learning, loving, living

ah gawd Naeem’s finally married! :)

Posted by sieni on March 26th, 2007 — Posted in Family, Trips

Hard to believe We just returned from a weekend away in Prague and Hluboka for the marriage of our dearest cousin Naeem and his beautiful bride Maryam. Oh my gosh, where do I begin to describe this radiant couple?! Absolutely beautiful and smiley and loving and, as Nasime said at their ceremony (she was the MC), absolutely perfect for each other The wedding itself was beautiful as all weddings are, but this wedding was sooo enjoyable to be present at. So relaxed and fun and humorous, the setting delicately decorated and romantic. It was truly an international affair with guests traveling from all over Europe, the States, Samoa and of course Haifa to attend. There were also many familiar ex-staff from the World Centre which was so lovely to see. The wedding lasted about 10 hours from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. (I knooow!) at a lovely hotel in Hluboka called the Park Hotel. The couple entered the ceremony under a canopy of what looked like to be coconut leaves/ferns held by their friends and family; the seats were covered in fine Samoan mats; and the rings placed in a Samoan kava bowl with rose petals. It was so heartwarming to see Samoan elements mixed with European. The temps inside the ceremony area also reached about 30 degrees celcius despite the freezing cold rain outside. The ceremony was simple and dignified as most Baha’i marriage ceremonies are, bringing together a blend of prayers and Baha’i Writings in several languages and musical instruments. The reception was a formal sit-down buffet dinner (such good food!), and Shamim (groom’s bro) and Neysan (bride’s bro) entertained guests as the MC’s with funny stories of the couple. Naeem and Maryam had no plans, no idea of what programme the reception would entail, this was left up entirely to their siblings, cousins, and friends There were songs sung by friends; powerpoint presentations of the couple; videos of their friends sending their best wishes from Haifa and Australia; an Island dance performed by Sham and Sahar (groom’s siblings); Samoan siva performed elegantly by Nasime; Neguin (from Spain, yes our orientation Neguin! singing her infamous blue-eyes like the sky, brown eyes like the ground song; Samoan taualuga; couple’s cuuute first dance; cake cutting; and of course dancing the night away. Naeem melted a lot of hearts when he surprised Maryam with a song “Earth Angel” on the guitar. He introduced the song as one dedicated to “the most beautiful girl in the world looking at me right now” aww! haha, auu stob your faa-cheesy. Sorry ladies! The lady I felt sorry for that night though was my poor Tara. Kalofae si au kama. Too much excitement and noise and not enough sleep time. Ok, here are a few pics for now cos I know you’re all DYING to see them and for me to zip up. These are just a few of the thousands upon thousands taken, but they will all soon be up in our gallery so you can check back laterz.