The Bride’s Veil Came from Wal-Mart

Fifty-one years ago, Art and I met in Madrid, Spain. He and a friend were traveling through Europe, and they were the proud owners of an ancient Volkswagen. The car gave them independence and a way to partially fund their adventure. Back seat passengers paid half the gas, and thus the trip became affordable. My friend and I became two of those paying for the gas.
One year later, in a classical church in Atlanta, Ga., we joined our lives in front of God, family, and friends. It was a pretty formal event where Art and his groomsmen wore gray tails, and I wore a gown with a seriously long train. The ceremony was duly noted in the local newspapers, with descriptions of lace, hairstyles,  mothers’ dresses, bridesmaids’ costumes and the necessary information to establish that we were starting our life together in a way that Southern brides had done for many generations.
Fifty years later, with children, spouses and many grandchildren to test our waning stamina, we decided to commemorate our golden anniversary with an all-family week in Florida. Art and I had decided to pass on a fancy party and enjoy time together. 
All of our kids who could join us concocted a celebration that we will never forget. We were sent away to take a long walk while they prepared the Hall version of an anniversary party. At the appropriate time, we arrived back at our lodging, and our wedding rings were commandeered. There was quite an air of secrecy about the whole event.
Next, our daughter approached with long, wispy widths of tulle and pinned it onto my swimming-pool-styled hair and secured a dime-store tiara in the front. The bride wore rolled-up turquoise pants, sneakers and frizzy hair but her bouquet was made up of lovely fresh flowers from the grocery store.
The handsome and youthful groom wore a small orange-checked, short-sleeved, cotton shirt and a jazzy snap-on bow tie.  His jeans were not rolled up. The flower girls wore summer costumes, appropriate for being pushed into the pool after the ceremony. Flowers petals were strewn before the bride as she made her way across the lawn to join her son-in-law (officiant) and her smiling groom who was planted in front of the smoking Tiki torches.
As the sun set in the Florida sky, we pledged our love for another 50 years. Our young ring bearer kept our rings safe but available in the “tooth fairy” pillow brought from home for the purpose. The job required a serious demeanor, and he was admirable in performing the task. After our “I do’s” were restated, we moved to the adjoining desk and toasted one and all. 
The champagne was opened with an appropriately loud pop and much fizzy overflowed. Isn’t it more fun that way? 
The bride and groom enjoyed sharing delicate bites of cake (also from the grocery store) and refrained from smearing it on each other’s faces.  Others, however, did not show such restraint as one couple made a holy mess of cake and faces. At the end of the lovely reception, there was a wholesale pushing of bodies into the pool.
A good time was had by all.