Even when every detail has been meticulously planned, down to the color coordination of the cocktail stirrers there are some 'not so perfect' moments in every wedding.  For a bride, these mishaps can be devastating, but for the guests these unplanned moments are the ones remembered and talked about long after the last engraved matchbook has been discarded. 

The Outer Banks, one of the nation's top destination wedding locations, offers the most beautiful sunrises over the ocean and sunsets over the sound anyone could hope for, most days.  But every now and then, it rains, even on a wedding day.

Lauren and Chris planned their perfect wedding like all couples, with an attention to detail to ensure the pictures would be breathtaking, the guests would be comfortable and impressed with lavish catered gourmet food and cocktails after the ceremony.  The wedding ceremony would take place on the promenade pier at Pirate's Cove Marina and Yacht Club, one of the most posh destination resort/marinas on the Roanoke Sound. 

The ceremony was timed to begin hour before sunset, so the skies would have that famous purple and pink swirly background.  The luxurious boats docked in the marina offered a spectacular nautical backdrop, with the quiet clinking of masts and deep-sea fishing reels bobbed in the breeze. 

As the guests gathered, dressed in their wedding best to take their seats outside the pavilion on the white folding chairs, with chocolate brown satin ribbons tied on each one, to match the bridesmaids dresses, the winds began to pick up and the tinkling of the boats became louder.  Unbidden raindrops began to spill from the suddenly cloudy skies, but the guests remained in their seats....hoping the bride would be able to make her entrance, say the vows and run back to the pavilion before the upcoming storm got too bad.  Some of the women began to take off their satin shoes to try to save them from getting ruined in the saturated grass.  The beautiful monogrammed programs were being used as temporary umbrellas, to save freshly sprayed hairdos. 

Lauren had hired a DJ to play songs during the dance reception after the ceremony, and he was supposed to play "Brown Eyed Girl" while she walked from the pavilion, down the wooden deck aisle, to where her groom and wedding party awaited along the pier.  Unfortunately, the DJ didn't have enough time, during set-up to do a sound check, so the guests were startled when a portion of the song blared from the loud speakers along with a "test" "test" from the DJ who was inside the pavilion.  Everyone smiled...this was going to be fun.  But just imagine, poor Lauren, surrounded by her mother, sister and best friends who were all dressed in chocolate silk...hovering inside as the skies opened up to a deluge of rain just as she was about to make her entrance.

Someone shouted, "Everyone grab a chair and bring it inside!!!"  We all jumped up, grabbed a chair as requested and ran under the covered pavilion, which we were not supposed to even see until after the ceremony.  It was lovely.  All of the tables were set with matching linen napkins and a combination of white and chocolate decorations were everywhere.  My heart went out to the bride...especially, as the wind began to pick up and some of the beautiful cocktail napkins began to fly off of the tables like little brown birds.

Just as suddenly as the rain started, it stopped....we all stared in awe at the beautiful double rainbow that appeared above the bridge on the horizon.  We heard that the bride was in tears by that point, but her friends showed her the rainbow...which was a sign that all would be well from that moment on.

We carried our chairs back outside, and tried to set them up in the perfect symmetry of rows that we had originally found them, however, the end result was a bit misshapen.   Nonetheless, it was time...."Brown Eyed Girl" started playing again, this time at a more reasonable volume, and we turned our dampened heads to watch the beautiful young bride walk towards her handsome groom.  Chris smiled at her, and she relaxed....we all sighed in relief. 

The young officiant, who had apparently recently performed the same vows with another couple, started off by calling the groom "Scott".  "Do you Lauren, take "Scott" to be your lawfully wedded husband?"  At the look of complete horror on Lauren's face, he bashfully apologized and consulted his notes..."CHRIS...do you Lauren take CHRIS...?" 

After the ceremony, the newlyweds walked hand in hand back inside the pavilion while we guests gathered our sodden shoes and droopy dresses and dripping hair to join them inside for pictures. 

Here's the thing about weddings.  They are not always perfect.  Sometimes, it rains.  But let me just say, we all had a blast at that reception...as the rain continued to pour, everyone danced in the water.  There were no restroom facilities in the pavilion and there was absolutely no way to get to them without walking through a foot of water...dresses were hiked up exposing bare feet, and we simply made do. 

Watching Lauren and Chris, holding each other on that dance floor and smiling with sheer delight as they swirled through the puddles to their first dance, was enchanting. 

Their wedding, in my memory,  was one of the best ever...unforgettably romantic and absolutely spectacular  down to the last detail.





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