wedding

A Bond That Ties

Former Ed star Rena Sofer and her 007-obsessed groom get hitched in Malibu

Last August television director Sanford Bookstaver cast girlfriend Rena Sofer in a romantic bit of playacting—totally unbeknownst to her. Bookstaver, 29, who met Sofer, 34, in 2001 on the Sci-Fi Channel series The Chronicle, set up the former Ed star by picking a fight with her over not spending time with his friends. He then mailed home an invitation to a supposed party for one of his pals, which she eagerly accepted. But when they went to the hotel suite specified on the invite, "I threw the door open and in the room were 100 lit candles and dozens of roses," says Bookstaver, who on bended knee offered Sofer a 3-carat diamond and platinum ring. The next day Bookstaver presented a tiny silver version of the ring to Rosabel, 6, Sofer's daughter from a previous marriage. "He asked if she would be his stepdaughter," says Sofer. "I was blown away."
     Both ladies accepted, and on May 18, Sofer and Bookstaver wed before 80 guests in an eclectic ceremony performed by the bride's father, Rabbi Martin Sofer, at a rented Malibu ranch. The groom, a rabid 007 fan, walked the aisle in an Armani tux and sunglasses to the James Bond theme, while Sofer, in a Badgely Mischka crepe sheath gown, entered to the theme of Cinema Paradiso. "It was elegant but it had a funk to it," says L.A. wedding planner Yifat Oren. The reception was equally quirky, with a martini bar in honor of the groom's Bond obsession and a menu of Chinese dumplings, Tuscan chicken, burgers and Tootsie Pops. The newlyweds "were so happy," says bridesmaid Carolyn Hinsey. "The skies could have opened up, lightning could have struck, and they wouldn't have cared."