24 min
The Wedding Re-Story : Love in the time of COVID-19
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- Performing Arts
Episode 2: The Wedding
I’m Sissy Siero, your guide, your host, your virtual wedding coordinator - sharing an insider’s view of a socially-distanced blessed event - A wedding… right in our neighborhood; across the street no less.
How a clan of neighbors who, only 6 weeks earlier, went from waving to each other when we got into our cars, to a tightly nit group of new-found friends; banding together to make the best possible wedding, in the strangest possible situation, for a beloved couple - who had to postpone their big day, due to the pandemic.
You’ll hear live audio, from the Wedding and Reception, as well as other wedding stories; some from couples in the same situation as our friends, and a few stories from community writers remembering their own weddings.
I’m grateful to Justin and Mary Kate for allowing me to tell some of their story from this beautiful event, and to share it with all of you. It’s these moments that connect and remind us of who we are, what we’re doing and why - especially now when the pieces of our lives just don’t to fit together the way they use to.
First up the live Audio from Justin and Mary Kate’s wedding ceremony - April 24, 2020, ATX.
So, get ready- to raise a glass to love in Episode 2: The Wedding. [ audio from the Wedding ceremony]
This section of the show consists of more live audio from the wedding reception, and stories from couples experiencing the same thing as Justin and Mark Kate, as well as other stories of wedding memories.
And now… more of Episode #2 - The Wedding First up : 2 weddings in 35 days:
It was 2008, and we found out we could be legally married in - where else - California! So off we went.
Marriage license obtained at Beverly Hills City hall, where burly security guards congratulated us in gruff voices; queers of every stripe posing for happy photos on the steps; staring in disbelief as the license was pushed toward us through the slot and instead of a perfunctory close of the deal nod- this person looked up and gave us a warm, genuine smile.
Traci agreed to this adventure, more for me than anything, since to her it wouldn’t make a difference to our lives here in Texas. I know, but Damnit I wanted the piece of paper. I wanted what every other American citizen was legally able to do; it mattered!
That early evening It was to be just Traci, me, my BBF Hilary and her darling husband Jack, also there was an officiant I had met over the phone and spoke to twice.
Hilary and Jack had scattered rose pedals and hung chimes over the arch that looked out onto the blue pacific from park above Santa Monica - my idea of heaven.
When we held hands, looked into each other’s eyes and said our vows, my tears were not surprising - I could not believe my good fortune - was this really, finally happening! Wedding number 2 was 35 days later on our back deck in ATX. Full regalia this time. Family, flowers; Dad in his blue suit and pink tie, to walk me down the stone path. Traci’s Mother to walk her in to meet me; so many dear ones got up and read a wish, an invocation, a blessing for us, that became a book we still cherish; our darling friends decorated, helped with flowers, even hired a limo to whisk us away to a crazily decorated bridal suite at the Four Seasons; a few of our close boyfriends brought a sound system, set it up – DJ’s and Officiated.
We had a dance floor and catering; a photographer, white cafe lights and champaign and magic. And of course …beautiful Traci… - the way her hands felt in mine, her spirit filling my eyes….; our vows resonated with an even deeper intention this night. Time stretched and went it by in a whirl.
Something shifted in my consciousness that evening - 2 different weddings but somehow, the same experience. Without prompting my heart led the escape …melting a carefully constructed vessel I tried to keep it in.
Episode 2: The Wedding
I’m Sissy Siero, your guide, your host, your virtual wedding coordinator - sharing an insider’s view of a socially-distanced blessed event - A wedding… right in our neighborhood; across the street no less.
How a clan of neighbors who, only 6 weeks earlier, went from waving to each other when we got into our cars, to a tightly nit group of new-found friends; banding together to make the best possible wedding, in the strangest possible situation, for a beloved couple - who had to postpone their big day, due to the pandemic.
You’ll hear live audio, from the Wedding and Reception, as well as other wedding stories; some from couples in the same situation as our friends, and a few stories from community writers remembering their own weddings.
I’m grateful to Justin and Mary Kate for allowing me to tell some of their story from this beautiful event, and to share it with all of you. It’s these moments that connect and remind us of who we are, what we’re doing and why - especially now when the pieces of our lives just don’t to fit together the way they use to.
First up the live Audio from Justin and Mary Kate’s wedding ceremony - April 24, 2020, ATX.
So, get ready- to raise a glass to love in Episode 2: The Wedding. [ audio from the Wedding ceremony]
This section of the show consists of more live audio from the wedding reception, and stories from couples experiencing the same thing as Justin and Mark Kate, as well as other stories of wedding memories.
And now… more of Episode #2 - The Wedding First up : 2 weddings in 35 days:
It was 2008, and we found out we could be legally married in - where else - California! So off we went.
Marriage license obtained at Beverly Hills City hall, where burly security guards congratulated us in gruff voices; queers of every stripe posing for happy photos on the steps; staring in disbelief as the license was pushed toward us through the slot and instead of a perfunctory close of the deal nod- this person looked up and gave us a warm, genuine smile.
Traci agreed to this adventure, more for me than anything, since to her it wouldn’t make a difference to our lives here in Texas. I know, but Damnit I wanted the piece of paper. I wanted what every other American citizen was legally able to do; it mattered!
That early evening It was to be just Traci, me, my BBF Hilary and her darling husband Jack, also there was an officiant I had met over the phone and spoke to twice.
Hilary and Jack had scattered rose pedals and hung chimes over the arch that looked out onto the blue pacific from park above Santa Monica - my idea of heaven.
When we held hands, looked into each other’s eyes and said our vows, my tears were not surprising - I could not believe my good fortune - was this really, finally happening! Wedding number 2 was 35 days later on our back deck in ATX. Full regalia this time. Family, flowers; Dad in his blue suit and pink tie, to walk me down the stone path. Traci’s Mother to walk her in to meet me; so many dear ones got up and read a wish, an invocation, a blessing for us, that became a book we still cherish; our darling friends decorated, helped with flowers, even hired a limo to whisk us away to a crazily decorated bridal suite at the Four Seasons; a few of our close boyfriends brought a sound system, set it up – DJ’s and Officiated.
We had a dance floor and catering; a photographer, white cafe lights and champaign and magic. And of course …beautiful Traci… - the way her hands felt in mine, her spirit filling my eyes….; our vows resonated with an even deeper intention this night. Time stretched and went it by in a whirl.
Something shifted in my consciousness that evening - 2 different weddings but somehow, the same experience. Without prompting my heart led the escape …melting a carefully constructed vessel I tried to keep it in.
24 min