Chapter 43: St. Croix Wedding II

DAVE

“With those oaths and vows, sacred in a Universe of Love, Peace and Understanding, I now pronounce you wife and husband.” Ross smiled beneficently at the couple in front of him and spread his arms out wide, his robe blowing slightly in the light wind.

Brad and Lisa moved into an embrace as the audience of about one-hundred-thirty applauded and cheered. Most of the audience, except for the wedding party, were seated just above the waterline in portable white chairs. Everyone was in casual dress, even beach wear. Colorful shirts abounded except for the bridge and groom, and wedding party...

The wedding party stood on either side of the bride and groom under a large pergola decorated with greenery and white orchids. There were six groomsmen and six matrons besides the bride and groom. I was best man, and Mel was matron of honor.

The bride wore a white bikini with the word ‘Bride’ written across the front of her bottoms as well as across her butt. Around her waist and flowing from the back of her lacy white bra were several layers of white gossamer gauze fabric that had reached to her bare feet. She also had a white halo with a veil flowing from behind. The bottom few feet of the gauze outfit were wet since the waters of the Caribbean Sea were up to her mid-calf. There were also slits up either side of her diaphanous ‘dress’ to easily reveal her bare legs.

The groom was wearing what appeared to be black board shorts, and from the waist up he was all tuxedo. Like the bride he was barefoot.

The bridesmaids and matron of honor were all wearing black bikinis with the words ‘Bride Squad’ across their butts. They, too, had some gossamer gauze attached to the bikinis, only it was black mesh with slits up each of their sides to show a lot of leg. The groomsmen were clothed similar to the groom in half-tuxedos.

Given the audience of ‘muggles’, the bikinis were tame compared to what any in the party would normally wear to the beach – or even what they’d had on earlier in the day.

The ceremony had been somewhat traditional. Lisa’s father had walked her down to the beach and then down an aisle between the chairs right into the water and under the pergola where Brad and everyone was waiting.

Ross, the minister, was dressed in his clerical robe, with a hood reflecting education at some theological college. The bottom two feet of his robe were wet, but he just ignored that fact.

He gave a little homily, thankfully heard by all thanks to a microphone and small PA system. The bride and groom each did their vows, also with microphones so everyone could hear. There was a blessing, and then the marital pronouncement.

The pair turned and faced the audience. Ross said loudly, “Everyone, I am pleased to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Bradford Lighter. Please give your blessings to Brad and Lisa.” Everyone revved up their applause and cheers again.

Brad said in a loud voice, “Let the party begin.” He and Lisa raised their hands.

Quietly, behind the wedding ceremony tables had been set with an array of hors d’oeuvres that rivaled anything I’d ever seen or dreamed of. Hotel staff were there to assist with serving, and, of course, there were the open bars.

We quickly did a reverse procession right to the tables and got champagne. The wedding party did the toast to the bride and groom. I had a wireless microphone that facilitated everyone hearing my toast of love and fulfillment, to the couple.

The wedding had taken place starting at five o’clock. The long rays of the setting sun graced the reception area in the sand. Only a few people wore shoes, or even long pants or dresses. The sun was gone before six, tiki torches were lit as well as some LED lights at various tables.

People stood around introducing themselves, chatting, and eating and drinking. A photographer and cinematographer circulated and continued to capture the event. I had noticed some hidden cameras in the foliage of the pergola, so I expect that the actual vows were also well captured.

I saw Patti and Jamaica standing with their arms around each other, both in one-piece bathing suits with frilly long skirts. Their eyes were everywhere at once, checking out detail after detail. The panic of the day before had passed as issue after issue got resolved.

Midway through the meal, I saw the chef appear. I got up and went to greet him, and on behalf of all the guests, publicly thanked him for the extraordinary five-star banquet. I knew he was on loan from another resort, but I didn’t belabor that point.

I guess my getting up and moving around triggered a few others that made potty runs or a bar run to top off their drinks.

As dinner ended, I tapped my glass and then started the ‘Best Man Roast of the Groom’ that I’d been working on for six weeks. Some were really bad ‘dad’ jokes. My opener was, “Well, it had been an emotional day, even the cake is in tiers.” I got a lot of boos on that alone.

“Well, we all know that Lisa is a wonderful woman that deserves the perfect guy. Too bad that you don’t always get what you deserve.”

I turned to Brad and pulled out a piece of paper from the pocket of my tuxedo, “So, about Brad. He’s wonderful, handsome, witty, intelligent, virile, and he’s charm ... sorry, everyone. Brad, I’m having trouble reading your handwriting. You can tell everyone the rest later.” [Laughter]

I then got kind, and didn’t do too many more bad jokes. I praised both Brad and Lisa, and finally made the ‘official’ toast to their marriage, family, and the love they shared between themselves, and even with their family and friends.

The wedding cake was carried into position beside the head table. Brad and Lisa stood and went to the large cake, and posed for the cameras before starting to slice up servings. Soon, a pretty waitress took over and rapidly, everyone received a serving. I remember thinking how great the cake was; I loved the icing and would be on a sugar high for the next month. The resort had risen to the occasion and solidly fixed the missing cake issue.

The reception and dinner had been pegged to go to eight o’clock, and almost to the second, Brad and Lisa bid everyone goodnight and disappeared towards the main building of the resort.

Shortly, the serving staff started to clear away the detritus from the meal and after-dinner coffee. The band, which had been playing music since before the wedding ceremony, tapered off their music and finally ended, even though by some standards it was early in the evening.

People drifted away from the beach, heading to the lodge and the better lit public rooms of the resort. Our beach area gradually got left behind by almost every one at the event.

MEL

Late in the meal, about three-hundred yards down the dark beach, a few other tiki torches appeared, but without explanation or invitation. No people were evident. One guess might be that some fishermen were setting up for a late-evening attempt to catch something. Another guess that I heard was that a private residence adjacent to the resort was enjoying some evening beach time.

A select few of the wedding party and guests had received a special invitation, hand delivered, to a different kind of reception and party at the site of those distant torches. Those that hand-delivered the invitation, verbally warned individuals that hadn’t been to one of our Sex Club gathering about the nudity and sex that would grace the ‘real’ reception and celebration.

I had been the one to deliver the invitation to Ross Buckman, the officiant or minister presiding over the wedding. The invitation was merely a quarter-of-a-page map to indicate where the event would be held.

“Ross, you are hereby invited to a rather open sexual experience, if you’re interested. The map shows where, and we’ll start gathering around nine-fifteen or nine-thirty. Expect nudity, including your own. Expect to give and receive copious quantities of loving and romantic sex. The sex will be in the open as a group – an orgy, if you prefer. I know Brad and Lisa prepped you for something like this; well, here it is. Any questions?”

“Should I bring condoms?”

“You may, but they’re not necessary. You were screened and tested; I’ve been told. So has everyone else that will be participating.”

“Will Patti be there?” I sensed his eagerness about the cute wedding planner.

“Yes. Dave is talking to her and Jamaica. They’re both invited, along with a number of others. Please do not go around during the regular reception and ask people whether they will be at the ‘after party’. In general, we do not want those in general attendance to even know that there’s an after-party.”

“Got it. How many people will there be?”

“Thirty to forty, I believe. Can’t swear to a number. Many of the people that had been on the flight coming down here. The group should be fairly balanced between men and women, slightly more women, perhaps. There will be refreshments left for us and there will be a porta-potty there, too, as well as dozens and dozens of towels. I think there will be about thirty chaises of various types there, too, plus beach blankets. The venue is being arranged for seduction and romance.”

“Thanks. I’ll be there.”

I was not the first at our party site. Evan, Mike, Trish, and Cindy were already there and just chatting. They’d set up a dozen large beach blankets and had an array of coolers with various refreshments in them. Several signs had also been set out on posts between the tideline and the mangroves well up the beach from the water: ’Private Event – By Invitation Only’. Beyond the encampment, there was only an outcrop of mangroves and hurricane debris. This was the most eastern end of the island.

My job for a while was to stand in the dim light of one tiki torch near one of the signs to screen people coming from the resort. I’d met most of the wedding guests during the various receptions over the past two days. Evan gave me a flashlight to use.

The next group to arrive consisted of Jim, Sarah, Ken, and Ashley. I waved them into the zone after I got some kisses, and then greeted Wendy, Bridget, and Ron. Neal and Mandy trotted down the beach splashing along the edge of the water. Most of them had small flashlights.

Three people I didn’t recognize appeared. I politely challenged them with the line about a private party.

The woman stepped forward, “I’m Barbara Rendall-Burke, Lisa’s sister. This is my husband Paul, and our friend Bill. Lisa told us all to come to this even.”

“BARB! You came,” I blustered out. “You were supposed to be in the wedding. What happened?”

“We just made the ceremony and snuck into the back and didn’t say anything. While you all were having cocktails we had to check into the resort and change to island clothes. I apologized to Lisa and Brad. There’s a raging snow storm in Chicago, lots of flight cancelations, and finally we took anything headed this way. We arrived here at the airport only fifteen minutes before the wedding started. Thus, we barely made it.”

I shook hands with the two men. I asked all three, “This little gathering is ... well, it’ll be very ... I mean are you sure ... you might want to...”

Barb laughed. “You mean do we like group sex – an orgy? Will I mind fucking the groom and anybody else? Do I know what the next six hours here will be like? The answer is that I am well informed by my sister and new brother-in-law about what they call the Sex Club. We’re ready and eager to participate.”