Kirsten Jacobs, Author at Wedding ETC

In Celebs

You’re my world: Demi-Leigh and Tim Tebow’s love story

August 21, 2020 No Comments

What do you get when you cross a Miss Universe stunner and a former pro-footballer? A match made in heaven.

South African stunner Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (now Tebow) and husband Tim Tebow have had a whilwind romance. Here is where it all began.

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The pair met through an event Tebow was hosting for his non-profit, the Tim Tebow Foundation.

“Her sister has special needs, so we invited them to Night to Shine in South Africa,” Tebow said during an interview with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. “We kind of met and started talking through that and haven’t stopped.”

Their relationship moved pretty quickly, and they confirmed their relationship in July 2018.

“She is a really special girl and I am very lucky and blessed for her coming into my life,” Tebow said in an ESPN interview. “I am usually very private with these things but I am very thankful.”

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In January 2019 after less than a year of dating, Tim popped the question with an elaborate and sentimental proposal. Tebow had flown family members from across America and South Africa to Jacksonville, Florida to be a part of the proposal. Demi-Leigh was told they were attending a late Tebow family Christmas dinner at their family farm and was surprised when it ended in a proposal.

“Ever since I first saw you, you gave me so much hope. When I first heard your voice, you gave me so much belief. When I first met you, I knew you were the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. And I will spend the rest of my life fighting for you and fighting for us,” said Tebow before going down on one knee to propose.

Tebow also flew Demi-Leigh’s favourite South African performer Matthew Mole to Florida to serenade them post-proposal. Watch their proposal here:

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They came to Demi-Leigh’s home country, South Africa, to tie the knot. Their pre-wedding festivities kicked off with a ‘Welcome to Africa’ cocktail dinner in the Cape winelands to introduce Tebow to South African culture. The bride wore a stunning white dress by Gert Johan-Coetzee featuring a criss-cross neckline and cut-out detail, while Tebow wore a blush-toned suit.

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The following day, the couple held a stunning rehearsal dinner. They went for a sophisticated colour scheme, opting for rich purples, reds and black. Demi-Leigh stunned in a strapless wine-coloured dress with beading by Anel Botha. The couple’s weekend events are all planned by celebrity planner Zavion Khotze.

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The pair got married at the La Paris Estate in Franschhoek on January 20, 2020. South African celebrity wedding planner Zavion Khotze organised the day. The former Miss Universe wore an off-the-shoulder cowl-neck dress by Davids Bridal and Tim wore a tuxedo by Antar Levar.

According to PEOPLE, their ceremony lasted 30 minutes and was attended by 260 guests. The couple wrote their own vows.

The wedding blended South African and American wedding traditions, because their cultures are very important to the couple.

“We’re both very traditional,” Nel-Peters told PEOPLE. “We wanted to look back at the wedding and see that it was intimate, elegant, and traditional. We definitely wanted it to be something that we could look back on and know that nothing was dated. We want to remember this day for the rest of our lives.”

Demi-Leigh’s favourite performer, Matthew Mole, performed his original song ‘Pennsylvania’ for their first dance.

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Feature image: Instagram / Demi Tebow

In Legal

‘Love is Not Tourism’ movement grows in SA

August 21, 2020 No Comments

As the pandemic continues, long-distance couples are kept apart even longer. For many, it has been at least five months since they’ve physically seen their partner. A new movement is growing across the world to reunite these lovers.

Called the ‘Love is Not Tourism‘ movement, they are speaking out against rules in various countries preventing international travel and keeping them apart.

“The closure of international borders in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic was – and still is – sensible and even necessary. It is obvious that we must halt tourism to protect us and others,” the movement explains on their website. “But love is not tourism. This is not just about a summer holiday, it is about mental health and the future of people all around the world.

“We as international lovers and families, urge governments of all states to amend their travel restrictions. Allow the un-bureaucratic and safe reunion of partners in long distance relationships as well as family members.”

They also say they are willing to submit to appropriate safety regulations, self-pay for a test upon arrival and quarantine until a negative result is received or a 14-day strict quarantine, as long as unmarried couples and families can visit their most important people.

Countries like Denmark, Iceland, Germany, France and Spain have already introduced measures to allow couples and families to meet up. The movement is calling for other countries in the world to follow suit.

Most regulations protect married couples, but engaged or unmarried couples are not included. Kana Ishii from Toyo and Jarran Muse from New Jersey were meant to marry this year, but COVID-19 halted their plans. In an interview with NBC New York, they explain their separation has left them drained. They are heartbroken that government will not recognise their love just because they are not married yet.

In South Africa, the Facebook page ‘Love is Not Tourism SA’ is quickly gaining traction. Couples separated by borders come to share their stories, as well as any resources they have in their fight to be reunited with their loved one.

Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

Delicious dessert towers to treat your guests

August 20, 2020 No Comments

Dessert stands are growing in popularity among modern couples. These stands offer a variety of sweet treats for your guests to pick and choose from.

A unique way to display your desserts is in tower form. It adds a unique and dramatic finish, and also provides height and variety to your dessert table from a visual standpoint.

These towers are also easily accessible for your guests, as it is made up of individual treats. They can simply reach out and grab whichever dessert takes their fancy. This also helps move lines along, as people won’t be taking forever to cut a piece of cake or dish out some mousse.

Your options are endless with dessert towers. You can layer donuts, cupcakes and even cheese to create stunning stacks of treats.

Here are some ideas to feast your eyes on:

Donuts:

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Macarons:

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Fruit:

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Cupcakes:

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Crocombouche:

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Cheese:

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Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

How to stack your cheese cake tower

August 20, 2020 No Comments

Cake is a wedding tradition, but that doesn’t make it a requirement. For those lacking a sweet tooth, a cake won’t make sense. An excellent alternative is a cheese tower!

Alternatives like cookies, pancake stacks and fruit cakes have grown in popularity over the years as couples desire something more unique and memorable than a traditional cake. These options are great, but a cheese tower is perfect for those not wanting another sweet dessert.

If you’re already offering a dessert table with a variety of sweet treats on your big day and don’t want a massive wedding cake, then a cheese tower is a great replacement.

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Stack your favourite cheese rounds on top of each other to create a unique and delicious tiered cake. From brie to blue, camembert to stilton, there are so many tasty cheeses to choose from.

Of course, you can still go wild with decorations. Place fruits like figs and grapes on the sides of the tower, and don’t forget about the delicious freshly-baked bread and crackers to accompany. Have jams, honey and more fresh fruit on hand to pair with your cheeses.

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When stacking the cake, think logically. The heaviest, firmer cheeses should go at the bottom to hold everything else up. Softer cheeses like brie or goats cheese should be saved for the top tier.

To make things easier when serving the ‘cake’, you could simply cut the tiers into smaller cheese blocks. Or you could incorporate it into your harvest table and let your guests go crazy!

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Feature image: Unsplash

In News

Mauritian wedding drone photographers help oil spill relief efforts

August 20, 2020 No Comments

Wedding drone photographers in Mauritius are mobilising to help do their part to reduce the massive oil spill off the coast of the island country.

On July 25, a Japanese ship crashed into a coral reef and began leaking oil into Mauritian waters from its cracked hull after it ran aground. The ship was carrying nearly 4000 tonnes of fuel, which is now threatening the island’s marine habitat and coastal ecosystem, according to Al Jazeera. It is the country’s worst ecological disaster in history.

Many residents quickly sprung to action to help, creating makeshift oil spill barriers out of fabric sacks filled with sugar cane leaves.

Wedding drone photographers have also been a massive help. Being a popular wedding and honeymoon destination, Mauritius has a big wedding industry. Many amateur drone pilots form part of the commercial drone market, and are now using their talents to assist in cleanup operations.

Mauritus does not have a Navy or Air Force, which means they could not get effective hyper-local aerial footage of the scene, reports Forbes.

Drone pilots are now filling the gap by flying their drones over the area to identify where the oil spill may be heading, thus helping co-ordinate where the team of volunteers on the ground need to focus on.

With less international business coming in due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mauritian wedding drone photographers have found a way to still use their skills and make a difference.

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

An Art Deco masterpiece: Emerald cut engagement rings

August 20, 2020 No Comments

The celebrity go-to in the engagement ring world is the emerald cut. Notable names like Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and Demi Lovato all rock this cut on their ring finger.

It’s easy to see why this Art Deco-inspired shape is a celeb favourite. The elongated shape of the stone is incrediby flattering, makes a diamond appear much larger than other shapes and its mirrored edges give some serious drama. Sometimes, bigger is better.

If you’re on the market for an emerald-cut ring, here’s what you need to know.

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An emerald cut features a rectangular stone with trimmed corners and step-cut facets that often lay parallel to the girdle or thin perimeter of the stone. It typically has 50 to 58 facets, depending on the number of rows on the crown and the pavilion, and a length to width ratio of 1.5-1.7 to 1 is ideal.

The stone appears to have less brilliance than other cuts like a round or princess cut diamond, due to the step-cut facets. However, it’s just a different, more subtle sparkle.

Shimansky explains that the step-cut creates a ‘hall of mirrors’ effect because of its flashes of light.

“This illusion creates flashes of bright white light in stark contrast to the dark planes within each step. The emerald cut appears less fiery, but its long lines and dramatic flashes of light give it an elegant and sophisticated appeal,” writes Shimansky.

Its elongated shape makes fingers appear longer and slender, and of course makes the diamond itself appear larger. The emerald cut is believed to have a 5% greater surface area than a round cut diamond of the same weight.

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History:

This cut is one of the oldest diamond shapes, and has been been around for decades. The emerald cut was developed specifically for the emerald gem, but in time it became a popular cut for many gems, including diamonds. It was only in the 1920s that the term ’emerald cut’ was commonly used and began to gain popularity for its clean lines and symmetry.

The cut rose in popularity among jewellers because it required less pressure during the cutting process. This cut, however, is incredibly unforgiving as inclusions and other impurities are much more visible on this bold cut. You need a high quality diamond in terms of colour and clarity to pull this cut off. The higher the clarity, the better the appearance for this cut.

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Who does the style suit?

“The emerald cut shape of diamond is linked to organised, resourceful, disciplined and decisive personalities,” says Shimansky.

“It has a vintage appeal that is both beautiful and distinct and speaks to women who appreciate the beauty of antique-style jewellery. Because of the versatility of this cut, a number of shapes and settings work well with it. The emerald cut has been favoured by the likes of Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor and Angelina Jolie.”

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Feature image: Pinterest

In Celebs

2 Chainz and Kesha Ward celebrate 2-year anniversary

August 20, 2020 No Comments

Rapper 2 Chainz and wife Kesha Ward are celebrating their two-year wedding anniversary.

In a sweet Instagram post, the hip-hop veteran shared throwback images of the pair on their wedding day.

“2 years ago I married the most beautiful, pure, caring, spiritual, loving person on earth … Kesha you my rock , you my best friend , YOU DA 1 baby HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KEE,” he captioned the slideshow.

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2 Chains, real name Tauheed Epps, proposed to Ward on the red carpet at the 2018 Met Gala. This was not his first proposal, however. The rapper first went down on one knee back in 2013 while at the Bet Awards.

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The pair tied the knot on August 19, 2018 in a star-studded Miami wedding. Their wedding venue was the Villa Casa Casuarina, also known as the Versace mansion as it is the former home of late designer Gianna Versace.

Some notable names attending the wedding include Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Lil Wayne.

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They have three children together: daughters Heaven and Harmony, and son Halo, all of whom were present for their parents big day.

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Feature image: Instagram / 2 Chainz

In Advice

Colourful bridal parties to inject life into your big day

August 19, 2020 No Comments

Spring is fast approaching in South Africa, bringing with it vibrant colours and sunshine. It is a time of rebirth and to celebrate new beginnings.

If you’re planning a spring wedding, why not lean into the theme? Spring is all about colour and life. Give your bridal party that extra shine by opting for fun, lively shades like yellows, pinks, greens and blues to represent the season.

Take inspiration from the West Coast, which is currently blooming as Flower Season reaches its peak. From pastel shades to vibrant hues, any bright colours will match this theme.

You could go on-the-nose with floral print dresses, or simply incorporate the colours. We also love mismatched bridesmaid dresses for this theme, it will make your best girls look like the blooming beauties they are.

Here are some beautiful bridal parties giving us major goals with their outfits:

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Feature image: Unsplash

In Accessories

What makes the man: Must-have accessories for your big day

August 19, 2020 No Comments

There are a handful of days you’ll always want to remember. Your 21st birthday, a graduation and the birth of your first child are likely high up on the list. While these are all exciting moments, your outfit is not really that crucial to them. A wedding day, however, is the biggest, most important day for you to truly look and feel your best.

Grooms typically have less options to make a statement with their wedding day looks given the traditional suit-and-tie attire that most tend to go for. Luckily, this can easily be jazzed up to add extra style and personality. Here are some must-haves to upgrade your wedding look:

Watch:

What makes the man: Must-have accessories for your big day — Credit: supplied

A watch will definitely come in handy, not just to make sure you’re on time for your big day. This accessory does more than just tell time: it tells about its wearer. Bold, simple, luxurious, sporty – a watch has a personality of its own, much like a man.

A watch is an investment piece. It truly stands the test of time, and can be passed down from generation to generation. That’s why it’s crucial to opt for a reliable, quality brand. We love Tomato because this iconic brand constantly pushes boundaries. It perfectly blends fashion trends with timeless style, while still celebrating individualism. At the end of the day, we all want to feel special and that’s what Tomato is all about.

Neckwear:

Grooms have quite a bit of variety in the neckwear department, each offering its own unique vibe. You could go classic with a tie, debonair with a bowtie or get inspired by the wild, wild west with a bolo tie. Each one of these choices can be customized to match your personality or the theme of your wedding.

Many grooms opt to incorporate their wedding colours into their neckwear. You could also go with a fun pattern or even a graphic option that references your favourite movie or book. If you have a sentimental piece of clothing, you could repurpose a piece of it into neckwear to act as your ‘something old’.

Boutonnière / pocket square:

Your chest is looking a bit bare, so why not dress it up? A boutonnière and pocket square add stunning visual interest to an otherwise simple suit. If you’re not one for big detail, this is how to have some fun without dramatic detail.

Fresh flowers are always a classic choice when it comes to boutonnière’s, but truly anything goes with this accessory. Pin a mini-figurine to your lapel to show off your love for your favourite franchise, or a unique rope knot to reference your boy Scout days. Opting for a fabric like velvet, lace or suede for your pocket square will add texture and dimension to your final look.

Shoes:

Shoes are a necessity, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with them. Considering you will be doing quite a bit of standing on your wedding day, make sure to pick a shoe that is comfortable and break them in beforehand so that you aren’t left with any unfortunate pains the day after.

The colour of your shoes will largely depend on your suit. We love a rich brown shoe paired with a black suit for a subtle pop without being too loud. Bolder grooms can add even more flair and opt for an embellished shoe, a velvet loafer or even sneakers. There are no hard and fast rules here, the right choice is whichever shoe speaks to you.

Feature image: Unsplash

In Do's And Don'ts

Embarrassing things mothers have done at weddings

August 19, 2020 No Comments

Weddings can make mothers go a bit crazy. Considering their child is marrying someone and starting a new life, it’s fair to say that it is an emotional moment. However, some mothers have taken things to a whole new level on their child’s big day.

Here are some of the craziest things mothers have done come wedding day.

I object:

This mother interrupted her son’s wedding as her future daughter-in-law was saying her vows. In a viral Tik Tok video, she continues to heckle the daughter, telling her “You’re not going to say my son has flaws”.

DJ duties:

Music can make or break a wedding. This mother clearly knew this, and went behind the bride’s back to change all the pre-determined music for the big day.

“Oml… so months ago I made selections for my dj music and I have the usual week of DJ call. TURNS OUT MY MOTHER CALLED A MONTH AGO AND SHE CHANGED THE MUSIC FOR EVERYTHING. The ceremony music, bridal party walk in, last dance song… everything. Oml,” the bride explains in a Facebook post.

“Because she is paying she has access to the password on their site to change the music (which she changed my music to music from the 70s and nothing anyone in their 20s would know) the DJ shut down access for everyone, so she can’t change anything back.

“The DJ and I are having a good laugh and I’m not surprised because this is usual behavior for her but ugh… it’s my wedding. Let me pick my music.”

Prior commitments:

This mother-in-law tried to get the bride and her fiancé to change the date of their wedding day because she wouldn’t be available. Fair enough right? Right…except her prior commitment was a Mardi Gras ball that she wants to attend. The wedding date had already been set a month prior and the couple would not be able to receive a deposit if they cancelled.

Matchy matchy:

Wearing white to a wedding day if you’re not the bride is a cardinal sin. Even worse is to wear a dress that is almost identical to the bride. This future mother-in-law did exactly that.

Posting on a Facebook Bridal page, the bride expressed her anger over a picture her fiancé sent her, which shows what his mother plans to wear to the wedding. The mother’s cream coloured lace gown is incredibly similar to the bride’s wedding dress.

The wedding dress vs the mother-in-laws dress. Credit: Facebook

Heartbreak hotel:

Weddings have a habit of bringing the tears, but this one is pretty weird. A mother-in-law (who lost her father 20 years prior) had a full breakdown during the wedding reception because she missed her father. Turns out she had been enjoying the Patron shots a bit too much.

“So I finally get a moment to myself during the reception to eat some pie (I cannot stand cake) when my husband’s cousin comes up to me with a look of horror upon her face. She tells me I had better come with her because there is a “situation”,” the bride explains in a Facebook post.

“She leads me to the only restroom in the reception hall and I hear this wretched noise…like imagine that awful cat sex sound..coming from it. She opens the door for me, and I shit you not, there is a huddle of 30 women crying in that restroom. My mother is the center of it SHRIEKING “I MISS MY DADDY” over and over and over. Well, I nope the hell out of that real quick and instruct my husbands cousin to go get my father in law.

“He went in and fireman carried my MIL out of the restroom, all while she is now shrieking about “MY BABY! MY BABY GOT MARRIED TODAY! MY BAAAAAAABBBBBBBYYYYYYY!!!” By the time my husband got out to their vehicle to say goodbye it was revealed that she had been taking shots of Patron…which, by that time, she had vomited all over her dress.”

Present your presents:

Seven months after the wedding day, the mother of the bride sent a message into the extended family group chat to remind guests to send in their wedding gifts.

Come to me:

Settling on a wedding venue can be tough, especially if you’re family lives far away. This mother took things personally when her daughter chose a venue outside of where she lives. In fact, she threatened to skip the wedding entirely!

“I just got engaged (yay!) and my mother is threatening to skip the wedding because it’s not in upstate New York (Buffalo) where my parents live. 90% of the attendees, including my fiancé, myself, his entire family, and our close friends live in NYC so that’s where we want to host it. Plus we figured out a venue and budget that works for us,” the bride explains in a Facebook post.

“My parents are telling me it’s a huge burden and that I must hate them, obviously. I’m not asking them to pay for anything for this wedding, I just asked them to show up. I offered to pay for their travel expenses.

The big excuses? They have five cats and a dog and refuse to let me hire them a pet sitter. Don’t get me wrong, the pets are important and I love them. But my parents are about to skip my wedding because they’ve prioritized and infantilized them.”

Feature image: Unsplash