Weddings In Rockford

Ask Mrs. C

I have recently converted to Judiaism.  Now that i am Jewish (my fiance' was raised Jewish) we have alot of questions about a Jewish wedding ceremony.  My first question is:  What is a "Huppah", and what do we do with it?

Congratulations on your conversion and your engagement!  While there are alot of traditional wedding rituals to consider in a Jewish ceremony it is not something that you need to be scared of.  A Chuppah is usually a canopy that is held overhead/aloft on four poles.  Many couples use a prayer shawl (tallit) belonging to a family member.  The Chuppah is a symbol of the home of the newly married couple.  It has also symbolized the tents of the tribes of Israel.  If you have any more questions please call or email me.

I am getting married for the second time to a wonderful guy, but i am feeling guilty about it.  My first husband passed away three years ago.  Do you have any suggestions on how to get pass the guilty feelings i am having?

First of all, congratulations on your engagement.  Second, it is perfectly natural for feelings of guilt while planning your second wedding.  You feel guilty and sad that you have "moved on" and that you feel happy with a new partner.  While i am not a counselor may i suggest talking to your pastor/clergyman or relationship counselor or you can go to Youngwidowsandwidowers.com. 

I was looking at your website and i wanted to know what the "VIP Package" is?

The VIP Package was made for the couple who wants to customize/make their own package.  That way you only get what you ask for.  For more package descriptions go to Triwed.com

Hi, i have been looking for the "Family Medallion" to present to my daughter at my wedding ceremony.  Do you know where i can find one?

You can usually get one from your wedding officiant or you can go to my wedding accessories website.  Good luck on your nuptials.

Verdi Club another hidden gem in the stateline area

For over 85 years the Verdi Club has taken pride over the numerous wedding receptions they have hosted.  Located at 728 North Madison in Rockford, right on the riverfront, they have a beautiful waterfront view to show your guests.  Call 968-8119 for pricing and availability.

Hidden gem for your reception

The community building complex of Boone County was built in 1939 next to the old Belvidere High School as an auditorium and gymnasium.  The building has been preserved, renovated and improved with the installation of new heating and air conditioning systems, modern rest rooms including fully-accessible rest rooms for the handicapped, and elevator and a complete catering kitchen conveniently located adjacent to the downstairs banquet room.  The venue is located at 111 West First Street in Belvidere and the phone number is 547-3928.

Franchesco's Is Finally Open!

Having been in the restaurant business since 1986 they know a thing or two about serving great food in a wonderful atmosphere.  They also have the room to do wonderful wedding receptions.  Franchesco's is finally open to the public and i cannot wait to try out the new chef.  I do know that they will do a fantastic job of taking care of you if you do decide to have your reception there.  They are located at 7128 Perry Creek Parkway in Rockford and the phone number is 229-0800.

Makeup sale at Confident Image going on now!

Michele Lindenfelser at Confident Image is having a makeup sale in honor of May being skin cancer awareness month.  Save up to 50% on selected items now until May 31, 2009.  Call 332-2051 for more information.

Lost wedding ring found in Africa

From the AP

*******

Rochester, Minn.

A man lost his wedding ring in Rochester, but found it again in Africa.

Back in March, 59-year-old Bob Mack was with a group of church volunteers packing a cargo container with donated medical equipment and supplies bound for a new hospital in Guinea.

Hours after the 20-foot long container was loaded onto a tractor-trailer and began its long journey east, Mack realized his white gold ring wasn't on his finger.

Weeks passed as the container traveled to Africa by boat.  Then Mack got good news on Easter Sunday.  The container arrived safely, and someone there had found his ring.

For now Mack's ring is staying in Guinea, where a doctor is holding it for him.  A group from Mack's church is expected to go there this fall and will bring it back with them.

Madonna and Jesus Luz to "Marry" in Kabbalah Ceremony

From thewest.com.au

*******

Madonna and Jesus Luz are getting married.

The Brazilian model's father Luis Heitor Pinto da Luz has revealed the couple are planning a Kabbalah ceremony to have their union recognized by the mystical Jewish faith followed by the 50-year-old singer.

However, their union will not be legally binding.

Luis Luz said, "The Kabbalah ceremony in New York that will link up my son Jesus Luz and Madonna only confirms that he is extremely happy.  I don't know if there will, in fact be a real marriage between Madonna and my son.  It will be a type of ritual, but I do not know Kabbalah or if the ceremony will have legal validity."

Luis Luz - who confirmed the couple are living together in New York - revealed his 22-year-old son has bonded well with the star's three children, Lourdes, 12, Rocco, eight and David, three.

He told Brazil's Quem magazine:  "She has small children and Jesus helps her out with various tasks involving all of them.  He plays ball with the kids.  Jesus has charisma and loves children."

Despite the 28-year age gap between Madonna and Jesus Luz, Luis Luz insists he approves of their relationship.

He said, "I've spoken by phone with Madonna - in French, because my English is not fluent - and she appears to me to be a normal and polite person.  She is feminine.  I don't feel she is a harsh person."

Madonna announced last October she was divorcing British film director Guy Ritchie after almost eight years of marriage.

Mother of the Bride Dilemma

Your the Mother of the Bride, Grandmother of the Bride, Aunt of the Bride, etc. and you have no idea what to get the bride for a gift.  Here are some suggestions:

Very Important Bride Package:  This encompasses 4 services into one convenient package.  The services include:  Honeymoon turndown service, RSVP service, Wedding Errands and Gown Preservation.  Cost $345

Day of Coordinating Package:  Right now there is a sale on this package.  Cost $500  This price is good until May 26, 2009.  Package description...

Honeymoon Turndown Service:  A romantic decorating of the wedding suite/bedroom.  Cost $45  Call or email me for more information.  Phone:  (815)544-5969     email:  Theresa@triwed.com

If you would like more ideas and suggestions give me a call or email me.

Amy Adams Engaged

From Contactmusic.com

*******

Amy Adams, Enchanted star is determined to keep her upcoming wedding as low-key as possible; she wants to elope with fiance' Darren Le Gallo and wed in secret. 

The couple became engaged summer 2008 after Le Gallo proposed during a night in New York.  And although they haven't set a date for the wedding, Adams, 34, insists she won't be throwing a star-studded party to celebrate her nuptials.  She say's, "After Enchanted the idea of being in a big, white dress is not as exciting as one would think.  I have a feeling that one day we will wake up and decide to get married and we'll just go off and do it.  Actually i would like a wedding that was just over.  Isn't that unromantic? 

"There is so much emphasis on having the perfect wedding and I think that's great if it's something you have fantasized about your whole life, but that's never been my fantasy."

Couple With Family Ties To Titanic To Be Wed Among Artifacts

From the AP

Milwaukee, WI

*******

A couple with a special connection to the Titanic plan to marry among the ship's artifacts at the Milwaukee Public Museum.

Melissa Vartanian, 28, and Vache Mikaelian, 31, will wed Friday at "Titanic:  The Artifact Exhibition."

Melissa Varanian's great-grandfather, David Vartanian, was fleeing Turkish occupation in Armenia when he boarded the Titanic.  He planned to later send for his new bride, Mary.

When the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912 (Vartanian's 22nd birthday) he survived by hanging on the side of a lifeboat.  It took him about six years after he recovered to find his wife by searching through newspapers, churches, orphanages and sending numerous letters to Armenia, Melissa Vartanian said.  Then it took another five or so years for the couple to be reunited.

Melissa Vartanian said her great-grandparents died before she was born, but she grew up hearing about their story, which she called "the greatest love story I've ever known."

"This is amazing," she said.  "This would be a great tribute to this amazing love story and great tribute for my family."

Viewers picked the couple as the winners of a wedding contest run by WTMJ-TV and its morning talk show.  The television station paid for the rehearsal dinner, reception, honeymoon, bride's dress and other costs.

About 1,500 people died when the so-called "unsinkable" ship sank after striking an iceberg on its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in 1912.  The Milwaukee exhibit runs until May 25.

Visitors receive boarding passes for someone who was on the ship, along with some biographical information, and at the end of the exhibit, they learn whether their person survived.  David Vartanian's boarding pass will be included in the wedding programs for their 100 guests, Melissa Vartanian said.

The rehearsal dinner also will have a Titanic theme.  A local restaurant will provide a four-course dinner once served on the ship; beef consommee', oysters, filet mignon, and Waldorf pudding.

Vartanian said she and her fiance' have visited the Milwaukee exhibit along with other Titanic exhibits in other cities.  She said some people might think it's a bad omen to get married among Titanic memorabilia, but she doesn't.

"The Titanic doesn't symbolize death and destruction," she said.  "It was a journey toward a better life, even though it had challenges."