An Elegant, Traditional Wedding at Sassi in Scottsdale, Arizona

Rachel Baumann (24, medical student) and Ernesto Manzo (23, doctoral student) were both students at Swarthmore College were set up on a blind date by their roommates—a Swarthmore tradition. Several weeks later, Ernesto sang several long songs and recited Pablo Neruda poetry when he asked Rachel to be his girlfriend. Four years later, he wrote a love song and sang to Rachel as he got down on one knee. Rachel and Ernesto wanted to be married in the beautiful outdoors of Arizona, even though their wedding date was set for June. "We found a beautiful Italian restaurant, Sassi, with a gorgeous ceremony lawn in front of the mountains, cacti and the clear Arizona sky. It was perfect for us," says Rachel. The colors for the day were a cheerful mix of pink, orange and yellow. Rachel walked down the aisle with her mother and father at her side to a beautiful rendition of “Sunrise Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof. The ceremony was conducted in both English and Spanish so every family member and guest could enjoy witnessing the nuptials. The reception room at Sassi seemed to glow by candle light accented with bold sunflowers. The party was alive with dancing and everyone singing together arm in arm. "I think that our wedding was the perfect blend of two cultures: Jewish and Mexican," says Rachel. "We respect each other and our heritages tremendously and wanted our guests to feel that."