Summer Jewel-Toned Wedding In The Gardens Of The Meridian House

On our wedding day, just prior to the ceremony, Rumbi shared an intimate moment with her mom, sister, cousin, and aunt. They gave her a pin with a pearl and an aquamarine gemstone dangling from a ribbon (something new and something blue) and her late maternal grandmother’s broach (something borrowed and something old). Rumbi pinned both to her bouquet to have with her as she walked down the aisle.

The ceremony itself was interfaith and intercultural, led by Malawian Anglican bishop, Bishop James Tengatenga, and Benjy’s cousin, Dahlia Shaewitz. Bishop Tengatenga is a family friend of the bride’s and represented her faith and southern African culture, while Dahlia represented Benjy’s secular Judaism. It was particularly meaningful to us to have Dahlia co-officiate because she invited Rumbi to her first ever Passover dinner at her home when we first started dating (we now go every year), and has been a big part of our journey of learning how to integrate Judaism into our lives together. The rest of the day proceeded in the same blended manner. Once everyone was seated for dinner, Bishop Tengatenga performed a blessing for the meal followed by a blessing of the challah bread and wine by Dahlia Shaewitz. Rumbi’s mother and her aunts also sang a traditional Shona hymn complete with tambourines, maracas, and a very large drum. And of course, we could not open the dancefloor with anything other than the hoora.;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;