Last night was my good friend Kevin's wedding.
I'd been giddy about it over the last year, anticipating it to be a lively and entertaining affair. And Kevin and Marquetta didn't disappointed.
It was a traditional wedding in many ways, with singing, readings, poems and vows, yet I also found it to be one of the more unique and personal ceremonies I've ever attended. It's tough to make something so traditional your own, yet they somehow pulled off the impossible.
First of all, the wedding processional came down the aisle to Stevie Wonder's Ribbon in the Sky, and I couldn't help but kind of groove to it as I watched the seven bridesmaids make their way down.
Kevin's bride walked to the alter to After All Is Said and Done, which Kevin kind of sang as he waited for the doors to open and reveal Marquetta. It was 30 minutes after the ceremony started before anyone saw Marquetta, as the beginning of the wedding was marked by Kevin's preacher reading a poem Kevin had written, plus there were a few songs, prayers, etc.
The build-up to the bride was so long that by the time the doors swung open it was like Christmas morning everyone had anticipated it for so long.
Before Kevin and Marquetta said their vows a man probably in his 70s sang Center Of My Joy with the backing of a full choir. I've never been to a wedding where there was a full choir. And let me tell you, this 70-ish year-old man's solo brought the house down. And I mean Brought. The House. Down.
Some 300 people exploded in applause and Amens when it was over. It was a few minutes before the preacher even took back the floor everyone was so into it.
But the highlight for me was Kevin's vows to Marquetta. Even thinking back on it this evening chokes me up a bit and I can't even recall anything he actually said. It was just the feeling he said it with that I remember. He was nearly through all of it when suddenly he just stopped and started to cry. Then everyone lost it. Even the groomsmen stood wiping their eyes. Women were grabbing for tissues and fanning their faces trying to hold back tears. There wasn't a dry eye in the church and I, for my part, sat futilely trying to keep tears from streaming down my face.
It was something.
Then we all ate fried chicken, turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, green beans and corn and got down to Michael Jackson's The Way You Make Me Feel. It was a damn good time.
This photo is of Kevin and one of his older brothers, who favors Kevin so much when I first saw him I thought they might be twins. The two of them spontaneously broke out into a choreographed dance and wowed everyone. Here are some more photos.
I also decided during the wedding and reception that Kevin is one of the funniest people I know. I know plenty of funny people, but he makes me laugh the hardest and is the most quotable. I can't write anything he's said because I'm not talented enough to capture his rhythm and timing, but some of the things I've heard Kevin say I still repeat and laugh about.
I know I always say this about my friends, but his new wife is lucky to have him. Very lucky.
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