I'm delighted to tell you that the wedding was LOVELY! It came off without a hitch (other than a cloudy, blustery day), and the reception was wonderful. Despite the fact that there were a LOT of factions from three separate families in attendance, there were no fights or hard words. Everyone was on their best behavior, and a good time was had by most.
The bride was breathtakingly lovely. Everyone was emotional, and in the midst of the pastor's comments she reached up and brushed a tear off her husband-to-be's face. It was a charming moment. Mike is a typical guy who doesn't go around with his emotions on his sleeve, so it was reassuring to see the emotion well up in him as Laura and DH started down the aisle.
I lost it as DH gave his daughter away, but I managed to keep it down to a few joyous tears and no snuffling! lol The night before I had been given an embroidered handkerchief as a gift, and I put it to good use.
The reception was lots of fun. We mingled and chatted with family members and new friends and the wedding party. The DJ played a great variety of music, and I discovered that my son-in-law's mother has similar taste in music to me. She likes jazz and old rock 'n' roll. Her husband is a charming man. I hope we get to see the two of them again.
Soooo.....it was worth all the work, so that I could enjoy myself. I went, with the intention of enjoying myself, and encouraged everyone else to do the same.
I had been following Drowning Fish's saga of the wedding she was attending, and worried that we might have the same experience.....but we lucked out. So, we will be the exception that makes the rule.
I'm certainly not as eloquent as Texas T-bone on the subject of weddings. You have to go visit and read what he has to say about them.
I hope that any of you who have weddings to attend have as good a time as we did!