It worked just fine!

Five weeks and counting,

But who's counting?

Unless you of course are counting:

RSVP's

(Man, who did I forget to offend?)

Vases for the Aisle,

Vases for the Reception,

Vases just to Have More Vases,

Flower, Flowers and Oh, Good Grief,

More Flowers!

When and where did all of this change?

Thirty One Years ago, I was a groom in what I considered to be the biggest shing ding to ever hit our little town since the McDonalds arrived!

(McDonald's had a marching band and parachuters - We did not)

We packed out our little church and the reception followed,

(in the fellowship hall of course)

complete with a multi-layered cake

(two layers)

Hawaiian Punch, mints and mixed nuts,

(Not to be confused with our wedding party)

And,

the reception hall was decorated with SEVERAL rolls of colorful crepe paper!

What Could Be Better?

Of course my future Mother In-Law did not see the need for all of the extravagance!

Her wedding was held at the church,

immediately following the Sunday morning service.

"Now don't go rushing off, Bob & Bonnie are going to get married!"

I am pretty sure they had punch and cookies,

(courtesy of the Church Ladies)

And I do know for a fact that they left the reception in fine style,

Heading off to their one night honeymoon at the "Brown Hotel" in a Taxi Cab.

(They had to walk home the following day - They only had cab fare for the trip there)

(But I bet it was a pleasant walk)

Their marriage lasted their entire life, as pledged.

Our marriage is in its 31st year, also as pledged.

Sometimes, it seems that we get so busy planning the wedding,

that we forget to plan the marriage.

How sad.

So, amongst the:

Guests

Invitations

Venue choice,

DJ & Band Tryouts,

Multiple Dress Fittings,

Writing of the Vows and Speeches,

Selection and taste tastings of the menu,

Collection and Selection of the Flowers & Vases,

Lets Not Forget:

That we are

building a marriage,

Not a wedding.

(And you got to admit, it makes a pretty cool Christmas tree)