Honestly, I wasn’t quite sure what to think when a good friend of mine, who was a bridesmaid at my Renaissance-themed wedding, asked me to be her maid of honor at her wedding, which was to take place in a Provo hot dog shop.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s to not to be presumptuous. Just because they’re getting married in a hot dog shop doesn’t mean they don’t take their wedding seriously, and it certainly doesn’t mean they’re rednecks. It does mean that they have a great sense of humor, and that they don’t take themselves so seriously as to be over-poised and stuffy.
Though, to hear one patron tell it, they might be "relatively out of their minds." Convention definitely had nothing to do with location, in this case.
It didn’t help (or did it?) that just plain coincidence contributed to the groom Adam Bean’s family being referred to as ‘Adam’s Family.’ Said his new mother-in-law, "Well, it’s either that or ‘Mr. Bean …’"
In contrast to the unconventionality of the setting, the ceremony was certainly one of the longest, most detailed, and religious, Christian ceremonies I have witnessed in quite a while. The pastor was also the father of the groom, a stoic man of serious expression and high intelligence who meant to be taken seriously. The vows were also far from conventional, but heartfelt. Who knew a bride could be moved to tears under an arch of balloons at The Hot Dog King.
The highlight of the eventing was the single most romantic dedication I have ever seen from a groom to a bride: a trombone solo of "My One and Only Love." Adam is the second-best trombone player I’ve ever heard (next to David Vines), and this particular dedication was beautiful and moving.
Finally, it was time for the new Mr. and Mrs. Bean to smash cake in each other’s faces, and for everyone to get in line for hot dogs, corn dogs and cake.
My husband bought for his good friend, Adam, a tie with a large hot dog on it; I, knowing and relating to Tracy’s affinity for quality teas, gave them a nice tea set. Oh, and some gummy handcuffs.
No matter what your views are, it takes guts to stand up for yourself and do things the way you want to, not what convention deems or what other people might think. A lot of people end up dissatisfied with the way things worked out, just because they judged by other people’s ideals, instead of their own.
And so, to Adam and Tracy Bean, may you forever enjoy each other’s company and humor; and may the memories of The Hot Dog King bring you joy at the very sight of a bottle of mustard.
Long live the hot dog Queen and King.
