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A terminally ill superfan had his final wish fulfilled, thanks to iconic actress Jamie Lee Curtis. The original scream queen officiated the superfan’s wedding less than an hour before his death.

Horror movie-lover Anthony Woodles had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2019. Prior to the diagnosis, the 29-year-old aspiring director had been in contact with Halloween star Jamie Lee Curtis.

After informing her of his plans to marry long-term girlfriend Emilee, Curtis offered to officiate the wedding. They planned the big day for September 13.

The day of the ceremony, Woodle’s faced a severe health setback. As he lay unconscious in bed, surrounded by his family, Curtis officiated the wedding via a phone call.

“Anthony and Emilee, all anyone is promised is this moment,” she said during the ceremony. “We live and we love in this moment. May the blessings of God rest upon you, may his peace abide with you, may her spirit illuminate your heart now, in this moment. With the power vested in me by the internet, it is my great pleasure to tell you that you are now married people.”

The ceremony began at 10.30pm, and Woodle died at 11.17pm.

Before his death, Woodle was lucky enough to be the first outsider to watch the upcoming thriller Halloween Kills, the latest in the iconic Halloween-franchise. Director David Gordon Green set up a private screening for Woodle and Emilee.

Some people love going big to pop the big question, and involving a world-famous landmark truly takes the cake. This man got creative with his proposal by involving the iconic Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

A Dubai-based Indian national, who has not been named, went down on one knee to propose to his girlfriend of five years on November 4.

Using the world’s tallest structure and building as a backdrop, he projected sweet messages to his future wife.

“You gave me a whole new world”, “Can I have it forever?”, and “I can’t imagine growing old with anyone else”, read the projections.

Speaking to Gulf News, the anonymous man gushed about his partner.

“She’s a very selfless person, always putting others before herself, she gelled well with my entire family more than I ever did. She always gives her unconditional love and she’s always willing to try new things. She’s full of life. It’s cheesy, but I like who I am when I’m with her. We’ve grown together over the years, been on this roller coaster of a life filled with so many emotions, with its ups and downs, with all the perfect imperfections.”

The proposal took months to put together.

“You have no idea how stressed I am with all the arrangements – for the last two months, I’ve been deeply engaged in picking up the perfect diamond. Then I had to plan the Burj Khalifa projection – all while being super secretive about it,” he added.

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We all know the tragic story of Princess Charles and the late Princess Diana. The young Diana, plucked from her normal life, became the world’s obsession when it was announced she would marry the future king, Prince Charles.

What many people don’t know, however, is that she very nearly did not become princess. Before they met, Prince Charles was pressured into proposing to someone else.

Prince Charles famously dated future second wife Camilla Parker-Bowles when they were younger, but was forced to break things off because his family had determined she was not a suitable partner for the future King.

In the years after, the prince was pushed toward his cousin (not a first cousin) Amanda Knatchbull. Charles’ great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten had encouraged him to strike up a relationship with Knatchbull, who was his granddaughter, reports royal historian and biographer Robert Lacey.

“Over the years the two cousins did grow close, developing a mutual respect and friendship that has lasted to the present day. But when the prince finally made his proposal in the summer of 1979—shortly before Lord Mountbatten’s assassination by the IRA—the independent-minded Amanda politely turned him down,” wrote Lacey in Battle of Brothers: William and Harry – The Inside Story of a Family in Tumult.

“The surrender of self to a system, she explained, was so absolute when joining the royal family, it involved a loss of independence ‘far greater than matrimony usually invites,'” Lacey writes in the book.

Her reasoning for not accepting the proposal reportedly greatly impacted the future king, and served to confirm his “own belief that to marry into the House of Windsor was a sacrifice that no-one should be expected to make,” wrote Charles’ biographer, Jonathan Dimbleby.

The prince went on to date Diana in 1980, after meeting her through her older sister Lady Sarah, whom he also used to date. The pair announced their engagement on February 24 and married later that year on July 29.

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There is no rule that says you can’t look sexy on your big day. Bold brides are encouraged to show some skin with a daring dress that oozes sex appeal.

Show off your favourite assets in a sexy wedding gown. From a plunging neckline to an open back or thigh-high slit, you can achieve this look in multiple ways.

Here are a few slinky numbers we are loving:

 

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Grooms want to go bold on their big day should opt for a white suit. Crisp, classic, and cool, this look is enduringly stylish.

A white suit works for almost all seasons. It complements a winter wedding and adds a lighter feel to go along with a summer soiree. What’s great about a white suit is that it looks great in any style, from a classic tuxedo to an edgy double-breast.

You can opt for white from head to toe, or bring in some dimension with a coloured shirt or suit lapel. The beauty of this look is that it is easily customisable.

Here are some dapper grooms doing it big:

 

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We had the viral KFC proposal, the Clicks proposal, and now we introduce the Spur engagement. A pair of waiters recently got engaged while serving at the Amigo Spur steak Ranch in the Vaal Mall.

On October 20, Amigo Spur uploaded a video showing the sweet moment Gladwell went down on one knee to pop the big question to his love, Pretty.

In the video, Gladwell can be seen kneeling while holding a plate, which is where the ring was perched. As Pretty realises what is happening, she becomes overwhelmed with emotion and falls to her knees as she cries tears of joy.

The entire restaurant cheers in the background as Gladwell slips the ring on Pretty’s fingers. Watch the sweet moment here:

Congratulations to the happy couple!

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Not one for the club scene? That’s perfectly acceptable. With all the stress of wedding planning, a nice relaxing weekend with your best girls is a great way to calm your nerves.

Low-key brides wanting to do something a little different to the traditional bachelorette rager can opt for more serene experiences designed to soothe those frazzled nerves and get you ready for your big day. Here are a few fun activities to consider.

Spa Day:

Who doesn’t love a spa day? A fresh set of nails, a massage and a facial can do wonders, especially when you’re feeling tense from wedding planning.

You can arrange for a group spa day at a local beauty salon or wellness centre, or you could even have them come to you. Allow your guests to pick from an assortment of treatments, and throw in some delicious light snacks and infused water to complete the vibe.

 

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Yoga:

Feeling tense? Maybe you need to work out those muscles! Yoga is a great way to ease stress and get your body moving in a low impact workout that will leave you feeling calm.

You can have a yoga instructor come to you to host a yoga class, complete with breathing exercises, and guided meditation. If you want to add a unique element, you could even try goat yoga!

 

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Staycation:

Live the life of luxury without even leaving your city. There are so many incredibly Airbnb listings across South Africa, allowing people to book out entire villas overlooking mesmerising views.

All your guests can pool together to book a place with enough space for everyone in a central area. You can spend the weekend chilling poolside, cooking up meals with your besties, and bonding.

Wine tasting:

Wine tasting is a national sport in the Western Cape. With so many wineries to choose from, locals are truly spoilt for choice.

For a safe experience, we suggest taking a trip on the Franschhoek wine tram, a hop-on-hop-off service connecting you to six wine estates in the Franschhoek Valley.

 

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Yacht life:

What’s more luxurious than lounging on a luxury yacht? Spend the day cruising away with 360° views and sunshine warming you up.

You don’t need a specific destination, a local cruise is perfect. Most boats are equipped with sound systems so you can DJ the day while you work on your tan, and menu and bar options are typically available as well.

 

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You never know how a wedding will affect you until you plan your own. Even the calmest and collected people can turn into bridezillas when the stress hits.

Everyone is bound to be overwhelmed in the months and days leading up to their big day. For those who believe in the astrological powers of the zodiac, their signs might have a big impact on how you behave come wedding day.

Here is what kind of bride you’ll be based on your zodiac sign.

Aries (March 21–April 19)

No one is more trendy than an Aries individual. As the first sign of the zodiac, they love to lead the way and be trailblazers, so nothing normal can be predicted with them

The Aries bride will opt for an unusual element to give their big day a talking point, like arriving on a balloon ride or by skydiving. However, like the ram it is symbolised by, Arians tend to have quick tempers you don’t want to be caught up in. They are also overly competitive, so the Aries bride will work extra hard to have the best wedding ever just for the bragging rights.

Taurus (April 20–May 20)

Practical yet stubborn, Taureans are classic Earth signs. They tend to be perfectionists, but are also traditionalists at heart.

This sign likes things in order, and will likely hire a wedding planner to make sure all goes to plan. They hate being rushed, so avoid putting any unnecessary pressure on them so that they don’t explode. They can also be very set in their ways, so trying to convince them otherwise is a mission in itself.

Gemini (May 21–June 20)

Gemini’s can be hard to pin down. They are indecisive in nature, intelligent and outgoing yet impulsive and unreliable. They are also ruled by Mercury, the planet of communications.

The Gemini bride is all over the place. Gemini changes their minds in a heartbeat, causing them to make reckless decisions. Because of this, they can be quite unreliable so it’s fair to say that this bride will infuriate others as she flips flops on wedding plans.

Cancer (June 21–July 22)

Highly emotional and introverted, Cancers are known for being one with their feelings. They are incredibly loyal and caring, so having their love means you will always be protected.

Being so emotional, the Cancer bride will focus on family on their big day. Their something borrowed will be extra special, and they will carry out traditions to honour their loved ones. However, Cancer signs can be quite moody and overly sensitive, so this bride will have quite a few swings as she prepares for her big day.

Leo (July 23–August 22)

Much like the king of the jungle, Leos are passionate and confident beings. They are bold personalities who like to make a statement. These trendsetters like to lead the way and would opt for something unique and daring on their big day.

The Leo bride is determined to have her way and will surprise her guests with something different. However, she is also stubborn and struggles to accept criticism because of her over-confidence, so she might not be very receptive to alternative suggestions.

Virgo (August 23–September 22)

Virgos are practical perfectionists. Logical and dependable, this Earth sign is known for taking a systematic approach to life. Their style tends to be modest, simple, and polished, just like they are.

The Virgo bride’s wedding will be just like her: perfect. Every hair will be in place because she managed down to every fine detail. She is on top of everything and anticipates issues before they even arise. However, Virgo’s also tend to be very picky and overthink everything, making settling on ideas much harder.

Libra (September 23–October 22)

Like Taureans, Libras are also ruled by Venus, the planet that governs love, beauty, and money. Fun, caring, and fair, they make for excellent friends.

As a natural peacemaker, the Libra bride will be incredibly tactful and diplomatic when working with others to plan their big day. However, their indecisiveness and inability to confront situations may cause their dream wedding to slip away as they work to please everyone else.

Scorpio (October 23–November 21)

Scorpios tend to be very private in nature and hate to be the centre of attention. However, as the most passionate signs of the zodiac, they love to express their feelings and give in to pleasure.

Intensely goal-oriented and brave, the Scorpio bride will not hold back if they want something. However, this sign also tends to be jealous, stubborn, and controlling, so anyone trying to interfere with their plans will face their vicious sting.

Sagittarius (November 22–December 21)

Of all the zodiac signs, Sagittarius individuals are usually the most fun. Free-spirited and independent, they love to roam free and explore the various facets of the world and life.

While their independence is what makes them so lovable, it is also their greatest weakness. Sagittarians get bored easily and like to do things their own way. They are also prone to egotism, so the Sag bride can easily get frustrated if someone is not in support of their unusual ideas.

Capricorn (December 22–January 19)

Capricorns are the classy sign. They are typically very grounded and thoughtful, preferring the simpler things in life. They are also incredibly hardworking

Being the independent and determined type, the Capricorn bride will not rest until she has reached her goal, or in this case her dream wedding. She will meticulously plan everything and will expect just as much from those around her because of her high standards.

Aquarius (January 20–February 18)

Unique, artistic, and idealistic, Aquarians seem to always be lost in their thoughts. Represented by the water bearer, the mystical healer who bestows water, or life upon the land, they are easy-going and fun yet graceful and bold.

With their progressive nature, the aquarian bride will do something different for her big day. This unique gesture will be incredibly thought out and symbolic, but their love of thinking outside of the box might lead to an idea too big to execute in reality. Aquarians also tend to have quick tempers, so this might cause them to snap easily if things don’t work out.

Pisces (February 19–March 20)

Pisces individuals are dreamers, often at odds with fantasy and reality. Those with this complex sign tend to be empathetic, compassionate, and sensitive but also overly emotional, impressionable, and closed off.

Approach this bride with caution. She will want something unique for her big day, and to incorporate everyone because of her generous and compassionate nature. However, she is easily swayed which can overwhelm her, causing her to get upset and shut down.

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Weddings are pretty cut and dry with their general structure, so why not cut loose and do something different where you can? While a small part of your overall day, your escort cards can bring an event to life.

Escort cards are small items designed to lead your guests to their tables. Traditionally, a simple name card would suffice but many modern couples are looking to inject their personality and humour into their big day.

Get creative and offer something to remember with your escort cards. These days, anything and everything could work. From miniature skateboards to coffee cups and even dinosaur figurines, the possibilities are truly endless.

Here are a few fun and funky escort cards we’ve found:

 

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Love a fun escort card situation so naturally we were wild about these gold party animals! ?

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Who knew the destination of your honeymoon was so crucial to the success of your marriage? According to a recent study, where you go to spend your first days of wedded bliss can make or break your union.

Compare.bet conducted a study into which honeymoon destinations were the most common among divorced couples. First, they created a list of the most popular honeymoon destinations across the globe. They then surveyed 3100 divorced or separated couples worldwide to uncover which spot they settled on.

Their findings reveal that at 20%, the Maldives was the most popular honeymoon destination among couples who have since gone their separate ways. The Maldives has been a popular honeymoon and general vacation destination for decades, with its crystal-clear waters and pristine beaches a top calling-card.

Next up on the list was Marrakesh in Morrocco, with 17% of divorcees having spent their honeymoon there. Bora Bora in French Polynesia takes the third spot with 13% of the vote.

Other destinations that made it on the list include Bali (10%), Mauritius (8%), Lapland (7%), Santorini (5%), Venice (5%), Dubrovnik (4%), Buenos Aires (4%) and Cancun (3%).

Bangkok, Napa Valley, Maui, and Nairobi seems to be the safest places to honeymoon for a successful marriage, as they all only reported 1% of the vote each.

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