By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
Wedlok.com

August 8, 2008 finally arrived! You may recall, 7-07-07 was last years big day. 8-08-08 Was the BIG wedding day this summer.

Eight, in Chinese, sounds like the word "wealth". Many couples of all backgrounds took advantage of the auspicious date to begin their married lives together.

I had the honor of officiating the nuptials of Carla and Stephen Bonica. At the risk of sounding like a doting parent, they are truly a darling couple.

This was a very special wedding! I was connected to Carla through my dear friend Heather Connor. Here's a photo of Heather, me and the beautiful bride!

Carla and Stephen are a truly beschert couple (meant to be!). They wed at the Foundry, which is an awesome, hip venue in Long Island City. The rain stopped in time for a clear and sunny early evening ceremony. One of their special touches to their reception was importing beer from McSorely's Old Ale House, where they met.

They also had a lovely and personal ceremony. The bride and groom invited their close family members to stand with them beneath and around the huppa. What a warm and loving experience!

The bride and groom added some interesting factoids about the number 8 in their program, lincluding:

* 8 Is considered a lucky number in Asian cultures

* A "lying down" eight symbolizes infinity.

* In cooking recipes, there are approximately 8 pinches to a teaspoon.

* In numerology, 8 is considered the number of building, and in some theories, the number of destruction.

* 8 is the retired jersey number of Baseball Hall of Fame members Cal Ripkin, Jr., Carl Yastrzemski and Yogi Berra, to name a few.

* 8-08-08 began the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China ... and Stephen and Carla got married!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Bonica!