Extravagant Weddings
May 3rd, 2006 by Jasmine
When I dressed to attend the wedding of a couple very close to me and my boyfriend, I had been grossly UNinformed regarding the fact that it was going to be filmed for a new reality TV series. I had gotten some odd story that morning from my boyfriend about some dream he had about the groom telling him something about a parade and television show when they had been out drinking the night before, but he just attributed it to drunken buffoonery and strange dreams – obviously nothing to worry about.
As we entered St. Malachy’s Chapel in Times Square, it became obvious that it had in fact NOT been a dream. The Church had a slew of camera people at the front door. As we found seats the limo pulled up with the honk tune of “here comes the bride.” The camera men swarmed and the wedding began.
The priest announced “man and wife,” the crowd cheered, and the happy couple left the church with their wedding party and camera entourage in tow. As the group made their way out, we learned that we were to accompany the wedding party to the Times Square Toys R Us. While waiting around we learned that the wedding was not only going to be on TV, but they were also going to be featured in the Sunday issue of the New York Post. The television show was going to be called “Platinum Weddings” and airing on the WE Network. The show was about overly extravagant weddings and at $600,000 – this wedding hit the mark.
As we exited the church, a conga line of drummers arrived and started drumming, and a female and male dancing couple stepped out of a limo to direct the parade to Toys R Us. The amazing timing of the show led us through Times Square during rush hour – something the business people trying to get through LOVED. I have to admit that we were quite a spectacle, and it was a lot of fun. Tourists were taking pictures of the group – no one was sure if the bride and groom were famous and I have to admit they looked famous with how many cameras were following them.
We arrived at Toys R Us and the wedding party took turns riding on the Ferris wheel inside. The hour past quickly and we moved to the Hudson Theatre, around the corner from the Toys R Us. The Hudson theatre is an old New York City Landmark built in 1902 by Henry B. Harris who later died in the Titanic. His wife barely survived and later went on to become the first female theatre producer in the Show biz industry. It’s considered one of the most respectable theatres in New York City.
When the group entered the theatre, we were treated to the first band that played a song for the bride and groom. Sushi chefs created masterpieces behind the bar, and appetizers were laid out on a table. I didn’t taste everything, but I have to say - the tomato, mozzarella and basil salad was delectable, and the sushi was some of the most perfectly rolled sushi I have ever seen. The fish was extremely fresh and the rice was cooked to perfection. A full open bar graced the side of the room and I ordered some pino grigio (of course).
Eventually the back curtain of the reception room opened and led us into the main part of the theatre for the meal. Every table had a centerpiece of 100 roses, and the wedding gift from the bride and groom to the guests was a sum of money donated to a charity in our names – very nice. A new band was playing on the stage and called the bride and groom for their dance. Professional dancers joined them on the stage and circled them as they danced in the center. We were all called on stage and the group joined the bride and groom.
A second band came on as we sat down for dinner and the night continued on as the bride and groom cut the cake from the balcony above the stage, and threw the bouquet. In true New York City “no one ever gets married here” style, no one wanted to catch the bouquet. It had to be thrown twice and when it finally hit someone, she had to take it. Overall, hilarious and a good time. Cake and Tea/coffee ended the meal, and the group all went on stage. Several songs were played and when the band finally announced the last song was over, the crowd demanded an encore. The champagne was flowing and everyone danced until the theatre kicked us out. I know we got some crazy pictures.