Wedding Day

Well, the day we had been waiting for had finally come.  In case you didn't know I Will go back in time to when the wedding was to be in Jamaica. This was Plan Number One. Everyone was to go to the Blue Mountain region in Jamaica for the wedding . This was until most people backed out at the last minute and caused the happy couple to become unhappy, losing their ten thousand dollar deposit. ( now I justify the title unsolicited rantings!)  This led to a super nice vacation for them and onto Plan Number Two. After perusing the Knot and every bridal magazine available, we then went on the hunt to find the "perfect place" in the Delaware Valley to hold a wedding. We found a winery, historic locations and trendy spots, but anything with the word" wedding "or "bridal" attached to it held escalated price tags that left our jaws hanging open. Thus Plan Number Three was hatched. This time the Turks and Caicos was the chosen spot. This settled well with me, I love to travel and have never been to the Caribbean. A wedding and vacation all in one. This dream was crushed and then began the quest for Miami and Plan Number Four. I am not quite sure why this idea never evolved further than research, so I will leave that question to the past. 

At this point I must state that the happy couple just wanted to get married. They needed not the drama of a big affair, they just wanted to get married. As the possibility of a Philadelphia wedding evolved, they kept  secret  the plans until all was final and sent out the invitations. It was official! 

Now I get to tell you about my day of the wedding. I was in charge of picking up the cake and set off at 9 am. They brought the cake out and gave me a peek at it. Much to my horror, it was not what I had ordered. at this point, I began to cry. I did feel sorry for the teenage girl waiting on me. What do you say to the M.O.B. when she starts crying and you are only 16! She promptly fled the area and sent the baker out. His idea of customer relations was to argue with me. I guess he thought he could convince me that the cake before me was what I wanted.  It was too late to change it so I put the cake in the car and cried on the way to the florist. Finally, I had to take myself to task and realize that it was just a cake and not a matter of life and death. So, onto the florist only to find that instead of sticking with my order of just plain white flowers, he thought spraying the leaves gold would be better. Only he missed the leaves and sprayed some of the flowers gold! At this point I just hoped that all the mistakes were under our belt and things could only get better.

With the car loaded we headed for the city. The wedding was being held on the 20th floor of the Raddisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel. We checked in and rushed off to get our hair done. Everyone was on the agenda but somehow I was overlooked. They worked me into the schedule and managed to do a fair job. Yet another jaw dropping experience when they said it would be $120.00 for an up-do. No shampoo. No cut. Just pinned up my unwashed hair. 

Next was the make-up appointment.  When I called to make the appointment They thought I was the bride and told me the cost would be $60.. I corrected them, I am the mother of the Bride, which brought the bill down to $45. I must say, the day was beginning to look up! A fifteen dollar discount because I came under the category of MOB. I think they have it backwards. Making a 50 year old look good is more work and time consuming than my 29 year old daughter. Then we were back to the hotel to grab a quick bite to eat. Up to the ceremony space to arrange flowers , pictures and candles. Then down to the restaurant to arrange flowers on the cake that was not the cake that I ordered.

Now it was time to get dressed and help my daughter dress for her wedding and act like all that went on that day never happened.  Her desire was to have a quiet intimate affair with close family and friends. This is what she had. 

She looked beautiful in her diamond white dress with its corset back and rhinestone enhanced sash. Her curly brown hair held back with the feather and rhinestone hairpiece I fashioned. Her feet encased in feather decorated heels and her bouquet of peonies surrounded with ostrich feathers, just as she wished. Surrounded by her dearest friends she was gifted with something old, new, borrowed and blue. she called her grand mom on the phone before we left for the ceremony.

She was escorted in by her brother and married by her best friend. The room was filled with dear family and friends. Candles glowed and music played softly on the grand piano at the rear of the room. There was a reading by friends.  Bride and groom shared  letters  to each other . Then the moment came when they were married. The goal reached and the celebration began. Each person will walk away with their own memory of that day. As I read what I wrote, which does seem like ranting at points, but I wish to allow you to know what I took away with me that day. The cake, the flowers, the hair, the make up and all else was just stuff. Not really important. The important things were she was surrounded by those who truly loved and cared for her. She was marrying the man who will share her life through good times and bad. Yes, she looked beautiful and things went without a hitch. But may she remember the look in his eyes as they promised to love each other.  Remember the love of family and friends who shared this most important day.  I didn't lose a daughter, I gained more family and friends. This is just a beginning of a new chapter in our lives.