Sun 3 Dec 2006
Josh and I attended the wedding of my close friend Sam and his partner Ian at Point Defiance Park in Tacoma this weekend.
This was my first same sex ceremony and I have to say it was simply lovely. Void of any sacharine wedding schmaltz the evening was well organized, concise, and to the point. I’m sure this had a lot to do with the fact that both the grooms are in show business, one is a renowned choreographer, director, and performer and the other is currently the lead singer in a well known local band. We helped load in the reception before the ceremony and it was remarkable how fast and easy it was to set up a bunch of tables and wrap christmas lights all over the place. Josh was concerned because he was the only one in a tie. Luckily, after we set up several attendees retrieved ties from their pockets and put them on for the event. Here they are, Josh, Ricky, and Marty (the chap who wed the couple).
I’m sure there were more ties in the crowd, but overall the atmosphere was very relaxed and casual. I didn’t even cry during the vows, preferring to watch them say “I do” with an enormous smile on my face. During their first dance as a married couple Sam had prepped me earlier by requesting that Josh and I join them part way through the song. Despite the request, the audience preferred to ooh and aah over them until finally Sam gave me a desperate wink and nod for company on the dance floor.
I found myself leading the toast. I relied on my expert improv skills and rambled on about meeting Sam the first time he went to college (which became a running gag) and his purple hair. The emotion was thick in the air as I described Sam attending our wedding way out in Colorado and here we are now celebrating his own union. I almost forgot to include Ian who I have come to equally adore. Here we are as two married brods flashing our rings:
Somehow I ended up eating four truffles in a row which left me very little room to eat the cake. This isn’t the greatest photo but look how excellent that cake looks!
I adore weddings, I really do. With all the tragedy in the world it’s great to come together and celebrate something truly wonderful. It’s also great excuse to dress up, laugh at old stories, and eat cake.