Wedded Bliss

I had to wait for this week to wind down to address Double D's wedding. Double D is one of those people who I loved the very moment I met her. She's warm, effusive, witty, sardonic, charming, affectionate, smart and unabashedly gorgeous. I simply adore her. She's originally from South Africa but moved to San Francisco before settling in Southern California with her fella, David. I've followed their courtship vigorously and no one could have been happier than me when she sent word the day she and her Double D were engaged. I uttered an internal whoop in gratitude. These two simply belong together.

She and her David are well suited. They are both smart, funny, warm and kind people. Having been the victim at so many bad weddings, I knew that Double D would plan the perfect wedding for herself. And boy howdy, she did. It was like going to an intimate cocktail party with people that you really like and enjoy.

The ceremony was observant of the Jewish faith and it took place in the small chapel at San Francisco's Fort Mason on a clear, warm evening. Fort Mason is a lovely park setting in the heart of San Francisco's Marina Districtwith views of Alcatraz Island (the former prison)The wedding itself was lowkey and comfortable. The procession came slowly down the aisle and gathered under a chupah made by the groom's mother which was held aloft by family members. The rabbi, in typical self effacing manner, joked about the continual sounding of the fog horns that blared periodically in the distance. Double D was relaxed and happy. Her groom was calm and composed. It seemed a very joyous day indeed.

The rabbi declared them married. They recited some vows in Hebrew, took a symbolic bit of some challah bread and then the groom smashed the proverbial glass under his foot. I yelled "Mazoltov!" along with rabbi. By God, they were married.

We repaired to the reception hall located in the Fort Mason Firehouse.It was elegant and charming and tasteful. The floral representations on the tables were equally fabulous. Within minutes, the party was in full swing.

My friend, the wonderful Double D, looked breathtaking. She was impossibly slim (damn her) in her Spanish designed wedding gown.I wish I could remember the name of the designer of her dress for she looked ethereal in her column dress with a wasp waist and flirty lace train.Props to the bride for choosing the right dress for her maid of honor; this elegant dress could be worn again and again. The fact that the beautiful Kara (a fellow New Yorker) wore it with spectacular red heels makes it even more sensational. Then the food came. Now, if I had a wedding I would do the food the way Double D did it. Served family style, the food actually tasted good.Let's be honest, it was beyond good. There was a mixed green salad with gorgonzola, beets and walnuts In a snappy vinaigrette. There was succulent sea bass. There was thin pasta wrapped with spinach. There was fingerling potatoes and asparagus and beautiful beef loin. What a meal.Naturally I overate. Fashionably, the wedding cake was made up of cupcakes.After the meal, the bride and groom made their rounds.Double D was her usual enthusiatic self. What a wonderful night. The bride's parents were as warm and affectionate as the bride; I thought to myself as I met them--I want to know you people. They were so lovely that I despaired of the fact that I would not see them again. They were the kind of people that you'd want to holiday with. That's high praise, which I don't profess often. We had to leave sooner than we wanted. Fang was nursing a wretched cold and the night was growing long. Still, what a sweet pleasure to see my dear friend married to a man she truly adores. What a gift.