Kirsten Jacobs, Author at Wedding ETC

In Celebs

Iconic celebrity couples of yesteryear

July 10, 2020 No Comments

The early 2000s seem like a lifetime ago. It was a simpler time, when Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears wore matching denim outifts, low-rise jeans were super trendy and COVID-19 had never been heard of.

While these couples didn’t last, they have become iconic pairings in celebrity history. Here are a few of our favourite celebrity couples from the early 2000s that have since gone their separate ways.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon

The actors met on the set of the 2007 political thriller film Rendition and dated from 2007 to 2009.

Mila Kunis and Macauley Culkin

Before marrying Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis dated Home Alone star Macauley Culkin for eight years from 2002 to 2011.

J.Lo and P.Diddy

Back when he was still Puff Daddy, the iconic rapper and Jenny from the Block were an item. They dated from 1999 to 2001, and split because of Diddy’s infidelity. Diddy has since called her one of his greatest loves.

Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake

The pair met at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in 2003 to dated until 2007. Their split is said to be mutual.

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake

There is no other 2000s couple more iconic than Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. The pair began dating in 1999 and gave us cute moments like their matching denim moment, before splitting in 2002. Timberlake’s song ‘Cry Me a River’ was released soon after their break up, and is believed to be about Spears.

Ashanti and Nelly

The iconic RnB performers dated for a whole decade before breaking up in 2013. While she didn’t elaborate on reasons why, Ashanti did say in an interview that she had been betrayed.

Michael Bublé and Emily Blunt

Everyone’s favourite Christmas-time singer dated Devil Wears Prada actress Emily Blunt from 2005 to 2008. Blunt has since gone on to marry John Krasinksi and Bublé married Argentinian actress Luisana Lopilato.

Michael Cera and Aubrey Plaza

Comedy actors Michael Cera and Aubrey Plaza were an item for a year-and-a-half after meeting on the set of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World in 2009, and almost eloped together in Las Vegas. They remain good friends.

Ciara and Bow Wow

Before she married Russell Wilson, Ciara was engaged to rapper and actor Bow Wow back in 2006. The pair dated for two years.

Matthew McConaughey and Janet Jackson

This incredibly unlikely pair briefly dated in 2002. Jackson confirmed the short-lived romance in 2006, saying it was ‘just for a minute’.

Tom Cruise and Penélope Cruz

The actors met on the set of their 2001 film Vanilla Sky and continued to date for three years.

Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt

Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt were once one of the most famous celebrity couples. They began dating in 1998, married in 2000 and divorced in 2005. Pitt later married Mrs and Mrs Smith co-star Angelina Jolie, who went on to say they fell in love while filming the movie in 2004 (while Pitt was still married to Aniston).

Feature image: Pinterest

In News

SA photographer sold tickets to her lockdown wedding

July 9, 2020 No Comments

Couples have had to get extra creative amid the nationwide lockdown. From drive-by bridal showers to virtual weddings, we’ve seen it all. This South African couple took it a step further when they offered followers the chance to attend their wedding… for a price.

Katinka ‘Die Kat’ is a photographer and influencer who rose to fame as a contestant on Survivor SA: Phillippines. She and her fiance Braam tied the knot this past weekend in the Wilderness in an intimate gathering, following lockdown regulations.

Ahead of their big day, Katinka posted an image to Instagram, explaining that followers can also attend their big day. The catch, however, is that it would cost them R150 to virtually attend.

“We decided to give you the opportunity to celebrate our intimate wedding with us and be there as guests❤️ limited tickets available, link in bio,” she wrote on Instagram. “What you’ll see is me before walking down the isle, Braam’s reaction and our vows and our first kiss as a married couple.”

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Responses to this post were divided. Some called this offer ridiculous while others defended the couple’s decision, saying it’s their right to do what they want.

The pair married this past weekend, although there has been no mention of how many tuned in to view the big day.

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Feature image: Instagram / Katinka Die Kat

In Decor

Ideas for a fairytale Disney-themed wedding

July 9, 2020 No Comments

Bring your love of fairytales to life with a sweet, Disney-themed wedding. Iconic storylines like Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and Toy Story can add a magical touch to your big day.

You have two options when planning a Disney-themed wedding. You could go general and incorporate themes across various stories or you could focus on a specific tale. This depends on whether you love the world of Disney as a whole or if there are specific characters that have stolen your heart.

You’ll be in good company with this theme. Serena Williams was inspired by Beauty and the Beast when planning her special day.

Recognisable items like Belle’s rose, Mickey’s ears and Cinderella’s castle can be used at various points in your big day. From your invitations to your decor and wedding cake, there are many ways to have your happily-ever-after.

Here are some ideas fit for a princess:

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Feature image: Pexels

In Celebs

Brittany Snow shares new photos from pre-quarantine wedding

July 9, 2020 No Comments

Actress Brittany Snow gave fans an inside look at her pre-quarantine March wedding to Tyler Stanaland. The Pitch Perfect star shared some sweet words about her new husband, and how lucky she feels to have married him before quarantine came into full effect in the United States.

“In early March, before we knew how much we’d miss hugs and live in our sweatpants, I got to marry my favorite person,” she wrote on Instagram. “The whole world shut down a few days later & we were stunned at the timing. We knew we felt incredibly lucky to have found each other but we had no idea how lucky it would be to get married right before a monumental time in our history.”

For their big day, Snow wore a long sleeve, lace Jonathan Simkhai wedding gown with a plunging back. Her hair was styled in a low bun with floral accessories. She changed into an off-the-shoulder Galia Lahav dress for the reception.

She explains that the day was full of mistakes, yet it was still the best day.

“Everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong that day… but it was absolutely and impossibly perfect. I knew on that day, more than ever before, there was no one else I’d rather hold my hand while in the middle of a (life) hurricane. I love you @tylerstanaland. You’re my dream come true.”

“I know the world is a crazy place right now but I hope we can continue to celebrate love whenever and wherever we can.”

Feature image: Instagram/Tyler Stanaland

In Celebs

All love: Serena Williams and Alex Ohanian’s relationship story

July 9, 2020 No Comments

Serena Williams is a force to be reckoned with. The iconic tennis player has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any player in the Open Era. She also formally held the Women’s Tennis Association title for World number 1 female tennis player on eight separate occasions between 2002 and 2017.

Williams continues to be wildly successful in her tennis career. She has said though, that her proudest achievements were in the last few years after welcoming daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. to the world with husband Alexis Ohanian. We take a look at this couple’s journey of love.

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Williams and Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit, met by chance in May 2015 while in Rome. Williams was dining with friends at the Cavalieri Hotel when Ohanian sat down at the table next to the group.

“This big guy comes and he just plops down at the table next to us, and I’m like, ‘Huh! All these tables and he’s sitting here?'” she told Vanity Fair.

To encourage him to move, William’s group told him that there was a rat at the table. Ohanian didn’t fall for the story, so Williams invited him to join their table. He also watched her play at the Italian Open that same day.

Later that same month, Williams invited Ohanian to watch her play in the French Open after she performed poorly at the Italian Open. He flew to Paris to watch her, and they spent six hours together prior to the tournament walking around the city and falling in love. The pair went Instagram official over a year later in November 2016.

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Two and half years later, the couple are still going strong. Daughter Olympia has become a social media star in her own right as she has her own Instagram account (run by her parents, of course).

In January 2020, Williams won the ASB classic, her first singles title since 2017. Ohanian is a large proponent for paternal leave and runs a podcast called ‘Business Dad’ where he interviews fellow celebrity fathers.

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Feature image: Instagram / Alexis Ohanian

In Celebs

Princess Raiyah of Jordan holds first Royal Wedding amid pandemic

July 8, 2020 No Comments

Princess Raiyah of Jordan married British journalist Ned Donovan on Tuesday, July 7 in Engalnd, making this the first Royal Wedding to go ahead amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The couple had to change their wedding plans following the pandemic. Originally, they were set to marry in Jordan in April but went with England for safety reasons.

“Thank you all for your kind messages on our wedding! While it was originally planned for April in Jordan, the pandemic derailed those plans and it was safer for my husband’s family to hold it in the UK. God willing we look forward to celebrating in Jordan once the situation allows,” she wrote on Twitter.

Thank you all for your kind messages on our wedding!While it was originally planned for April in Jordan, the pandemic derailed those plans and it was safer for my husband’s family to hold it in the UK. God willing we look forward to celebrating in Jordan once the situation allows pic.twitter.com/moCMSOxZxp

— Raiyah bint Al-Hussein (@RaiyahHKJ) July 7, 2020

The pair were engaged on October 26, 2019.

Donovan is the grandson of author Roald Dahl, and a British writer based in London. He previously worked as a journalist for the Mail on Sunday and The Times.

The Princess is a decorated academic, with a Master’s degree in Japanese Studies from Edinburgh University and a Master’s degree in Japanese Literature from Columbia University. She is currently studying towards her Ph.D in pre-modern Japanese literature at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

She is the fourth child of the late King Hussein of Jordan and Queen Noor.

Princess Beatrice was set to marry fiancé Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in May, but has since postponed the wedding due to the ongoing pandemic.

Feature image: Twitter / Princess Raiyah

In News

Women in Rome stage protest against marriage restrictions

July 8, 2020 No Comments

A group of women in Rome took to the streets to protest againt the City’s lockdown restrictions that have resulted in their weddings being cancelled.

About 15 brides-to-be gathered to begin the protest at the Fontana di Trevi, then moved to the parliamentary buildings where they were joined by affected wedding industry members such as caterers and musicians.

This was not an ordinary protest, however, as the women wore their wedding dresses and carried white parasols to make a statement. They also carried placards that translate to ‘weddings without restrictions’, ‘you broke our marriages’ and ‘church doors closed to weddings’.

Frustrated by the postponement of their wedding plans, brides-to-be protest against social restrictions in #Rome

Vía @Reuters pic.twitter.com/mvAKGH7U1k

— Aroguden (@Aroguden) July 8, 2020

The protest is being called the ‘Flashmob of the singles and unmarried ones’. It was reportedly organised by Airb, an Italian wedding association, who claim that 90% of weddings in the city have been postponed to 2021 which has negatively impacted the industry.

“Everything was postponed to 2021. So we asked the government for help to reach 2021. About 500 thousand operators in the sector and, as a consequence, their families are at risk of unemployment,” said the president of Airb, Luciano Paulillo.

Marriage ceremonies and other non-essential activities are currently banned in the city for two months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Civil ceremonies have recently been allowed to continue, but guests are limited to two and strict social distancing measures must be employed.

Brides protest in front of the Trevi Fountain that because of the corona restrictions, they had to cancel their (expensive) wedding this year. The event was sponsored by the ‘marriage industry’. #rome pic.twitter.com/TYs1Yhzdbh

— Ewout Kieckens (@ewoutkieckens) July 7, 2020

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

Meet the wedding planner: Lisa Barnardt

July 8, 2020 No Comments

The wedding industry may have taken a backseat amid the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean planning has to stop. Wedding planner Lisa Barnardt of Nooitgedacht wine estate lets us in on how she is adapting to the times, as well as her top tips for weddings.

Barnardt works as the Nooitgedacht wine estate’s wedding planner, where she first began as an intern. She says that prior to lockdown, she was very busy planning weddings at the estate and making sure the couple’s day was perfect and everything they wanted was organised.

However, with weddings temporarily halted, she’s been keeping herself busy with researching ways to still offer great service.

“I’m working from home and actively busy researching what we can do to adapt to the new norm, such as having more intimate weddings as well as implementing social distancing such as splitting a wedding ceremony and invite family in the morning or afternoon and a small group of friends for an evening reception. I’m currently working with fellow industry professionals in making sure all our weddings will align with the protocols as outlined by the government.”

What are Barnardt’s top three tips when it comes to planning a wedding? “Firstly, the food! People won’t necessarily remember the decor at a wedding but everyone remembers the food. If you have an amazing menu and enough for everyone to eat, then you’re likely to have a successful wedding. The one thing you don’t want is your guests leaving early because they’re still hungry.

“Secondly, that personal touch. Every wedding is special, but what makes the occasion even more special is having a personal touch to everything – a special message for each guest on their seat, a photo booth, a personalised cocktail or having grandma’s famous cake for dessert.

“Thirdly, admin and organisation are key. As a planner, being organised takes the stress of organising the big day away from the couple so that they can enjoy their wedding day.”

Finally, Barnardt reveals what she is most looking forward post-lockdown.

“I’m most definitely going to take a long walk on the beach, visit a few local wine farms to indulge in some wine tasting, and of course I will be back at work doing what I love which is creating lasting memories.”

Feature image: supplied

In Accessories

Elegant veils to top off your look

July 8, 2020 No Comments

A veil is the perfect accessory to finish off your bridal look. No matter your aesthetic, there is a veil to match.

If you’re going for a more classic look, you’re in luck. Veils adorned with delicate lace, subtle pearl detail or embroidery will work well to complete your bridal dream. Remember to take in your specific gown’s look and cut when determining the length and fullness of your veil.

Here are some different veil styles that will appeal to a bride wanting to look elegant on your big day.

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Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

A heavenly stone: Jade engagement rings

July 7, 2020 No Comments

For those looking for a unique engagement ring, jade is an unusual and unexpected choice. The ancient ornamental mineral is revered in Chinese culture for its healing properties.

With many colours to choose from and good durability, this compelling stone will make an amazing centre for your ring.

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Jade refers to two separate mineral: nephrite and jadeite, which are both metamorphic rocks made up of tiny interlocking mineral crystals. The stone appears in various colours, including green, white, orange, yellow, lavender and black. However, the most valued shade is semi-transparent emerald green.

They often have a unique, streaked colouration that provides a compelling visual texture. The tones in nephrite tend to be more muted than that of jadeite, which is also the rarer of the two.

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Early Spanish explorers named the stone after the Spanish expression ‘piedra de ijada’ which translates literally to ‘stone of the pain in the side’. They were inspired to choose this name after finding Central American natives holding the stone to their sides to relieve pain. The ancient Mayans and Aztecs are believed to have used jade for medicinal purposes, as well as to create jewellery, ornaments and religious artefacts.

Historically, jade has been used since the time of prehistoric humans, who fashioned it into weapons, tools, ornaments and ritual objects.

Sometimes, carvings were etched onto the stone to invoke the powers of heaven and earth.

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The stone has long been considered heavenly. According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the philosopher Confucius wrote that it is like a virtue and it’s brightness represents heaven. In fact, a flat disc of jade with a hole in the middle, known as a ‘bi’, is symbolic of heaven in Chinese culture.

The stone is called ‘yu’ in China, which means heavenly or imperial. This explains why jade is often considered the imperial gem in Chinese culture, and has been found in the tombs of Shang kings.

The stone is also symbolic of prosperity, success and good luck. The Chinese associate the stone with a clarity of mind and purity of spirit. They often carve specific shapes using the stone to represent motifs. For example, a bat is symbolic of happiness, a butterfly of long life and a peach of immortality.

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The stone is quite tough and durable, making it a good choice for an engagement ring stone. Jadeite ranks a 6.5 to 7 and Nephrite a 6.0 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Its quality is determined by looking at five key factors: colour, transparency, texture, cut and carat weight.

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Feature image: Unsplash