41 years ago today, on August 31, 1980, Karen Carpenter got married in the Crystal Room at the luxurious Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Before the ceremony, Richard Carpenter and writing partner, John Bettis, wrote “Because We Are In Love (The Wedding Song)”, which would later become a single in 1981 for their tenth consecutive album, ‘Made in America.’ Though they initially planned to perform the song live, Karen and Richard opted to record it professionally and play the recording before Karen walked down the aisle. Richard Carpenter also conducted for the choir and sang ‘The Wedding Prayer.’
Some of the a-listers at the wedding included Burt Bacharach, Dionne Warwick, Herb Alpert, Mike Curb, Olivia Newton-John (who arrived just in time for the reception due to the production of her latest film, ‘Xanadu’), radio host Casey Kasem, and producer of Karen’s solo album, Phil Ramone. Also in attendance included several great friends of Karen’s such as maid of honor and bridesmaid Carole Curb, as well as bridesmaids Karen ‘Itchie’ Ramone, Frenda Leffler, Joan Will, Linda Curb, Alana Megdal, Elizabeth Van Ness, Connie Chapmen, Debbie Cuticello, Sandy Holland, and Richard’s then-girlfriend (now-wife), Mary Rudolph. Of the event, Karen once said: “I invited everybody in the city, and everybody in the city showed up.”
Her English riding-inspired gown, jacket, and hat ensemble was designed by Bill Belew, who consequently had also been the costume designer for several Carpenters ABC television specials. The dress was made of fifteen yards of of white mousseline de soie and the veil was made of silk.
The Crystal Room was filled with white gardenias, and Karen carried a bouquet of lilies of the valley, white orchids, and white pikake as she walked down the aisle. For the reception, the room was transformed with tables adorned with lavender table cloths and bouquets purple orchids, Alba lilies, and African violets.
The menu consisted of a starter of shrimp salad, a main course of chicken chasseur with broccoli polonaise, rice pilaf, strawberries Romanoff, and Parducci Chablis wine. For dessert was a five-tiered chocolate and mocha cream wedding cake.
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