I officiated at a wedding of a couple at the Grammercy Park Hotel in NYC in May of this year which was a spectacular event on many levels. The couple picked the rooftop garden, which has a retractable roof and several rooms with couches and comfortable chairs. The bride felt that after the ceremony, she wanted people to mingle and not be forced to sit at designated tables. That set the tone for the night, along with the city skyline’s beauty.
Music was important to both of them. The groom’s day job was in the IT industry, which frequently took him to London and Washington, D.C. But he played the saxophone, and his passion was jazz, older jazz from the 30s, 40s, and 50s. He played with many groups, and among the audience were jazz musicians, each with an unusual story. Indeed, the music before the ceremony was recorded vintage Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.
The bride, among her many amazing jobs, had been Puff Daddy’s assistant before he changed his name. She loved salsa music and was a great dancer. Before the ceremony started, they had a female gospel singer perform one of the bride’s favorite songs. This was the start of a memorable and musical night.