More important things like staring at Tara as Tara buttons up the back of Anya's dress. Willow offers to help and she and Tara giggle together. Anya, her hair in rollers and wearing a cold mask, insists on their attention, because she's practicing her vows. She's going to love, cherish, and honor, but not obey, of course. She then rambles on a tangent about sea captains, which sets Willow and Tara giggling again. They exchange smiles, and Tara keeps buttoning. "Take care of my heart, won't you please? Take care of it, because it's all that I have, and if you let me, I'll take care of your heart too," she continues. Awww. That's nice, and Emma really sells it. Then she promises to take care of Xander's heart, just like a "little mangy stray," which doesn't work as well. Tara finishes the buttons, and Anya turns around to show them the dress. Willow and Tara gape in admiration (genuine, I think), but the effect is sort of ruined because Anya is still wearing the curlers and mask. And I hate to interrupt myself here, but Willow's hair looks terrible! She's got just the bangs pinned up, and the back looks all limp. It's not so short that they couldn't have done something more with it. Tara's hair looks pretty good, though, parted on the side and curled at the ends. Anyway, Anya's wedding gown is an ivory, beaded strapless gown, with a retro feel. It's fitted very tightly through the chest and stomach and then spills into a series of flounces and ruffles at knee level. I think I actually like it, though it would be more appropriate for grand old Hollywood movie premiere than a wedding. Anya is giddy and wants to see Xander right away. Upon being told it's bad luck, she grouses she can't keep all the "ridiculous traditions straight," which is pretty disingenuous, I think, considering that she managed to nail the ugly bridesmaid's dress and uncomfortable rehearsal dinner traditions. "It's just I'm so excited and I want to share it all with my best friend!" she explains, grinning. "I get to be with my best friend forever," she continues, and does a cute little hand-flap-and-squeaky-noise combo.

Shot of the Sunnydale Bison Lodge. It's still pouring down rain, and guests scamper quickly inside. Near the front door, poor Dawn (also in a bridesmaid's dress) is talking to Uncle Rory, who has glommed himself onto an attractive young caterer. Rory tells Dawn that the caterer has agreed to be his "date" for the night, but the caterer looks like she's just making a monumental effort to be nice. Dawn quickly bails on the embarrassing situation; Rory chuckles and then notices a stuffed bison's head on the wall, decorated with a bridal veil. He tells the caterer that the bison's lip was taxidermied incorrectly, but with more gross details. Fondling the poor caterer's back, Rory smarms, "It was my trade. I used to stuff things. I still do, but only for fun." That's yucky on all the levels I'm seeing there.