Friday, July 17, 2009
Rings!
So most people who read this (who am I kidding I have one reader) know that I am in the process of planning a wedding. Now usually this is a time where the couple gets their first glimpse of what the other is like in a pressure situation. This is a time of stress, planning, budgeting, shopping and organizing.
Now I know that most people view planning a wedding as a big project (and an expensive one!); imagine doing it in a foreign country! Not only is the coordination a bit more difficult because of the language barrier but there is also a balance of keeping traditions of the culture. Americans already have their share of the wedding traditions and can you imagine compounding those with another set of cultural traditions? Obviously it's not possible to do all the traditions at the same event, so some traditions have to be left out. For example groom's dinner and wedding rehearsal are unheard of here and these probably wont be a part of our big event. Also bridal showers are a foreign concept so despite Ola's best wishes I just don't see her bridesmaids getting it together.
Then there those cultural things that we evaluate and think OK we are not doing that because we can do this instead! Example, American weddings have usually between 150 and 300 people. When they have the reception, they serve a "meal" and when you leave the wedding you are probably starving and stop at McDonald's on your way home. In Czech their typical weddings have between 30 and 60 people. There is also a special meal that is served to the immediate family (sometimes to everyone depending on the size). This meal is supposed to be an intimate time for the families to be together after the ceremony to celebrate the union. And we are talking FOOD people! Not some skimpy, mass produced, semi-warm food, but a four course elegantly prepared meal that is sure to fill you up. And if that isn't enough food, there is usually an extended party/reception with dancing where they serve lots of food too throughout the night.
So for our wedding we had a bit of a dilemma. We want to invite around 60 people total (that is assuming that most Americans won't make it). But we don't want all the people to come to the family meal, yet we want everyone to come to the ceremony. I suggested to have the meal before the ceremony and I guess that was a ridiculous idea... So we are having the ceremony and reception in two different places. Everyone is invited to the ceremony, then the immediate family will travel to the reception place and have the traditional meal. After that the rest of the people will come later for the Party!!!
Now we get to the rings. And this is where I become a little ignorant. I thought that I was through with rings. You see I already got the beautiful diamond engagement ring, isn't that enough? I knew that I would eventually need a ring, but lets be hones I would be fine with a lifesaver as long as it stayed on my finger. But apparently we were not through with rings as the woman also wears not just an engagement ring but a wedding ring too!
As some of you know the diamond industry really isn't one of the burgeoning trades in the Czech Republic. The diamonds here seem to be lacking in quality, selection and price (way too expensive!) So when I got the engagement ring I actually bought it in London. When I realized that there was another ring involved I was a little nervous about buying another diamond... But Ola seemed be looking for something more simple- bless her heart.
We went to the a few places and it seemed that either the shop assistants didn't want to help us or worse they were rude! There was a time when Ola asked to see a set a diamonds under the glass and the sales person said, "Oh? But those are brilliant diamonds." As if there was no way we could ever even think about buying one. Ola, with as much smugness as she could muster replied, "I know, and so is this one." Pointing to the ring on her finger. Needless to say Ola was quite offended and we left rather quickly. Then one day we stumble into a shop and the lady was quite nice and even spoke English. She must have been a good salesperson because we left the shop after we placed orders for our rings. The salesperson said that Ola got a Ferrari ring, because its not one that you should be driving just anywhere. Mine will be a simple stainless steel band, its more like a KIA ring or something I guess. Needless to say we are both excited the time is getting closer and details such as these are wrapping up.
Now I know that most people view planning a wedding as a big project (and an expensive one!); imagine doing it in a foreign country! Not only is the coordination a bit more difficult because of the language barrier but there is also a balance of keeping traditions of the culture. Americans already have their share of the wedding traditions and can you imagine compounding those with another set of cultural traditions? Obviously it's not possible to do all the traditions at the same event, so some traditions have to be left out. For example groom's dinner and wedding rehearsal are unheard of here and these probably wont be a part of our big event. Also bridal showers are a foreign concept so despite Ola's best wishes I just don't see her bridesmaids getting it together.
Then there those cultural things that we evaluate and think OK we are not doing that because we can do this instead! Example, American weddings have usually between 150 and 300 people. When they have the reception, they serve a "meal" and when you leave the wedding you are probably starving and stop at McDonald's on your way home. In Czech their typical weddings have between 30 and 60 people. There is also a special meal that is served to the immediate family (sometimes to everyone depending on the size). This meal is supposed to be an intimate time for the families to be together after the ceremony to celebrate the union. And we are talking FOOD people! Not some skimpy, mass produced, semi-warm food, but a four course elegantly prepared meal that is sure to fill you up. And if that isn't enough food, there is usually an extended party/reception with dancing where they serve lots of food too throughout the night.
So for our wedding we had a bit of a dilemma. We want to invite around 60 people total (that is assuming that most Americans won't make it). But we don't want all the people to come to the family meal, yet we want everyone to come to the ceremony. I suggested to have the meal before the ceremony and I guess that was a ridiculous idea... So we are having the ceremony and reception in two different places. Everyone is invited to the ceremony, then the immediate family will travel to the reception place and have the traditional meal. After that the rest of the people will come later for the Party!!!
Now we get to the rings. And this is where I become a little ignorant. I thought that I was through with rings. You see I already got the beautiful diamond engagement ring, isn't that enough? I knew that I would eventually need a ring, but lets be hones I would be fine with a lifesaver as long as it stayed on my finger. But apparently we were not through with rings as the woman also wears not just an engagement ring but a wedding ring too!
As some of you know the diamond industry really isn't one of the burgeoning trades in the Czech Republic. The diamonds here seem to be lacking in quality, selection and price (way too expensive!) So when I got the engagement ring I actually bought it in London. When I realized that there was another ring involved I was a little nervous about buying another diamond... But Ola seemed be looking for something more simple- bless her heart.
We went to the a few places and it seemed that either the shop assistants didn't want to help us or worse they were rude! There was a time when Ola asked to see a set a diamonds under the glass and the sales person said, "Oh? But those are brilliant diamonds." As if there was no way we could ever even think about buying one. Ola, with as much smugness as she could muster replied, "I know, and so is this one." Pointing to the ring on her finger. Needless to say Ola was quite offended and we left rather quickly. Then one day we stumble into a shop and the lady was quite nice and even spoke English. She must have been a good salesperson because we left the shop after we placed orders for our rings. The salesperson said that Ola got a Ferrari ring, because its not one that you should be driving just anywhere. Mine will be a simple stainless steel band, its more like a KIA ring or something I guess. Needless to say we are both excited the time is getting closer and details such as these are wrapping up.
