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How to throw a great wedding reception for myself
It made me
Content 
"I did only what was important to me"
How I did it: I am on marriage number three so you can imagine I am done with white
dresses and convention. My husband and I had just moved into a 102 year
old house that needed lots of help and was still filled with moving
boxes. Having the reception inside was therefore impossible but I
wanted our home to be the venue for one of my happiest moments. The
yard was our only option. As the day drew near rain was forecast and so
I ordered a gigantic tent (or as gigantic as I could afford). I hired a
friend’s band that I have always admired for their great jazz and blues
standards. I decorated the tent inside with tons of small Christmas
lights as we had no outdoor lighting. I bought myself a long colorful
East Indian skirt and a cotton lace blouse but added an orange (my
favorite color), wool sweater as the day turned cold and rainy. It was
a potluck and only those people who loved us enough to brave the
weather showed up – a perfect amount as the tent wouldn’t hold more! I
hired a tarot card reader who gave readings to the guests while we all
stayed cozy sitting on straw bales around the gas heater in the tent
under the twinkle lights as the storm raged outside. The band was
doubtful when confronted with a tent in the rain for their venue but we
rolled out an Indian rug and helped them set up. Alma sang to the party
gathered close around her. The music so superb and personal. Then my
first husband took the mike and sang a beautiful song he had written
for me 20 years ago. Also, my good friend from work,Julie, sang a song
dedicated to my husband and me. I got to sing the last refrain with her
and it was magic (I am not a good singer) but at that moment I was Joan
Baez and our harmony was perfect. Finally, I took the microphone and
announced my devotion to my beloved (a rare public confession). Guests
departed but our neighbor boys had just recently stopped in and so
they, my sister, niece, brother-in-law, daughter, and almost
son-in-law, continued dancing, eating and merrymaking into the night.
Everything
turned out as it should have with scattered planning, deluges of rain
(my favorite)and the perfect date (Nov. 1st). I only did what was
important and meaningful to me and hang the rest!
