The Wedding Story

When I got married 10 years ago today, I had a fairly large caseload of speech therapy kids to thoroughly confuse when I returned from "vacation" with a different name. So in the weeks leading up to the event, I presented this little book to them to explain that I was getting married and taking my husband's last name. Many of their parents were not married, so this story blew their minds on a level or two. But almost all of them had been been to a wedding, a church, or at the very least a party--and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it gradually occur to them that their "speech teacher" might also be a regular person with human thoughts and feelings--and a life outside of school.

Certain details and terminology were changed to suit my audience, of course--for instance, the "preacher" was actually a Catholic priest and the "punch" we drank was really kegs of beer and copious amounts of wine by the bottle... But the following is otherwise a fairly accurate account of  what actually happened on this day, way back in 2006.

Enjoy!

Once upon a time, there was a lady named Miss Creech, and she was getting married to Mr. Sullivan. They decided to get married because they loved each other very much and they wanted to be together always.

So Miss Creech and Mr. Sullivan planned a service at their church and invited all their family and friends. 

Miss Creech was called the Bride. She wore a long, white dress and a veil. She carried a bouquet of flowers. Miss Creech's friends and sisters were called her Bridesmaids and they all dressed alike.

Mr. Sullivan was called the Groom. He wore a tuxedo. Mr. Sullivan's friends and brothers were called his Groomsmen and they all wore tuxedos, just like Mr. Sullivan.

Mr. Sullivan stood at the front of the church with his best friend and the preacher. The Groom's best friend is called "The Best Man", because he is very special to the Groom.

Then the music started. First, Miss Creech's sisters and friends, and Mr. Sullivan's brothers and friends walked down the aisle, two by two. They all sat in the front row to watch.

Then, Miss Creech's oldest sister walked down the aisle by herself. Her sister was called "The Maid Of Honor",  because she is very special to the Bride.

Last, Miss Creech walked down the aisle with her dad. Everyone turned and looked as they walked by. Some people took pictures. Some people cried happy tears.

When they got to the preacher, dad sat down. Then Miss Creech and Mr. Sullivan held hands in front of the preacher. They said prayers, they sang songs, and then... Mr. Sullivan and Miss Creech promised to always love each other.

The preacher said, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the Bride!"

And Miss Creech became Mrs. Sullivan.

Then all the brothers and sisters and moms and dads and cousins and grandparents and aunts and uncles and friends....went next door for a big party.

They danced. They ate snacks. They drank punch. They ate cake! And Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan lived happily ever after.