Friday, January 2, 2015

News from Joe on Weddings in 2014


The Marriage Factory in 2014

Weddings.  People keep having them.  Here's a couple who got married at the Rose Bowl (http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/01/us/oregon-duck-fans-wedding/index.html).  Business at the Marriage Factory continues apace.  I usually do 8-12 weddings each Friday morning.  This year, I even subbed on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.  Christmas Eve was busy, New Year's Eve not so much.

This week, I did a pair of double weddings, where groom #1 was the witness for couple #2.  More people than you think get married on the spur of the moment, finding a witness among the similarly inclined or the kindly romantic.  Our no-appointment-needed policy is very attractive to those with a yen to take care of everything at once, mitigated only by the need to feed a meter until their turn comes.  Every once in a while, that is a gating factor, at least until a last-minute scramble sets things right.

Witnesses number from 0 to "Please, if you can't find a seat, stand quietly."  Children are quiet or excited or bored or screaming or some combination thereof.  Tears and laughter, mostly from the bride, sometimes from the groom, often from the crowd.  Every once in a while, a sigh of relief from a parent, sibling or even a child, glad her folks finally made it official.

There have been a number of lovely outfits since I last wrote.  Wednesday, a patterned blue shawl blouse with fringe, followed by a white macrame-style knit dress. Each groom matched his bride, midnight blue bowling-shirt cut for one, cream linen suit for the other.

I've seen long, flowing gowns and simple but elegant sundresses; modest heels, thigh-high lace-up boots, and pink bedazzled flip-flops; sweeping up-dos, long flowing locks, shaved heads, and even a veil or two.

I know the clerks missed having Miss Janet with them in the latter part of 2014 and look forward to her return, as do I.  Get well soon, dear.


--
Joe Mallon

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