Latest news with #RegistryofMarriage
The Star
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Heart And Soul: The best man from Belize
The writer and Ilse's (couple seated in the centre) wedding in October 1988, at the Registry of Marriage, Innsbruck, flanked by the writer's best man, Frenchie (right) and Andre, the bridesmaid (left). — PETER REIFINGER Do you have any real-life, heart-warming stories to share with readers? We'd love to hear from you. Please keep your story within 900 words. Photos are optional and should be in JPEG format (file size about 1MB, with caption and photo credit). There is no payment for stories, and we reserve the right to edit all submissions. Email your story to: lifestyle@ with the subject "Heart and Soul". I was married in Innsbruck, Austria, 37 years ago. My best man was Frenchie, a charismatic dive instructor from the island of Caye Caulker, Belize. We met at summer school at the University of Innsbruck, where we were learning German. Both of us had Austrian girlfriends at the time – now our wives. Frenchie was unmistakable: tall, dark, shoulder-length hair, with a magnetic personality and a wacky sense of humour. He spoke English, Spanish and Belizean Creole. He met his wife, Gertraud, when she went diving in Belize. They fell in love, and he followed her to Austria to marry. Gertraud and my wife Ilse had studied nursing at the same school and later worked at the same hospital. They reconnected by chance at the university, delighted to find their boyfriends were classmates. From that moment, the four of us became inseparable. We shared many wonderful times together during that summer. Frenchie, always the joker, kept the class in stitches. Once, when asked how people travelled back home, he replied with a straight face, 'We swim.' He explained that people on Caye Caulker swam between islands. The class erupted with laughter, and even the teacher couldn't help but join in. Outside class, I spent time with Frenchie and Joseph, a Kenyan priest studying German for agriculture. We explored Innsbruck, shared meals, and I even did chalk drawings for spare change – a carefree summer of 1988. Frenchie and Gertraud married in September 1988 in her hometown. Ilse and I decided to tie the knot in October 1988. Having only been in Austria for 10 months and knowing few people, I asked Frenchie to be my best man. He happily accepted. The following month, Frenchie and Gertraud returned to Belize. Ilse and I stayed another year before heading back to Malaysia. We kept in touch over the years, drifting apart until social media reconnected us. In 2017, we heard Frenchie had suffered a stroke, though details were sparse. This February, we went on a month-long trip through Mexico and Guatemala, ending in Belize to visit him and his wife. It was heart-warming to reunite after 37 years. Gertraud now runs a charming hotel where we stayed. Frenchie shared that the stroke had initially left him unable to speak and sensitive to sound. To recover in peace, he built a secluded home beside a swamp, guarded by his dog, Kaiser – and two crocodiles! Nothing, not even a stroke, can hold him down. He now lives with discipline: rising at 3am to meditate, do yoga, and weld barbeque grills from discarded oxygen tanks. He runs his home on solar power and is modifying his golf buggy to do the same. Though older and slower now, Frenchie remains the same spirited soul I once knew. His son runs the dive shop now and he helps out now and then. Business has been successful, and he has a fleet of diving and chartered fishing boats. On our last night, he cooked a delicious Creole seafood stew – lobster, crab, fish, vegetables and chillies in coconut milk. I had multiple helpings. We invited them to visit us in Malaysia, and we wait eagerly.
Time Business News
29-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time Business News
ROM Venue Decoration Checklist: Everything for a Perfect Setup
Registry of Marriage (ROM) ceremony does more than mark your legal union. It paints the first picture of your new journey as a couple. The right setup stirs emotions and shapes memories. From fluttering blooms to glowing lanterns, each choice should echo your love story. Planning a stylish celebration? Grab this detailed list and check the list of ROM decoration Singapore. It will help to go through ideas that many top wedding stylists in Singapore follow to bring dream ceremonies to life. Decorations spark feelings. When guests walk in and feel welcomed, they remember it. Carefully picking your decorations helps you stay within budget, avoid last-minute mess, and cover every little part. Whether it's a rooftop garden or a cosy hall, style it to match your love and the space. A strong ROM decoration Singapore plan maps out colours, flowers, furniture, and comfort. It keeps your ceremony smooth so you can focus on holding hands and sharing vows. Greet guests with a bold, charming sign. Carve your names into wood, splash them across fabric, or print them on clear boards. Place it by the entrance to start the story. Pick chairs that match your theme. Wrap them in cloth, weave in flowers, or hang tags with guest names. Leave room so everyone moves around easily. Make your backdrop steal the spotlight. Drape fabric, twist fairy lights, arch fresh flowers, or stack wooden panels. Blend colours to match the mood. Rest small beauties on every table. Drop jars of daisies, perch candles in gold holders, or scatter leaves. Let people chat across without tall distractions. Dress the table where your names meet forever. Lay out blooms, initials, a framed photo, and leave space to write. Flowers do more than decorate. They whisper freshness, romance, and calm. Here's how to place them: Grow a lush wall with roses, orchids, or pampas grass. Dangle vines and twist leaves for texture. Use strong stands if it's breezy outside. Scatter single stems in jars or layer small bouquets. Stick to your colour theme. Eucalyptus and fern make lovely fillers. Sprinkle petals, line up vases, or tie mini bunches to chairs. Add charm to your walkway. A clever wedding stylist Singapore helps pick blooms that survive the heat and stay fresh till the last guest leaves. Light can turn a plain space into something magical. Here are ways to shine: Drape strings of fairy lights over beams or trees. Cluster lanterns on the ground. Choose warm white to glow softly. Pop pillar candles in glass, float tea lights in bowls, or rest LED lights inside jars. Some venues allow real flames, some don't—check first. Catch morning light or set your ceremony during golden hour. Position the setup where sunlight streams in. Let nature do the work. Let your ROM decoration Singapore theme glow with the right lights. Style the space to reflect you. Add bits that mean something: Peg up a couple of photos along the string. Add notes or short captions. Place it near the entrance or gift table. Paint quotes, carve symbols, or write your love timeline. Use wood, chalkboards, or canvas. Set a table with pens, stickers, a guest book, and a camera. Let guests write wishes or take snaps. Your ROM decoration Singapore should share your story in small ways. Use this list as you gather your setup: Floral or draped backdrop This ROM decoration checklist Singapore gives you peace of mind. Tick off one thing at a time. A stylist brings everything together. Here's how to find one: Flip through their past work. See if it matches your dream look. Ask how many ROMs they've done. Skilled ones fix problems quickly. Read what others say. A trail of happy clients is a green light. Pick someone honest about prices. No hidden charges. Choose a stylist who listens and gives clear replies. Let your wedding stylist in Singapore take your ideas and turn them into beauty. Once the main things are done, sprinkle on the extras: Hand fans or paper umbrellas for warm days A snack table with styled jars and trays Reserved signs for VIP guests Bubble wands or flower cones Signs pointing guests where to go A box with tissues, safety pins, and mints These details show care and make guests smile. Sustainable Decoration Options Eco-friendly decor can still look stunning and heartfelt. Add elements that care for the earth without losing beauty: Use reusable cloth napkins and table runners Choose potted plants instead of cut flowers. Decorate with recycled paper garlands or seed paper signage. Rent furniture, signs, and backdrops instead of buying new ones. Offer edible favours or locally made treats. These small shifts help protect the planet and show love for your guests and the world around you. While waiting for the ceremony to begin, guests enjoy having something to do. Setting up a small entertainment nook adds warmth and fun: Place a table with puzzles or word games for kids Add a selfie station with props and a Polaroid camera. Offer a music playlist with gentle tunes. Provide a message tree where guests can hang a note. Share a memory board for guests to pin up thoughts or wishes This extra step brings smiles and helps guests feel engaged and welcomed. Your ROM day holds one goal: love. Style your space with this ROM decoration checklist Singapore, and turn any corner into something special. Add beauty, comfort, and personal touches that sing your story. Lean on a trusted wedding stylist in Singapore who helps shape every piece with skill. Enjoy your day, take in every moment, and walk into married life surrounded by the world you created together. Also Read: Best Fonts and Colours for Wedding Marquee Letter Lights TIME BUSINESS NEWS
