THE BOUQUET

I never thought I’d be a June bride. To do anything “popular” was not exactly my style. But marrying on the summer solstice? I could embrace THAT with all my heart.

This was to be my second marriage. No big gown or extravagant venue. Our front porch was our altar. We spent our money on the food, a catered affair by a private chef. Our small kitchen was his domain for the day and he magically fed 150 guests fancy appetizers, a multicourse dinner and served the cake with a little sweat but with much aplomb.

Then there was the business of flowers. I had seen some pretty blooms at the local farmer’s market when I went looking for ideas a few weeks earlier. I wanted a few sprigs, maybe something herbal and flowery loosely tied with a little string, or maybe some ribbon. And my daughter, who had never made a bouquet before, wanted to make it for me. The day before the wedding we went to the early morning farmer’s market. The flower vendor was a no show. Luckily there was another market downtown and off we went. We bought flowers for the outside tables, the living room, the modest wedding party and flowers for me. I reminded her that I wanted something understated. 

I’m not exactly sure how it happened, but between her trying to keep the bouquet from looking lopsided and me working out an arrangement for the tables while we were gabbing, gabbing and gabbing, she kept adding more flowers, more greenery, more, more, and more. 

It was very pretty. It included all four of my wedding colors. It was wrapped tightly and securely with beautiful shiny ribbons and it had been made with lots and lots of love. And it’s a good thing that I have sturdy arms, because I used all my strength to hold this substantial piece of art down the front walkway, my aisle.

I decided not to throw this bouquet to the unmarried women in the group, fearing that it might injure someone in the toss. But we kept the tradition - just tied up a few leftover herbal and flowery sprigs and called it a day. A very happy day…

 Photo by Secret Garden from Pexels