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Kirsten Jacobs

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Fashion-forward grooms deserve to take centre stage on their wedding day. Those not afraid to take a risk should wow the crowds in a patterned suit.

Grooms tend to stick to safe colours and accessories come wedding day. While a black suit is classic and debonair, it’s also a bit predictable. We love it when grooms go big and creative with their fashion, and a patterned suits is an excellent way to do it.

Depending on your colour palette and pattern, this trend can bring big drama or subtle style. You could choose fabrics with a massive floral print or even glitter to have you shining all day. Another special option is to incorporate a cultural patterns and fabrics like Ndebele print into your groomswear.

If you’re in need of some inspiration, look no further. Suit up in one of these fancy fits:

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Feature image: Unsplash

The South African government has gazetted new directives to help regulate gatherings amid the shift to Level 2. The new directives include changes to how weddings may continue during the pandemic.

According to the new directives, released August 25, there are a host of safety regulations that vendors must follow as the wedding industry reopens. As such, the onus is largely on wedding planners and vendors to make sure guests follow protocol.

Weddings are still limited to 50 people, and all hygienic conditions and physical distancing measures must be adhered to for the limitation of exposure to COVID-19.

The person organising the wedding, exhibition or function and the owner or manager of the venue must ensure compliance with the requirement relating to physical distancing of at least one and a half metres and the wearing of a cloth face mask, a homemade item or another appropriate item that covers the nose and mouth, by all attendees.

A person managing a venue for a wedding, exhibition or other function must:

– set up screening stations at entrances to facilitate the screening of persons before entry

– not allow access to a person who is not wearing a cloth mask, or homemade item that covers the nose and mouth or another appropriate item to cover the nose and mouth

– ensure that every person wears a cloth face mask, a homemade item or another appropriate item that covers the nose and mouth at all times except when eating or drinking

– ensure that every person sanitises before entry

– sanitise microphones and podiums after use by every person.

Read the new gazette here: Tourism-Gazette-weddings-events

Feature image: Unsplash

It’s been months since Netflix original Love is Blind blew viewers away as it posed the question, ‘Can people really fall in love without seeing each other?’

This science experiment saw couples connect while separated by a wall, never getting to see each other face to face. Six couples seemingly fell in love and got engaged. After their engagement, they met in person and began their relationship.

Here’s who is still together in 2020 and who has found new love after the reality TV show.

Cameron Hamilton and Lauren Speed:

As Cameron and Lauren fell in love, so did we. This couple’s story touched many as they grappled with being an interracial couple and how their families and the public would react to their love.

Their love is legit, as the pair are still together today. They appear as loved up as ever, and even adopted a puppy together. Fans can follow their journey on their Youtube channel, Hanging With The Hamiltons.

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Amber Pike and Matt Barnett:

Many fans doubted this couple would actually tie the knot, as Amber’s confession of financial troubles and her lack of stability seemed to trouble Matt during the show. However, the pair ended up saying ‘I do’ and are still married.

Since their wedding, Amber has admitted that they butted heads a lot but have now found a good flow.

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Kenny Barnes and Kelly Chase:

Soon after meeting in person, this couple’s engagement began to disintegrate on the show. Kelly was quite straightforward about not having a sexual attraction to Kenny. In the show’s finale, she said “I don’t” and left Barnes at the altar. The pair have since admitted that they had both agreed that they were not going to get married.

Since then, Kenny Barnes has found love again. The Love is Blind star recently popped the question to girlfriend Alexandra Garrison. Barnes and Garrison have been dating a little over a year, and they met after he appeared on the Netflix dating series. His younger sister Anna introduced the pair.

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Kelly is currently single, although she did date a close friend soon after the show’s filming wrapped. Both Kelly and Kenny have grown a lot from their experience of being on the show, and they appear to be on good terms.

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Jessica Batten and Mark Cuevas:

From the get-go, this couple was destined to fail. Jessica accepted Mark’s proposal after her main interest Matt Barnett displayed stronger feelings for future wife Amber. With Mark as her second choice, she struggled with leftover feelings for Barnett throughout her engagement, as well as a lack of sexual chemistry with Mark. This, coupled with their ten year age gap brought an end to their relationship. Mark said ‘I do’ but Jessica could not follow through.

Jessica has since found a new man. She is dating a doctor who, interestingly enough, looks a lot like Mark. She has also apologised to both Amber and Matt for interfering in their relationship during filming.

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Mark has also moved on. He recently went Instagram official with a blonde beauty.

 

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Same spot, same girl, different caption ?

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Giannina Gibelli and Damian Powers

Damian Powers and Giannina Gibelli were another fan favourite, although their explosive relationship was often on rocky ground. The pair argued a lot during filming, and it appeared that Giannina would be the one to end things. However, fans were shocked when she said ‘I do’ and Damian said ‘I don’t’.

With their dramatic ending, it was even more surprising to find out that the pair are back together. During the reunion episode, they revealed that they got back together hours after their wedding, and they are still together today.

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Carlton Morton and Diamond Jack

This couple didn’t make it very far after their engagement. Soon after meeting in person and spending real time together, Carlton admitted to Diamond that he is bisexual. This lead to a massive fight because Diamond felt Carlton was keeping secrets while he felt that she didn’t accept him for who he is. Their fight ended with them breaking things off and Diamond tossing her engagement ring in the pool.

Since then, they patched things over and are on good terms. Carlton is spending time on himself, and Diamond is working towards her PhD.

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Feature image: Instagram / Lauren Speed

The effortless bride is made for the boho style. Inspired by nature and life, this aesthetic is all about being unconventional and free.

This style incorporates a more laid-back aesthetic with romantic and dreamy detail. It’s all about flow and comfort, which is why most boho brides opt for billowing sleeves and an A-line shape. Fabric also plays a key part in this style. Choose intricate lace detail, gentle embellishment and unique patterns for an eye catching finish.

Boho-inspired wedding dresses work especially well for outdoor weddings, and can also add a unique spin to a more formal occasion.

Here are some gorgeous gowns to inspire your own;

 

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Feature image: Pexels

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the world, people have learned the importance of lending a helping hand. This couple really wanted to make a difference, and donated their wedding food to a shelter. Not only that, they also spent their wedding day serving the food to those in need.

Melanie and Tyler Tapajna from Ohio, USA were meant to have a 150-guest wedding. They paid in advance to secure their venue, DJ and food. However, the venue cancelled due to the pandemic and they had to make new arrangements.

A bit disappointed but not surprised, the couple decided to put their money to good use.

“Since we’d prepaid for the food, we could have had the wedding somewhere else and still invited everyone, but it didn’t make sense,” Melanie tells the Washington Post. “I turned to Tyler and said, ‘What would you think of donating the food instead?’ ”

The couple got in contact with Laura’s Home, a shelter in Cleveland for single women and mothers with children, and organised to have food worth $2000 (R33 751) delivered to serve 135 people.

Their only request was that, following their small ceremony, they could serve the food at the home themselves.

Melanie and Tyler tied the knot on August 15 in the bride’s grandparents’ backyard, with a dozen family members present. After the ceremony and still in their wedding attire, they made their way down to the shelter to serve their wedding meal, provide by food truck Betty’s Bomb-A** Burgers.

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Maintaining social distancing and hygiene measures, the pair spent their wedding day serving food to those in need. And they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We just felt it was wrong to have a big wedding during this time, especially when so many people are struggling,” Said Melanie.

They plan to continue this spirit of giving back by donating to a charity every year on their wedding anniversary. They hope their big day inspires others to do the same.

Feature image: Pexels

The Bachelorette star Rachel Lindsey and Bryan Abasalo have been married for one year. The couple is one of the franchise’s biggest success stories since finding love in the show’s 13th season. The pair became husband and wife at Mexico’s Royalton Suites Cancun on August 24, 2019.

“One year + FOREVER…I love you and I am beyond thankful for you,” Lindsey wrote on her Instagram in honour of the occasion.

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Abasalo was a bit more expressive with his post, writing: “I can’t believe it’s already been a year since we both said “I Do”! I consider myself beyond lucky to be able to call you my wife and truly blessed to be your husband. I wake up every single day a better man because you are always there to support, encourage, and love me no matter what. You are my rock and my best friend. Thank you for the memories we have shared together this year and I look forward to many many more. I love you @therachlindsay Happy Anniversary! ❤️?⁣”

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The world first fell in love with Lindsey when she was a contestant of Bachelor Nick Viall’s season. The attorney quickly impressed viewers with her intelligence and poise. She then became the first black woman to hold the title of Bachelorette, a massive feat for a show that has been heavily critisised for its lack of representation.

Miami-based chiropractor Abasalo won the season and Lindsey’s heart. While seasons of the show often end in engagements, the ratio of those engagements following through with an actual wedding is very low. Lindsey and Abasalo are one of a few couples in the show’s history to actually go through with tying the knot.

Feature image: Instagram / The Rachel Lindsey

 

Christiano Ronaldo may be a married man soon. The famed footballer and girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez have the rumour mill churning after posting pictures to social media suggesting a recent engagement.

The longtime couple are currently on holiday in Spain and appear incredibly loved-up.  They each recently posted the same cryptic image to their social media, with Christiano captioning it “Mi amor” (my love) and Georgina going with the simple caption “YESSS” along with a red rose emoji.

Fans quickly began to speculate that the pair recently became engaged.

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The pair have been together for four years, and met at a Gucci store in Madrid where Georgina once worked. Georgina describes their meeting as love at first sight for them both.

Since then, they have welcomed daughter Alana Martina (2), who joins their blended family. Christiano is father to Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. (10), whose mother’s identity has never been revealed, and twins Eva and Mateo (3) born via surrogacy.

Marriage does seem to be in the near future for the pair. In an interview with ITV, Ranaldo told Piers Morgan: “She helped me so much. Of course, I’m in love with her. We’ll be [married] one day, for sure. It’s my mom’s dream as well. So, one day. Why not? It’s great. She’s my friend. We have conversations. I open the heart for her and she opens the heart for me,” he added.

Feature image: Instagram / Georgina Rodriguez

Congratulations are in order for Julianne Moore and Bart Freundlich. The Oscar winning actress and her writer-director husband recently celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary.

Taking to Instagram, Moore wrote a sweet, tongue-in-cheek message to honour the occasion.

“I said he should take a shower. He said my hair smelled bad, like mildew, or an old box. Happy 17th Wedding anniversary @freundlich96 – there is no one I’d rather be with everyday. I love you.”

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The pair met back in 1996 on the set of The Myth of Fingerprints, which Freundlich directed. They married on August 23, 2003. Instead of white, Moore donned a lilac Prada dress featuring a deep v-neckline to marry Freundlich, who matched with a purple tie and striped shirt.

They have two children together: Caleb, 22 and daughter Liv, 18.

Speaking to People, Moore said that a marriage takes work and isn’t always how it appears in the movies.

“We have this narrative in our culture that if you want a career, you have to work hard, go to school, look for a job, you have to apply yourself but love is supposed to just happen to you,” she said.

“One day you’re going to meet someone and get hit over the head and boom! That happens in romantic comedies but in real life you have to make time. When you find a person, you have to invest in them and that relationship. And that’s what love is.”

Feature image: Instagram / Julianne Moore

Wedding bells are ringing for Mafikizolo singer Theo Kgosinkwe and Vourné Williams, who recently said ‘I do’! The coronavirus pandemic put a halt to their original wedding plans, but could not stop them from tying the knot.

The pair were meant to marry earlier this year but postponed their big day to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they decided to have a small ceremony so they could still become husband and wife this year. They married on August 22, but their bigger wedding to include their family and friends will only be in 2021.

Due to covid-19 Vourne and I had to postpone our wedding celebrations for next year 2021
But we couldn’t wait to be husband and wife ?. Yesterday I married my bestie ?,Proverbs 18:22
We can’t wait to celebrate with family and friends next year ,we just have to wait a little longer,” Theo explains on Instagram.

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Theo and Vourné began dating in 2017, and got engaged in 2019 on Vourné’s 26th birthday in front of all their family and friends. Before his proposal, Theo serenaded Vourné with a song.

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Congratulations to the newlyweds!

Feature image: Instagram / Theo Kgosinkwe

After being left at the altar, Kenny Barnes has found love again. The ‘Love is Blind’ star recently popped the question to girlfriend Alexandra Garrison.

He proposed on August 7 at the Duke Mansion in Charlotte, North Carolina. His original plan to propose at the Biltmore Estate where they had their first date fell through due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Barnes took to Instagram to announce their engagement.

“Fiancé has a nice ring to it…Alexandra and I are excited to announce our engagement! To all of our friends, family and acquaintances, thank you for the continued love and support – we appreciate everyone and cannot wait to celebrate this next step together,” he wrote.

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Barnes and Garrison have been dating a little over a year, and they met after he appeared on the Netflix dating series. His younger sister Anna introduced the pair.

“Alexandra and Anna had been friends for nearly three years while living in Charlotte and when I came to town to help move Anna, I met Alexandra at the brewery, Wooden Robot,” Barnes tells People.

“What’s funny is that there was apparently an ‘inside joke’ among their friends that Alexandra should date me. Alexandra knew who I was during that entire three-year period, but since we lived in separate cities and had never met, there was never an opportunity to entertain anything.”

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Barnes knew she was the one from an early stage.

“There are definitely moments in the early stages of our relationship where the thought crossed my mind, but the moment that sticks out most is when she and I stayed up looking at the stars during a summertime trip to Lake Gaston,” he tells Peopls. “We talked for at least six hours and ended up falling asleep on the couch upstairs. It was then that I knew we were on the same page and that we were meant to be.”

Barnes was famously engaged to costar Kelly Chase on the Netflix reality show Love is Blind, where participants had to build a romantic connection with someone without ever seeing them in person. Barnes and Chase seemingly fell in love before physically meeting and became engaged.
However, once they met and began to live life as a couple, cracks began to appear. In the show’s finale, Chase said “I don’t” and left Barnes at the altar.

 

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It’s ok, Kelly, we’re pretty emotional too!

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Reflecting on his time on the show, Barnes says it was a necessary learning experience.

“It was physically and emotionally draining but allowed me to become more in tune with myself and what I wanted in a partner. The most important thing I learned was how to honor and love the things that truly make me happy. To take those things and, instead of catering to someone out of convenience, find someone that truly has your best interest in mind to share it with.”

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Feature image: Instagram / Kenny Barnes