The Wedding Dilemma By: Samia Ahmed and Safia Mian

The day finally came and Rafi proposed to his girlfriend Samia. Samia was thrilled and told her best friend Safia all about it.

As they were talking, Safia asked Samia, “so when did you plan the big day for?”. Samia said, “were getting married on May 25th”. Safia panicked, “May 25 th !” she said, “That is only one month away!” Samia now began to panic and told her best friend that she had to help her organize this big event because her fiancé would be out of town until the wedding day.

The following day Safia and Samia started to make a list of all the things they needed and the places they had to visit. Time was going fast and so many things had to be done. It was decided that the budget for the wedding was going to be $40, 000.

The next day they went looking at churches. They narrowed it down to two churches. One was 18km North from Samia’s house which was about a 25 minute drive, and the other was 22km (northeast) away that was a 33 minute drive away from Samia’s house. Even though the first church was closer to the bride’s house, the second church was the one they selected because it was larger. They made a down payment of $3000 and were to pay the remaining balance of $2000 the day before the wedding.

On the way home from the church, Safia and Samia noticed a wedding dress that was displayed in a showcase window of a store. Samia had to get that dress. It was too gorgeous not to try on. The dress ended up costing $5300, but money well spent.

When the ladies got back into the car, Safia noticed that her gas was low and that she needed to fill up.

The dress store was 12km north of Samia’s house and there was a gas station called Monkey’s Pie that was 7km West of the dress store. This gas station was the only one in the area and busy because of the construction work happening near by. Monkey’s Pie was 30 minutes away from the church they selected, and 15 minutes away from Samia’s house. Safia and Samia made it to the gas station, filled up and headed home.

Over the course of two weeks, Samia and Safia proceeded with making arrangements and planning the details. The food was going to be catered by Chez Rolando. The food was going to cost $11,000, but this was because it was a 7 course meal. The flowers were chosen and Samia decided that she wanted long stem lilies. This cost another $2700.

Finally the details were coming together. The clothes were picked out, the décor, accessories and food were ready to go. The only details that were not yet finalized were the hair and makeup for the bride and the transportation to the church. One week before the wedding, Safia came across a beauty spa and salon. She thought it would be perfect for Samia to get her hair and make up done there. This salon was 3km south of Samia’s house and it would only take 8 minutes to get there.

Samia and Safia decided to go to the salon one week prior to the wedding to have a trial make up and hair session. Samia ended up loving the way they did her hair and makeup. She decided she would go there the day of her wedding to get herself made up. The total cost of the session for the wedding day totaled $350.

After the girls finished up at the salon, Samia decided to go to the flower shop and confirm that the flowers she wanted would be in and sent to the church on time. There was a Mobil gas station that was 1km east from the salon which was a 2 minute drive from where they were. They got some gas and then went back home.

By the end of making all of the arrangements, Samia and Safia calculated how much money they had left. It ended up that they spent $39, 822. Samia would not have enough money to pay for a limo. They girls were left with only one option. Safia would have to drive Samia to the church on the wedding day. By the end of making all of the arrangements, Samia and Safia calculated how much money they had left. It ended up that they spent $39, 822. Samia would not have enough money to pay for a limo. The girls were left with only one option. Safia would have to drive Samia to the church on the wedding day.

The ever so anticipated day finally arrived. It was May 25th! The ceremony was scheduled to begin at 11:00a.m. sharp. Samia had her salon appointment at 8:45a.m. When Samia and Safia reached the salon, the hair dresser apologized and said they would have to wait an extra 15minutes due to the late arrival of the previous client.

At 9a.m. the stylist began working on Samia’s hair and makeup. Everything was finally done at 10:05a.m. The girls sat in the car and Safia realized she needed to get some gas. She did not have enough fuel to make it to the church. Samia started to panic and realized that she forgot the wedding rings at home. With the ceremony starting at 11a.m. sharp, the gas running out and the rings at home, Safia and Samia were in a dilemma. What is the best solution for them to get to the church the fastest with the rings, filling up on gas and reaching the church all before 11a.m.?