Anniversaries, Elvis, and the Shriners

Yesterday, I shared my 23rd wedding anniversary with the anniversary of Elvis' death. Usually that sort of coincidence is not something anyone would have to give a second thought to. But my life played out a little differently.
I was married in Memphis. Also home to a little shrine called Graceland. And it is a shrine for those millions of Elvis fans from around the world that flock there, especially on August 16 each year. I didn't think about that when I was young and giddily planning my wedding. I wasn't much of an Elvis fan although I do have a vivid memory of my mother crying her eyes out the day he died. I chose a Saturday to get married that miraculously did not appear to conflict with the huge multitude of activities I had to avoid to please my expanding family (college football, various hunting seasons, etc - remember, I am in the south). I had always pictured myself getting married in the fall. Oh well. August 16 would have to do. Maybe it would be a cool day.
We found an old home that had been turned into a bed and breakfast and special event venue. We booked it in January. It would be perfect for the reception as well as to house my out-of-town family.
Caterers were found, florists were scheduled. I found a perfect dress for $100 (you all remember my frugality, right?) and booked a lovely hotel for our wedding night with the plan to leave on our honeymoon the following day. All systems were go.

Cue the music that let's you know all systems are about to go haywire.
August 16 rolled around that year, much like every other year in Memphis, as a hot, humid day. With rain. The rain delayed the beginning of the parade that closed the roads in mid-town Memphis between my quaint little house housing my relatives and soon to hold the reception and the church of my wedding. The parade that had something to do with Elvis and thousands of other people. Including Shriners. You have to love the Shriners.
The rain relented before the wedding began which left the air dripping with moisture. I dripped with moisture too. That perfect dress I bought in January 1986? Quite the height of fashion with full satin sleeves and skirt. One benefit was that I'm fairly sure I lost 5 pounds sweating and lugging that dress around on me all day.
The church was beautiful and the wedding went as I had always hoped and dreamed. Off we went to our reception in the beautiful old house.

Without air conditioning.
No one had thought to tell me when I booked it in January that it wasn't air conditioned. And I sure didn't think to ask in the middle of winter. Thankfully, I had put my bridesmaids in sleeveless dresses. Bridesmaids are always a walking time bomb when you put them in a dress they will never wear again - which I had. But at least they were the only ones not in long sleeves.

No one fainted and we didn't have to call 911 so I consider the reception a success. There are lots of photos of people with the biggest sweat stains you've ever seen and portions of the video where our dear friends and relations are griping about the lack of air conditioning. It's always been fun for us to watch since we were so excited, we didn't' really notice what was happening at the moment.
And off we went to our hotel for our wedding night.

With the Shriners.

Yes, they were staying in my bridal hotel. And let me tell you, the Shriners we were honeymooning with can toss back more than their fair share of libations. And sing. And play the lobby piano.

All. Night. Long.In summary, best laid plans - yada, yada, yada. But, something must have worked because 23 years later, we are still going strong.

And I wouldn't go back and change a single thing about that day.