I am fortunate to be invited to many diverse events, some of which are wonderful weddings. In recent years, I have noticed a constant increase in cross-cultural, interfaith and multi-cultural weddings. Usually, each culture will showcase their heritage through special ceremonies and customs, or simply reflecting their way-of- life through the dances they choose. It is very exciting and educational for me to experience this joy and diversity. What is interesting is how in some weddings there seems to be a lack of balance between the different cultures throughout the event, or worse, occasions where one side is basically dominating the entire event. In most cases, this has to do with a few factors, such as: who has paid for the wedding, a lack of participation on behalf of the other side, or lack of knowledge and experience of how to conduct a cross-cultural or interfaith wedding, which is a specialty unto itself. It also could be simply because the bride and groom could not find the appropriate entertainment to cater to both cultures.

Recently, I was invited to an elaborate wedding in a hotel in Century City, where the groom was Israeli whose parents were originally from Jewish-Persian heritage. The bride's side was from South America-Peru and not Jewish. This was the most unique and exciting wedding I have ever experienced!

Starting with the fact that the Master of Ceremonies, who was also the band leader, singer, musician and D.J., conducted the evening in all four languages of the attending guests, the performance and the delivery of all the cultures was done by one band with resounding authenticity. Whereas in other cross-cultural weddings I have attended in the past, typically the Persian band would play and the Persian guests would dance and for example, when the Mariachi band got on the stage, the Latinos would get up to dance and the Persian guests would sit down. But for this occasion that was certainly not the case: From the introduction of the Bridal Couple (announced in four languages) all the way to the end of the night, which went on way after 1:00 in the morning-on Sunday (!), the entire room was up and dancing non-stop. When the band took a break the bandleader would take over as a DJ/Performer. The energy in the room was not less than at a vivacious concert. You truly could enjoy how people not only had tolerance for each other's cultures, but also purely enjoyed themselves. Actually, in a couple of incidents the guests really got upset when the caterer asked the band to break for food and the guests refused to leave the dance floor. Besides that, the event that started at 6:00 P.M. was seamless and very cohesive. I particularly enjoyed seeing how all ages were participating whether it was a cultural song or an American Top 40 dance. In this kind of wedding, it seems as though the secret is: BALANCE.

Later on, I found that the Band/DJ DAVID AND THE HIGH SPIRIT, are very well known among many ethnic groups for their specialty in creating cohesiveness in multi-cultural events. The Band has been invited not only locally or nationally, but has performed in many countries-worldwide. Their extensive travel dates include many well-known celebrities such as Larry King, Jane Seymour, and Sherry Lansing but also world figures such as, the daughter of the former Russian President, Boris Yeltsin. DAVID AND THE HIGH SPIRIT, apparently, has recorded in nine and performs in 12 different languages. Their credits include many T.V. Shows and major movie releases with their music, such as Big Mama's House 2 and Barbra Streisand's The Mirror Has Two Faces. They have over 50 CD's released Worldwide (you can read more and see clips at www.entertainmentdesigners.com and www.wwsmedia.com )

Going back to the Wedding business, in this dynamic, ever-changing population shift in Southern California with such a bubbly melting pot of cultures, you need to make sure it is not a “mixed up” Wedding Celebration, but a delightful experience for all the guests regardless of their background, heritage, age or interfaith attendees.

A couple can begin their lives together with a magical night to remember -- a unique and joyous experience for all.