There were to be no ceremonious performances, verything was to be as natural and homelike as possible, so when Aunt March arrived, she was scandalized to see the bride come running to welcome and lead her in, to find the bridegroom fastening up a garland that had fallen down . . .
"Upon my word, here's a state of things!" cried the old lady, taking the seat of honor prepared for her, and settling the folds of her lavender moire with a great rustle. "You oughtn't to be seen till the last minute, child."
"I'm not a show, Aunty, and no one is coming to stare at me, to criticize my dress, or count the cost of my luncheon. I'm too happy to care what anyone says or things, and I'm going ot have my little wedding just as I like it. John, dear, here's your hammer." And away went Meg to help 'that man' in his highly improper employment.
Mr. Brooke didn't even say, "Thank you," but as he stopped for the unromantic tool, he kissed his little bride behind the folding door, with a look that made Aunt March whisk out her pocket handkerchief with a sudden dew in her sharp old eyes.
There was no bridal procession, but a sudden silence fell on the room as Mr. March and the young couple tool ther places under the green arch. Mother and sisters gathered close, as if loath to give Meg up. The fatherly voice broke more than once, which only seemed to make the service more beautiful and solemn. The bridegroom's hand trembled visibly, and no one heard his replies. But Meg looked straight up in her husband's eyes, and said, "I will!" with such tender trust in her own face and voice that her mother's heart rejoiced and Aunt March sniffed audibly.
I love this part of Little Women. I often wavered between this idea of the perfect wedding and the idea of a grand celebration that bordered on fairytale. All the preparations were geared toward the fairytale and making sure all the family was happy. Then a couple of weeks before the wedding we decided we didn't want the grand ball - we wanted something simple and "us", so I called some people at my home church, told them what I wanted and they did it, all of it, beautiful decorations, wonderful food, they even built a canopy to go over mine and Jonathan's table. It was perfect and beautiful.
Jonathan and I didn't get to see each other much at all the week before - we were each serving our families in different ways. The day of the wedding came crashing down on me - all the people and all the preparations - all the expectations. I had a small breakdown because I had forgotten Jonathan's boutonniere at home and I just couldn't stop crying, so Jonathan and I then went away together and prayed and had a little worship. I remember he sang "Give Me Jesus" with the words "Oh, and on our wedding day, oh and on our wedding day, oh and on our wedding day - give me Jesus." I calmed down, but was still far from Meg's innocent excitement . . . until I was all finished getting ready and I walked out onto the balcony, (we were taking pictures before the ceremony) and I looked down at all the people, dressed so very prettily, waiting for me to come down. And then I saw Jonathan, so very handsome in his tux - smiling up at me and I suddenly turned into Meg. I was absolutely estatic, I couldn't stop smiling. I no longer cared what happened, I just knew I was marrying the most wonderful man I had ever known. The rest of the day was absolutely perfect, right up to the end when we drove away together ... straight to the Piggly Wiggly to get some food because we had been too excited to eat at the reception. I've never eaten more delicious croissants and peanut butter in my life. Absolute Perfection.
You know, I didn't even notice you not eating at the reception. :P I love you guys.