A Celebration for Two

The ceremony for two

When Emily was just a child she once attended a wedding at her secondcousins house in a little village outside Oxford. At first the whole affair seemed fascinating, bright as a carnival. Then she noticed the bride and groom, weary and drained from endless shouting of bitterly, sitting stiffly at the banquet table, their faces as blank as a winter sky. Around them guests leapt from their seats, danced, sang, and shrieked as if the night itself were a fevered drum.

The clamor overwhelmed Emily. Though she was only ten, she swore she would never have a wedding like that. She felt sorry for the exhausted couple.

If I ever marry, perhaps Id be better off never marrying at all”

Years slipped by, and Emily grew up. When she met James, she forgot the childhood pledge entirely. In his presence the world fell away; there were only him and her, a quiet pocket of stillness in a storm.

How marvelous it is to have someone who understands you with half a word, even a halfglance, she would murmur each night before sleep. Im lucky to have found James.

She knew she loved James; she recognised love as a gentle, persistent tide. She adored him for his devotion, for the way he adored her and whisked away the dust from her shoulders.

Our relationship is built on trust, she told her friend Clara over tea, and on a perfect, almost telepathic understanding. What I cherish most is his respect for my opinions, even when they clash with his own.

Clara laughed, Youre happy, Emily. True understanding is rare. With my Tom its a different storyeach of us clings to our quirks, and we cant even concede a footstep. Imagine the passions simmering between us! I still dont know whether I want to marry him.

Time will sort it out, Emily advised. Youre not planning a wedding just yet, are you?

Clara sighed, My mother says dont rush. She doesnt approve of Tom.

James and Emily understood each other so well that signing the marriage register felt as natural as breathing.

Emily, I think its time we get married, James said one evening as he walked her home. What do you think?

I think its fine, she replied, Im not hesitating at all. Im just unsure how to hold the wedding. I dont want a crowd of guests, she confessed, recalling that childhood ceremony that had already convinced her she wanted something different.

James chuckled. He knew weddings well enough to be indifferent.

Sometimes things are just that, he said. Why worry? Maybe ours will be unlike any other.

Yes, exactly, Emily answered. I want a wedding just for the two of us. I dont want a nightmare of shouting and clamor.

Honestly, Im not a fan of crowds either, James admitted. Go to bed, love. Well talk tomorrow, he said, nudging her gently toward the doorway.

Sleep eluded Emily. She truly dreaded a noisy celebration. They were both adults nowshe, twentysix; he, twentyeightthinking less like twentyyearolds. That night after work they sat in a cosy café, the rain pattering against the windows, and the topic resurfaced.

James, Im leaning toward a wedding for just the two of us, Emily whispered.

For two? How romantic, James exclaimed, eyes twinkling. Picture a grand hall, tables laid out, but only the two of us. You in a white dress, me in a tailcoat, candles flickering, soft music playing We sip champagne and toast each other.

Emily laughed, Youre joking, but Im serious. Who would object? How do we explain this to our families?

James sighed, My parents will raise an eyebrowthey expect a proper ceremony, a single heir And youre an only child, too.

Exactly, Emily replied, a hint of irritation in her voice. Our lives, our choices. Not theirs.

This is tradition, James said philosophically.

Tradition isnt for me. Id love to wed somewhere in the hills, in a hidden chapel, just the two of us, Emily mused dreamily.

Weddings in chapels, too? James responded, surprised.

Those are my dreams, James.

James considered, If we keep it simple, we could just register and then slip away on a honeymoon.

A honeymoon isnt a wedding, James. I want a ceremony just for us, Emily insisted.

James smiled, Alright, a wedding for two. Ill tell my ancestorsif theyre anything like yoursthat well have a white dress, you could even wear a shirt and jeans if you wish, and Ill keep the tailcoat optional. But how do we get past the old customs?

No jeans, please. I want a white dress! And you in a tailcoat. Imagine us at the registry, then you lift me onto a yacht and sail away

Anything else youre dreaming up? James laughed.

A week later they slipped the notice of intent into the register, hidden from their parents. Two months remained until the big day, though they still hadnt decided on the exact shape of the ceremony. They hoped time would bring clarity.

One rainy evening they lingered in Jamess modest flat. Their mother, Mrs. Harper, popped her head in.

Good evening, dears, she said, eyes twinkling. What are you celebrating? I heard talk of champagne.

Were marking three years since we first met, James replied.

Oh, I thought you were about to get married Everyones meeting up, she said cryptically, then smiled. Ive heard through the grapevine youve lodged the notice.

Mom, how do you know everything? James asked, amazed. Do you run the whole town?

Just a little bird told me, she replied cheerily.

Emily spoke up, We did file the notice, and were trying to decide how to hold the wedding.

And who decides? We, the parents, will decide, Mrs. Harper declared firmly. You buy the dress, the rings, and Jamess suit.

We dont want a lavish affair with a crowd, James whispered.

It wont work. A wedding is a wedding, Mrs. Harper insisted.

At that moment their father, Mr. Harper, entered, laughing.

Did I miss the wedding talk? Finally, something exciting!

Yes, Dad. But we want a wedding for just the two of us, Emily said, her voice trembling.

Thats not how we do things, Mr. Harper boomed. How can you not want us there on the most important day? Our only son No relatives? Well follow tradition: a restaurant, guests, the whole lot.

Why must we obey your wishes and not our own? James protested.

Because Mr. Harper snapped, ending the argument, and strode out.

When James escorted Emily home, he said, Now youll have to tell your parents. I wonder what theyll say.

Theyll say the same as yours, Emily replied.

At home, a worried mother greeted her.

Mother, whats wrong? Is your heart hurting again? Emily asked.

No, love, my soul this time, her mother replied. Mrs. Harper called, saying you dont want a wedding. And you filed the notice in secret. What have you concocted, a ceremony for two?

I hoped youd support us, Emily said, but youre against it.

Darling, her father said, these are the customs of life. We cannot stray. Everyone marries this way; youre not the first nor the last.

I dont want to ruin the most important day of my life, Emily whispered.

Well do what we must, nothing will be spoiled, he said.

I want a wedding for two and a yacht, Emily declared.

Whos opposed? he replied, Youll have a yacht and a honeymoon after a proper wedding, but it will be a proper one.

Emily realised James was right. Their parents would shape everythinggrand halls, hundreds of guests, endless traditions. No one stood with them.

When James told his friend Tom about their wish for an intimate ceremony, Tom sighed, I thought wed have a proper night out

Its not settled yet, Tom, James said. Our parents have their own plans.

Right, just like everyone else, Tom replied, patting James on the shoulder.

Only a few days remained before the registration. The parents were bustling, asking, Do we want white or pink flowers? Weve already booked two hundred guests.

Emily and James stared at each other, eyes wide, unable to believe the numbers.

We were hoping for something small, James murmured.

Of course, a small affair. Dont worry. Well handle everything. After the ceremony well whisk you to the airport and send you off to the coast, Mr. Harper promised. Then youll be alone together.

The wedding took place in a grand restaurant, the ballroom draped in white roses and lilies. Minutes before the ceremony Emilys head spun; the parents kept her in the dark, letting the young couple feel calm, though anything grand was already afoot.

Finally the day arrived. Emily stepped out of the entrance in a flowing white gown, James waiting in his immaculate tailcoat. The atmosphere swirled around her like a kaleidoscope of light, and she felt an ecstatic thrill.

How I love this bustle, Emily thought, catching herself smiling at the sight of all her relatives, friends, and old schoolmates.

The ceremony unfolded under a canopy of white blossoms. Guests toasted, shouted bitterly and cheered them on. Emily was radiant, and James glowed even brighter; her happiness fed his.

Later, as they boarded a small private plane for their honeymoon, they laughed.

What a swift and wonderful turn of events, James said, and the clouds carried them onward.