Comments on A Practical Wedding: Light Up The Night - A $10,000 Wedding In Reverse

This is Dianne (happily of Dianne and Chuck) and I...

2008-07-13T20:55:17.373-07:00

This is Dianne (happily of Dianne and Chuck) and I just want to say thank you so much, Meg, for sharing our story with your readers. And I have to say a grateful and heartfelt thank you to everyone who made a contribution this weekend to the Light the Night effort. I'm truly blessed by your kindness and care. May we all have weddings that celebrate life and love!

Dianne

PS - Anyone who is interested in reading more about our story is welcome to visit www.mywedding.com/dianneandchuck

Well Arnie, as a former nonprofit fundraiser, I he...

2008-07-12T11:33:30.358-07:00

Well Arnie, as a former nonprofit fundraiser, I hear what you are saying, though those numbers do not raise any large red flags to me. That said, I'm not sure this is quite the right way to respond to this couple's choice of charity. They are giving with the best of intentions, and giving should always be encouraged, not discouraged. So, let's drop the subject as unhelpful, and focus on the positive.

super excellent idea. just not sure about their ch...

2008-07-12T10:59:16.428-07:00

super excellent idea. just not sure about their choice of a tzedakah. i looked it up on charitynavigator and see that they have an annual budget of over $225,000,000 a year!

also, they employ more than 500 people full time, and another more than 100 part time.

their total management, administration, fundraising: $62,000,000 -- about 30% of their total budget.

and their excess for the year is over $4,000,000! excess!

and lastly, their director earns almost $500,000.

so, while i am sure that they do good work, i also believe that there are better recipients who would make this fantastic couple more proud.

$10,000 could be used in so many ways to make so many cancer people in need happy......

just my two shekels...

arnie draiman
www.draimanconsulting.com

well done, ms practical.

2008-07-11T20:22:28.844-07:00

well done, ms practical.

Done! Thanks for sharing this lovely project and ...

2008-07-11T15:22:29.608-07:00

Done! Thanks for sharing this lovely project and giving us the opportunity to help.... When I think about all the purchases we justified because of the wedding (even a super-budget wedding like ours), a small donation was a no-brainer in comparison!

So touching! It sounds like my story. I was diagno...

2008-07-11T14:10:48.692-07:00

So touching! It sounds like my story. I was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkins lymphoma and I gave the guy I was dating a "not sure you want a date a girl with cancer" spiel. Afterward we both cried and he said, "You're my friend, and I wouldn't leave a friend at a time like this." Four years and seven months later, we were married. So our wedding was a real celebration, of life, of survivorship and love and getting through all its tests. My best to this couple!

What a fantastic idea.I try not think 'can we affo...

2008-07-11T11:39:26.872-07:00

What a fantastic idea.

I try not think 'can we afford this?' but rather 'does it make sense to spend this money in this way?' and this is an excellent reminder of why the answer is so often no.

Oh wow! What an awesome story. It brought a litt...

2008-07-11T11:23:05.567-07:00

Oh wow! What an awesome story. It brought a little tear to my eye because it was so beautiful and meaningful!! Seriously - thanks for sharing. And once again reminding us what all of it's about. ;-)
Have a great weekend!

That is such a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing...

2008-07-11T10:10:05.273-07:00

That is such a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it, and also making the distinction between charity and tzedakah! I've always thought it's a really lovely difference.