A Picture Perfect Wedding

Robyn Ann, our editor, and Donna, her fiance, tie the knot on national television. An enFemme exclusive by Robyn Ann...

THURSRSDAY, JANUARY 31

Why would you want to get married on national television in a wedding gown? Sally Jesse Raphael posed the question during the program on which I married my fiance Donna. It was also asked by almost everybody I told when Donna and I were still deciding on whether on not to appear on the program.

Why did I do it? It's hard to say exactly. Of course I knew it would be fun and exciting and would finally get Donna to go down the aisle with me, albeit in matching gowns. But there were also dangers involved. My parents, as far I knew, did not know of Robyn. I had just started a new job, was only working for a week when the call came to do the show. It meant taking a minimum of three days off, possibly more. Would I still have a job when I got back? I was also working part time at another job where all of my fellow employees were oversexed heterosexual males, none of whom knew of Robyn. There was no hope in the world of this show sIipping past people I didn't want to know. The Sally Jesse Raphael Show is seen by some four million people daily.

Why would I want to get married on national television? My answer to Sally's question was that it was the only way I was going to get Donna down the aisle after her previous two marriages didn't work out. She had always said the only way we would get married would be if I wore a wedding dress (knowing that would likely never happen.) This was my big chance!

That wasn't the real reason. I always knew we would get married, and here was a chance to do it big time. On national television with Sally Jesse Raphael as a bridesmaid. Gowns and transportation provided. It was too tempting to pass up, something about which every crossdresser has only dreamed.

Donna had planted the idea in Salys producer Rick Brinkley's head during a question/answer session before we had committed to doing the show. He had asked her what kinds of things crossdressers liked to wear and she had answered, rather innocently, oh you know, gowns and stuff, fantasy outfits.

It was if a light bulb went off over his head so Rick asked, what would you and Robyn think about getting married on the show? After all we would be the only unmarried couple on the panel (at the time there were two married couples tentatively committed) wouldn't it be a great ending to the show?

We were given the rest of the night to think it over, we had to give him an answer the following day. Needless to say, neither of us slept very well that night.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1

The butterflies continued into the next day. It was probably the longest day I had ever spent at work. Even though I had not slept a wink the night before I was high as a kite the entire day. I couldn't even eat I was so nervous. I could talk to no one, my head contained only thoughts of what the show would be like if we were to get married. I had told Donna that whatever she decided, I would stick by her. Rick was due to call her that day for our answer.

I waited until I was at my second job before finally calling Donna at work to find out her decision. She had told Rick we would do it. And that was it. We were committed. After I got home that evening we began calling everybody we knew to tell them the news. Almost everyone said, why would you want to get married on national television?

We had both arrived at the conclusion independently. Because it would be fun. And because we wanted to do it.

We had three days to get everything coordinated. We needed outfits for the first part of the show when we would be sitting on a panel for a question/answer session with Sally and the audience. We needed to get white satin shoes and of course we needed rings. By Monday we had secured everything we needed, the rings obtained at a flea market, the dresses at M.J. Carroll and the shoes at Payless Shoesource. I had called in and taken off work Monday through Thursday. My excuse? I was getting married!

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5

We were packed, dressed and ready to go by noon. Our limo wasn't scheduled to arrive until 3 but we wanted to be ready. We had made arrangements through Rick Brinkley to bring along Jami, Donna's daughter and Jennifer, Donna's sister. Rick had agreed to give them a separate room in the hotel we were staying at and seats in the audience for the taping. They of course were nowhere to be seen on Monday. Three o'clock came and still no sign of Jami and Jen. And no sign of the limo.

Jami called the house at three-fifteen and said they were on their way, they had been shopping for new outfits for the wedding. We told them to hurry or they would miss the limo which we were sure was due to pull up in front of the house at any minute. If they missed the limo they would have to drive up to New York themselves.

Three-thirty and no limo. Jami and Jen flew into the house and got their bags together and out on the porch in record time. At about four o'clock the limo driver called. He had missed a turn and couldn't figure out where the house was. After giving him directions from where he was he finally arrived.

Eddie the driver was a real character. He entertained us all the way up to New York with stories of the various celebrities he had driven. The drive went by quickly. At least until we reached the Lincoln Tunnel.

Jennifer had asked Eddie about how accidents are cleared out of the tunnel as we entered into it. He explained that since the cars ahead of the accident kept going, the rescue vehicles came from the front of the tunnel. No sooner had he finished the explanation when traffic ahead of us stopped. A truck had broken down and was sitting dead in our lane. It took about fifteen minutes before a huge transit vehicle came rumbling down the tunnel, executed a 360 degree turn in the narrow tube and proceeded to push the stalled truck. After a few more minutes traffic began to flow again and soon we exited into New York City.

We arrived at the Hotel Macklowe around six thirty and checked in. No sooner were we in our room when Rick Brinkley knocked on the door.

He briefed us about what was happening and called the room of Stephanie and Jodi, another couple appearing on the show with us. After a few minutes they arrived (Stephanie as Randy) and we were introduced around. We talked about the show for about an hour, Rick asking us questions that Sally would likely ask. After Rick left we decided to go out to dinner.

Randy, Jodi, Donna, Jami, Jennifer and I made the two New York block walk to Mama Leone's. We had a great time, being entertained by singing waiters, a roving band, dancers and even a clown who made us each a balloon animal. Each of the ladies danced briefly with one of the male dancers (and me in my heels at over six foot tall must have presented a bizarre sight as my partner was all of five feet five inches tall). Then it was back to the hotel and an attempt to sleep. Our wake-up call was to be six a.m.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6

We met the limo in front of the hotel at eight a.m. and finally met the second couple -- Linda and Cynthia. Randy and I were not dressed, Linda was. The six of us were then whisked off to the studios.

We were taken to the set and watched as different lighting situations were tried out. We were introduced to the directorÑKit Carson and the Reverend Samuel Stern who would be performing the ceremony. We rehearsed the ceremony on the stage a few times to get our 'marks' and then we were off to get ready.

Normally two shows are taped during 'sweeps' weeks and we were scheduled to be the second show of the day. The first was to be Marla Maples.

We were taken across the street to the new offices of the program and where a dressing area had been set up just for us. It was here that we saw the wedding gowns for the first time.

Needless to say they were breathtaking, but we had no time to admire them. Donna was taken first into another room and she tried hers on. A perfect fit. Then I tried mine on. Again, a perfect fit. The gowns were taken away to be steamed and transported back across the street. It was about this time that Donna realized she had forgotten her black pumps to wear with her black and white dress for the first part of the show. To save time later in the taping when we had to change into our gowns, we wore our white stockings underneath our dark stockings. So Donna was forced to wear her white wedding pumps with her black pantyhose.

As we were getting dressed and introduced to makeup artist Jim Buff, we were informed that we were now to be the first taping. Marla Maples was late and would tape her show after ours.

The dressing room was now a madhouse. Instead of the leisurely two hours we thought we had to get ready, we now had forty minutes. Frantically we got ready. Jim Buff started on Linda's makeup, who was now wearing an outfit belonging to the show. After doing Stephanie's hair and makeup, I got into his chair. He did in fifteen minutes what might have taken me an hour or more, expertly using Dermablend and highlighting techniques to make me look good under the harsh studio lights. As he started to do my hair we were informed that we had to get over to the studio right now. He spritzed my hair and fluffed it a bit and soon Linda, Cynthia, Donna and I were running across 52nd Avenue to the Studios. Stephanie and Jodi stayed behind as they wouldn't be needed until the second segment, so Jim went back to work on Steph's makeup and hair.

As we walked into the control room leading to the studio we saw the audience on the monitors. They were being warmed up by a comedian who informed them that the show's topic that morning was "I'm Prettier Than My Wife." Backstage we could hear the excitement in the crowd after they were informed that there was going to be a wedding at the end of the show.

Donna was taken out onto the set and seated while the other three of us watched on backstage monitors. &e was fitted with a microphone and introduced to Sally, looking splendid in a red suit. While technicians scurried about, Donna realized she had runners in her pantyhose. One of the stagehands ran up on stage with a bottle of clear nail polish kept on hand for just such emergencies and positioned Donna so that the runners were out of camera sight. Then the lights dimmed and Sally took her seat. The show was about to begin.

Sally began to talk, introducing Donna and inviting the audience to a wedding All this time I am standing in the wings, my heart in my throat. A stagehand was next to me, holding my arm waiting for my cue. Suddenly, Sally says, "please welcome to the show, Donna's future husband, Bob" and I'm pushed out onto the stage.

My mind went completely blank. Luckily I couldn't see the audience due to the bright lights. I made my way to my seat and reached for my microphone. After all of the rehearsals and backstage instructions, I completely forgot what I was told to do and reached for the wrong microphone. The camera cut away from me as I struggled to free the microphone to my left instead of the one right under my right arm. By the time I had found the correct microphone and clipped it to my dress, Sally had introduced Linda and Cynthia as 'Paul' and 'Cindy.'

Linda and Cynthia were simply wonderful answering Sally's questions. I kept looking out into the audience to see if any of the people we had invited had arrived, but didn't see anybody. Even Jami and Jennifer were nowhere to be seen. During the first commercial break I leaned over to Donna and told her that we hadn't informed anybody that the taping had been moved up.

Stephanie and Jodi joined us on the set as the next segment started. The three crossdressers were continually referred to by male names 'so the home audience wouldn't be confused' so Stephanie was introduced as Randy. During this segment Cindy told a wonderful story about 'Paul' (Linda) being given Cindy's babydoll pajamas when they had first started dating and how she had found them again years later, completely stretched out. It was a great moment.

After the next commercial break, Sally went out into the audience for questions. The questions included what do you guys wear underneath? How do you dress when you make love? How do you go shopping Who does your makeup? One woman complimented the girls on their legs. Strangely enough there were no negative comments, except for one woman who snidely asked how would you like it if your partner dressed like a man? Randy gave a beautiful answer, saying she wouldn't mind as relationships are based on what's inside, not what's on the outside.

After asking each of us our occupations (Randy computer programmer, Bob-artist, Paul-drag racer) the show cut to a commercial break. When we came back, Dr. Roger Peo had joined us on the panel. During the break, Jami and Jennifer showed up. I also noticed Mariette Pathy Allen, our photographer had arrived and other guests, JoAnn Roberts and Angela Gardner, Wayne and Kim were now seated in the audience. I felt better that they were there.

When we came back from the commercials, Sally stood Jami up and talked to her a little bit. For her first television appearance Jami did alright. Sally asked her what her friends thought and she said that some of them thought it was a little strange but since she didn't care, it didn't bother them. Sally complimented her on her dress and then introduced Dr. Peo.

Dr. Peo attempted to explain transvestism and its causes and Sally took more questions from the audience including one woman who was found everything "beyond my belie£" She couldn't understand how the women could be attracted to "-guys who look like you." She also wanted to know what the guys wore to the beach! Jodi had a cute answer saying that in Kansas they didn't have beaches, but it wasn't picked up by the microphones. A

t the next commercial break Donna and I were taken off the stage and into a small makeup room to change into our gowns. While we changing, Sally continued taking questions from the audience. This whole segment was not seen by Donna and I until the show actually aired. Cindy managed to get a plug in for Mariette's book Transformations: Crossdressers and Those Who Love Them (featured last issue) which had been a real struggle between the guests and the show. Sally cut Cindy short and took another question from the audience.

At the end of the segment there was a brief shot of Donna and I in our gowns having our makeup touched up by Jim Buff. Fully dressed we were led back to the set. Donna on one side with Cindy and Jodi and I on the other side with my bridesmaids Linda and Stephanie.

Reverend Dr. Samuel Stern was introduced after the commercials and then the wedding march music started. The bridesmaids came out first and took their spots just as we had rehearsed it hours earlier.

Then the big moment came. Clutching the bouquet of flowers I prepared to step from behind the partition and walk down the stairs to join Donna on center stage. But when I reached the top step I realized the train of my gown had caught on a nail! I was stuck! I saw Donna emerge from her side of the stage and I frantically grabbed at the train trying to free it. A stagehand pulled it free and I went out on stage a few steps behind Donna. I caught up to her finally and hand in hand we advanced toward the Reverend.

I wasn't wearing a microphone as the sound people figured the one Donna was wearing would pick up my responses to the Reverends questions. When I saw the actual show I realized I couldn't be heard! But at the time I didn't know. After exchanging the vows we each handed the bouquets to our Maids of Honor Linda and Sally and were in turn handed the rings. We slipped them on each other's fingers as Dr. Stern pronounced us husband and wife. I had been given last minute instructions to lead Donna down the steps off the stage and to go to the four-foot high cake and take the precut slice and hold it up. So I took her hand and almost yanked her off the stage toward the cake. She had no idea what was going on and resisted me at first. Eventually we got to the cake and after holding up the slice, we each took a bite. Cut for commercials.

Part of the audience was then taken outside to throw rice as we headed for the limo. Then Donna and I were led out of the studios into the lobby where we were inundated with photographers. Now I knew what it was like to be a celebrity. The photographers were there for Marla, as she had been scheduled to tape her show first. But news is news, so the cameras were shoved in our faces. While the show people readied the outside shot, we were pushed up against the lobby elevator's doors while the photographers encircled us, continually shooting. Eventually Sally appeared and she was put in between us for another round of photos. Then she was taken outside and the setup was explained to us.

On Sally's cue of the word 'style' Donna and I were to run down the steps, past the audience members now armed with handfuls of rice, and into the waiting limo. Standing in the doorway I could see quite a crowd had gathered outside and the traffic on the street had stopped to see what was going on. We had been told that this was the first time ever that the Sally show had done an outside shot like this.

The camera rolled and Sally began to talk, but we couldn't hear her. On the cue word, we were still standing there and had to be pushed out the door. Running in pumps carrying a long train while being pelted in the face with rice was quite an experience, but we made it into the limo and were driven off to our honeymoon. Around the block.

Arriving back at the studio, the outside was deserted. We went back inside and there was nobody in the lobby either. We were taken back to the Green Room but couldn't go in because Marla and her entourage were now in there getting ready for the second show. So we stood around in the hallway and posed for pictures and talked to some members of the audience who walked by.

Soon those sad words were heard: time to get changed. In a small room next to the Green Room we changed back into the outfits we wore at the beginning of the show and said good-bye to the gowns.

Linda, Cindy, Jodi and Stephanie were taken to the airport for their return flights home while Jami and Jennifer were taken to the train station. Donna and I had been given an extra night at the Hotel Macklowe so we headed back there with Mariette Pathy Allen with whom we had a lovely lunch in the hotel's restaurant. After lunch Donna and I said good-bye to Mariette and headed back to our room where we collapsed of exhaustion and a little bit of relief that it was all over.

After a short nap, a quick shower and a change of clothes, we went out to dinner. Unable to obtain tickets to a nearby show, we went to see "Home Alone." Then it was back to the room for... well, it was our wedding night.

EPILOGUE

Do we have any regrets about doing the show? No, not a one. It was a great experience, a once-in a lifetime kind of thing It was our fifteen minutes of fame. And our only chance to appear in the Globe (where a full color photograph appeared with the headline "Bride's Gown was Gorgeous and so was the Groom's"). We met some lovely people in Linda, Cindy, Stephanie and Jodi and got to wear $6,000 matching wedding gowns. And although the ceremony wasn't legal, we did get married again two weeks later in a more traditional ceremony attended by close friends and relatives. The bride wore a lovely white dress and pumps, the other one didn't.

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