For the reception, my father in law has not spared the expense.

There was a lively band that played both old and new songs.

There was a beautiful roast beef dinner, champagne, and any liquor one desired.

When we sat down at the head table, Robert proposed a toast in our honor; all glasses were raised and we were wished good luck and happiness.

Both of us were now expected to dance the first dance; but since we didn’t know how to dance, we simply went through the motions.  Next my father danced with Norma.

Finally, the dancing began in earnest.  Both Nessim and Flora, and Hugo and Clara, are good dancers.  And they danced without restraint.

The joy of my parents was written on their faces; my father was kissing everyone in sight.  My mother in law could hardly contain her happiness.  My father in law was simply ecstatic; and his happiness was very, very special.  He is usually a taciturn man, not given to too much laughter.  But on this night where he had given his daughter in marriage, he was ready to shout his joy to the world.  The incident that I particularly remember was when he opened a box of cigars and distributed them to the guests.

After our first “dance,” we were spared further dancing until everybody joined hands and danced the Horah.

The photographer, who had taken pictures before and after the wedding, was now recording for posterity that beautiful reception.  I don’t know where Hugo unearthed him, but he was a professional through and through.  Our wedding album contains some strikingly beautiful photos.  It is one of the most beautiful wedding albums I have ever seen.

No professional was hired to film the wedding; therefore, Rémi was called upon to film some special moments.  For an amateur, he did a good job.  (Keep in mind that these were the ‘60s, and there is only so much you can do with an 8 mm film.  Today, of course, a professional videographer would have been engaged).

Today, when we want to reminisce, we look at the wedding album and at the movie of our wedding.

At a certain point, the caterer brought in the three tiered wedding cake.  Norma was to make the first cut.  She took the knife in her hand, closed her eyes, and made a wish.  She then cut the first piece of cake which she handed to me.  Each of the guests was then handed a piece of cake and we were congratulated once again.

The last round of congratulations was the most important one, for we were then given our gifts, which in most cases were cheques.

There came a time when we were finally allowed to leave.  We spent the first night at the airport Hilton.  We were to take our plane on the second day.

Just before leaving our room, we received a phone call from my in laws; they simply wanted to wish us bon voyage.

Finally, we boarded the plane.  The two turtledoves were on their way to their honeymoon destination:  Miami Beach, Florida.

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