Double reception for reality star’s ‘Bachelor Nation’ nuptials
Follow the Mercedes-Benz and Maserati cavalcade on Sunset Boulevard — that’s how Erica Rose and Charles Sanders’ wedding guests found their way to Congregation Emanu El on a recent Sunday afternoon.
Outside, sheets of rain — traditionally, a sign of good fortune for the freshly wed — pounded the pavement surrounding the West University Place synagogue. Inside, a flood of familiar “Bachelor Nation” faces shined among the 300-strong crowd.
Appearances by Prince Lorenzo Borghese, Vienna Girardi and AshLee Frazier Williams — like Rose, all veterans of ABC’s venerable “Bachelor” franchise — highlighted the already sparkling pre-ceremony reception. Trays of prosecco and bubbling rosé circled as guests posed in front of Lexis Florist’s white flower wall, which included the word “Cherica” spelled out in red and pink roses.
That word, a clever marriage of the happy couple’s first names, also hinted at the festivities’ color scheme.
Shades of cherry blossom — a Japanese good-luck symbol — and rose (get it?) dotted the ornate chuppah (a canopy where the bride and groom stand during traditional Jewish weddings). Ten bridesmaids filed in ombréstyle, dressed in hues ranging from crimson to merlot.
The bride, a “Bachelor” Season 9 breakout star, wore white — and so did her mother.
Silhouette artist Cindi Rose accessorized her mother-of-thebride ensemble, a floor-length Carmen Marc Valvo design, with black leather gloves.
Erica went the princess route in an embellished ball gown and rhinestone tiara à la Ventura Bridal; the latter became her calling card on ABC’s leading reality show.
“Before Cherica, we were just Chuck and Erica,” the bride read aloud from her handwritten vows. “You really are my knight in shining armor. Even though I didn’t need to be rescued, you rescued me anyway.”
“I was like a rescue dog waiting to be adopted,” the groom echoed. “Seventeen years ago, I was always in awe of your elegance, beauty and grace.”
The newly betrothed pair fell in love during a recent trip to Aspen, Colo., though they’ve known each other for nearly two decades.
“I have this drawer full of pictures, and found one from my junior prom, and Charles was in it,” Erica said. “He was the date of my friend. Who would’ve known that was 17 years ago?”
Charles admits to keeping tabs on his now-wife via Facebook. The FEMA flood adjuster and Extra Mile Consulting and Civil Process managing partner bumped into his former crush at her mother’s Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation Kentucky Derby this past spring.
Last year, Erica gave birth to a daughter, Holland, with ex-fiance Galen Gentry. In September, during Holland’s first birthday party at the Houston Zoo, Charles proposed to Erica — and her daughter, too.
“He was like, ‘Let’s go outside and look at the animals,’ and that’s when he popped the question,” she said. “I said ‘yes’ on one condition, that he ask Holland, too.”
Cindi gave Charles the idea to present Holland with a little plastic baby ring. As a child, Erica often played with a similar piece of pretend jewelry.
The bride’s engagement ring boasts an 8-carat, pear-shaped diamond from her maternal grandmother, Selma Rose, who, according to Cindi, knew that Erica would be able to wear it with style.
“There’s still a part of me that can’t believe I get to marry you,” Charles told his bride at the altar.
Shortly after, they were pronounced husband-and-wife, broke a glass (a Jewish tradition signifying the finality of the marital covenant), and the first of two wedding receptions began.
Three lines quickly formed inside the synagogue’s pink-andred-decked ballroom. Well-wishers queued up for sushi, Cordúa Catering carving stations and FaceTime sessions with popular writer Ryan Ashley for custom poems.
There were also four cakes by Who Made the Cake!, Darko Delights, Dacapo’s and Américas.
Nothing, however, compared to the second, late-night reception at the Majestic Metro downtown.
A red carpet welcomed guests to the ’90s-theme celebration. Chef David Cordúa looked on as partygoers devoured his corn dogs, nachos and cotton candy. Deeper into the venue, two photo booths, DJs and an onstage light show completed the party scene.
Erica, the newly minted Mrs. Charles Sanders, changed into a custom blush frock designed by friend Alex Martinez for the occasion. This time, the mother of the bride did not dress to match; Cindi donned an embellished baseball cap and St. John LBD.
Best man and the bride’s brother, Ben Rose, modeled “Bachelor”-esque props in a photo booth with wife Laura Max Rose, one of the two matrons of honor. Their daughter, Selma, served as a flower girl.
Nearby, plastic surgeon and father of the bride Dr. Franklin Rose showed off his celebrity handiwork.
“Vienna has the most perfect nose in America,” he said as Girardi spun slowly. Then the Season 14 winner ran off for a group picture with Borghese.
“You know, Lorenzo is single now,” Franklin hinted. Girardi laughed off the suggestion, citing a new boyfriend.