My own "Said No!" story....

[sirdaniel1975]

I kept this story to myself and my close friends and family for a while... but have been inspired by my friend Aaron "Celtic Cowboy" Smith to tell my tale at last. Everything that follows is true!

In the the April 2006, my brother proposed to his now wife "Lisa." They set their Wedding for May 2007. In the summer of 2006, I brought up the idea about me wearing a kilt at their wedding. He replied, we might do a Scottish wedding anyway. I suggested a book on Scottish weddings from the Scottish Tartans Museum.

I set to order my first tailored kilt that summer. I ordered a Gunn Box pleat from MAC Newsome. I learned from my brother that they were not going to do a Scottish Wedding, b/c the brides father objected. His last name is McNeil (go figure). My brother said as of then it was OK for me to be in my new Kilt.

In the end of January I move back to Fl, which puts me closer to my brother and college friends. I am also about 2.25 hours from the wedding location. In February I receive an email from brother about the getting tux measurements. It was sent to all involved in the wedding party and family. I was going to be a musician (trumpet) in the wedding. At the end of the email was... Frank (the minister) you do not have to be measured b/c you know what your wearing and Dan (that's me) you're wearing your kilt.

A week later, I receive an emergency phone call from my brother. He says, "Dan.. I'm real sorry, but Lisa's dad has made it clear that you are not allowed to wear the kilt at the wedding nor at the rehearsal dinner. He said he argued on the phone for 2hours with Mr. McNeil. He says, you have to go get measured for a tux at "Whatever the chain store was, I think Sacino's at the time."

I go to the store in the mall and get my measurements. They were training a new girl at the time and she was coached in taking my measurements. At this time. I was scared because I could clearly see that the measurements were off. I decided to not complain because I realized it would prove my point as to how much better a garment a kilt is.

They also had size me for shoes, I told them I would need the widest shoe you have in my size. Their widest shoe in my size (square toed) did not fit. Bu the next size in the square toed did. I'm EEE width if you're curious. The narrow shoes, which the rest of the wedding party was wearing were too tight.

Let's jump in time a few months to the wedding.

I go back to the store to pick up the tuxedo outfit. I try on the outfit, it's too big like I knew it would be and the shoes are not square toed, but I seem to fit in them. The waistcoat is missing some buttons. I asked if they had any buttons because I sew and can attach them myself. They did not and made a call. One of their other stores which was on the way to the wedding rehearsal location had that vest in my size. I said fine. I'll be there at such and such a time tomorrow on the way to the wedding weekend.
I pick up the waistcoat on the way to the wedding rehearsal. I bought a nice new pair of gray slacks and a attractive blue dress shirt to wear at the wedding rehearsal. The rehearsal night was a wonderful evening by the way. Got to catch up with lots of family and friends.

The Wedding Day:

I'm playing the horn, so I'm in performer mode and get up early to get down to the chapel to warm up. I can't do it at the hotel. I get fully dressed to make sure I'm comfortable in my poor quality tux. (it was a polyester thing) I go to the chapel and cannot get in yet.. I'm extra early so I go back to the hotel to wait a little bit and return to the chapel later. When I arrive at the hotel to wait, I realize that I'm limping because of the shoes. I get back to the room and realize that my herculean feat have completely cracked open the shoes... both of the pair. Luckily I have my dress shoes from the night before, they work great and no one noticed I was wearing them until I told my family my strife.

I return to the chapel, warm up the trumpet(s), play the wedding, and everything was fun... except for the poorly made outfit I was wearing.

I look back at this and wish I had the gusto to just wear the kilt on that weekend.