Size Doesn't Matter BLOG »

Couple had no money for wedding so friends opened Facebook group to raise funds leading hundreds of virtual strangers to volunteer, contribute to create major celebration

When D. and M. from Bat Yam decided to get married they didn’t have very high expectations for their wedding. Their unstable financial situation meant they couldn’t even dream about having a big event.

Their original plan was to head to the Rabbinate, get married there and call it at that. Then Facebook and their friends came into the picture.

The touching story began a month ago. M.’s three friends were chatting with her about her relationship with D. She told them they were getting married and in the same breath made it clear there would be no big white wedding as there was no money.

Her shocked friends decided they could not let M. go ahead with her dreary plan and decided to come to her aid. One of them, Noa Zaig, chose Facebook as her wedding-day aide. She opened a group called “organizing a wedding together” and asked Israel’s Facbook users to help in making M. and D.’s special day a happy one.

They wrote: “We are organizing a wedding, in Jewish tradition what is known as Hachnasat Kallah (Providing for a Bride) for a young couple that due to a complicated life history haven’t a dime to get married. With their agreement we’ve decided to organize a wedding worthy of the occasion and would be happy to receive assistance.”

Moments later offers began to trickle in: A makeup artist agreeing to do the bride’s makeup for free, a car service willing to take the couple to the event. Soon, the trickle became a flood as the group’s wall filled with offers. Bands, photographers, artists and more all vying to contribute.

In fact, the response was so enthusiastic that contributors became quite competitive over who would get to give something to the couple for the wedding.

At this stage the couple’s friends decided to kick it up a notch: asking Facebook users to contribute things for the couple’s new life together: Furniture and electrical appliances; they even opened a bank account for people wishing to give money.

In total some 280 people joined together to help the couple. “We were very surprised, this goes beyond anything we planned,” said Inbal, one of the event’s organizers. The couple themselves were initially not aware of the Facebook venture.

Source: Ynetnews.com

Aid App Art Award Canada Cancer Coexistence Competition Concert Economy Environment Europe Fashion Festival Film Food Funny Gay Green Hollywood India Innovation Innovation Israel Jerusalem Jewish LGBTQ London2012 Music Nightlife Obama Olympics Party Peace Photography Pride Research Science Sports Tel Aviv Toronto Tourism Travel TV Video

WP Cumulus Flash tag cloud by Roy Tanck requires Flash Player 9 or better.