The Wedding: Part 1
January 21, 2008

The Wedding:  Part I, the specifics

For the last 30 years, Steve has lived his life in detail on the radio.  Of late, he has pulled back a little, respecting the boys’ adulthood, and acknowledging that maybe the mundane nature of our days does not provide much entertainment value.  I think I can still amuse and inform, but he has a crew he counts on to do these jobs.  He has chosen to maintain a distance regarding Pat’s recent wedding, but of course, I cannot.  Pat’s conception was announced on the air, even before my mom had heard I was pregnant.  His birth, complete with squalling and comforting, was heard the afternoon after Pat made his way into the world.  I believe that this circle should be closed for our radio ‘family’. 

Pat and Rachel met in high school.  They never dated in those years, because Pat was a bit of an outlaw, and Rachel was the quintessential student. Their orbits did not overlap too much, but Rachel was on Pat’s radar.  Her excellent academics sent her to Denison in Ohio, and Pat’s fine mind pushed him to Northwestern.  During a Christmas break, Pat finessed a date with Rachel for breakfast.  Soon he was sneaking a kiss on the median strip of Michigan Avenue, and they have dated ever since.  Rachel moved to LA about two years ago to test their ability to co-exist in proximity.  They miss Chicago fiercely, but they have decided to hang in for awhile and see if Pat can break the celluloid ceiling while Rachel teaches school.  Against this backdrop, Pat took Rachel back to Michigan Avenue last year to ask her to marry him. 

A year later, the weekend after Christmas, our families and friends gathered to witness the wedding of Pat and Rachel.  Friday’s snow had challenged the Detroit part of the congregation. Grandpa Tom was stranded at Metropolitan Airport. He was cancelled, rebooked, headed over to Midway Airport, then was sent back to Detroit.  At 83, he hitched a ride from the airport with my sister. After what amounted to a 13-hour commute, he switched cars and headed downtown for the rehearsal dinner at Smith and Wollensky. He says the festivities were worth the work.

The wedding was Saturday, December 29 at the First Congregational Church of LaGrange.  Rachel was a radiant bride in a strapless winter white lace dress- a classic dress for a classic beauty.  She wore her Mother’s veil.  She had 7 bridesmaids; her sister Rebecca was her maid of honor.  They wore navy blue tea length dresses, and every single bridesmaid looked perfect.  Pat was handsome, too, of course.  Mike and Matt were co-best men.  They took the job seriously:  Mike fed the 5 groomsmen, they practiced and polished their toast, and they made sure Pat was on time. (No small feat)   I was proud of all my men.  Steve was the point man:  he performed a hundred punch-list items to perfection, kept me calm after our sadness about Terry (with some help from sedation so I could sleep) and he even danced with me a time or two.  After the ceremony, the newlyweds exited under a canopy of giant sparklers.

Here are some basics:

The reception was in the ballroom at the Hyatt Lodge at McDonald’s Campus- a fabulous place for a wedding.  (Thanks Marty and Angie)

There were passed appetizers and a martini bar before the reception

Flowers were pink and white with little lanterns in twigs above the tables

All stationery items (invitations, menus, programs) were ‘branded’ with snowflakes, and embellished with amazing calligraphy

Pat made matching stamps.

My friends and I made 300 snowflake ornaments for each place setting out of crystals.

There were luminaria ringing the driveway

Bridesmaids wore navy blue, groomsmen, black tuxes with silver vests.

I had a dress made, was uncomfortable in it, and ended up buying a long green skirt and black velvet top at Loehman’s- which I loved.
 
They had an old-fashioned photo booth, and every guest could keep a strip in a bookmark favor

Dinner was tomato bisque, hearts of palm with garden greens, chicken breast in a white fontina cheese and basil sauce with potatoes and asparagus

There was an amazing sweet table as well as a snowflake cake

The band-best band ever, The Gentlemen of Leisure, kept every guest dancing.  (Worth every dollar!)

At 10:30, McDonalds burgers, fries and shake shooters were served.

Wedding photos of all the parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were placed on the piano- not one of these couples ever divorced. (A good omen)

Chad Husar was the photographer- and I have seen his shots, and love shines through.  They are luminous.

My family had brunch on Sunday, and POOF! They were on the road. 

The kids went on a Chicago photo tour the next day and took relaxed pictures here and there- including upon the median strip on Michigan Avenue. 

Off they went to Secrets in Riviera Maya, and then home to California.

We are still basking in the glow.  The kids worked for a year to create a day that was welcoming and special.  They succeeded. A magical time was had by all.

How this makes me feel?  Next time.

(See more photos, Click Here)