A wonderful couple came to see me about their fall wedding this past year. She was of Russian descent, and he was from a Midwestern family with roots in the States. I learned that at the time, the bride’s parents were married in Russia; they had to do so in secret in a basement. The government banished religion, and they wanted a Jewish ceremony. They came to this country, and her father is now a violinist with a symphony orchestra. Her mother is a cultured and very stylish French teacher.
The venue selected was the Metropolitan Building in Long Island City. It is a turn-of-the-century factory that was renovated, but all original flooring, moldings, and grand ballroom-like spaces were kept intact. It overlooks the East River. I especially liked the antique furniture that the owner, a former antique dealer, had placed there. The bathroom held a claw-footed bathtub, more like a boudoir than a public restroom.
I co-officiated with a priest who is charming and funny. We worked seamlessly as a team, and at the end of the service, he took my hand, and we walked down the aisle together. The guests cheered us. The bride’s violinist father played as the couple circled each other, as is a Jewish custom. A friend of the couple’s sang the Sheva Brachot in magnificent voice. It was so wonderful for me to see the bride’s parents’ faces beam with pride at this grand event. No small basement room wedding, but 150 guests toasting
What made the wedding more dramatic was that on the day of the event, there was a freak NYC snowstorm. The weather should have been autumn perfect as the trees were in full splendor of oranges and golds. Instead, a fierce Nor easter blanketed the city with several inches of snow. I trudged to the affair in winter boots and a heavy ski jacket to protect me from a gale-like wind. I changed clothes in the antique bathroom and heard guests telling of their adventures getting to the wedding. Since most of the bride’s parent’s friends were from the West Coast, they hadn’t brought very warm clothes.
So what do Russian people do to celebrate a joyous occasion and keep warm in the winter? Drink vodka, eat blini, and toast the night away. We all did just that. It will be a memorable wedding in many ways.