How many times in your life to you get asked to marry a couple.? Anna called me up last week and said that they would like me to officiate at their wedding. They interviewed some ministers and felt that my credentials as a professional speaker, my personality and my friendship with them would make it more personal and so I was honored to be asked. Through my network of friends, Karen Kennedy to her friend, John Huston, attorney and part time Reverend, I found out I could become one fast and easy and so I did, (got the certificate to prove it:-)
The weekend had a 1920's/nautical theme. Friday started with an evening at Tommy Guns Garage, Chicago's only original speakeasy dinner theatre. Saturday afternoon was a private architectural cruise followed by lunch at Fulton's on the River. We were picked up Saturday night at The Drake Hotel where most of the out of towners stayed, in a gorgeous black 1920ish Rolls Royce or Bentley or something like that. We then boarded the Celebrity Yacht at Navy Pier for a nautical wedding and celebration. The deck was set with chairs for the 50+ guests, I stood under the altar schmoozing with the audience to stall for time till we were out towards Monroe Harbor. (I think it was the schmoozing part that got me the job;-) Then the ceremony, they wrote, I wrote, google wrote. Phil cried, his gorgeous teenage kids, Jack and Annie stood up for them. I made a funny..."when you're wrong, admit it, when you're right, shut up, you can either be right or you can be married!"
After the "I do's", we had hors d'oeuvres on deck then went downstairs for dinner, traditional cake cutting and music. At 11PM as we were headed back close enough to have the Sat. nite fireworks at Navy Pier as the backdrop, Phil and Anna did their first dance as man and wife and the setting was spectacular. The white Rolls awaited the departure.
Sunday was a trolley ride to all the significant places where Phil proposed, where they met, where they live and highlights of our fair city. The weekend celebration ended with a brunch at Gibsons. It was definitely one of the highlights of my life to be honored by marrying friends...and to be able to check it off my infamous "experience list".
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