The Brooklyn Bride

ENGAGEMENTS

Cohen-Cross

Jessica Cohen and Gregory Cross, both Prospect Heights residents, plan to be married Sept. 4, 2005 at a small outdoor ceremony and picnic-style reception at his parents’ farm in Middletown, Va.

“We wanted something a little more casual, creative and fun since it reflects our personalities,” said Cross. The bride-to-be is originally from Millersville, Md., and attended Old Mill High School. The groom-to-be attended Sherando High School in Stephens City, Va.

Who proposed and how?
The fiance: “We had talked about getting married, but I wanted to surprise Jessica with the ring. This year she was running the Boston Marathon on April 18 and her birthday was on April 24, so I decided I would give it to her sometime during the marathon.

“I made a big sign to cheer her on that said, ‘Will you marry me?’

“I was all ready at the place we picked to meet, but she just waved at me and kept running without reading it!

“After we got back to Brooklyn I said, ‘Let me show you the card I made up for you.’ As she read it, I pulled out the ring, got down on one knee and asked her to marry me.

“Of course, she said, ‘Yes!’”

What is your biggest concern about the wedding?
“Getting all the logistics planned out in a shorter than normal period of time (securing a tent rental, picking a caterer and menu, getting our invitations out quickly),” said Cross. “We are pretty sure we can put it all together on time.”

WEDDINGS

Bressler - Brooks

Karen Bressler and Jacques Brooks were married March 23 at Congregation Shaare Zion on Ocean Parkway by Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin. The bride’s parents are Dr. Robert and Erma Bressler of Midwood, where Karen grew up and attended Midwood High School. Groom’s father is Morris Brooks. Jacques grew up in Kew Gardens, Queens and attended Yeshivah High School of Queens. The couple now resides in Manhattan.

How did you meet?
The bride says: “I was out having drinks with some friends from work, and a guy at the bar, Rich, who was in town on business, started talking to me. He was married and from St. Louis so it wasn’t like he was trying to pick me up. Instead, he asked why I was still single, and I said I was looking for a nice Jewish, single guy. Then I asked him if he knew anyone. He whipped out his cell phone and dialed a former colleague’s number.

“Ten minutes later, Jacques walked into the bar. He had been sitting at home when the phone rang and didn’t answer it because the caller ID said ‘St. Louis,’ and he thought it was a telemarketer.

“Rich called again and when he finally answered, Rich said he had someone he wanted Jacques to meet. Jacques thought it was a business contact, so he said he’d be right over.

“When he walked into the bar, Rich said: ‘Jacques, Karen. Karen, Jacques.’

“The rest is history.”

Brockway - Fuhrman

Laurie Sue Brockway and Vic Fuhrman were married Sept. 27 by Rabbi Joseph Gelberman at the Manhattan Northern Indian Cooking Restaurant. Laurie Sue worked as The Brooklyn Paper’s first reporter, and is author of “Wedding Goddess: A Divine Guide to Transforming Wedding Stress into Wedding Bliss” (Perigee Books). She runs The Bridal Survival Club for brides-to-be. Vic grew up in Borough Park. The couple lives in Manhattan.

Wedding obstacle overcome?
The bride says: “We are both interfaith ministers who met in seminary over seven years ago. When we decided to wed, we panicked thinking of all our friends — rabbis, priests, ministers — who might be insulted if we didn’t ask them to marry us. So we thought of just running off to Vegas to be married by the only ordained Elvis in all of Vegas, Rev. Norm Jones. I had seen him perform a wedding 13 years before and always liked him so much! In the end, he did officiate a renewal of vows for us on our honeymoon! But our legal ceremony was with our beloved Rabbi Gelberman, then 92. We met through him and wanted him to join us as a married couple.”

The Brooklyn Bride welcomes Brooklyn engagement and wedding announcements.

For more information, e-mail us at weddings@brooklynpapers.com.