Gut Wretching

The story goes...
Once upon a time there
Was a princess and a pea
Or was it, Once upon a
Time there was a fairyland
All twinkly and magical?
No - no, princesses showed;
none were hire-able because all
Had turned in their "damsel in
Distress" cards for a more
Independent path - a path of
Let-me-do-it-on-my-own,
Thank you very much!
And then the day came to
Walk down the aisle and there
Was no one there - to walk with
Or meet at the altar - which
Alters the course of so many
Princesses all dressed in white...
'Cause here comes the bride
Without a groom by her side.