• Author

    Wedding ETC

    Browsing

    Morocco is filled with a rich culture dating back many years. Their wedding traditions incorporate their culture’s morals and values and are quite elaborate occasions.

    A traditional Moroccan wedding can last up to seven days, as it includes several ceremonies that occur prior to the actual wedding. Music, dancing, outfit changes, customs, and traditions all play a huge role in Moroccan weddings.

    Here are some of the ongoings of a Moroccan marriage:

    Drib Sdak 

    In Morocco, the actual marriage happens before the celebration, in a ceremony called the Drib Sdak. At this small ceremony, the couple sign the marriage contract with their family members present as witnesses. They are also accompanied by an Adoul (a notary).

    Hammam 

    A few days before the celebration, the bride undergoes a process of purification. The bride gathers all the women in her life, who accompany her to the hammam (public bath or additional sauna). She will get her hair washed with ghassoul (a type of clay) and be pampered with a massage, waxing, and more. This lasts a full day.

    Moroccans also take part in a version of the Henna party, most popularly celebrated by Hindu people. The Henna party happens the day after the Hammam.

    The beginning of the real celebration

    The third day is when all the efforts of the pre-wedding occasions come together.

    Guests and the wedding party gather at the wedding venue. Thereafter the groom arrives with his family. The last to arrive is the bride, who is escorted in an amaria (a roofed platform carried by a few men).

    During the festivities 

    Once the bride exits the amaria, she will sit on an elevated couch with her new partner and guests will be allowed to come take pictures with the pair.

    Just before the meal is served, the bride often changes into a second outfit. After dinner and some dancing, the bride will change her clothing again. This time, into an outfit called the “Labssa Fassia”. The groom also changes into more traditional clothing (from his wedding suit).

    One last change of clothes happens before the cutting of the cake and the last dance.

    Parade 

    After the festivities, the newlyweds leave the venue in a car parade. They will stop at various locations along with their route home, to capture some photographs.

    Once they arrive at the groom’s home, his mother will welcome the couple with milk and dates.

    Feature image: Unsplash

    Wedding dresses are a major part of anyone’s big day but after the wedding, they tend to end up unused and stashed away in a cupboard.

    Your dress doesn’t have to just sit in a closet and collect dust. To get the most out it, here are a few ways to reuse your wedding dress and create more special memories.

    Donate it

    Your wedding dress holds a special meaning but more often than not, it just becomes an ornament hanging in the back of your cupboard. Donating your dress will give someone else the opportunity to feel just as beautiful and glamorous as you did on your big day.

    Get crafty

    Wedding dresses tend to have much more fabric than others, which can be cut and crafted in new and creative ways. You can cut the dress down and use strips of material for making various home decor items or clothing. Satin and lace work well for this. Or separate the skirt and bodice to wear as stylish separates paired with more casual items.

    Dye it

    Along the lines of crafting, dying your dress will instantly change its look and make it an elegant evening gown which you can wear out to events or formal functions.

    Turn it into a family heirloom

    If you feel sentimental and would like to keep your dress, turning it into a Christening dress or princess-style dress for your child or younger family member is a meaningful way of re-using your dress.

    Play dress up

    Love Halloween, or any kind of dress-up for that matter? You can get seriously creative with your wedding dress for a themed party. Think zombie bride or fairytale princess!

    Feature image: Pexels

    With thousands of themes to choose from, it can be difficult to decide on a wedding theme. You don’t have to choose between his favourite superhero movie and your perfect all-white wedding-themed weddings allow you to get the best of both worlds. Combine your favourite pop culture and movie references for a wedding celebration with a unique twist.

    Harry Potter 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAhJHw-Kn54/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    No love potions needed here. If you and your better half are low-key wizards at heart, a Harry Potterthemed wedding is perfect for you. Why not send out a love-spell invitation or thank-you cards and feast on a Sorting Hat wedding cake? Then gift your guests with Harry Potter wands as wedding favours – complete with their names on the box so it will feel just like a trip to Ollivander’s.

    The Wizard Of Oz 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_ctdYVjCBt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Follow the yellow brick road down the aisle to meet your future partner and add a pop of colour to your conventional wedding attire by opting for sparkly red shoes just like Dorothy. Your decor can be farm-inspired with checked tablecloths and straw bales as seats, or add outdoor benches and Tin Man, Scarecrow and Lion photo booth props if you’d like to give your guests a fun memento to take home. Just like Dorothy had a wish, your guests can write out cute wishes on small pieces of paper for you and your loved one.

    Superheroes 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_UpXcEnYv4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    With the surge in superhero flicks, you can take your love for all things Marvel or DC to new heights. Whether it’s The Hulk, Superman or Batman, you can have it all! Ask your groomsmen to don superhero-themed T-shirts beneath their suits or have your guests dress up as their favourite characters – villains welcome too. For a more subtle approach, decorate a simple wedding cake with inside layers mimicking the colours of your favourite superhero’s costume or add a cute hero couple caketopper (think Batman and Catwoman or Superman and Wonderwoman).

    Sports

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B04ngjRHJx1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Are you a die-hard sports fan? Then incorporate sports trivia on your special day with sports trophies as flower vases or your venue decorated to look like the inside of an arena (or you could just have your venue at a sports ground). Sports jerseys can be used as bridal party outfits after the formal wedding festivities are out of the way and you can keep your guests entertained with a host of sport activities that double as the perfect props for pictures.

    Carnival 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CBxSvczn0aY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Feel like a kid again and make your wedding reception a carnival complete with fun games where guests can win prizes for participating. Serve foods casually by setting up food carts with hot dogs, popcorn in cute striped bags and even candyfloss on a stick, and decorate your tables with brightly coloured paper and an assortment of colourful sweets.

    Feature image: Pixabay

    South Africa has quite a high rate of divorce. According to Stats SA, four out of ten marriages end in divorce before their tenth anniversary. The truth is, nobody wants their story to end in a separation, but sometimes you have no other choice.

    DivorceLaws.co.za, a website established by Family Law and Divorce Lawyer Bertus Preller at Maurice Philips Wisenberg in Cape Town and author of the book Everyone’s Guide To Divorce and Separation, published data about divorce in South Africa. According to the website, the divorce rate declined from 2017 to 2018 but despite this, the numbers remain high.

    Data based on 25 284 divorce forms obtained by Stats SA showed a decline of 0.4% (from 25 390 in 2017 to 25 284 in 2018). Most divorce proceedings are started by women.

    “The 2018 data reveal that more wives than husbands, 13 218 (52,3%) women in comparison to 8 791 (34,8%) men started divorce proceedings and 1 523 (6,0%) divorces were started by both husband and wife,” they said on the website.

    Additionally, Business Tech reported that since the beginning of lockdown, divorce in the country has increased by 20%.

    With such high divorce rates, one begins to wonder how much divorce actually costs. The total cost depends on the complexity of the settlement, with issues which may include division of assets or child maintenance.

    According to Parent24, in the case that a couple collaborates to finalise all of these complexities and reach an agreement, the divorce can have a total cost coming to R7000 to R10 000. If the divorce is contested, however, it will be much more expensive.

    When both individuals do not agree on the terms, they incur additional costs by going back and forth and keeping lawyers for longer, and having to go to court.

    Attorneys charge big money for their services. Some who are well-experienced charge between R2000 and R3000 an hour. So, by increasing the time you spend with them, you increase your fees tremendously.

    One might think that doing it yourself is the best option in an effort to save money. However, Lee Hancox, head of channel and segment marketing at Sanlam told Business Tech that it may cause more trouble.

    “Sometimes there’s the temptation to rush into a ‘quickie’ DIY divorce that seems cheaper and faster – perhaps you want to get out of the emotionally stressful scenario as fast as possible,” she said. “This can be risky. Particularly if you’re not a legal expert, what you may be putting into your divorce agreement could be called into question when you get into a divorce court, or, worst-case scenario, could be to your detriment in the long run. ”

    The result of this could cost you more in the end, so it may be better to stick with a professional.

    If you’re wondering what else may increase your spending during or after divorce, here are some expenses that result from separation:

    – Two households instead of one,

    – Additional child care expenses,

    – Separating contracts like medical aid, cell phone contracts, insurance, bond payments and others.

    David Thomson, senior legal adviser at Sanlam Trust told Business Tech that professional help to guide you in the process makes a huge difference.

    “You have to consider the impact of divorce on the whole financial picture. In a partnership, one person may have taken responsibility for the finances, so following a divorce, sudden financial independence could be daunting for the other partner,” he explained.

    “Additionally, divorce might mean that one has to go back to work. Plus, it has potentially big consequences if there are children involved as arrangements must be made regarding payment of school fees; medical aid and the like.”

    “Divorce is complicated, no matter who you are and how wealthy you may be.”

    Image: Unsplash

    Weddings may be about romance, love and celebration, but a big part of that is food! Often times the catering can be expensive, and it’s easier to pick a 3-course meal where guests only need to select chicken or beef, but where’s the fun in that?

    You can save on your budget while still treating your guests to a magnificent feast with fun food themes catered to your big day. Here are a few of our favourite ideas.

    1. ITALIAN PARTY

    Source: Pinterest

    Everyone loves pizza and pasta, plus they’re no-fuss meals with so many delicious variations to choose from. With Italian-themed cuisine you can offer your guests everything from meaty to vegetarian and gluten-free.

    2. CARNIVAL FRENZY

    Source: Pinterest

    Think dessert tables, a cotton candy machine, popcorn stand and slushies to add to the festive magic of your wedding day. And don’t forget about your hot foods with cheesy burgers, fries in a cone, hotdogs, pizza slices and all your carnival favourites that will make your guests feel like they’re kids again.

    3. A TRADITIONAL TAKE

    Source: Pinterest

    You can never go wrong with food celebrating you and your family’s traditional heritage. In South Africa, curries, bobotie, fish and chips, samp and beans and potjies are all firm favourites that show the cultural diversity we have. Treat your guests to some close-to-home meals to celebrate the coming together of families and tradition.

    4. COMFORT DELIGHTS

    Source: Pinterest

    Celebrating a rustic wedding in autumn or winter means you’ll want all the comfort foods on the table. Think homemade soups, cottage pie, lasagne, chicken enchiladas, mac ‘n cheese and malva pudding to give your guests a warm and homey experience that will leave them drooling.

    5. SUMMER PICNIC

    Source: Pinterest

    If you’re planning a summer day, take advantage of the season’s produce with fresh fruit, juice, snacks and picnic-style treats like finger sandwiches, fresh croissants, cheeses, jams and spreads. Set up blankets and pillows with baskets and bottles of bubbly for your wedding reception to let your guests indulge in the summertime magic of your day.

    Feature image: Unsplash

    When it comes to choosing rings, most focus their attention solely on the stone. However, there are other components to consider too! One element is the ring metal.

    From the classics like gold or sterling silver to others such as palladium and titanium, there are many to choose from. The perfection option for you is out there!

    Here are some ring metals to choose from:

    Tungsten

    According to Brides, this metal is as strong as they come. It is considered to be the most durable metal, four times stronger than titanium, and is scratch-resistant too. What makes it even better is that the price tag won’t break the bank either.

    Tungsten, however, cannot be resized. This is important to remember as you’ll want to keep it forever, which means at some point you may need to alter the size.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CCnDLYmpeoD/

    Sterling Silver 

    This metal is one of the oldest in relation to the making of jewellery. It is also quite affordable, perfect for anyone looking for a luxury look for less money.

    Pure silver is too weak to be used on its own so it is often mixed with other metals to create sterling silver, which is much more durable.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CBapVU8Bdoz/

    Gold 

    A classic choice, gold is one of the most popular ring metals. It offers several options, including white gold, rose, and yellow. Be careful when opting for gold, though. Anything under 24-karat may be easily bent, and often, to make these stronger they are alloyed with other metals. This means your ring may be weak or not pure gold. Look into that before going for gold.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CCmQJpbofsU/

    Palladium 

    Palladium looks a lot like platinum and is much less pricey. This band will be light, comfortable, and it is hypoallergenic too. It’s perfect for anyone with an active lifestyle.

    It is, however, not as durable as some might hope and can be scratched too. Resizing is also a common issue related to this metal.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BllYnluhmFX/

    Titanium 

    Initially used in industrial applications, titanium has risen in popularity for jewellery, specifically men’s wedding bands. It is light on the hand and is modern and unique. 

    Jewellery made of Titanium doesn’t include alloys and is hypoallergenic. It is also very strong and mostly scratch-resistant.

    A downside, however, is that it cannot be resized.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CCqA4AfHmks/

    Platinum 

    Considering that it is one of the most rare metals out there, platinum is choice of luxury. It is also very strong, rarely gets damaged, does not fade in colour, and holds stones in place securely.

    With all its upsides, a platinum band may be quite pricey. Consider your budget before you opt for this one.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CCElqA2H5za/

    Stainless Steel 

    Most wouldn’t consider this one ring material, but it is increasing in popularity due to its durability, strength, and low price. It is modern-looking, and depending on how you shine it could have several different appearances. Stainless steel is also very easy to care for. All you need is dish soap, water and a soft cloth.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4iHrSWiav5/

    Cobalt 

    Cobalt comes with lifetime durability as it is approximately four times harder than platinum. It was first used in medicine and aerospace, but is now commonly used in wedding jewellery.

    While it might be a bit heavy, it comes with various benefits including the fact that it is easily resizable, is mostly scratch-resistant, and is hypoallergenic.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Qh1MuFMs6/

    Image: Unsplash

    The unfortunate passing of Kelly Preston due to breast cancer has brought much sadness to the world. Loving thoughts and prayers have been sent to her husband, award-winning actor John Travolta, who also lost a previous love to the same illness.

    The story of Travolta and Preston is one of Hollywood’s most legendary. The pair were married for almost 29 years, and through it all, they shared the best and worst with us.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8U9a3kH7wc/

    They first met at a screen test for a comedy movie called The Experts (1989), which they both starred in. Travolta was immediately taken with the beauty and grace of Preston, but for her it was less instant.

    At the time, Preston was married to actor Kevin Gage. In an interview with Andy Cohen in 2018, the host asked Preston whether it was love at first sight for her and Travolta. “Kinda,” she replied.

    “Well I was not that happily married, let’s put it that way,” Preston said. “I was really with the wrong person.

    At their first meeting, the famed couple had to dance together. As we all know from his roles in Grease and Saturday Night Fever, Travolta has moves, and they must have helped him get the girl of his dreams, as Preston later admitted that the dance is what started it all.

    On the day, a mutual friend told Travolta, “You’re going to meet this girl and you’re going to fall in love with her, and you’re going to want to get married.” How serendipitous!

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkkyf0KHQUV/

    Preston divorced Gage, and eventually began dating Travolta. Their love blossomed and in 1990 on New Year’s Eve in Switzerland, Travolta proposed with a 6-carat diamond ring.

    The next year they eloped to Paris and got married on September 5, 1991. Kelly admitted that the wedding planning at home became too much for her to handle. “The wedding got so big and so crazy. I thought once the florist’s assistant got an assistant, I was done,” she said in a 2018 interview.

    The pair, who are both Scientologists, had a Scientology minister perform their nuptials.

    Soon after, they made their way back to Florida, for another wedding to make it legal after they found out that their Paris nuptials would not be accepted by US law.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BnWdzhWFZwQ/?utm_source=ig_embed

    On April 13, 1992, their first child, Jett, was born. Family life was very important to them, and in 2000 they welcomed their second child, Ella.

    They tragically lost their firstborn when he was 16 (in 2009) after he suffered from Kawasaki Syndrome as a child and had a history of seizures. To this day, Jett’s birthday is still celebrated.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-8epmcpDFL/

    A year later, the family welcomed another member, Benjamin. It was surprising to everyone, as Kelly was already 48 at the time and she had admitted that they tried for another child for years without success.

    “When I found out I was pregnant, I was floored,” Kelly told People Magazine. “I’d snuck out of bed and then came back and woke Johnny up in bed. We both started crying. It was wonderful.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-5xsiaJ6ew/

    Despite the loss and tough times, the two stuck together. Preston told People Magazine that, just like at their first meeting, they often danced together, and they always looked for moments to have fun together.

    “A relationship doesn’t just happen,” she said. “You have to work at it. You’ve got to keep it fun and that’s what we do.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BizVJDilqrd/

    In 2018, tragedy struck the family again, when Preston was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite being public about their losses in the past, the family decided they would not publicise her illness.

    On July 12, 2020 Travolta made the heartbreaking announcement that his beloved wife had passed on.

    “It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer. She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many.  My family and I will forever be grateful to her doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Cancer Center, all the medical centers that have helped, as well as her many friends and loved ones who have been by her side. Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered. I will be taking some time to be there for my children who have lost their mother, so forgive me in advance if you don’t hear from us for a while.  But please know that I will feel your outpouring of love in the weeks and months ahead as we heal. All my love, JT,” he wrote.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CCkgCG5ptxE/

    Their love lasted through years of Hollywood life, though trauma and sadness, and always came out stronger. Our condolences to her loved ones.

    Image: Instagram / John Travolta

    Cape Town, South Africa is filled with different cultures and creeds. For weddings, this means that many you attend will be different from the traditional “white wedding” introduced by the West.

    One demographic with a variety of wedding traditions that differ from the “norm” is the Cape Malay culture. There are several parts, including pre-wedding ceremonies, events on the wedding day, and more.

    Given the large community of Cape Malay people in the city, it’s likely that you will eventually be invited to a wedding which requires you to know a bit about the traditions. Instead of showing up to the wedding and feeling confused about some of the customs being practiced, it’s best to get clued up prior to the ceremony. The more you know the better!

    Here are some Cape Malay wedding traditions to get you started:

    Marriage Intentions: 

    After a couple decided they are ready for marriage, the parents of the man approach the parents of the women to ask for their daughter’s hand. This takes place across two separate meetings of the families. The second meeting is where the man’s family receives consent from the woman’s family so that the couple can marry. At this meeting, together they decide on a date for both the engagement ceremony and the Nikkah (marriage).

    ‘Bruidskamer’: 

    Once the wedding planning begins, the groom-to-be has the task of setting up the ‘Bruidskamer’ (bridal chamber i.e. the house they will live in together after they marry, since in this culture people do not move out of their family homes until they get married).

    Families are filled with excitement during this time in the lead up to the wedding. Everyone including aunts, uncles, and cousins are involved in the organizing of the new home and other wedding preparations.

    Getting Packed in: 

    The bride is not allowed to see the ‘bruidskamer’ until after the wedding, therefore her family spends a few nights prior to the wedding packing her personal belongings in to the new home.

    Nikkah:

    The formal wedding ceremony is called the Nikkah, and it usually happens at a mosque on the morning of the wedding prior to the reception.

    The Nikkah is essentially a ceremony in which the groom accepts a proposal from the bride’s father to marry her. There are certain words that have to be uttered by the groom and the bride’s father in order to make things official. Specifically, the groom has to accept the dowry amount that he has to pay.

    The Imam (or leader of prayer) at the mosque will then recite a sermon, after which he will have the groom recite a few words in Arabic. He will say: “Qabil-tu nikah haha linafsi biethaalik”, which translates to “I have accepted her marriage to myself for that dowry”. The marriage is then formalized.

    Thereafter, the groom makes his way to the bride who awaits nearby. He will remove her veil and place the wedding ring on her finger.

    The reception:

    After the Nikkah, the couple will have a reception where guests are treated to a variety of foods and favorites. At the end of the reception, the bride is collected by women from the groom’s family called the Hadjies”. They will speak to the bride’s parents, and then escort her to the ‘bruidskamer’.

    In a heartwarming moment as she leaves the wedding venue with her groom’s aunts, the bride hugs all of her family members as wedding guests recite the “Salawaat,” which is melodious praise for the Prophet.

    The groom leaves the venue before, in order to be waiting for his wife when she arrives at their new home.

    Image: Unsplash

    Nick and Vanessa Lachey celebrated their ninth year of marriage on July 15. To commemorate the event the pair each posted loving messages to one another on Instagram.

    The former member of popular boyband 98 Degrees posted a sweet photo of the pair on a beach at dusk. Embracing each other (and the island vibes), they seem to be living in a romantic movie.

    “Nine years and counting!! I feel incredibly lucky to have found my soulmate and ultimate partner in life and love,” he said in his caption.

    “V, you mean everything to me. No matter what we face, we face it together. Whatever blessing we enjoy, we enjoy it together. With our love and commitment to each other, I know there is nothing we can’t get through…..together. I love you V with all that I am. I always will! Happy Anniversary.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CCrL7eKFyRx/?utm_source=ig_embed

    Vanessa, a filipino-American television personality, beauty queen, fashion model, television host and actress, had a similar idea. She shared a throwback photo from their 2011 wedding, which was seemingly captured while the coupled danced.

    “14 years ago today, you said “I Love You”. 9 years ago today, we said “I Do”. Today, I say “Thank You”. Thank You for this Beautiful Life & Marriage. Thank You for the unconditional Love you give to me and our 3 crazy kids. Thank You for the hard work you put into Us and yourself daily. Thank YOU for keeping all your vows we shared on this day nine years ago. Thank you for it ALL. Happy Anniversary, My Love! I Love You!!! ❤️,” she wrote.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CCrVYjYjIMX/?utm_source=ig_embed

    Nick first met Vanessa when he went on TRL, a show hosted by Vanessa, with his then-wife Jessica Simpson. In 2005, Simpson and Lachey’s relationship began to fracture, and in 2006 he started a relationship with Vanessa. The new couple faced scrutiny due to Nick and Simpson’s story.

    They first made their relationship official in the public eye when they kissed during MTV’s New Year’s Eve broadcast.

    Around June 2009, the pair split up, but it didn’t last long and by August of the same year the were back together.

    In November 2010, Nick proposed with a $125,000 Asscher cut diamond ring, at the  Montage hotel in Orange County. The next year, the married on Richard Branson’s 74-acre private island in the British Virgin Islands.

    The couple now share three children, Camden John Lachey, 7, Brooklyn Elisabeth, 5, and Phoenix Robert, 3, and are as happy as ever.

    Image: Instagram / Nick Lachey

    The story of John Lennon and Yoko Ono has captured the attention of many over time. Their relationship was hotly debated since they began their courtship while The Beatles star was still wed to another woman. Nevertheless, their marriage is an enduring image of 20th-century popular culture. We take a look back at their nuptials.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B9-tGkJhu8n/

    Most Beatles fans know a bit about the story of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s wedding. After all, Lennon sang of it in his song “The Ballad of John and Yoko”, which he recorded with fellow Beatle, Paul McCartney, on April 14, 1969.

    The lyrics go like this:

    “Finally made the plane into Paris
    Honeymooning down by the Seine
    Peter Brown called to say
    You can make it OK
    You can get married in Gibraltar near Spain”

    Ono met Lennon in November 1966, as she prepared to open her art exhibit called Unfinished Paintings and Objects, which was held at the Indica Gallery, in the basement of the Indica Bookshop in London. According to Lennon, they fell in love on that day.

    After their initial meeting, they kept in touch for months, and eventually became an inseparable couple and a force to be reckoned with. However, when Lennon and Ono began their courtship, the singer was still married to his first wife, Cynthia Lennon. Cynthia filed for divorce in August 1968, and by March 20, 1969 Lennon would be remarried to Ono.

    Initially, the pair wanted to marry in the most romantic way they could think of – on a train to Paris.

    “We wanted to get married on a cross-channel ferry. That was the romantic part,” Lennon said in The Beatles’ Anthology documentary. “We went to Southampton and then we couldn’t get on because she wasn’t English, and she couldn’t get the day visa to go across. They said, ‘Anyway, you can’t get married. The captain’s not allowed to do it any more.'”

    After that plan failed, they tried many others, and eventually settled on Gibraltar, a location suggested by their friend Peter Brown.

    “We chose Gibraltar because it is quiet, British and friendly. We tried everywhere else first. I set out to get married on the car ferry and we would have arrived in France married, but they wouldn’t do it. We were no more successful with cruise ships. We tried embassies, but three weeks’ residence in Germany or two weeks’ in France were required,” Lennon once explained.

    The pair chartered a plane to Gibraltar and married on March 20, 1969 (about a week after bandmate Paul McCartney wedded Linda Eastman), in a 10-minute ceremony at the British Consulate Office.

    The bride wore a white, tiered miniskirt and top, small floppy hat, knee-high socks, plimsolls, and round, black sunglasses, and the groom donned a white high-neck top, a blazer, and jacket.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BgieYIHj7ae/

    After the wedding, came the honeymoon, which has gone down in history as one of the most famous honeymoons of all time.

    For their honeymoon, the pair planned a “bed-in” for peace for the week of March 25 – 31, at the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel. The event was covered by a variety of international media outlets.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CBWbYB6lFNm/

    “We decided that if we were going to do anything like get married that we would dedicate it to peace,” Lennon told Rolling Stone in 1971. “And during that period, because we are what we are, it evolved that somehow we ended up being responsible to produce peace.”

    “I was very aware that we were ruining each other’s careers and I was hated and John was hated because of me. We did everything together and we did everything publicly together. The Bed-In was our work for peace but we weren’t liked for it,” Ono shared with The Telegraph.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAo4UyYgAl8/

    Seven months after their wedding, the pair released their album titled “Wedding Album”, and it was quite odd. The first side, called “John and Yoko” features a 22-minute long recording in which they pair say each others names, against the backtrack of a beating heart. They purr, wail, and coo, saying each others names in silly ways.

     

    Image: Instagram / riley_and_john