the next time

the bride will be unhappy
later. they always are
in the new white dress,
the first time around.
something was cold.
the cake, too soft,
too sweet or hard,
the drunk uncle who stumbled
and fell on
the dance floor.
the husband she would later
scold.
the blurred photo,
the ones who never showed,
so much food
and drink, not gone to waste,
but eaten.
the music, how the band
forgot the words to the song
she picked.
a windy toast that went
on and on.
but it's just a wedding,
the first of several, yet
to come. she'll remember this
practice session and try
to do better the next time.