We all know how stressful planning a wedding can be, making wedding planning burnout a very real possibility. Whether you’re trying not to pull out your hair as wedding costs skyrocket or you’re obsessing over every little detail to ensure that everything goes the way you’ve pictured it, feeling overwhelmed is guaranteed to happen if you’re not careful.
Thankfully, this isn’t something new and there are endless resources to help the modern bridal couple looking to keep costs and anxiety low.
If you’re looking for a dreamy honeymoon destination, try taking a peek in your own backyard. The glittering sands of the South of France, or the azure-blue waters…
Alongside all the beauty of an autumn or winter wedding comes one unpredictable guest: rain. And while a few drops might make for dreamy photos, a full-on downpour…
Mixing cologne, body spray, deodorant and aftershave can become a messy affair. Here is our gentlemen’s guide to understanding these different products and how to use them:
Cologne is the strongest form of fragrance and generally lasts the longest. It’s ideal for nights out, a special date, or more formal functions.
Body sprays are the second strongest. These nifty, portable sprays are great for daytime or after gym wear. Sprays last a few hours and can be easily re-applied to keep you smelling fresh.
Aftershave and deodorant serve dual functions. These products don’t just smell good, they also serve a purpose. We suggest using neutral-smelling aftershaves and deodorants to avoid scents clashing and becoming muddied, while still benefitting from their practical usage.
Aftershave contains soothing and anti-bacterial agents. It prevents irritations, itching, burning and rashes, all while hydrating your skin too. It usually contains a type of astringent, an ingredient that seals up pores to prevent bacteria infecting the skin after shaving.
Deodorant, the most subdued of all scents, is mostly functional. It’s important to note that not all deodorants are antiperspirants. Antiperspirants close or block the pores under your pits, working against your natural odour, while a deodorant masks the smell of sweat while still allowing skin to breathe. Antiperspirants not only reduce sweating, but also regulate your skin’s pH level, preventing stinky pits.
To strike a perfect balance, we suggest choosing one fragrance (cologne or body spray) according to the occasion and combining it with a neutral aftershave and deodorant.
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Feature image: Pexels
Love was clearly in the air this April as South African singer Brendan Peyper shared some heart-melting news with fans: he’s officially off the market.
On 26 April 1986, as an explosion rocked the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, life in the nearby city of Pripyat appeared — at least on the surface — to continue as normal.
Among those moving ahead with their plans were Iryna Stetsenko, 19, and Serhiy Lobanov, 25, who were due to be married that same day, just 4km from the plant.
The wedding morning
In the early hours before the ceremony, residents reported unusual sounds and vibrations. Iryna recalled a low rumble and shaking windows, while Serhiy described feeling what he thought might have been a minor tremor.
Despite this, there was no clear information.
According to BBC News, Soviet authorities did not immediately disclose what had happened. Radio broadcasts remained silent, and when residents called for answers, they were told not to panic and to continue with planned events.
By morning, however, signs of disruption were visible. Soldiers in gas masks appeared the city, and streets were being washed down. At the market, unusually quiet for a Saturday, Serhiy bought a small bouquet of tulips for the bride.
“We knew something wasn’t right”
The wedding went ahead at Pripyat’s Palace of Culture, The couple exchanged vows in front of family and friends, but the mood was far from celebratory. Guests were aware that something had happened, even if the details were unclear.
“There was tension,” Serhiy later said to BBC. “Everyone understood something was wrong.”
At the reception, the atmosphere remained subdued. The couple had planned a traditional waltz for their first dance, but quickly fell out of step. Instead, they held each other and moved together quietly.
What was happening just kilometres away
While the wedding continued, reactor four at the plant had exploded during a failed safety test, triggering the Chernobyl disaster.
The blast released large amounts of radioactive material into the atmosphere, affecting vast areas of Ukraine and beyond. Emergency crews worked through the night to contain the damage, many exposed to dangerous radiation levels.
Residents, however, were not immediately evacuated or fully informed.
A wedding cut short
In the early hours of the following morning, just hours after becoming husband and wife, Iryna and Serhiy were told to leave.
Evacuation trains were scheduled to depart at dawn. With little time to prepare, they gathered what they could. Iryna, who had no other suitable clothing on hand, ran through the streets in her wedding dress to return home and change before leaving.
Like thousands of others, they were told the evacuation would be temporary.
They never returned to Pripyat.
Life after Chernobyl
In the days following their evacuation, the couple stayed with family far from the exclusion zone. It was there that Iryna discovered she was pregnant.
At the time, there were widespread concerns about the potential effects of radiation exposure on unborn children. Despite the uncertainty, she continued with the pregnancy and later gave birth to a healthy daughter.
Over the years, the couple have said they believe the disaster may have affected their health, though this has not been medically confirmed.
Decades later
Today, Pripyat remains abandoned, and the reactor is sealed beneath a protective structure designed to contain radiation. While some areas are now considered safe for limited visits, the region is still heavily monitored.
For Iryna and Serhiy, the events of that day reshaped the course of their lives.
Their wedding, set against the backdrop of one of history’s most devastating nuclear accidents, was not the celebration they had imagined — but it marked the beginning of a marriage that has endured decades of upheaval.
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Feature image: BBC News
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