Real Wedding: A Love Song in California

This blend of traditional and unconventional elements create the perfect casual wedding atmosphere.

LisaGay Hamilton and Robin D.G. Kelley

When they decided to get married, LisaGay Hamilton, 45, and Robin D.G. Kelley, 47, wanted to throw a party, not a wedding. In fact, the word wedding never appeared on their invitations. There was no gown (a knee-length cocktail dress suited the bride better), no strict schedule (the groom simply announced to the crowd that they were about to begin the ceremony), and no string quartet (instead, their son played an African drum before a favorite local jazz trio took over). But when it came to the vows, Robin, a writer, surprised LisaGay with something traditionally, classically romantic—a love song. He wrote the melody and lyrics, incorporating hidden details only the bride would recognize, then hired a singer to perform. Despite the lack of convention, as parties go, this one was perfectly composed.