The Blizzard Wedding of 1977
A short story by Lorraine Carey
As I approach my
48th wedding anniversary on January 29th, I can’t help but reflect on the only
time in my life I earned the title of "Bridezilla." It’s not a badge
I wear with pride, but sometimes, the stress of orchestrating the perfect
wedding can push even the calmest bride over the edge.
We’ve all heard the
tales—Bridezillas demanding perfection, snapping at friends, family, and
vendors as they strive to turn their Pinterest boards into reality. Some brides
demand bridesmaids to lose weight, dye their hair, and choose a gown that is
way out of their budget.
A viral tweet once
proclaimed: “If someone wears white to my wedding, I will literally spill
red wine on them. #Bridezilla.” Can you imagine that? The audacity!
But back in 1977,
there were no viral tweets or Instagram feeds to fuel unrealistic expectations.
Instead, there were family traditions, wedding magazines, and the memories of
elegant ceremonies I’d attended. My half-Italian mother took charge, planning a
grand affair: a beautiful church ceremony, a live band, the best local caterer,
and, of course, trays of homemade Italian cookies baked by family friends.
Everything seemed
perfect—until the weather decided otherwise.
The Blizzard of the Century
January in northeast
Ohio was always a gamble, but no one could’ve predicted the blizzard of the
century would strike on my wedding day. I had to wonder, was this an omen?
When I announced my chosen date back in November, my mother had warned me, “Why
not be a June bride? You’ll regret this.” But I was stubborn, insisting on a
winter wonderland wedding.
By January 28th, the
governor declared a state of emergency. Roads were closed. Businesses shut
down. Even the airport was out of commission. My dream wedding felt like it was
slipping away. I had guests who were flying from out of state to attend the
wedding.
So, with all this, I flew into my ‘Bridezilla Rage’ the day before. I was hysterical and locked myself in my bedroom pacing back and forth in tears refusing to come out. I phoned my fiancĂ©e, and he had assured me he’d be there even if he had to walk! But if everything was closed, he’d walk to a phantom event!
Everything was in place, yet there would be guests who were coming from out of town who couldn’t make it, the caterers were on hold, and everything else. Well, my mother, being who she was, took control of the situation and, having a family with some pretty strong connections in the area, had assured her they’d be there. She also had reminded me that she’d told me back in November a January wedding was not a good idea, but I was too stubborn to listen.
My father had come to my room and gave me a big hug and words of comfort, reassuring me all would be well. I can remember that precious memory to this day.
The result was a fabulous wedding even if the pews at the church service held fewer guests than expected. By evening most of the roads had cleared with some of the snow melted along with the city plow trucks working overtime. This meant that many were able to get to the reception, where I felt much more relaxed and ready to enjoy the party. The catered Italian food was delicious, and we danced to the local band that played some of my favorite love songs that were popular at the time.
I’ve read the Bridezilla Era may be coming to an end, with couples opting for smaller and low-budget weddings. This could be due to the cost of living these days, and many would much rather save their money to purchase a home. I’ve heard even modest weddings nowadays may start at around 20K.
It’s been 48 years now, and this Bridezilla is still
happily married. Not to say that I don’t turn into a ‘Wifezilla’ now and then,
but I believe we all have those moments and days that push a few buttons.
Lorraine Carey
https://authorlorrainecarey.blogspot.com/
Lorraine Carey is a reading
specialist and an Award-Winning Author. She was living in California until fate
whisked her off to Grand Cayman. She currently lives in Florida. Her love for
paranormal stories began at a young age, and is no stranger to the paranormal,
having encountered unexplainable events that are woven into her stories.