Wedding Story

Weddings go on around the world on a regular basis. Most are memorable to the bride and groom and maybe their parents. However, few make a lasting impression on the guests. This is the story of one wedding that made a lasting impression on an entire town.

Sue Ellen and Jimmy (names changed to protect the guilty) were set to tie the knot at 11:30 am on Saturday, June 12th, in the Town Hall. Those planning the wedding were less than organized and many details had been left undone. They were franticly scurrying about at 10:30 that morning, trying to iron out an assortment of showstoppers—such as the minister. Apparently, everyone thought someone else had arranged for the clergy. Since Bobby Curtis, the minister, was off on a three day fishing trip, they were in crisis mode. Some suggested they go find Bobby and haul him to the church, but they settled for highjacking the Justice Of The Peace from a nearby town.

The parking lot was filing up and people were fighting over who should have which spot. The groom, dressed in his rented tuxedo, stood with a group of his friends in jeans and ballcaps—well, one was wearing camo. They were drinking from a bottle inside a brown paper bag. This did not bode well. A big yellow pickup with huge tires and a couple of large dents in the hood squealed tires as it pulled into the parking lot and stopped. An angry looking young man jumped from the truck and stormed toward the groom and his group. The groom stepped from the group to intercept him and the two men stood toe to toe, shouting obscenities at each other. Apparently, this was the bride’s ex. The verbal altercation turned physical. Fists flew and so did one of the groom’s front teeth. The fight became a brawl, as others joined the fracas. It continued until the sheriff and a deputy stepped in and escorted the ex away in the police car.