Kirsten Jacobs, Author at Wedding ETC

In Advice

Unique wedding rings designed by local jewellers

October 8, 2020 No Comments

As the piece of jewellery you’ll (hopefully) always have and wear, your engagement ring is highly personal. It is important to match the ring to you, and not the other way around.

While shopping from big, established brands is great and often the easiest option, South Africa has a wealth of talented jewellery designers that create incredible custom pieces.

Now more than ever, it is important to support local. Here are a few fantastic jewellers from across the country designing unique engagement rings with personality and flair.

Lorean Jewellery:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CF1l_-OJtv-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CF7EtmLp14y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CE9VYJGp7k6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Famke Jewellery:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFwuZotgt1z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6NtU5NpJ74/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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

Black Betty Design:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBxSYb4HjQ0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Merakije Jewellery Design:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7N1ggepng0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFo2U-8pc_g/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Botanica Jewellery:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CF1glLIp8pR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B62nTN_ptUR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Picture: Unsplash

In Celebs

Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone celebrate 15th wedding anniversary

October 8, 2020 No Comments

Congratulations are in order for Hollywood couple Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone! The comedic duo recently celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary.

Taking to social media, McCarthy gushed about her husband.

“15 years ago today I married the kindest, funniest and weirdest human I’ve ever met. Grateful every single day!!!” McCarthy wrote on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGD8dPTBOVV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Falcone was a bit more cheeky with his tribute, sharing an image of his wife clutching two bunnies to her chest.

“Was scrolling through my phone and came across this photo. Can’t remember seeing it before. Two things: A) I’m so lucky and grateful to be married to such a lovely, smart, kind and wonderful person B) why is there a skunk in the picture? Happy fifteenth Anniversary, Mooch! Here’s to 500 more (I am assuming we will kinda be robots for 400 of those years),” he wrote.

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

The Emmy winner and her actor/filmmaker husband met in 1998 when they were both apart of the Los Angeles comedy troupe Groundlings, and tied the knot in 2005.

They run their own production company together called On The Day Productions, and have featured alongside one another in many films like Bridesmaids and Tammy.

The pair share two daughters: Vivian (13) and Georgette (10).

Picture: Instagram / Melissa McCarthy

In Legal

New marriage policy for South Africa in the works

October 8, 2020 No Comments

The Department of Home Affairs is expected to introduce a new draft marriage policy for the country that will bring new changes to marriage laws.

The draft was originally planned to be gazetted for public consultation during the 2020/2021 financial year for cabinet approval by March 31, 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic brought these plans to a halt.

The new draft is aimed to changing current legislation, which the department explains is not based on constitutional values and modern social dynamics.

“Despite all the changes that have been made in the marriage legislation post-1994, there are still serious gaps in the current legislation. For instance, the current legislation does not regulate some religious marriages such as the Hindu, Muslim and other customary marriages that are practised in some African or royal families,” they explained in May.

“Given the diversity of the South Africa population, it is virtually impossible to pass legislation governing every single religious or cultural marriage practice. It is against this background that the DHA is embarking in the process of developing a marriage policy that will lay a policy foundation for drafting a new single or omnibus legislation.”

Some changes they plan to bring to marriage policy include:

– enabling South Africans of different sexual orientation, religious and cultural persuasions to conclude legal marriages

– introducing strict rules around the age of marriage (including the alignment of age of majority in the marriage legislation to the Children’s Act)

– aligning the marriage, matrimonial property and divorce legislation to address matrimonial property and intestate succession matters in the event of the marriage dissolution

– allowing for equitable treatment and respect for religious and customary beliefs in line with Section 15 of the Constitution

– dealing with the solemnisation and registration of marriages that involve foreign nationals

– dealing with the solemnisation and registration of customary marriages that involve non-citizens especially cross-border communities or citizens of our neighbouring countries

Picture: Pexels

In Decor

Table decoration ideas for a Halloween-themed wedding

October 7, 2020 No Comments

Spooky season is officially upon us, bringing with it some festive frights and fancies. Halloween is a loved holiday across the world, and some are such big fans that they base their wedding on it.

In October, many couples throw Halloween themed weddings. It is easy to achieve, all you need is tons of moody tones and vintage touches. You can go full out with miniature skulls and pumpkins.

Those that want a subtler finish should focus on tones and textures. Black, orange and red are classic Halloween colours, and they look great paired with gold for a vintage flair. Use velvet and lace for extra dimension, and finish off with dried flowers. Of course, you’ll need an array or candles of different heights to light up the night.

Here are some table decor ideas to inspire your own:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4RiLacneAa/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Ng_CcDUp1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFr6fpElcvu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFZ4gE5gr7n/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CF5NiSzDtEc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGAH-plnHkp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CF_WM51j6rE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CF-M5XahCKu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CF-IZq6D4bC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CF8Rt4sMiwl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Picture: Unsplash

In Engagements

Ring cleaning videos are trending and insanely satisfying

October 7, 2020 No Comments

How often are you cleaning your wedding ring, and how effective is your process? Most likely, your answer is not often and not thorough enough.

Your ring can easily be dirtied by everyday wear. Common cosmetic products like hairspray, lotion, makeup or perfume can accumulate dirt, and touching a variety of objects throughout the day will also dull your ring.

A new and oh-so-satisfying trend on Instagram is ring cleaning. Jewellers are sharing videos of how they take rings from drab to fab with a simple solution.

The ring is dunked in a blue solution of ring cleaner, and all the dirt expels out of it. The sheer amount of dirt that can accumulate on a ring is truly astounding.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCrfgiSl2O2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The solution is held in an ultrasonic machine which sends vibrations through the water in a matter of minutes. The ultrasound waves and chemicals combine to create bubbles that “cling” to foreign particles such as dirt, oil, and unknown substances. The high-frequency waves are sent out and pull the contaminants off the object.

After a minute, the ring is removed from the solution and is extra sparkly, like the day it was purchased.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCfcJN8l5re/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDjj23CF7iZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

If you don’t have access to a professional jewellery cleaner, or simply don’t have the funds for this, cleaning your jewellery is an easy process that can be done at home. Make a DIY solution with warm water and dishwashing soap. Soak your ring in the solution for about 20 to 40 minutes and then gently brush it with a soft toothbrush. Rinse under warm running water and repeat if needed.

Make sure to avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, chlorine and acetone when cleaning your ring, as it can break down the base metals in the ring. Abrasive products like toothpaste, baking soda and powdered cleaners should also be avoided.

In Advice

Now trending: The first honeymoon

October 7, 2020 No Comments

This year has been a tough one for the wedding world. Across the globe, couples are postponing their weddings as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens. A new trend has no emerged from this, in which couples are making the best of a bad situation.

Many couples are opting to still honour their original wedding date by going on honeymoon on a much smaller scale. Called the “first honeymoon”, they have decided that they don’t want to be sad on what would have been their wedding day, so they head out on a trip and celebrate it.

A first honeymoon is a shorter, more affordable, typically domestic and small-scale “honeymoon” on or around the original wedding date.

According to a recent survey by wedding planning website Zola, one-third of engaged couples plan to have a first honeymoon.

“We’ve had engagement moons, and mini-moons, but no one ever thought a first moon would be a thing,” said Zola spokesperson Hailey Murphy. “Couples are finding joy in that and still looking forward to these big weddings and big celebrations that we will hopefully be able to get back to sooner rather than later.”

The first honeymoon is the perfect opportunity to relax and take a break from the stress of life, especially welcomed now as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate in many countries.

With so many travel restrictions in place, first honeymoons are best when they remain domestic. It is also important to maintain social distancing and practice good hygiene.

While international travel is open in South Africa, our local travel industry is in great need of financial support. Think local and book a trip to a nearby town or province to help the country get back on its feet.

Picture: Pexels

In Celebs

Piers Morgan claims he is ‘technically married’ to Paris Hilton

October 7, 2020 No Comments

In even more bizarre news for 2020, British broadcaster Piers Morgan claims he is married to Paris Hilton.

During an episode of Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, the TV anchor explained that back in 2009, he ran a segment on the show about how easy it is to get married in Las Vegas. To truly hammer the message home, he said ‘I do’ to heiress Paris Hilton.

“She’s still my wife technically. We got married in Vegas for a TV show. True story, there’s video of it,” he said during the show. “We had an Elvis lookalike, a Frank Sinatra lookalike, a Marilyn Monroe lookalike. She wore a beautiful bridal gown, brought a dog with her, I got to kiss the bride, we exchanged rings.”

The wedding was not legally binding, however, as Morgan was already married to his first wife Marion Shalloe.

Picture: screenshot from video

In Celebs

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw celebrate 24 years of marriage

October 7, 2020 No Comments

Iconic country duo Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have been married for 24 years. Taking to social media, the pair wrote sweet messages of devotion to one another on their special day.

“24 yrs…….These years have rushed by in a series of beautiful, painful and unexpected moments….
We have loved, laughed and cried through exciting, inspiring and heartbreaking events in our lives together,” McGraw gushed on Instagram.

“You have been a role model for 3 remarkable young women who have made me a better man than I ever thought I could be…..The future will surely hold more of all of these things. It only matters if I’m with you. It only works if I’m with you. My oxygen only exists if you’re by my side. Forever and always living and loving our way through anything @faithhill”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CF_-9yGAZ-z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Hill was short and sweet with her message, writing: “To my guy…The one that stole my heart 24 years ago today. Happy Anniversary my love❤️❤️❤️”

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

The couple fell in love at first sight when they met at McGraw’s Spontaneous Combustion tour in 1996, which Hill was the opening act for. They tied the knot on October 6, a few months into dating. Soon after, they announced they were expecting their first child.

They are now parents to three daughters: Gracie (23), Maggie (22), and Audrey (18).

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

Picture: Instagram / Faith Hill

In Legal

Gay couple’s struggle to marry in Richards Bay

October 7, 2020 No Comments

Muhammad Buckus and Kyle Pillay have been together for about five years. They live openly as a same-sex couple. A year ago, they exchanged wedding vows at a traditional Hindu ceremony. But they have been unable to formalise their partnership, because Home Affairs officials in Richards Bay kept turning them away.

“We have been given excuse after excuse and it seems to us that the problem is that we are a same-sex couple,” says Buckus.

On the eve of moving from Pietermaritzburg to Richards Bay, they went to the temple with a few close friends and committed themselves to each other.

“We knew we also wanted to get married legally,” says Buckus. “We didn’t for a moment think it would be a problem.”

He and PIllay have been to their local office about five times since September last year. Buckus recounted the excuses he’d been given by various officials and forwarded Whatsapp messages and voice-notes he has sent to various Home Affairs managers in the province.

Initially, they were told there was no marriage officer. Then they were given an email address for one but she responded that there were no dates available until the following year.

“We went there to find out what dates were available and we were then told that officials there were not trained to do same sex marriages.

“We then contacted the manager, who told us that was not so, but they didn’t have a marriage register or certificates,” said Buckus.

He said they were told to “try” other offices in the province but were given no guarantees.

Then came the Covid-19 lockdown and the office closed. But after it reopened they were again given the excuse that it didn’t have the necessary documents.

“On one of our visits, an official tipped us off that they would never perform the marriage there ‘because they are Christians who have staunch beliefs but they will never tell you that to your faces’,” said Buckus.

On Thursday last week, a day after GroundUp sent questions to the department, Buckus said he received a call and was told an appointment was available on 8 October.

While thrilled at this development, he said he and Pillay still felt they had been victimised.

Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza said the Richards Bay office could not assist the couple earlier this year as it did not have the necessary documents to solemnize same sex marriages.

“The couple was advised that the offices in Umgeni, Ethekwini and Ulundi would be able to assist them. The couple advised the officials in Richards Bay that they would wait until that office was able to assist them,” said Qoza.

This article was written by Tania Broughton and originally appeared on GroundUp.

In Celebs

Jarrad Ricketts secretly married his best friend in September

October 6, 2020 No Comments

South African singer Jarrad Ricketts is a married man! The musician shocked fans when he announced he secretly married his best friend Kim Wentzel back in September.

Taking to social media, Ricketts announced their recent union. The pair tied the knot at St Mark’s Anglican Church in District Six on Saturday, September 19.

“To start the weekend with some incredible news…I asked, she said yes! I stole her heart, so she took my name!” he wrote.

“I am blessed and thrilled to announce my marriage to my best friend, my #confidant, my biggest cheerleader and #partner in all things! Our wedding ceremony took place at St Mark’s Anglican Church in District Six on Saturday, 19 September 2020. The ceremony was followed by an intimate celebration with our families.

He explains they decided to keep their wedding secret for a while to enjoy their special moment in private.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CF151wmnoHF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

“The choice to not immediately share this publicly has allowed us to enjoy and share this milestone in our lives together with each other and our wider friend-and-family circle. So much of what I do is highly publicised by the media. Our intention and wish, was to not lose the importance of our marriage in any form of too much media attention. Having had a chance to celebrate our newest adventure over the past few weeks, I am so excited to now be able to share some positive news with all of you after these recent trying and difficult times.

“My wife (yes, I really said that!) and I, are looking forward to the next chapter of our lives together! We are so grateful for the love and support shown to us over the past few weeks and ask that you all continue to pray for us as we navigate this chapter.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CF4FSB4ntDl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The pair have been together for over a decade, and Wentzel has been Ricket’s manager for eight years.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Picture: Instagram / Jarrad Ricketts