A Wedding for Two
When Clara was a little girl she once attended the wedding of her cousins sister with her parents. At first the ceremony seemed charming, but soon she saw the bride and groom, exhausted from endless shouting of bitter! a tradition that forces the couple to clench their teeth sitting at the banquet table without a smile. Around them the guests rose from their seats, danced, sang and hollered.
The noise overwhelmed tenyearold Clara. She felt sorry for the weary pair and thought to herself that she would never want a wedding like that. Maybe Ill never marry at all, she whispered.
Years passed, Clara grew up, and when she met James she forgot those childhood doubts. In his presence the world narrowed to just the two of them.
How wonderful it is to have someone who understands you with half a word, even with a glance, she would think as she fell asleep. Im lucky to have found James.
Clara knew she loved James; she recognised that feeling as true love. She adored his devotion, the way he cherished her and brushed away any speck of doubt.
Our relationship is built on trust, she told her friend Hannah. We have total understanding, and above all I love how he respects my opinions, even when they differ from his.
Congratulations, Clara, Hannah replied. Complete mutual understanding is rare. With my Tom its a different story we each have our quirks and we still cant learn to compromise. Im not sure if I even want to marry him.
Youll figure it out in time, Clara advised. Youre not planning a wedding tomorrow.
Yes, I agree. My mother says I shouldnt rush, and she doesnt like Tom at all, Hannah sighed.
Because Clara and James understood each other so well, the decision to register their marriage felt as natural as breathing.
Clara, I think its time we get married, James said one evening as he escorted her home. What do you think?
I think its the right moment, she replied. Im just not sure how we should celebrate. I really dont want a huge guest list, she confessed, recalling the noisy wedding shed witnessed as a child.
James chuckled. He knew weddings could be a circus, but he was easygoing.
It happens, he said. What are you worried about? Maybe ours will be different.
Exactly, Clara said. Id like a ceremony just for the two of us. I dont want a nightmare of shouting guests.
Im not a fan of crowds either, James replied. Go to bed, well talk more tomorrow. He gave her a gentle push toward the front door.
Sleep eluded Clara. She was twentysix; James was twentyeight. They were no longer the carefree twentyyearolds they once were. That night, after work, they met in a café to discuss the wedding again.
James, Im leaning toward a private ceremony just for us, Clara said.
For two? How romantic, James laughed. Picture a grand restaurant hall, tables set, candlelight flickering, you in a white dress, me in a tailcoat, soft music playing We could toast each other with champagne.
Dont joke, James. Im serious about a twoperson wedding, Clara replied. But how will we explain this to our families?
My parents will object, James admitted. Theyll say the only son must have a proper celebration, and youre the only daughter in your family.
Thats exactly why we should decide for ourselves, Clara replied, a hint of irritation in her voice. Our lives, our choices.
Tradition is just thattradition, James said philosophically. But I dont need it. Id love to wed in a hidden chapel high in the Lake District, just the two of us.
Wow, a real ceremony, James exclaimed.
Its a dream, Clara whispered.
James thought it over and suggested simply registering their marriage and then slipping away on a honeymoon.
A honeymoon isnt a wedding, Clara corrected. I want a wedding for two.
Fine, a wedding for two, James smiled. Well have a white dressmaybe even a Tshirt and jeans if you likeand Ill wear whatever you want. Well just have to convince our families.
Only a proper dress, please, Clara said. And a tailcoat for you. Imagine us at the registry office, you lifting me onto your shoulders and whisking me away onto a yacht.
Anything else on your mind? James laughed.
A week later they quietly submitted their marriage notice to the registry office, keeping it secret from their parents. Two months remained until the wedding, but they still hadnt settled on the format. They hoped the time would bring clarity.
One rainy evening they stayed in Jamess flat, too lazy to go out.
Hello, youngsters, called Margaret, Jamess mother, as she popped into the room. What are you celebrating? I overheard something about champagne.
Were marking three years since we met, James replied.
Oh, I thought you were getting married, Margaret said cryptically, eyes twinkling. I heard you filed the notice, dear.
Mom, where do you get all this information? James asked. Are you the towns gossip?
I just know things, Margaret laughed. Anyway, youll need a dress, rings, and a suit for James.
We dont want a grand affair with a crowd, James murmured. Just a simple ceremony for the two of us.
Thats not a wedding, Margaret insisted. A wedding is a wedding.
Soon Edward, Jamess father, entered with a booming voice. Did I miss the wedding talk again? Finally, youre planning something!
Yes, Dad, but we want a very small ceremony, James said, his mother clutching her chest.
Not how we do things, Edward declared. Youll see us at the restaurant with guests. Its tradition.
Why should we follow what you want instead of what we want? James retorted.
Because, Edward cut him off, his tone leaving no room for argument, and stormed out.
When James walked Clara to the door, he said, Now its your turn to break the news to your parents. I wonder what theyll say.
Shell say the same thing youll hear, he added with a grin.
At home, Claras mother, Susan, met her with a worried look.
Is something wrong, Mum? Clara asked, startled. Your heart again?
No, love, my soul this time. Margaret called, saying you both want a twoperson wedding and filed the notice in secret. What are you planning?
I hoped youd back us, but youre resisting, Clara replied.
Tradition is tradition, Edward said from the doorway. Youre not the first couple, nor will you be the last.
I dont want our special day ruined, Clara protested.
Then it will be as we decide, Edward said. Youll have a yacht after a proper wedding.
Clara finally realized James was right. Their parents would shape the day according to their own customs, with many guests and a fullscale reception. No one seemed ready to support a minimalist idea.
When James told his friend Tom about their wish for an intimate ceremony, Tom sighed, I thought wed just have a proper celebration.
Its not decided yet, James replied, but our parents will have the final say.
As the wedding day approached, the parents fussed over details.
How many flowers, white or pink? Margaret asked. Weve already booked a venue for two hundred guests.
Clara and James exchanged stunned looks. We were hoping for something small, James whispered.
Dont worry, Edward reassured. Well handle everything. After the ceremony well drive you to the airport for a weekend on the coastjust the two of you then.
The ceremony took place in a beautifully decorated restaurant hall, rows of white roses and lilies framing the tables. On the morning of the event Claras head spun with anxiety. Her parents kept her in the dark, insisting the day would be grand.
At last the moment arrived. Clara stepped out of the lift in a sleek white gown, meeting James in a crisp tailcoat. The buzz of celebration swirled around them, and for the first time she felt a surge of joy.
This bustle is wonderful, Clara thought, smiling at the smiling faces of family and friends.
The reception was lively, the guests cheering bitter! as tradition demanded, and everyone toasted the newlyweds with champagne. Clara was radiant, and Jamess grin reflected her happiness.
Later, as they boarded a plane for their honeymoon, they laughed, That went by so quickly and perfectly.
In the end, Clara learned that love does not need a massive crowd to be real, but compromise with those who care for you is part of growing up. By listening, respecting tradition, and still holding onto her own wishes, she discovered that a marriage thrives not on the size of the celebration, but on the sincerity of the partnership. The true wedding was the one they built together, hand in hand, for the rest of their lives.
