Under the Big Top: Jimmy Gets Married

“I now pronounce you husband and wife” Dr. Marsh concluded.

“Hell has officially frozen over” quipped a voice down the row to my right.

Such was the wedding of Jimmy and Tyler, the social event of the evening.

.

The Davenport/Ewing wedding was a lovely affair, staged at the Whitlock Inn not far from the Marietta Square. I dropped off Ceil and parked across the street. The first person I saw in the parking lot was a man wearing a kilt. “Surely”, I thought, “there’s no way Jimmy is going have a bagpipe play at his wedding.” But the man welded no bagpipe. I happened to follow behind this man on the walk to the Inn, wanting to tell onlookers that “I’m not with him!” Father Jim later told me the man was Tyler’s relative.

.

As we entered the large tent behind the Inn, we found Leah chatting with Myra. Mark was sitting in the row in front of them, with daughters Lydia (employed at Buckhead Church) and Ansley (freshman at UGA). Mark, Jimmy’s long-time hunting buddy and partner in crime, recounted stories told at the previous evening’s rehearsal dinner. Tales of Flintstone pajamas and scary noises in the dark.

.

Fortunately, our row of plastic chairs was situated on a concrete aisle, making our chairs sturdy as we sat. Jim and Suzi Voyles arrived and were seated behind us in chairs on the grass, and immediately felt their chairs sink in a bit, much lower than our row. They quickly moved up next to me, and we had a nice chat.

.

Lauren Petty Banta sat by Lydia. The Hurts by the Voyles, and Cynthia in front of them. I had allotted one side of an 8-1/2x11 piece of paper for notes, and Lauren took up 25% of it for her address and email. I was this close to panic.

.

Speaking of noises in the dark, our proximity to Powder Springs Road and the Marietta 120 Loop was quickly brought to our attention: before the wedding commenced, two emergency vehicles roared past, sirens a-blaring.

Dr. Marsh, Jimmy, and best man Jim entered, striding down the aisle. The groom sported a neatly-trimmed month-old beard, making his face look thinner. The eight groomsmen escorted the eight bridesmaids, whose hard heels were heard clomping on the brick path. Brother George was first to process, followed shortly thereafter by cousin Seth. Margaret was escorted by her new husband Will.

.

Perhaps to make sure a sick child did not make a mess during the service, the junior bridesmaid and groomsman were placed out far to the side. They practically trotted down the aisle, perhaps setting a speed record in the process. Perhaps they were told to hurry, as the music stopped just as they made it to the front.

.

In the back, Tyler appeared from the side entrance, so she wouldn’t have to walk down the steep steps in her lovely, long gown. She towered over her father, and I feared she would soon stand taller than her groom. Jimmy is by no means short, but surely he stood on a box. At the reception Jimmy proved to be a tad taller, when Tyler confessed to wearing her “shorter heels.” (Your servant always asks the tough questions).

.

As Tyler joined Jimmy at the front I counted at least four amateur photographers snapping pictures, in addition to the professional. And had I not respectfully left my phone in the car, I would’ve already posted a picture of the kilt guy (Your servant always stays above reproach. Almost always).

.

Including grandparents, pianists, soloists, Bible-readers, ushers, and honorary bridesmaids, the wedding party totaled forty people. This did not include the security officers monitoring parking at the adjoining church and bank. The large white tent was well lighted by a single chandelier, though some ceiling fans would’ve been nice. I’m sure Mark wasn’t the only one drenched in sweat. Even the groom was glistening.

.

Right off the bat, two new customs proved to be nice touches. Set up by Dr. Marsh, father of the groom Jim gave a one word blessing of the marriage. Then the bride was given away by her father AND mother, as both stood by her side.

.

Next came the Bible reading. In the poorly-lit corner, Jimmy’s longtime friend Tommy Statham struggled to see the passage. It hardly mattered, as he was quickly drowned out by another siren. Later while Dr. Marsh was speaking, a large flower fell from the archway just above and behind him. Marsh glanced back, smiled, and chuckled, perhaps relieved to know the disturbance wasn’t a local vandal.

.

Marsh then launched into a very personalized, almost hip rendering of Romans Twelve. Indeed, of all the weddings I’ve seen him officiate, this may have been his finest.

.

When Dr. Marsh asked Jim for the ring, the best man dutifully handed over the simple golden band. But when Bob forwarded the ring to Jimmy, the groom stealthily made a switch, instead slipping a beautiful new diamond-encrusted band on Tyler’s finger. The bride was caught completely off guard. Clued in, Jim had known to watch for her reaction.

.

When the soloist began her beautiful, low-key version of The Lord’s Prayer, everyone looked around to see where she was…including Jimmy and Tyler. The newlyweds spent the song smiling and laughing at each other, probably about the ring. A security guard chose this tender moment to crank up his motorcycle.

.

Immediately after Jimmy and Tyler strode down the aisle, best man Jim escorted both grandmothers away. A most special moment. I looked, but did not detect moisture in Jim’s eyes.

.

Congratulations, you newlyweds, you. After all, hell freezing over is a good thing, right?

.

TOMORROW: The Reception, the DJ, and the Dance Floor.