In lieu of gifts, we asked for donations to our favorite charity, the Jamie Daniels Foundation.
Frank Sinatra famously sang “love is lovelier the second time around,” which I can personally attest to with a full and grateful heart. After getting divorced and playing the dating game for several years, I was invited to lunch (and a Costco shopping excursion afterward) by Mark Weisberg, a man I didn’t know (though we shared about 80 mutual Facebook friends).
The moment I pulled into the parking lot and saw him standing outside waiting for me, I felt an immediate, indescribable “something,” and in that split second knew intuitively that my luck and my life were about to change for the better. Our first date on Dec. 1, 2019, went great, and we have been together ever since.
We bought a beautiful home two years later and got engaged two years after that in 2023. When we began talking about what kind of wedding we wanted to have, there were a few things we knew for sure.
We wanted to share our happiness with our large circle of family, friends and colleagues who mean so much to us. We wanted a warm, casual, joyful summer celebration complete with delicious food, great music and personalized touches. We wanted to host it at our home, which we’ve infused with so much love and laughter. There were two other things we knew, too. We did not want our guests to buy us wedding gifts. Both in our 60s, we have everything we need, most importantly each other. With that said, Mark and I also knew we wanted our guests to be able to acknowledge our marriage by offering them an opportunity to donate to a cause near and dear
Carolyn Krieger Special to the Jewish News
Mark Weisberg and Carolyn Krieger
to our hearts: the Jamie Daniels Foundation. The local nonprofit, which provides support for youth and adolescents battling substance use disorder, was established by our friends Lisa Daniels-Goldman and Ken Daniels to build a legacy and honor the memory of their wonderful son.
I met Jamie, his sister Arlyn,
and parents, Lisa and Ken, in 1998 when my youngest daughter Alissa was entering kindergarten with Jamie at West Bloomfield’s Doherty Elementary School. Jamie and Alissa became instant friends and remained so from elementary school through their college years and beyond. My older daughter, Alanna, and Jamie were also friends, and both went on
the Birthright Trip to Israel in 2013. In 2016, Jamie died of an overdose at age 23 while receiving treatment for a substance use disorder. My daughters, myself and Mark all actively support Lisa, Ken and Arlyn’s unimaginable journey from grieving family to courageous, passionate advocates working tirelessly to end the stigma of addiction. They are
in our hearts every day and, on our wedding day, Mark and I knew in our hearts that raising awareness as well as funds to move the Jamie Daniels Foundation’s mission forward was a mitzvah we wanted to perform.
Our wedding invitation stated, “Our one-item gift registry (so meaningful to us) is a donation to
Mark Weisberg and Carolyn Krieger’s ketubah signing
Wedding Napkin
Sharing a kiss on our happy day
Mark Weisberg and Carolyn Krieger
“ I was really overwhelmed with emotion when I received the invitation”
— LISA DANIELS-GOLDMAN
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the Jamie Daniels Foundation” and it included a link to donate (https://jamiedanielsfoundation. org/donate). We displayed donation cards with QR codes on every table at our reception as well as photos of Mark and I from Jamie Daniels Foundation fundraisers.
“I was really overwhelmed with emotion when I received the invitation,” said Lisa DanielsGoldman. “Carolyn has always held a special place in her heart for Jamie, and although Mark didn’t get to meet Jamie, he’s just that special a friend that
he would want to do this, too.”
Since our wedding on Aug. 31, 2024, our wonderful guests (as well as others) have donated close to $17,000 in our honor to help further the work of the Jamie Daniels Foundation.
“I couldn’t be more grateful to Carolyn and Mark, but that is just who they are … all heart,” said Ken Daniels.
In our eyes, there is no better wedding gift than paying it forward. It turns out that a marriage and a mitzvah, just like Mark and I, make a perfect pair.
These were on the tables during the wedding.
Jamie Daniels and Alissa Cohen in kindergarten during Halloween
Lisa, Carolyn, Jamie and Ken in 2011
stunning views. unforgettable moments.
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Delicate ruched tulle is whimsically embroidered with those magic words: To Love and To Cherish Fingerless Gloves by BHLDN — Anthropologie’s own wedding collection — also serve to highlight your ring. Anthropologie, Somerset Collection, Troy; anthropologie.com.
ExpressYourself
GAccessories can make your look on your wedding day.
LYNNE KONSTANTIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
room? Check. Little white dress? Check. Now comes the deep dive. Whether you’re channeling classic Grace Kelly or irreverent Vivienne Westwood on your wedding day, accessorizing your gown is what makes your look stand out as you. Try on these trends for 2025, including embellished opera gloves, striking chapel-length veils, pops of delicious color and more.
Bows are back — flowing down the back as veils, as details on dresses and in the hair on clips, like Jennifer Behr’s glossy April Satin Bow Barrette, personalized with your initial. Jenniferbehr.com.
This fanciful fairytale Hydrangea Garden Bridal Necklace by Twigs & Honey is embellished with hand-sculpted clay flowers and finished with silk ribbons. Twigsandhoney.com.
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London-based artisan Paula Nadal is “the flamboyant cocktail for the arts and the artists,” she says, celebrating historic sources while creating ethical, luxury design of couture, bespoke, madeto-measure, Armour Corsets — and exquisite veils, like the Veil VI: Hand-embroidered lace, bows, pearls and crystals adorn hand-pleated cascading silk tulle. Paulanadal.com.
A big bridal runway trend for 2025 is color — opting for a pop of color, from punchy pink to subdued Wedgwood blue, can bring the drama or an elegantly fresh take for your look. In Markerian’s Lunella Blue Crystal Voilette, timeless romanticism meets a modern flourish with hand-draped Swarovski crystal dotting the graceful French veiling and blue grosgrain padded headband. Markerian-nyc.com.
Jennifer Behr’s aptly named crystal Bouquet Earrings (color: Bluebell) are wearable floral arrangements, ticking the trend boxes of color, statement jewels and a dose of irreverent glamour. Jenniferbehr.com.
The long, sweeping cathedral-style veil is back. The perfect look for a garden wedding, this Abstract Floral Chapel Veil by Watters is light, airy, elegant and dramatic (check out the matching gown, too). Floral embellishments are dotted with beads, pearls and sequins. Anthropologie, Somerset Collection, Troy; anthropologie.com.
A stunning solution, even in some Conservative synagogues, to covering shoulders on the bimah, the Anya Beaded Long-Sleeve High-Neck Topper by Catherine Deane is cut from pearl-encrusted, beadembroidered long-sleeved tulle with a scalloped hem. Anthropologie, Somerset Collection, Troy; anthropologie.com.
Stunning,historicstained-glasssanctuary
2renovatedreceptionhalls(500+capacityeach) IntimatespacesforbrideandKetubahsigning
Centrallylocatedwithplentifulparking
Large,privateoutdoorpaviliontentforcocktailhour QualityKosherCateringon-site(StarKcertified)
with Pinch Provisions’ Super Spa Set Carryall, packed with a full-size ice roller, silk sleep mask, gua sha, exfoliating mitt, hair clip, shower steamer, scarf massager and silk scrunchie. Pinchprovisions.com.
Your bridesmaids are your ride-or-die — show them your gratitude with these sweet tokens.
LYNNE KONSTANTIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Share it with the girls (perfect for a bachelorette-night sleepover or getting-ready gathering) with Katie Kime’s Amour Pajama Shorts Set, accented with pretty piping details and adjustable drawstring. Guys N Gals can monogram each individual set for a personalized touch. Guys N Gals, West Bloomfield; shopguysngals.com.
they’ll treasure Rachel Reinhardt’s enchanting Pink Opal Heart Necklace, studded with sparkling pink CZ and gold vermeil details on a paperclip chain. My House of Style,
They’ll love this Hamptons Terry Tote (extracute with a personalized monogram or message from Event Bliss, or pair it with Anthropologie’s Bubble Letter Monogram Bag Charm; anthropologie.com) poolside and year-round.
This 600-thread count Satin Heart Pillowcase by Kitsch reduces breakouts, prevents facial creases, is gentle on skin, hair and eyelashes and stays cool all night. Guys N Gals, West Bloomfield; shopguysngals.com.
with luxurious cashmere (cotton sweatshirt and men’s options available, too). Choose from Lingua Franca’s delicious hues of cashmere and thread for customized embroidery to personalize their Mama Love Crewneck or Custom Love Socks, whether the initials of their own sweetheart, the initials of the entire bridal party, a simple heart or a just-betweenyou saying. Linguafranca.nyc.
