Aunt Theresa's Wedding Day
In the months that followed Annie's First Holy Communion, wedding preparations reached a fever pitch.
The material for Aunt Theresa, the bride, and Annie as her bridesmaid was bought and Annie had to have no fewer than three fittings before the dressmaker was satisfied with her dress.
Mrs Smith, despite becoming more frail, baked a magnificent wedding cake and iced it to perfection.
Granny Eckton, who was doing the catering for the wedding herself, was preparing food already and storing it in her own deep freeze and in that of Annie's family as well.
"I feel like a bite of lasagne," Dad told Mother one day.
"Nobody in the world makes lasagne the way your mother does.
Do you think anyone would notice if I pinched some from the deep freeze?"
He was almost certainly joking but Mother was taking no chances.
"Pat, you just dare!" she said in such a threatening voice that Dad threw up his arms in a gesture of surrender.
During the final week before the ceremony, things appeared to quieten down a little.
The hall had been hired.
The photographer had been booked and a band engaged for the reception.
By the time the hairdresser appointments had been made, time was lying heavily on everyone's hands.
Flowers could only be arranged on the day before the wedding and everything else was ready.
Aunt Theresa spent a lot of time at the Duncans' house.
She was as excited as she could possibly be.
So was Annie,who could barely wait for the big day to arrive.
On Friday evening she helped to decorate the hall and arrange flowers in the Church.
The bridal party had a practice for the ceremony with Father Tom, and Annie got to bed after ten that night.
Next morning the sun shone brightly.
"A perfect day for a wedding," Mother smiled as she opened Annie's curtains.
"I've always loved my little sister so dearly.
I only want her happiness."
"Uncle John is a very nice person," Annie said.
Mother nodded.
"Yes he is, thank goodness.
My, is that the time..." and Mother went out of the room.
That afternoon, Aunt Theresa and Annie, looking like two princesses, arrived at the church door.
Annie could hardly believe that this beautiful bride was her very own auntie, so young at heart and such fun to know.
Aunt Theresa looked very composed, dignified and sophisticated.
Because Grandfather Eckton had died years ago, she had asked Dad to walk her in to the church to the strains of the Wedding March.
As they reached the front pew and stopped in front of Father Tom, Uncle John stepped out and gave Aunt Theresa the most radiant smile in the world.
Father Tom welcomed the bride and groom and their guests.
In a few words he explained how the Sacrament of Marriage is a gift from God, and a public declaration of love and commitment.
This declaration is made in front of family and friends in Church.
The married couple will thus have the support of the Christian Church family.
Father Tom went on to explain that including God in the marriage means the married couple will know they can look to God for His Love, Help and Guidance.
The Sacrament of Marriage also includes the couple's commitment to lovingly care for their children.
As the time drew near for the vows to be exchanged, bride and groom knelt down on the decorated kneelers.
Annie stole a look at her mother, though it meant having to turn her head a little.
Fortunately, the people were all watching the groom and bride.
All but Mrs Benson, for sure enough, there she was, dressed again in a smart suit worn with a matching hat.
She was watching Annie in disapproval and signalled her to look forward.
Annie quickly turned her head back.
She was pleased that Mrs Benson had come to the wedding.
Father Tom stood as priest representing Christ and Church, as groom and bride exchanged their vows with each other.
Uncle John and Aunt Theresa promised each other to be faithful in good times and bad;
in sickness and health;
for richer and for poorer;
and to truly love and honour each other for their whole lives.
Father Tom then acknowledged that Uncle John and Aunt Theresa had declared their consent to be married, and he prayed for God's blessing on them.
He then reminded that as God had blessed their marriage, it should not be divided.
The exchanging of the rings provided an anxious moment for Annie who carried both rings on a small cushion, upholstered in the same blue satin and white lace as her dress.
To her infinite relief, all went off well.
The Holy Eucharist was celebrated, and Aunt Theresa and Uncle John received Holy Communion.
Annie was the first to receive Holy Communion after the bridal couple and she shut her eyes tightly and prayed that her aunt and uncle would find happiness in their married lives.
The couple then received the special marriage blessing.
The spirit of emotion now turned to one of good cheer as the happy couple and their witnesses signed the registry book.
Then they went outside to the strains of organ music.
Once outside, Annie found herself standing next to Mrs Benson.
"Are you coming with us to the hall?" she asked.
"No, I'm going to sit with Mrs Smith.
She asked me especially," was the reply.
"She'll be wanting to know all about the wedding, as she was not well enough to come herself."
She hurried away, and Annie spent her time at the reception posing for photographs, listening to long speeches and keeping Jerry and Jimmy out of mischief.
She was glad when Father Tom came over to greet her.
"I have been at four Sacraments so far this year," she told Father Tom.
"First we had Trudy's Baptism, then my Confession and Communion and now the Wedding.
There are going to be two more soon; my uncle's Ordination and my cousin's Confirmation.
That means I'll have been at six out of the seven sacraments in about one year."
After Annie spoke to Father Tom, she realised why she was starting to feel tired; it was getting late.
She was glad when the bride and groom departed and her parents called her to go home with them.
Edited by Catherine Nicolette
Photograph by Catherine Nicolette copyright free
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