It took us 2,989 days to get to the wedding. But it only took us 30 minutes and one long kiss to get to the reception. The ride to Seven Maples meandered through the countryside, past mountain views, meadows, and the occasional cabin. Having used the energy of three days in a matter of hours, we both contemplated a quick nap. As luck would have it, we pulled up to the venue just in time to ward off Mr. Sandman.
Being slightly anxious and not wanting to hold up the festivities, I jumped out and opened the door for Matty. Then I had to impatiently wait for our cue. Suddenly, the voice of a WCW SuperBrawl announcer filled the air and announced us as a married couple. To my surprise, Matty’s new last name was pronounced correctly! We sauntered in to the joyous tunes of “I Do” by ABBA. I escorted my new bride to the front of the room and went to retrieve the microphone for my most nervous toast.
“We’ve all had those moments where we look across a store, a parking lot, or even just the dinner table and think, Yeah, that’s my person, that’s who I belong to. In that moment, those feelings of love and admiration bubble back to the surface, and suddenly you know you’re right where you belong.”
All it took was one look at Matty and I was back at our first glance, our first handhold, our first kiss, and so many other firsts that would become seconds, thirds, and infinities. One look and I knew—even though on the inside I was shaking like a leaf—I was exactly where I belonged.
“So tonight, let’s celebrate those moments with good food, laughter, and, if you’re watching me, some really bad dancing.”
Here’s the thing: no one really prepares you for how hungry you’ll be once you get to the reception! Boy, was I ecstatic when we got to eat first. Pulled pork, mac and cheese, rolls, and deviled eggs all ended up piled on my plate with very little room for more. Another thing no one prepares you for? How hard it is not to smash cake in your new wife’s face! In the end, I decided it was best not to ruin her makeup and hair that took hours, the dress that looked like the cosmos had designed it only for her, and—most importantly—I decided I wanted to be married to her for more than the next few minutes.
On to our first dance. I had promised everyone really bad dancing in the toast, and this was a small glimpse. Luckily, we had a song you could slow sway to. Think 8th-grade homecoming dance—but we didn’t have to leave room for Jesus.
“Because while the wedding was a celebration of our love for each other, this reception is a celebration of our love for you. And no good party just appears—although it would be a lot easier if it did—so let’s thank the staff of Seven Maples, Blue Ridge Events, WNC Weddings and Events, Class and Sound Entertainment, and the many others without whom tonight would not be possible.”
And celebrate, everyone did! Our vendors made it so easy for us to just let our hair down, kick off our shoes, and party. At one point, I was on the dance floor, fulfilling my promise of really bad dancing, when I felt hands on my hips and heard, “Conga line!” I looked back, and there were Gabbie and Elle laughing and encouraging me, so I led the most disjointed conga line ever. If you were seated and hadn’t been dancing, you now found yourself in a never-ending line of dancers.
“So let’s toast to good food, new friends, and one heck of a great time tonight!”
Reception Toast by Philip Qualls
At the end of the night, we left to Michael Franti and a bridge of LED wands that mimicked a rooftop view and lit our way to a car covered in shoe polish, cans, shoes, and a good many other things I can’t—or shouldn’t—mention. Thinking back, we really did have one heck of a great time!
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