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    Six special silver screen weddings

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    As kids, we all watched movies and dreamed that our lives would turn out just like those happy endings. For those who were born to be hopeless romantics, you probably also aspire to ensure that your wedding would be like the ones you saw in the cinemas!

    Big screen nuptials are often the way we define what a “fairytale wedding” looks like. From dramatic decor and perfect locations, to heartfelt speeches and outpourings of love and devotion, silver screen weddings are enough to make your heart skip a beat.

    Perhaps you want to base your wedding on your favourite cinema wedding memory, or maybe you simply want to feel warm and fuzzy inside. Or you’re just looking for some Netflix inspiration! Here are six of our favourite big screen weddings to entertain you

    Love Actually 

    As the bride and groom make their way down the aisle as newly-weds, a choir can be heard singing “Love, Love, Love”. The chorus echoes through the halls and musicians are revealed on the pews, behind some curtains. The event was a surprise for the couple from the best man, who is the best friend of the groom and happens to be in love with the bride too.

    27 Dresses

    Jane finally gets to be a bride after playing the role of bridesmaid 27 times! Once she breaks out of her shell, and finds her husband in the process she ends up with a colourful wedding (with 27 bridesmaids). What more can you ask for!?

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7yEobTJOu0/

    Star Wars: Episode 2 – Attack of the Clones 

    For some, bigger is better and for others the opposite is true. Anakin Skywalker was one of the latter. On top of the fact that we had Jedi training amongst other things. He and his better half kept it simple, getting married overlooking the coast. How romantic, right?

    Padme Amidala’s dress has to receive an honourable mention here too. The detail is exquisite.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_xdFE0HHig/

    Twilight: Breaking Dawn 

    Lavish, bohemian, and picturesque. A forest wedding, followed by a massive reception at an outdoor venue. Natural decor with flowers overflowing at the ceremony and reception. This is truly the wedding of dreams.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4KBk_7nKgU/

    Runaway Bride 

    The scene moves from  Julia Roberts and Richard Gere slow dancing on a balcony over looking the city, to their nuptials in an open field surrounded by their loved ones. Thereafter, the newlyweds ride off on some horses. I mean, can anybody say fairytale?

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_VauX-H-Go/

    The Sound of Music 

    When a song used in a movie wedding influences brides for decades to come, you know for sure the film was something special. Julie Andrews is magical in the wedding scene, which is what made it so amazing.

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

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_yPvu9nbak/

    Image: Screenshot from Love Actually wedding scene

     

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    In News

    Wedding DJ livestreams sets amid COVID-19 

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    Once again humans are showing that during times of difficulty, we can come together even in the smallest of ways. Those who have missed their wedding dates as a result of the pandemic are being creative with their backup celebrations, and this wedding DJ wanted to play his part.

    Chris Bouchard, a Maine-based wedding DJ, has come up with another solution to make isolation weddings more meaningful. He has decided he will stream “Virtual Wedding Mixes” every Friday at 8pm. Couples can have their first dance, or have a dance party with their guests attending via Zoom, to the music solution that Bouchard is providing.

    The Virtual Wedding Mixes will be streamed on Facebook, Twitch, Youtube, and other streaming services.

    In a Facebook post, Bouchard expressed his sympathy for those who have had to cancel their wedding ceremonies. “This breaks our hearts,” he said.

    “We want to provide couples from all over to join us live, every Friday, at 8pm to enjoy live wedding mixes. Dance the night away, make live requests, maybe enjoy a slow dance [or two] to some of the songs you would have had at your wedding reception in 2020,” he continued.

    Bouchard noted that while – of course – nothing can replace the wedding reception, he and his team would like to provide listeners with some joy and to help them to forget about the negative impacts of coronavirus, even just for a moment.

    “Every Friday night starting May 8, 2020 we will be celebrating with all of the couples that are still getting married and want to celebrate – or the couples that are putting everything off for another year and want to have a good time, too,” he said.

    For professionals such as Bouchard, this time is exceptionally tough as they are losing their main, if not only, source of income. Bouchard told News Centre Maine that if things are slow to open and get pushed to August or September he could easily lose all of his income for this year.

    Looking at it from this perspective, Bouchards gesture is even more meaningful.

    Image: Unsplash

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    In Hair

    Half-up half-down bridal hairstyles

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    If you’re the type of girl who can’t decide if you look better with your hair up or down, then this trend is perfect for you. Meeting in the middle between an up-do and loose locks, the style is quite diverse so there is something for everyone!

    A half-up, half-down hairdo can be sophisticated, bohemian and more. So whether your wedding is formal or casual, your hair will fit in perfectly.

    What makes this style even better, is that it has stood the test of time. For years brides have been rocking this look, as it can be recreated in many different ways.

    Here are some variations to help you gather inspiration or to assist in finding the one that fits perfectly with your dress and decor:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv8l6mLhx2u/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3M73sggs0e/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B6UxdiXDK3A/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B9mhmHoHnA1/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2zGXw5hqAN/

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

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8NbtC4lg5E/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7YcOlHAVcL/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5pm91LBEwA/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2q2PKohCet/

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

    Feature image: Intsagram / Unsplash

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    In News

    Couple use their dogs as bridesmaids

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    Weddings are changing more and more as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing. Couples are finding ways to ensure their nuptials continue. Livestreaming is a great option for couples want their guests to attend, but what about couples who still want a bridal party?

    This couple from Cincinnati, Ohio, came up with the perfect solution. Autumn Wood and Christian Miller used their dogs as bridesmaids.

    “Our dogs Sasha and Oreo were my stand in bridesmaids and although they were very good and didn’t bark at all, they totally stole the show!” said Wood to MetroUK.

    Credit: MetroUK (Autumn Wood/SWNS)

    Taking place in their back yard, the couple’s wedding incorporated everything coronavirus-wedding related. Their isolation wedding was officiated by Miller’s brother who happened to be isolating with them at their home.

    A Facebook livestream kept their family and friends close while the pair tied the knot in their wedding attire and facemasks. of course, Corona beer also made an appearance on the special day.

    The couple said they just couldn’t wait until the end of lockdown, so decided that this course of action would be best. While they intended to marry in May, their new date moved forward to April.

    “It was perfect – it wasn’t what I planned and it didn’t go the way I had been planning for months but I wouldn’t trade it,” said Wood.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_OT4sxhB0t/

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

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_OcC2QDdRg/

    Congrats to the happy couple!

    Image: Credit: MetroUK (Autumn Wood/SWNS)

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    In Advice

    Tech and apps for couples separated by lockdown

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    For the couples having a tough time being separated for such a long period, we understand your pain! Being away from your significant other is never easy, and now you have no choice about the matter.

    This may leave you feeling down and out, as the distances puts strain on your relationship. Maybe you’re fighting more, or maybe you’re just dying to be by each other’s sides. Whatever the reason, you’re probably looking for some solutions by now! Especially since we’re unsure of how long the stages of lockdown will last, and in which stage we will be able to visit people socially.

    To help you ease the longing for each other, there are some apps and devices that you could download or buy (respectively), to help your relationship during lockdown.

    Here are some of our favourites, to ensure you’re feeling the love no matter the distance:

    Apps: 

    Loklok 

    For those couples who enjoy leaving little notes for each other, this ones for you. Essentially, the app gives you access to each other’s lockscreens, but not in a creepy way!

    It allows you to upload photos, do doodles or write cute messages on your partner’s lockscreen. When they look at their phone, they’ll see the sweet message you’ve left for them. The app is only available for android users.

    Rave

    Just because you’re separated in distance, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a movie together. Rave allows couples to stream videos together, and gives you a chat bar underneath the video for your running commentary.

    You can use it to watch Netflix, YouTube, Vimeo and more. If you’re wanting to watch something you own a copy of, upload the video to Dropbox or Google Drive and you’ll be able to watch it together!

    Available for iOS and Android.

    Lovedays

    Using this app, you can see countdowns to all important events in your relationship such as your anniversary, upcoming vacation, or the next time you’ll see each other.

    Available on iTunes and Google Play.

    NUJJ 

    A simple app, but probably the most adorable. All you do is shake your phone when you’re missing your love, and they will receive a little vibration on their end. Cute! Right?

    Tech:

    Friendship lamps

    Similar to the NUJJ app, but with a more visual expression of emotion, a friendship lamp will let you know your partner is missing you. When one of you touches the lamp, the other’s lamp lights up. It will melt your heart to know that you’re being thought of.

    Purchase here for R3 109.

    Pillow Talk 

    If you don’t like sleeping alone, then this device has got you covered. Pillow Talk is a wristband you wear when you sleep, it recognizes your heartbeat and sends it to your partner in real time.

    You download the app, slip the band around your wrist, and put the speaker under your pillow, and there you go! It’s like you can hear them sleeping next to you.

    Purchase here for R3 512, 96

    Image: Unsplash

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    In Celebs

    Prince William and Kate Middleton celebrate 9th wedding anniversary

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    Prince William and Kate Middleton celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary yesterday, April 29. The pair commemorated this special day in quarantine at their Anmer Hall Home with their family, due to restrictions in place on account of COVID-19.

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge thanked people for their kindness and well-wishes on their anniversary via Instagram. The post was a throwback to their wedding ceremony on April 29, 2011. In the photo we see the newlyweds in the doorway of Westminster Abbey, after they had just exchanged their vows.

    “Nine years ago today – thank you for all your lovely messages on The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding anniversary!” read the caption.

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

    Of course, more congratulatory messages came pouring in underneath the post, with a comment from Princess Eugenie making an appearance too.

    People reported that the royal couple spent the day video-calling their family and having quality time with their children.

    In celebration of their anniversary, The Royal Family Channel on YouTube also posted a video.

    Watch it here:

    Image: Instagram

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    In Advice

    The legality of Zoom weddings in SA

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    Globally, the popularity of Zoom weddings is increasing by the day. With the coronavirus pandemic essentially ensuring that no physical ceremony can take place, couples have limited options and therefore opt for online nuptials. However, the question of legality never seems to be brought up.

    There are certain requirements for a legal and valid marriage in South Africa. Some of these include:

    1. You must ensure you are both legally allowed to marry, and must understand the legal consequences of marriage
    2. You have to present all the required documents (including ID documents of both partners, divorce orders from previous marriages or death certificates if applicable) to the officiant
    3. Your marriage officer must be authorised in terms of Act No. 25 of 1961
    4. Your marriage must be conducted in the presence of at least two witnesses
    5. The witnesses and the marriage officer must sign the marriage register after the solemnisation of the marriage, and you as the newly-weds should be given a handwritten marriage certificate

    If we consider the last two points, we might notice that these are more difficult to fulfil while self-isolating.

    When the nationwide lockdown began, Minister Aaron Motssoaledi of Home Affairs said that no marriage certificates would be issued during the lockdown. He said that those who want to get married should wait until the lockdown is over, and in fact even joked about it saying that “maybe the 21 days will also give you time to think whether you want to get married or not.”

    With marriage certificates not being issued, point number 5 is pretty much impossible to fufill with a Zoom wedding. Point number 4 may be equally difficult if you don’t live with at least two additional roommates (which most couples don’t).

    Point 4 talks about being in the presence of two witnesses. This does not specify that the witnesses have to be there physically, although it might make the most sense to assume that is what it means. If we stay on the safe side and assume the witnesses have be there physically, then you’re probably unable to fulfil point 4 too.

    In addition, it may be difficult to find an authorised officiant willing to perform your marriage, since marriage was so clearly warned against by the government when the lockdown started.

    As a result of these stumbling blocks, Zoom weddings may be a bit of a grey area in terms of legality. However, it’s safest (and most likely correct) to assume that Zoom weddings cannot be taken as legally valid in terms of the law.

    Either way though, a zoom wedding may still be worth it for symbolic reasons! It can be used to celebrate what your day would have been, or to simply bring everyone together as you planned to in the first place.

    Here are some zoom weddings for inspiration:

    Image: Twitter / @tarekjpeg

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    In Emotional

    Cancer patient (70) weds partner in hospital nuptials

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    Everything seems quite uncertain right now. One thing remains stable through all of this, however, and that is love. Not even the uncertainty that cancer brings could stop this couple from celebrating their love and making it official.

    70-year-old Roy Wilson, a man with terminal bone cancer, wed his long term partner, Joy Hird, in a hospital wedding. The pair had not seen each other in almost a month. Wilson was admitted to the hospital on April 1 and visiting restrictions were in place as a result of the coronavirus.

    The couple were married by Rev Simon Airey, the chaplain at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital where Wilson was being taken care of.

    Being diagnosed with terminal cancer was a wake up call for Wilson. The frightening news made him realise that there is no time better than the present, and so the pair decided to tie the knot. However, much like many other stories these days, there was a small hiccup surrounding the issue of coronavirus.

    Wilson began showing symptoms of COVID-19, and was concerned that this would be the end of his upcoming wedding. After a negative test result on Friday, April 24, everyone was relieved and things were back on track for the ceremony on Monday, April 27.

    According to a post by The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, the staff “pulled out all the stops to make the day as special as possible for the couple, creating handmade decorations and sourcing food.” They even ensured that a professional photographer was there on the day.

    Apparently, Rev Airey went out of his way to make sure the wedding could take place. Since the coronavirus pandemic has essentially halted all wedding ceremonies, it was difficult for him to provide a legal marriage. However, he managed to get special permission from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

    For all the efforts of the hospital staff, the newlyweds are tremendously grateful. “This has been a long time coming. It’s been a really special but emotional day. I’m absolutely exhausted but it’s been wonderful. We can’t thank the staff and chaplain enough for making this happen for us,” said Wilson.

    “What a day. It’s been absolutely lovely from start to finish, it’s certainly been a day to remember for us both. A big thank you to the wonderful hospital staff for all that they’ve done for us,” said Hird.

    Watch the sweet nuptials below:

    Image: Screenshot from video

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    In Bridal Shower

    Gracious grooms and their famous groomsmen

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    A gracious groom knows that the attention is not only on him. He has to share it with his glowing bride, of course! However, would the groom be happy to share more of the spotlight with his famous groomsman?

    Yes, apparently. At least in the instances we’ve seen, grooms are quite happy to share their special day with their famous friends! If you’re struggling to believe it, then we’re here to ensure you’re convinced.

    Here are some of our favourite famous groomsmen:

    David and Brooklyn Beckham 

    The father-son pair are perfect for the role of groomsmen. Their fun and positive personalities surely brought a lightness to Victorica’s brother Christian Adams and his partner Emma Strafford’s wedding in 2017.

    Credit: Instagram

    Joe and Kevin Jonas 

    While all three brothers are famous (for the same thing), Nick ensured his brothers Joe and Kevin (and Frankie) were by his side on his big day when he married actress Priyanka Chopra. Their nuptials included a Christian ceremony and a Hindu ceremony.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BrGBYwKFqM0/

    Prince Harry and Prince William 

    Each brother played the role of groomsman when the other got married. The Duke of Cambridge provided the utmost support for Prince Harry on his royal wedding day in 2018. Harry took on the same role 7 years earlier, when Prince William wed Kate Middleton.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BsL2lLilzzU/

    Ed Westwick 

    Best known for his role as Chuck Bass, from the popular teen drama Gossip Girl, Ed Westwick looked dapper as he stood as a groomsman at his friends wedding in 2016.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BKlZxNZg3Nu/?utm_source=ig_embed

    Joe Manganiello 

    Magic Mike actor Joe Manganiello was the groomsman at a wedding in Malibu in June 2017.

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

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

    Derek Hough 

    Professional dancer popular for Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) was the best man for his friend, Mark Ballas who also appears on DWTS. He joined a fairly large group of groomsman at the 2016 wedding.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BN23szlggXd/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BNh_K97AMSF/

    Nsync 

    When Nysnc member Chris Kirkpatrick said his “I do’s” in 2013, his band members (Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, and JC Chasez) stood by his side, despite the fact that the boyband was no longer going. The group looked happy as ever being by the grooms side.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BOiP0aYgo2T/

    Image: Instagram / Nick Jonas

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    In Engagements

    Baby octopus retrieves woman’s engagement ring

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    If you lose your ring in the ocean, you most likely would be sad but accept that you’ve lost it forever, right? It seems impossible for a mere human to scour the ocean floor in search of one ring, no matter how big the diamond. But for creatures who are native to the sea, it may be a bit easier.

    Annika Parkinson-Dow was swimming in Howe Sound off Bower Island in British Columbia, Canada on Friday evening, April 26. The shining bioluminescence was visible, and this led her to run her hands through the water. Little did she know that her  engagement ring had fallen off in the ocean.

    When she eventually realised, she was already back on dry land. Of course, she was upset. The ring was an heirloom from the 1930’s. “I was pretty sure that there was absolutely no chance [they’d find] it, a needle in the haystack. I wasn’t even sure of the exact spot that I lost it,” she said to CBC News.

    The ring. Credit: CBC news / Annika Parkinson-Dow

    Trying her luck, she asked a few divers to have a look in the ocean. They searched for an hour, but gave up as the water conditions were unfavourable.

    As they decided they would call it quits, they caught sight of a baby octopus and as unbelievable as it may sound… the little octopus led the divers to the ring!

    Scientists have reported that octopuses have a keen interest in shiny objects. So, it may be possible that the baby octopus found the ring and intended to keep it as part of a little collection of rocks and shells.

    It would be nice to think that the octopus intentionally led the divers to the ring, knowing that’s what they were looking for. However, it’s more likely that it was a massive coincidence. Either way though, it’s an amazing story for Parkinson-Dow to tell for the rest of her life!

    Image: Unsplash

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