Sunday, September 23, 2012
Sometimes I get to attend Baby Showers
A Rainy Saturday Morning Wedding
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Picking Up The Threads
Yesterday I performed a wedding for Fay and Bill and it proved to be very emotional, for me.
Fay and Bill were married before, would have been celebrating their 42nd Anniversary yesterday had they not hit a rough spot a few years back
I don't know their history, the hows and whys of their split up and divorce but I was called upon to perform the ceremony which would put them back together.
They were a very nice couple and their marriage had produced two sons, one of which had provided them with a grandchild with a second one on the way.
They had chosen to have their ceremony in their home, a very nice, comfortable home in an upscale neighborhood in the Fort Lauderdale area, complete with a wonderful, large golden retreiver.
Their only guests were their two sons and Bill's mother. Very small intimate wedding.
I set out to put their ceremony together a day or so before their chosen date and found their situation to one which gave my writing talent a nice workout.
When you think about it, two people who have hit the rough spots and stumbled, who then decide to pick themselves up and start again, it can be so very meaningful. I wrote, what I thought, was quite good for the occasion. It went over well, I could tell by the looks on their faces and by the fact that it was a little emotional for me as well.
I sincerely wish Fay and Bill all the best in their lives. I want to believe that their breakup showed them all the things that are lost in the breakup of a family and all the pain that is suffered by not just the couple but by their children, their whole family and friends as well.
It would serve everyone well to give great thought both before they get married and before they divorce. We can all do better.
Fay and Bill were married before, would have been celebrating their 42nd Anniversary yesterday had they not hit a rough spot a few years back
I don't know their history, the hows and whys of their split up and divorce but I was called upon to perform the ceremony which would put them back together.
They were a very nice couple and their marriage had produced two sons, one of which had provided them with a grandchild with a second one on the way.
They had chosen to have their ceremony in their home, a very nice, comfortable home in an upscale neighborhood in the Fort Lauderdale area, complete with a wonderful, large golden retreiver.
Their only guests were their two sons and Bill's mother. Very small intimate wedding.
I set out to put their ceremony together a day or so before their chosen date and found their situation to one which gave my writing talent a nice workout.
When you think about it, two people who have hit the rough spots and stumbled, who then decide to pick themselves up and start again, it can be so very meaningful. I wrote, what I thought, was quite good for the occasion. It went over well, I could tell by the looks on their faces and by the fact that it was a little emotional for me as well.
I sincerely wish Fay and Bill all the best in their lives. I want to believe that their breakup showed them all the things that are lost in the breakup of a family and all the pain that is suffered by not just the couple but by their children, their whole family and friends as well.
It would serve everyone well to give great thought both before they get married and before they divorce. We can all do better.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Out Shout the Wind by Donna Merritt
It was a WINDY day on Key Biscayne.
I received a call from Juliana in Miami on Saturday asking if I could do a wedding on Key Biscayne the following day.
I advertise "short notice" OK and I do try to9 accommodate when possible so I said I could do it.
She said they wanted to have the ceremony at 11:30 and we agreed to meet at her condo at 11:00.
The drive to Miami is not bad on a Sunday morning and i always give myself plenty of time because arriving late just sort of tears up my whole constitution so I was in the area, after about a 30 minute drive, by 10:30 am.
That was when the fun started. I had the address but still I drove up and down the street several times looking for the address.
Juliana is from Columbia and our communication left something to be desired and so it ended up with me finding a parking place, calling her and saying this is where I am and her coming to find me. The problem stemed from the fact that her building was not facing Brickell Ave, where the address was, but rahter facing on a little driveway that ran along the south side of the building rather than on the west side which was Brickell.
At any rate she found me, we drove to her apartment, less that two blocks away and hung out in the lobby for a few minutes while everyone assembled. lots of beautiful people, all speaking Spanish, except to me.
Juliana turned out to be an absolutely beautiful young woman, striking would be a good word here as well. She was wearing a form fitting, one shouldered dress in off white with a slit up one side which extended quite high. Her hair was long and dark dark brown. She looked like a Greek goddess.
This was Juliana's second marriage and she has a little seven year old boy who looked so much like my youngest grandson, it was amazing.
At any rate, it seems we were waiting for the groom, yes grooms run late just like some brides, but we finally were all assembled, got into our cars for the drive to the end of Key Biscayne. Actually to Bill Baggs Park. If you are not familiar with Key Biscayne and the park it is well worth your effort to take a trip there. The whole length of the Key is very pretty and the Park section at the end is quite large and wild looking.
I need to do some homework here on history. In the middle of the Key is an area called Crandon Park and I believe I am correct in saying this is the home of the original Crandon Park Zoo in Miami. I remember taking my kids there years ago. It has long since been replaced by Metro Zoo in Miami.
To continue...I love the Spanish, two minutes can be an hour and a ten minute drive can be much longer. Anyway the location they had chosen, ten minutes from the apartment. I didn't time it but it was a little longer than that but such a beautiful drive. The bridge over the bay which provides a beautiful skyline view of downtown Miami and then the drive through the residential and tourist area, the park areas, all nice and especially on a Sunday morning, free from heavy traffic.
We arrived at the parking lot, at the far end of the park and the weather was being so nice to us. We had been threatened with storms and rain but it was nice and sunny when we got out of our cars.
However just a short walk to the water and it was like going into a wind tunnel. I was totally unprepared for the transition from warm sunny day to storm blasts. The couple however had picked the spot and there is where we did the ceremony. What a wind blown group we all were. There were probably around twenty of us all together and the guest had to huddle close because my words were fairly ripped from my lips and blown away.
I must say everyone, except for a small child about a year old, handled it with great dignity (if you can be dignified and blown away at the same time and in about twenty minutes we had accomplished what we came for. Juliana (love the name) was married to Cyril (a young Frenchmen) with Juliana's son acting as ring-bearer.
I Had taken care of the paperwork back at the apartment because I didn't expect the accommodations for writing would be very good at the park, and so with a few final congratulations and goodbyes I headed back home.
The drive back to the main land was so beautiful and the drive up 95 was easy with few cars to mar my progress and so I was home in a short time. I stopped at my favorite Italian place on the way and picked up a pizza to go. I had just pulled into my car port when the storm hit. Going inside I was thinking God had certainly been nice to my bride and groom and to me. He held up his storm so that we could have a beautiful, if windy time for the ceremony and then turned loose his fury after all was finished and I was safely home.
I changed into my comfy clothes, put a couple slices of pizza on a plate, curled up on my couch, turned on the TV and settled in for a nice quiet afternoon. My work finished for the day, wind and rain pounding outside while I snuggle warm inside. Life is good and I am blessed.
I received a call from Juliana in Miami on Saturday asking if I could do a wedding on Key Biscayne the following day.
I advertise "short notice" OK and I do try to9 accommodate when possible so I said I could do it.
She said they wanted to have the ceremony at 11:30 and we agreed to meet at her condo at 11:00.
The drive to Miami is not bad on a Sunday morning and i always give myself plenty of time because arriving late just sort of tears up my whole constitution so I was in the area, after about a 30 minute drive, by 10:30 am.
That was when the fun started. I had the address but still I drove up and down the street several times looking for the address.
Juliana is from Columbia and our communication left something to be desired and so it ended up with me finding a parking place, calling her and saying this is where I am and her coming to find me. The problem stemed from the fact that her building was not facing Brickell Ave, where the address was, but rahter facing on a little driveway that ran along the south side of the building rather than on the west side which was Brickell.
At any rate she found me, we drove to her apartment, less that two blocks away and hung out in the lobby for a few minutes while everyone assembled. lots of beautiful people, all speaking Spanish, except to me.
Juliana turned out to be an absolutely beautiful young woman, striking would be a good word here as well. She was wearing a form fitting, one shouldered dress in off white with a slit up one side which extended quite high. Her hair was long and dark dark brown. She looked like a Greek goddess.
This was Juliana's second marriage and she has a little seven year old boy who looked so much like my youngest grandson, it was amazing.
At any rate, it seems we were waiting for the groom, yes grooms run late just like some brides, but we finally were all assembled, got into our cars for the drive to the end of Key Biscayne. Actually to Bill Baggs Park. If you are not familiar with Key Biscayne and the park it is well worth your effort to take a trip there. The whole length of the Key is very pretty and the Park section at the end is quite large and wild looking.
I need to do some homework here on history. In the middle of the Key is an area called Crandon Park and I believe I am correct in saying this is the home of the original Crandon Park Zoo in Miami. I remember taking my kids there years ago. It has long since been replaced by Metro Zoo in Miami.
To continue...I love the Spanish, two minutes can be an hour and a ten minute drive can be much longer. Anyway the location they had chosen, ten minutes from the apartment. I didn't time it but it was a little longer than that but such a beautiful drive. The bridge over the bay which provides a beautiful skyline view of downtown Miami and then the drive through the residential and tourist area, the park areas, all nice and especially on a Sunday morning, free from heavy traffic.
We arrived at the parking lot, at the far end of the park and the weather was being so nice to us. We had been threatened with storms and rain but it was nice and sunny when we got out of our cars.
However just a short walk to the water and it was like going into a wind tunnel. I was totally unprepared for the transition from warm sunny day to storm blasts. The couple however had picked the spot and there is where we did the ceremony. What a wind blown group we all were. There were probably around twenty of us all together and the guest had to huddle close because my words were fairly ripped from my lips and blown away.
I must say everyone, except for a small child about a year old, handled it with great dignity (if you can be dignified and blown away at the same time and in about twenty minutes we had accomplished what we came for. Juliana (love the name) was married to Cyril (a young Frenchmen) with Juliana's son acting as ring-bearer.
I Had taken care of the paperwork back at the apartment because I didn't expect the accommodations for writing would be very good at the park, and so with a few final congratulations and goodbyes I headed back home.
The drive back to the main land was so beautiful and the drive up 95 was easy with few cars to mar my progress and so I was home in a short time. I stopped at my favorite Italian place on the way and picked up a pizza to go. I had just pulled into my car port when the storm hit. Going inside I was thinking God had certainly been nice to my bride and groom and to me. He held up his storm so that we could have a beautiful, if windy time for the ceremony and then turned loose his fury after all was finished and I was safely home.
I changed into my comfy clothes, put a couple slices of pizza on a plate, curled up on my couch, turned on the TV and settled in for a nice quiet afternoon. My work finished for the day, wind and rain pounding outside while I snuggle warm inside. Life is good and I am blessed.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Great New Shopping Spot
Hello and happy August to all you bloggers or readers of blogs. Wow has this been a hot summer or what. I feel like I have just become a recluse. It is so nice inside in the A/C and so hot when you venture out.
Good time to explore on the computer. Isn't it wonderful how you can find just almost anything you want online. I do a lot of searching for information online, new ideas which I might use in my wedding business, what's new in the art world that interests me, (I work in polymer clay and I also make purses from recycled jeans), and sometimes just to see what's new in the shopping world. I'm not much of a shopper for new merchandise, I have shopped flea markets and yard sales too long, but sometimes it's nice just to see what's new and exciting.
I found a really nice selection of merchandise this week at a site called become.com. They have a several categories, clothing, electronics, garden etc. The usual I guess. What caught my eye was some of the really nice clothing.You know, sometimes when I do go shopping the new merchandise I find is not as nice as the used stuff at the flea markets.
I remember when I was young I could go to a store or look through a catalog I would find just lots and lots of beautiful things which I would like to own. Now it is hard to find anything attractive. However on become.com I see some really beautiful dresses, surprise...
Try these links on become.com and see what you think. Navy sheath dress,
or click on tie back tankini. They have some really good mark down bargains as well. I know it's too hot to think of warm clothing but it will be here soon so take a look at this fleece lined rain jacket
Even though it is hot everywhere people are still getting married. I did a nice home wedding yesterday. They did opt to have the ceremony indoors rather than the back yard which they had planned. This morning I drove up to Juno Beach, just north of West Palm for a wedding in a Gazebo on a cute little lake. We were surrounded by ducks of many colors, turtles and other birds and wildlife. The weather was cool and overcast. There had been a little rain earlier. It was a beautiful spot for an outdoor wedding. Nice.
Remember if you are planning a south Florida wedding give me a call. I do really beautiful ceremonies, I know this because everyone tells me so. I would love to do your ceremony. My website TheSimpleWedding.com is just filled with all kinds of good ideas and information to help you plan your dream wedding...often on a shoestring. It can be done.
Stay well and stay cool...Donna
Good time to explore on the computer. Isn't it wonderful how you can find just almost anything you want online. I do a lot of searching for information online, new ideas which I might use in my wedding business, what's new in the art world that interests me, (I work in polymer clay and I also make purses from recycled jeans), and sometimes just to see what's new in the shopping world. I'm not much of a shopper for new merchandise, I have shopped flea markets and yard sales too long, but sometimes it's nice just to see what's new and exciting.
I found a really nice selection of merchandise this week at a site called become.com. They have a several categories, clothing, electronics, garden etc. The usual I guess. What caught my eye was some of the really nice clothing.You know, sometimes when I do go shopping the new merchandise I find is not as nice as the used stuff at the flea markets.
I remember when I was young I could go to a store or look through a catalog I would find just lots and lots of beautiful things which I would like to own. Now it is hard to find anything attractive. However on become.com I see some really beautiful dresses, surprise...
Try these links on become.com and see what you think. Navy sheath dress,
or click on tie back tankini. They have some really good mark down bargains as well. I know it's too hot to think of warm clothing but it will be here soon so take a look at this fleece lined rain jacket
Even though it is hot everywhere people are still getting married. I did a nice home wedding yesterday. They did opt to have the ceremony indoors rather than the back yard which they had planned. This morning I drove up to Juno Beach, just north of West Palm for a wedding in a Gazebo on a cute little lake. We were surrounded by ducks of many colors, turtles and other birds and wildlife. The weather was cool and overcast. There had been a little rain earlier. It was a beautiful spot for an outdoor wedding. Nice.
Remember if you are planning a south Florida wedding give me a call. I do really beautiful ceremonies, I know this because everyone tells me so. I would love to do your ceremony. My website TheSimpleWedding.com is just filled with all kinds of good ideas and information to help you plan your dream wedding...often on a shoestring. It can be done.
Stay well and stay cool...Donna
Friday, July 15, 2011
A special checkers set for my kid sister
A special checkers set for my kid sister
Guest post written by Cory Wilcox
I'm always seeing crazy looking things that are really colorful that remind me of my kid sister. It's almost like she's my niece or something because there's such a large age gap between us. But I think that also helps us relate better to each other without having to worry about things like having the same friends. She's such a free spirit. I mean she's very well grounded but she's so carefree and lively, that I kind of envy her for it. So every time I see something that's just really zany or colorful I instatnly think about her.
Her birthday is coming up in a few weeks and while I was looking online one night for some kind of gift that would capture her spirit, I ran across teh website http://www.Wirelessinternetproviders.net. After I looked through it a little bit, I decided to sign up for one fo the intenret service packages for my apartment that I saw on there.
I did find this one-of-a-kind checkers set that I think will be great for her. She's always loved playing the game anyway, so I know that she'll appreciate it.
Guest post written by Cory Wilcox
I'm always seeing crazy looking things that are really colorful that remind me of my kid sister. It's almost like she's my niece or something because there's such a large age gap between us. But I think that also helps us relate better to each other without having to worry about things like having the same friends. She's such a free spirit. I mean she's very well grounded but she's so carefree and lively, that I kind of envy her for it. So every time I see something that's just really zany or colorful I instatnly think about her.
Her birthday is coming up in a few weeks and while I was looking online one night for some kind of gift that would capture her spirit, I ran across teh website http://www.Wirelessinternetproviders.net. After I looked through it a little bit, I decided to sign up for one fo the intenret service packages for my apartment that I saw on there.
I did find this one-of-a-kind checkers set that I think will be great for her. She's always loved playing the game anyway, so I know that she'll appreciate it.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Let's Shape Up
Hello all you prospective brides and grooms...or wanna be brides and grooms. Summer is a great time for weddings and the weather is right for all your favorite places for a honeymoon. So what are you waiting for?
A summer honeymoon is probably going to involve a bathing suit, and a bathing suit requires, or at least suggests, a body that will be the best you can make it.
Have you heard about the latest method of getting rid of those bulges that just won't get it in the new bathing suit. It is called coolsculpting. It uses a new devise which cools the selected area to the point that your body will slowly eliminate the fat over a few months time. There is no cutting or needles.Just the cooling equipment.
At www.coolsculpting.com they explain their 12 weeks to change program. Take a chance and check it out if you have a few little bulges you would like to make go away. For information on their 12 week program click here.
While you're checking all this out be sure to visit their facebook page and Like them.
I am not guaranteeing Coolsculpting or this procedure, just sharing a little info which I have come across in my great web searching. Isn't it amazing all the stuff that is available to us 24 7. I think it is wonderful.
If you are all ready to say "I do", and if you would like to have your wedding on one of our beautiful south Florida beaches give me a call or e-mail me. Short notice is OK. If I have the time open and you give me an hour or so I will provide you with a wonderful, memorable wedding ceremony.
A summer honeymoon is probably going to involve a bathing suit, and a bathing suit requires, or at least suggests, a body that will be the best you can make it.
Have you heard about the latest method of getting rid of those bulges that just won't get it in the new bathing suit. It is called coolsculpting. It uses a new devise which cools the selected area to the point that your body will slowly eliminate the fat over a few months time. There is no cutting or needles.Just the cooling equipment.
At www.coolsculpting.com they explain their 12 weeks to change program. Take a chance and check it out if you have a few little bulges you would like to make go away. For information on their 12 week program click here.
While you're checking all this out be sure to visit their facebook page and Like them.
I am not guaranteeing Coolsculpting or this procedure, just sharing a little info which I have come across in my great web searching. Isn't it amazing all the stuff that is available to us 24 7. I think it is wonderful.
If you are all ready to say "I do", and if you would like to have your wedding on one of our beautiful south Florida beaches give me a call or e-mail me. Short notice is OK. If I have the time open and you give me an hour or so I will provide you with a wonderful, memorable wedding ceremony.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Shopping for a Simple Wedding
Shopping for a Simple Wedding
As an officiant I am always impressed at the ingenious ways people find to create their special wedding on a budget. There are so many ways to save money and still have a wedding to be remembered.
If you use a computer a lot then you probably already know how much you can save when you shop online. You can also find a much larger selection of just about everything.
While wandering online just recently I found www.become.com and I really like their layout and selections.Become.com puts many sites in one place so you don't need to remember so many websites.
Many people are still uncomfortable giving out credit card numbers and of course we should be very careful when using them. Some suggestions I have about shopping online with a credit card would be:
Use a card with a limited dollar amount, not tied to a band account.
Never use a debit card which could access your total bank balance and empty it.
Consider PayPal which I feel offers a little more protection.
I shop online quite a bit and so far I have always been happy with my purchases and I have had no problems with the use of my credit card.
So when you start planning your wedding just Google whatever products and services you need and then get comfortable there on the couch and search to your heart's content. Sure beats running all over town especially this time of year where the temp is so high.
Remember when you visit www.become.com and other sites which you like be sure to bookmark them so you can find them next time.
I also set up a file in my email section to save all my confirmation and shipping info after I have shopped.
Happy shopping and remember if you are getting married in south Florida and need someone to perform your ceremony, either in English or Spanish (or both) take a look at mywebsite TheSimpleWedding.com.
Oh yes, tbecome.com has a nice looking 3 carat diamond ring and 4 carat diamond ring. Check them out
Thanks for reading my blog...Donna
As an officiant I am always impressed at the ingenious ways people find to create their special wedding on a budget. There are so many ways to save money and still have a wedding to be remembered.
If you use a computer a lot then you probably already know how much you can save when you shop online. You can also find a much larger selection of just about everything.
While wandering online just recently I found www.become.com and I really like their layout and selections.Become.com puts many sites in one place so you don't need to remember so many websites.
Many people are still uncomfortable giving out credit card numbers and of course we should be very careful when using them. Some suggestions I have about shopping online with a credit card would be:
Use a card with a limited dollar amount, not tied to a band account.
Never use a debit card which could access your total bank balance and empty it.
Consider PayPal which I feel offers a little more protection.
I shop online quite a bit and so far I have always been happy with my purchases and I have had no problems with the use of my credit card.
So when you start planning your wedding just Google whatever products and services you need and then get comfortable there on the couch and search to your heart's content. Sure beats running all over town especially this time of year where the temp is so high.
Remember when you visit www.become.com and other sites which you like be sure to bookmark them so you can find them next time.
I also set up a file in my email section to save all my confirmation and shipping info after I have shopped.
Happy shopping and remember if you are getting married in south Florida and need someone to perform your ceremony, either in English or Spanish (or both) take a look at mywebsite TheSimpleWedding.com.
Oh yes, tbecome.com has a nice looking 3 carat diamond ring and 4 carat diamond ring. Check them out
Thanks for reading my blog...Donna
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Afghan brides need up to ten dresses for wedding
Wedding Officiants at TheSimpleWedding.com
Good morning to all my blog readers. That's really funny because I'm not sure if anyone is reading this. Where are all the comments?
Are you planning a wedding in the near future? Perhaps you are thinking about renewing your vows for your anniversary. I would be honored to provide your ceremony for either of those events.
I am very fortunate in living in an area which is very popular for wedding and renewals. Our beaches are so very nice and we are blessed with miles of them here in Broward county. I provide wedding ceremonies for many couples who come here from other states because they will be going on a cruise and leaving from Port Everglades. The price to be married on-board is quite expensive so I am a less expensive but very nice alternative.
If you are like so many people in today's world and you find yourself needing to be a little more frugal with your wedding plans take a look at my website TheSimpleWedding for some good ideas. In the section of articles you will also find some interesting facts about weddings.
I invite your comments on weddings or on my writing.
If you are like me you picture Afganistan as a place of poverty, mud houses and a shortage of everything. Well think again. Read the following article from Stars and Stripes...
Costly Afghan weddings under government scrutiny
BY JON GAMBRELL
Associated Press
AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe
WORLD VIDEO
LATEST NEWS
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Costly Afghan weddings under government scrutiny
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INTERACTIVES
Afghanistan: Shining a light on the dark
Efforts to rebuild Afghanistan
Afghanistan War's 1,000 U.S. Troop Casualties
AP Photographer Caught in GunFire
WIlling to fight, unable to read
AP journalists wounded in Afghanistan
U.S. troops under attack
Marine allegedly faked injuries to get freebies
BUY AP PHOTO REPRINTS
MULTIMEDIA
US troops spending Christmas
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- Some brides in Afghanistan change their outfits up to 10 times. Throw in the six-hour trips to the beauty parlors and the meals for 1,000 guests - and one wedding alone could bankrupt many Afghans.
Now the Justice Ministry is proposing limits on the lavish events to cut down on the pressure poor Afghans face to match the elite's elaborate weddings. The government is specifically targeting party halls - and threatening to fine owners who flout the austerity rules.
"It is breaking the back of the groom and of the family," Justice Minister Habibullah Ghaleb said of the lavish nuptials. "It creates an immoral corruption."
Under the proposed wedding law, which still needs to be passed by parliament, locations would be barred from allowing more than 300 attendees for an engagement party and more than 500 people at a wedding, Ghaleb said.
Those halls caught breaking the law would be subject to serious fines or other possible penalties. However, it remains unclear what enforcement powers authorities would have to go after the wedding halls, especially in a country where bribery remains common.
Other rules are aimed at protecting grooms' families from spending too much money on gifts for brides and their relatives. Brides would get only two dresses - one for an engagement party and one for the wedding. The law would restrict other gifts too, Ghaleb said without elaborating.
"We don't want to put pressure on the people," the minister said. "We want to put pressure on the wedding halls."
Afghan weddings traditionally took place in the home, with families and friends attending several events marking the groom and bride's union. Under Taliban rule, lavish ceremonies were forbidden.
But over the last decade, rich Afghans have begun renting out the country's top halls and hotels to host thousands of people for weddings and engagement parties, complete with gifts and tables heaped with food.
The frosted-glass wedding halls in Kabul appear like a neon dream of what Afghanistan could be amid the ruined roads and bullet-marred apartment buildings. And some believe the weddings that cost of tens of thousands of dollars hint at the graft strangling government and private life in Afghanistan.
"It is happiness for them, but for others, it is just fire," Ghaleb said.
Families around the world take out loans and run up credit card debt to throw lavish wedding celebrations for their children. But in Afghanistan, the average government employee earns just $50 to $100 a month, according to a recent U.S. Senate committee report.
But even a modest government paycheck won't even secure a deposit on a $1,500 wedding dress in Kabul or expensive gold jewelry.
The financial pressure multiplies across large families, as Afghan women on average have at least six children. Most borrow money from family members and friends to hold their weddings, as formal loans remain difficult to obtain.
Afghan families mostly shrug and accept the cost as a sign of tradition mashing into a country where ATMs now spit out U.S. dollars.
Hamid Walizada, 31, an interpreter for the U.S. military, said it took his family 10 months to put the money together for his wedding from friends and others. Others travel abroad to earn money, while some elope at the risk of arrest.
"Everything is expensive here," Walizada said outside of one dress shop. "Everybody is trying to find money and get married."
Wedding hall operators - not surprisingly - disagree with the proposed rules. However, they point to the Quran as guidance for large celebrations.
"We are following the history of our Prophet Muhammad," said Moula M. Paiman, president of the City Star Hall. "When he got married, thousands upon thousands attended the wedding. We are following that."
On a recent summer night, Paiman juggled three mobile phones and a walkie-talkie, trying organize the crowds and 300 employees at his wedding hall, ablaze with lights like a Las Vegas casino with the traffic to match.
He declined to say how many people could be seated inside, but the crowds suggested thousands. Most hall operators charge at least $10 a person.
Yet he took the time to smile with pride when asked about the two, towering crescent moons leading into the hall, luminescent against the flashing neon.
"See, on the way you came, it was a dark desert," he said. "Here it is beautiful."
---
Associated Press writer Amir Shah contributed to this report.
Good morning to all my blog readers. That's really funny because I'm not sure if anyone is reading this. Where are all the comments?
Are you planning a wedding in the near future? Perhaps you are thinking about renewing your vows for your anniversary. I would be honored to provide your ceremony for either of those events.
I am very fortunate in living in an area which is very popular for wedding and renewals. Our beaches are so very nice and we are blessed with miles of them here in Broward county. I provide wedding ceremonies for many couples who come here from other states because they will be going on a cruise and leaving from Port Everglades. The price to be married on-board is quite expensive so I am a less expensive but very nice alternative.
If you are like so many people in today's world and you find yourself needing to be a little more frugal with your wedding plans take a look at my website TheSimpleWedding for some good ideas. In the section of articles you will also find some interesting facts about weddings.
I invite your comments on weddings or on my writing.
If you are like me you picture Afganistan as a place of poverty, mud houses and a shortage of everything. Well think again. Read the following article from Stars and Stripes...
Costly Afghan weddings under government scrutiny
BY JON GAMBRELL
Associated Press
AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe
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KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- Some brides in Afghanistan change their outfits up to 10 times. Throw in the six-hour trips to the beauty parlors and the meals for 1,000 guests - and one wedding alone could bankrupt many Afghans.
Now the Justice Ministry is proposing limits on the lavish events to cut down on the pressure poor Afghans face to match the elite's elaborate weddings. The government is specifically targeting party halls - and threatening to fine owners who flout the austerity rules.
"It is breaking the back of the groom and of the family," Justice Minister Habibullah Ghaleb said of the lavish nuptials. "It creates an immoral corruption."
Under the proposed wedding law, which still needs to be passed by parliament, locations would be barred from allowing more than 300 attendees for an engagement party and more than 500 people at a wedding, Ghaleb said.
Those halls caught breaking the law would be subject to serious fines or other possible penalties. However, it remains unclear what enforcement powers authorities would have to go after the wedding halls, especially in a country where bribery remains common.
Other rules are aimed at protecting grooms' families from spending too much money on gifts for brides and their relatives. Brides would get only two dresses - one for an engagement party and one for the wedding. The law would restrict other gifts too, Ghaleb said without elaborating.
"We don't want to put pressure on the people," the minister said. "We want to put pressure on the wedding halls."
Afghan weddings traditionally took place in the home, with families and friends attending several events marking the groom and bride's union. Under Taliban rule, lavish ceremonies were forbidden.
But over the last decade, rich Afghans have begun renting out the country's top halls and hotels to host thousands of people for weddings and engagement parties, complete with gifts and tables heaped with food.
The frosted-glass wedding halls in Kabul appear like a neon dream of what Afghanistan could be amid the ruined roads and bullet-marred apartment buildings. And some believe the weddings that cost of tens of thousands of dollars hint at the graft strangling government and private life in Afghanistan.
"It is happiness for them, but for others, it is just fire," Ghaleb said.
Families around the world take out loans and run up credit card debt to throw lavish wedding celebrations for their children. But in Afghanistan, the average government employee earns just $50 to $100 a month, according to a recent U.S. Senate committee report.
But even a modest government paycheck won't even secure a deposit on a $1,500 wedding dress in Kabul or expensive gold jewelry.
The financial pressure multiplies across large families, as Afghan women on average have at least six children. Most borrow money from family members and friends to hold their weddings, as formal loans remain difficult to obtain.
Afghan families mostly shrug and accept the cost as a sign of tradition mashing into a country where ATMs now spit out U.S. dollars.
Hamid Walizada, 31, an interpreter for the U.S. military, said it took his family 10 months to put the money together for his wedding from friends and others. Others travel abroad to earn money, while some elope at the risk of arrest.
"Everything is expensive here," Walizada said outside of one dress shop. "Everybody is trying to find money and get married."
Wedding hall operators - not surprisingly - disagree with the proposed rules. However, they point to the Quran as guidance for large celebrations.
"We are following the history of our Prophet Muhammad," said Moula M. Paiman, president of the City Star Hall. "When he got married, thousands upon thousands attended the wedding. We are following that."
On a recent summer night, Paiman juggled three mobile phones and a walkie-talkie, trying organize the crowds and 300 employees at his wedding hall, ablaze with lights like a Las Vegas casino with the traffic to match.
He declined to say how many people could be seated inside, but the crowds suggested thousands. Most hall operators charge at least $10 a person.
Yet he took the time to smile with pride when asked about the two, towering crescent moons leading into the hall, luminescent against the flashing neon.
"See, on the way you came, it was a dark desert," he said. "Here it is beautiful."
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Associated Press writer Amir Shah contributed to this report.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Summer Weddings in Florida
Summer might have been slow in arriving this year but it is here in full force in south Florida.
Thank goodness for the really tough couples who can and will stand the heat in order to get married here in our beautiful area.
I performed a Hawaiian wedding in Fort Lauderdale a couple of week ago. It was such fun. The couple had ordered their leis from "the big island" and they were fresh and beautiful. Mine was made from yellow plumeria and so very fragrant.
They were staying at the Bahia Mar on the beach but chose to have their wedding in the little park like area right on the Intracoastal. Nice
If you are planning a Florida wedding give me a call and let me provide a beautiful wedding ceremony which you will long remember.
Please visit my website for lots of good wedding info.
Thank goodness for the really tough couples who can and will stand the heat in order to get married here in our beautiful area.
I performed a Hawaiian wedding in Fort Lauderdale a couple of week ago. It was such fun. The couple had ordered their leis from "the big island" and they were fresh and beautiful. Mine was made from yellow plumeria and so very fragrant.
They were staying at the Bahia Mar on the beach but chose to have their wedding in the little park like area right on the Intracoastal. Nice
If you are planning a Florida wedding give me a call and let me provide a beautiful wedding ceremony which you will long remember.
Please visit my website for lots of good wedding info.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Hi Donna,
thank you for performing such a nice ceremony. It was a perfect day!!
This was the note I received from Mary when I wrote to say her photos were on the way.
I always enjoy the weddings I do and some are a little more memorable than others, for different reasons. Mary and Chris picked a hotel on the beach in Miami for their wedding. They had only three guests and the day was very cloudy and rainy. As Sarah (my photographer) and I rode down to Miami from Fort Lauderdale we were wondering if we would find enough of a dry period to perform the wedding which was planned on the beach.
We arrived in a drizzle and found our couple and their guests waiting for us just outside the hotel. We walked to the beach and the sun came out beautifully, just like it had been scheduled to do so. While I pronounced them husband and wife the sun was shining and the day was beautiful.We had about 30 to 45 minutes of that beautiful sunshine.
The company was great, we laughed and joked about the dark clouds which were forming all around us and just as Sarah finished taking pictures the big drops began to fall and we had to dash back to the shelter of the hotel.
It was a fun wedding and we all enjoyed it.
Sarah and I headed back to Fort Lauderdale in a downpour but just for the time we needed we had sunshine on the beach as Mary and Chris became Mr and Mrs. Congratulations to the newlyweds
Saturday, May 15, 2010
The weekend of weddings
Mother's Day weekend was a weekend of weddings for me. My weekend started on Friday evening, on the beach with Danielle and Jason. Jason had just returned from over seas with his National Guard unit. After the wedding I drove them down to the Hollywood Broadwalk where they were going to have their wedding dinner at one of the many restaurants which sit right on the walkway with the ocean just steps away.
It is a beautiful place to "people watch" anytime and it can be a very romantic location for newlyweds.
As with all my brides and grooms I enjoyed getting to meet them and to spend a little part of their special day.
My second weekend wedding was that of Anna and Paul. They choose Fern Forest in Coconut Creek for both their wedding ceremony and for their reception. If you live in the Fort Lauderdale area and you would like a "Nature" type wedding Fern Forest might be for you. They have a beautiful covered over, open space for the ceremony which feels like you are above the forest and then the reception was held in a enclosed room one level up. The room is really nice and big with a wonderful kitchen and of course they have the tables, chairs and a portable dance floor.
My grandsons, Spencer and Chase set the room up and then broke it down after the reception. If you need a good set up crew give me a call.
Anna and Paul had a beautiful wedding ceremony including a reading by a best friend and a solo by another.
The food for the reception was provided by a lady who does Cuban food. Great.(see my website http://www.thesimplewedding.com for information for contacting the service providers I meet and recommend.
Sunday morning I started off with a beach wedding on Fort Lauderdale beach. It was already hot by 10:00AM when we met by the Yankee Clipper hotel on A1A. The beach crowd wasn't too bad at that hour but it was filling up fast.
This couple, Corina and Chris came from Texas to be married. Their guests included the grooms mother and I believe the bride's sister and her son. They were really a nice group and as in almost every wedding there was an abundance of love filling the air. Corina told me before the wedding that they would only be doing the bride's ring because they had not been able to find a ring large enough for the groom. When I talked to Corina after they had returned home to Texas she said they were still looking for that large ring.She told me the size and I didn't even know rings came in a size so large.
Onward to number four on my mother's day weekend.This one was so cute. Sharla and Dante had decided to surprise their families with a mother's day wedding. I arrived prior to the family members and when they arrived, after the family hugs and kisses I was introduced as "Donna marrieds people". The look I received was "well that's nice". It went right over everyone's head for awhile until Dante said something like "Sharla and I are getting married today, Donna is here to marry us". The looks of pleasure and surprise were priceless. This lovely couple had already started their family. They were already the parents of a beautiful little baby boy named Dante, for his father.
This wedding took place in a beautiful condo apartment overlooking the intra coastal waterway at Sunrise Blvd. Great view of the water and also Birch State Park just across the street.
And so to number five. Back to the beach, this time just on the south side of the Yankee Clipper. Actually we walked through the Marriott hotel (which sits on the beach back from A1A) to their beach for the wedding. It is a nice location and the pool area of the Marriott is a great place for pictures with waterfalls and different levels around the pool.
Donna and Tom came down from Chicago for their beach wedding. They were going to Turks and Cacos(s) Islands for their honeymoon.
They had an interesting story to share about how they met. Donna had recently moved to Chicago when she went out one night and got lost. She stopped to ask for help with directions. Tom gave her directions and the rest is now history. It seems like the night out for Tom was unusual so perhaps this was fate. You know if it's meant to be it will be. How do you feel about that?
My granddaughter Sarah, who works as my photographer (she didn't take the pictures in this article, I took them with my Iphone.) did the photography for Anna and Paul and then for Donna and Tom.
The pictures at the top of this post are from left to right:Sharla and Dante, Corina and Chris (and me), Jason and Danielle and Donna and Tom. I didn't get a picture of Anna and Paul but I did take a picture of the setup of their reception room at Fern Forest. Sarah has promised some pictures so as soon as I get them I will post them.
Please send interesting stories about your wedding or a wedding you have attended.
Remember if you are planning a wedding in south Florida and you need an officiant, a photographer or a good setup crew give me a call 954-254-6216 or email me mckei@earthlink.net
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Wedding on the Gold course
Well I sort of goofed...I didn't get a picture of the bride and groom. Brian and Tatiana's wedding was a very nice affair at the Hillcrest Country Club in Hollywood Fl. As you can see from the picture which I took while I was waiting for everyone to get it all together, it was a beautiful location.
While I waited I watched the golfers driving by in their golf carts or playing from the two greens which were close by.
Here in the Fort Lauderdale Hollywood area we have many communities with Country Clubs. In some of them you must be members, or know someone who is in order to use their facilities but in others they will rent out the facilities to anyone. Their prices are cheaper, in many cases, than the local venues which specialize in weddings and receptions. You might want to check some of these places out.
Many of them have beautiful outside areas where you can have your ceremony and they usually have very nice rooms for reception.
You will then choose your DJ, Officiant and Photographer and you're ready to go.
Do you have ideas for wedding locations or special little hints to make the day even more special? If you do please share them with us.
Thanks for reading "Florida Weddings by Donna"
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Name Change
As you can see my blog has a new name.
Little run in with someone who seems to think I am a threat to her business name. Even thought we do different things but Oh well. Life is too short to lose a lot of sleep over things.
I have done several weddings which I have not written about and I will be getting up to date again soon. Hope you will comment with stories of your weddings.
I will be doing three weddings this weekend. A park wedding, a beach wedding and a rooftop wedding. I should have pictures, if I don't forget to take them.
Take care....Donna
Little run in with someone who seems to think I am a threat to her business name. Even thought we do different things but Oh well. Life is too short to lose a lot of sleep over things.
I have done several weddings which I have not written about and I will be getting up to date again soon. Hope you will comment with stories of your weddings.
I will be doing three weddings this weekend. A park wedding, a beach wedding and a rooftop wedding. I should have pictures, if I don't forget to take them.
Take care....Donna
Monday, April 12, 2010
Elizabeth and James
Meet James and Elizabeth. They were married this past Saturday on the beach in Hollywood Florida. What a really super group of people. The really amazing thing about doing weddings is that in most cases I only meet them at the wedding. And of course I meet their guests at the wedding as well. Many times there are no guest or only a couple and in other cases, as this wedding turned out to be there are quite a few guests.
As you can see by the picture on the left we had a nice gathering, on the beach, with the surf and the sand and a single palm tree. What you can't see is an arch which the group is surrounding in the picture.
It was a very windy day and I was worried that the arch would blow over (they are inclined to do that) but the guys that set it up piled enough sand around the base to hold it in place.
James was the nervous groom type, told me in advance he didn't want to say much so I did most of the talking and only gave him a small part. He seemed happy with the way it turned out.
Elizabeth looked lovely in her white gown and seemed much more at ease then her groom.
When I arrived at their hotel about 30 minutes before the appointed time James met me looking far too casual for a groom...told me he wouldn't be getting married in his t-shirt and shorts. True to his word, somehow within a short time, after supervising some of the setup he disappeared and came back looking like a groom...and nervous.
The day was looking very much like rain. I was keeping my fingers crossed and asking "are they almost ready, we don't want to get rained on?" As is usually my luck the rain held off and if not for a high rise apartment which was blocking the sun we would have had a beautifully sunny evening. I lightened the photos a little, it wasn't quite that sunny. But we made it. got them married and I was off with my grandson Nate (who was visiting from Palm Bay) for dinner on the Broadwalk.
Elizabeth and James were both lovely people as were their guests. So many times I leave these weddings thinking how nice it would be to get to know the people better. But that's not the way things work out so I just enjoy meeting very nice people in passing and move on to the next.
I am finding that if I make certain to take a couple of quick shorts with my Iphone and then blog about each wedding I am creating a memory of the people I meet. It's a cool thing to do.
Actually with this Blogspot the opportunity exists to have your blog made into a book so perhaps Iwill just create volumes. I wish I had done this years ago.
Oh well better late than never.
Congratulations Elizabeth and James and say hi to all your lovely guests.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
A Very nice experience
Erin and Sinan were married yesterday evening on the beach in Hollywood Fl. What a sweet couple they are. They were accompanied by Sinan's brother who was doing a great job taking pictures. Erin had contacted me just a week or so ago, sort of last minute but I'm fine with last minute weddings as long as I have a few hours to put a ceremony together for them.
They were driving over from the west coast of Florida to be married and Erin sent me a little bit of background on the two of them which includes Irish Catholic, a hippy parent and a young man from another country.
I always enjoy watching the expressions on the couples faces during the ceremony, especially the vows and the moment when I say "I now pronounce you as husband and wife".
Sinan's remark was "Am I really married now".
I truly enjoyed meeting this couple and his Sinan's brother. To complete the evening, They had walked quite some way up the beach from their hotel to the location we had decided on for the ceremony. It had turned out to be much farther than they had anticipated and so after the ceremony I ask if they would like a ride back to the hotel. They said they would but when we got in my car it failed to start. Never happened before. The guys said they would push the car to get it started, thank goodness for a standard transmission, and it worked quite well.
I drove them back to their hotel, we said goodbye and we parted ways.
The sad part of my life as a wedding officiant is that I only get to spend a very short time with the couples for whom I perform wedding ceremonies. It is amazing that you can feel so close to someone with whom you spend only a very short time. But I do.
And so until the next wedding that I will blog about I will say bye and have a great day. If you or someone you know is planning a beach wedding in the Fort Lauderdale area and I can be of service please visit my website thesimplewedding.com
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Pictures from Eric and Tessa's Beach Wedding
Here are some pictures of the last wedding which I performed on the beach in Pompano. This is Eric and his new bride Tessa. The day was overcast and windy but nice non the less. It was very nice to meet two new cousins (Eric and his brother Brad) even very distant cousins.
Tessa was an adorable bride and I wish the two of them a lifetime filled with love and happiness.
First Kiss as husband and wife
First Kiss as husband and wifeJust before their wedding.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Found a Cousin at a Wedding
Being a wedding officiant is always fun but it is even more so when the unexpected happens.
I received a call on Saturday from a young man looking for someone to do a ceremony. Very last minute. Wanted to get married the next day.
I had the time available so I said yes we could schedule his ceremony. Ask his name and when he gave it to me I had to ask where he was from. His last name was the same as my maiden name and it isn't very common. Since his family had originally been in WV I knew the chances were very good that we were related.
Did his wedding yesterday and during conversation with Eric and his brother Brad we confirmed our connection. How nice. Cousins very greatly removed but still cousins.
So their wedding, on the beach in Pompano was nice, very very windy but thankfully we missed the rain. If the wedding had been today we would have been in trouble. I think there was a tornado touch down here in Broward county in Oakland Park just a couple hours ago.
Eric and Tessa's guests included Eric's brother Brad and his mother.
I intend to post some pictures of the wedding but today the server for uploading seems to be having some problems. I will try it again later or tomorrow and write a little more when I can have photos for you.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Wedding on the River in Fort Lauderdale
Today was a beautiful day in Fort Lauderdale, and a beautiful day for a wedding in the park, on the river in Fort Lauderdale.Catherine and John are from Memphis Tenn and they will be going on a honeymoon cruise out of Fort Lauderdale.
They had a small gathering of friends and family most of whom I think came down from Tenn and Ga. I only spent a short time with the bride and groom and their guests but I got a lot of very good vibes. What a nice group they were.
Both Catherine and John had written their own vows and they did such a great job I could have just limited myself to the" do you take this man/woman". Seriously I have done many weddings where the bride and groom wrote their vows, and most of the time they are really nice. These were right up there with the best. I enjoyed preforming their wedding ceremony and I wish them a life filled with wonderful things and blessed with love. They are a wonderful couple and Catherine was just a beautiful bride.
The location of this wedding was in one of the gazebos in Linear Park, just west of the railroad tracks on Riverwalk. It is very popular spot for weddings and there were one or possibly two other weddings going on in the other locations there along the river.
Also located in the area is the old New River Inn and the King Kromarti (Sp) house, both historic structures. There is also a very nice restaurant (I'm sorry I've forgotten the name) that is situated in the old Bryant homes also on the river.
If you're looking for a nice place to hold an outdoor wedding take a look at this area. It truly is beautiful. For information you can call the Parks and Recreation dept of the City of Fort Lauderdale.
If you're looking for information about having a wedding in Fort Lauderdale or if you need an officiant for your wedding please contact me . Visit my website www.thesimplewedding.com
I can provide an officiant for ceremonies in Spanish as well.
Let me know what your favorite wedding spot is. Have a great day....Donna
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