h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

OK, now that the worst of the hangover is gone, I can describe the prior day's events with something approaching clarity.

The day began with me driving to a store to purchase dress socks. Somehow, somewhere I have lost all of my good socks. While at the store, I run into a friend from church who was getting gift wrap for the present that they were bringing to the wedding.

I then procede to the church, where I meet up with the Groom's father. We caht a bit and then start setting up the sanctuary for teh arrival of teh guests. I have to wait for the rest of the groomsmen to arrive with my tux before I can change. Once they show up, I change and then we wait for the groom. The room that we were assigned for the wait is the preschool play-room, which I found oddly appropriate. As we grow somewhat impatient and nervous (the groom and all of my fellow groomsmen) we wander around teh portion of the church which is under construction. When the time for the ceremony grows near, we all make a toast to our friend, using the flasks that the couple bought us and presented to us the night before.

We follow the minister out into the sanctuary and stand by our man. The music begins, and we wittness the brides-maids process down teh aisle. Once the maid of honour enters the room, the doors close and they play the wedding march song. The doors open to the bride and her father. They step down the aisle and make their way to the alter. The minister asks who presents this woman to this man, and the father replies "Her mother and I". All the while, the ladies standing beside the bride are supressing tears while us boys are stilfing laughter.

The ceremony is brief, and filled with scripture and advise. The minister performed a great service (thankfully not too long of one) and the couple are wed.

The wedding party then proceeds back down teh aisle, but this time I had a lovely young lady on my arm. We then make ourselves scarce, as there was no official recieving line.

Many pictures are taken in the sanctuary, hopefully never to see the light of day (the photographer had a twisted sense of humour). We then leave the church and go to the reception centre where the party would be held.

We have a dinner and then toasts, both of the fathers were near to tears it seemed. After the toasts, the bar was opened. After the traditional dance of the newlywed couple, and after the father shared a dance with teh bride, we all started dancing (by all I mean mostly the weddign party). I escorted my mother out on the floor as well as my sister and I danced with all of the bridesmaids. Dancing and drinking were the order of the evening. There is now a video somewhere of the groomsmen dancing together in a line singing Frank Sinatra's "Love and Marraige". We also made a few dedications to the groom, the most notable being "Another one bites the dust".

The evening wore on and the drink flowed freely, and I came to know a couple of the bridesmaids fairly well. It was a great experiance, and regardless of my personal feelings about the institution of marrige of late, I was quite honoured to be a part of that.

Somehow I was spared a momumental hangover from the nights quaffing of alcohol, for which I am thankfull. I think that God allowed me to be well this morning for wearing that bloody tux all night long...

What is it with socks? With 3 men in the household, you would have thought at least one of them would always have enough? But no, I always seem to be buying more

I do like the US tradition of the bridesmaids and maid-of-honour going ahead of the bride so that they get their moment of attention.

It sounds as if you all had a lovely day and that the bride and groom will have a day to treasure.

We ended our wedding party with a line-up singing and high kicking to New York, New York, organised by one of H' friends!

The traditions in the US regarding weddings are so muddled, that you can get away with anything at all.

We had a tremendous time at the ceremony and at the reception later. I would happily spend many more days like that one.

My mother has just informed me that (according to her) they are "Adultorus little things that shack up in doesens behind the dryer."

To tell the truth. I have seen so many different types of wedding that I am glad to know that a parent can hand ofer a check, make a few decisions, and sit back and relax while someone else pulls their hair out.

Wanna try to translate that into english? What is an "Adultorus little things that shack up in doesens behind the dryer" (sic)?

I think Mr. Cyde is talking about socks, Marv. And the fact that there are 4 men living in this house does nothing to alleviate the sock situation- since we have vastly different foot sizes and use different styles of socks. If anything we probably lose socks in each other's laundry...

I'm glad Marv got the chance to be a groomsman. I was a groomsman once and it was a lot of fun. Tho it sounds like there was rather more drinking at this wedding- all we had was a little champagne !

Well done Marv, sounds like you were able to keep the groom sorted till the knot was tied and then were all able to party afterwards.

Where does the bride go first???

In the bridal procession here in the UK.

The groom is waiting at the altar rail, or civil ceremony equivalent, then the bride progresses down the aisle, followed by the bridesmaids with the maid/matron of honour bringing up the rear.

I like the US tradition of the bridesmaids going first so that they get a moment of glory.