Tammy & Zuri

When and where did the proposal take place? How did it unfold?

Zuri – The proposal was a year in the making with some needed improvisation. The initial plan was to propose in Tammy’s birth country of Georgia…until Tammy unraveled my scheme, and I was sent back to the drawing board in an effort to still surprise her. A few quick calls to my siblings, and the resounding answer appeared. They wanted to see their little brother propose.

One month later, my parents and siblings flew to NYC from San Diego, and during what appeared as any other Friday night family dinner at my in-laws house, my family knocked unannounced at their front door. My family of course appeared as I purposely lured Tammy out of the house to pick me up from my “delayed” subway. Upon return to the house, Tammy knocks on the door, only to see my parents open the door to her childhood house… Tammy is speechless, trying to process the sight of my parents, siblings, and her extended family who are all now anticipating the big moment. In the quick shuffle, Tammy soon sees me kneeling behind her.
To top it off, I had Georgian folklore singers arrive afterwards to sing native love songs. And in homage to our multi-cultural bond, Mexican mariachi singers showed up as well.

What is the most valuable thing that you have learned from each other?

Tammy – Zuri is intelligent, determined, and a natural problem-solver – so of course I learn so much from him every day. But the most valuable lesson is learning the meaning of companionship, and how lucky I am to have him as my eternal companion in life.
Zuri – Tammy is a leader, and I learn from her ability to remain calm, clear-headed, and decisive in everything she does.

What is your advice for brides and grooms planning their own celebration?

Tammy: It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the details of wedding planning. Whenever you feel that you have lost sight of the “big picture,” it is important to reflect on your relationship (and how you got to this point), focus on your shared values, and prioritize your love for one another.

Zuri – Tammy and I now look back on the stressful moments of wedding planning and laugh (and even turned some moments into ongoing inside jokes). It is important to take the planning process as an opportunity to continue learning about each other’s personalities. This way, you come out of it appreciating each other more, and continue learning why you complement each other so well.

What was the first wedding planning decision you made?

Tammy – The location and venue. Zuri’s family lives in San Diego and Mexico City, and my family lives in NYC and Israel. We knew we needed a central location that would provide endless opportunities for entertainment during a long weekend, and NYC checked all the boxes! More importantly, NYC is where we met and fell in love. As far as venue, we were looking for something unique. The idea of a wedding at the Brooklyn Museum, with a ballroom surrounded by European art, created a unique setting of modern and classic elegance! It also perfectly accommodated our guest list of 450…

What was on your wedding day wish list?

Tammy and Zuri: To create an atmosphere filled with incredible energy, celebration, and non-stop dancing! We wanted our family and friends to remember the night as we always will.

What was running through your mind while walking down the aisle?

Tammy – I was overwhelmed with emotion and happiness. Our cantor sang a Hebrew rendition of “Hallelujah” as I walked down the aisle. Despite the size of the wedding, the setting felt so warm and intimate, especially as I caught glimpses of many guests’ faces, all radiating pure joy. Zuri and his parents looked so excited to welcome my parents and me. I remember thinking that Zuri and I were so loved as a couple.

Zuri – To make sure I embrace those mental snapshots of all the smiling guests and maintain that perfect posture as hundreds of people look at me. And of course, how excited I was to see Tammy as my bride, and how glad I was that my parents were there to balance me, both figuratively and literally.

Did you incorporate any personalized components into your wedding?

Tammy – We were always in agreement about incorporating traditional aspects of a Jewish ceremony. The tallit that our parents wrapped around us was Zuri’s late grandfather’s, and we used the same kiddush cup that Zuri used for his bar-mitzvah. We also exchanged vows, which provided a personal touch to the ceremony, and an opportunity to express our love in front of our families and friends.

What was a highlight of your wedding day?

Zuri: The twenty-five minute hora! I was lifted on people’s shoulders, thrown in the air, spun in circles. We probably only had to stop it for the sake of Tammy’s feet! Also, having a taco truck waiting outside for guests at the after party, where we also smashed a piñata together!
Tammy: To start, getting ready with my closest friends and family. I was in my comfort zone, feeling relaxed and at ease. It was the most ideal way to start the day. Another highlight was seeing the decor for the first time; the scale of the chuppah and centerpieces, and how the details seamlessly came together was more beautiful than I imagined!
As soon as Zuri broke the glass at the end of our ceremony, the museum illuminated a sign which read “Love Rules” right behind our chuppah. This happened to be a current exhibition at the museum, and added a really special element of surprise for the guests!

Did anything surprise you?

Zuri: How quickly the night flew by. To be honest, so many people told us that would happen, but we still didn’t want it to end!
Tammy: Waking up to the sunniest day, and having an hour of downpour just before the cocktail hour started! The best part was that it completely cleared as guests started to arrive.

Is there anything you would do differently?

Tammy and Zuri– Make time to enjoy the dessert spread!