Marty was Jewish and his choice was viewed critically by his family, as Doris was a free spirit as a member of the Christian Science Church. Her groomsmen, Alma and Dick Dorso, had only found out about their roles shortly beforehand, as there would be no guests, no celebration. Doris wore a very modern beige costume, the skirt was knee-length and the jacket was fastened with a button at the front. The brooch that held the white blouse together at the top was the piece of jewelry that gave her outfit the appropriate sparkle. Marty looked good in any suit and he kept the bow tie in his wardrobe for special occasions.

Marty Melcher and Doris Day on the day
of their wedding, April 3, 1951

The four of them left the small church, Terry was at school and so they stood around somewhat helplessly. It was a Tuesday and Doris said to her mother,"I'll see you tonight, as usual." She gave her a kiss on the cheek, which she didn't usually do."Marty and I are going to this new furniture store on the outskirts of town. I saw my dream chairs there." Looking at Dick Dorso, who was stoically accepting the unusual course of events, Alma said,"If that's what you want, it's wonderful." Marty just smiled, he had arrived. With Doris in a spin as usual, this trip became their honeymoon, pragmatic and meaningful, a reflection of their relationship. With their marriage, they began a period of abstinence from smoking and drinking together, doing each other good in many ways. They quickly found a larger house, which cost 40,000 dollars and offered more space. Alma moved back into an apartment nearby, she was only there to sleep.

There were always four of them at the breakfast table. Alma had prepared everything. Doris' energy was focused on furnishing the house with cushions and curtains and getting used to the new life with Marty and Terry in one house. Marty kept a wary eye on the boy, for whom he was still a father figure who had appeared out of nowhere. Terry liked his new school and Alma, whose daughter was where she had dreamed she would be, suffered only from the heat and dust of this town, everything else seemed perfect. And so Alma asked that morning:"Oh Marty, can you take Terry to school with you when you go to the office?""I'm afraid I can't, I'm late, I have a new client waiting," he said tonelessly. Alma tilted her head almost imperceptibly, she didn't believe him. But just as well, she thought, she would do the shopping on the way back.

The roles in life spread out and Doris worked her way through her ninth Hollywood film in the summer and fall of 1951. Marty had been able to renegotiate the fees better and she could actually afford an even better house than this one, but she didn't want to give up the location in a quiet street n