CE EBRATE!
THREE-IN-ONE from page 15C
From front: Marla Bean and Bruce
Rothschild, Julie Bean and David
Tigay, Emily Bean and Alex Fish,
and Renee and Barry Bean.
*IN •
3/19
2004
18C
Honored, yes, but no one says that
paying and planning for three wed-
dings in a year is a piece of cake. "I've
been a bit overwhelmed," says Renee,
who gets 3-4 calls a day from each
daughter. She's especially busy with
wedding No. 1 — Julie and Alex —
this weekend. All three weddings are
at Temple Israel.
"There's been a little competition
lenge, says Renee, is for someone like
for my time," Renee says, "but
Matt Prentice who is catering all three
I've learned that I have a lot
weddings, to do something special to
more patience than I ever
reflect the personality of each bride.
thought."
Prentice, president and CEO of
Her daughters agree. "I
Unique Restaurant Corporation, who
think sometimes she's in
doesn't usually meet with the bride's
shock she's so calm," says
entire family, did meet with the Beans
Marla, a senior associate
for two reasons. Prentice never did
in human resources at
three weddings for one family in a
KPMG, an accounting
year and he, too, has three daughters!
firm in Chicago. Julie
The brides and sometimes their
teaches at Doherty
grooms — along with mom's approval
Elementary School in
and help from their cousin, wedding
West Bloomfield and
planner Andrea Solomon of West
Emily is a manicurist Bloomfield — selected invitations,
in her father's office.
flowers, bands, colors and table linens.
"She's there for
But one decision the three brides did
us," Marla says, "but together was shop for their wedding
she can also step
dresses. Each had to buy a wedding
back and say, 'Let
dress and two bride's maids' dresses.
me know when you
"Each of us selected a wedding dress
want me involved.'
different from the others," Julie says.
She lets us make the "My dress has intricate beading, a yin-
decisions. And she's . tage look. Marla's is kind of art deco,
enjoying all this,
and Emily's is traditional."
too."
"With a modern twist," Emily adds.
But of their father, Hers has a corset top.
Marla says, "I wasn't
One thing they had to learn in the
sure how he'd handle
process, says Marla: "We're all going to
it all."
have. our own day, so we have to be
"My husband's over- cognizant of that."
whelmed," Renee
"You try to be supportive of the oth-
admits. Every time she
ers' decisions," says Emily. Marla adds,
comes home from an
"So even if you don't like the bride's
excursion for the wed-
maid dress your sister wants you to
ding, like purchasing a
wear, you try to be open minded and
couple of bridal dresses,
supportive of her choices for her day."
her husband has to call the
The sisters had plenty of experience
accountant. 'And whatever
learning to be thoughtful of each
he asks for over the phone,"
other, growing up so close in age, says
Renee says, "I call out to make
their mother. Marla and Emily were
it $500 more."
actually born on the same day, two
But, she adds, "We're lucky to
years apart, and Julie had her bat mitz-
have daughters who aren't demand-
vah on their birthday.
ing."
"We're all three very lucky, and the
guys we're marrying get along very
well," Julie says. Her fiancé and
Challenges
Marla's will be Emily's finance's best
Although the Beans haven't gotten
men.
great bargains buying in bulk, they
"Growing up, our parents made sure
have gotten a few special deals, says
everything was very fair and equal,"
Julie, whose wedding to David is May
Marla says. "And the upside to all
30. Marla and Bruce's wedding, the
three of us marrying in the same year
last, is Dec. 18. "My dad asked if he
is it's fun. We're all going through the
could get a deal at the linen place,"
same thing at the same time.
says Julie, "and the saleswoman said
"Bottom line, it's a great year for us.
she felt sorry for him and she gave
We've grown up so close in age and
him a deal."
celebrated so much together. It's only
But money isn't the only challenge.
fitting that we get married the same
Each sister wants her wedding to be
year. It's a perfect ending to our child-
different from the others. The chal-
hood." El