so simple and so sincere can be so obviously filled with so much spirit.

[Elizabeth]

I had no idea that a person could get ordained to perform weddings in 15 minutes online at Kinko's! Gods bless America :) I've also never heard of "Secular Humanists", but I want to learn more about it.

You looked lovely in your gold dress, and it actually chokes me up a little to know that Jen bought her dress at the Salvation Army. There that dress was, abandoned after only one wearing (to another wedding? to a prom?), and Jen came along and gave it another chance to shine. And shine it did. Just beautiful.

[BirdieRoark]

If N and I ever decide to get officially hitched, I now know who to call. Reverend Grace to the rescue!

This sounds lovely. Like a wedding should be (without all the pomp and circumstance and ugly bridesmaid dresses).

[amanda]

Absolutely lovely!

[jenijen]

That IS great. I'm crying. At work! Miss you, Grace. xoxoxo

[Mocha]

You are, of course, perfect for this. Of course. This is so beautifully and wonderfully you.

I love the whole idea and your writing about it like you were heading out to a regular old picnic but really doing something pretty fabulous.

[Marie]

Ooooh, what a wonderful scene of love and happiness! I love it! I can so imagine the guests' surprise! hee hee! And you are the perfect person to help them with this.

[ozma]

Romantic and beautiful. Sounds like the most perfect wedding ever.

[Tricia]

What a great way to start "going on"...

[nakedjen]

those are absolutely my most favorite kinds of weddings. go you. i know you made it all the more special!

[Suebob]

That is exactly the kind of wedding I have always wanted.

[MsRebecca]

That is awesome and exciting I would have loved to have been married like that, Kinda like.. "Let's do this, this is how I roll" ;)

[Redsy]

Wow. You are one totally kick ass babe... And I can't believe I only just now found your site.

-Rachael

[Sarah Dopp]

This post further confirms my firm belief that you are the coolest woman on earth.

[Melissa]

That is exactly the kind of wedding I want to have someday. You are a cool chica, Ms. D.

By the way, hi I'm Missy and this is my de-lurking comment. :)

[Amy Y.]

It is great! A friend married Dean and I (now together 16 years) in the backyard of our first home after a softball game. I remember I was barefoot and wore a white sweater and it was a sweet moment with just friends and on the spur of the moment. It's all about the moments, eh?

[Universal Life Church]

Very well thought out post. Thanks for the good reading material. You gave me some things to think about.