City Hall Happiness
When Jess and Kerry’s number was finally called we went into a room with the justice of the peace, who rattled off the marriage spiel in about nine seconds: “WearegatheredheretodaytowitnesstheexchangeofmarriagevowsbetweenJessandKerry….” Just as quickly as it had begun it was over. Casey and I cheered as the newlyweds kissed, and the justice of the peace ran to the next room to marry two more people. (What a crazy job!) Afterward, we went for a celebratory brunch at their favorite diner, where the owner gave us warm champagne on the house and husband and wife ceremoniously fed each other fried pickles. It was a magnificent day.
A few weeks later, Jess and Kerry surprised their friends with the news of their nuptials at Kerry’s band’s Halloween show by doing vows up on stage officiated by their oldest mutual friend. I made them a Halloween wedding cake with skeleton bride and groom salt-and-pepper shakers as a cake topper. Jess told me that night, “This is how I always dreamed my wedding would be.” I said, “I know.” I’ve never seen her so happy.
To all the couples out there who are feeling the pressure from society/relatives/religious leaders/whathaveyou and wish that they could just do it their way: Jess and Kerry are proof that you can. They saved themselves a boatload of money, got married on their own terms, and had a freaking blast in the process. I was privileged to be a part of it.