Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch - 33, Wedding Reception

After the wedding ceremony, the men from the rental place were setting up the tables for the reception. There would be a long table up North front. The bride and groom, best man, and bridesmaid along with the parents of the bride and groom would be seated there.

Off to the last front was a beautiful three tiered cream colored spice cake with red fall flowers on it.

The gift table was located last South corner of the canopy. On the table was a model of a three bedroom home. Sign was displayed saying it was from the parents of John and Catherine. There was a large fat envelope next to it. On the table, there was a slotted box for envelopes and cards. The gifts would be at the farm until they would be opened on the day after the wedding.

The hostess, Mary Ann, gave the guests a name tag. There was a seating chart where you could find out where you were seated. On the tables were fall flowers in brown jugs, very simple but looked nice.

The waiters would bring the food to the tables. Wine was on the table in carefree. Those who didn’t care for wine could have sparkling apple juice.

There was a large wooden platform which is for the dancers. There was flat ground on the outside of the canopy Southwest corner. There were many strings of lights strung in the trees and it was quite like Christmas.

Picture taking was finished. The violinist was strolling among the guests, playing soft music.

At 5 o’clock, they would sit down and have the dinner. The tapping of the glasses for the bride and groom to kiss has started. Jack was to give the first toast. Jack told the story of the little redheaded girl. He had good taste in women way back then.

Rita got up and gave her toast about her sister Catherine. Her boyfriends didn’t last long. She was too picky. “I’m glad she finally found the right guy.”

Dinner is being served. There is prime rib or fish for the non-meat eaters. They also served baked potatoes, sour cream and butter; vegetables are green beans, carrots and fresh green salad.

Catherine’s butterflies were slowly taming down. Maybe she could eat a little. She didn’t want to get sick from not eating. She needed her strength for the coming days.

The guests were done eating. They were going to cut the cake. Catherine had given John his cake. She got more cake on his face than in his mouth. He did the same to Catherine. It was an even draw as to who had more cake on their face.

Cake was being served. The top layer would be put in the freezer for their first anniversary. The cake was moist and the butter frosting was wonderful. They had rainbow sherbet for those who didn’t care for cake. When everything is cleaned up, they will have a dance.

The wine was still flowing. There was a large supply on hand by the bar. You could get a cocktail if you didn’t care for wine; and fruit juice for the non-drinkers.

The violinist was getting ready to play for the dance. Tables were cleared, and the guests were ready to dance. John and Catherine went to the dance floor. Music was started and they made a beautiful couple. Catherine danced with her father and her mother danced with John. John’s parents danced with the bride and groom next. Soon the guests were out on the dance floor, dancing up a storm.

Catherine thought it was time to toss her blue garter. She threw it out to the men. It was caught by a nice young man from her hometown. Dancing resumed.

Tossing the brides bouquet was going hopefully to a nice young lady. The ladies were lined up and ready to catch the flowers. She turned around and said, “One, Two, Three!” Then she tossed it over her head. Catherine wished Mary Ann would catch the bouquet. Mary Ann wants to get married, but it’s going to take more than a bunch of flowers to make it happen. Mary Ann caught the bouquet.

John had enough of the dancing. He needed a break. He wondered where Catherine was. He hadn’t seen her for a while. He walked out of the canopy and looked in the yard. I think I’ll check the house. Maybe she’s up there. He walked into the kitchen and found no one there.

He would look once more by the dance floor. Then a light bulb over his head came on. They must have kidnapped her and went to town. They were holding her for ransom.

John didn’t have any money. He would have to ask the customers in the bar for some. He double-checked for her around the party area and couldn’t see her.

He got into the truck and went to the local bar in town. There are three of them there. He would have to go to each place. He asked at each place if they had seen her. They said she was here but she had left. The last bar was the lucky one. There she was, sitting in a chair that the men were holding over their heads.

John asked, “What do I have to do about getting my bride back?”

The spokesman for the men said, “You have to have a bag of money to give to us.”

John says, “I don’t have a bag of money to give you.”

The spokesman said, “Can you stand on your head?”

John said, “No, no I can’t. I’m not Indian but I have a friend who is from India that can do that. Let’s play a game of darts. If I win, will you give me my Catherine back?”

Everybody yells, “Yes! Yes!”

John lost the first game. Everyone said, “Now you don’t get Catherine.” John says, “Let’s make a deal. Everyone gets a drink on me.” John ordered a keg of beer. The beer was nice ale from Germany. So the customers got drunk. John and Catherine were the sober ones. They had a second round of darts.

The drunken men couldn’t get the darts on the board. John got two bulls eyes. The bar manager said, “Here is your second hand bride.”

Catherine jumped and hung on to John’s neck and smothered him with kisses. John picked her up and took her to the bedroom.

Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch - 32, Wedding Ceremony

Its 9 o’clock in the morning. The wedding would take place at 3:00. The men were putting the canopy up. It was located between the flower beds and the avocado groove. The lawn was level in the area. They would be setting up the chairs. The tables would be set up after the ceremony. There is going to be a large wooden platform for the dancers.

Everyone has heard about the violin player. He is a friend of John’s father. They had gone to college together. He is in the area because his grandmother still lives in town. He is on vacation from his town of the United States. When he played it sounded so beautiful. Everyone will be surprised.

John awoke from a dream about himself. He was being chased by Catherine. I wonder about the meaning of that dream. It should have been the other way around. Catherine chasing me. After doing his bathroom ritual he went down stairs. The coffee was already made. He poured himself a cup. It was nice and hot. He went outside to see what was happening. The air was cool and fresh after the rain during the night. John asked the workers how they were doing.

“Fine we will be back at 4:00 to put the tables up.” They said.

Catherine laid on her side. She was looking out the window, to see what the weather was like outside. It looked pretty good, at least it wasn’t raining. She got out of bed and went to the bathroom; She thought she would take a bubble bath in the afternoon before she put on the wedding dress. She went down to the kitchen and decided tea would be better for her stomach. She put water in the microwave and when it was hot she put in the tea bag. She went outside and sat on the porch swing. The workmen were leaving so John came over to sit with her. He asked her how she was feeling.

“I have butterflies in my stomach” she said. “How are you feeling?” she continued.

“Why do you have butterflies, we will be fine have faith.” John said.

“I miss my parents. I should be with them. It’s a normal tradition. People used to marry at a early age, fifteen or sixteen. Present day people marry 34 or 35 years of age.” Catherine said

“You know we decided to have no more experiences than that was necessary. Your butterflies should fly away. But maybe you will get webbed feet when you put on your wedding dress.” John said.

“Oh John I will not get that nervous. I won’t wet my dress and it won’t smell.” Catherine said.

“There’s no reason to not be okay. We’re two healthy people who are young and who love each other. I have the same feeling in my stomach.” John said.

John’s mother was setting out the cereal, milk and juice. She put the bread in the toaster. John’s dad came in the kitchen and got a cup of coffee. He gave mom a hug and kiss.

“I’ll have to eat some All Bran to keep my energy level up. It’s going to be a long day.” Father said.

John chose Raisin Bran with extra raisins. Catherine’s butterflies wouldn’t let her eat. She would have another cup of tea which was soothing. John’s mother asked how she was going to do her hair.

“I’m still thinking about it. I have two choices. I’m leaning towards the French knot. It looks best with my short veil. I would rather have it been loose. I’ll get my veil and you tell me what you think.” Catherine said.

“I’ll go with you up stairs, so we don’t spill something on it.” Mother said.

That sounds like a good idea. I’m so nervous I can’t think straight.” Catherine said.

“Once you get ready you’ll calm down. Let’s see how the veil looks.” Mother said.

Catherine put on the veil with her hair loose. She looked in the mirror and smiled at her reflection. Mother smiled at her and told her it looked nice.

“How about this?” Catherine said as she then pulled her hair back and pinned it.

“It looked good either way, but I lean toward the loose hair. Your hair is very pretty, the color is beautiful.” Mother said.

“Okay I’ll leave it loose, I forgot to tell the work men to put up a table, in the back of the canopy for the gifts.” Catherine said.

Catherine went outside. John was coming to the house, with father.

“I think they are still outside, I’ll go and see.” John said.

“I am going for a walk would you like to come too?” Catherine said.

“I was going to take him with me to get wine from the winery.” Father said.

“I’ll go with you maybe we can get rid of this stress we all have.” Catherine’s future mother in law said.

“I have no stress, just happiness.” John said.

“You wouldn’t admit it if you did have stress!” Catherine said.

Father and mother were quietly laughing as John smiled and admitted to it.

“I will go and change into my walking shoes.” Mother said.

“Meet me outside; I’ll be on the porch swing.” Catherine said.

Mother came outside to Catherine and they began walking.

“I wanted to talk to you about marriage Catherine. Don’t you do everything in the house. John should do some daily chores, dishes laundry, cook and garbage, and mow the lawn. You can have the flower garden, he doesn’t have to do all the chores, but just so he understands what has to be done. Divide up the chores being you both work.” Mother said.

“He knows how to do everything, as he’s been living by himself.” Catherine said.

“It’s easy to fall into doing more yourself. Men tend to delegate even more for the wife to do.” Mother said.

“I’ll be careful. I think we should start walking back. I want to soak in a nice warm bubble bath, do my hair then get dressed. I don’t know what Rita is doing with her hair.”

When they got back, Rita was already taking a bubble bath.

“Okay I’m next, I want to use the new bubble bath salts I got last week.” Catherine said.

Rita asked Catherine how she would wear her hair.

“I think I am going to wear it down.” Catherine said.

“I’ll do it for your suggestion.” Rita said.

“Good I will get the bath ready, and well meet in our room.” Catherine said.

It was big enough for the both of them to get dressed, and do their hair. Catherine did it two different ways. Rita liked it loose. They decided that they would wear their hair down.

“I’m nervous and I’m not getting married are you thirst? Rita asked.

“Would you get me a cup of tea?” Catherine asked.

“I’ll get the dresses out the closet, and I’ll lay them out on the bed.” Catherine continued. She sat down on a chair and did her nails.

Rita came in and gave Catherine a cup of tea. She drank it and soothed her tummy. She then put her dress on and looked at herself in the mirror. Rita buttoned all the little buttons on the bodice. Catherine thought she looked pretty. Rita thought she looked angelic.

“I’m glad you are my sister. You are calming me down. I love you.” Rita said.

Rita thought she would be happy if she looked half as good. She put her sister’s necklace around her neck, it was made of pearls, and a heart pendant. It was from her grandma. She put on her nylons and her thin strapped shoes.

“Maybe brother will ask you out.” Catherine said.

“He has and he still makes eyes at me.” Rita said.

“Don’t let him taste or touch you inappropriately.” Catherine said.

“I won’t let him kiss me on the lips.” Rita said.

The girls went downstairs to the den. Catherine and Rita’s mother was waiting for their daughters. The flowers were laid out on the table Rita pinned the corsages on mothers dress. Catherine’s mother and father were leaving the motel. They were going to the farm to give moral support to their daughters.

“I’m sure by now they must be very nervous; I would have liked to be there when they were dressing. Remember when we got married we were married. We were married by the student pastor. There was a blizzard. My parents couldn’t get to the church, with so much snow. Mother and I were so disappointed.”

John and brother had already taken their shower and got the brown suits out of the plastic bags and laid them on the beds. Brother took the cream colored shirt out of the bag and put it on.

“I think you have on my shirt because this one I have on is too tight.” John said

“I wonder if I had maybe shrunk.” Brother said.

The trousers fit fine no problem there. Cummerbund went on next. Shoes were a little tight nothing that they couldn’t handle. The tie was rust colored. It matched the cummerbund.

“Are you still interested in Rita?” John asked brother.

“Yes I think I’m wearing her down.” Brother said. “She at least looks at me instead of turning away.”

“Remember she is part of my family so behave, or ill have to deal with you, let’s go outside.” John said.

They put on their jackets and went downstairs to the den. There was no one there. They went outside to the canopy. There were several men visiting with each other. They were kidding with John.

“I am going to be a very happy person, nothing you say is going to change that.”John said.

“I’m going to see if the flowers for the men are ready.” Brother said.

When he got to the house the girls were dressed in their finery.

“you all are so beautiful.” Brother said. “I came in to get the flowers for the men.”

Catherine’s mother and father came into the den. They exchanged hugs. The bride to be introduces Mary Ann to mother and brother. She told them Mary Ann was one of her friends. It’s up to he to see that everyone is seated properly. She is dressed in a long dress also. Not as fancy as the other two but it still looked nice.

Time was flying by. It was time to be seated for the ceremony. Catherine’s mother was seated first. Then came John’s parents. Catherine’s father was watching for her to stand by him. The music started playing and Rita walked down the aisle. She stood on the opposite side of John and Brother. The wedding march was being played which means Catherine and her father were to walk down the aisle when they got to the front the priest said “Who gives Catherine to John?”

“Mother and I are giving our daughter to John to protect and provide for her life.” Father said. He then walked back to his seat and sat next to the mother of the bride.

John and Catherine stood at the front by the priest and pastor. Meanwhile Rita’s cat came down the aisle she has a ring of flowers around her neck. She has eaten the treats which were scattered about the aisle. She patiently waited for more. Buster is coming down the aisle with the pillow, which the rings were on. Buster thinks it’s a game when the best man tries to get the pillow. After a few minutes he settles down. The ceremony goes on.

“Catherine do you take John to be your lawful wedded husband?” Pastor Paul said.

“Yes I do. I will comfort and honor him.” Catherine said.

“John do you take Catherine to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Pastor asks.

“Yes I do. I will protect and provide, we will grow together.” John said.

Pastor Paul and Father O’Riley pronounce them man and wife.