“I Went to a Celtic Wedding!”
By
Gerry Niskern
Tears of joy glistened in her eyes as the barefoot bride clad in white came slowly up the hill. As she swept into the groom’s eager arms she laid her dark head, crowned with a wreath of purple flowers, on his shoulder. He touched her lovingly as they danced slowly round and round and round.
The family and friends gathered in the meadow beside the tinkling rhythm of Oak Creek heard the couple speak vows of promise and love to each other and the bride’s child. The Red Rocks beyond stood in silent witness to the love flowing from everyone gathered at Red Rock Crossing last Sunday afternoon.
Earlier that day, as guests arrived at the large Ramada they found beautiful place settings and flowers on purple cloths adorning all the tables. The Groom came earlier to do the decorating! The side tables began to fill with the delectable dishes of a pot luck luncheon. Chili bubbled in a crock pot beside three kinds of lasagna. There were salads of every kind and fruit plates too. Slices of ham piled on a platter beside the rolls; mouth watering food brought by loving family and friends. No need for a wedding planner or special wines at this simple, relaxed time. A quick sip of champagne to toast the couple. After the long, long hike up the creek to the meadow where we watched this Celtic wedding take place the food was eagerly enjoyed by all!
During the ceremony the traditional mingling of blood from the groom’s left wrist and the brides right was sealed with long ribbons tying them together by the groom’s step-father who performed the ceremony. They remained bound together the rest of their beautiful day as they embraced mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, grandparents and friends.
As the day was winding to a close, I spoke to the new Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Thomas. “When your great-grandpa Kenny and I were young marrieds we used to camp here at Red Rock Crossing for entire weekends without another soul showing up. After putting our young kids to sleep in the tent and zipping it up, we used to go down to the deep pool and have a romantic, moonlight swim. So I’m not surprised that you, Brandon, brought your bride here to Red Rock Crossing to be married.”