Photos from our Wedding, October 1, 2003

To get enlarged versions of images, simply click on the image.

Our Wedding October 1, 2003

The day started with lots of loose ends to tie (like cleaning the apartment for the party, getting the last items), but the more the day progressed the more everything fell into place and the day turned out to unfold beautifully and delightfully.

2:30 PM was photography in the Conservatory Garden at 105th Street and 5th Avenue. We were running late and had to jump in a cab, which was appropriate for the day anyway. Alan Steinfeld (my housemate) took the photos. James and I posed and enjoyed the playfulness of it. Ken, a professional photographer who happened to be in the park joined us, and shot some photos of us too, inspired by the loveliness of the garden and our exuberance!

 

3:20 PM Next stop was the gazebo at the lake on the Westside (near 77th Street) where the ceremony was to take place. Here we met up with Eliane, the priestess to perform the ceremony, Laaraji, who provided the spirtual sounds, and Alyn Ware (our friend and colleague from New Zealand), who helped with the ceremony – Alan helped out with all of the other jobs like video taping, photos, giving away the bride, holding the rings, etc.

3:45 PM Alan and I meet the invited at Strawberry Fields, at the imagine sculpture near the 72nd Street entrance to the park. A crowd had already showed up when we arrived and more people appeared in all 29 for the ceremony, when everybody had showed up – Jonah and Lisa got lost in the subway, but just made it for the ceremony.

At Strawberry Fields we were met with lots of curious eyes, including a homeless artist, who proudly told us he had made the decoration on the imagine sculpture – he insisted again and again to be in my picture. Most of the invited were my friends and had not yet met James, so of course they were asking where James was. The suspense served the dynamics of the celebration well.

 

After the photos and hello hugs to everybody, during which my beautiful friend Dages finally arrived, a colorful and vibrant procession of flower petals sprinkles, laughter, smiles, photos, filming and curious Central Park onlookers set out. Alan was first with his camera, Jennifer leading the way with a path of rose petals, then the bride with ecstatic giggles. James’ peace activist friend Benny Zable from Australia who we met by chance in NY had brought his rainbow peace flag, which waved beautifully with the rest of the many colors that surrounded us on this still, electric Fall day in New York.

The Ceremony

In my mind it is always worth remembering that with dreams and love come meaning and an understanding of and what binds us to the universe. James and I wanted this ceremony to be a celebration of life, love, mystery, magic and blessings, and with the help of our friends we set out to create that feeling.

Alan and Jennifer, my dear roommates walked me to the gazebo, where James stood. Eliane began the ceremony with a beautiful introduction into the story of James and I, and her role in this. She added that everybody present had an important role to play in this ceremony. Laaraji led us into the world of vibration with the chanting of Oms. Then Eliane led an invocation, by first inviting family and friends from far distances who were unable to attend; after that she invoked the elements, and the four directions, to ground and open us for the ritual.

The Vows

James and I began our vows with a Namaste, from the yogic tradition. Namaste means something like “I salute and recognize the light in you”. We hadn’t practiced it, so it caused a bit of laughter, which the day seemed to attract in profusion.

Then with some effort, James pulled out our manuscripts from his pocket. He read his poem first with tears in his eyes. I had a hard time controlling myself, it helped when I paid attention to his words and not his eyes and spirit. It was a very moving moment. I felt if love could be a place, I had been blessed to walk in it, and I was completely taken by the beauty and intensity of it.

Then time came for my poem, which was much longer than James’, and I felt a little self-conscious about the fact that all these people had to stand through two long pages of poetry. On the other hand, it was our day, and I knew James liked the poem and wanted me to read it, so I ventured into the reading and soon my teary eyes vanished, and I moved into the universe of my words and images. It felt so amazing to share this moment with all these people, sharing my love, my heart, my imagination, spreading my seeds so speak.

And eventually, my adventurous reading ended, and we exchanged rings and gazes and ‘I do’ and all of that, and then we were married, hurrah! What wonderful transfiguration it was!

Married!

After our brief ‘running’ away, James and I received hugs, and words of congratulation from new and old friends. James’ family was represented by his Auncle Ruebens parents, Phyllis and Gene who travelled from Philadelphia and were joined by their friend Stephanie, who James had met on his frist journey to the USA many years earlier. Friends and colleagues of mine had showed up, and it was good to have so many gathered.

The Guests

Going to the East Village

The Party

In the evening, we had a great 'potluck' party and squeezed in about 25 people in our small E. 6th Street apartment. It all worked out well. People brought food and drinks and there was enough for everybody. Peter from the Vegan Bakery on Saint Marks had kindly donated the beautiful vegan wedding cake with our original and perhaps to some strange writing: 'Namaste; (yin yang symbol);Yum Yum Yum'
(‘yum’ is the mantra (sacred sound) for the heart chakra in the yogic tradition).

And so a beautiful day of ritual and coming together ended. We took off on our very brief honeymoon to a small hotel on Lexington Avenue. Thank you all for coming to share our wedding with us. And those who couldn’t make it this time, we will have another celebration in Australia some time in the future, and in spirit you were all there in the gazebo in Central Park. Everything is connected energetically in this wild world, anyway. Just tap in, or use the Internet when the spiritual connection is a little rusty!

With much love & joy
James & Nya

Hope you enjoyed this web page.
Back to home page

Please send me any photos you took of the day to my email nya@nyagregorfleron.net

back to top

Home  About Myself  Writing Fiction and Poetry  Healing Each Other  Yogis & Tantrikas  Photo Gallery