The pirate wedding

The pirate wedding was one of the highlights of our holidays. When Derek and I were approached to help plan this occasion (unbeknownst to the bride and groom!), we were happy to chip in. We had no idea how out of hand it could become!

Derek's aunt Susan (Sandie's sister) has been with Dan for thirteen years, and they finally decided to tie the knot over the holiday season. The timing wasn't great for most of us, but they chose the date because it was the first time in about five years that Susan's daughter, Megan, and Dan's two daugthers would be in town (Toronto) at the same time, before heading back out to their respective corners of the planet. Most of us couldn't make it, and Susan and Dan were very gracious in understanding. It was, after all, a few days before Christmas and four days after Pat and Julie's wedding, and short notice.

But Derek's uncle Mike, Susan and Sandie's brother, felt that we couldn't let the occasion pass by unnoticed. He thought we could host a wedding: more than just a dinner to celebrate, he wanted to have the whole thing done right here in Montreal, before the whole family. Since Susan and Dan sail, a pirate theme was tossed about. I don't think Mike knew what we were going to do with that idea!

Derek and I planned out the ceremony, casting my father-in-law, Ken, as the officiant: a crusty old pirate captain. Ken is somewhat of a ham, so he was very excited when he got the script. He even added some of his own touches. We were inspired and helped along a little by the Talk Like a Pirate website. Everyone in the family got into the spirit of things. Some made the pirate hats we were all required to wear.

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Uncle Mike and his wife, aunt Robin, hosted at their home (and Robin made a feast). Sandie and Ken helped with the costumes. And everyone was game to sing along and play their parts.

The ceremony opened with Mike playing a wedding march. (Keep in mind that Susan and Dan only knew they were going to have a celebration in their honour: they didn't know about the ceremony). Dan was ushered out by Megan who forced him forward with a plastic sword (to create a pirate version of a shotgun wedding).

Susan came down the stairs, and headed for the "altar."

Ken played up his role as Cap'n "Scurvy Bilge Rat" Ken.

The rest was rather like any other wedding, only done up in pirate-speak and with a great deal of laughter. We sang "It's Great to Be a Pirate" and then listened to the bride and groom's vows. Throughout, we called Dan all names but his own, such as Dick, Don, Doug, Dale, and Donovan. (We have only known him for thirteen years, after all.)

After the ceremony, Susan and Dan opened up their wedding survival kit (including ear plugs, sleeping masks, various how-to guides, jumbo condoms, band-aids, and Centrum Silver vitamins). The gifts were followed by the first dance. Then we devoured the delicious supper as well as the wedding cake, made by Gramma.