Ever have one of those womyn who wouldn't make a decision? Well that's how Rishandra was about setting a wedding date. It drove Vaughn nearly to distraction. But one day Rish made the faulty decision to play "poor me" and Vaughn got what he wanted... A solid commitment for a wedding day.
One day in early March 1995 Rishandra was whining that Vaughn didn't love her because he wouldn't marry her on her birthday. Well that clearly set up the opportunity Vaughn had been looking for. He made sure it was what she wanted and before she could change her mind Vaughn told EVERYONE!
Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your point of view that only gave her 3weeks to prepare. Part of that preparation included asking their dear friend a pagan priestess to do the wedding ceremony, asking their respective "bests" if they could participate, getting Rishandra's wedding dress, setting up a place for the wedding and reception to take place. In setting up the place for the wedding security of the nearby park had to be notified as it was going to be an SCA wedding - Armor, swords and all. The reception would be held at their apt complex's rec room. It was a busy three weeks and they got all the details in place. They trusted luck that it would all go off without a hitch. Bad decision. *grins*
Actually over all everything went well. Rishandra's 20month old daughter didn't say a word during the "if there is anyone who knows of any reason why these two should not be joined say so now" and most of their friends were able to attend. And the wedding was held at a near by park near Puget Sound and as is normal for the Seattle area seagulls and ducks were in attendence. But they were courteous guests and didn't do a fly over dropping "surprise" gifts. However as said it was a bad decision to trust luck. For starters the person video taping the wedding forgot to take the lens cap off. Then the person suppose to be taking pictures forgot his camera. The "best" for Vaughn decided to tease Rishandra on the way to the wedding place by saying they weren't sure they could find their way there. She did but poor Rishandra nearly had a heart attack with a lap full of crenolin.
The reception also went off well. Friends had made a wedding and grooms cake. The punch was an ice cream one that was wonderful. Their friends came and wished the couple well. A friend brought his famous home made brownies and gave them a coffee maker. There was love and warmth that has been characteristic of Vaughn and Rishandra that permeated the room even then. But again luck wasn't to be trusted. Punch got spilled accidently on the wedding dress. The champagne didn't last long because someone decided they wanted to drink it all. And to top it off, the person who gave Rishandra away stayed so late after the reception that they weren't actually able to have a "wedding" night until the next evening.
But it was a wonderful wedding. On March 28th, 2001 it will have been 6yrs that Vaughn and Rishandra have been married.