Black is not just a colour for mourning. For decades, white has been synonymous with weddings for its symbolism of purity. White is traditionally expected. However, while many are afraid of including this dark-hued colour in weddings, black can actually bring much class and sophistication to your big day. Take a walk on the dark side and think of bringing this dark tone into your wedding.
Here are a few way to incorporate black into your wedding that won’t look morbid.
Jurassic Park is an iconic and nostalgic film that kickstarted a love of dinosaurs in many. However, this Michigan-based couple took their love for the prehistoric animals to the next level when they threw a dinosaur-themed wedding.
Hali Aleese McFadden and Sean James Lenney met through mutual friends five years ago at a restaurant. Both had a deep love for the dinosaur-centric film franchise, Jurassic Park. When she was younger, Hali had even wanted to become a paleontologist, although too many rocks involved deterred her, leading her into a career of wedding planning. Similarly, Sean grew up loving dinosaurs as a result of the film franchise. He claims to have watched the original film every day while growing up.
Fast forward a few years, and the couple became engaged in August 2018. Hali knew that she wanted to incorporate her love for dinosaurs into her big day. She turned to Pinterest for inspiration on a dinosaur-themed wedding.
“Being me, I always pre-thought what I wanted for my wedding,” Hali told Fox 2 Detroit. “So I Pinterested it to see if it’s really out there. I found all these awesome ideas of how to turn on the theme but still keep it elegant.”
Coming from a crafty family, Sean knew that they could work together to bring their wedding vision to life. It soon became a family affair, with many members coming together to bring movie magic to reality.
Using styrofoam, duct tape, paper mache, and much help, Sean’s father was able to build two large dinosaurs to display at the wedding. His sister, Jacqui, made some of the smaller dinosaurs that lined the wedding tables, and also scoured the internet for anything dinosaur-related that could work for the day.
The couple wed on October 25, 2019. Guests entered the venue through massive brown doors with a “Jurassic Park” sign welcoming them. Escort cards were propped up with miniature dinosaur figures.
Tables were decorated with figures of every known dinosaur species, and guests sipped on the official drink of the evening, Dino DNA. Even the bridal party were kitted out in theme. Bridesmaid’s wore flip flops with tiny dinosaurs adorning them, and groomsmen concealed Jurassic Park t-shirts under their suits.
The traditional bridal pillow that carries the rings was replaced with a golden Brachiosaurus figure transporting the ring around its neck.
The pair even reached out to Jurassic Park star Chris Pratt. “I literally Instagram-messaged Chris Pratt to come to this. You know, one of those ‘just in case you’re in Michigan this weekend, this is going on by the way’ messages,” said Hali.
Church weddings are so last year. This couple decided to be different, and prove that they were in it to win it by getting married whilst running in one the biggest off-road marathons in the UK this past weekend.
Luretta Spearing and Jon Sharkey from Dorset, UK, met through their shared love of long distance running. They have been together for six years, and have a child together. When they initially got engaged, getting married whilst running a marathon was not a thought in their mind.
“We were engaged for over a year before a conversation one evening led us to question if it would be possible to get married mid-marathon.” Luretta told The Argus UK ahead of the wedding. “I had already entered the Beachy Head Marathon as it is one of my favourite marathons, so we thought it would be a good choice.”
“We wanted our wedding to be about us, and what better way than doing the thing we both love.”
Within three days, all enquiries were made and everything was arranged.
The Eastbourne Beachy Head Marathon is one the biggest off-road marathons in the UK. Formerly known as the Seven Sisters Marathon, it is popular for its scenic and challenging route through the South Downs National Park countryside.
The marathon covers a 26.2 mile (42.16 metre) course that includes over 300 steps and 14 gates, passing through Jevington, Alfriston, Litlington, Friston Forest, the Cuckmere Valley and Seven Sisters, including Birling Gap and Beachy Head.
The marathon saw 3000 entries, some of which included friends of the engaged couple.
“We thought we’d have a quiet wedding but many friends decided it would be fun to join us so we’re really excited to be celebrating with our closest family and friends,” said Luretta.
On marathon day, the couple paused at the 9.5 mile point to hold the ceremony. Once the ceremony was over, they continued the race as man and wife. They celebrated their nuptials and relaxed their legs at their wedding reception the same evening.
Actors Adam Devine and Chloe Bridges have recently become engaged after four years of dating. The comedy actor popped the question in secret whilst the couple were on a boat cruise.
He then took to Instagram to announce the news, writing, “She said yes! Well actually she said ‘ahh Adam’ and then kissed me but I’m pretty sure that means YES! I love Chloe more than anything and I’m so excited to spend the rest of my life with her amazing self. You are my best friend and I’m thrilled you want to get old and wrinkly with me! You’ll be less wrinkly. I’m gonna look like a Saint Bernard. I proposed this past weekend and wanted to keep it private for a few days but we are now ready to tell the world! Love you @chloebridges! Have fun planning the wedding. I’ll be there for the cake tasting. ?”
Fans know Devine for Workaholics, the Comedy Central show he both co-wrote and starred in. He went on to act as Bumper in the popular Pitch Perfect franchise. Former Pretty Little Liars actor Chloe Bridges is currently featuring in Netflix’s Insatiable.
In an Instagram post, Bridges wrote, “We are doing it!! I love this man with my whole heart and I am so excited to be with him forever. I’ve known we had a special connection since we first met (well FIRST I liked the way his butt looked in his jeans and the way he made me laugh and the fact that his backpack was monogrammed which seemed VERY adult to me five years ago) and I quickly learned that he is the kindest, funniest, most incredible man I’ve ever met. I’m so proud to be his girl and will be even prouder to be his wife. Let’s do this baby @andybovine.”
You know the picture. The proposer suddenly lowers the knee to the ground, both hands clutching a tiny box. “Will you marry me?” they ask. It’s a picturesque moment, one we’ve seen reproduced time and time again. But why do we do it?
While proposing has actually been around for centuries, proposing on bended knee specifically has not always been the tradition. In the olden days, wedding engagements were seen more as business arrangements than the romantic, heartfelt scenes we know today.
Proposing on bended knee has no specific historical origin, and largely seems to be a more modern invention.
Most reports link the tradition to practices observed during medieval times.
According to engagementringbible.com, the tradition “dates back to the days of knighthood, chivalry and formal courtship (i.e. medieval times and beyond).” In these days, knights would bend the knee in front of their lord as a sign of respect and loyalty. Courtly love was the formal practice of romance. Knights would perform various deeds of service to prove their love for certain women. They would also kneel before the women as a sign of servitude.
Kneeling was and is a common occurrence across many religions. Much Christian iconography depict figures kneeling before their Lord as a symbol of service. For many entering their places of worship, they will kneel before the altar in a sign of love and reverence.
The argument goes that these two occurrences blended together and became a way for people to express their love, thus evolving into the modern day proposal. The bended knee became a symbolic way to prove your undying love and respect.
Nowadays, of course, people are not so strict about upholding this tradition. Many propose without kneeling, and the amount of women proposing to men has largely risen. Whether you kneel or not, at the end of the day it is about what feels right for you and your partner.
Every couple has a love story. All the moments in life come together to create the now. When a couple decides to get married, they bring with them all their histories. That is exactly what this British couple did.
Becky Brotherhood, 43, and Lee Markham, 45, have not had the easiest path in life and in love. To honour their journey and the past that made them who they are, Becky decided to don a wedding dress with patches made by her friends and family.
Becky and Lee met five years ago. At the time, Becky had just completed her battle with breast cancer that made her leave her past career of nursing behind to focus on her health. She began training to become a massage therapist to help people who felt that their body was turning against them.
Both Becky and Lee had children from previous relationships and had gone through difficult experiences.
They quickly fell in love and brought their families together, however, Becky never thought she would remarry. It was after Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding that she had a sudden change of heart.
“I’m not an avid follower of the royals, but something about their story – how sections of the establishment were sniffy or judgemental about Meghan, or the fact that she’d been divorced made her somehow less worthy – just really hit home on that day,” she explained to Metro UK.
“I felt that perhaps my decision to not marry was actually more about what people might think, and less about what I actually wanted, or how I felt about him.”
She then took the initiative and asked Lee to marry her over Facebook Messenger.
“So I asked him – and that fact that I asked means so much to me now: to hell with rules and tradition and what people think.”
When it came to planning the big day, Becky knew she wanted her wedding dress to tell a story, one where her closest friends and family could be a part of the creation.
“Standing in front of my soul mate at the age of 43, knowing that we both have rich histories and six children between us, it felt wrong to buy something new and off the shelf,” she explains. “It didn’t feel right and didn’t fit us as a couple.”
“One of the most special things about our love is that we love each other because of our pasts. They’re not something we have to look beyond or gloss over, and the family home we are both building right now is open and welcoming to everyone. We both have scars and losses – physically and metaphorically, and I wanted that to be reflected and held in every part of my dress, bravely, unashamedly, and with love.”
Becky, a skilled sewer, began designing and sewing her own wedding dress from an old sheet she found in her attic. Some of Becky’s clients gave her scraps of fabric and buttons that were sentimental to them for her to use on her wedding dress. This inspired Becky to ask her bridal party to make their own patches that she could then sew on to her wedding dress.
Friends and family came together to create patches. Credit: Becky Brotherhood/ Lee MarkhamThe patches all told a story. Credit: Becky Brotherhood/ Lee Markham
“I wanted it to feel like a tapestry of our lives… our children, our friends, and our families, and everyone who had made us into the people that we were – standing face to face vowing to spend the rest of their lives together,” she told HenHeaven. ” I wanted it to feel new and different … almost tribal, a coming together of everyone’s love and blessings for us, to hold me with every stitch.”
She hosted sewing lessons to show those less-confident how to do it. This recurring sewing session quickly became special bonding moments for those involved.
“It ended up being almost like a month-long hen do, where friends would come up, and we’d catch up, and spend quality time together too and with such busy lives, when does that ever happen? And it really felt like the dress captured that energy of reconnection too.”
She sewed the patches onto an old piece of welsh slate from the quarry next to where she had grown up. Also attached to the wedding dress were Lee’s father’s wedding ring, Becky’s mother’s wedding ring, the buttons from Becky’s sister’s gown, and from her mother’s jewellery box.
In the end, they created a unique dress with immense sentimental value.
On the wedding day on September 28, all her loved ones were around to see their creation and to celebrate the union of Lee and Becky.
“Seeing everyone that loves us, and supports us, and who have been there for us through tough times, and good times – seeing all those people rally round and just love getting involved, and creating such wonderful, heartfelt pieces of art, essentially, it’s like I felt lifted up on their shoulders and carried to the day.”
This interracial South African couple’s proposal recently went viral on Youtube and the Facebook #ImStaying Group, proving that love should have no boundaries.
In a video posted to Youtube, Samuel Varrie proposes to his girlfriend of two years, Tshepiso Mathole. On their two year anniversary, Sam first had her read a flip book he made for her under the guise that it was just a gift. They then went to a beautiful park, where Sam proceeded to get down on one knee and propose. Since being posted a month ago, the video has racked up over 50 000 views.
Watch the cute video here:
The couple met in res at the University of Pretoria where they both studied. The pair were friends for two years but after they ran for chairperson and vice-chair of Tuks village, which they both got, the flame was ignited.
They fell in love quickly, and after two years of dating, they are ready to get married.
Sam spoke to Tshepi’s uncle beforehand to discuss all of the details because he wanted to follow customary law, but still wanted to keep everything a surprise. However, the uncle spilt the beans and told Tshepi that he met with Sam. According to Tshepi, nothing stays a secret in customary law.
Out of respect for Tshepiso’s culture, Sam decided to engage in lobola negotiations. In order to do things right according to her culture, Sam’s family had to write a letter to the Tshepi’s family in which they detail their intentions to enter into union as families. The full negotiations will begin in December 2019.
“I wanted to share with people the love that we have,” Sam explains to Jacaranda FM about why they posted the engagement video. “There is such a genuine thing that can be amazing if you just look past your race”.
Tshepiso says that although interracial relationships have become more normalised in society, they still get a lot of stares when they’re walking around. They’ve also experienced unsolicited comments when out in public.
For many of us, characters from TV shows are like friends. We’ve cried with them and laughed with them. We’ve seen them fall in love, and even get married.
There have been many iconic TV weddings that are still spoken about to this day. Whether it be because of the long and complicated relationship leading up to the event or a crazy moment on the day itself, these weddings have stood the test of time.
Here are some of our favourite TV weddings.
Jim and Pam – The Office
The ultimate ‘will-they-or-won’t-they’ couple, Jim and Pam had audiences frustratingly waiting season after season for them to realise they were perfect for each other. The couple finally wed in the show’s sixth season in a hilarious two-part episode that saw the entire cast dance down the aisle to Chris Brown’s ‘Forever’.
Leslie and Ben – Parks and Recreation
Leslie and Ben of Parks and Recreation are one of the most adorable and loved couples to ever grace the small screen. In season 5, the couple impulsively decided to say ‘I do’ earlier than planned and spent only two hours planning the wedding. They enlisted their friends and co-workers to help, which led to many successes and mistakes. Leslie eventually gave up, but her best friend Ann arranged for them to get married in their office in front of all their co-workers.
Luke and Lorelei – Gilmore Girls
The finale of Gilmore Girls left many fans needing closure on the future of Luke and Lorelei’s relationship. Their prayers were answered in the Netflix revival, Gilmore Girls, a Day in the Life.
The couple started out as friends that were clearly in love with each other but annoyingly could not see it. After breaking up and making up, they decided to elope the day before their wedding, marrying in a magical ceremony that saw their friends and family decorate Stars Hollow to perfectly match the couple.
Marshall and Lilly – How I Met Your Mother
As one of the most adorable and long-lasting couples of the show, How I Met Your Mother‘s Marshall and Lilly captured the hearts of thousands of viewers. However, their wedding day went from disaster to disaster. From Lilly’s ex trying to stop the wedding to the harp player going into labour right before the ceremony, this day seemed beyond repair. However, they decided to rather hold a small ceremony officiated by their friend Barney under a park tree, like how they had always wanted.
The Red Wedding – Game of Thrones
This wedding is one of the most iconic weddings to ever be aired on television, although it wasn’t for being warm and fuzzy. What began as a nice, normal wedding ended in absolute carnage.
The wedding of Edmure Tully to Roslin Frey turned out to be a ruse for Walder Frey to exact revenge on King of the North, Robb Stark, after he went back on his promise to marry one of Frey’s daughters. At the reception, Frey had his men murder Robb, his pregnant wife Talisa and his mother, Lady Catelynn.
And just like that, two major characters were killed off in one fell swoop.
The Purple Wedding – Game of Thrones
Clearly the Game of Thrones writers do not like weddings. Another wedding aired on the popular HBO show ended in death, this time for the much-hated King Joffrey. After marrying Margaery Tyrell, Joffrey was poisoned at his wedding reception by Lady Olenna Tyrell, although his uncle, Tyrion Lannister, was blamed for it. The image of Joffrey choking on his own bile has become stuck in the mind of every GOT viewer since.
Cam and Mitchell – Modern Family
This wedding was a long time coming. The adorable Cam and Mitchell were one of the most hilarious couples on Modern Family, and had many fans rooting for them. A series of mishaps threatened to ruin the wedding, including the wrong tux being delivered and wildfire that caused everyone to evacuate. The couple is about to cancel their wedding when Mitch’s father, Jay, announces that he has secured a country club as a wedding venue. They finally wed as a voiceover from Mitch’s sister details her beautifully written ‘best person’ speech.
Chuck and Blair – Gossip Girl
Chuck and Blair’s love-hate relationship was greatly detailed through the six seasons of the popular CW show. While they couldn’t seem to make it work, fans always dreamed of a happily ever after for this feisty duo.
They finally wed in the show’s finale episode, after being on the run after Chuck’s father plunged to his death. Chuck’s uncle convinces the pair to marry so that Blair would have spousal privilege and not have to testify against Chuck, which they eagerly agree to. Right after their first kiss as a married couple, Chuck is arrested. We would expect nothing less from this dramatically iconic couple.
Monica and Chandler – Friends
As a much-loved couple, Monica and Chandler’s wedding was highly anticipated by fans. After Chandler gets cold feet and leaves the night before the wedding, the plans seem to be off. However, Ross is able to convince him to go forward with the wedding.
Chandler and Monica wed in the show’s seventh season in a surprisingly simple and sweet ceremony officiated by Joey. Their tear-jerking wedding vows remind us all that love still exists.
After five years of marriage, super-couple Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West have secretly renewed their wedding vows.
In a recent episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Kim details that the couple decided to renew their vows in an intimate backyard ceremony that included the entire family following the birth of their fourth child, Psalm, in May 2019.
In the episode, which will air in South Africa on October 27, Kim tells Scott Disick: “I think it’s so special that all four of our kids are here. It’ll just be really sweet, and I’m excited that everyone is coming over.”
The renewal was initially meant to be a surprise, but both Kim and Kanye were planning something so they came together to throw the ceremony.
“I, at first, was gonna keep it a full surprise and then I heard he was trying to plan something,” Kim explained. “Everyone was kind of being really weird. And I was like, ‘Well, guys, if he’s trying to plan something and I’m trying to plan something? Someone has to say something and we’ll just do it together’.”
The pastor that married them in 2014 headed the vow renewal.
“We wanted to keep it really personal and it’s private for us,” says the beauty mogul.
She explains that Kanye has taken a much more active role in raising their four children – North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm, and she wants to show him her appreciation.
“Kanye knows that I’ve had such anxiety with the new baby and everything going on. He’s stepped up so much and has been the most amazing dad, playing all the games with the kids and things like that.”
Kim can be heard rehearsing her personally written vows in the episode, which begin with, “You are my husband. You are my best friend. My biggest believer and my one true love.”
While the actual vow renewal was not aired, famous family members can be seen prepping for the ceremony while wearing all-white.
The couple first wed in a lavish ceremony in Italy back in 2014. Many celebrities were in attendance, including John Legend and Chrissy Tiegen, Jaden Smith and Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing. They filmed an E! special detailing the couple’s road to the altar, although once again, they did not include the actual wedding ceremony.
When it comes to wedding decor, your seating chart is one of the most practical aspects. However, it does not have to be a boring one. Once you have settled on your final seating arrangements, you can start to have fun with the display.
Many couples have taken to using their seating charts as another focal point in their wedding. As one of the first things guests will see as they enter, you want them to get the theme immediately.
Whether your wedding theme is glamorous, rustic, minimalist or art deco, there is a fun and unique seating chart for you. Here are some fun and different wedding seating chart ideas.
Quirky:
Want to have some fun with your wedding? Get punny! This simple yet striking sign adds personality to an event that can be very formal at times. Incorporate flowers and fruit for a dynamic and fresh take on the traditional seating chart.
For a dynamic seating chart perfect for garden weddings, consider using mismatched frames. Mirrors, photo frames and chalkboards provide a beautiful farmhouse feel with a touch of glamour.
If you’re into the rustic farmhouse style then you will love this seating chart! This creative chart makes use of brown leather cloth hung up on a rose gold frame as a seating chart. With simple script and no other decor, this chart maintains a minimalist yet striking look.
This one is for the minimalist bride. If you’re not into frills and fancies, consider making use of a linen banner for your seating chart. We love how simplistic yet powerful this chart looks.
If you love a particular beverage, why not include it in your wedding decor? Make use of glass bottles, with all stickers removed, as a seating chart. Each bottle represents a different table. For added decor, place baby’s breath flowers inside the bottle.
Greenery has been having a moment in decor for a long time, and it is not going anywhere. Use single leaves of Delicious Monster with gold lettering to guide your guests to their seats.
Use old records for a pun-intended take on seating charts. Have the table numbers and guest names written in the middle of the record. We promise it will get your wedding started on the right note!
For a glamorous yet classic look, make use of perspex stands with floral bouquets inside. Because the flowers can be quite busy, make use of simple block lettering.
This Monopoly-inspired seating chart adds a dose of whimsy to a wedding. Encourage your guests to “Collect canapes as you pass Go ,” sip on some “Free drinks” and “Go to the Dance Floor”.
