Except that there's an extra ring on my hand that'll take some getting used to. And my hair is all sorts of sticky and nasty from all the hairspray they put in it to keep it curly. But other than that, I feel just about the same. Sam said it took about six months before it hit him, so we'll see...

As for the wedding itself, it certainly was... well, memorable. There were only about fifteen guests, plus us bridal-party types (his best man and my two bridesmaids) in a way-too-large church, so it looked kinda silly. We decorated with autumny garlands and candles and everything was very pretty (though I didn't really look at the church much, to be honest.)

The night before, one of my bridesmaids brought the news that yes, my parents actually were coming, and bringing my brother and sister along. And they did indeed show up. I did not see them before the ceremony, but the pastor asked my mother if she would like to light the candles with Brandon's mother, and her reaction to that portrayed very clearly what attitude she had come with, despite the fact that I told her not to. :-{

So I showed up at the church about 1:30, Brandon was already there, talking with Sam and Leen in the sanctuary, and to avoid being seen I hid in the lounge behind the narthex. Brandon's mom (hereafter refered to as Max) ran around taking care of last minute things, and when she heard that my mother refused to light the candles, she said that she and her husband (hereafter refered to as Art) would do it together, to show that they supported us, even though my parents didn't. (Have I mentioned what wonderful people they are?)

There was some discrepancy about what time it really was- we had four different clocks that said everything from ten of to five after two- and then suddenly it was time to go, and the doors were open and my bridesmaids were starting down the aisle. The organist played Pachabel's "Canon in D" until the bridesmaids reached the alter, and then of course the traditional bridal march for me.

My mother, at this point, had begun to sob- quietly at first, then louder and more hysterically as she realized that no one was paying any attention to her. At this point I fully realized that her only purpose in being there was to try to ruin my day, and I felt quite angry, to say the least. But Brandon was there are the end of the aisle, smiling, and I knew if I just focused on him it would be okay. I did make it to the front, tears already running down my face because of both the whole idea of getting married and the knowledge that my mother was there to ruin it. And my nose was runny, which made me mad, cause I couldn't very well pull out a tissue and wipe off my face or anything. :-}

Rev. Fred Agnir (my pastor) did all the good introductory stuff, and, when my mother realized we had carefully planned to take out the "does anyone object" line, began to yell and scream. I believe the first thing she said was "I object to this wedding! It's not right! It's all lies!" or something like that. We tried to ignore her and keep going. I believe I flinched a bit, and I certainly was squeezing Brandon's hand awfully hard, but we did not turn around and we made every attempt to pretend she wasn't there. Fred did the same thing, which I was very glad for.

Brandon, anticipating somthing like this, had asked his brother (Chad, also the best man) and his friend Forrest to be prepared to remove her from the church, if necessary, or whatever needed to be done. They're pretty darn imposing people. *Big* imposing people. They tell me that Forrest was immediately over by my mother, attempting to tell her to shut up. (Nicely and unobtrusively, of course.) This only elicited screams of "Stay away from me!" for a while.

I don't know exactly what happened, as I was not looking on purpose, but I know Max went over to try to quiet her down, too. Apparently my bridesmaid Stephanie (a friend from high school who knows my mother well) and Brandon's brother were over there as well, trying to talk to her, but she just kept screaming. At one point, I hear she tried to get up to us at the alter. She pushed past Max and then tried to get past Chad, which was apparently a pretty amusing thing, because she just sort of bounced off him. I would have loved to see that. :-}

Eventually, it was my father, of all people, who stood up and made her sit back down, telling her she'd embarrassed herself enough. Go him for finally standing up to her. My brother and sister were apparently mortified, and rightfully so, for they had to be associated with all this and then ride back home with my mom to Pennsylvania.

Anyway, after that, my mother stopped screaming, and just sort of sobbed and whispered through the rest of the ceremony. We did have to stop briefly, simply because she was too loud for us to hear Fred, but for the most part we just kept right on going. They tell me my "I will" was amusingly forceful and determined, considering what was going on. Okay, I admit, I did that on purpose. :-}

Everything went rather smoothly, if not a little awkwardly, after that. Chad was wonderfully funny when Fred asked him for the rings, and made this great face at me. We lit our unity candle (We painted our own candlesticks! I hope we have a picture of them somewhere...) and my bridesmaids were wonderful at keeping my dress all fluffed and pretty. Everyone clapped (or did I imagine that?) on our way out of the church, and we had a kind of make-shift reception line as we stood around in the narthex and hugged everyone. My parents remained seated in the church.

Stephanie told me, as everyone else lined up outside to throw birdseed at us, that my sister had pulled her aside and apologized for my mother's behavior, and that she and my brother had been really hoping that wouldn't happen. I was so glad to hear that, because, even though I know they're not *thrilled* about this either, it's nice to know that at least they understand that what she did was just unacceptable. I really did (and still do) feel bad for them, for having to go back home with her. I imagine the drive will be interminable.

As we were preparing to run outside, a bunch of little nursury school kids gathered in the hall behind me, and their teacher asked if I'd turn around so they could see me. They were all amazed at the pretty bride and her groom. It was very cute. :-}

So then out we ran, and I got birdseed ALL OVER EVERYWHERE (I think there's *still* some in my hair!) and then we headed off to the reception, at Brandon's parents' house. Except that we stopped at home first to get Sam's smileyface volleyball that we accidentally ended up with after the RinkUnion. I saw my parents come out of the curch, but they didn't say anything to anyone, and I hear they almost ran over a few people on their way out of the parking lot.

Everyone clapped when we got to the house and we had a nice little champagne toast and then there was lots of food! And cake! And presents! It ruled.

You know, maybe I'll let Darien tell you about the reception. My fingers hurt from typing too much. :-P

~Mina "Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Sumner" moon