A TwoPerson Celebration
When Emma was a child, she attends a wedding of a distant cousin with her parents. At first everything looks fascinating, but then she watches the bride and groom, exhausted from endless shouting of bitter, sit rigidly at the table without a smile while the guests leap up, dance, sing and cheer.
The noise overwhelms Emma; even at ten she decides shell never have a wedding like that. She feels sorry for the bride and groom.
If I get married maybe Id rather not at all, she thinks.
Years pass, Emma grows up, and when she meets James she forgets that old doubt. When she is with him she loses all other thoughts; it is just them.
Its wonderful to have someone who understands you with a halfword or even a halfglance, she tells herself as she lies down each night. Im glad I met James.
Emma knows she loves James; she recognises it as true love. She loves his devotion, the way he cherishes her and brushes away any dust from her shoulders.
Our relationship is built on trust, she says to her friend Lucy. We have complete mutual understanding, and I love how he respects my opinion, even when it differs from his.
Lucky you, Emma, that level of understanding is rare, Lucy replies. Mick and I are different. We each have our own quirks and cant seem to compromise. I dont even know if I want to marry him.
Youll figure it out in time, Emma advises. Youre not planning to marry him now, are you?
Exactly, I think the same, Lucy sighs. My mother never urges me to rush; she doesnt like Mick.
Because Emma and James understand each other so well, they approach the civil ceremony as if it were inevitable.
Emma, I think its time for us to get married, James says one evening as he walks her home. What do you think?
I think its the right moment, she replies, but Im not sure how we should hold the wedding. I dont want a huge guest list. She tells him about the noisy ceremony she witnessed as a child and how she vowed never to repeat it.
James laughs, knowing what a wedding can mean, and is unfazed.
Sometimes things are different, he says. Why worry? Maybe ours will be quieter.
Honestly, James, I want a wedding just for the two of us. I dont want a nightmare of shouting and screaming, Emma says.
Im not a fan of crowds either, James replies. Go to bed, well talk tomorrow. He nudges her gently toward the front door.
Emma cant sleep. She really doesnt want a noisy celebration. At twentysix, with James twentyeight, they think more maturely than twentyyearolds. That night after work they sit in a café and revisit the idea.
James, Im leaning toward a twoperson wedding, Emma says.
For two? How romantic, James exclaims. Imagine a grand restaurant hall, tables set, just the two of us. You in a white dress, me in a tailcoat, candles flickering, soft music playing Well toast with champagne and congratulate each other.
James, Im serious about a private ceremony, Emma insists. But how will we explain this to our families? My parents are only child; yours are only son.
Thats exactly the point, James replies, a little irritated. Our lives, but they make the decisions.
Tradition, they say, he adds philosophically.
Traditions arent for me. Id love to marry in a hidden mountain chapel, just the two of us, Emma muses.
Wed even be crowned, James jokes.
Those are my dreams, James, Emma says.
Alright, seriously, we could just register and then go off on a honeymoon, James suggests.
A honeymoon isnt a wedding, James. I want the ceremony for just us, she replies.
Fine, fine, a wedding for two then, James smiles. Our families will still expect a proper ceremony. Try explaining that to them. I dont mind a white dress, even a Tshirt and jeans if you want, though Ill still need my tailcoat. Traditions are hard to dodge.
No, I want a white dress, not jeans, and you in a tailcoat, Emma insists. Picture us at the registry office, you lift me onto your arms, and we whisk away to a yacht.
Exactly, Emma, what else are you thinking? James laughs.
A week later they secretly submit their marriage notice to the registry office, keeping it hidden from their parents. Two months remain before the wedding, and they still havent settled on the format, hoping time will bring clarity.
One rainy evening they sit in Jamess living room, not feeling like to go out.
Hello, lovebirds, says Margaret, Jamess mother, popping into the room. What are you celebrating? I heard you mention champagne.
Its our third anniversary of meeting, James answers.
I thought you were about to get married, Margaret says cryptically, eyes twinkling. I just heard you filed the notice.
Mom, how do you know everything? James asks. Do you run the whole town?
If I lived here long enough, Ill know, Margaret replies merrily.
Okay, well admit it. We filed the marriage notice and are still debating the wedding, Emma says.
What should you think about? Margaret declares. We, the parents, will decide. You just buy the dress, the rings, and Jamess suit.
We dont want a lavish wedding with a crowd, James whispers. Wed rather just marry and celebrate together.
Thats not a wedding, Margaret insists. A wedding is a wedding.
At that moment Roman, Jamess father, enters cheerfully.
Did I miss the wedding talk? he asks. Well done, finally
Yes, Dad, but we want a wedding for two, Emma says, and Margaret clutches her chest.
Thats not how we do things, Roman booms. How can you not want us there on your most important day? Our only son do you have no relatives? Well have a proper restaurant reception with guests.
Why must we follow your wishes instead of ours? James protests.
Because Roman cuts off, tone final, and leaves the room.
When James walks Emma to the door, he says, Now its your turn to tell your parents. I wonder what theyll say.
Theyll say the same thing youll hear, Emma smirks.
At home Emma meets a worried mother.
Emma, whats wrong? Your heart again? she asks.
No, Mum, this time its my soul. Margaret called to tell me youre against a twoperson wedding and that we filed the notice in secret. What have you and James concocted?
I thought youd have my support, Emma replies.
Tradition, dear, her father says. You cant break it. Weve done this before and will do it again.
I dont want to ruin my most important day, Emma pleads.
Well do whats proper, her father answers. Youll have a yacht and a honeymoon after a normal wedding.
Emma realises James is right: the parents will enforce their traditions and a large guest list. No one backs their plan. When James tells his friend Simon about wanting a private celebration, Simon sighs, I was hoping for a proper party.
Its not final yet, Simon. Our parents are against it and will do it their way, James says, and Simon pats his shoulder.
Exactly, just like everyone else.
The wedding day approaches. The parents are busy arranging flowerswhite or pink?and have already booked a venue for two hundred guests.
Emma and James stare at each other, stunned by the numbers.
We were hoping for something small, James murmurs.
Small, of course. Dont worry. Well handle everything. After the ceremony well drive you to the airport for a seaside getaway. Then itll be just the two of you, Roman promises.
The ceremony takes place in a restaurants flowerfilled hall. On the morning of the wedding Emma feels dizzy; the parents keep her in the dark, wanting the youngsters to stay calm while they plot something grand.
Finally the day arrives. Emma steps out of the flat in a stunning white dress, James waiting in a crisp tailcoat. The festive atmosphere sweeps her up, and she feels exhilarated.
I love this bustle, Emma thinks, surrounded by family, friends, and acquaintances.
The restaurant glitters with white blossoms. Guests toast, shout bitter and wish the couple happiness. Emma is radiant, and James is even more so; her joy mirrors his.
Later, as they board a plane for their honeymoon, they smile and say, That was quick and wonderful.
