a journey

Last night, I attended one of the most elegant, fun-filled, culture-saturated, and joyful events I've ever been to in my life! Here is the story of my first Jewish wedding. Daniel's manager at work got married in New Jersey and I got to go as his date. We've been to several weddings together in the last two years but this was our first Jewish wedding to go to and we really had no idea what to expect.

We met some of Daniel's other work friends and their dates at his office in midtown and then piled into a van together to start our crazy adventure. Since we got to the location a little early, we each grabbed a (quite delicious) glass of champagne and wandered around the downstairs lobby area of the beautiful building which would host both the ceremony (upstairs) and the reception (downstairs ballroom off of the lobby). One of the first things we noticed were these extraordinary ICE SCULPTURES which were not only decoration, but would later be utilized as giant serving dishes and bar counters. I had never seen anything like it! The ice was so clear and each was so intricately sculpted - it was breathtaking!





Finally, we made our way upstairs for the ceremony. Most of it was pretty traditional but there were a few elements that made it really unique to me. First of all, most of the men wore a kippah. Also, no one in the congregation stood up when the bride walked down the aisle. This was strange at first but the more I think about it, the more I appreciate the diminished exaltation of the bride. I don't know whether that was the intention or not but it was just something I noticed. Also, at the very end of the ceremony, the couple shattered a bowl of glass which served as a reminder that their marriage vows are permanent and irrevocable. Although I didn't necessarily agree with everything, it definitely gave me a new appreciation for the Jewish culture, their values, and love of family and friends.

After the ceremony we went back downstairs and were welcomed by tons of wait staff and bartenders who stood at 10-12 different serving locations all around the lobby. The food selection was magnificent. The guests were invited to fill however many little plates they wanted with everything from pork chops to salad to pasta to sushi to gourmet chicken and pork to shrimp to breads and cheeses and fruits to quesadillas to all the finger foods that were brought around to us by more wait staff. The guests quickly filled the room and it was hard to find a spot to enjoy all the delicious food so several of us took turns venturing out for 4th and 5th helpings. I am enjoying Daniel's work events more and more as I get to know his team and other friends around the office. They are such nice, friendly people and I really love learning about their lives and hearing their perspective about work and living in the City.



When we were about 3/4 full or so, we found out that all the wining and dining we had been doing was essentially an appetizer as the bride and her family had planned a dinner for all the guests during the official reception. Daniel's face was priceless to watch as we were told this - we were both completely shocked! Shortly after, we made our way into the beautiful ballroom and found our seats at our elegantly set table. The ballroom was HUGE and had a decent sized dancefloor, which I was very happy to see. A 10 person band comprised solely of beautiful, crazy talented men and women (which included 4 back up singers) started playing some fun, upbeat music to help welcome the wedding party into the room. Everyone in the room stood up from the table and clapped to the music as the scene built up more and more. In the weddings I've been to in the past, the bride and groom walking into the reception is practically an afterthought as all the guests are typically involved in their drinks or conversations. This was so different, though. Everyone's focus was completely on the door and all attention was directed toward welcoming the bride and groom - I loved it! I couldn't help but smile and bounce around a little in my heels to the music at the joy, excitement, and anticipation that was so contagious in the room.



One of the singers served as the announcer and walked around the dancefloor with a portable mike. He talked directly to certain tables and areas of the room and he was such a hoot! The flower girls and ring bearers came into the room first, followed by the parents of the bride and groom, each causing an uproar of applause from the guests. Each of the couples had a few minutes to dance a little bit on the floor as everyone clapped along before heading to their table. Finally the bride and groom skipped in and you can just imagine the response!

I know this post is getting long already but the next thing that happened was by far my favorite part: after watching the couple dance for a minute or two, all of the wedding guests gathered around the bride and groom and made concentric circles around them. The different circles grabbed hands and skipped in opposite directions of each other to the music shouting "Mazel tov!" and other such happy phrases. Aside from maybe major sports events, I have never seen that many happy people gathered in one place. Some chairs were brought in and the bride and groom were hoisted in the air on chairs and we all cheered as they were lifted up and down (another Jewish tradition). It was SO. MUCH. FUN. =]





The rest of the night consisted of more amazing music by the band who tended to walk around on the dance floor around the dancers, wine and champagne that kept appearing in my glasses, the best steak I've ever tasted in my life, dancing with Daniel to live oldies and current Hip Hop music, and laughing and joking with people that are slowly becoming my friends. I can't believe I'm so blessed to be here in New York, experiencing something so unique and fun and lovely all at the same time. It was an amazing night with some fun memories that I'll cherish for a long time.

Labels: life