And They Danced To Yoshimi...

I count myself fortunate to be one of the few friends intvited to, and, more importantly, able to attend, Erin's wedding. (Though, point of fact, I never actually received an invitation, as it was lost in the mail.)

The ceremony took place on what would undoubtedly have been a beautiful, warm, spring day, if not for the seven inches of snow and biting wind that had arrived the night before courtesy of Old Man Winter - but, as they say: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only different types of good weather." And, while the snowstorm did have the unfortunate effect of preventing eight or nine of the guests from attending, the sqaull certainly did nothing to diminish the joyful spirit of the occaission.

The wedding party looked wonderful; JP, the groom, and his best men dressed in ultra-cool no-button tuxes (though there were rumors some of the wedding party had been lobbying for lime green and ruffles), and the bridesmaids in a wonderful deep green. The ceremony itself was very nice, Erin teared up during the vows and held her composure remarkably well otherwise.

But the real fun, was the reception.

To begin: An open-bar cocktail hour while the wedding party was busy with photographs. This correspondent, who had found himself utterly alone upon entering - as his anticipated companions had been waylaid by the storm - was soon surrounded by one of the more charming groups of people he has had chance to meet. First, I was befriended by Kristin, girlfriend of the best man, and similarly unattached while the wedding party was engaged, and then, soon after, Meagan, who I encouraged to sign the hitherto unsigned guestbook, and lead by example.

As soon as the photographer was done with them, the smiling bride and groom made their way out to the bar to greet their guests. JP was shaking hands with everyone with an enormous grin upon his face, and Erin (cocktail in hand) could be seen hopping from group to group laughing and smiling, while simultaneously inquiring about the ceremony, her hair, the dress, and if everything had gone well. In my opinion, and, indeed, that of everyone she asked, everything had gone splendidly.

On, then, to the dinner portion of the evening. The guests were asked to enter the ballroom and take there seats (I found myself at a table with a few of JP's high school friends and their dates), and the wedding party was introduced.

As they took their seats at the main table I was struck, immediately, by Erin - her composure, her poise, the light, the dress, the look of calm and air of comfort and assuredness - she was, it seemed, meant to be a bride.

Those of you who have been keeping up with her rants and ramblings at erinire might be under the impression that Erin is excitable, frenzied, frustrated, or overwhelemed. Please, let me assure you that she was none of those things, and seemed completely immune to anything except happiness and joy.

As the night wore on (and wear on it did - as the reception was breaking up I was invited to the after party and began to beg off, citing the late hour, only to glance down and my watch to find the time was only nine fifteen! Needless to say, with the night so young, I made my way to the party with haste, and was up with some of the newly married couples closest friends through the night), there was much dancing (Erin's sisters the wildest of the bunch) and eating, and dancing, and drinking, but it would not be sufficient to describe it here, with my limited prose.

Instead, I will simply relate that after the wedding party's introduction, Erin and JP were called out for their first dance together as husband and wife. And in a moment that refelcted a perfect uniqueness, whimsy, charm, humor, and grace that I am sure will characterize their life together, they danced to the Flaming Lips, Yoshimi Vs. The Pink Robots.

-t

recommended download:
Yoshimi