Kirsten Jacobs, Author at Wedding ETC

In Engagements

South African diamond industry goes local for revival amid pandemic

August 6, 2020 No Comments

Diamond prices worldwide have been experiencing a decline in demand even before the COVID-19 pandemic halted weddings celebrations globally. Anglo American’s De Beers unit has seen a plunge in earning due to the global economic weakness.

As South African diamond companies lose out on international sales. they’ve begun focusing on customers closer to home. Many smaller jewellers and jewel producers have experienced an upsurge in sales. According to Reuters, lockdown has helped South African cutting and polishing firm Nungu Diamonds grow sales by 60% since March.

The Company’s founder Kealeboga Pule said that they have had customers opt for online consultations and many lined up to excitedly collect their purchases when their stores reopened in June. In fact, June was their best-performing month of the year, with many sales including engagement and wedding rings being made. The team has even expanded to include an in-house jewellery designer.

While jewellery prices have remained steady, the demand on uncut and unpolished rough stones from mines has decreased and thus profit margins have lowered.

This has led to South African company Thoko’s Diamonds pivoting from their main business of selling rough, polished stones to focusing on jewellery. Within the last year, their typical sales of 500 carats fell to less than 20 carats, and profits decreased by 65%.

Being a luxury commodity, diamonds will continue to lose demand as the effects of the pandemic worsens the economic status of citizens across the world.

Feature image: Unsplash

In Celebs

South Africa’s power couple: Shona and Connie Ferguson

August 5, 2020 No Comments

Husband and wife duo Shona and Connie Ferguson are a force to be reckoned with. Together, the South African actors run their production company Ferguson Films, which produces hit TV shows like The Queen and The Throne.

The Ferguson’s have been married for over 18 years, and have accomplished a lot in their near two-decade relationship. We take a look back at their union.

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Shona, real name Aaron, met Connie at her Johannesburg home in 2001. At the time, she was already a household name thanks to her iconic role as Karabo Moroka in Generations. Shona was there to drop off mutual friends meeting Connie’s sister Lorato. As he sipped on a glass of water, Connie came out out of her room to greet him and their love story began.

“Hands down, it was love at first sight. She’d never admit, but. That’s how it was for me,” Shona told Destiny Magazine.

It was a whirlwind romance for the pair. After only two months of dating, they tied the knot in a traditional wedding. Their white wedding was held soon after, and appeared on the December 2001 cover of Drum.

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In 2011, the pair renewed their vows in a lavish ceremony in front of 70 guests at top Johannesburg wedding destination Avianto.

For the big day, Connie wore an ivory sheath gown designed by Biji, who also designed her first wedding dress back in 2001. The gown’s corset-style top featured Swarovski crystals, pearls, silver beads and lace.

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Throughout their marriage, the pair have built an empire that have brought much luxury to their lives. Aside from their production company, Connie also owns a beauty line called Koni Multinational Brands. She is also among the highest paid actors in the country.

The Ferguson’s are notorious for their public displays of affection. They often share their love and devotion for one another on their social media.

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They have one child together named Alicia Angel Ferguson. Connie also has a daughter named Lesedi, a fellow actress, from her previous marriage to actor Neo Matsunyane. She also has a grandson named Ronewa from her eldest daughter.

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In 2019, the couple celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary.

”We are different players in the game of life. But together we make a team that hit a home run with all the balls that life throws at us!” Laiti yaka, Modimo o re ratile! His Grace never ceases to amaze me! Happy 18th Wedding Anniversary my LOVE. We make the baddest team in all we do! I love you!” wrote Connie on Instagram.

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Feature image: Instagram / Connie Ferguson

In Celebs

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Liveley apologise for plantation wedding

August 5, 2020 No Comments

Actors Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are owning up to their past mistakes. In an interview, Reynolds apologised on behalf of the couple for hosting their 2012 wedding at Boone Hall, a former plantation in South Carolina.

Speaking to Fast Company, Reynolds said the decision is “something we’ll always be deeply and unreservedly sorry for.

“It’s impossible to reconcile. What we saw at the time was a wedding venue on Pinterest. What we saw after was a place built upon devastating tragedy. Years ago we got married again at home—but shame works in weird ways. A giant f*cking mistake like that can either cause you to shut down or it can reframe things and move you into action. It doesn’t mean you won’t fuck up again. But repatterning and challenging lifelong social conditioning is a job that doesn’t end.”

Original coverage of their wedding glazed over the venue, but the controversy began in 2018 when Reynolds tweeted out his support of the Black Panther film, which had a majority black cast. Many accused Reynolds of being hypocritical for supporting black people in public but marrying at a venue that has such racist connotations.

This is the first time the pair have directly spoke about the controversy. Earlier in 2020 at the start of the protests that began after the death of George Floyd, they posted on Instagram “We’re ashamed that in the past we’ve allowed ourselves to be uninformed about how deeply rooted systemic racism is. We want to educate ourselves about other people’s experiences and talk to our kids about everything, all of it … especially our own complicity.”

They also announced they had donated $200 000 to the NAACP legal defense fund.

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The wedding industry has also since acknowledged the dark history of American plantations. In December 2019, Pinterest, The Knot Worldwide, Brides and Zola announced that they would be making changes to their platform that would restrict all references to plantations, as well as any language attempting to romanticise these locations as wedding venues.

This move is in response to a campaign led by racial justice organisation, Color of Change, who argued that the wedding industry was glamourising and capatalising sites of human rights atrocities.

Many plantations in America thrived off slave labour and became places of human rights abuse for the people forced into these demeaning positions. As such, they’ve become painful reminders of a dark and sordid history for many African Americans who descended from such slaves.

Feature image: Instagram / Ryan Reynolds

In Celebs

Sean Penn secretly married actress Leila George in ‘COVID wedding’

August 5, 2020 No Comments

Sean Penn is a married man yet again. The famed actor secretly said ‘I do’ to actress Leila George.

In an interview on the Late Night with Seth Myers show, Penn confirmed his recent nuptials by raising his left hand and showing off his wedding band when asked whether reports of a secret wedding were true.

“We did a COVID wedding,” he told Myer. “By that I mean it was a county commissioner on Zoom, we were at the house, my two children and her brother, and we did it that way.”

Penn and George have been together for two years, reports Vanity Fair. Rumours of their undercover nuptials began when philanthropist Irena Meavoy posted a since-deleted Instagram post congratulating them on tying the knot.

This is the third marriage for 59-year-old Penn and the first for George. He was previously married to Madonna from 1985 to 1989, then actress Robin Wright from 1996 to 2010. He shares two children with Wright: Dylan (29) and Hopper (26).

Feature image: Instagram / Leila George

In Do's And Don'ts

Crazy things couples have expected of their wedding guests

August 5, 2020 No Comments

Planning a wedding can be incredibly stressful, turning the best of us into bridezillas. While some rise to the occasion, others crash and burn.

A quick glance at the internet will prove that brides and grooms can get a bit too crazy when planning their big day. Here are some of the strangest things couples have asked of their wedding guests:

Let’s weigh this one up:

Dress codes are standard for weddings to give guests a guideline to match the overall aesthetic of the big day. However, one couple got a bit too specific. Reddit user @insanepeopleonfb shared a screenshot of a bride’s requirements for her guests, in which she determines what people may wear based on their weight. She also expected the outfits to cost at least $1000 to match the 24k wedding theme.

She has a way with words:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a bride has had to cut down on her guest list and thus requested that guests write two 250-word essays explaining why they want to attend her destination wedding. In a reddit thread, her sister says she refused to write the essays, which has caused a major rift in the family as the bride says she may not come to the wedding unless she responds.

Seafood or safety?

It’s your wedding and you shouldn’t have to compromise on your big day because of someone else. However, if you know your wedding could cause severe harm to someone, we’d suggest rethinking. This bride really wants to serve seafood on her big day, although her fiancè’s sister-in-law is severely allergic to it. Should she risk a life for a plate of paella?

Dirty dancing:

In a post to Facebook group, ‘That’s it, I’m wedding shaming” a woman explains that she got kicked out of her former roommate’s wedding for dancing. The bride had become a very conservative Evangelical Protestant and was outraged when her guests took to the dance floor at her wedding.

“When the DJ opened the dance floor, she was in the bathroom, so I guess she didn’t know that people were dancing. I started dancing with our mutual friends (and my brother, who had not been invited to the ceremony, but WAS invited to the reception. Becky said that she “didn’t think he’d be comfortable at a church, because he’s gay.” Now, I wish that one or both of us had said, “*itch, he’s gay, not a vampire.”) Becky came storming out of the bathroom, yelling at everyone on the dance floor for being disrespectful of her beliefs and dancing at her wedding. (To clarify, there was no “dirty dancing.” Mostly just hopping around.) She demanded that everyone who was dancing leave, which left just the old folks.”

BYOM – Bring Your Own Meal

Catering for a vegetarian is understandably difficult if you are not one yourself. You want to make sure your guests are all catered for, regardless of their eating habits. One bride, however, did not have any vegetarian options on her menu and asked if her guest would bring her own meal to the wedding.

Crowdfunding not a crowdpleaser:

Weddings can be pretty costly, and couples will have to scrimp and save to turn their dream into a reality. It is common for people to ask family to financially contribute to the big day. Asking your Facebook friends, however, is a little strange. This couple created a Facebook fundraiser to pay for their big day. The amount they wanted to raise? A whopping $73 205 (R1 274 165).

Feature image: Unsplash

In Wedding Gowns

Artist turns wedding dresses into colourful works of art

August 4, 2020 No Comments

White is traditional when it comes to a wedding day, but that doesn’t mean it’s required. This talented artist is elevating wedding gowns by turning them into colourful works of art for a truly unique, spectacular finish.

Artist Taylor Ann Linko got the inspiration to start this business through her own wedding dress. The bride wanted a unique gown to match her colourful personality, so she began painting the bottom of her dress using airbrushes.

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“White was banned from the closet due to the fact I would probably get paint on it. I was also banned from paint and any other form of art the week prior to the wedding, just to avoid any skin stains or mishaps. Heck, nice things were banned from my room/studio in the fear they would never make it out alive and unpainted,” Linko explains.

“I might be shy, I kinda hate being the center of attention, but that’s never stopped me from wearing my heart on my sleeve. Just so happens, my heart is filled with art. Painting, sculpting, sewing, drawing, makeup….and that tends to show though, from doodles on my arm to paint on my wedding dress.

“For my wedding, the same was certainly true. I painted, sculpted, crafted, just about everything I could. Made the flowers, colored my hair, painted a giant jenga game, DIY-ed the invitations, sculpted the centerpieces.”

For her dress, she decided to paint her gown purple, blue, red, orange and yellow. The first two colours represent her and her husband’s favourite colours, and yellow for her grandfather’s favourite colour. Orange is symbolic of friendship, which she chose because she was friends with her husband for a long time before it turned romantic. All together, the colours represented a sunset.

“The shock and awe of my dress helped me feel calm and confident. My colorful personality was shining through and everyone there loved it. I wasn’t trying to make some big statement it’s as simple as wanting to wear something I felt beautiful in. It’s the Artistic personal flare. For me, life is my canvas. I look for any and every opportunity to add that personal flair and artistic touch, I wasn’t about to hold back because it’s normal to wear white.”

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The images from her big day soon went viral. Since then, Linko has been inundated with requests, as hundreds have asked her to paint their wedding dresses. She now runs a full-time business creating these one-of-a-kind gowns. She also upcycles gowns to sell online.

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Feature image: Instagram / Taylor Ann Art

In Celebs

Signed, sealed, delivered: The Somhale love story

August 4, 2020 No Comments

Somizi Mhlongo and Mohale Motaung have gone down in history as having two of the most extravagent weddings South Africa has ever seen. This iconic couple has dominated gossip columns since they came together, and keep us constantly entertained.

They have also become beautiful examples of love, and have inspired many to be their true selves. Here’s how this iconic South African couple came to be.

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Idols judge Somizi met actor and businessman Mohale in 2017 at a book signing for Somizi’s book Dominoes: Unbreakable Spirit – The Somizi Mhlongo Story.

“I knew from the minute I saw him. He thought I was joking when I told him because he was at my book signing,” Mhlongo told Sowetan Live. “With everyone I was signing SM, but when he came I signed ‘thank you for your support, dear future husband’.

“He laughed it off and two months later, we met for dinner. We met at 8pm and the date ended at 3am. We went through eight bottles of champagne and we have never been apart since then. He slept at my house. I knew then that this is the man I’m going to marry,” Mhlongo says.

Their relationship has not been without its fair share of controversy. Initially, the 22-year age difference surprised fans.

Many also criticised Mohale of faking his love for Somizi for fame. When Mohale appeared on Somizi’s reality show Living the dream with Somizi, viewers said Mohale seemed disinterested and unaffectionate towards his partner. The couple also faced infidelity rumours when Mohale was allegedly caught with another man.

On March 10, 2018 Somizi popped the question to Mohale at Pont des Arts, the ‘lock bridge’ in Paris that overlooks the Eiffel Tower. Of course, Mohale said yes.

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The pair tied the knot in what many believe was the wedding of the decade in 2019, first with a traditional wedding in 2019 and then a white wedding in early 2020.

For their traditional wedding, the couple wore matching outfits and made multiple changes throughout the day. Their first look was designed by Gert Johan Coetzee, who was inspired by a North African theme.

A host of local celebrities were in attendance, including Bonang Matheba, Casper Nyovest, Kelly Khumalo, Lerato Kganyago, Pearl Thusi, Julius Malema, and Thando Thabethe.

According to Liquid Image Consulting, the creative team behind the wedding, the pair had a particular dress code for guests. “Dresscode: #Somhale wanted to showcase African Tradition and they personally selected a region from Africa for each guest detailing what they should wear and sent extensive dress code mood boards to ensure everyone stayed on theme!!” they wrote in an Instagram post.

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Not one to be outdone, Somizi made sure their second wedding was even more lavish than their traditional wedding of 2019. Their extravagant white wedding on Thursday, January 30 was attended by celebs like Minnie Dlamini-Jones, Casper Nyovest, Khanyi Mbau, DJ Zinhle, Shimza, Lerato Sengadi, Thando Thabethe, Ayanda Thabethe and Bonang Matheba. Guests were instructed to wear white and red-bottom shoes.

According to reports, Somizi had three outfit changes, each of which were accessorised with different Christian Louboutin red-bottom shoes. Celebrity designer Gert-Johan Coetzee was at the helm of at least one of these looks.

Their nuptials were captured in all their glory in a 4-part special on Showmax, which broke viewing records and became the most streamed show when it premiered in February.

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The pair had planned a third wedding in Italy this year, but had to cancel plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s clear that there is a lot of love in this couple. We can’t wait to see what they do next!

Feature image: Instagram / Mohale

In Celebs

Glee star Jenna Ushkowitz is engaged

August 4, 2020 No Comments

Glee star Jenna Ushkowitz, who played Tina Coheng-Chang on the hit show, is engaged to boyfriend of two years, David Stanley.

Ushkowitz took to Instagram to announce the engagement, sharing a photo with her new fiancè and their french bulldog, Bear. Her sparkling engagement ring is also visible in the image.

“Yes, a million times, yes,” she captioned the image.

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The pair have been together since 2018, and recently celebrated their two-year anniversary on June 29.

“2 years of getting to know you, traveling, laughing. 2 years of growth, learning about each other, ourselves, our love and 2 years of creating our little family. Can’t wait for all the days, months, years to come. ?✨ Happy anniversary mi amor,” Ushkowitz wrote on Instagram.

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The engagement comes after much heartbreak for the Glee cast, who tragically lost co-star Naya Rivera in July.

When news of Rivera’s death broke, a devastated Ushkowitz wrote a meaningful message to her late friend.

“There are no words and yet so many things I want to say, I don’t believe I’ll ever be able to articulate exactly what I feel but… Naya, you were a ⚡️ force and everyone who got to be around you knew it and felt the light and joy you exuded when you walked into a room. You shined on stage and screen and radiated with love behind closed doors,” she wrote.

“I was lucky enough to share so many laughs, martinis and secrets with you. I can not believe I took for granted that you’d always be here. Our friendship went in waves as life happens and we grow, so I will not look back and regret but know I love you and promise to help the legacy of your talent, humor, light and loyalty live on.

“You are so loved. You deserved the world and we will make sure Josey and your family feel that everyday. I miss you already.”

Feature image: Instagram / Jenna Ushkowitz

In Announcements

House of CB releases first bridal collection

August 3, 2020 No Comments

Popular clothing retailer House of CB is entering the wedding world. The British luxury womenswear label, which has been worn by celebs like Beyonce, Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez, has released their first bridal collection.

The collection, called “The Modern Bride” features 10 stunning gowns in House of CB’s signature sultry styles. The dresses all feature luxurious satin, elegant detailing and feminine silhouettes.

“Fall for the dress of your dreams with our collection of breathtaking, timeless dresses for the confident, modern bride. In true House of CB style, our Bridal Collection embraces fresh, innovative, and sophisticated details paired with show-stopping styles to make you feel confident and look beautiful on your wedding day,” says the fashion house on their website.

“For our first collection we wanted to keep our shapes clean, chic and incredibly flattering; infusing our signature waist cinching corsetry with beautiful fabrics. Our aim was to create stunning pieces for your big day that are still affordable, whether it’s walking down the aisle, the reception or engagement party we hope you find something you love and are honored to be part of your wedding.”

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The gowns retail for between £349 – £649, and are already available for purchase on their website. Take a look at the breathtaking gowns:

House of CB releases first bridal collection — The Ines gown

Feature image: Instagram / House of CB

In Celebs

Adam Sandler writes sweet tribute to wife on 22nd anniversary

August 3, 2020 No Comments

Actors Adam and Jackie Sandler have been together for a whopping 22 years. To honour the day they met, Adam wrote a touching tribute to his wife.

Taking to Instagram, Adam posted two throwback images of the pair from their early days of dating.

“22 years ago today we locked eyes and fell deep. Look forward to the next 22, young lady. Love you my forever girl,” Sandler captioned the image.

View this post on Instagram

22 years ago today we locked eyes and fell deep. Look forward to the next 22, young lady. Love you my forever girl.

A post shared by Adam Sandler (@adamsandler) on Jul 31, 2020 at 9:33am PDT

Many of Adam’s costars congratulated the couple in the comments, including Salma Hayek, Brooklyn Decker and Drew Barrymore, all of whom have payed Adam’s on-screen loves in the past.

“You are the greatest couple and I love you both so much. And your girls !!!!,” wrote Drew Barrymore, who has acted alongside Adam in The Wedding Singer (1998) , 50 First Dates (2004) and Blended (2014).

“Congratulations. You are one lucky guy,” wrote Grown Ups co-star Salma Hayek. “She is absolutely an extraordinary woman May that beautiful love ❤️ of yours go on forever .”

“Love you two. You do it right. Congrats, kids!!,” added Brooklyn Decker, who played Sandler’s romantic interest in Just Go With It.

The pair met on set of the 1999 film Big Daddy, in which Adam starred and Jackie had a minor role as a waitress. They fell in love immediately, and have since acted alongside one another in a number of films including 50 First Dates, Just Go With It, Little Nicky, Grown Ups, and Grown Ups 2.

The couple became engaged in 2000 and married in 2003 at an oceanfront Malibu estate that belongs to American radio and television personality, television producer and film actor Dick Clark.

They have two daughters together: Sadie (14) and Sunny (11).

Feature image: Instagram / Adam Sandler