Wedding fair connects couples with marital options
When Havila and Jack Helmsing were getting ready to get married, the bride-to-be had a single request. She wanted to get married in a barn, and she wanted Jack to build it himself.
“What can I say? I dream big,” Havila said.
Her husband, who has a background in construction, put up a barn in time for their September wedding. Now the Helmsings are hoping to turn their wedding location just outside of St. Ignatius into an event venue, marketing it under the name Rugged Horizon.
The couple were among nearly 50 vendors who set up tables at the 29th annual Missoula Wedding Fair, held Sunday at the Holiday Inn hotel in downtown Missoula.
Jack said they are just starting the new business venture and are hoping to find couples who are planning their weddings and finding that other venues are already booked.
“I think as much as anything, it’s just about giving people some options,” he said.
Anna Homen of Cherry Creek Radio, which organizes the fair, said the point of the event is to bring all the various wedding services and companies together in one place.
“That means we have wedding planners, dress and tuxedo shops, caterers, photographers, entertainers and venues,” she said.
Every year, the fair brings in between 1,500 and 2,000 attendees, Homen said, with about 300 brides registering with the organizers.
“Brides are the biggest group that attend,” she said. “There are some who aren’t actually engaged yet, but have been talking about getting married.”
While the fair is a great place to network with businesses, Homen said some of the brides-to-be end up hiring vendors if they already have a day set and find something they want.
Kate Spalling, who said she got engaged at the start of the year, hadn’t started thinking about the wedding yet but decided to come to the fair anyway.
“It’s all a little overwhelming. I guess I didn’t realize there were this many things to consider,” she said. “I’m a big planning person, but today I’m just seeing what’s out there.”
Tom and Tonya Seiler, the couple who own Slikati Photography in Missoula, said in 2015 they shot about 15 weddings, and already have eight booked for this year.
“Probably by the end of the spring we’ll be booked up for the rest of the year,” Tonya said.
One couple has even hired them for a 2017 wedding already.
“You get engaged and you get so excited about it and you want to start making plans right away,” Tonya said.
Making plans early is one of the best tips for newly engaged couples, said Rebecca Wagner, who owns Rococo Bridal.
“A lot of people don’t realize that you might need to order your wedding dress six to 12 months in advance if you’re not just buying off the rack,” she said.
Changes in size, color or length all mean that a dress has to be custom-made, Wagner said. For her company, the wedding fair is a good place to meet potential clients and give them a sense of what her store offers. Wagner said online websites like Pinterest and wedding-themed television shows like “Say Yes to the Dress” have made parts of her job easier in recent years.
“The brides-to-be tend to come in better informed about what they want and the types of decisions they will be making,” Wagner said.
Alex Jones looks stunning in wedding picture as The One Show host's vows include ''embracing camping''
Kiwi Charlie Thomson's own bizarre vow to his stunning Welsh bride was to “not to take too long in the shower”
The One Show host Alex Jones and her husband Charlie Thomson beam like happy campers after exchanging rather unconventional wedding vows.
Welsh bride Alex, 38, told the New Zealander during the ceremony: “I promise to try to develop patience and to embrace the outdoors and all it has to offer, including camping.”
While insurance broker Charlie vowed “not to take too long in the shower”.
BBC presenter Alex married Charlie in a ceremony at Cardiff Castle on New Year’s Eve.
Talking about her wedding, she told Hello! magazine: “It was spectacular. Everyone says it’s the best day of your life and it just exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed every single second.
“I’d told myself not to let it pass in a blur, because it really is quite overwhelming and nerve-racking.
"But I really did love it, seeing all my friends’ faces. And then once I held hands with Charlie, I thought, ‘We’re right’.”
Charlie said he couldn’t stop smiling as his bride walked down the aisle.
He said: “Alex looked absolutely stunning.”
During the ceremony the couple spoke in English and Welsh and their vows included a “personal touch”.
Charlie’s vows included a promise to “stand by you, whatever the future holds, to cherish and care for you and always be there for you when you need my support”, before adding: “I promise not to take too long in the shower and to be on time.”
As for Alex’s vows, in the past she has admitted she is not great at camping, despite covering events like Glastonbury festival for the BBC.
Speaking in 2013 when she stayed at Glasto in a trailer, she told the Mirror: “It’s AGES since I last camped properly.......about 13 years. I was with an ex boyfriend who insisted we went.
“We had one of those awful two-man tents with two poles and a bit of canvas. We might as well have had a Tesco bag over us for all the good it did.
“We ended up having an argument and sleeping in the car and we split up the next day.
Lingerie designer weds NBA exec in hippie Hamptons ceremony complete with a Yoko Ono Wish Tree
A wealthy New York City couple had an incredible hippie wedding for the twenty-first century — that is, without that live-off-the-land, anti-consumerism mentality.
Lauren Schwab, 30, co-founder of the lingerie company Negative Underwear, tied the knot with Bobby Webster, an executive with NBA’s Toronto Raptors, in the Hamptons on August 16, and their four-day celebration was the stuff of flower child fairy tales.
Vogue shared details from the extravagant affair, which featured a 'bohemain' rehearsal dinner where guests sat on cushions on the grass at a luxe Hamptons estate, good-vibes crystals in the gift bags, a reggae band playing at the cocktail hour, and a wedding night spent in a Moroccan-themed tent decorated by one of the priciest furniture stores in Manhattan.
Being unique and straying from tradition seemed to be of top importance to the couple, who made it a point to incorporate different forms of art in their wedding. The only elements that seemed to be off-limits for the August weekend were anything normal or conventional. And money, clearly, was no object.
It was important that all of the events felt authentic to each of us individually and to our relationship'It was important that all of the events felt authentic to each of us individually and to our relationship,' Lauren told the fashion magazine. 'We wanted our friends and family, who were traveling from all over — Australia, London, Prague, Hawaii, and California, to name a few — to feel a part of our lives, deeply appreciated, and connect with the other important people in our lives.
'We carefully and thoughtfully designed every component of the wedding to encourage these feelings,' added Lauren, who planned the whole thing with her mom, Lyn Schwab, and wedding planners Duke + Van Deusen.
First, they sent out save-the-dates and invitations that featured a photo of the couple at Burning Man, a festival 'dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance' held once a year in Nevada.
The rehearsal dinner was held at Lauren's parents' waterfront Southampton home, the grounds of which had been transformed to have a 'bohemian feel'.
They opted for a Moroccan theme, where guests sat on multicolor pillows in the grass in front of tables laden with wildflowers.
The menu was designed by the groom with a local catering company, with the cuisine inspired by his childhood in Hawaii.
The mother-of-the-groom, too, offered a unique twist for the night, bringing fresh orchid, pikake, and plumeria leis from Hawaii for guests to wear.
It truly was this Burning Man meets chic Hamptons garden soiree with Hawaiian bonfire and bluegrass music lovefestGift bags were also distributed, which included 'open heart and communication crystals' to help everyone get to know one another and become friends.
The next day, the ceremony and reception were held at LongHouse Reserve, a 16-acre venue that houses extravagant gardens as well as art installations and sculptures by Yoko Ono, Willem de Kooning, Dale Chihuly, and others.
The site alone costs up to $35,000 to rent for the day, and only hosts two weddings a year.
When guests arrived, they were greeted by the sounds of tinkling bells and gongs meant to capture the Zen ambiance of the grounds. Performance artists wearing elaborate butterfly headdresses - reminiscent of Elizabeth Banks's first Effie Trinket costume in The Hunger Games - stepped forward to guide 180 guests to the ceremony.
They came up with the idea for the butterfly performers after Bobby listened to a podcast in which butterflies' transformations were discussed. He thought the idea was a nice symbol for marriage.
There ceremony itself was set up in a circle, with guests sitting all around the couple. Above them was a floating ribbon structure that one guest likened to a dreamcatcher.
The couple's wedding party was uniquely dressed, with women wearing white dresses they'd picked out themselves and the men wearing maile leis. They also had a 'flower boy' who tossed fresh orchids brought in from Hawaii.
Finally, the bride and groom walked toward each other in the center of the circle. Lauren wore a champagne-colored Inbal Dror gown with seven-inch Giambattista Valli platforms, and carried a bouquet of red roses, pink mini dahlias, black calla lilies, magenta scabiosa, and jasmine.
After saying their vows, which they'd written themselves, they walked out to Dog Days Are Over by Florence and the Machine.
'It truly was this Burning Man meets chic Hamptons garden soiree with Hawaiian bonfire and bluegrass music lovefest,' Marissa Vosper, Lauren's friend and business partner, told Vogue.
During the cocktail hour, a reggae band played while the women in the butterfly headdresses danced, eventually ending up doing their performance in a pool.
Nearby was Yoko Ono's Wish Tree, an installation at LongHouse Reserve, on which guests were asked to attach wishes for the bride and groom.
They then picked their seating assignments off Spanish moss hanging from a weeping cherry tree before heading into a tent for the reception, where moving images were being projected onto the white ceiling.
A 13-piece band played the song Wagon Wheel, to which the couple danced their first dance, before Bobby's uncle led all the guests in a banzai toast, a Hawaiian tradition.
'Banzai translates to "10,000 years" in Japanese — and is not to be confused with the miniature bonsai tree! The term is meant as an expression of enthusiasm similar to hurrah and the toast is performed in two parts,' Lauren said.
A New York City catering company eschewed traditional dishes like chicken and steak, instead serving diver scallop cruda with kimchi gastrique, Fuji apples, and ginger puree, balsamic braised short ribs, creamy potatoes, pine nut gremolata, and broccolini.
For dessert, sweets likes cakes and lollipops were passed around to people on the dance floor, while a vegan and gluten-free tiered wedding cake was also served.
By 11pm — when East Hampton’s noise ordinance kicks into effect — the party was nowhere near ready to wind down.
So the couple brought in Quiet Disco, an events company that brought headphones for the guests so they could continue to dance to the music playing only in their ears.
The crowd also wore glow sticks as they snacked on mini cheeseburgers, grilled cheese, and chicken fingers.
When even those after-partiers were ready to get going, the newlyweds retired to their honeymoon suite - which wasn't at a hotel.
Instead, they recreated a 'magical' night they had enjoyed one of their first trips together, to Morocco. In Lauren's parents' yard they set up a tent, and used rugs and other design elements from the high-end NYC store ABC Carpet and Home.
THIS IS THE REAL-GIRL BRAND ALL THE CELEBS WORE TO THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS
Red-carpet darlings everywhere have fallen in love with Self-Portrait.
You've heard of Valentino, Marchesa, Kaufmanfranco, and Elie Saab—but if the People's Choice Awards show is any indication, there's going to be a new go-to red carpet designer this awards season. Actresses Lucy Hale, Renée Bargh, Maggie Lawson, and Sarah Drew all wore Self-Portrait, the women's wear label launched by Han Chong in late 2013, for the evening's event. Sold everywhere from Shopbop and Net-a-Porter to Selfridges andRevolve, Self-Protrait's pieces fall in the $500 to $700 range, making the brand a favorite of celebrities and everyday women alike. "With my experience in high street and high fashion, I knew I wanted to offer women luxury fashion pieces without the price tag," Chong told me via email. "We wanted to create something that allows women to feel extraordinary, and if we can do that without having our customers break the bank, even better." Read on to learn more about the brand everyone in Hollywood is wearing.
Who is the Self-Protrait woman?
Han Chong: A Self-Portrait woman is someone that is confident and not afraid to stand out. She's not the type of person that wants to just blend in.
Everyone from Olivia Palermo and Lady Gaga to Jourdan Dunn and Kerry Washington have worn your designs. What has been your favorite red-carpet moment so far?
I love how diverse the women who wear our clothes are. It's always a thrill to see how their personalities and styles reflect in our designs. It's so hard to choose a favorite, but a really special moment was when Rachel McAdams wore our dress to the Aloha premiere, because I had her in mind when I created it.
Tell me what it was like to see the very first celebrity wear your designs.
Jennifer Lopez wore a dress from our very first collection to American Idol which her stylist had pulled. I was so surprised and excited when I saw her in it. I just couldn't believe that someone who has access to so many brands decided to wear our piece.
Your line is billed as the red-carpet label people can actually afford. Why was it important for you to maintain this price point?
With my experience in high street and high fashion, I knew I wanted to offer women luxury fashion pieces without the price tag. We wanted to create something that allows women to feel extraordinary, and if we can do that without having our customers break the bank, even better.
Why do you think celebrities and average women alike have taken to the Self-Portrait brand?
Our brand is about femininity but with a modern edge, and I think that's something that resonates with many women today. Honestly, what I design is very personal to me and it's just a bonus that customers like it.
Name a celeb who hasn't worn your designs yet who you'd love to dress.
I am such a fan of Carey Mulligan and her work, so it would be cool if she became a Self-Portrait girl.
THE setting is Dar El Modaraat Hotel, Salah Salem, Nasr city, Cairo. Sometimes as often as three consecutive nights each week, Egyptian weddings are held here.
The wedding music can be heard across the hotel’s hallways, even from its highest floors. While the hotel’s tenants wait to be served dinner, they are often entertained by the wedding festivities.
On this specific night, the bride is led down a flight of stairs inside the hotel by her father, who holds her hand as the wedding guests cheer in the background and follow right behind.
She is then led to her waiting groom, who takes her hand, evidently charmed by her beauty.
Afterwards, she and the groom are serenaded by the sound of music from hired band players as they make a slow walk to the hotel hall.
The wedding guests, all decked out in their most stunning attires, happily sing and clap along.
The bride is the centre of everyone’s attention, including the hotel residents who have now formed a small group of curious observers.
Some take out their mobile phones and begin taking pictures of the bride and groom. Before long, camera flashes mingle with the light in the hallway.
The Dar El Modaraat Hotel, is a popular venue not just for Egyptian weddings but also for residents drawn from different parts of the world.
It is these guests who take particular interest in the different weddings held at the hotel nearly each night save for the weekend.
Egyptian culture dictates that a man and woman are not to date before they marry. However, there are still occasions where Egyptian men and women have a chance to meet each other, for instance at a workplace or school.
“In such circumstances, it is possible that a young man and woman may fall in love and desire a marital union,” Union of African Journalists (UAJ) secretary general Samia Abbas explained.
These marriages are traditionally opposed, although the family will usually relent if the couple remains committed to the idea, as long as both the man and woman are of the same social and educational status.
Egypt’s population is 94 percent Sunni Muslim, therefore the culture of the country is highly influenced by traditional Muslim practices.
This includes areas pertaining to marriage, although Egypt is less traditional in this area-particularly in the relationship of a couple before marriage-than many other traditional Muslim countries.
In circumstances where a young man and woman fall in love after interacting at school or in a workplace and desire a marital union and the families eventually approve, the marriage process is started.
Outside of the love match, Egyptian weddings are arranged with the families of both bride and groom making inquiries of friends and relatives, and neighbours as to the other’s standing and conduct.
“If a union is deemed suitable by both families, the man and woman are permitted to meet and begin socialising. If they like each other, several more meetings with families are arranged and an engagement party organised. At this party, the groom will give the bride an engagement ring,” Dr Abbas shared.
During the marriage ceremony, the marriage contract is signed by the groom along with the family of the bride.
There are also members of both families present as witnesses although the bride is not present in the room. Instead she waits in a separate room and the contract is brought to her for approval.
The ceremony itself follows traditional Muslim practices, including reading passages of the Quran.
“It may take place in a mosque, a secular establishment such as a hotel or at the home of one of the couple’s family,” Dr Abbas shared.
This is the image that becomes familiar to residents of Dar Elmodaraat Hotel whenever there is a wedding taking place in the hotel.
Before the bride and groom can enter the wedding hall, they are also entertained by a Tanoura, which is an Egyptian folk dance performed by Sufi men or Darawish.
The men wear long colourful skirts which are sometimes decorated with lights that the Tanoura will turn on at some point during his performance.
The addition of the lights is a new thing, according to journalist Ayman Abdelaziz, and also a tricky thing if something goes wrong with the lights.
The dance usually involves the Tanoura spinning in an endless motion so that the different colours of his skirt are displayed.
He will stop spinning when he is finally tired or if the audience has had enough. As he turns, his skirt gets wider and wider, demonstrating the full length of it.
He also carries a “Mabkhara” which releases incense while placed above people’s heads. The tanoura will place it above the heads of guests and also above the heads of the bride and groom for entertainment.
As he spins, the bride and groom and all wedding guests present clap along in joint merriment. At intervals, the bride and groom may dance together while on their way into the wedding hall.
Finally after the long serenade, the wedding guests usher themselves into the hall to carry on the festivities well into the night with the help of some food and drink.
Anamarie Xilonem Rios said yes to a wedding dress when she was 17 years old. She wasn't getting married; her mother was. While they were looking for dresses, Anamarie saw an ad for a gown by Vera Wang and "knew that was going to be my dress one day."
A few years later, while studying fashion design at LSU, she attended a class where designer Suzanne Perron St. Paul was guest speaker. Slides went by, and Anamarie's dream dress appeared on the screen.
Before setting up her own atelier in New Orleans in 2006, St. Paul, an LSU grad, worked for Vera Wang in New York and was directly involved with creating the original dress.
Fast forward 10 years, and Anamarie got engaged to Kevin Michael Twomey in April 2014. Unlike many brides who try on dress after dress after dress, "I didn't even have to go to a store," she said. The call went out to St. Paul. "With my background in fashion, I knew what a complicated dress it would be to make, so I really didn't trust anyone else with it," said Anamarie, who now works in design and product development for Be Inspired Boutique, an e-commerce fashion retailer in Los Angeles.
The trumpet-shaped, strapless dress consists of dozens of hand-sculpted satin bias ribbons appliquéd to champagne tulle. The bands are shaped to the curves of the sweetheart neckline, basque waist and the sweeping skirt shape. While St. Paul designed the wedding gown, the navy dresses for the bridesmaids, readers and flower girl were from Be Inspired Boutique.
Navy — one of the bride's favorite colors — also snuck into the details; Anamarie's nails were painted Julep's Boho Glam in Michelle, a sailor blue. Orange, Kevin's favorite, showed up in the floral arrangements by Pistil & Stamen, a New Orleans flower farm and floral studio.
Kevin also has an eye for design. He works in project management and technical sales for the West Coast division of Rose Brand, a company that supplies theatrical fabrics, stage curtains, event drapery and production supplies.
The couple, who now call Los Angeles home, met while Kevin was in Baton Rouge working on a movie.
Based out of North Carolina at the time, Kevin went home, only to return a few weeks later for Jazz Fest, "He told me he really didn't care about Jazz Fest, he was using it as an excuse to see me," Anamarie said. Shortly after, they moved to Philadelphia together, then made their way to the West Coast eight months later.
Anamarie and Kevin were married Nov. 14 at the Beauregard-Keyes House in the French Quarter. The ceremony was in the garden, reception inside and out.
The Lagniappe Jazz Band lead the couple and their guests in a second line to Jackson Square and back. Anamarie, of course, stood out in the dress she had been dreaming about for a decade.
"I made a 10-year dream come true," St. Paul said.
Commenters in an online discussion wonder why she doesn’t want to include any family members, including his mom.
Dear CarolynAdapted from a recent online discussion.Hi, Carolyn:I’m marrying the middle of three brothers. We have been engaged for about a year now. Growing up I never imagined myself getting married, much less having a big fancy wedding.
My problem is that I don’t want to get married in front of the family. I don’t want a big day where I don’t get to spend the whole day with my fiancé. I want something just between me, him and the officiant. How can I explain this to the mother-in-law without making her feel like I’m giving the whole family the middle finger?
– EngagedDEAR ENGAGED: Well, you kind of are. What does your fiancé think about cutting out all guests? Does he want this, or is he agreeing to it to appease you? Why are you the one explaining it to his mom?And, have you talked about the role your families will play in your shared lives ever after?Eloping doesn’t faze me; I think it’s natural to say, “Ugh, let’s just go make this official.” But complaining that “I don’t get to spend the whole day with my fiancé” has a whiff of possessiveness that stops me.If that’s how you see your marriage playing out — just you two, locked arms, no one else — then I beg you to make sure this is what he wants, too. And that it’s healthy for you both.Also imagine being a parent yourself someday, one your future son-/daughter-in-law doesn’t want around.If your fiancé wants distance from his family, then that’s his prerogative. But if you’re the origin of this approach, please keep in mind that sharing him with the people he loves is one way for you to show your love for him.
Re: Wedding:It’s all about communities. And the “the whole day alone with my fiancé” thing is troubling for me, too. Granted, a marriage is about the teamwork between you and your spouse, but you don’t marry out of your families — you marry into each other’s.
– AnonymousDEAR ANONYMOUS: Yes. Some do want out of their families, but that’s a personal choice, not a choice one’s partner gets to make for you.
To clarify, though: I have no problem with a couple who wants to elope. I’m merely concerned this no-families-wanted attitude would carry into the marriage. It’s fine if you want privacy, but you can’t keep your partner away from family because your sense of privacy demands it.
Diamond wedding celebrations for Grangemouth sweethearts
A cheery couple who had a bit of a carry-on on the buses have celebrated a special anniversary following a 60-year journey together.
Stan and Margaret Kimm from Grangemouth first met when Stan (88) drove buses and Margaret (85) was a conductress in Glasgow – and it was sometimes a bumpy ride when they worked together.
Stan said: “One day, when Margaret stepped off the bus to punch a ticket, I drove away without her and she had to run back to the depot.
“She wasn’t too happy with me that day I can tell you. We both got suspended.”
Margaret said: “Yes, take what he got that day. We had a lot of fun working on the buses though, but the night buses were a bit wild. Lot’s of great memories.”
The couple got married on December 23, 1955 in Govan’s McGregor Memorial Church. Stan’s best man was the bride’s cousin Ralph Melville, while Margaret’s bridesmaid was sister Frances Crawford.
They have a son and a daughter, Ian (58), who now lives in the USA, and Mandy (52), as well as grandchildren Scott (27) and Nicola (23).
Before working on the buses Stan was a military man who served in Korea with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
The couple moved to Grangemouth in 1968 and Stan became a long distance HGV lorry driver. His ambition is to drive across the ice like the Ice Road Truckers. Margaret worked for Foster’s Menswear, Crawford’s the Bakers and Sweet Talk in Grangemouth.
Stan proposed to Margaret at the pictures with a box of chocolates, which he admits to eating himself and, as with their time on the buses, their wedding day had its ups and downs too.
Margaret said: “At the reception some people complained about a draught so Stan went to see if could sort it out, but when he moved something a big speaker fell and hit him right on the face.”
On the secret of a long and happy marriage, Margaret added: “We’ve had our struggles and been through hard times but we’ve always managed to see the fun side of life.
“I think we have young heads on our shoulders. We’ve been lucky with our health too and have an amazing family.”
Here’s how you can undo the effects of party make-up before your skin gets tired
Keep your skin healthy this party season.
After wearing make-up for outings and parties, your skin tends to lose its shine. Try a cream-based moisturising facewash, and a day after the party spend some time reviving your skin by exfoliating it with a mild scrub to get back the natural glow, says an expert.
Manoj Khanna, chairman and managing director, head of cosmetic surgeon at city-based Enhance Clinics, has shared tips to make your skin glow:
Get an extra dose of moisture: Make-up removers and harsh facewashes can destroy skin’s natural moisture. Post the party season, switch to a cream-based moisturising facewash. Let it stay on for a few seconds so it permeates deeper into the skin, before washing it off. End your day with a thick night cream and be sure to greet the next morning with a fresh face.
Opt for an instant eye cooler: Cucumber slices work the best. They cool, have a lightening effect and help counter puffiness. If not cucumbers, try the next best remedy — green tea bags. Once they come to room temperature, squeeze out the excess water and keep them on your eyes for 20 minutes to find respite from stubborn dark circles.
Don’t forget to scrub: A day after the party, spend some time reviving your skin by first opening the clogged pores with a steam session and then exfoliating it with a mild scrub. The steam will open up the pores and the abrasive action of the scrub will force all the grime, make-up residue and impurities out.
Follow up with a moisturising face pack: Treat yourself to a nourishing do-it-yourself face packs. Papaya and honey together are a winning combination to hydrate the skin and combat dryness or grind soaked almonds with milk and use it as a paste to make the skin look and feel smooth. Milk is rich in antioxidants, vitamin B and essential minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and selenium whereas almonds are full of proteins, antioxidants and vitamin E.
Declare a no make-up day: After a few days of partying and wearing heavy make-up, make sure the next few days keep cosmetics at bay. This will allow your skin to breathe and get its original glow back, naturally.
Police arrest 2 revelers caught on ‘hate wedding’ video
Suspects held over role in celebration of Duma killings; court orders release of one suspect detained in connection with attackTwo people were arrested Tuesday in connection with the “wedding of hate” where right-wing activists were filmed celebrating the Duma firebombing attack that killed three members of a Palestinian family, police said.
Initial reports suggested that only one suspect was brought in for questioning, but a police spokesperson told The Times of Israel that a second person was also picked up for involvement in the event, in which wedding-goers danced with guns, knives and a mock Molotov cocktail.
The two Israelis are suspected of having committed the crimes of incitement and the illegal possession of a firearm, as well as having violated restraining orders against entering the West Bank and Jerusalem, police said.
Footage released last week showed dozens of young Israeli right-wing extremists, said to be linked to the suspected perpetrators of the Dawabsha family murder, celebrating the killing at the wedding of other activists. The images in the clip sparked wide condemnation.
The video, aired by Channel 10, also showed revelers holding a photo of baby Ali Dawabsha, who was burned to death in the July 31 firebombing, and repeatedly stabbing the picture.
The crowd in the video chanted the lyrics of a song which include a verse from Judges 16:28, quoting Samson, blinded in Gaza, saying “let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes” — but changing the word Philistines to Palestine.
One of the suspects arrested Tuesday is a resident of the West Bank settlement of Tapuah, Israeli reports said. The investigation is ongoing, police said.
The groom, who is reportedly friends with the Jewish extremists detained in connection with the firebombing attack, said Thursday he was unaware of the celebrations of the murder at his wedding.
“I didn’t even see it. At my wedding I was in the clouds, not on the ground at all,” Yakir Ashbal told Channel 10.
He called the footage “shocking,” but insisted that “there were about 600 people at my wedding, and this wasn’t something I agreed to. There were a million people. I don’t control what happens at my wedding. I’m just the groom; I didn’t even pay for the photographer or the singer.”
The video drew widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum, though some right-wing lawmakers accused security officials of leaking the clip to demonize Jewish extremists being investigated over the Duma firebombing.
Also Tuesday the Lod District Court rejected a state appeal and ordered the release of one of the suspects held in connection with the Duma firebombing, Channel 2 news reported.
The suspect, who was in Shin Bet custody for 30 days, is set to be indicted for an assault two years ago on a Palestinian youth.
Only one member of the Dawabsha family — Ahmed, now 5 — survived the Duma attack, and remains hospitalized in Israel. The 18-month-old baby Ali was killed on the night of the attack, while parents Riham and Saad succumbed to their injuries in the succeeding weeks.
عضو شوید
عضویت سریع
آمار مطالب
آمار بازدید
