Weddings. There’s always something special about them. Be it the corny vows or the speeches written mostly to detail embarrassing anecdotes of someone’s life. Being a veteran of quite a few (where my many friends find happiness with their special someone), I can say with confidence that they are days of joy and celebration where two halves of a whole are brought together and officially joined in matrimony. There is laughter; there are tears. But what matters most is the connection between like-minded souls.

Shelldrake’s union with her longtime beau: Carrick Snipes (don’t worry, these are all pseudonyms they use online. And no. They aren’t furries. At least, I don’t think they are) was held on a warm Sunday in the middle of winter (remember, dear reader, I live in the southern hemisphere. This means the wedding was held in July). The ceremony was scheduled to start at 2:30 PM. And while the groom fretted, the minutes slowly slipped away. It was only until 2:50 PM that the celebrant brought our attention back to the front with a declaration the event was underway.

Cue the entrance of the flower girl, our longtime friend from high school, Shien Akari (also not their real name), slaying in a dress and heels (and for those who don’t know, which is probably a vast number of readers who don’t actually know me personally, Shien is a cisgender man). Once he stood to the side, the bridesmaids waltzed down the aisle in style before taking their places.

Then, it was time for the bride. Shelldrake, escorted by her father, slowly made her way down – stopping briefly when the train of her veil caught on something near the entrance – before making her way down to stand before her husband to be.

Since neither of the two were religious (or were agnostic), there was little in pomp and ceremony. Shelldrake and Snipes exchanged their vows, with a few little asides to all those in attendance and quite a few happy joyous waterworks, before being announced as husband and wife.

Once the official side of things was over, group photos were taken and we were given some free time to while away before the official start of the reception. Not willing to sit around for nigh on two hours, me and a few of the other guests traipsed to the local shopping centre. Though I had intended to buy new shoes, I didn’t want to lose the group and so accompanied them down to the food court.

It wasn’t long before we had to return to the venue. That said, I did manage to buy myself a few booster packs for Disney Lorcana (like the collectible card crack whore I am).

By then, there was still approximately half an hour to the reception. So, of course, being a friend of the bride, I found her ensconced in the room the hotel had provided where she could rest and fix her makeup. We chatted for a few minutes. She told me the other bridesmaids were practicing for something during the reception. Then gestured to the two Pikachus sitting on the window sill along with two controllers. I showed off my cards and then tried to give her my hong bao (as is tradition) before being told they had a wishing well (which I later inserted the hong bao though I did forget to put my name on it).

With fifteen minutes to go, I headed back out and chatted with a few of the other guests (friends of Shelldrake and Snipes I’d met before and often played board games with).

It wasn’t long before we were allowed inside and offered a slew of canapes. Just before 7 PM, we were seated inside the Estate Room where the reception began. Entrees, mains and dessert were offered. Between it speeches were given, games were played (I did very poorly during the trivia) and people filled out the guest book.

And though I tried to catch both the Pusheen (thrown by the bride in lieu of her bouquet) and the D20 (thrown by the groom), I was unable to catch either. A disappointing state of affairs though not as bad as Snipes’s attempt to start a Pathfinder campaign. One where all the players have already created their characters and just need to arrange a date and time to commence.

The first dance was at 10 PM. To my surprise, Shelldrake and Snipes danced to Celestial by Ed Sheeran. Though, truth be told, perhaps I should not have been. Shelldrake has always liked her Pokemon. Rather, I’d thought they’d dance to something from How to Train Your Dragon. Still, at least we did get to hear strains of it as a piano arrangement when we were waiting for the ceremony to begin.

But while I’ll admit previous weddings had me feeling a tad bit morose and lonely, after my dating adventurers during the last two years I didn’t feel all that terrible I’m single. Would it be nice to have a life companion? Why, yes. I think I would.

Yet, if I were to get married?

A frightening prospect because I don’t know who I’d have to serve as my own bridesmaids. Bleachpanda might make a good candidate but I feel like she might refuse. Mostly because I don’t think she’d want to make any speeches. So, perhaps a friend from work? Or maybe I’d trot out Rinbeti and Shelldrake once again (though they’ve been bridesmaids to many a wedding).

Though, if I’m being honest, I feel like I’m more inclined to just elope.

Would make things simpler and easier without all the grandiose postering. That said, the soundtrack to my wedding would probably be filled with original soundtracks from video games and movies. And I would REALLY like to dance to Valse di Fantastica. But given the popularity of Kpop Demon Hunters, it may just be: This is what it sounds like. Or Golden.

Food for thought.

But first, I’d need to find someone who would actually look at me twice. Then maybe a third or fourth time.

For now, I’ll simply enjoy my life as it comes.

And that’s all I can really do. No point in rushing into a grand commitment I’m probably not ready for at this stage.

Unless, I suppose it’s Caitlyn and Vi. Or, I dunno, Garrus. He is one sexy turian.

Sorry. What were we talking about again?