A Wedding In 1955

Looking through boxes of photographs I happened to find pictures of when I was a bridesmaid at my girl friend's wedding. As I look at the pictures, it seems like a dream that we were so young and did not have a clue of what was in store for us. We were seniors in high school when my friend told me that her boyfriend had asked for her hand in marriage. I asked, "Is this what you want?" She nodded and with a big smile said, "Oh yes!"

When I think back to fifty-eight years ago, I remember how beautiful my friend looked and the excitement of being in my friend's wedding.  The day began early in the morning with me putting on my new yellow formal and arriving at the church for Mass. After Mass, the bridal party drove all over Greeley, with car horns blasting, before heading to a small town north of Greeley where the reception would be held. A violin player led us in procession to the hall to enjoy the reception. The Entriega (the giving) included blessings from parents and grandparents and the exchange, in verse and song, brought tears to all parties involved.  I don't remember the cutting of the cake but I do remember the traditional March followed by a dance.

The wedding march was led by the matron of honor and the best man.
The bridal party followed and then came those who chose to participate. It seemed as if everyone in the hall joined the March. The March has many movements of weaving in and out, arches made by couples joining hands above their heads and everyone scooting underneath the arches. As the couples emerge from under the arches, or as some refer to them, the tunnel of love, the couples begin dancing.  I read somewhere that the March is actually spelling out M A T R I M O N I O. The March can take a long time depending on how many persons have joined the March, the creativity of the leaders or the band playing La Marcha.

I am not sure about the tradition of money pinned on the bride by men wishing to dance with her, but I see it at many Hispanic weddings. Not too long ago I attended a wedding where women pinned money on the groom also for a dance with him.

The reception is a blur because I do not remember what we ate, if toasts were made or the cutting of the cake. Maybe all that happened when my escort invited me to go to his home nearby to meet his mother. There was a barking dog in the yard and I would not get out of the car for fear the dog would bite me or at the very least, tear my dress. My partner insisted the dog would not harm me  I also insisted in staying in the car until his mother came to the car to greet me.


The wedding dance was fun and the Corridos (polka-like) were as energetic as my partner decided to make them.  What a special day.  I knew I would miss my friend because our lives were changing.

We both went our separate ways and when we see each other it is as if no time has passed since the last time we saw each other. I try to learn the names of my friend's children but have not quite mastered putting the right name with the correct child. The couple have seven children, six girls and a boy, and they all live in Greeley.
The last time I saw the family, there were grandchildren and lately, great-grandchildren have entered
the picture. I have given up trying to remember everyone's name!

Through the years, I lost track of some of the bridesmaids and flower girl, but Facebook brought us together again!

"So long as the memory of

certain beloved friends

lives in my heart, I shall say

that life is good."

Helen Keller

My friend with her six daughters.