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    Kirsten Jacobs

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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.

    Picture: Unsplash

    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.

    Picture: Pexels

    Going down on one knee to propose is a major step in life. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the right time. It’s not determined by the length of a relationship, but rather the quality of that relationship.

    Before proposing, there are many topics that you need to speak about with your partner to make sure you are on the same page or at least understand each other’s viewpoints. From finances and religion to sex to and children, these topics should not be taboo.

    Even after having these conversations, some might not know when to propose. If you and your partner do want to get married, here are some signs that you are ready to take the next step:

    You have been living together for some time

    Sharing a space with your partner is a very important step in preparing for marriage. Living with someone and seeing how they occupy such a personal space is crucial in understanding them more. From their daily routine to dividing home chores, living with your partner helps to shape what your marriage could look like in the future.

    You’ve spoken about controversial topics

    They say never bring up politics on a first date, but that’s a topic that has to be discussed before marriage. Their general views on politics can extend to other issues often deemed taboo, and it’s important to know their stance because it could affect your relationship in the future. For example, in the event of unwanted pregnancy, how do they feel about abortion? If your child were to be gay, intersex, or transgender, how would they feel about that? What are their opinions on gender roles?

    You are in a good financial situation

    It’s most important to be aware of one another’s financial situation before taking the big leap. For example, if one person has debt, their partner will inherit that after tying the knot if you enter into a marriage in a community of property, which is the default in South Africa.

    This marriage contract makes you responsible for all debt incurred by your spouse, including debt incurred before your marriage. Your financial position could thus be weakened by your partner. In the event your assets are seized by a court order to pay creditors for money owed to them, all of your assets can be taken because your estates are joined.

    You know each other’s families and have their support

    Family is a big one because they have the power to influence people’s decisions. While you don’t need to be best friends with your partner’s parents and their siblings, it is important for them to support your future union. If there is any tension with a family member, it’s best to squash it before getting engaged so that they can celebrate your big news with you instead of bringing the energy down.

    You want the same things

    While it is impossible to map our future’s out and stick to that plan to the letter, having a general idea of what you want out of life is helpful for giving your journey some structure. Beyond your personal goals, you should also discuss your shared goals and dreams. Firstly, you need to be on the same page about wanting to get married in the first place, as some people don’t have that dream.

    Do you want to buy a house or continue renting? Do you want kids? If yes, how many and how do you want to raise them? These questions can be part of a continuous discussion because people change all the time, but the important part is to be aware of how the other person feels.

    Picture: Pexels

    Marble has been having a moment for the last few years. From home design and fashion, this unique metamorphic rock has inspired an enduring trend. It has even entered the wedding world.

    The best thing about marble is that it works for many different aesthetics, depending on what you pair it with. You can truly go as hard or as subtle as you want. Add bright botanicals for a garden party, or roses for a romantic look. Opt for unique geometric shapes for a more modern take or a geode texture for a more alternative feel.

    Here are some magnificent marble cakes to inspire you:

     

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    A wedding is the perfect time to put on your dancing shoes and to cut loose. However, not everyone is that keen to bust out the moves.

    Some may need further encouragement to get footloose. Beyond this, getting the party started can be quite physically taxing. With all that gyrating, it’s easy to get tuckered out quickly. It’s best to look out for your guests by offering some dancing relief. Here are a few ideas.

    Welcome with some liquid courage 

    The best way to get people to dance is to get them feeling relaxed first. This is where old faithful alcohol comes in. Serving shots of tequila as a welcome drink is a great way to get the party started and encourage your guests to leave their morals at the door. An open bar will go even further, but may get your guests feeling a bit too confident.

     

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    Play a mix of music

    Ariana Grande isn’t everybody’s cup of tea and not everyone is down to clown to some Drake. You’ll need your live band or DJ to perform a healthy mix of music genres, from pop and rap to golden oldies and slow tunes. This way, you appeal to everyone. Plus, no one can resist a  cheesy one-hit wonder.

     

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    Offer ‘dancing shoes’

    Have you ever danced in stiletto heels? It’s not a fun time. Balancing on these high heels while twerking to Cardi B might lead to a few falls, so it’s best to offer alternative footwear. A cute idea is to have a ‘dancing shoes’ stand where guests can grab a pair of flip flops before heading out onto the dance floor. Place them in different bins based on size, so that everyone has a shoe that will fit. Make sure the flip flops are brand new for hygiene reasons, and place a sign saying that each guest should keep their pair for the night to avoid people chopping and changing flip flops.

     

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    Have a ‘cool down’ zone

    After dancing up a storm, you’ll probably be sweating quite a bit. Have a dedicated ‘cool down’ zone alongside your traditional seating, where your guests can rest their weary feet. Offer tons of seating, cute handheld fans and refreshing fruit-infused water to help them rest up before they take to the floor for round 2.

     

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    Kate Middleton became the world’s envy on November 16, 2010 when Clarence House announced that she and Prince William were engaged to be wed. Besides the obvious excitement of a royal wedding, fans could not get over her unique sapphire engagement ring that carries a sweet story.

    The world’s most famous blue sapphire ring once belonged to Prince William’s mother, Princess Diana. Here are some facts about this deeply personal ring.

     

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    Prince Charles first proposed to Princess Diana with a selection of rings from crown jeweller Garrard, and she chose the blue sapphire. At the time, it caused a scandal and many called her decision to go with a ready-made ring ‘common’.

    Upon Charles and Diana’s divorce, she returned the ring to her ex-husband and it remained in storage in Kensington Palace. After her untimely passing in 1997, however, sons William and Harry were allowed to choose mementoes to remember her by. Harry chose the engagement ring while William picked a gold Cartier watch.

    When William was really to propose, the brothers agreed to exchange mementoes so that he could do so with their mother’s ring. He chose this ring to be symbolic of his mother being a part of her wedding and marriage in general.

    The ring consists of a 12-carat oval blue sapphire cut into facets, which is surrounded by fourteen solitaire diamonds. The setting is crafted from 18K white gold.

     

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    Immediately after their engagement announcement, sapphire engagement rings sales went through the roof and jewellers rushed to supply customers with this trendy item.

    Her wedding band was fashioned from a piece of Welsh gold that was given to Prince William by The Queen shortly after the engagement was announced.

     

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    The Church of England could soon change its stance on same-sex marriage and other issues relating to sexuality.

    The church’s House of Bishops announced on Monday [November 9] that they would soon begin a formal decision-making process on questions of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.

    “A group of bishops, chaired by the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, will lead the process of discernment and decision-making about a way forward for the church in relation to human identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage,” said the Church in a statement.

    This engagement is expected to take place during 2021, and final decisions would be concluded in 2022 and set before the Church’s General Synod.

    Currently, the Church of England does not recognise same-sex marriage or officially bless same-sex civil marriages. However, they do allow clergy members to be in same-sex relationships if they are sexually abstinent. The Church still describes sex as between a heterosexual male and female.

    In the foreword in a newly published set of resources drawing together the Bible, theology, science and history called “Living in Love and Faith”, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, acknowledge and apologise for the “huge damage and hurt” that has been caused particularly to LGBTI+ people within the Church.

    “At the heart of our failure is the absence of a genuine love for those whom God loves in Christ, knowing as God does every aspect of all of our lives,” they write. “Our prayer for the Church through this work is that collectively we demonstrate the same love to one another that we have experienced from God.”

    The Bishop of Coventry, Christopher Cocksworth, who oversaw the Living in Love and Faith project, said: “Questions of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage are deeply personal with real life consequences. Engaging with these resources will be enriching and, at different points for different people, deeply challenging and uncomfortable.

    “They ask us to examine afresh what it means for Christians to live in love and faith. We offer them in the hope that the whole of the Church of England will embrace this opportunity to learn and reflect together across difference for the sake of our unity in Christ.”

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    A wedding hosted in Long Island, New York has resulted in dozens of people testing positive for COVID-19 and over 150 people needing to quarantine. Several local schools have temporarily closed to contain the spread.

    North Fork Country Club, where the event was hosted on October 17, has had its liquor licence revoked by the state of New York. This comes after they hosted a wedding with 113 guests in attendance, way above the 50-person threshold allowed under New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s executive order limiting gatherings.

    They also face $30,000 (R463 962) in fines due to “multiple counts of failure to comply” with COVID-19 regulations.

    Since the wedding, about 30 people tested positive for COVID-19, including three employees at the country club and a wedding vendor. An estimated 159 people who were present may have been exposed to the virus, and have gone into a two-week quarantine. Multiple schools in the area even temporarily shut down over fears of a further outbreak. 

    “As we have seen in weddings and similar events across the country during this pandemic, large gatherings can easily be super-spreader events, too often with dire consequences,” Cuomo said. “Hosting one of these events after all New York has been through is obnoxious and irresponsible—not to mention illegal.”

    The tri-state area, which includes New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, is bracing for a second wave of the virus. New citywide restrictions have been imposed in New Jersey and may soon be imposed in New York, which could include a shutdown of nonessential businesses if the average infection rate continues to climb as it has been over the last week, according to the city’s health department.

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    A proposal is a special moment, one to remember forever. For this exact reason, you want it to go perfectly according to plan.

    Unfortunately, things don’t always work out the way we want them to. While a slight deviation from the plan is okay, there are some proposals that went so far off course that they cannot be salvaged.

    Here are a few fails that will have you cringing in embarrassment.

    The break up:

    This couple is known for pranking each other and sometimes going too far, so it’s no surprise that a prank would be part of their proposal story. The girlfriend decided to fake a break up with her partner as a prank, going so far as to say that she had accepted a job in another country and is not in love anymore. After an argument and tears, her partner goes back into the apartment and returns with an engagement ring to admit that he had been planning to propose.

    Please say yes:

    Public proposals are always risky because there is so much room for error. Despite planning a sweet proposal at a live basketball game, this proposee forgot to factor in whether his partner would actually say yes. She said no in front of hundreds of people before walking away awkwardly, leaving her ex needing to receive comfort from the mascot.

    A courting fail:

    This couple met in a mall, so this man naturally thought it would be the appropriate place to propose. Mic in hand, he broadcast the proposal in front of a throng of shoppers. As he tried to go down on one knee, his partner literally grabbed him and tried to stop him from proposing. He persisted, and she ended up smacking him over the head with a ukelele before storming off.

    Spring it on him:

    While on the Jerry Springer show, this woman felt it was the perfect time to propose. She handed her partner a bowl of popcorn, which contained his ring. After she proposed, her partner continued to eat the popcorn in silence as the audience stared. He then rejected her, saying she’s too clingy and secretive. He then admits to cheating on her twice, the most recent time being with her friend. Just when you think it couldn’t get worse, the ‘friend’ he cheated with showed up and a physical fight ensued.

    Never ask questions:

    In another Jerry Springer proposal, things seemed to be going so well. He proposed and she accepted, before turning to Jerry and asking ‘Is that it?’. Unfortunately, that wasn’t it. The man admitted to cheating on her with her friend. The bouquet of flowers he had proposed with then turned into a weapon.

    Picture: Unsplash