This is the gist of my wedding about two years ago last June. It is quite lengthy and poorly written, I culled it from a Role-Play that I had with another forum, shortly before I became a Lair Bear.

[spoiler=The Processional] It was the first week in June, but a freak storm had blown over the Sierra Mountains and dropped two feet of snow on the ground the night before. But Frieda's wedding was still on and all of the guests gathered at the Burrow Inn, a huge cavern constructed into the side of the hill by the Mole and Beaver folk who comprised the engineers of the community. It could easily hold a thousand creatures of all kinds and was the meeting place for the Woodland Council and the social center of the community. Every Wednesday evening, after Market day, the Burrow Inn hosted the Market Day Dance. But today, it was the gathering place for the community to come and wish Frieda and Weldon good luck on their wedding day. There was free ale, meat-filled 'paw-pies' and biscuits, so the crowd had become quite large. Not all the company present were actually invited to the wedding dinner, but nobody complained, especially after downing several hearty pies and drinking several pints of Poppy's Famous Wheezle Brew.

After an hour of shaking paws, receiving hugs and kisses, Frieda and Weldon slipped quietly out a side tunnel of Burrow Inn and up the snow-lined path to Cousin Sparky Wheezle's massive granite home which overlooked the entire Glen Meadow Valley. Half way up the hill, at a vista point that looked down upon the Inn, Freddie and Welly paused to watch the sun fall behind the western mountains of Central California. Weldon was overcome with emotion, took Frieda in his arms and Kissed her passionately.

They didn't linger after catching their breath, they continue back up the path so they could be prepared to meet their dinner guests.

Back at the Burrow Inn, Sparky takes his willow whistle from his vest pocket and started a lively tune as he cavorted about the interior of the great hall. He was joined by his band-mates in a lusty song of romance and was the signal for all the invited guests to follow them up to his house; the procession has begun. His mate Sally joined him and they led the way out the main tunnel of the Inn and along the path up to their house.

Members of the Watchers Corps had built two watch fires within stone fire-rings at the bottom of the mile long trail, one fire on either side of the snow-lined path, and torches have been stacked near the watch fires. Male guests would walk along the down-hill side of the trail, the females would take the inside, and each guest would carry a torch after lighting them in the watch-fire. The procession up the path became a loud, rollicking, affair with all the guests singing the good old songs of romance, love, shenanigans, and merry-making. All in all, there were 100 torches that wound their way up the steep path to the top of the hill creating a living, moving, creature of fire and song. Frieda and Weldon wait at the top of the path near another set of fire rings that has been set with wood to be ignited by their guests torches. As the guests placed their torches in the fire-ring, Weldon and Frieda would greet them and direct them into the house.

The village guests who attended the reception at the Burrow Inn left now for home, their tummies full of good food and pleased that they got to see the beginning of the fire-walk. It was also a blessing to them that they got to greet and kiss the bride of course.

Sparky's Poppy and Mum brought up the rear, greeted stragglers and late-comers, assuring them that it was not an evil to be tardy. Poppy's easy-going spirit and fun-loving way of looking at life made him the perfect host because of his uncanny skill of making his guests feel at ease. When Poppy finally got to the top of the path, Mum was patiently waiting for him, they were the last couple. Together they placed their torches into the fire, Kissed Freddie and Weldon and then allowed the young couple to escort them in. Upon entering Sparky's Home, Poppy bellows, 
 "Sparky! Lets have some more music!"

Sparky and his band-mates were ready and began a cheerful waltz for those who felt like some slow dancing before dinner. There was wine, ale, cheeses, freshly picked strawberries, apricots and cherries to nibble on while the guests settled in and prepared for the evening. Dinner would be served shortly, but the guests had some time to meet and greet each other more intimately. Poppy opened a new keg of his Famous Wheezle Brew out on the back veranda where many of the males gathered for a brew and perhaps a smoke. Weldon helped Poppy fill some mugs for their guests and Weldon took a moment to fill his pipe.

Sparky's band played another light-hearted waltz while guests freshened up. A few guests could be seen off to the sides chatting, a more then half danced, and some looked anxiously for something to eat. It wasn't too much later that there was a slight commotion coming from the kitchen that indicated that dinner was almost ready. Frieda strolled over to where Weldon was, took his paw in hers, smiled up at him and leaned against him affectionately. He kissed her gently then smiled back with a eager glow. 
After the waltz was over, Sparky held up his paws: "Friends, family, and loved ones all, may I have your attention? The time has come for us all to take our places at the table and get down to business." Sparky laughed, and then continued, "There are no assigned seats, but please take your seats quickly, Mrs. Badger is a brilliant cook, but she bites! Now for those of you who are new here, there are some protocols you need to be aware of:" 
 Glen Meadow Wedding Protocols

1. The dinner is the wedding. It is the culmination of a business transaction that was mutually agreed upon by the bride and the groom at the time they became betrothed. So, there is no saying of the vows. ( A vow is made at the Glen Meadow Woodland Council Meeting the following day. )
2. Family and friends participate in this 'business' by 'offering council' This is the fun part and guests are expected to speak their minds to the couple.
3. Dancing, drinking and shenanigans take place after the dinner, sleep after that. Sleeping in late is mandatory, cause your head may explode if you don't. There is a room for everybody, except me of course, Sally and I are sleeping in the pantry…for obvious reasons as you will see later on….

Sparky waited for all the guests to take their seats before he proceeded, "So, as Lady Frieda's and Colonel Weldon's sponsors, it is my duty to encourage your participation in this transaction. Lady Frieda and Lt. Colonel Weldon concluded their transaction this morning when Frieda proposed marriage. That she asked him out in the middle of the ocean, treading water after she had knocked him out of the ship they were working on, should show you the depth of emotion that they have for each other. But you all know them well too, and your voice in this union needs to be heard. Speak up, and give them your advice, tell us a recollection of yours about either of them, give them a piece of your mind ( all in good fun of course), sing them a song, tell then a poem, whatever you feel compelled to say. And if you cannot think of something to say, Poppy'll refill your glass untill your tongue is loose!" After this was said, there is a time where guests told amusing anecdotes about Frieda and Weldon as the food was brought out.

The Menu

1. Fresh fruits; strawberrries, apricots, cherries,
2. Greens: watercress, miner's lettuce and field green salad
3. Soups: potato and corn chowder, ceveiche, vegetarian vegetable,
4. Pasta: Spatzle, potato dumplings, linguini with brown butter, garlic and asiago.
5. Foul: roasted duck, goose, chicken.
6. Fish: wine-poached large-mouth bass, trout amandine, fresh-water lobster thermadore
7. Meats: creamed mouse on toast, (for non-humans) pit-roasted lamb, sauerbraten and rouladen
8. Assorted Glen Meadow artisan breads, butter, jams, preserves, jellies from local berries, fruits and herbals.
9. Dessert: fruits, cheeses, sherry, port, pastries, fruit pies, tarts, cookies, coffee.

Freddie was grinning from ear to ear, eyes glistening brightly as each guest spoke. Weldon blushed, not from embarrassment, but from his deep humility at level of responsibility that each speaker was placing on his shoulders for the care and protection of his love. Together they laughed, cheered and drew closer to each other as their friends and family spoke to them.

Harriet the Wise, Master Healer stood slowly with aid from Sparky, raised her glass to the couple, "Lady Frieda, you have been like a daughter to me, and I am extremely proud of you and your work. Everywhere you go, you have brought healing, even when you were hurting and despairing of life yourself. Your mother and father would be proud of you. My child, is there anything you cannot do? Other then not being able to boil water without fainting, that is?"

Sparky Wheezle stood up,"Weldon, you are like a brother to me, you have been very loyal and faithful to our cause. You have served Lady Frieda well as her protector. As her Mate, continue in that role, but add love, compassion, tenderness and forbearance. She is blessed by the Maker with long life, if you let your love for her grow, you will also enjoy that blessing and so will your offspring. " Sparky raised his tankard to the couple and then drank. The dinner was tasty, the wine flowed, and everybody thoroughly enjoyed each others company.

Sparky thumped his empty tankard down, laughed a hearty laugh, reached into his breast pocket, took out his willow-whistle and piped a trill to get everybody's attention, "Honored Guests our business is concluded, the union is made, but our celebration continues! Eat, drink, and dance the night away! Let strangers fall in love, let old lovers reunite, There may be snow on the ground but there is a fire in our hearts! Feel free to bless the young couple with pithy words of wisdom but it's time to let our inhibitions go! It's Spring, a time of upheaval! Dance! Flirt! Sing! Kiss! Drink! There is still more celebration

He put his whistle to his lips, winked at Sally, and piped a rollicking jig as he capered to the tune. Soon all his band mates had joined in and they kept the music going into the wee hours of the morning.

Weldon hardly had a chance to dance with Frieda, but he got a lot of dances with many of Frieda's family and friends. It was all a subterfuge, designed to occupy Weldon while the females 'stole the bride.' Sally and Frieda's friend Willow shuttled Frieda into the large Master Suite which was adjacent the Great Room and they were followed in by most of the younger females who kept up a steady stream of giggles and chatter. Sally locked the door and started carefully removing Freddie's wedding dress and letting down her hair, as Freddie protested, "Sally, Willow, what's going on? What are you girls doing?"

Weldon circulated around the main room, grabbed some nibbles and chit-chatted with guests. After a few moments it slowly dawned on him that most of the girls and females were gone. Suddenly he felt as if he had been 'played'. He started looking around and asked some of the males what was going on. Nobody seemed to notice that anything was amiss and one of the older males offered Weldon a brew to calm down.

Finally, Weldon knocked on the Master Suite Door, "Lady Frieda? Are you in there? What's going on?"

Before Freddie could answer the door Willow got there. "Yes Weldon what is it?" She stepped out of the door, shutting it tight behind her. "Yes Freddie is in there but, you can't go in." She looked down her nose at Weldon.

Weldon looked at Willow long and hard, trying to read her but he was drawing a blank and he was starting to get nervous. The rest of the guests sensed the tension and gathered around Weldon, curious as to what was going to happen next. Weldon cleared his throat a couple of times as if to say something, shifted his weight from one leg to another and was about to cast his gaze around the room and break the stare-down that he had found himself in when his paw brushed against the metal blade of the sword hat Willow had just given him and he felt his resolve return. He stood up tall and spoke firmly, "Willow, Lady Frieda is my mate now. Tell me what I need to do to be able to go in and bring her back out, so that we can continue in the celebration of our marriage." He did not release his gaze but stood resolute. Whatever had happened to cause this turn of events, He was promised himself to make it right by Frieda.

Willow crossed her arms and tried to look imposing, hard to do when a smile was creeping across her face. "I must find you worthy of Miss Freddie. ...I think... a song. Mind you...I might send you away. So Weldon..." She raised her voice and waved her arm, "Prove your love in front of all these people." She crossed her arms again and smiled. "Sing a song to her. If it is good I will let you take her to your bed tonight. If it is bad, You will have to try again tomorrow night."

Weldon gulped, " A song. Ok, a song then, but please open the door so that I can at least sing to her." 
Willow consented to this request and as the door opened he closed his eyes for a brief moment. When he opened them again, he fixed his gaze on Frieda. She was dressed for bed in a stunning bridal sleepwear set that her friends had given her and had helped her with. Weldon swallowed hard, knelt, gripped the hilt of the sword and with a strong clear voice, he sang to Frieda:



 As a young lad I was troubled and I asked of my father,
 
"Daddy when will I know if I'm truly in love?"

 He smiled and he laughed, his eyes glowing like fire-flies,
 
His strong arms drew me up on his knee and he said,


 
 "My Son,

Love is a blessing that comes down from the Maker,
 
It's not something you craft or is bought from a store,

 If your heart is a pure one and you follow his leading,

 He will bless you with love that will last evermore."




 I have watched you, my dear Frieda, throughout many seasons,

 Such a high spirited lass, full of life and carefree,

 While I kept up my vigil so pensive and quiet,
 
I hope and I prayed you'd take notice of me.



 You bid me adieu when my orders came through,

 Before I went to war, we met at the Cafe' am Meer,

 For the briefest of hours we exchanges tender words,

 Then you held me and kissed me and said, "Farewell Dear."



 Through the fire fight and the thunder, the rain storm and terror,

 One thought kept me going and that thought was of you,

 Through the blood and the war and the bleak disappointments,

 My father's words echoed, "Find a love that is true."



 Love is not something mundane that's taken for granted, 

 It's a gift to be shared, like the warmth from a fire,

 Your kiss dearest Frieda, has kindled to flame,

 A blaze in my heart that will only grow higher.


 My love for you Frieda will only grow higher....



As Weldon stood at attention and awaited the verdict, a tear fell on his cheek. Willow loosed one arm and tapped her chin with her finger. "Hmmm, I'm not sure. Sure its sweet and seems from the heart...but..." Her eyes glowed as she looked at him, "Then again, there is no one who could love Freddie quite like him...and the same for you. So I guess...it is acceptable." She smiled and bowed to him, moving out of the way of the door. "Congratulations Mister Weldon."

Weldon's knees were knocking, but a smile erupted across his face as he bowed to Willow, "Thank you Willow, thank you for loving Frieda as much as you do. That was well played." He came to the realization that he had been set up, but he knew it was all done for the love Frieda's friends had for her and he was a very good sport about it. He stepped forward and took Frieda in his arms and ki

Will we be singing soon? It took some time but I finally chosen the song Crockett will sing.

Yes, probably by tonight. I will love to see that post.

When she sings do you want me to post the lyrics?

That was an absolutely lovely post!

Calypso : Yes, I do. If that is OK with you. You'll know when the time comes, it will be during the "Dinner Phase" of the wedding. It's now time for Aya and Robin to be announced. Did you write the lyrics?

- Laurie has already sang her song for Maddy and Louis, I hope that doesnt screw up anything.

: Nope, it doesn't, and it counts. It was perfect and I really loved it! Wow you have an imagination!

Now as far as what you plan to do to...erm...I mean for Robin, that comes after the dinner... ( hint... hint...nudge...nudge...wink wink...)

I'm afraid I followed right after Laurie. Sorry if I jumped the gun.

: Oh, I'm not worried about that, I love that song and I'm glad you used it. That song, along with "If" and "You're Still The One" are songs that have become "our songs" for me and my mate. Well played.

Heheh, I had considered If as well as We've Only Just Begun. Longer won my heart though. I'm glad you liked it. hugs

: Oh! I like that song too. You could have written the lyrics to "Goodbye to Love" by the Carpenters and I would have flipped out. ( Although I have never been to a wedding where that song was sung or played...but I still like it! ) That's the trouble with a lot of the music today, there's not a whole lot of innocent love, finding love, cherishing love, protecting love-like songs out there. The songs of the 60's and 70's were the last of the really great lyrics for that kind of love I guess....

I totally agree! I don't listen to modern music. I mostly stick with anything up to the 80s.

: I know about that. I was born in the wrong century.

I was born at the tail end of the 50s, so I grew up on 60s and 70s music.

I love beebop, jazz, gospel, country, bluegrass, classical, church music, rock and roll, rock, classic rock, celtic, string band....not a whole lot really.

My author was born in 1956, which explains his certain curmudgeon-esque tendencies from time to time...Although he sure loves his little Weasel-Freddy and Weasel-Welly....

1959 here. I mostly like soft rock and easy listening, with a fondness for country and I absolutely love Blackmore's Night.

I made some parody lyrics for three Black Crows called Three Little Weasels.

Three Little Weasel (Parody of Three Black Crows by Blackmore's Night) Lyrics by Sparky Wheezle, Sally Wheezle and Stephanie Wagerer

Three little weasels sitting down for tea, Mommy looks with pride upon her dears, Then they fight each other for the plate of sweets, And their halos slip down around their ears.

Oh, but Mommy is quick, gives her apron a flick, And she tells them they had better mind, No fooling around, that's her final word, Or she'll give each one a sore behind.

Three little weasels know the jig is up, Sniffling as the cookies pass them by.

Little weasels getting ready for the bath, Watching playtime pass them by, Wet their whiskers, splashing water with their paws, To fool Mommy while thinking they're sly.

But their Poppy is wise ( he once was a child,) And he tells them that their Grand-Pop once said, "When you're scrubbed all clean and your jammies are on, I will let you bounce on your bed."

Tired weasels drifting off to sleep, Shiny halos bright above their heads.

At the nursery door, in each other's arms, Mom and Pop smile on their offspring, By the nightlight's glow, their angels sleep, What will tomorrow bring?

Then I got some of the young males in Sparky's Band to help me record all the music, and now I'm drawing the graphics to make a little YouTube Video. The music turned out fantastic, they used the same instruments as Blackmore did, and the illustrations are really cute. It won't be an animation, more like a little slide show with lyrics and music. I will forward it to you first when I am done because you taught me about Blackmore's Night first.

I listened to the song when you made it, but I'll love seeing the video you put together!

Oh yeah, that's right. Maybe I should go to bed now....( giggle )

Middle 50's for me too,i grew up with Hippies,Hendrix and all the rest of the good rock music. Listen why is it that Judy-km is or rather has been sleeping in the bushes for the last 3 weeks???Maybe we should go get her and bring her to the party......