The "102 Degree Wedding" Story

It was an ordinary day. Not really! I was getting married today!! June 17, 1967. It was about 10:00 AM and I'm sitting on the front step of 944 Janet Ave. That is where I live with my Mom, Dad and brother Steve. I met Carol about a year ago and hey, did I mention I'm getting married today? Yep, love at first sight. "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" was the ad on TV and they were right. I took her for a ride on my Honda 90 for our first date. A blind date. Sometimes they really do work out. In four hours I'll be married. I think about what Carol is doing at this moment. Hope she hasn't changed her mind. Nah, her Mom likes me too much. She's the one who made sure Carol went out on a date with me. She also used to cook venison for me and tell me it was beef to make sure I would eat it. Just loved the stuff. 11:00 AM and time to go in and start to get ready. My brother Steve, who will be my best man, and I will head down about 1:00 PM. Carol and I are getting married at St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster. I have been a member there since I was a small boy. Carol is in the process of becoming a member. The Rev. Robert B. will marry us today. We have been through all the necessary appointments with him and have been pronounced fit to get married. For the last three weeks during the Sunday church service Rev. B published the bands of marriage by announcing our intent to the congregation. 1:00 PM now and Steve and I have our tuxedos with white jacket and black bow ties on and head to the church. Carol is getting dressed at the church in the choir room. I'm sure Millie B., her Maid of Honor and Mary S., her Matron of honor are helping her get ready. She's probably been there since noon. Our wedding party is large. She has four bridesmaids and I have five ushers. The flowers are beautiful. Cost us a fortune at $124.43. The reception will be in the church parish house. The Women of St. James helped prepare the light buffet. Five till 2:00 and Steve and I enter the church and take our places at the altar railing. Carol's Mom is seated and my Mom and Dad are in their pew. At 2:00 PM the bells ring and Mr. Mac starts the music. IT IS 102 DEGREES! The humidity is unbearable. No air conditioning. And here they come.......down the isle. The ushers are all next to Steve by now. When all have made it to the front, Mr. Mac starts the "Wedding March." I see her!! She didn't change her mind! She's beautiful! Her wedding gown touches the ground and has.....long sleeves! 102 degrees! Her Dad Charlie escorts her down the aisle and stands to the left of Carol and I at the alter rail. The service starts. Still 102! We do the vows, rings and proclamation. "You may kiss the Bride," Rev. B says. You betcha! He then says, "May I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Larry Woods, " and Mr. Mac breaks into the "Toccata and Fugue in d minor" by Bach. He is unbelievable on the organ. His hands and feet are flying as we walk back the aisle. Still 102. We welcome everyone, have our photos taken, sign the papers and head out of the church. OMG, they are throwing the square punchings from the old mainframe computer punch cards and we are totally soaked from the 102 degrees. As we head to the car we get covered in white paper. We take my Pontiac Tempest and head to the hospital to visit Carol's sick Grandmother. Back to the Parish House and the cake cutting, bouquet throwing, garter throwing and greeting our friends. Many have left because of the heat. We thank our parents and wedding party then head to Manor House Apts. to get ready for our Honeymoon. Where else but Niagara Falls. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. And I've had over 15,000 of those days since our wedding!!! Love you Carol, LDub PS - The top group pix is with our parents while the bottom group pix is the entire wedding party. Bottom is the confetti onslaught!!