THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 19, 1996 TAG: 9610170130
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: RITES OF PASSAGE
FOURTH IN A SERIES
A CELEBRATION OF LIFE, FROM BIRTH TO OLD AGE, IN WORDS AND PICTURES,
IN SEVEN PARTS
SOURCE: By DIANE TENNANT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 68 lines
The ring. Engagement.
Kiss. Bliss.
Tell mom. Tell dad. Tell best friend. Maybe not in that order.
Buy bridal magazine. Buy some more. Dream.
Visit bridal shop. Try on gowns. Try on veils. Try on more gowns. Look for cultural heritage. Try another shop.
Yards of satin. Seed pearls. Lace. Measure. Cut. Sew.
Tradition. Yes, tradition.
Same sex marriage. Whoa. Hot topic. Politically incorrect. Happens, though.
Love.
Living together.
Union.
Boy-girl. Boy-boy. Girl-girl. My, My.
So much for tradition.
Wedding invitations. Embossed paper. Gold ink. Black ink. Colored ink. Flimsy wisps of filler. Stamps. Return envelopes. RSVP. Please.
Back to fabric. Taffeta. Batik. Kente cloth. Leather.
Ethnic tradition. Release doves. Jump the broom. Throw corn. Remember. New tradition.
Schedule reception hall. Order food. Big cake? Little cake? Groom's cake? What if they're both grooms? Punch. Champagne. Curried goat stew. Pot-luck. Catered. Who has time to eat?
Florist. Spider mums and baby's breath. Roses and ivy. Daisies. Orchids.
Bouquets. Corsages. Boutonnieres. Vases. Window decorations. Reception hall. Big vase. Bud vase. Dollars. Checkbook. Credit card?
Much easier in World War II. No gowns. No dancing. No catering. Justice of the peace. Honeymoon? Not likely. Back to work. Back to war. For America. God bless her.
Tradition.
Choose maid of honor. Choose bridesmaids. Choose flower girl. Choose ring bearer. Why? Little kids cry. Tradition. Choose.
Bridesmaid dresses. Tea length? Formal? Knee length? Mini? Flatter three different figures. Just try.
Color. Traditional pink? Contemporary scarlet? Sedate burgundy? Why all these shades of red? Black and white. Break from tradition. Shocking.
Second marriage? Third marriage? No longer shocking. Re-marriage at 90? Just do it.
Rent tuxes. Choose music. Organ? Guitar? Steel drums? Why not?
Schedule church. Wait a minute. Too traditional. Schedule rose garden. No, schedule boat. Can't schedule weather. All right, schedule church.
Big day at least. Flower girl eats rose petals. Shoes too tight. Skirt too long. Wedding march. Cold hands. Shaky voices. I do. I did. Done.
Happy.
Ever after? MEMO: NEXT SATURDAY: RESPONSIBILITIES ILLUSTRATION: PHOTOS BY LAWRENCE JACKSON
The Virginian-Pilot
[Cutlines available on microfilm for this date.]
Starting Out
Family Affair
Sweet Music
Wedding Alfresco
The Out-of-Towners by CNB