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Kirsten Jacobs

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In cake

Wedding cakes that are basically works of art

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Decorating a wedding cake is a form of art. Anyone can ice a cake, but only true artists can take it to the next level.

We love a stand-out wedding cake, mainly because it can work as its own feature on your big day. A cake can become art depending on the overall aesthetic and finish you choose.

Adding tons of texture and 3-dimensional detail is the easiest way to get your art on. You can also go literal with an abstract-inspired icing job, or get creative with your cake stand.

Here are a few of our favourite creations:

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In Legal

Same-sex couple seek R2-million in damages from SA wedding venue

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The battle continues for same-sex couple Megan Watling and Sasha-Lee Heekes. The pair are facing off in court against Western Cape wedding venue Beloftebos, who made headlines in January for refusing to host their same-sex wedding ceremony on religious grounds.

The couple are now seeking R2-million in damages, which they plan to donate to charity. Court papers filed in the Equality court reveal that Watling and Heekes are suing Beloftebos owners Andries and Coia de Villiers for the impairment of dignity, pain and suffering due to unfair discrimination against them.

The brides-to-be also want the court to declare the venue’s refusal to host same-sex weddings as unfair discrimination, and thus unlawful and unconstitutional. They are seeking an unconditional apology from the venue, in which they acknowledge the harm they have caused.

The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) launched an application against the owners in March, following several complaints about the venue. The Comissioner, André Gaum, explained that the outcome they hoped to achieve includes that the venue’s policy be declared discriminatory, and that they are forced to host same-sex marriages. He said that the policy is unconstitutional and amounts to unfair discrimination.

Back in May, Beloftebos filed their own papers claiming that they were discriminated against by the SAHRC. The owners of the establishment claimed that they had filed papers with the Equality Court, opposing the fact that they have discriminated against LGBTI+ people. This means they are arguing that their policy which states that they will not host same-sex weddings, is not discriminatory.

Michael Swain, executive director of Freedom of Religion South Africa said that Beloftebos are “asking the Equality Court to find that the SAHRC unfairly discriminated against them on grounds of conscience, religion and belief, and that the commission is biased and prejudiced in its treatment of them and their belief system”.

Feature image: Facebook / Beloftebos

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In Emotional

Colombian woman has dream wedding days before she dies

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A 30-year-old woman from Colombia had her dream of being a bride come true when she married her long-term love in the hospital, a few days before her death.

Estefany Torres Vera (30) and Duvan Yefren Pabon met at a mall nine years ago, and have been together ever since. They have a seven-year-old son and always wanted to get married but were unable to do so due to their financial situation.

Estefany was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer, and was hospitalised in 2020 as her health deteriorated. Still wanting to marry the love of her life, Estefany and Duvan planned an impromptu hospital wedding.

The pair married in Estefany’s hospital room on September 11. The bride wore a white dress and tiara for their nuptials. They livestreamed the wedding so that their family at home could still attend virtually. Local police organised a brass band to play outside as the bride was wheeled into the room.

“We did not want a painful goodbye, we wanted a joyful one. This gave Estefany the happiness she deserved,” the bride’s sister Julia Andrea Torres Vega said.

The bride sadly died on September 13, just two days after her dream wedding.

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In Engagements

The Aristocrat’s choice: Amazing Asscher cut stones

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The emerald cut is a favourite among brides, but those wanting a similar style with some difference should opt for the Asscher cut. Also known as the square emerald cut, this shape is timeless and stylish, perfectly designed to highlight a diamond.

If you’re diamond shopping, here’s everything you need to know about the Asscher cut.

 

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Everything you need to know about ring engravings
In Advice

Everything you need to know about ring engravings

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Having your engagement ring engraved is a beautiful way to to show your love. It allows you to carry a special hidden meaning with you wherever you go, and also makes your ring more identifiable if it goes missing.

This is a timeless practice, one that has been loved since medieval times. Back in the day, people had their prized jewellery possessions engraved with religious quotes and messages of devotion.

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Engraving is a relatively affordable option, but the price depends on what exactly you want engraved and the font. Machine engravings are cheaper, hand engravings will cost much more. Most rings can accommodate between 15-30 characters, so you can’t write novels. No more than five words is ideal.

The best time to have it engraved is when you order the ring. However, you have lots of time to decide exactly what you want it to say as engravings happen at the end of the manufacturing process. Importantly, not all jewellers perform engravings so make sure to ask for a referral if they cannot.

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It is a fast process, and can be done in a day. There are three ways to do it. The first, machine engraving uses a template to trace out letters and symbols using a corresponding sharp tool. This option limits your font choice, but pretty much guarantees a neat finish.

Hand engraving is the most costly option, and is also the most imperfect. However, it does allow you freedom to choose whichever font you want. It is also a deeper engraving, meaning it lasts longer and creates a unique visual finish.

With laser engraving, jewellers use a pencil-sized laser beam to inscribe your special message onto the ring. The strength of the laser differs depending on the type of metal. This option allows for longer messages.

The most important thing here, and we cannot stress this enough, is to double, triple and quadruple check your spelling before handing your words over to the jeweller! Make sure to double-check it again once you receive the finished product.

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In News

Weddings may be bigger in Level 1

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South Africa is officially moving to Level 1 lockdown from midnight on Sunday, September 20. With this shift comes an easing of restrictions, which may benefit the wedding industry.

Under Level 2, weddings were allowed to continue but for no more than 50 people, and a host of health and safety measures must be adhered to.

In his televised address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the Level 1 has less strict regulations on gatherings. While the safety regulations will likely remain in place, couples may be able to increase their guest list. Instead of a blanket number of 50 people, social gatherings will now depend on the size of a venue.

“Social, religious, political and other gatherings will be permitted, as long as the number of people does not exceed 50% of the normal capacity of a venue, up to a maximum of 250 people for indoor gatherings and 500 people for outdoor gatherings,” Ramapshosa said in his speech.

“Health protocols, such as washing or sanitising of hands, social distancing and mask-wearing, will need to be strictly observed.”

Ramaphosa also announced that the country would begin a gradual reopening of international travel, subject to various containment and mitigation measures. This means that destination weddings are on the cards again.

Travel may be restricted to and from certain countries that have high infection rates. A list of countries will be published soon based on the latest scientific data.

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In Celebs

Dynasty star Elizabeth Gillies secretly tied the knot

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Singer and Dynasty star Elizabeth Gillies surprised fans by announcing she is a married woman. The former Nickeloden star secretely said ‘I do’ to producer and composer Michael Corcoran back in August.

The pair tied the knot on August 8 in an intimate garden ceremony, months after postponing their orginal April wedding due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The wedding was a small affair, with only 10 guests in attendance. Gillies told Vogue they were both tested before the wedding, and quarantined with family for two weeks before.

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The bride wore a satin A-line gown and floor length lace veil. Her father was the wedding officiant, and their dog Bubba stood in as ring bearer.

“It has been such a long road for us, and at times [it] felt like a total impossibility that it was hard to believe we’d actually gotten to that moment where it was really happening,” Gillies told Vogue. “Once we were exchanging vows, it hit me that my dad was marrying us and our loved ones were there, and I think I turned to Michael and mouthed, ‘Oh, my God, we actually did it.’ We were so happy.”

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Feature image: Instagram/Vogue Weddings

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In Advice

Effortlessly chic dresses to elope in

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The case for eloping strengthens with every day the COVID-19 pandemic continues. More and more couples are opting to spend their big day on a micro-scale, with only two witnesses and an officiant present.

If you were meant to marry this year and still want to go through with it despite the pandemic, the safest option is to elope. This way, only your absolute closest are present.

Considering elopements are a lot more casual, you have more options for what to wear. Shorter dresses are more appropriate if you intend to have a casual courthouse event, or even a mountaintop moment. Here are some lovely looks you can shop right now:

Holly Cowl Neck Dress from Forever New

Boho Ruffle Sleeve Gown from Princess Lola Boutique

Ruched bardot midi dress from Missguided 

Off Shoulder Scalloped Lace Gown from Princess Lola

Kira Belted Linen Jumpsuit from Forever New

Lace panel scuba tiered midi dress from Missguided

Draped Bodycon Dress White from Mango

Winona Metallic Dress from Forever New

One shoulder midi dress from Missguided

Secret Garden Lace Gown from Princess Lola Boutique

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In Legal

The new frontier: E-marriage contracts

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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, industries have had to come up with more creative ways to complete their services in safer way.

To reduce physical contact, the Saudi Arabian government has begun allowing e-marriage contracts. This allows couples to receive their marriage contracts without having to be physically present.

Couples simply need to provide all the relevant data and information and conduct a medical examination before the date of the marriage session. A marriage officer will verify all the data and supply the final contract that can be signed electronically and printed from the online portal.

This service helps in documenting marriage data and finalizing marriage contracts easily and conveniently.

In similar fashion, marriage by proxy has been around for centuries and has allowed people separated by borders to tie the knot without both being physically present. An agent acts on behalf of one of the parties during the solemnization of the marriage.

Marriage by proxy was very common among nobility. Marie Antoinette married Louis-Auguste by proxy in  1770 and French emperor Napoleon married Archduchess Marie Louise by proxy in 1810. This service became even more popular in the early 1900s in America during the war efforts.

Marriage by proxy is most commonly used in cases where one partner is enrolled in military service, imprisoned or due to travel restrictions.

Importantly, this marriage is not legally recognised by most countries as common law requires both parties to be present.

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Downton Abbey star Jessica Brown Findlay ties the knot
In Celebs

Downton Abbey star Jessica Brown Findlay ties the knot

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Jessica Brown Findlay, famed for her role as Laby Sybil Crawley in Downton Abbey, is a married woman. The actress said ‘I do’ to fellow actor Ziggy Heath in a wedding worthy of royalty.

The pair tied the knot on September 12, and recently took to social media to announce their exciting news.

“♥️wins every time. A weekend of dreams. Small celebrations felt HUGE. And now what a birthday! X I love you. ♥️,” she wrote on Instagram.

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Findlay wore a three-quarter-length sleeved lace dress and accessorised with an embellished headband. Heath sported a white button-down shirt and patterned vest.

She shared more images to her Instagram stories, revealing they hired an old Routemaster Bus, most likely to help transport their guests from the church to their reception.

The pair have been together since 2017 when they met on set of the racy Georgian drama Harlots. Congratulations to the newly weds!

Feature image: Instagram stories / Jessica Findlay

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