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.