Chapter Twenty-Three
It had taken more than an hour for everyone to work their way through the two receiving lines and congratulate the newlywed couples.
There was an open bar, of course, and Missy had arranged for that to remain an open bar throughout the day and into the evening.
Everyone enjoyed mingling during this time and, since there were plenty of hors d’oeuvres and snacks being served to prevent drinking on an empty stomach, no one minded this gap between the ceremony and the dinner.
Eventually, everyone found their seat. There was a large chart at the entrance to direct guests to their tables as well as individual place cards at each seat.
The place cards included an indication of which meal the guest had selected.
If the guest was a member of the military, the place card was colored appropriately for that person’s branch while the cards for non-military were an ivory white.
The fonts were a simple calligraphy-style and for general officers there were also the appropriate number of gold stars on their cards.
Throughout the room there were decorations leaving no doubt that this was a military wedding.
Combined with so many Dress Blue uniforms which all the military guests were wearing, that created quite an atmosphere.
It was formal, dignified and patriotic which both Missy and Tracy found to be exactly what they’d wanted.
Finally, the prolonged “cocktail hour” was over and everyone had gone through the receiving lines.
When the two newlywed couples then took their seats up at the head table, which again was solely for the four of them, that signaled all the others to do likewise.
Soon, waiters were bringing out the salads along with either soup or chowders for those who had requested those.
Meanwhile, Heather approached the dais and speaking into the microphone with an authoritative voice she announced that she was honored to be the master of ceremony for this wonderful event.
“My sister Missy granted me this honor to make up for her choosing Tracy rather than me as her Maid of Honor,” explained Heather.
“While I’m not a member of the military, after getting to watch both Missy and Tracy work their way through West Point these past four years and getting to attend so many events down here, I believe I’ve soaked up enough by osmosis to properly execute my duty for this. ”
She paused and after waiting a long moment she went on to say, “Note how I referenced this as a duty which I needed to properly execute. I doubt I’d be saying those particular words were this not a military wedding.” This was met with laughter throughout the room.
Then Heather continued and said, “Although dancing was not scheduled before we all enjoy our dinner, I’ve been told to assure you that there will be lots of dancing after the meal.
Here now to say a prayer before we have that meal is Colonel Sager, our chaplain who certainly executed his duty at the chapel this morning in the proper manner.
” Everyone appreciated her humorous introduction.
After the chaplain led them all in prayer, Heather again spoke and said, “I now want to introduce two individuals who will give the first toast. You will find there is a glass of champagne already poured for each guest. Once this toast has been given, you are all instructed to enjoy your delicious meals.
I will return once you are finished with your main entrees and the desserts are being brought out.
We have several guests who will then each give a short speech about these two couples and there will indeed be some more toasts to them as well.
“Tradition often has the father of the bride give the first toast. However, we have two brides and therefore we have two such fathers. They have agreed to come forward now and together they will perform this very important task. I hereby give you … the fathers of the brides!”
Tracy’s father and Missy’s father had both made their way up to the dais and now Tracy’s father accepted the microphone from Heather who went to her seat and sat down.
Tracy’s dad began by saying, “As I’m sure everyone here has noticed, Mr. McCrea and I are dressed alike today”. He paused briefly and then added, “Our daughters made us do this.” This comment and the way in which he was gesturing at both himself and Missy’s dad brought several laughs.
Missy’s father than grabbed the microphone and said, “Since I have not merely one but two of my children who have just been married, I have requested that I be allowed to speak up here twice as long.” After a short pause, he said, “Unfortunately, my request was denied.” More laughs.
“Mr. McGonagle and I are therefore not giving any long speeches but instead we are jointly asking everyone here to raise their glasses along with us as we now toast to my son John.” He picked up one of the glasses of champagne already there while handing the microphone to Tracy’s dad.
“To his wife, my daughter Tracy,” announced her father while picking up the other glass of champagne. He then handed the microphone back to Missy’s dad.
“To my daughter Missy,” said her father while raising his glass high in the air. He quickly handed the microphone back to Tracy’s dad.
“And to her husband Mike,” exclaimed Tracy’s father while raising his glass high in the air.
Both voices then said in unison, “To the two happy couples! May they live long and wonderful lives!” When these two now took a sip from their glasses, so too did all the guests and a chorus of, “Hear, hear!” was given as well.
There really had been no need for them to give any speeches since it was obvious from the way they both had been acting while giving this toast just how proud they were and how much love they had for these newlyweds.
The waiters and waitresses had been bringing out the entrees during all this while others had been clearing away the empty salad dishes and soup/chowder bowls.
Soon, everyone was feasting on their delicious meals and enjoying the conversations at their tables.
Several times there would of course also be some clinking of glasses signaling the newlyweds that they must interrupt their meal so the spouses could kiss one another.
Such moments were always exciting and both couples made quite a show in carrying out this ritual.
When Heather finally returned to the dais and again picked up the microphone, everyone was ready. She then introduced one speaker after another. This ended up taking quite a while, during which dessert and coffee were served. Plus, of course, there were many more toasts.
Then Heather introduced John to give the best man toast. He was followed by Tracy with the maid of honor toast. She of course handed the microphone to Mike for his best man toast. Then, Missy had the last word with her maid of honor toast.
“As you all have witnessed,” began Missy, “I have started out today as Tracy’s maid of honor but am now ending the day as her matron of honor.
My responsibilities include giving a short speech with some hilarious anecdotes about my best friend Tracy plus some complements for the groom, my brother John.
“Since the two of them have already given you more than enough funny stories and since I want this speech to be short, I instead will only say that from the time Tracy came into my life, my life has never been the same. I love her like the sister she has now become. Speaking of sisters …” Missy now gestured over at Heather.
“How great has my sister Heather done today in properly executing her duty? Let’s all applaud her outstanding job in doing that!
” Everyone clapped and cheered and there were also many laughs at this.
Missy continued with, “As for John … I love him like a brother. Oh, wait … he actually is my brother!” This was met with more laughs.
“I think it is very obvious to all of you how much we four mean to one another and as we continue after today, living our lives, fulfilling our destinies, we will always be family. Family always comes first, then friends, then our great nation. While Tracy and I will serve out nation proudly, we can only do so because of the love and support we are getting from our husbands Mike and John. Thank you all for helping us celebrate today. God bless you all and God bless the U.S.A.!”
As Missy then walked back to be with Mike, Tracy and John, everyone stood up and gave the four of them a standing ovation.
Then, at last, it was time for the first dance ritual.
First Tracy and John and then Missy and Mike went out onto the dance floor and while the band played slow romantic music they each had their first dance as a married couple.
This signified the start of their new life together and was followed by the brides dancing with their dads while the grooms danced with their moms.
The music continued as the band played song after song and those who had a spouse or significant other were soon also out on the dance floor. Others visited from table to table or made trips to the open bar. The event was very special and everyone really was having a wonderful time.
Eventually, it was time for the cake ritual.
The music was stopped and Heather once again took charge with the microphone, calling for everyone’s attention.
Two cakes were brought out, one for each couple.
Then, Tracy went first and using a special ceremonial saber, she cut a generous slice for John and a much smaller slice for herself.
As Heather watched the couple then make a hilarious mess out of feeding one another, she announced, “I was told that Tracy earned quite a reputation during her academy years on the fencing team. I trust all here were able to appreciate the great skill which she has just exhibited while cutting that cake.” The crowd which had gathered around all broke out into more laughter at this.