We Went to a Wedding. What'd You Do?

Eva's Uncle Derek and Auntie Alix stayed with us this weekend, and we all went to a wedding together on Saturday. The ceremony was beautiful, despite efforts by the priest to ruin the whole thing. Yes, you read that correctly.

This was a Catholic wedding, and therefore, by default, a pretty formal affair. We got to the church (plenty early), took our seats, and made hushed small talk while we waited for the ceremony to begin. Just like the other 150 people in the church.

As the bride's grandparents were escorted down the aisle, everyone quieted down and (quite respectfully, I thought) watched the procession. We even remembered to stand when the bride came down the aisle. Really, it was all quite civilized. And rather beautiful.

Which is why it came as such a shock when the priest stood up and (this is God's honest truth) delivered his first words: "I am very disappointed."

What??

He went on to explain how he had observed us all before the wedding, and that he was apalled at the disrespect we all showed by visiting with each other before the ceremony began. He reminded us that we were in a church, and that we were to show reverence the entire time we were in the building. And then he said, and I quote, "This is not a cafeteria."

Yeah. Way to set the mood, Father. And the Catholic Church wonders why it's losing members.

Anyways, things went smoothly after that. I was able to (reverently) tune out the priest's homily (his general point: Now that you're married, you better have some kids or you can pretty much give up on Heaven), and I (respectfully) refrained from face-pushing him on the way out of the church.

The reception was a good time. There was free beer, of which I am a big fan, and we got to visit with Derek and Alix quite a bit. Eva was trying to say Auntie Alix and Uncle Derek all weekend, and settled on Ah and Dicky.

And I see no reason to ever encourage her to call her uncle anything else. Uncle Dicky it is. Forever.