I've been to many weddings, and since I have never been married, I am always on the dance floor during the bouquet toss. I usually stand in the back-- not hiding from the impending projectile, but casually joking in the back with the other girls in the same situation. The conversation usually goes something like this-
Single Girl #1:"You're going to go for it, right?"
Single Girl #2: (nervous giggle) "No way! "
Single Girl #3: "Ok, so we'll all duck when she throws it."
Luckily, the bouquet has never been thrown in my direction, so I've never had to actually dodge the flowers. Oh, but not last night.
Now, I should clarify. I'm not afraid of catching the bouquet. I know what it symbolizes, but it's not that I am trying to avoid. I would just much rather let the girls who REALLY want to catch the bouquet have it. Also, I have been at several weddings during a stage in my life when I was unattached, so "to be the next one married" seemed like a VERY long stretch of the imagination. But, at this point in my life, I am attached, and have been for two years now. So, to catch the bouquet has a different connotation than it might have had previously.
Okay, let's back up to the actual wedding.
It was a lovely evening. The ceremony was simple and beautiful followed by a wonderful reception. It was one of those nights where the conversation flowed easily, strangers became friends, and anything seemed possible. The toasts made everyone laugh and clap and embrace the moment. The groom (a great friend of mine) wished that everyone enjoy themselves and have a great time, and everyone was. Eventually it was time for the bouquet and garter tosses. I joined all of the other single ladies on the dance floor, and although I was standing in the back originally, somehow we ended up in a line one girl deep. The bride checked out this bevy of beauties to find her target, and she made eyes at several of us. She turned around and threw her beautiful bouquet. It sailed through the air...and hit me in the stomach. I decided that this would be the moment that I actually try to catch it so that it wouldn't end up on the floor. So I grabbed the flowers, and my very first words were, "Matt is not going to like this."
I have to admit, though, that it was a very special moment. Everyone was so excited, especially the girls standing on either side of me. It was probably the oddest bouquet toss in the history of weddings. NO ONE MOVED. But, I guess it made the fact that I was the catcher that much more special. I don't know. Ask Matt.
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