Yesterday was beautiful and bright
Lots of smiles and Texas sunlight,
Cameras and film and this and that
Ready to create a memory path.
Be at the church by 9:30 I had asked
Photos are to be taken, a pleasant task,
Groom and best man were standing outside
Nowhere in sight was the beautiful bride.
Oh they are running late, but they'll be here
They finally arrived, I gave a silent cheer,
The unsmiling priest acted pretty put out
You can't dress in the church he almost said with a shout,
You have to go to the center across the parking lot
There you'll find a dressing spot.
I will be there in a little while with the key
Among a few grumbles and nary a glee,
He finally walked across the wide span
Carrying a collection of keys within his hand.
Mumbling and grumbling he finally opened the door
As we all filed in, onto a basketball floor,
A tiny bathroom was used without any comfort at all
Everyone was sweating in this home of basketball.
By the time the bride was finally dressed
All of us were more than a little stressed,
Finding a background to get some good closeup shots
Wasn't much fun with it being so hot.
I went back to the church, greeting family and friends
I had a funny feeling this day will be without end,
I had prayed the night before everything would be okay
But I don't think the priest received God's memo that day.
You can't move around when the ceremony begins
You can take photos without flash he said without a grin,
Where would be the best place for me to stand?
Over there he grumbled and pointed with his hand.
This is getting better and better I thought to myself
It was just one of those nagging feelings I felt,
The music started, the wedding party had arrived
I settled down with relief and a sigh.
The ceremony was beautiful, I had hope yet
The I do's were said, photo taking was next,
All was going well then the priest said to me
You have to wind this up, I have to leave.
I'm not finished, there are many more that have to be done
You'll just have to take them in the hot Texas sun,
I couldn't believe he started turning out the lights
Is it illegal to feel like you want to beat up a priest in a fight?
We'll just have to take the rest outside in the sun
Being a wedding photographer sometimes is not too much fun,
I finished outside shots because they were anxious to go
I guess I'll get parents and grandparents at the reception, you know?
Out of town we drove, to a small community miles away
I have a sinking feeling about this wedding day,
I got to the reception right after the bride and groom
The reception hall was nice, could have been more room,
Outside there was a tree that would be a beautiful background
Yet the groom had gone back to their house and couldn't be found.
One hour ticked by and still no word from the groom
The bride was looking anxious as whispers filled the room,
So the meal was served another half hour went by
Finally the groom decided to arrive.
The poor bride had a frown on her face
As he walked over into her space,
He sat down, talked to her for awhile
Then he walked out of the door, not wearing a smile.
Seems he had gotten hot and sweaty in the Texas sun
"I decided to shower while I was at home, Hon!"
Finally things settled down and he came back inside
He got his chicken fried steak dinner and sat down by his bride.
The cake lady was late, should have been set up by ten
Four hours later she finally came in,
With help from her husband the cakes were in place
Watching all of the action, I felt I had just run a race.
Okay now, we can finish photographing family and friends
Oh no, when will this wedding day ever come to an end?
But what is this now, oh my the parents couldn't
They had changed into jeans and shorts, please tell me they wouldn't,
Well onward we went, just as they were dressed
Let's see now, isn't a wedding day supposed to be blessed?
By the time I insisted for the bride and the groom
To go outside, out from the hectic room,
The bottom of the bride's dress
Had become a horrible mess.
I finally got them under the tree
Had to tuck under the dirty dress so no one could see,
By the time I got home it was quite late
I felt a little shell-shocked, I sure had earned my pay!
Usually I take up to fifteen film rolls
But this wedding was different as everyone knows,
One black and white, three color and one digital card
Was all I managed to shoot, between ending and start.
Late bride and missing groom
Grumbling priest and small reception room,
Undressed parents and dirty bride's gown
Less smiles and many more frowns.
Whew, that is over, I'm so very glad
Maybe the wedding this Saturday won't be so bad,
In the meantime I'll practice my happy face
To get me through this hectic wedding photographer's race!!!!!!!
