So I just returned from my sister’s wedding on Gabriola Island (thanks for the masthead photo, Yorick_R), which was a gorgeous event and a true celebration of community. Because everybody helped.

I’ve been to potluck-style, informal, hippie, semi-communist, and mostly-anarchist weddings before – this event presented some characteristics of the formerly mentioned weddings; however, it was truly a day (more like a weekend) that warrants its own description. I just threw you a “schema” – a jumping-off-point or frame of reference – for you to better ‘get it’.

Moving on…

As brides and grooms do, my sister and current brother-in-law set the helping tone by doing everything from growing food for the big day to managing rides to and from the island and, most importantly, putting me in charge of Wedding Operations for the big day [Editor’s note: I’m totally mostly totally joking about this part, but the development of my people skills and talent for volunteer management had been, my sister told me, in preparation for this moment].

The helping also began with the bride and groom’s parents, who have spent – I exaggerate not – the better part of the past year planning the catering, daily operations and transportation logistics for the weekend wedding. Their helping list included, but was not limited to, the following:

• Procuring delicious wild salmon
• Packing their kitchen into their trailer
• Brewing and bottling delicious beer
• Brewing and bottling delicious wine
• Harvesting fresh fruit and veggies
• Creating from scratch a delicious pancake breakfast
• And tapping their extensive social network.

Speaking of our family’s social network, it includes a woman named Pam, who is my family’s former doctor and our very good friend. And this wedding had her stamp all over it. From the home-shot/cured bear sausage to the chocolate thank-yous to managing the entire dinner service for 70 people, Pam was an absolute hero for the weekend.

And there many other heroes, too. One of the bridesmaids – with some help from her mom – created all of the gorgeous flower arrangement (many of the flowers came from my parents’ friends’ places in the Comox Valley). A task force of logistical tactitians with impeccable spacial awareness set up tables, chairs, lights, kegs, wine, glasses, dishes, appetizers, and flower arrangements. The majority of guests even pitched in to wash dishes. And, of course, everybody helped to eat the food and drink the drinks. And some did a much better job of this than others.

It was a beautiful thing.

Kim and Ian. You inspired many things on your most special of special days. From heartfelt words to delicious food to inspiring collaboration, your wedding was a true example of how to build community.

Thanks for the memories!