Walking down the aisle, Emily feels like she’s finally living the wedding fairytale. Everything about it—the dress, the location, the music, and her fiancé—is perfect. Until the moment of the vows, when Jason completely humiliates her in front of everybody. But soon, he gets a taste of his own medicine.
This was the day I had long been looking forward to. after planning my wedding for several months and dieting to fit into my dream gown. This marked the pivotal moment.
My father said, “Come on, darling,” as he got ready to show me how to get to Jason along the aisle.
“How do you feel?” my father inquired, planting a kiss on my forehead.
All I said was, “Happy,” “I’ve been dreaming of this moment for years now, Dad.”
Months in advance, I had chosen the soft music to play as we walked down the aisle. A wooden stool supported the guitarist’s weight.
My father handed me my hand, and Jason said, “Emma, you look beautiful.”
The priest began the wedding with a speech about love and commitment, just as he had promised.
“Time for the vows,” the priest remarked, beaming at the two of us.
“Jason, you are my best friend, and I have always wanted to marry my best friend. I promise to support you, laugh with you constantly, and grow alongside you. I swear to be trustworthy and to value our time spent together. both in this life and the next.”
My sister moaned next to me and wiped away her tears.
“Jason,” the clergyman exclaimed. “It’s now your turn.”
Jason turned to his groomsmen and made them laugh, then smiled at me.
With a “my darling Emily,” he spoke. “I promise to always be there for you, even when you’re nagging me to take out the trash because you think the house smells.”
Jason’s groomsmen chuckled.
“And I’ll always hold your hand, especially when we’re walking through spider-infested areas because we all know how much you love those eight-legged critters.”
The groomsmen continued to giggle. A couple of our visitors participated as well.
Jason continued and stopped.
“I swear to constantly remind you to walk with your feet straight, so we won’t have to go to the ER for nothing more serious than a tripped over. Furthermore, because burnt lasagna is your specialty, make sure to enjoy every bite.”
The longer Jason talked, the more humiliated I felt.
I gave him a glare, hoping he would realize there was nothing emotional or beautiful in what he’d said. But he ignored me and carried on.
“I’ll also tolerate your singing in the shower. It may sound like a scared cat, but at least it makes me enjoy nice music! Above all, Emily “said he.
“I promise to forgive you for basically forcing me to propose to you after you left those bridal magazines all over the apartment.”
My jaw dropped wildly.
I didn’t know how to react. Jason’s guys were virtually laughing at one another.
“Really?” I whispered something to him.
Jason winked at her.
“It’s time for you to exchange rings now,” the priest declared.
With the wedding bands twisted into a tiny pillow she carried next to her heart, Jason’s niece walked up to the altar.
She gave a nervous chuckle and added, “Here you go, Aunty Emily.”
I whispered, “I’m grateful, my love,” as I took the rings from her.
I realized that I shouldn’t have put Jason’s ring on his finger while I was holding the rings. We were married now, well, except for signing the registration book.
But after hearing Jason’s vows, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to be with this man.
With a tug on my hand, Jason said, “Give me your hand.”
He slid the ring onto my finger and held out his hand for me to do the same.
My stomach turned over. My fantasy had popped all of a sudden. Nothing felt the same as it did moments earlier.
“Jason, you may now kiss the bride!” declared the priest.
Jason grasped my waist and put his other hand on my neck, pulling me into him. He kissed me icily, devoid of feeling.
“What on earth was that?” I asked Jason when we would be taking our pre-reception pictures.
With a frown, “What do you mean?” he asked.
“Your vows,” I whispered. “They were insensitive and embarrassing.”
“Nah!”He declared it to be cute. “I kept them true to us.”
“You basically said that I forced you to marry me against your will and that I’m awkward and annoying to everyone.”
I crossed my arms and waited for an explanation.
“Oh, come on, Emily,” he said. Everybody was giggling. Not as profound as you make it seem. Take this picture, please, and let’s return to the festivities. I’m becoming starving.”
I bit my tongue. I had no desire to debate.
Jason felt really at ease during the reception. He ingested too much steak and potatoes, together with too much alcohol, to make anyone queasy.
Before the formalities began, I muttered, “Mom,” as I knelt by my mother. “I don’t feel good.”
“What do you mean, sweetheart?” inquired my mother.
“Jason…” Speaking in a trailing voice, I let my anxiety get to me. “Those vows were nothing but an embarrassment.”
“Maybe it was just nerves, Emily,” my mother said. “You know how Jason can be sometimes.”
To which I replied, “I don’t know, Mom.” “I just feel like the magic has escaped.”
Soon after, the emcee got up to begin the formalities. Jason’s brother approached the stage and talked about how we met and what he thought of me at first.
“I didn’t think Emily would stay!” Jackson laughed, a bottle of beer in his hand. “But I guess she knows how to deal with my brother.”
My husband laughed a lot while taking in his brother’s seemingly endless remarks.
That meant it was time for my father-in-law to speak.
“Ladies and gentlemen, “I have some things to say to my son and his lovely new bride, Emily,” he retorted.
I held my breath. I’d always gotten along with Robert, and he’d always looked after me well. But my feelings for Jason had been the same right up to his vows.
I wondered if I should prepare for something from Robert too.
To be completely honest with myself, I just wanted to leave. I felt nothing like a married woman. Not much caught my attention. I didn’t even feel like myself.
I couldn’t wait to take off my wedding dress and slip into my coziest sweatpants. Inside, I was crying.
“Jason, do you know what makes a marriage work, son?” Robert asked.
“All right, my love? Draw? Chemistry?” Jason stammered when speaking.
Who the hell is this man? I thought to myself.
Robert shook his head and said, “It’s respect.” It’s critical to cherish your partnership and never instill shame or inferiority in your spouse. Today, you turned your vows into a litany of jokes aimed at Emily. That was not only inappropriate, but also very painful.”
I looked around and saw that a number of the visitors were shaking their heads.
Robert said, “To impart some knowledge to you, Jason.” “I’m going to share something about you that you might find equally embarrassing.”
“What? Dad! Give up. Jason stood up and shouted something.
Jason still uses a nightlight to help him sleep. He says it’s because he likes to read in bed, but we all know that the true cause is his fear of the dark.”
The laughing erupted in the room.
“And let’s not forget about the time when Jason tried to cook for Emily and set off the fire alarm because he didn’t know that normal people don’t put metal in microwaves.”
Jason snarled, “Dad, please just stop it.”
“Or about the time when he got drunk after a party, and insisted that he needed to sleep on the floor in my bedroom.”
More laughter came from the audience.
“Jamie, These are not stories I told you to make you appear terrible. but to convey the sensation to you. Humoring someone else at their expense is cruel, not funny. You have to understand the consequences of your actions.”
I finally felt seen, and I grinned at Robert.
“I apologize to Emily on my son’s behalf. Jason still has a lot to learn about being a caring and respectful partner. But I’m sure he can do better, and I hope you’ll let him have the chance to prove it.”
Jason stepped beside me and mumbled, “I’m so sorry, Emily.” “I was thinking I was being funny, but I see now how foolish I was.” Give me another chance.
“That’s okay,” I answered. “But it’s going to take more than just empty words to fix this.”
I truly want to try us again, but there’s still a serious problem.
What would you say in response?