D-Day Dawns: It’s a Wowie Wedding!

Saturday, August 10, 2024

D-Day Dawns: It’s a Wowie Wedding!

Finally D-Day (or as I like to call it), W-Day Dawned! W for Wow, W for Wonderful, W for Wondrous, W for Wunderbar… We awoke in The Glenmark Hotel and decided to go down to the Restaurant to have ourselves a substantial breakfast as we knew that our next big meal of the day would probably be dinner, at the wedding reception of our lovely daughter, Chriselle to the dashing AJ. Accordingly, I ordered Shahshuka Eggs which came with thick slices of Ciabatta Toast and hash browns, while Llew chose a Ham and Cheese Omelet which was accompanied by toast and the same hash browns—all washed down with decaff coffee. Good job we did eat well, because, as I had expected, it would be ages before we sat down again to eat—so quickly did the day fly.

We spent the morning in our hotel room getting our clothes ready for the big occasion—ironing was one item that took time. We showered and, as instructed, were ready in the hotel lobby at 1.00 pm. Chriselle looked lovely in her bridal gown with pearl ear-rings and a string of pearls at her neck (both gifted to her by Llew and me for her 16th and 21st birthdays respectively). She was bubbling with her usual zest and vigor. It was also good to find that AJ’s family, the Briggs’, had arrived there on time. We greeted each other and met other familiar faces. I was very pleased, for example, to greet Brie, Chriselle’s Matron of Honor, who had arrived late the previous evening from New Jersey. As she used to be Chriselle’s roommate and her best friend during their undergraduate college years at the University of Connecticut, I knew her well but it was several years before I had last seen her. She had arrived with her husband, Roger, whom I was also happy to meet again.

Slowly, but surely, we made our way up to the rooftop where we met the official photographer, Emily, who immediately set us all at ease. For the next one hour, we placed ourselves in her hands as she directed us through multiple group pictures that Chriselle had planned on a long list. Emily chose backdrops in keeping with the strength of the light and the backgrounds and, eventually, all official pictures were taken. Of course, all of us put our phones to work and clicked informal pictures of each other as well. I chose to wear a Dana Buchman suit in gold damask with a matching fascinator which I had ‘doctored’ in Bombay to make it more fetching and to match the color of my outfit. Llew wore a tuxedo and found that he matched little Ferris, their dog, who was also in a tux!

Off to Church:

When all pictures were taken on the hotel rooftop, Chriselle and AJ ushered the crowd towards their individual modes of transport to the next venue: the Church. Llew and I had the privilege of riding in the Bridal Car and, about an hour later, we were at Bethlehem Lutheran Church which is the one that Chriselle has been attending for the past several years. As the pastor of the church, Megan Freyling is her best friend in Los Angeles, it was a no-brainer that she would officiate at the wedding nuptials. It was lovely to meet Megan (whom we have known for about ten years) again and to greet her husband too. I loved the very casual vibe of the whole wedding. There was nothing stiff or cold about it as everyone was super friendly and super casual.

The Wedding Nuptials:

Chriselle and AJ’s wedding was themed around a line from the Gospel of St. Matthew (6:28): “Look at the Wildflowers: How Much More He will Care for You.” Accordingly, Chriselle wore a wreath made up of vibrantly-colored fresh flowers which were echoed in her bridal bouquet, the boutonnieres and the corsages that were on the wrists of the ladies including Moi as Mother of the Bride. As the wedding procession was simple—just one Bridesmaid and Best Man—there had been no rehearsal as such, the previous evening, as is traditional. Instead Chriselle had merely invited both Llew and me to walk her down the aisle—which, of course, we felt honored to do. The guests took their places in their pews as the large video screen in the church came to life and the sounds of Schubert’s “Ave Maria” filled the air. The singer was my brother Roger’s daughter, Anaya, who was accompanied on the piano by her brother, Arav. They had recorded the duet and sent it across to be incorporated into the wedding service. All the Readings in the Church were chosen personally by the couple whose tastes are eclectic—the Beatles’ anthem “All You Need is Love” was part of the theme. Chriselle had invited me to do the First Reading from a Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1:13--“Love is Patient; Love is Kind”). Brie did a Reading from Khalil Gibran’s “On Marriage” and AJ’s Uncle Keith (his mother’s brother—a professional actor too) recited Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 (“Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments…”). The couple’s dog, Ferris, was discreetly present at the wedding, especially at the recitation of the vows—both the ecclesiastical ones (administered by Pastor Megan) and the ones the two of them composed and recited to each other. The singer was just wonderful as he sang classic American hymns such as “Amazing Grace” as well 70’s folks hits such as Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s, “Our House” and “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke. Chriselle made a very radiant bride and AJ was an emotional groom. During Holy Communion, we all prayed hard for a lovely couple who were clearly devoted to each other and wished to pledge the rest of their lives to their happiness and fulfilment. After Holy Communion, there was an engaging video showing stills and video snatches of their many travels together through the years and across continents. It was all very romantic and quite seamlessly orchestrated. People were bathed in smiles, their hearts lightened by the presence of love in the air and optimistic hope for the future. There was also a light-heartedness about a couple that were very relaxed in the knowledge that everyone present loved them, were rooting for their success and that no one judged them. Each person involved did a fantastic job—including Chriselle’s friend, Mary, who decorated the church, the videographer Grace who captured the entire service and Pastor Megan whose eye for detail covered every aspect of the ceremony over which she presided with great feeling as was evident in the lovely homily she preached. I was very proud of what Chriselle and AJ had achieved in the first part of their wedding service and I had little doubt that the celebration that would follow would be every bit as wonderful.

When the nuptials came to an end, the couple took many pictures at the altar and then walked jubilantly down the aisle to sign the marriage register, in keeping with California State Law. I used the short lull time to enter the spacious dressing room in the church to change into a more formal outfit for the cocktails and dinner reception that followed. I had chosen a sage green, cocktail-length dress in chiffon with sequined hand-embroidered highlights and glittering diamante jewelry to match. The shoes and matching bag I chose went well with the outfit (but I must admit that not having worn high heels in a long while, I was not very comfortable).

Off to Cocktails and Dinner at The Odyssey:

As soon as everyone’s picture was taken with the couple, we were ushered into waiting transport—Llew and I were in the Bridal Car again—and ferried off to nearby Granada Hills for the reception which took place at ‘The Odyssey’, a beautifully-located restaurant structured in several tiers, each offering privacy and stunning views of the San Fernando Valley spread beneath. Emily, the photographer, had reached the venue and we spent the next half hour having pictures taken in various locations that offered ample opportunity for scenic clicks.

When the couple’s and group portraits were taken, we made our way to a private section of the restaurant overlooking the city. Champagne was served to each of us upon entry for imbibing during the toast (proposed, as is traditional, by the Best Man, Kevin). Seating was assigned and we found our names and a copy of the menu at each table. The glowing couple took their own seats as the sun marched low towards the Western horizon. We caught its fading rays as speeches were made, amusing incidents were recalled, laughs were had and glasses of bubbly were clinked. More drinks flowed in the open bar and the special cocktails that the couple had concocted. Then Appetizers appeared: all sorts of delectable morsels from grilled shrimp and crab cakes to an artichoke-spinach dip and a crunchy Caesar Salad. We thoroughly enjoyed being spoiled by the wait staff who hovered around refilling our glasses. Chriselle and AJ cut their beautiful cake—themed around the colors and pattern of wildflowers. Guests could not make up their minds whether to indulge in entrees of filet mignon, roast breast of chicken or Icelandic salmon, with a wild mushroom pappardelle available for vegetarians. We ate our fill of really delicious food—it’s always great to have a wedding reception at a reputed restaurant because you can be sure that the fancy food will also taste really terrific!

By the time dessert was served, everyone was circulating, looking at phone pictures, tossing back more champers and, in general, feeling the bonhomie of the situation. We barely had any room for the Sticky Toffee Pudding served with candied pecans and Dulce de Leche Ice-cream ( an overdose of yumminess!) before thick slices of Red Velvet Wedding Cake made the rounds for us to express secret wishes on behalf of the couple, as we polished it all off. Indeed, the sun had set over the beaches of Los Angeles, by this point, and lights twinkled in the valley below, presenting a magical carpet, as it were, at our feet. Strings of fairy lights also glowed throughout the restaurant as we said our goodbyes at the end of a really enchanted evening. Llew and I had made many friends during the day and became better known to AJ’s side of the family. Ferris, by the way, had stayed put under the table and was happy to receive luxuriant wedding scraps, as the evening marched on.

It was very clear that the couple had enjoyed their wedding as much as they enjoyed entertaining the small, select band of close relatives and friends they had invited. We were super happy for them. To know that all the months of planning (ever since they had become officially engaged) had paid off was a very gratifying feeling and we were grateful to the Lord who had graced their wedding, with His silent presence, for the abundant blessings he had showered on them and would, no doubt, continue to do so in the years to come. For our part, Llew and I were pleased to receive the warm congratulations of everyone present and to revel in our roles as Parents of the Bride. We were also thrilled to have been able (despite various worrying odds, including the fragile health of my 94-year old Dad in Bombay) to be able to give the couple our blessings in person and to see them off on their united lives together. Tired, but very happy, at close to midnight, we took pictures in the very elegant lobby of the restaurant where we said goodbye to all our new friends before getting a ride back to our hotel. It has been an unforgettable day—made even classier by the enormous amount of planning that had gone into every aspect of it: from the church programs to the design of the menus; from the flowers to the music; from the place cards at the reception to the take-home favors: tiny terracotta pots with packets of wildflower seeds cushioned in them. The caption on each packet said, “Let Love Grow.” And to that, all I can add is “Amen”. Until tomorrow, cheerio…