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…
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.
ALSO SEE: 67 of our favourite last dance songs to end your wedding on a high
67 of our favourite last dance songs to end your wedding on a high
Feature image: BBC News
Your wedding cake may be the main event on the dessert table, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with some other sweet treats! For those that…
Ending your wedding on the right note is just as important as the first dance. The final song of the night is often one of the moment that lingers in your guests’ memories — the last shared singalong, the final dance with the last guests on the dancefloor, or that quiet moment between just the two of you before the celebration comes to an end.
The best last dance songs always bring people together one more time. Choosing the right track matters because it creates closure, celebration, and a final burst of joy to end one of life’s biggest days on a high.
Below are 67 of the best wedding last dance songs to end your night perfectly (or to simply add to your wedding’s playlist).
67 of our favourite last dance wedding songs
- Mr Brightside – The Killers
- (I’m Gonna Be) 500 Miles – The Proclaimers
- Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
- Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
- (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
- Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
- Celebration – Kool & The Gang
- Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
- I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston
- Get Lucky – Daft Punk
- This Will Be – Natalie Cole
- All Night Long – Lionel Richie
- Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode
- Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
- Dancing Queen – ABBA
- I’ll Be There for You – The Rembrandts
- Save the Last Dance for Me – Michael Bublé
- At Last – Etta James
- We Are Young – Fun.
- We Are Family – Sister Sledge
- One More Time – Daft Punk
- Come On Eileen – Dexys Midnight Runners
- I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
- Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
- Stand By Me – Ben E. King
- Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye
- You’ve Got the Love – Florence + The Machine
- Sex on Fire – Kings of Leon
- Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
- Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
- I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
- Proud Mary – Tina Turner
- Jump Around – House of Pain
- A Little Respect – Erasure
- I Love It – Icona Pop
- Shut Up and Dance – Walk the Moon
- You Make My Dreams – Hall & Oates
- I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
- Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
- The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
- Forever – Chris Brown
- You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
- Ho Hey – The Lumineers
- Like a Prayer – Madonna
- How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
- Houdini – Dua Lipa
- HOT TO GO! – Chappell Roan
- Can’t Stop the Feeling! – Justin Timberlake
- We Found Love – Rihanna
- DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love – Usher
- Yeah! – Usher
- Low – Flo Rida
- Raise Your Glass – P!nk
- Everytime We Touch – Cascada
- Party Rock Anthem – LMFAO
- The Time (Dirty Bit) – Black Eyed Peas
- American Pie – Don McLean
- Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
- Lovely Day – Bill Withers
- My Girl – The Temptations
- Real Love Baby – Father John Misty
- Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine
- All the Small Things – Blink-182
- Send Me On My Way – Rusted Root
- Calm Down – Rema & Selena Gomez
- Pour Some Sugar on Me – Def Leppard
- Amazed – Lonestar
ALSO SEE: Tips for choosing your wedding’s signature cocktail names
Feature image: Pexels
In recent years, weddings have begun to evolve beyond a single day of celebration. Increasingly, couples are choosing to transform their weddings into full weekend experiences, gatherings that…
Do you sometimes wish to have a different ring on your ring finger? Look no further. Here are FAQs and all you need to know when thinking of resetting your engagement ring.
A ring makeover does not have to cost you an arm and a leg, and you don’t have to buy a completely new ring either. You can rearrange your stones and make them brand new.
1. Why reset your ring
There are many reasons to reset your ring and those may include a divorce, feeling your ring is worn out, or just wanting a new look. However, when you reset your ring, its value changes and it will no longer be the original price.
2. Cost to reset
Resetting your ring may cost from R5000 to R20 000, depending on the design and the type of stone it is. The cost is less expensive than buying a new ring. However, adding new diamonds might cost more so you need to do your maths before taking your ring for a new look.
3. How long will it take
The waiting period depends on what you want to be done on your ring and it also depends on where you take it. Adding more diamonds might take longer. If you take your ring to a local jeweler it might take up to six weeks to finish it but private jewelers may have it done faster.
4. Know your stone
Do your research about your stone. It will make it easy for you to decide what to do with it if you know a little more about it. This way, you know what to expect from reconstruction and the risks.
5. Insurance
Mistakes happen all the time and you want to avoid them happening to your stone but you can never be a 100% sure, the best thing to do is make sure your ring is insured and ask your jeweler what is their policy if they mess or break the stone, have that written down to protect yourself. Normally, jewelers have a free repair policy but asking won’t hurt.
6. Ask
Jewelry is an important piece in anyone’s life because there is always a story behind it. When you take your ring for resetting, ask as many questions as you possibly can. Do your research prior and go prepared. This will save you.
ALSO SEE: Alternative engagement ring stones
Picture: Pexels
Signature cocktails are one of the easiest (and most fun) ways to personalise your wedding day. The good news? You don’t need to overthink it. Naming your wedding…