Wedding Showers

realistic fiction

“Dearly beloved…”

Ellie squeezed Joe’s hand. She would have leaned in to lay her head on his shoulder, but it was too humid for that. He smiled at her before turning his attention back to where his cousin and her groom stood holding hands. The landscape behind the happy couple was gorgeous. It was late afternoon and there was a haze on the blue mountains. It was a bit cloudy, but in July in North Carolina, cloud cover was a blessing.

Fifteen minutes later, the pastor was slowly progressing through his solemn charge to the bride and groom, “And you, Charity, you also have a sacred responsibility…” The two flower girls were starting to squirm around and the ring bearer was bending over to inspect something in the grass. A few people in the audience of lawn chairs were beginning to look up as the partly cloudy sky took a decided turn toward being overcast.

“In a few minutes, you will exchange rings. Let us examine the significance of these rings.” A few drops began to fall on the bridesmaids’ bare shoulders. They stayed composed and smiled like professionals. Ellie raised her program over her head. The harpist swiftly shut off her mic and pulled a cover over the harp. An usher began to hand out extra programs. It would surely only last a few seconds if the pastor would just hurry up and get to the vows.

In less than five seconds, the clouds above really opened up. The scattered drops rapidly became a torrent. Sixty people stood as one body. The groom gallantly took off his coat and was holding it over the bride while a few of her bridesmaids tried to scoop up her dress. The other bridesmaids were taking shelter under the decorative awning (to little avail). The mother of the bride was crying (possibly, though it may just have been the rain) and trying to gather up the delicate little paper hearts that were decorating the chairs along the aisle. About a half a dozen people who like to be prepared popped open their umbrellas hurriedly and were swarmed but others with less foresight. People were crisscrossing in front of each other, some sprinting to the barn, which was closer, but decidedly less waterproof, while grandparents and elderly aunts shuffled toward the sure bet of the house. Two of the groomsmen slipped on the gauzy aisle which had been laid for the bride as they ran over to help the harpist. Meanwhile, the children were screaming in delight and playing a game of tag with their mouths open and tongues out.

When all eventually reassembled in the crowded room being used for the reception, not even the most waterproof mascara was in place but everyone was smiling and laughing. The groom’s beard was still dripping when he and his bride said “I do” and leaned in for the first kiss.

Photo by Rafael Alves on Unsplash