Notes On A Wedding Day
It’s been more than 13 years, but it feels like yesterday
Oct 18, 2008
WEDDING DAY!
I wake up at my parent’s house feeling amazing. Not nervous … just the right amount of giddy but amazingly calm and joyful. I sing “Wedding Day! Wedding Day!” to my parents as we have some breakfast together, then Mom and I are off to the beauty parlor at 10:00 for our hair.
It’s surreal to be there, on my wedding day, but in a really fun way, just soaking in the old neighborhood women who tell stories of their wedding days — the funny parts, the amazing parts — so many hugs at the end, and still the day is just starting!
Meanwhile, on the other side of Brooklyn …
Kelvin wakes up and gets ready for his haircut, looks in the mirror, and thinks he should do something about his dark eye circles. He wanders into the MAC Cosmetics around the corner and charmingly says “It’s my wedding day — help!” The girls are happy to help and are full of good wishes. He then makes his way to cut his hair and throws in a manicure for good measure. (“Everyone will be looking at our hands!” I must have said a million times.)
Back at Mom and Dad’s house
The photographer arrives and starts taking candid shots. Kelvin arrives and we play Marco Polo: calling to each other from different floors. It’s all a happy blur, and somehow all our clothes come on correctly.
We start making our way to the church
My voluminous dress takes up much of the back seat of the limo, Mom and Dad take up the other available spots. At the church my matron of honor Di, Dad, and I stand in the back, and oddly I’m not crying buckets the way I’d imagined I’d be. I’m just filled with this great happiness that seems to take me over and make me terribly gracious.
I hear Clair de Lune being played and am very happy. It’s a song for the moon, and Kelvin and I have had a moon thing since our very first date. No one needs to know, but we know.
Finally, the wedding march starts to play
Di makes her way down the aisle. Dad and I are supposed to wait for her to get all the way down the aisle but it’s so far, and I’m so eager, so we wait ’til she’s only halfway down and start our walk. Dad has been worried that his advancing Parkinson's will affect this important day, but he escorts me like a champ.
I looked up at one point, up at the huge cathedral ceiling of the church and just take in the expanse of it all, stopping the moment for a bit so that I can pick it up later and remember it — remember this amazing feeling of perfectness as I walk down the aisle toward my Kelvin. My almost-husband.
When I see him, I’m amazed at how regal he looks, how stately, and how his face is full of this overwhelming love for me. I kiss Dad on the cheek, then hug him … then another little kiss … it’s a happy moment but I know he’s been worried about crying too much, and I want to reassure him that he did just right.
I take Kelvin’s hand and the ceremony begins.
Kelvin and I stay very present, we smile at each other constantly, we hold hands throughout, and we whisper to each other. Because, of course, we can. The night before, at the rehearsal, the priest had told us that it was our day — “do whatever you feel like doing!” he said. Very cool, Father … very cool.
We get ready to say our own vows. When Kelvin reads his I’m astonished at how lovely they are, and of course at the same time I’m not astonished at all. His words are so powerful that even the priest feels they should be acknowledged. He encourages everyone to applaud. The church explodes in claps and cheers.
I say my vows and am overcome by how much I love Kelvin. My voice cracks a few times, but I get through it. I look at Kelvin as he listens to me and we lock eyes. The church is filled, but I see no one but him.
We exchange rings
At some point I look over at Di and she whispers “You’re married now!” “I know!” I say, in an exaggerated way, and we both smile because we’re being purposely playful. “You look different!” she says, and it’s both true and a parody of the truth. I love her for saying it.
The Ceremony is Over, and We’re Married!
We fly down the aisle, so happy, so elated … ebullient … other words that mean bouncy. We stop and kiss, but the photographer didn’t get it … she tells us to do it again … and again … and we do … because it’s funny …everyone laughs and everyone loves our love.
The receiving line is a big, happy, wonderful blur: one fabulous face after another and everyone so joyful.
Friends say funny things — Anthony’s opening line is not “Congratulations”, but “So, what’s new?”
Then Into the Limo
Finally! Just the 2 of us!
Finally alone and so very happy. We break open the champagne and drink … smiling, laughing … we toast, and kiss … awash in this amazing glow. Just around the corner from our reception our limo takes us through Times Square.
Tourists are everywhere and the car is surrounded. Strangers shouting congratulations! at us, taking our picture as we laugh, a little embarrassed at all the attention but so happy to be a part of people’s excitement, as much as they want to be part of ours.
Then to the Bridal Suite
On top of the world! The 21st floor overlooking all of Times Square! Floor to ceiling windows on two sides of the room, flooding it with lights that seem like fireworks, like the whole world is celebrating with us.
Down to the reception
The place looks amazing. An old theatre, now refurbished, but still filled with the Ghosts of Broadway Shows Past. People are there, enjoying themselves, and all so happy to see us. We make the rounds, and it’s one happy moment after another.
And then it’s time for us to be announced
First parents and sisters, then Honor Attendants, and then Mr. and Mrs. Us! We head for the stage amidst clapping and a standing ovation … like winning the Tony … but better of course.
Our first dance: Dusty Springfield cooing What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? and the world disappears. It’s Kelvin and me twirling slowly under the lights, dazzling, perfect, his eyes locked on mine and I feel more love than I ever thought existed.
Then our second dance, Polyphonic Spree’s Light and Day just like we planned… a song that starts out slow so that people will dance with us, then an exuberant burst of happiness!
Kelvin and I break apart and start jumping joyfully … we’re all over the stage like maniacs, like bubbles bumping around in a glass of champagne. People are watching us, smiling. They circle us and start to clap but this isn’t a moment for the spotlight, this is a moment for everyone to join with us and jump around too! I gesture, pull them in, and they join us.
I’m amazed at the senior citizens putting us to shame with their moves, riding on the whirlwind of the dance…
Our friend Beebee comes forward to give us our second ceremony
Our second blessing. She speaks of our Love Tornado that was sweeping everyone in the room into a joyful celebration. She invites everyone in the room to go and continue to spread the love that we inspired that night … to continue loving with as much power as possible.
The night continues on … Full of treasured moments … wonderful speeches, amazing food and drink, and crazy dancing! There are moments Kelvin and I share privately, moments we share with our families, and moments we share with the whole room!
When it’s over some core people linger
We watch as the flowers are put away and finally allow ourselves to be tired. Still as happy as we were when the day began, probably even happier, Kelvin and I say our final good nights and go up to our room on the top of the world.
It’s the end of a wonderful day … and also just the beginning.
xoxo ❤ kt
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