Today: clear blue skies, a warming sun tempered by cool ocean breezes, and a quaint Point Loma chapel as our destination. Summery dresses with strappy sandals, natty suits with ties, and the occasional Hawaiian shirt trickled into the pews in a murmured anticipation of the ceremony to come. I met the groom at the door — handsome, composed, a little nervous — he is my age, and I marveled over his making such a remarkable decision so young. The bridal party was charming in their bold island dresses and the bride herself was simply radiant in a strapless ivory confection. With passages read and vows exchanged, guests spilled out onto the church steps to the sounds of a mariachi band, festive music that perfectly matched the happy occasion.
We drove to the couple’s home in Chula Vista for the reception where we were greeted by orchids on the tables and an excellent spread of fresh fruits, wines, grilled meats and a particularly fine paella… the casual, summer afternoon-into-twilight feel was lovely and relaxing. The mariachi band reappeared and later gave way to a Hawaiian group that provided laid-back island grooves for the dance floor. The couple was beautiful, joyous; their families a terrific blend of her Mexican-American roots and his Hawaiian-Portuguese background, both perfectly reflected throughout the wedding.
A man I know recently suggested that people should marry for companionship, not for love. When I see couples such as today’s newlyweds, I am inclined to disagree: marry for both.
Small squares of groom’s cake were handed out to all of the single female guests; I had to look it up, and I found that part of the tradition is the belief that a single woman who sleeps with a slice of wedding cake under her pillow will dream of the man she will marry. After a little more searching, it appears that eating one hundred chicken gizzards in one setting and washing it all down with the whole heart of one chicken will produce the same result. I’d rather deal with cake on the pillow, thank you.
Post a Comment