It Was a Nice Day For A White Wedding...

Previously, Part 13: A Drunkard's Dream if I Ever Did See One...

Under my high school yearbook picture ('74), I wrote, "I'll always be late!" And for most of my life up to that point, I was. But not on my wedding day. 

Despite spending the night before with my ass planted in a Tiki Bar with Susan and the wedding party, and being hungover for most of the day, I managed to arrive at the Bell House an hour early with a clear head, dressed, and ready to kick ass and get married!

Susan arrived on time with a couple of bridesmaids in tow, and she was surprised to see me. She went upstairs to the dressing room, and with the help of her bridesmaids, got into her wedding gown and did her hair. She never wore make-up or lipstick, didn't have to. She looked better without it.

I understand it's a tradition for the groom not to see the bride in her wedding gown before the wedding ceremony. Initially, it was done to prevent the groom from backing out of an arranged marriage if he found the bride unattractive. That's why brides wear veils. To conceal their faces until the very last moment, ensuring the marriage happens without a hitch. Apparently, there have been many fugly girls in arranged marriages that have scared their potential husbands half to death, and those fellas didn't hang around long enough to take their vows. They did 180s and headed for the hills and never looked back, leaving their potluck brides standing at the altar and bawling their eyes out.

Beyond the relevance of old traditions in arranged marriages, modern couples continue the long-standing tradition, but not to hide the bride from the groom, but rather for the surprise, suspense, and romance of the first look down the aisle. And it's considered "bad luck" to see the bride in her gown before the ceremony.

Fuck tradition! I snuck upstairs to get a peek. It's not that I was looking for a reason to back out; I just wanted to see how beautiful she looked. And she looked gorgeous. Angelic.

As soon as we made eye contact, Susan immediately smiled and began scolding me, "Vin, you're not supposed to see me before the ceremony! It's bad luck!"

I spoke fast. "Sorry, I couldn't wait. You look gorgeous!" Then I left the dressing room in a hurry.

I was in an all white tux with a white shirt that had blue ruffles, with a vest under the jacket, black platform shoes, and, because Susan dragged me to the beach all summer, a deep, dark tan topped off with a full-grown afro. I looked a lot like one of the Commodores.

The entire summer, I was nervous as hell about getting married, but somehow I was as calm as a cucumber just before the ceremony began. 

I walked down the aisle so quickly I appeared to be running, using long, powerful strides with a very determined look on my face, causing a bit of laughter and a prolonged buzz in the seats. I didn't let it distract me. I had business to take care of. I was getting fucking married! Someone had to straighten out the aisle runner…

After the bridesmaids and groomsmen walked down the aisle and everyone was in place, there was a brief pause before the music started. It was the traditional "Here Comes the Bride" and right on cue, everyone turned around and the cameras started flashing…

Come on, it's a nice day for a white wedding
It's a nice day to start again, wow!