Wedding

Space

1:36 PM

As I said, I’d never been to a wedding at a planetarium before. I can’t say that anymore. I arrived before the 5:30 start. My friend Josh and I went over there together (after a stop at a local watering hole). I had to hit the bathroom when I arrived and who else was in there but the groom. We talked. He had a big smile but I could tell the nerves of a big event were with him. We talked for a minute, I wished him luck, and went to my seat under the stars.

It was different as we sat in the circle arena. The blue sky and a few clouds floated above us. Some serene music played. I felt like I was getting ready for a massage. It was very calming in there. The parade of tuxes and pretty pink dresses made their way to the front. The lights were dimmed and the night came to life above our heads. They had a 5 minute presentation with voice over. They detailed what the stars looked like on that day. They then showed what the stars would look like on their 50th anniversary. Then they zoomed around the world to what the stars will look like from the beach in Costa Rica, where they are going on their honeymoon. I thought that was a good idea.

After the star show, one of their friends sang a great song about love and starting a new life together. He had a great voice. From there the wedding went as weddings do. The priest talked, they exchanged vows and rings, and we clapped as they paraded out.

We milled about the foyer for a while and I ran into a lot of people I hadn’t seen in years. Some of us knew we knew each other, but we had to get reacquainted to place names. The vibe of a wedding is always so positive. Everyone has a smile on their face.

We left the planetarium and headed to the Clarion Hotel, which I hadn’t been to before. It is right on the Genesee River. As I drove there I got a call about the Kentucky Derby. Man, I wish I would have bet on that one. The exacta paid many thousands. The one that stuck out was the trifecta. A few days ago I wrote about my winning ticket that paid me $83. That same bet yesterday would have paid $65,000. A big difference. Big longshots won.

We went into the ballroom and there was a congregation around the open bar. We toasted and clinked glasses. The new couple arrived to cheers. We milled about for an hour or so. The single guys scowered the crowd for single girls (another wedding tradition). As we get older, you look, you see something you like, and then you have to look down to the left hand.

The big blunder of the evening was pretty big. We all were seated and the wedding party was introduced. Both of the grooms brother’s were introduced with the wrong last name, the name of another guy in the party. You should have seen the look on the youngest brother’s face as he, his wife, and their young son (also the ring bearer) were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Wrong Last name. That was the talk of the crowd for a while. Nothing against the guy doing it, but the names were not at all alike and all he had to do was read them. Who knows. He kind of reminded of the side kick in The Wedding Singer.

I was at a table with Josh, a high school friend Lynne and her husband Dan, my friend Beth’s mom, and a couple who were close with the bride’s parents. There was a table snafu, as there were more than 4 other people thinking they were supposed to be sitting there. We worked it out.

The drinks flowed and our table had a good time laughing and busting chops. The food was good. Salad and rolls came first. Then the buffet was ready. I had green beans, mashed potatoes, chicken French, and prime rib (end piece). I was stuffed. I had some coffee and then a coffee with some Bailey’s. I am not a coffee drinker so this perked me right up. The dance floor began and I got far away from it. There were some slow songs in the beginning, which is more my style. I had told a couple of the girls I Knew I would dance, but the slow songs ended and I made myself scarce.

There was a big crowd around the bar, which was on one end of the room. The other end of the room had the DJ and dance floor. The night carried on until about 11:00. I said my goodbyes and drove the few blocks to where Caytie and Bryan were, celebrating their engagement with friends.

It was truly a great day. A new wedding experience. Catching up with old friends. And getting a new brother.