A very Brooklyn wedding

Hi Mom,

Tonight my roommate's brother got married. I was there to watch it happen. He's 21, his wife maybe 19. The place was packed with girls in long, black dresses and men in big hats. Apparently it was doubly packed because she was one of the first girls in her class to get married.

There are a couple places--halls, that is--right near each other in Brooklyn that host these kinds of festivities. I've been to a couple, they go like this...

The bride-to-be sits on a giant chair, flanked by the women in her family and otherwise surrounded by women who are there to wish her well. The men dance in the groom, who puts the veil over her face. Then the ceremony happens, with traditional blessings recited by really respected men.

Then more dancing, food and fun. Here's a picture of me at the wedding.

Love,
Karen