The season is getting really busy so please reach out to one of our consultants to arrange your first consultation. It is our goal to help you create the most memorable event possible, we want your guests to leave with envy because your Kreayesions Planned Event was a smash.  We specialize in Weddings and Events, Corporate and Private. Special Events, Social Events, Non-Profit Events, Fundraisers, and all Entertainment Events.

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Africa Wedding Tradition

Morocco, one of the gems of the North Africa, is the country with very rich and active traditions. Like other cultures of the world, a Moroccan wedding is a great gala event. It’s celebrated in three stages with great fun and festivity.

• The Hammam: A pre-wedding ceremony, women and friends of the bride have a party where the bride is given a milk bath in the hammam, which includes a black soap to purify the bride.

• The Henna: The Nekkacha, a specialist paints the hands and feet of the bride and her party. The bride’s hands are painted with intricate designs which are usually floral and geometrical designs to ward off evil spirits.

• The Ceremony: The Neggafates dresses the bride & groom in their traditional attire that is customary to the different regions of Morocco in which they exchange their rings. After the ceremony refreshments of milk and eating of dates are served to symbolize life‘s sweetness and fruitfulness and the newlyweds go around the room on an Amariya carried by young men dressed for the occasion.

Historic Moroccan Wedding Traditions

A traditional wedding of a bride from Morocco is expensive and impressive. The dowry is paid before a notary and is spent on the bride's trousseau and new furniture. The jewelry she receives must be made of gold (rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings). During the engagement period, (which usually lasts six months to two years) the prospective groom sends his bride-to-be gifts of cloth, gowns and perfume on feast days. Five days before the wedding, a mattress, blankets, and other necessities are carried into the bridal chamber. The bride is given a bath in the hammam. Her female wedding attendants, called negassa, closely supervise. She is applied make up (including henna-stained designs) to her hands and feet. She is then dressed in her embroidered wedding finery of white robes. She is then placed behind a curtain, symbolizing her transition to a new life. The next evening the bride, while sitting on a round table, is carried on the shoulders of her wedding attendants as they are singing and shouting walking to the bridal chamber. This ritual of carrying her to the bridal chamber while festivities go on happens for the next seven days. The wedding attendants stand behind a screen to verify the bride's virginity and witness her defloration. After a second ritual bath, the wedding attendants leave the house and the couple is left alone.

Ankole Wedding Traditions

Ankole was a most important lake kingdom in prestige and population. The king owned all the cattle and theoretically owned all its women. Hima fathers were anxious to call attention to their daughters because the king gave generous wedding gifts. Should she marry her husband would be a future king and that meant her family would share the glory. Slim girls were unfit for royalty so those girls whom the king found to be of interest to marry one of his sons were force fed with milk until very heavy, barely able to walk.

Pygmie Wedding Traditions

Pygmie engagements were not long and usually formalized by an exchange of visits between the families concerned. The groom to be would bring a gift of game or maybe a few arrows to his new in-laws, take his bride home to live in his band and with his new parents. His only obligation is to find among his relatives a girl willing to marry a brother or male cousin of his wife. If he feels he can feed more than one wife, he may have additional wives.

Nile Wedding Traditions

Along the Nile, if a man wishes to see his sons well married, he must have numerous sheep, goats and donkeys. When marriage negotiations are underway, the father of the bride will insist that each of her close relatives be given livestock. The grooms problem is to meet the demands while holding enough cattle to support his bride. Similar to our custom of sending wedding invitations and expecting gifts in return, he makes the rounds of relatives getting contributions for his bridal herd. Each day for a series of wedding days there is a special event. On the first day, or the wedding day, the groom arrives at the bride's homestead wearing a handsome leopard skin draped over his cowhide cape. Usually that will be all. Nilotes are devoted nudists. Clay, ash, feathers, sandals and a necklace are considered ample dress for any occasion. The bride wears the beaded apron and half skirt of the unmarried girl. After the private cattle negotiations are publicly and elaborately re-enacted, the bride is taken to the groom's homestead and installed in the compound of her eldest co-wife until a separate place can be prepared for her.

Congo(Zaire) Wedding Traditions of the Woyo People

Marriage is a key moment that follows immediately after initiation among many peoples because both events serve to break the bonds of the individual with childhood and the unmarried state, and to reintegrate the individual into the adult community. Among the Woyo people,a young woman is given a set of carved pot lids by her mother when she marries and moves to her husband's home. Each of the lids is carved with images that illustrate proverbs about relations between husband and wife. If a husband abuses his wife in some way or if the wife is unhappy, she serves the husband's supper in a bowl that is covered with a lid decorated with the appropriate proverb. She can make her complaints public by using such a lid when her husband brings his friends home for dinner.

Zambian Wedding Traditions

To demonstrate the differences of African culture, here are some examples of several Zambian weddings. Although these weddings take place in the same country, difference provinces have different ways of approaching the marriage ceremony. The common thread is the closeness of the bridal family to achieve the goal of a wedding and lasting relationship. Marriage payments are to the family of the bride rather than to the brides parents.
Courtship

In traditional Zambian society, a man marries a women, a woman never marries a man. It is taboo if a woman seeks out a man for marriage. In Namwanga, a young man is allowed to find a girl. He proposes and gives her an engagement token called Insalamu. This is either beads or money to show his commitment. It also shows that the girl has agreed to be married. His parents then approve or disapprove his choice. Should they reject his choice, he starts to look again. If they agree, then the marriage procedure begins. A man who has reached the age for marrying in the Ngoni society looks for a girl of marriageable age. Once he has selected someone, the two agree to marry and tell their respective relatives.

The Lamba or Lima mother started the process of finding a girl for her son to marry. She would search for an initiated girl known locally as ichisungu or moye. (An uninitiated girl was not for marriage until she reached puberty or initiation age.) The mother of the man visited neighboring villages looking for the right unmarried initiated girl. When she found one - one whom was from a good family according to her judgments, not the son's, she would go to the mother of the girl and tell her that she wanted her son to marry her daughter. The mother would then discuss this with her daughter, the man's mother would return home and come back a few days later for an answer. Many Bemba men began their marriages by first engaging young girls below the age of puberty. The young girl is not consulted with at all.

The girl would go to her future husband's house, sometimes alone, most often with friends after the marriage price was negotiated. On her first trip to his house she did not talk to him or enter his house without small presents being given to him. She would then speak to him and do a lot of housework for him. She would do what she thought was good for her future husband. This period of courtship was known as ukwisha. During this period, she was responsible for the man's daily food. The groom had to build his own house in the village where he was living, or in the village of his parents-in-law.

Marriage Arrangements

The go-between to initiate the marriage negotiatios is the commonalty of all marriage arrangements in

Zambia. In Namwanga, the man's parents arrange for a Katawa Mpango. This is a highly respected person representing the groom's interests. The groom's family gets ready and decides on a day to visit the girl's family. The girl, after receiving the Insalamu, takes it to her grandmother. This is the official way her family is informed. Her grandmother informs her parents and the family. They either accept or reject the proposal. Whatever the decision, they then wait for the man's family to approach them by way of the Katawa Mpango. When he visits, he traditionally will take a manufactured hoe, wrapped in cloth with a handle. The hoe is a symbol for the earth, for cultivation, for fertilization. He carries white beads and small amount of money. The beads and money are put in a small plate covered with another small plate of equal size. The go-between must know the house of the girl's mother.

Traditionally, he knocks on the door and is invited in. Dramatically he falls on his back and claps his hands. This is to indicate to the girls marriage panel that he is on a marriage mission. Then he places the hoe and plates on the floor halfway between the marriage panel and himself. He then explains his mission and is asked many questions by the girl's family. If no decision is made by the girl's family, the hoe is taken back, beads and money are taken by the girl's family. If a decision of rejection is reached that day, the hoe is taken back. If they accept, the plates are opened and the hoe is accepted once the girl acknowledges she knows the source. The go-between reports to the man's family. If the answer is positive, the family starts to prepare marriage payments and a marriage council is instituted to look into affairs.

The go-between returns on a specified day for details on the marriage payments. When he returns, exotic foods are prepared for his second journey by the man's family. In pre-colonial period, the marriage payment included cattle (four or more), chickens and a cow (if the girl was a virgin). This payment went to the mother in appreciation for giving birth to the girl. Other payments are demanded nowadays -- a chitenge cloth, canvas shoes and a dress -- 2 blankets, a pair of shoes and a suit for the father.

This Weeks Featured Region is Bangladesh and Africa

Bangladeshi Wedding Traditions

A traditional wedding is arranged by Ghotoks (matchmakers), who are typically friends or relatives of the couple. The matchmakers facilitate the introduction, and also help agree the amount of any settlement.

Bengali weddings are traditionally in five parts: first it is the bride and groom's Mehendi Shondha, the bride's Gaye Holud, the groom's Gaye Holud, the Beeya and the Bou Bhaat. These often take place on separate days. The first event in a wedding is an informal one: the groom presents the bride with a ring marking the "engagement" which is gaining popularity.
For the mehendi shondha the bride's side apply henna to each other as well as the bride For the bride's Gaye Holud, the groom's family - except the groom himself - go in procession to the bride's home

Bride's friends and family apply turmeric paste to her body as a part of Gaye Hoof bride, and they are traditionally all in matching clothes, mostly orange in colour. The bride is seated on a dais, and the henna is used to decorate the bride's hands and feet with elaborate abstract designs.

The sweets are then fed to the bride by all involved, piece by piece.
The actual wedding ceremony "Beeye" follows the Gaye Holud ceremonies. The wedding ceremony is arranged by the bride's family. On the day, the younger members of the bride's family barricade the entrance to the venue, and demand a sort of admission charge from the groom in return for allowing him to enter.

The bride and groom are seated separately, and a Kazi (authorized person by the govt. to perform the wedding), accompanied by the parents and a Wakil (witness) from each side formally asks the bride for her consent to the union, and then the groom for his. The bride's side of the family tries to play some kind of practical joke on the groom such as stealing the groom's shoe.
The reception, also known as Bou-Bhaat (reception), is a party given by the groom's family in return for the wedding party. It is typically a much more relaxed affair, with only the second-best wedding outfit being worn.

Getting Married in New York State

Getting Married in New York State
"Getting Married in New York State"

is also available in Adobe PDF format (PDF, 240KB, 2pg.)

The Marriage License

Where do you get one?

A couple who intends to be married in New York State must apply in person for a marriage license to any town or city clerk in the state. The application for a license must be signed by both the bride and groom in the presence of the town or city clerk. A representative cannot apply for the license on behalf of the bride or groom. This applies even if the representative has been given the Power of Attorney. Notarized marriage license affidavits signed by the bride or groom cannot be substituted for their personal appearance.

Is there a waiting period?

Yes. Although the marriage license is issued immediately, the marriage ceremony may not take place within 24 hours from the exact time that the license was issued. When both applicants are 16 years of age or older, the 24-hour waiting period may be waived by an order of a justice of the Supreme Court or a judge of the County Court of the county in which either the bride or groom resides. If either person is under 16 years of age, the order must be from the Family Court judge of the county in which the person under 16 years of age resides.

How long is the license valid?

A marriage license is valid for 60 days, beginning the day after it is issued.

How much does it cost?

If the marriage license is issued by a town or city clerk in New York State outside of New York City, it costs $40. This fee includes the issuance of a Certificate of Marriage Registration. This certificate is automatically sent by the issuing clerk to the applicants within 15 days after the completed license is returned by the officiant (person who performs the marriage ceremony). It serves as notice that a record of the marriage is on file. Couples who do not receive a Certificate of Marriage Registration within four weeks of the wedding should contact the town or city clerk who issued the license.

If the license is to be issued by the City Clerk of the City of New York, please contact the New York City Clerk's Office for current fees and requirements. The City Clerk's Office can be reached at (212) 669-2400 or via their web site at New York City Marriage Bureau.

Is a premarital physical exam required?

No premarital examination or blood test is required to obtain a marriage license in New York State.

What are the age and consent requirements for minors?

If either applicant is under 14 years of age, a marriage license cannot be issued.
If either applicant is 14 or 15 years of age, such applicant(s) must present the written consent of both parents and a justice of the Supreme Court or a judge of the Family Court having jurisdiction over the town or city in which the application is made.
If either applicant is 16 or 17 years of age, such applicant(s) must present the written consent of both parents.
If both applicants are 18 years of age or older, no consents are required.
One parent alone may consent to a minor's marriage if:
The other parent has been missing for one year preceding the application;
The parents are divorced and the consenting parent was given sole custody of the child when the divorce decree was awarded;
The other parent has been judged incompetent; or the other parent is deceased.
Parents, guardians or other people consenting to the marriage of a minor must personally appear and acknowledge or execute their consent before the town or city clerk or some other authorized official. If the notarized affidavit is made before an official outside of the State of New York, it must be accompanied by a certificate of authentication when the consent is filed in New York State.

Proof of Age and Identity

A person is required to establish proof of age and identity by submitting to the issuing clerk one of the following age related documents:
Birth Certificate
Baptismal record
Naturalization record
Census record
And one of the following identity related documents:
Driver's license
Passport
Employment picture ID
Immigration record
Familial Restrictions

A marriage may not take place in New York State between an ancestor and descendant, a brother and sister (full or half blood), an uncle and niece or an aunt and nephew, regardless of whether or not these persons are legitimate or illegitimate offspring.

Previous Marriages

Information regarding previous marriages must be furnished in the application for a marriage license. This includes whether the former spouse or spouses are living, and whether the applicants are divorced and, if so, when, where and against whom the divorce or divorces were granted. A certified copy of the Decree of Divorce or a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage may be required by the clerk issuing the marriage license.

Surname Options

Every person has the right to adopt any name by which he or she wishes to be known simply by using that name consistently and without intent to defraud. A person's last name (surname) does not automatically change upon marriage, and neither party to the marriage is required to change his or her last name. The bride and groom need not take the same last name.
One or both parties to a marriage may elect to change the surname by which he or she wishes to be known after the marriage by entering the new name in the appropriate space provided on the marriage license. The new name must consist of one of the following options:
the surname of the other spouse;
any former surname of either spouse;
a name combining into a single surname all or a segment of the premarriage surname or any former surname of each spouse;
a combination name separated by a hyphen, provided that each part of such combination surname is the premarriage surname, or any former surname, of each of the spouses.
The use of this option will provide a record of your change of name. The marriage certificate, containing the new name, if any, is proof that the use of the new name, or the retention of the former name, is lawful. The local Social Security Administration office should be contacted so that its records and your social security identification card reflect the name change. There is no charge for this service.
Whether you decide to use or not use this option at the time of your marriage license application, you still have the right to adopt a different name through usage at some future date. However, your marriage license cannot be changed to record a surname you decide to use after your marriage.
If you plan to use your married name at work, be sure to have your name changed in Social Security records. This way, you will get credit for all your earnings. It's easy and it's absolutely free. Contact any Social Security office. Look in the telephone book for the address and phone number. You will need documentary evidence showing both your old name and your new name.

Where can a marriage take place?

A New York State marriage license may be used within New York State only. Please note that if you go out of New York State to be married, your New York State marriage license will not be filed in New York State.

What about the ceremony?

There is no particular form or ceremony required except that the parties must state in the presence of an authorized member of the clergy or public official and at least one other witness that they take each other as husband and wife. There is no minimum age for a witness. However, in selecting a witness, choose at least one person who you feel would be competent to testify in a court proceeding as to what he or she witnessed.

Who can perform a marriage ceremony?

To be valid, a marriage ceremony must be performed by any of the individuals specified in Section 11 of the New York State Domestic Relations Law. These include:
the mayor of a city or village;
the former mayor, the city clerk or one of the deputy city clerks of a city of more than one million inhabitants;
a marriage officer appointed by the town or village board or the city common council;
a justice or judge of the following courts: the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern or Western Districts of New York, the New York State Court of Appeals, the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, the New York State Supreme Court, the Court of Claims, the Family Court, a Surrogates Court, the Civil and Criminal Courts of New York City (including Housing judges of the Civil Court) and other courts of record;
a village, town or county justice;
a member of the clergy or minister who has been officially ordained and granted authority to perform marriage ceremonies from a governing church body in accordance with the rules and regulations of the church body;
a member of the clergy or minister who is not authorized by a governing church body but who has been chosen by a spiritual group to preside over their spiritual affairs;
other officiants as specified by Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law.
The person performing the ceremony must be registered with the City of New York in order to perform a ceremony within the New York City limits. The officiant does not have to be a resident of New York State. Ship captains are not authorized to perform marriage ceremonies in New York State.

Where can I get copies of my records?

For copies of marriage licenses issued anywhere in New York State except the five (5) boroughs of New York City, a certified copy of the marriage record may be obtained from the office of the town or city clerk who issued the license, or from the New York State Department of Health. The fee is $10 if you obtain a certified copy from the town or city clerk who issued the license. If applying to the New York State Department of Health, the fee is $30. For a certified copy, write to:
Certification UnitVital Records SectionNew York State Department of HealthP.O. Box 2602Albany, New York 12220-2602
For marriage licenses issued in New York City, do not apply to the New York State Department of Health. For an application, current fees and ordering information contact the City Clerk of New York at (212) 669-2400 or visit their web site at New York City Marriage Bureau. You can also write them at:
New York City marriage records from 1930 to 1995 can be obtained solely from the Manhattan Office.
MANHATTAN:Municipal Building1 Centre Street, Room 252 SouthNew York, New York 10007
BRONX:Supreme Court Building851 Grand ConcourseNew York, New York 10451
BROOKLYN:Municipal Building210 Joralemon Street, 2nd Floor, Room 205Brooklyn, New York 11201
QUEENS:Borough Hall Building 120-55 Queens BoulevardKew Gardens, New York 11424
RICHMOND:Borough Hall Building10 Richmond Terrace, 3rd Floor, Room 311Staten Island, New York 10301

Wedding and Event Specials

Its the first day of the official Wedding and Events season. We know that you are facing difficult times rights now however we will guarantee that you are getting the best service for your dollars. Which is why we ensure the most professional and courteous service. We are offering a 20% discount to brides or Hostess who register with our company for full service and a 10% discount for partial or day of your event service. Our packages are designed to fit your individual needs.

Please call or email us to schedule your free consultation with one of our qualified consultants.

Tel: 347-665-7802

Email: Caterkreayesions@aol.com

Beware of this Scam

Beware of this Scam
Please be aware of this scam

It has come to our attention that you may have received a contact through mywedding.com similar to this:

HelloMy name is Rachel Abby and my fiancée’s name is Richard Brixton, we both work as a partnership in an artwork business, and we preparing for our up coming wedding, which is coming up by 26th of April 2008, we need the services of a wedding planner service, I & my fiancée are presently on vacation to England on a business Contract, and should be back to the State in 2 to 3 weeks time, I want you to get back to Us if you are available for Our date, you can call me on +447853363953 for any question, but I will appreciate if you can e-mail me ASAP, so that I can know what you have for us in planning.

Best Regards Rachel AbbyDO NOT RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL OR ANY SIMILAR, THIS IS FRAUDULENT.

This particular scam asks you to cash a chashier's check and request you to return a portion of the money. The cashier's check is fraudulent.
We have taken a number of steps to prevent these scam emails from getting through to you.
Please follow this 3 simple steps to help recognize scams.
Most scams involve one or more of the following:Inquiry from someone far away, often in another countryWestern Union, Money Gram, cashier's check, money order, shipping, escrow service, or a "guarantee"Inability or refusal to meet face-to-face before consumating transaction

Regards, The staff of mywedding.com

I myself have recieved several similiar emails;

Here's the First Email that was sent to me:

Donald Castle is interested in your services. You can email Donald Castle directly by replying to this message.Donald Castle dcastle66@yahoo.com+447031943191 Donald Castle writes:

Hello,How are you doing?i just want to know if you will be available to plan my wedding coming up in April 26,2008.My Name is Pam George and my fiance's name is Janet Davis.I works for an Engeneering Company in United Kingdom where i'm presently.I will be coming to State next month with my fiance.So i want most of the arrangement to be done before i come. I am having a budget $70,000 and i hope that will do.

Second Message Before I realized It was a Scam....

Hello Naida,How are you doing today?thanks for your response and for making yourself available to plan my wedding,in fact we are so happy to meet you,we believe that you are going to give us the best.I want you to know that this is what you will do concerning my wedding, you will help me to get a befitting wedding area for the location, a photographer, wedding cake, videographer, makeup and hair bride, DJ, and Reception Dinner that is all,i want to let you know that my company will be responsible for the payment of the wedding as they have promised to send the payment to you by check to make things easy for us, the details of the wedding is not much as am in Uk to discuss in details and they have agree to send the first payment to you and out of it,you will help me also to book my pastor before i return to the State.I am planning tocome over to the State as soon as i finish the company assignment here withmy fiance.Also,i want to know how much is the amount you will take first as your first deposit payment because i want you to book the minister too immediately you get the first payment.I will like you to know that i have my pastor that will be coming for the wedding as the minister,he is my Sunday school teacher when i was teens and it is my great honor to have him as the minister on my wedding,it will really give my fiance a happy time to see him as the minister,all you will do it that when you get the first deposit payment,you will help me to secure the date with him so that i won't lose the date of the wedding.You can call me +44 703 194 3191 or send me a quick replyThanks

Third Email; Hello Naida,I have attach the registration form filled back to you so that you will have the full info of what you want.I will like to answer your questions here .Do you have a theme, set already?no get it for us.Do you have the wedding attire style of wedding dress and Tux's? yes.How many people are in your wedding party?100.How many guest will you be having?100.What kind of cuisine are you thinking of ?nothingWill you need lodging for your guests and or Bridal Party ?yes.Did you want a oceanside event, victorian, country club, romantic, traditional ?country club. What kind of music were you thinking of Band or Dj?DJ.Kindly get back to me.Thanks Donald

Fourth Email:Hi Naida,Thanks for your response,i will be expecting the contract soon and also how much is the deposit payment is require first?Thanks Donald

I was very weary and started rereading the emails, and I called the tel # and all Igot was a voicemail service on one line which was supposed to belong to the Best Man Micheal Smith and Maid Of Honor Rebecca Kingston. I was also skeptical because in the original email It stated that Janet Davis and Pam George were getting married and then Donald Castle keep replying that he was the groom. Im glad I caught them before they scammed me. Just be careful.

Naida Lopez
Kreayesions Wedding and Events Planning

South Florida Marriage License Requirements

Marriage license requirements in South Florida

A marriage ceremony can't take place unless a valid marriage license has been issued and you must apply for it prior to your ceremony

Details are different and may vary by county, so it is best to check with your local county Register of Deeds office. A selection of local counties with their contact information is listed below. Both applicants should appear at the Register of Deeds to get a marriage license. Both parties must be at least 18 years old to be legally married. If one or both of the applicants is under legal age, parental consent must be obtained (contact Register of Deeds for additional information). Be prepared to pay a license fee.

Important Documents Required.

Social Security Number (provide proof with a W-2 form, payroll stub or statement from the Social Security Office)
Proper Identification (Drivers License)
If 18-21 also bring your Certified Birth Certificate

The marriage license fee is $88.50. If you complete a state sanctioned marriage preparation course, you are entitled to a discount of $32.50. The course has to be taken prior to, but not exceeding one year, the date of application. Accepted forms of payment are cash.
There is no waiting period for a South Florida marriage license, but you must wait 3 days to be married. Be mindful to allow adequate time for marriage license processing.
You are responsible for insuring that the license is received by your officiant. Which should be returned and completed with the bottom portion of both copies to the Register of Deeds within 10 days by officiant. You may obtain proof of your marriage by completing a copy request form, which will cost $10.

Form can be found on your local Register of Deeds website.
Local Register of Deeds in South Florida
Broward County ClerkP.O. Box 14668 Search Dept.Ft Lauderdale, FL 33302954-831-6600
Palm Beach County300 North Dixie Hwy, Room 201Recording DepartmentWest Palm Beach, FL 33401561-355-2996

Please contact the appropriate office prior to your visit to verify office hours and fees.