Blended Families

We went to the most delightful multicultural wedding today.  Our very close friends son, who we have known since his birth married a lovely young lady.  He is Jewish and she is Puerto Rican.  They managed to mix the traditions of both families in a wonderful way.  

The groom’s mother died a few years ago and his father has remarried.  The bride’s parents are divorced and both have remarried.  She had her father and stepfather walk her down the aisle. The men wore Yarmulkes and they were married under a Jewish wedding canopy.  The wedding officiant was a Roman Catholic Priest, but the groom’s father said the ritual Jewish wedding blessings over the couple.  

In a traditional Jewish wedding, the couple is wrapped in a prayer shawl during the blessings, usually one that has belonged to a special family member. This couple was wrapped in a veil that had been made from the dress the groom’s mother had worn to his Bar Mitzvah, as seen here in this image.  It was a very moving way to make her part of the ceremony. 

There was a lovely and lively reception, with everyone joining in for the traditional Jewish dance of the Hora, followed by lots of dancing which even included some Salsa dancing, and wow, could the bride's family really dance!  Did I mention that the bride’s father had remarried a Japanese woman who came in full Kimona?  It was very unique and special and we had a wonderful time. The food was extraordinary and excessive as only it can be at a Long Island wedding.