Just so you don’t think I’m doing nothing but moping, I’m now going to write a four-piece series about the wedding I attended and MC’ed on Leap Day. In fun-sapping detail, I will explain hour-by-hour each minute detail from the night that Matt & Leslie met to the rehearsal to seeing the groom’s party getting dressed in the hotel room (grrowl). Prepare yourself for the most gloriously long post ever.

I kid.

On February 29, 2008, fellow Monkey, Matt2, and his lovely fiance, Leslie, roshamboed to see who would go first with their vows. In the middle of a beautiful ceremony and after three friends read tributes to the couple, Clint, who was presiding, said, “Now the bride and groom will compete to see who repeats their vows first.” Those in attendance all laughed until we realized they were being serious. Then we laughed harder. When Matt2 cheated by going on 3-1/2, we laughed even harder. Leslie told me the other day that the only people who knew were the couple and Clint. Even the best man and maid-of-honor had no clue this was going to be part of the ceremony. It was a hilarious and fun beginning to a 30’s/40’s-theme wedding that wouldn’t have been half as fun if their friends and family hadn’t gone all out to dress the part.

For our part, Cameron went as a banker of sorts and I got me a zoot suit. (You can click on the pictures to make them bigger.) We got there early because I was the AV geek who had to start music for the procession and make announcements and junk. So we got to see everyone as they arrived. Wow. Everyone was dressed to the “T’s”. The women really stole the show. They went all out with their hairdos and dress. Most went with the more high society look of the time, but there was at least one flapper. There were women I’ve known for years and couldn’t even recognize. I’m now convinced that the fashion of the 20’s, 30’s & 40’s may have been the best of the 20th Century.

The ceremony itself was wonderful due in part to the fun, the readings and the quickness of it. One of Matt’s best friends read from The Lord Of The Rings, one of Leslie’s best friends read a beautiful piece that she wrote and then another Monkey, Mateo, had everyone including himself in tears after reading a piece that was a dedication to not only the couple but their parents as well. As Clint pronounced them husband and wife, Matt2 let out a cry of triumph and then the partying started.

We waited in the bar while the wedding party had pictures taken. (The photographer made some of them public and they are gorgeous. You can see them here.) Then the reception started. The food was outstanding as was the company. It was a great evening and the best wedding I’ve ever been to due to the smaller, more intimate size and the commitment of Matt and Leslie’s friends to the theme. I can’t wait for their first anniversary party in 2012!

See more pictures here.

Listening to: “Greatest X” - Janet Jackson