I *love* retro media and regularly search for hidden treasures in thrift stores. I'm not interested in inferior versions of Hollywood films or TV shows that have seen a DVD release. I'm after weird direct-to-video nonsense that may not be available online. (I have full plans to digitize them for the internet whenever I can afford the equipment. ^^ )

A few nights ago, I decide to pop in the one tape I hadn't watched yet: a Disney Sing Along. It's arguably the most boring of the ones I have, but I thought it would work as a good "timer" for a 30 minute cleaning session without worrying about algorithms or ads from online radio. :)
I remove the slip cover and....huh, that's strange. The tape doesn't have a label. Maybe Disney decided to save money on this cash grab and didn't bother printing one.
Looks like I'll need to rewind it, too. But, huh, that looks like A LOT more than just 30 minutes of tape. Weird.

I pop it in and get nothing, so I rewind it and press play.

We're at a church.

Oh? Perhaps a local church recorded a selection of sermons? That's so cool! I can't wait!
Two minutes in and nothing's happening, so I fast forward. I see someone's at the pulpit and we've zoomed in. The guy's singing some song and I decide to fast forward again to a whole lot of nothing. The guy gets back on stage to sing another song, and nothing AGAIN.
At this point through fast forwarding, I'm thinking "Oh, god, this better not be someone's funeral" before realizing that there's none of the usual flowers, photos, etc. I'm still in denial when five men in tuxes get on stage.

No....
A familiar tune plays on the organ.
No, no, no....
Here comes the bride in a white dress, led down the aisle by her father

I accidentally purchased someone's wedding tape from a used art supply store.
It was in a Disney Sing Along slip cover.
THIS IS ABSURD

Needless to say, I didn't get any cleaning done. Which is fine because I was NOT going to be sober by the end of it and wanted to pass the time until party o'clock (aka lay in bed with snacks and watch other tapes.) But could you imagine an alternate timeline where I put this in AFTER I had cleaned? I woulda lost my damn mind lmfao


Anywho, I'm waiting for an evening where I have the time and focus to watch it and take notes. I've been given a once in a lifetime sidequest to try and track down these folks and give them back their wedding tape. Marriages are public records, so if I can figure out any names or dates to go by, I can probably get a good head start!
Assuming I CAN find them, how the hell am I gonna reach out without sounding like a scammer or clanker lmfao. Maybe I need to open commissions so I can afford that digitization equipment so I can simply send them a file through e-mail as proof I'm not a total weirdo (just a weirdo that likes VHS tapes.)
Anyway, if you found this interesting or want me to make updates, let me know! Wish me luck in finding the Disney Sing Along Wedding Tape family! :P