A Tybee Island Chapel Destination Wedding

The bride and groom stood in front of all of of their very supportive family and friends at The Tybee Island Chapel Reception Hall. They were about to give their speeches.

I was there drawing my portrait-style caricatures as Entertainment and wedding favours for the guests, as well as for the bride and groom.

This was my first Indian Wedding. Evidently, at Indian weddings, the bride and groom give speeches. Which actually makes more sense than the Western tradition of everyone else giving speeches.

I have drawn caricatures at Indian events before but never at a wedding. It wasn't what I expected - It was not a Hindu wedding but rather a Christian wedding, which was interesting to see the different traditional things they brought from both Indian and Christian traditions to this wedding.

Rincy, the bride, said her speech first. She gave glory to God and thanked all of her friends who had come a thousand miles or more from Texas, New Jersey and even India to this destination wedding at Tybee Island Georgia.

I brushed away tears as I was trying to draw caricatures and listen to her at the same time.

I finished my drawing and showed my couple. And then because everyone was listening to the groom, I got to concentrate on his speech.

He too spoke eloquently and full of heart about how blessed he was on this, the happiest day of his life. Those were the exact words he used.

However, something was different about his speech. It took me a minute to figure it out.

He did not smile.

I thought this was telling. He’s just not the type of person who shows a lot of emotion, I realized. The groom was just not a smiler.

I knew I would be drawing him and his bride later in the evening. I had very specific instructions on how to draw their caricature from Rincy, so I knew this was important to her. So I decided I would do my best to get him to smile.

When the bride and groom finally sat in my chair, the night was nearly over. They had danced all evening long - and this was an Indian wedding so they had really gotten some exercise! They were sweaty but happy. And glad to get a moment to sit and relax.

The bride, Rincy, had no problem smiling. She was like a ray of sunshine.

But Dan, the serious one, still did not smile.

I asked for one. What I got was a grimace. 😬

So I told him to stop. I joked that he was scaring me, hoping for a smile then.

But no. No smile.

Darn it.

I drew him with a subtle closed-mouth smile, which is what I do with more reserved people. It’s actually better and looks more like them anyway.

During the drawing, the bride and groom had to run and say goodbye to more family ,so I told them they could go and I would finish it. They were apologetic, but I insisted. I got what I needed, and they had the experience of being drawn, so it was fine. Really. go!

They ran of,f and I finished the drawing, as Rincy had asked, using a picture I had taken of them in their traditional American wedding garb earlier in the day.

They had changed into traditional Indian clothing to dance in. They looked like royalty in their traditional garb and I almost wished they had let me draw them in it. Maybe I’ll do that later and surprise them. Shhh! Don’t tell!

So they were doing one last traditional dance as I finished up their drawing. The DJ had announced this would be the last of the evening, and I really wanted to give them their drawing before they left.

I tiptoed over to the dance floor as the music stopped. The bride and groom were surrounded by a crowd of well-wishers.

I waited, keeping the drawing turned towards me so that it would be a surprise.

The DJ announced that everyone had to leave to do the grand exit. I was growing nervous. Would they get to see their drawing?

I approached and waited respectfully, waiting for the right moment and keeping their drawing hidden so no one could see it.

Thankfully, the crowd thinned as the guests went outside to do the farewell sparkler exit.

Rincy saw me and smiled. I approached.

I stood facing them and in one quick moment, revealed their caricature.

…and of course that’s when

Dan smiled at me at last!

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