Indiana Weddings

As we drove to the wedding on Saturday, I reflected on weddings I've attended in the past. My experience has been rather homogeneous. Every wedding I've previously attended (except one) has been a church wedding in the South. This colors one's perspective.

This wedding was scheduled for 3 p.m. Based upon my experience, the wedding would be over at 3:30 and the reception (which was in the same location) would be over at 5 p.m. or 5:30 at the latest. Needless to say, I was not prepared for what was in store.

As Matt was in the wedding party, he was told to be there at 2 p.m. for pictures. Determined not to be late, he planned an earlier than usual arrival. The expectation was that there would be plenty of other people around to socialize with from the wedding party and immediate family. In that regard, we were both left wanting.

We arrived at 1:30. A few people were putting together the centerpieces for the reception, including the groom, who was in casual clothes.

We saw 2 p.m. come and go with no new arrivals. No wedding party. No bride and groom dressed in their finery. No photographer. It seems everyone was running late...maybe? We decided to entertain ourselves...sort of.

It was time for taking a photo. Look at my handsome husband in his wedding wear:

This picture was taken much later when the rest of the wedding party had arrived. 

This was the location of the wedding:

The wedding was at the local country club and it was beautiful, albeit a bit of a roaster. 

The time of the wedding was quickly approaching and none of the guests wanted to go sit in the heat :) We were all in the pavilion where it was perfectly cool and breezy; it was to be the location of the reception:

It wasn't long before we were urged to take our seats:

 Front Row: Cousin Sasha and Aunt Marta (in blue)

Second Row (closest to the camera): Cousin Abigail, Aunt Ellen and Great Aunt Marian

After a 30 minute wedding, they took wedding photos for about an hour and a half on the golf course while the rest of us mingled. We sat down to eat dinner at 5 p.m. After the meal, wedding cake, wedding games (so-to-speak) and a lot more mingling, dancing started at 7. We left early...at 9:30. Several, mostly the bride's family, were still dancing when we left.

Had I any idea, I would have chosen different shoes, brought a book ;) and stalked the wedding party during pictures. :)

As it was, I barely made it through to the end. My saving grace? Matt asked me to dance! After a few slow numbers (and much avoidance of anything with a quick beat), I asked him to dance to We Got the Beat. Matt stayed with me on the dance floor through a few familiar songs. That. Was. Fun.