A Wedding Day To Remember

By Paul McCann

Gerry and Joanne nearly never made it to their own wedding . 

On the day of the wedding  Gerry was walking out  the front door on his way to his best man’s house in Old Ardoyne and it was one of those occasions when he was in two minds wondering if I should keep walking or race back inside for a shot of Irish to sooth his nerves  . So there he stood at his front door doing this kind of strange dance back and forward with his feet in a  soft slow shuffle with both his shoulders swaying back and forward . If only there was some music to go with his  body movement it might have been a great experience but he just followed his basic instincts and closed the front door 

On the way up the Pad he bumped into Gravy Murphy .
“Is that you Gerry ? “  he asked .

“Who else would it be Gravy ?”

Gerry said .
“Yea it’s just you all done up in a suit with the hair all shinning . Listen Gerry I don’t mean to hold you up if you’re not too busy  could you do me a favour  .“ Gravy asked
“No Gravy  . I’m actually going to get married this morning ?”

Gravy replied
“What you’re getting married , who to and where  ?”

“To Joanna  at Holy Cross , so as you understand I’m a bit busy and haven’t time to stand talking . “

“Could you lend me a few quid . I’ll get it back to you”

Gerry handed him a few notes and said .

“ You’re ok now with that Gravy  .“

“Gerry I’m not joking . You’re the man I’ll not forget that   .“

On the way to Billy’s house Gerry was stopped by a foot patrol and after they questioned him he got a little upset . He explained he was in his way to the church to get married .

They put him in the saracen and took him to Tennant Street Barack’s for further questioning . Gerry was trying to keep calm and say counting the holes on this perforated cardboard on the wall in front of him . Meanwhile while Billy was waiting for Gerry to call , he was rehearsing his best man’s speech .
Back in Joanna’s house the wedding dress was delivered . When she unpacked it , she discovered they had sent the wrong one . It was much too big . She had to get a taxi to the Bridal Boutique to get another outfit but time was tight .

Gerry was released from the Barracks but had to walk back to Ardoyne . It was nearly time for him to be at the Church . In desperation he flagged down an ambulance and explained his situation . The Ambulance driver was sympathising with him

and decided to help . He drove Gerry to Billy’s house and then took them to Holy Cross where a crowd of worried looking people were all standing outside the church wondering what was going on .

Just for a laugh the ambulance driver and Billy took Gerry into the side door at St Paul’s in a stretcher . It was all in good fun .  Once inside the church Gerry and Billy took their place at the altar rails . They were already a half hour

late and in the church everyone sat in the pews fidgeting uncomfortable .

The church looked a picture with  flowers  and ribbons at the end of each row of  seats near the altar . Fr Marcellus had been sitting patiently at the organ waiting  for the bride to arrive .

Fr Justin stood patiently at the altar making a few improvisations to kill the time . After he had told three short stories about funny things that had  happened at some other wedding ceremonies . 

A voice at the front door shouted . 

“She’s here “

Finally Joanna arrived through the front doors  for her wedding day and Fr Marcellus began to play the organ as the bride made her way up to the altar at Holy Cross Church . Heads all turn to look at the bride . Joanna’s  dress was exquisite . It was cloaked in a polar-bear dream satin that featuring a fitted bodice and a heart-shaped neckline . It had a very full skirt and full-length train. It had attracted the eyes of everybody in the church .

Billy the best man  who was also a good friend of the bride and groom , stood there with Gerry at the altar rails of the church as the bride made her way towards them in her beautiful wedding gown that had luckily been found in a different package in the boutique .

The flower girls looked lovely in their beautiful in their pink dresses.  

In the congregation that day were some of the shop owners who knew the happy couple as well as the doctor who had known the family for years , some of the bride and grooms family and friends .

Photographers were busy capturing special moments inside and the church .

After the ceremony there was a lot of explaining to do from both the bride and groom .

Outside the church the ambulance was still waiting parked near the wedding car . Photos were taken before making their way to the Shamrock for the reception .

On the large kitchen table in the Shamrock sat a nicely decorated wedding cake, that held pride of place . All the usual toasts were honoured.  Many congratulatory telegrams were read .

After the party the newly weds were taken away by the ambulance to  spent their honeymoon unknown by anyone except the bride and groom who had well guarded  the whereabouts of their hideaway for a week .

After the honeymoon the young couple settled down into married life and it wasn’t that long when their first baby was born a little girl .

The End