Through Chrissie's eyes

The Taylors' Wedding

We awoke a little earlier on that Saturday in April 1976, extremely excited and anxious about the evening's events. After breakfast, I left Brian reviewing his schedule of the ceremony as I reread my old copy of "A Study in Scarlet" straight from my teenage years. And so, even busy and concentrated, we silently kept each other company.

Roger had made a point of not having a traditional wedding, but even so, he wanted to have the main elements of the ceremony, to please his bride. Dominique, like most of the girls, dreamed about her wedding day, and for a time, she even believed it wouldn't happen, and now that she had found the man of her life, she just wanted everything to go well.

The most romantic idea the groom had was to hold the ceremony in Hyde Park, the place where he and his beloved had met. Even though they didn't get along so well in the beginning, the place had a special significance for Dominique and Roger. A daytime ceremony would draw the attention of unwanted onlookers and especially the nonsense fans, so the wedding would be held at night, in a more secluded spot in the park.

Another unusual thing was Roger dismissing a religious minister or a squire, choosing Brian to conduct the ceremony. The idea caught my husband by surprise, but soon after he thought it would be cool. Better than being a best man, Brian would make sure his rebellious, stubborn best friend was actually getting married.

Dominique only recommended that Brian's words be solemn and romantic. My husband attended to this request of the bride, and now on the morning of the great day, put the last details in his speech.

"Yeah, I guess that's it," Brian said after reading and rereading his writings "can you take a look, Chrissie?" I want to know what you think ..."

"Sure, my love." I set my book aside and took his notes.

I squeezed my eyes out to read that little, run-of-the-mill letter, the terror of any teacher, but since I was well trained in it, and I knew Brian's handwriting well, I was able to decipher what he meant. I smiled in some parts and laughed in others. But in the end, I was moved. Yeah, I couldn't forget to bring a handkerchief because at the time of the ceremony I was sure to cry.

"It's so ..." I made a suspense on purpose, "you!" And I loved how you wrote about Roger and Dom."

"Isn't it too formal?" Brian still had doubt "because I know Rog wants a more relaxed thing, but for God's sake, it's a wedding, it has to be serious, it's a lifelong commitment and I can't do it in a sculptural way."

"You're right, Bri" I laughed a little bit at the way he stood up to defend his writing "and for me it's perfectly balanced, you'll be able to please them both."

"That's what I expect," he finally relaxed.

At 19:30, we were all on the spot marked, the sky was almost totally dark and the stars were the perfect ornament for the night. There was a white carpet for Dominique's entrance, along the way, lighted torches were positioned, chairs lined up on either side of the carpet, a small table where Brian would speak to the bride and groom and a flowery portal above him.

Roger's parents, Winifred and Michael were already there, along with his sister, Clare. We had met the Taylors a few days before.

It was still half an hour before the appointed time of the ceremony, but Roger began to be anxious without a sign of his bride.

"Do you think she's okay?" he asked me, worried, "did you even talk to her today? How was she? No sign of she quitting, right?"

John laughed at his friend's state, while I, Mary and Veronica were moved, Freddie was incredulous in the face of such desperation, Brian just smirked discreetly.

"She's not going anywhere, Rog, I assure you" I told the groom with conviction "she really loves you, and I expect you to love her forever in the same way."

"I will, of course I will" Roger promised me, overflowing with sincerity.

Noticing how much he was sure of what he was doing warmed my heart. To relieve the tension of the groom and our waiting, Dominique arrived, alone, but confident and dazzling, as she always was, and on her lips she carried a smile that couldn't be contained.

I took a quick look at Roger, he was delighted, struggling to believe that Dominique was real.

"Go get her," I whispered to him, afraid he'd forget.

Roger nodded, and walked over to her with steady, determined steps. I saw them exchanging a quick hi, but he was so moved that he ended up kissing the bride ahead of time.

"Rog, this is for the end!" Freddie shouted at him, which made the guests laugh.

The bride and groom then resumed their walk to the altar.

"Well ..." Brian gave a nervous smile, getting ready to start "Good evening everyone" I speak in the name of Roger and Dominique that it's a pleasure to receive you at this time and in this place to see these these two of our friends, whom we love so much, to unite in marriage. You must be wondering why get married in Hyde Park. Well, this place is where the love of Dominique and Roger was born, in an unusual way, I confess, involving firecrackers and chewing gum, but here we are. There would be no better place to celebrate this union. Roger Taylor, Roger Meddows Taylor, my old friend, who always gave me a headache but never denied me his friendship when I needed it, today you make the choice to make Dominique your wife, whom you will love and care forever?"

"Yes!" Roger answered loud and clear.

"Dominique Beyrand" resumed Brian "the sensible and wise Dom, the prankster girl, our heartfelt sister, today you make the choice to make Roger your husband, whom you will love and care forever?""

"Yes." She looked at Roger.

"By this," Brian said again, "showing that you really do become spouses of each other, I ask you to declare your love to each other at this moment. Dominique, you can go first."

"Roger ..." she sighed "I thought you were a complete jerk when I met you, but good thing I saw your true, caring, sensitive self that makes me believe that I'm the only girl in the world for you. And since we've been together, that feeling has never gone away, because it's true. I love you with all my heart, even being so silly sometimes, and I promise to continue loving you."

We clapped our hands at Dominique's words, and I had to get the handkerchief to wipe away the tears that had already appeared.

"Roger, your turn" Brian continued.

"Dominique, I never thought I'd meet someone like you" Taylor's voice was full of emotion !because you're so unique, so special, like no one I've met before. I don't know if you think I'm made for you, but I'm sure you were made for me, because without you I would be lost, and because of you, I strive to be better, to be up to you every day. Thank you so much for choosing me to be your husband, it's a privilege! Je t'aime!"

"Je t'aime Rog ..." sighed Dominique in reply.

I cried a little more because of Roger saying "I love you" in his beloved's mother language. That was very beautiful!

"Well, on account of the power vested in me temporarily by Her Majesty's government, I declare Roger and Dominique married!" said Brian excited "Now it's time to kiss the bride, Rog!"

And that's what he did without waiting a second longer. It was such a slow kiss, but so sincere that it made the guests cheer on their feet. Along with the kiss, fireworks lit the sky above us, another exaggeration of the groom for the wedding.

"Wow!" Dominique laughed in surprise at the fireworks.

"I did what you did the day we met" Roger explained "but my little firecrackers are of a different kind."

"You are impossible!" She shook her head.

Roger wrapped his wife in his arms, to admire the fireworks a little more, before Mr. and Mrs. Taylor would continue to celebrate at the party that would soon follow in their new home.