The Wedding Planner

Girls from The Bronx didn’t know from wedding planners.

Our moms were our wedding planners. Not one of us would have dared to even consider hiring a “stranger” to plan our chasaneh (wedding).

In my case, it wasn’t a particularly complicated task. I had only two requests. Shades of lilac for the color scheme, and instead of a bouquet of roses, I wanted to carry three or four lilies of the valley.

Did you know lilies of the valley are associated with cemeteries? (Was this a real thing, or was it a bubeh meyseh, an old wives’ tale from the old country?) No, neither did I, so I carried a bouquet of white roses.

The color scheme, shades of lilac, was acceptable. (Check one for the bride).

Let me start from a time when I had no need for a wedding planner, before I ever received an official proposal. Gene and I were strolling on Fordham Road in The Bronx. We had just passed Alexander’s department store. We were on our way to Jahn’s ice cream parlor. As I recall, it was a beautiful Saturday fall evening. The weather was perfect. Not too hot, not too cold. The trees hadn’t lost their leaves yet.

For reasons I can no longer remember, when we passed this huge jewelry store, Gene asked me what kind of engagement ring I would want, should we ever get engaged.

Needless to say, my heart skipped the proverbial beat. Is this it I wondered? Is this the proposal? I calmly stated my case.

I was quite clear, my dream engagement ring would be a small pearl with two little diamond baguettes, one on each side of the pearl.

I could not know why he suddenly had the strangest look on his face. It certainly seemed as if it was in direct response to my vision of the perfect ring. The universe had other plans. OK, truth be told, my future in-laws had other visions of the perfect ring.

We arrived at Jahn’s ice cream parlor where we were seated in a comfy booth. Gene excused himself in order to visit the men’s room. Upon his return, the waiter arrived at our table wearing the strangest smile. He placed the menu on our table, announced he would be back to take our orders.

The options on the Jahn’s menu were too many to decide quickly. However, after careful consideration, we were ready to order. Coffee ice cream and decaf coffee for me. (Those who know me are reading this and thinking to themselves, of course, coffee ice cream and, of course, decaf coffee!) Gene ordered an ice cream float which consisted of three different flavors of ice cream topped with chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and cherries. His preferred drink that evening was water.

As I recall, it was taking an awful long time for our orders to arrive. No matter, Gene and I were deep in conversation. Suddenly, our waiter arrived with our famous Jahn’s ice cream order, and a knowing smile. On the platter next to the ice cream boat bowl sat a beautiful velvet box.

Yes, it was the box with an engagement ring. And right there in Jahn’s we got engaged. The waiter, his colleagues, and the folks at the next table congratulated us. It was quite a moment to treasure.

Oh, and the ring! A stunning pear-shaped diamond with two baguettes, one on either side of the pear.

It seems Gene’s parents knew someone in “the business.” My wedding planner got to work.

The event was flawless. Love and joy filled the ballroom of the synagogue. And the rest, as they say, is history.