Author's Note: I'm sure I'm breaking all kinds of copyright laws, but I always appreciated it
when people would post things about Wilson Phillips (and especially Wendy) that I would never otherwise get to see.
Enjoy, and I'll keep it up as long as I can.
From The Wedding Chronicle, 2(1); Jan-Feb 2003
Article written by: Alyson Pouls
Pictures by: LA. Coplen
Wendy Wilson married Dan Knutson on May 24, 2002 in the rose garden of The Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey. Wendy selected this particular date because it was numerolgically significant for a wedding ceremony. It was a "6" day and "6" days symbolize home, marriage, and music. Music is an important part of the couple's lives for it was music that brought them together.
Wendy was on tour with AL Jardine's Family and Friends. Al Jardine is a former Beach Boy and Wendy, being the daughter of Brian Wilson and one-third of the group Wilson Phillips joined the three year tour for fun and her love of performing. Early in the tour, Wendy was introduced to Dan Knutson, the band's new live Audio Sound Engineer, while standing near [a] baggage claim at LAX. Wendy, as she nearly tripped over bag, thought Dan was cute and hilarious. The pair became fast friends, getting to know each another while a mutual attraction simmered. Wendy found herself making elaborate excuses to ascend the soundboard just so that the two could talk. One night, Wendy called Dan from her hotel room, engaging him in an intense conversation. She told Dan he could call her after the tour and ask her out for sushi.
On Valentine's Day 2002, Wendy and Dan took a trip to Ragged Point, just outside of Big Sur. While on a cliffside picnic, Dan playfully stated, "I would never want to lose you." Wendy wasn't sure how he felt about the idea of marriage, so she was taken completely by surprise when Dan got down on one knee and said, "I want to marry you." Wendy, in disbelief and elation, rejoiced when she realized Dan was serious as he pulled out a ring.
As Wendy walked down the aisle beside her father, in her gown of true white, the rose garden seemed a dream. The harp strummed beautiful rhythms and the flowers echoed the colors of spring as Dan's father delivered the nuptials. The couple felt a sense of pride when they saw each other and they remember the exchange of rings as the most pivotal moment of the ceremony. Everything felt real and right at that moment; they had no doubts as the harbor's breeze washed over the garden.
After the ceremony, the guests attended a reception that exuded an old-fashioned, traditional charm. The room glowed with warmth as candles floated on every table. The springtime flowers were soft pink, white, lavender, and peach. All could see out the reception room's windows to the reflected glow of lights on the harbor. The guests watched as Wendy and Dan danced to "At Last" by Etta James. The couple had practiced their dance number and Wendy feared Dan would mess up. Instead, in an ironic moment of humor, Wendy made the mistake! It was here that she amusingly vowed to never again tell Dan what to do.
Dancing with her father to his own Beach Boy's hit "God Only Knows" was a sweet and sentimental moment for Wendy. She felt like his little girl, protected and loved. Yet she also felt grown-up dancing in his arms as her elegant white dress caressed the dance floor.
The memorable toasts mixed sentimentality with light-hearted humor. Wendy's sister Carnie commented on Wendy's love of wearing dresses as a kid and how she was now in the "ultimate dress." Carnie's speech enveloped the room in laughter and Wendy's mom recounted her memories of the bride throughout her life. Dan's brother Kevin gave a thoughtful, eloquent speech which he dedicated to "Weeny" and "Snake" the couple's nicknames. Everyone laughed when both fathers got the couple's ages wrong and had to be corrected during their speeches.
Wendy Wilson and Dan Knutson's wedding was an affair which blended tradition and romance with family and humor. The two will make beautiful music together for an eternity.
