the wedding part 3

the BIG DAY has arrived -

At 8 AM we go to see Angela in her hotel room getting hair and makeup done before heading off to Central Park for some photos - and then we return to our hotel to dress for the ceremony and head off to the Central Synagogue -

then the folks in the wedding party begin to gather - most of the following photos are from the Uncle Neil collection-

then on to my cell phone photos of the ceremony- the attendants are shown how to carry and hold the Chuppah (the wedding canopy.) The single cloth under which the couple are joined symbolizes both the new household they are forming and represents the public recognition of their new status as husband  and wife.

relatives awaiting the start of the procession

the Chuppah in place after arriving via the main aisle carried by Lee's father and brother and two female friends of Angela who were in the wedding party

the bride arrives

they enter their symbolic home

then blessings are exchanged in a more lovely and loving approach than vows- rings exchanged as well-

then the Ketubah is signed by witnesses and witnessed by all as the entire intimate gathering came up on the bima to affirm the marriage contract- - - Rabbi Angela Buchdahl explains the Ketubah and witnesses from the wedding party sign in their Hebrew and English names-

Angela signs while Lee "patiently" waits his turn LOL

Lee signs and things are almost complete but first - the glass-

Lee balances carefully before breaking the glass - - - apparently there are many explanations for the ritual but my favorite of what I read was this one -

The fragility of glass suggests the frailty of human relationships. Since even the strongest love is subject to disintegration, the glass is broken as a kind of incantation: “As this glass shatters, so may our marriage never break.”

then time for lots of photos in the sanctuary - the official photographer I am sure has these in much better form but I have my own as well LOL

so off we went to an ice cream parlor the wedding couple liked near the Synagogue - and then to hotels to change to more comfy clothes and on to lunch on McDougal street and then to the Frying Pan on the Hudson

So at dinner folks went their separate ways and we had a Friedman dinner at Gotham Bar & Grill with Sue and her four sons and two daughter in laws and one granddaughter.

The evening was late and we were headed to Roxbury in the morning where Lee & Angela have a country home in the Catskills. A large gathering of their friends was scheduled for an informal celebration of the marriage up there.  The remainder of the photos are ones taken by their friends and posted on a photo site for the celebration so I take no credit for some of these spectacular pictures -

four fires at various locations for cooking and heat and bonding

several campsites were scattered around the property

a substantial number of the group went to the nearby "airstrip" to watch the sun set over the mountains just as we left for the three hour drive back to NYC.

 I know everyone in the world thinks their kids' weddings were the best ever LOL but seriously - this was the most relaxed and most beautiful and loving wedding I have ever attended.  It was elegant but simple, open hearted and welcoming at every event during the week.  Truly perfect!  The formal reception will be held in about ten days in North Carolina - a champagne brunch - which will no doubt only add to the great memories.  THANK YOU SO MUCH to Angela, Lee and all the family members who made this week so special and memorable for us!  #bestever