dearshakti

My brother Paul sent me a pair of golden Givenchy heels for my birthday. Unfortunately I forgot to tell him that I started a new job three weeks ago, so he sent the package to my old office. Despite the mass exodus underway, luckily there are still a few there who know me; I got a text message that a package had arrived for me this afternoon. KR grabbed the box and met me around the corner from our offices. It took a couple of seconds to get the wrapping off — Paul can tie a bow better than the Tiffany people — and then there we were, standing on K Street trying on shoes out of a fairy tale. If I can master the 4 1/2 inch heel, they’ll go nicely with a certain red and gold sari. By the way, I work at ContentNow now, at 1100 New York Avenue – I made it back to the city after all!

One hundred days until Norm and I are married before his Honor Richard A. Levie and all of you! A friend asked me today if I felt like time was moving slowly toward that date; or rushing by; or like it’s just about 100 days away. Thanks to Kristen Hudanich Foodim’s gift of a wonderful guidebook to planning such things, and to a summer of houseguests, weekends away, concerts, plays and rooftop respites, our wedding weekend seems neither crazily close nor drearily far away.

With the fun aspects of deciding on details of the party — lavender-flavored ice cream, or rose? — come also the bummer things, like figuring out who to leave Aloo Gobi with that night when everyone who we trust will be at the party. Starting tonight, when I feel that planning tension start to build, I’m going to remind myself that hard-won, long-awaited, cherished love is what brought us to this place, and what the party is all about.

So what if there is no way on-site to keep a mousse cake chilled while we dance?

Indian wedding parties are traditionally marked with yards and yards of red silk; yellow and orange marigolds; carnations; and gold, gold, gold.

You’ll see touches of these colors at our celebration, but I envisioned a more vibrant  way of interpreting the Indian wedding color scheme: ourselves as human flowers, all wearing dashes of red, orange, yellow, or gold.

We’ll be surrounded by dancing, happy blooms all evening, and then have photographs of our friends and families as brilliant living bouqets afterward.

Of course you can wear whatever you’d wear to any other cocktail party. But if you like, if the colors suit you, feel free wear a dash of the colors described here.

I’d like to create a slide show of moments from Norm’s and my childhood, through growing up, living in New York and the time we’ve been back in Virginia.  We’ll share the pictures with everyone by projecting them on a prominent wall in the reception area throughout our wedding celebration.

We’re currently missing photos from quite a few epochs, so I need everyone’s help for this project to be meaningful and successful.

Please flip through your photos, whether they’re online or in a shoebox somewhere. We’re looking for photos of Norm and of me individually, with friends and family, and together. Whether he was in diapers or my hair was purple, if you’ve got a shot that you think we may not, please email or mail it to us.

I will carefully scan in and mail back original photos to you, as well as send each of you a DVD of the final slide show if you want it. Please aim to send me all photos by the end of August. This is when our wedding invitations will arrive in your mailboxes; let them serve as a reminder to get photos mailed/e-mailed to me as soon as possible. Thanks for your help!

shuklagorcys@dearshakti.com

1050 North Stuart Street, No. 107
Arlington, VA, 22201

Norm and I are about to head over to Pastries by Randolph to sample wedding cakes. He’s already dressed with car keys in hand while here I am in pajamas, so I’ll quickly confirm what you’ve already heard: we are getting married on Saturday, October 18.

Here are basic details so you can make your travel plans, then I’m off to the bakery.

When: Saturday, October 18, 2008, 7 pm

Where: The Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D St. NW, Washington, DC

Accomodations: We have blocked rooms under “Shukla/Gorcys” at
Hotel Monaco
700 F St. NW, Washington DC 20004
Tel: 202-628-7177

You may wish to book individually* at the equally convenient Courtyard by Marriott:
900 F St NW, Washington DC 20004
Tel: 202- 638-4600

*There is a convention at the Courtyard Marriott the same weekend so we couldn’t block rooms; there are plenty of rooms available and the $159.00/night rate is available to anyone who asks.

Lots more to come! We are so excited to celebrate with you.