The Thompson/Cheslak Wedding Report

Friday, November 29, 2013 – The Thompson/Cheslak Wedding Report

Well, it’s finally time to write about the wedding.  I’ve procrastinated long enough.  While the wedding-related events were going on, I didn’t want to step out of the magical bubble to write about it.  I was living completely in the moment, and savoring every sensation.  Even after we returned home, it took several days before I started to descend from the clouds.  That very special time still dominates our thoughts and conversation.  Elisa and Christian had a clear vision of what they wanted for their ceremony and celebration and they planned every detail with great care and thoroughness.  We never felt any stress at all because they were so well-prepared.  The entire experience filled my heart with joy and I feel like I’ve been smiling continuously for the past week.  And what a week it has been!  We don't have the photographs from the wedding photographer yet, but here's one that Elisa's maid of honor Lauren took.  I think it captures the mood of the entire wedding experience.

No, it's not the Seine in Paris.  It's the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn.  (photo credit: Lauren Bacon)

Let’s start at the beginning, though.  With a brand new E-Z Pass transponder firmly attached to the windshield of the geezermobile, and a trunkful of formal clothes, we set out last week on Thursday morning.  The route was pretty straightforward, the traffic wasn’t bad, and I did most of the driving.  I am quite proud of the fact that I drove from the Jersey Turnpike into Staten Island, and over the Verrazano Bridge into Brooklyn, without getting us lost and without having a major meltdown.  After we checked into the Nu Hotel, a boutique property at Smith Street and Atlantic Avenue, we had a quiet dinner at an Italian restaurant in nearby Cobble Hill.  

Thursday night dinner in Brooklyn.  We're ready for this wedding! (photo credit: Marshall Thompson)

  Last Friday morning, I set out with my crew (Elliott, Matt, and Marshall) to deliver welcome bags for out-of-town guests.  Right after Friday breakfast, we had packed up three dozen bags with New York-themed wedding articles, including big apples, black and white cookies, Dr. Brown’s soda, a list of local sites and restaurants, and various snacks.  We also tucked in a 35-question multiple choice quiz, “How Well Do You Know Christian and Elisa?,” that I wrote with the help of Christian’s mother, Teri.  (Let me know if you want a copy.)  

Welcome bags are ready to deliver.

Since the guests were staying at four different hotels, we spent quite a bit of time trudging through the streets of Brooklyn on Friday.  By the time we finished our final delivery, it was after 2:00 p.m. and Elliott was ravenous.  Fortunately, we spotted one of those classic Greek diners that you find throughout the New York area.  Elliott wolfed down a huge order of pancakes and Marshall demolished an equally gargantuan portion of waffles.   I ate more moderately, as I was saving most of my calories for Friday night’s rehearsal dinner.  While Elliott rested up back at the hotel after our late lunch, Matt went off for a haircut and I went to a nail salon for my first ever manicure.  It will probably be my last ever manicure, too.  I liked the look, but I hated having to sit and wait without moving my hands for about 15 minutes while the polish dried.

The big event on Friday was the rehearsal dinner at Karloff’s, a short walk from the hotel.  (Elliott and I disagree about whether this was a long or short walk.  At my pace, it was a ten-minute walk, which I consider short.)  The weather was delightful and we enjoyed our stroll down Smith Street to the restaurant.  As soon as the guests started to arrive, the excitement of the wedding festivities became tangible.  It was an evening of greetings, hugs, introductions, toasts, marvelous food (Elisa and Christian are expert menu planners), laughter, photos, and building anticipation.  

Elisa and bridesmaids Alanna, Lauren and Caroline

Rehearsing with Joel

Christian and his family at Karloff's

With Elisa at Karloff's

Elisa and Matt at Karloff's

 

Right after breakfast on Saturday morning, I reported to Elisa’s suite at the hotel where she and her bridesmaids had spent the previous night.  The hair and make-up team arrived promptly at 8:30 a.m. to work their wizardry.  For the next five hours, the girls, Teri, and put ourselves into their experts hands.  It’s amazing what a good make-up artist can do.  For the first time in decades, I had eyelashes!   

Our makeup is done.  Now it's time to do the hair.

Then it was time to complete the look with my mother-of-the-bride dress.  I rushed back to my room and slipped into the midnight blue chiffon evening gown and the sky-high dressy shoes.  Elliott was already looking extremely handsome in his tuxedo and just needed a minor bowtie adjustment.  Then we were off to The Green Building for a pre-ceremony photo session. 

Elisa was already at the venue, looking calm and blissful and ethereal in her wedding gown.  I’ll never forget the feeling of seeing her and helping her fasten the buttons at the back of her gown.  My baby, my little girl, was now a bride.  Everything was happening so quickly.  Christian came in to get his first look.  The wedding party lined up for photos.  The families lined up.  In addition to the official photographer, all of us were snapping pictures with our cameras and smart phones.  The sun was low but the photographer ushered Elisa and Christian out a side door for more photos outdoors.  

 Before long, I could hear the music of the guitarist and the voices of guests arriving for the 4:00 ceremony.  We were ready for the processional.  

Elliott walking Elisa down the aisle (photo credit: Liz Chapin)

 I walked down the aisle with Matthew and took a seat in the front row.  Next came Christian’s family, then the bridesmaids in their long burgundy gowns, and finally, to the strains of Pachelbel’s Canon in D, Elliott and Elisa slowly made their way down the aisle.  The last rays of daylight were softly illuminating Christian and Elisa as they stood under the huppah.   Our long-time family friend, Joel Stratte-McClure, who has known Elisa since her first birthday, performed the ceremony.  Teri did a reading of the beautiful Irish blessing, and Matt and I read a modern interpretation of the traditional seven blessings that are part of the Jewish wedding ceremony.  Elisa and Christian spoke their vows, Christian broke a glass under his foot, and we all shouted, “Mazel Tov!”  

Under the huppah - photo by Liz Chapin

Mr. and Mrs. Cheslak (Elisa is changing her name) walked up the aisle arm in arm.  The light of day had disappeared, but the chandeliers and strings of tiny white lights turned the interior of The Green Building into a magic wonderland.  The reception began with live jazz during the cocktail hour, and more photos.  When the DJ took over, Elisa and Christian danced to “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.”  I recognized the romantic Elvis Presley song, but my friend Audrey, who is my former piano teacher, insisted that it was a French song.  It turns out she was right.  I did a little research and discovered that the modern song uses the melody of an 18^th century French love song.  So it was especially appropriate for a French-born bride.

Elliott amazed all of us with his energetic turn on the dance floor with Elisa.  They danced to Stevie Wonder’s “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.”  We all did the traditional hora (a Jewish folk dance done in a circle) and everyone cheered as Elisa and Christian were lifted up in chairs during a lively Jewish folksong.  I have to admit I was a little nervous about that, but they were clearly enjoying the exuberant dance. 

It goes without saying that all the food was fabulous.  From the hors d’oeuvres (my favorite was the tuna tartare – or maybe the flatbread mushroom pizza) to the dinner buffet (several salads, vegetable lasagna, salmon, asparagus, halibut, and more) to the dessert buffet (mango mousse cake, red velvet cupcakes, mini crème brulées, apple tarts, French macarons), it couldn’t have been better.  

A small wedding cake, plus the dessert buffet.

One final touch was the arrival of a Belgian waffle truck (from Wafels and Dinges) around 9:00 p.m.  The wind had picked up and the temperature had plummeted during the hours following the wedding ceremony.  I bundled up in a fur jacket (my mother’s mink, in fact) before I went out onto the street to get my “black and tan” – a crispy waffle with spekuloos and chocolate.  After all the other food I’d eaten, I wasn’t at all hungry, but how could I resist?  

Waiting for my waffle (photo credit: Andrew Graff)

Around 10:00 p.m., a wave of exhaustion hit me.  Mainly, it was my feet telling me they’d had enough for one day.  Elliott had already gone back to the hotel.  As much as I hated for the evening to end, I bid farewell to friends and families, exchanged more hugs, and told Elisa and Christian that I’d see them the next day.  When I got to the hotel, Elliott was still awake, of course, and we immediately started talking about how wonderful the wedding had been, how Elisa and Christian had worked so well together to create the wedding of their dreams, and how proud we were of both of them.  

After more schmoozing with family and friends at the hotel on Sunday morning, we got on the road again.  Once again, I drove through Brooklyn without letting the honking horns bother me.  It has been a slow return to the more mundane activities of everyday living.  I did grocery shopping and laundry, went to class at GMU, paid bills, and even subbed at AHS one day.  We lit candles for Hanukkah on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.  For Thanksgiving, we went to Greenspring and shared a traditional holiday feast with my mother.  Although I didn’t prepare the Thanksgiving meal at home on Thursday, I’m planning to cook a turkey and all the trimmings on Saturday.  Today, the 29^th of November, is Elisa’s birthday.  E&C will celebrate her birthday with dinner out this evening when they return from a short trip to St. Lucia.  This past week has been such an incredible gift for all of us.