In my last post, I gave a sneak preview to the wedding of my friends Zach and Ali whose nuptials in Portofino were the impetus for our trip to Europe. Ali and Zach’s love story has been filled with trips all over the globe, lots of LGW to ORD flights, and a posh New York City lifestyle. So, when it was time to select a wedding venue, going down to the local firehall was not an option. Ali and Zach had their sights set much higher. They needed a locale that could pair their flare for drama with their love for travel. They found this perfect combination on the Italian Riviera and together they flocked to Portofino to say ‘I do.’
Set in a majestic former abbey that provided the most breathtaking vantage point of the Meditterean Sea, the wedding was destined to be one to go down in the record books. But Ali and Zach offered guests far more than just a spectacular view. All evening long, we were dazzled with entertainment from Cirque du Soleil acrobats hanging in mid-air and flapper dancers doing The Charleston to fire-breathing performers and an extensive fireworks display which lit up all of the boats (read gigantic yachts) bobbing in the harbor below.
But even all of that excitement couldn’t outshine all of the personal touches, heartwarming love, and contagious energy that Ali and Zach brought to the party. At the ceremony, their personalized vows were tear-worthy and the hometown rabbi – shipped in from St.Louis – was like an endearing character straight out of a Woody Allen flick. The bridesmaids wore custom dresses designed by none other than Ali’s sister-in-law. At the reception, Ali’s signature Bloody Mary cocktail was lip-smackingly just right and the sibling speeches offered the perfect balance of heartfelt roast and toast. And to top it all off, Ali and Zach wowed the crowd with a choreographed medley dance that paid homage to ‘Thriller’ which over the years has become Ali’s signature dance.
I first saw Ali bust a move to ‘Thriller’ during our sophomore year sorority rush skit. At that time, I was bamboozled by how the sweet girl from St. Louis was able transform herself into zombie corpse rising from the dead. Since then, Ali has proven again and again to be one of my most entertaining, dynamic, and loyal friends. As I watched Ali and Zach wow the crowd during the reception, my heart was absolutely filled knowing that Ali had found a partner who would forevermore be by her side in all of her silly and entertaining loveliness.
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