Butterflies arrive on a cold pack and this makes those winged beauties sleep like babies. You get instructions to pull out the cold pack and let them thaw like they are from the ice age and when they reach a certain temperature wham you have yourself live flutterbies.
I prepared for the ceremony on what was a stinking hot Melbourne day (Melbourne Celebrant problems) and I had left the butterflies on my signing table in the shade and removed the ice pack as instructed.
So the very poignant moment of the ceremony arrived. I talked of the symbolism of these butterflies heading off into the sunset, together for eternity, as I handed the envelope to the Bride and Groom. The couple took the envelope from me with the most delicate hands and the excited Bride’s face was palpable.
‘So now as we look towards this beautiful couples married life together, we ask those butterflies to lead the way forward for them. Guests, in support of our newly married couple, may I ask you all the repeat after me, as loud as you can’-
Me: Mr and Mrs Smith
Guests go NUTS: MR AND MRS SMITH
Me: Onward and Upward
Guests go NUTS HARDER: ONWARD AND UPWARD
The couple peel back the envelope with huge beaming smiles on their face.
The Butterflies go DOINK, DOINK.
There was no onward and upward. No flight. No sign of life. Those butterflies didn’t not fly. They were as warm as butter left on a bench. They fell on the ground. They were dead.
Horrified looks ensued. The Bride’s bottom lip quivered. The Groom giggled. Then the front row giggled, then the rebels up the back giggled. Then we were all a mess. The Bride was forced to go with it. She echoed the giggle.
The Groom made it up to the Bride by taking her to the Butterfly enclosure on their first anniversary.
Being a Wedding Celebrant in Melbourne is fun, difficult, amazing and intense.
And when things go wrong all you can is laugh.
This content was originally published here.