June has the longest day of the year. It is also the month that officially begins summer, and many schools let out for summer vacation.
It is also a popular month for weddings, and all girls seem to want to be “June Brides.”
Through the years, I’ve played for many weddings, small and large, and some have lasted, some have not. I guess the longest marriage is one I played for in Conroe, Texas, in 1973, and they are still marriedtoday. The next would be a close friend of Karmyn’swhom she met early in pageants. They just celebrated their 31st anniversary. Some weddings have had crazy happenings, including the bride fainting, the electricity going off, and losing a contact of the soloist in the pedalboard of the organ.The most memorable one was held in Texarkana,Arkansas. It was a very formal event.
The organist played with pomp and circumstance as the large wedding party entered individually.
The men wore Tuxedos with tails, top hats, and carried canes. The attendants entered wearing southern attire with bouquets and Parasols over their shoulders. A miniature bride and groom were dressed identically to the adult bride and groom. They were so cute coming down the aisle together! It was awe-inspiring, unique, and my first. I wasfascinated!
I was asked to play for the soloist, Rick Dodd, who was singing a song they had requested. There wasno music score available, which is why I was playing, since I played by ear. If you hummed it, Icould play it! He did a beautiful job, and neither ofus had a bauble!
The bride and groom said, “I do,” sealed the vows with a kiss, and the wedding was complete, as theorganist played and each party member departedthe sanctuary.
As they came in to take pictures, I stood from thepiano to leave, a job well done!
The floors had been polished to a lovely shine for the wedding! As I stepped down from the stage area, my beautiful five-inch heels hit the nearly waxed floor and flew out from under me, and I landed on my “Derrière.” Rick ran over to help me and asked if I was okay. I looked up at him with my sweet smile and said, “Oh, Rick, you sang so beautifully, I fell for you.” He had a difficult timenot laughing out loud! I guess you could say it was also my most embarrassing wedding.
Moral of this story: Learn to laugh at yourself and make the most of every situation. It makes life more interesting.
Have a great day and a fantastic summer.
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