Imagine my pleasant surprise when I received a bridal shower invitation from my dearest cousin Jane. Everyone in the family knew her fiancé John and her had been planning to get married this year, therefore what really caught me by surprise was that she was going to throw a western themed wedding.
The Victorian-style invitation looked like a pony express delivery. The card was crème colored and even had burned edges. Under a curly 19th Century font of “WANTED” logo was my name. Well, she always did have a weakness for white Stetsons and horses. While this was not a totally unusual wedding idea, it would certainly be a first in our family. I couldn’t wait.
The country reception was held at our local community hall which had a vast garden to have open fires for barbeques and dancing. The weather was exceptionally fine. I was quite amazed by the beautiful spectacle. It looked like Jane really did her homework. She had hunted through antique shops and thrift stores for stylish cowboy motifs and decor that would fit with the western wedding theme she wanted.
Wheat was weaved into latticework and the low wooden fence of the garden was embellished with wildflowers. Horseshoes, old wagon wheels and wooden trellises lined with rope and bales of straw were placed around the corners of the garden for a real western flare.
Click here to see entire Western Fringe Collection!
Western themed favors such as white Stetsons, cowboy boots, little lassos, mustangs, steers, mini horseshoes could be seen everywhere. Jane also made sure that there were enough kerosene lamps, barbwire, tree stumps, bunting and swags, mason jars, jugs and wild fruit arrangements around to give the guests an unmistakable impression of a western wedding theme.
Just as I was about to help myself with a cookie that had an impression of horseshoes, someone bellowed that the bride was coming. Excitement was in the air. Instead of arriving in a limousine, the stunning bride made her grand entrance on a horse-drawn wagon! My uncle was immediately at her side to guide her down. I could not help noticing Jane was wearing a lacy Victorian gown with a lot of lacy trims. Her skirt was swept up to shin height in the front to show off her cowboy boots and fell to the ground at the back.
As it was spring, she opted for short Cap sleeves. I wonder if she had her wedding gown specially ordered just to flatter her perfect figure. She also wore a white Stetsons with a veil adorned with fresh flowers and carried hand-tied wildflowers.
Her bridegroom was waiting patiently as a theme from “Bonanza” was played for my uncle to escort her beloved daughter to the altar. John was donned in black Wranglers jeans, long-sleeved country-styled shirt with white buttons, a brown vest with matching jacket and a bandana. I loved his shining black boots with spurs, making him look like a real cowboy from the Wild Wild West. He also put on a white Stetsons.
When the minister pronounced them man and wife, my uncle gave the new couple and the guests a little surprise of his own. He honored them with a gunfire salute… … which promptly caused a few shrieks from the ladies and brought the police to our midst! My uncle had a lot of explaining to do but the drama was quickly over after assuring the police that the gunfire was actually blanks.
At that moment, my aunt sounded an old fashioned “triangle dinner bell” to get the guests’ attention that food was ready. There were plenty of roast beef, fried chicken, corn on the cob, baked beans, foil-wrapped potatoes, salad, etc and loads of finger foods such as chips and pretzels for everyone. Checkered oilcloth was used as tablecloths and the chairs had navy covers with a Raffia and red bandanna tie. At the same time, a live band began to play a few square dance numbers to create just the right ambience. Everybody had a jolly good time, although many people kept tripping over horseshoes that were scattered everywhere on the lawn as a result of the children’s playfulness. I would certainly say this western wedding theme (Western Fringe Collection) really took off.
As the day came to a close, the bride and bridegroom got ready to make their exit. The band appropriately played “Happy Trials” from Roy Rogers and Dale Evans to send the new couple on their way. The crowd looked on as the bridegroom helped the bride onto the wagon in which she came. As the horse pulled the wagon out, there was a wooden plank hanging at the back of the wagon with the words “Just Married” written on it. Everyone cheered as the groom threw his white Stetsons in the air and carried the bride away with him.
I was pretty sure I saw my uncle shed a tear.
About Jennifer
