First Comes Love
Every Thursday, couples are married at the Beverly Hills Courthouse by deputy commissioner Toni Levyn. Levyn, who has united nearly 4,000 couples under a floral arch in her chambers and keeps a loaner ring on hand, says that wedding duds range from formal gowns and tuxedos to blue jeans and sneakers. For the record, Levyn notes that the grooms tend to tear up more often than the brides. We asked some newly minted spouses about the holy state of matrimony.
*
Jason and Sascha Brennan
Both 31, Film mixer, real estate home finder
Burbank
How did you meet?
(Unison): At a bar in Burbank.
Sascha: I’m never in Burbank, but this one time I was at the Blue Room.
Who chased whom?
Jason: She chased me and I succumbed to her.
Sascha: He was afraid.
Who popped the question?
Jason: It was me. I realized there’s no one that’s going to put up with me like she does. If I let her go, I would be the stupidest man on Earth.
How is your spouse special?
Sascha: He’s giving and cares about other people.
Jason: When she laughs. When I’m tickling her. It’s just so playful.
How will you celebrate?
Jason: We’ll go to work today, but this weekend we’ll do some relaxing.
Secret to a happy marriage?
Sascha: Respect each other.
Jason: Enjoy each other’s company. Even if you’re in separate rooms, you’re still together.
*
Erick and Carmen Porres-Meyer
32, Upholstery fabric salesman;
27, Housewife/purse designer
Los Angeles
How did you meet?
Erick: At church in Guatemala City in January 2002. She was doing missionary work. I went to a conference there.
Who chased whom?
Erick: My friend kept insisting I should meet this girl from Switzerland, and I wasn’t interested. He kept insisting, and I said, “OK, I’ll meet her.” It was love at first sight.
How did you get to marriage?
Erick: We were only friends. In October 2002, I decided to go back and see if there was anything between us.
How will the day be special?
Carmen: My friend came from Switzerland to be my bridesmaid. This is my mom’s wedding dress and coat from 30 years ago.
Erick: We cut the arms out of the dress and we opened the back. I designed it and she hand-sewed it.
Why Beverly Hills?
Carmen: It’s nice and green. And near our apartment.
Erick: It’s famous. We are going to do a wedding in the Alps in July.
*
Jason and Stephanie Sonalia
24, Construction worker;
22, Receptionist
Sunland
How did you meet?
Jason: Almost seven years ago she lived across the street from me.
Who chased whom?
Jason: At first she kind of chased me. I was too shy.
Stephanie: I left a little note on his car saying that I liked him, and to please call me!
Jason: It was pretty shocking.
How did you know this was the one?
Stephanie: You just know. It was maybe about a year into it.
Jason: You can’t describe it. You know.
What’s lovable about him/her?
Stephanie: His personality. He’s really funny.
Jason: She’s beautiful, smart and caring.
Why a civil ceremony?
Jason: It’s finances.
Stephanie: We’ll have a bigger reception and ceremony next year.
How will you celebrate?
Stephanie: We’re going to lunch somewhere with the families.
Why Beverly Hills?
Jason: Everybody knows Beverly Hills.
Stephanie: It’s trendy.
*
Suellen and Alvin Bailey
54 and 50, Computer consultants
West Los Angeles
How did you meet?
Alvin: At the Veteran’s Administration in Westwood. We’re veterans.
Suellen: He asked me to give him a hug. I said, “I’m not going to come and give it to you.” And he said, “Meet me halfway.” We couldn’t let go. We started dating. We were going out for about 4 1/2 years.
How did you know this was the one?
Suellen: I used to see him from far off at the VA. That was it. He had an aura about him.
Alvin: She was different from any woman I ever dated. There’s just something about her.
What’s lovable about him/her?
Suellen: Everything is adorable about him. The way he carries himself, the way he presents himself.
Alvin: I like her smile. She has a nice smile. She’s likable, huggable.
How will you celebrate?
Suellen: That’s a secret.
Alvin: We’re going to Red Lobster to have some lunch. From there, like she said, that’s a secret.