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    Kirsten Jacobs

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    In Advice

    Gesture cakes – The affordable alternative

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    A wedding cake is the sweet cherry on top of an exciting day. Newlyweds slice into the cake, symbolic of the first action they take together as partners.

    The wedding cake has a centuries-long history, and started as a tradition that was said to ensure fertility. Today, however, while many still choose elaborate wedding cakes, some have opted for a more paired-down experience.

    A new trend has emerged for those not wanting to go big on price and drama with their wedding cake. Instead of a tiered creation, they have a gesture cake. Gesture cakes are mini, affordable cakes that still hold the essence of tradition but won’t create a massive hole in your bank account.

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    Of course, this cake won’t feed an army either. It’s generally the size of a normal cake one may have at a birthday party. For those having micro-weddings, this option is perfect. You won’t have a ton of cake go to waste, and get to save some money in the process.

    Just because it’s a smaller cake does not mean it has to be boring. Take a look at these stunning treats:

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    Feature image: Unsplash

     

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    In Advice

    Outstanding wedding cakes inspired by the ocean

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    The sea is a great place to be, especially on a wedding day. If you’re planning a beach wedding or just love the ocean, you can easily extend that theme into your wedding cake.

    We aren’t talking about slapping some shells on and calling it a day. Use texture and detail in unique ways to honour the stunning seas. This allows you to make a subtle statement without going full-on theme.

    Here are some amazing designs to inspire you:

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    Feature image: Unsplash

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    In Accessories

    The origin story of the Swedish Cameo tiara

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    A princess’s look is not complete without a tiara. Swedish royal brides, interestingly, seem to gravitate towards a specific one.

    The Cameo is a famed tiara in the Swedish royal family and is believed to be one of the oldest tiaras still in use. The unusual tiara has a long, romantic history and has been worn by both Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria on their wedding days.

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    The crown is believed to have first belonged to empress Josephine, the first wife of Napoleon, and the first empress of the French after he proclaimed himself Emperor. The crown was reportedly made for her in the early 1800s during the final years of her marriage to Napoleon.

    The crown features 7 cameos, or oval pieces of jewellery that consist of a portrait in profile carved into it. The cameos were individually made and not intended to go together, which is why they vary in size and appearance. The largest cameo at the centre of the crown depicts a scene from the famous story of Cupid and Psyche. A base of gold and seed pearls frame the cameos.

     

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    The #cameotiara The gorgeous bridal tiara of the Bernadottes had its start not in Sweden but at the imperial court of Napoléon. 1804: In France, Napoléon Bonaparte is crowned emperor at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. At his side is his wife, Joséphine. Born in Martinique as the daughter of a wealthy Creole planter, Joséphine had previously been married to Alexandre de Beauharnais, a French aristocrat who was guillotined during the Reign of Terror. She is crowned empress by her husband at his coronation, and she needs a vast collection of jewelry to help her fit the part. Among these is a set of cameo jewels, apparently made for her during this period by her husband’s court jeweler, Marie-Étienne Nitot. The set includes a grand tiara in gold set with pearls and large cameos depicting the story of Cupid and Psyche. It also includes a necklace, a bracelet, and a pair of earrings. Although Joséphine had two children, Eugène and Hortense, with Alexandre, she is not able to provide Napoléon with a much-needed biological heir to the French throne. He divorces her and marries Marie Louise of Austria, daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor. Joséphine relocates to the Château de Malmaison near Paris, taking her jewelry along with her. Joséphine loans the cameos to her daughter, Hortense, who had briefly been Queen of Holland during the first decade of the nineteenth century. Hortense wears the cameos in a portrait painted by Anne-Louis Girodet. The painting is the first known representation of the cameos. Josephine’s granddaughter received the #cameo as a wedding gift when she married #crownprinceoscar of #Sweden passing the tiara into the #Swedishroyalfamily where it has become the traditional #wedding tiara. #napoleonandjosephine #crownprincessvictoria #royaljewels #royalhistory

    A post shared by Vintage Vantage (@the_vintage_vantage) on

    The crown ended up in Sweden via empress Josephine’s granddaughter, also named Josephine, when she married the country’s first King Oscar in 1823. The queen passed the tiars on to daughter Eugenie. Since Eugenie had no children, the crown travelled throughout the family houses until it was presented to Princess Sybilla. It was from here that the crown began to feature atop the heads of Swedish brides.
    Two of Princess Sybilla’s daughters, Princess Birgitta and Princess Desiree wore the tiara on their big days. In 1972, the tiara was passed on to Princess Sybilla’s son (who became King the following year) after her passing, and his bride Silvia wore it on their wedding day as she became Queen of Sweden. Queen Silvia wearing the tiara on her big day added even deeper royal significance to this prized diadem. Their eldest child and heir to the throne, Princess Victoria followed tradition and proudly wore the crown during her 2010 royal nuptials.

     

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    ♕ Tнe Caмeo Parυre Tιara ⋆⋆⋆ In 1809, Empress Joséphine (see photo2️⃣), first wife of French Emperor Napoléon I Bonaparte, likely received the cameos as a gift from her husband. The seven cameos used in the tiara were made first and were not intended to go together. Each is framed in pearls and sit on a base of gold and seed pearls. The tiara is part of a set including a pair of earrings, a brooch, a necklace, and a bracelet. ⋆ In 1814, Former Empress Joséphine died. The cameos was eventually inherited by her granddaughter, future Queen Josephine (see photos3️⃣), who married the future Oscar I, King of Sweden and Norway in 1923. Since then the cameos resided in the Swedish royal vaults. ⋆ In 1876, Queen Joséphine died. The cameos was inherited by her only daughter, Princess Eugénie (see photo4️⃣). Eugénie never married, but instead devoted her life to artistic pursuits and charitable causes. Upon her death in 1889, the cameos were inherited by her nephew, Prince Eugen, Duke of Närke (see photo5️⃣). Eugen was also a gifted artist and never married. ⋆ In 1947, The Duke of Närke died. Before his death, he loaned the cameos to his niece-in-law, Crown Princess Margaret (see photo5️⃣.1️⃣), and eventually gave the cameos as a wedding gift to Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (see photo5️⃣.2️⃣) when she married Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten in 1932. Sibylla also loaned the cameos to her sister-in-law, the future Queen Ingrid of Denmark (see photo5️⃣.3️⃣). ⋆ In 1961, Princess Sibylla’s second daughter Princess Birgitta (see photo6️⃣.1️⃣) married Prince Johann Georg of Hohenzollern. Three years later, Sibylla’s third daughter Princess Désirée (see photo6️⃣.2️⃣) married Baron Niclas Silfverschiöld. ⋆ In 1972, Princess Sibylla died. The cameos was inherited by her only son, current King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Four years later, the King married Silvia Renate Sommerlath (see photos7️⃣to9️⃣). Thirty-four years later, their eldest child and heir Crown Princess Victoria, Duchess of Västergötland (see photos?) married Olof Daniel Westling. ⋆⋆⋆ #TheEuropeanRoyalty #CameoTiara #QueenJosephine #PrincessSibylla #QueenSilvia #CrownPrincessVictoria #Sweden

    A post shared by The European Royalty (@theeuropeanroyalty) on

    Feature image: Instagram / kungahuset
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    In Celebs

    Olivia Newton-John and husband celebrate 12-year anniversary

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    Grease star Olivia Newton-John has reached a milestone with husband John Easterling. The couple recently celebrated their 12-year wedding anniversary, and seem as loved up as ever.

    Newton-John took to Instagram to gush over her husband. She shared a picture from their 2008 wedding and sweetly captioned it, “Seems like yesterday I married the man of my dreams in Peru on the winter solstice 12 wonderful years ago! Happy Anniversary my darling @therealamazonjohn and thank you Gregg for capturing these special moments?”

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    The Grammy award-winning singer and actress met the American businessman and environmentalist at an environmental show in the 90s, although there was no romantic connection. They kept running into one another over the years and grew close when Easterling stayed at Newton-John’s guesthouse for an extended period after he got in a car accident.

    When Easterling, who had never seen Grease, heard Newton-John singing at a concert they went to, he was amazed and thought she was a healer.

    “All I could think was that I wanted to introduce her to other healers who work in the Amazon,” Easterling said in an interview. “So, after the show, I asked if she wanted to come to Peru and she said yes. I thought, ‘Oh no, I’m taking her to Peru, I’d better watch Grease!’”

    The pair fell in love on their Peru trip. In 2008, they married atop a mountain in Peru in an Incan spiritual wedding ceremony.

    Easterling is founder of the Amazon Herb Company, and even formulated a special blend of cannabis, called ‘Olivia’s Choice’ in honour of his wife. Both are cannabis advocates, and Newton-John says the herb greatly eases the pain and stress of her stage 4 breast cancer.

    Feature image: Instagram / therealonj

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    In Advice

    Flower-filled bridal hairstyles

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    Nature-lovers can infuse the beauty of the outdoors into their big day in many ways. From your decor to your dress, Mother Nature can be your most special guest.

    One’s bridal hairstyle is an aspect people often forget can help in extending a wedding theme. If you’re going for a relaxed boho feel, pull it off by incorporating some flowers. The blooms you choose depend on your wedding colours and the flowers you include in your bridal bouquet.

    Here are some ways to add blooming beauties to your bridal hairstyle:

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    Feature image: Unsplash

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    In Advice

    Captivating citrine engagement rings

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    Want an engagement ring that is as bright as the sun? Instead of opting for a yellow diamond, a citrine stone might just be the perfect choice.

    The bright yellow or intense orange stone is a type of quartz and gets its colouring from traces of iron. The stone has been symbolic of the sun for centuries, and many associate it with health and happiness.  Citrine was considered the ‘sun stone’ for years, and believed to hold sunlight and to be able to protect against snakebites, heartbreak and evil.

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    Citrine’s name is believed to have a number of sources that relate to citrus in ode to its colouring, including the French word ‘citron’ which means ‘lemon’.

    Natural citrine can be found in the Ural Mountains of Russia and in Madagascar, while the majority of heat-treated citrine comes from Brazil.

    Many confused citrine and topaz because of their similar colourings. However, they differ in that topaz is heavier and harder with a higher refractive index than citrine.

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    Citrine is the November birthstone and has good durability that makes it great for an engagement ring. It ranks a 7 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness. However, it is still prone to scratching and damage, so wearers are advised to never wear two gemstones side by side. To clean it, simply use warm water, mild soap and a gentle brush.

    Like a diamond, a citrine’s value is based on the Four Cs: colour, cut, clarity, and carat. The more saturated its colour, the more expensive the stone.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B06NuOolVU1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Feature image: Unsplash

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    In Advice

    Wow-worthy winter wedding dresses

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    Winter is upon us, bringing with it chilly temperatures and unpredictable weather. Winter can be an incredibly romantic and practical time to have a wedding, it just requires some forward planning.

    Brides planning to tie the knot in the wintertime must take caution to prevent catching a chill on the big day. Long sleeve wedding dresses made of heavier fabrics like velvet and silk allow for greater insulation against the cold. Add flair with lace detail or embellishments, and you’re all set. You can even add a stunning matching jacket for extra warmth.

    Here are some designs we are loving:

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    Also read: Wonderful ideas for a winter wedding

    Feature image: Pexels

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    In Announcements

    Food Network star Alex Guarnaschelli is engaged

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    Alex Guarnaschelli, the no-nonsense chef and Food Network star who rose to fame as a judge on cooking competition Chopped, is newly engaged to partner Michael Castellon.

    Castellon, who is also a chef, prosed on Guarnaschelli’s 48th birthday. They were having a socially distanced get-together with some friends to celebrate, and the pair drove to the store for more supplies. On their way back, Castellon suddenly pulled the car over.

    “So we were right by my house and he just pulled over on the side of the road anxiously. And he said, ‘I see a dog running around’,” Guarnaschelli tells People. “There’s this little park with a windmill. He like, ‘I see a dog running around in there without a leash.’ ”

    He got out the car to inspect, then came back to tell Guarnaschelli it’s a baby deer and she needs to see it.

    “So he’s like, ‘Shh. Come see it. It’s so cute.’ And I’m like, ‘We’re going to have to do something. We’re going to have to call the animal welfare.’ I’m already rolodexing the situation,” Guarnaschelli explains to People. “We tiptoe out, full-on tiptoe, and he goes, ‘It’s right around the windmill.’ So I look and he’s like, ‘Do you see it?’ And I’m like, ‘No, where’s the baby? You promised me a baby deer’.”

    “And he goes, ‘There’s no deer.’ I turn, and I look and he’s on one knee. He’s like, ‘This is why I have to marry you because you just believe me every time.’ He said, ‘Will you marry me?’ and he gave me the ring.”

    The ring, featuring a stunning emerald rock, is a family heirloom.

    The pair have been together for four years. The professional chef and TV personality took to Instagram on Saturday, June 20, to announce the big news.

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    The bride-to-be told People Magazine that they are in no rush to marry, but she plans to go big.

    “We’re not in any hurry, but I want to have a blowout,” she said. “I want a tri-state rager.”

    Feature image: Instagram / Chef Mike

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    In Wedding Cakes

    Modern and minimalist wedding cakes

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    Not one for big designs and loud colours? You might just be a minimalist. This design aesthetic focuses on living with only the things you need and that support your purpose. By removing the distractions of loud design, it allows you to focus on what matters most.

    Extending this aesthetic to your wedding day produces a simplified yet stunning finish. Your wedding cake can echo this style by only focusing on one crucial design element, be it a simple bow or a subtle deckle edge. A minimalist cake will never overtake the day, only enhance it.

    Here are some simplistic cakes to inspire you:

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    Feature image: Unsplash

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    In Emotional

    Netflix’s new wedding show promises to be a tearjerker

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    In lockdown and dreaming about your future wedding day? Netflix has you covered with more wedding inspiration. The popular streaming service’s latest offering ‘Say I Do’, promises to be a tearjerker.

    The show is by the creators of ‘Queer Eye’ and follows a team of experts, including interior designer Jeremiah Brent, fashion designer Thai Nguyen and chef Gabriele Bertaccini, who work together to help make eight unique couple’s dream weddings come to life. The experts assit the groom in planning a surprise proposal as well as the big day, all in the space of less than a week.

    Each couple featured on the show have wanted to marry for a long time but were never able to make it happen, for various reasons. Their love story is explored in depth to showcase what love means to them and what’s most important to them on their big day.

    Take a look at the trailer below:

    This show follows the success of Netflix hit ‘Love is Blind’, and could be another win for the streaming channel’s venture into original reality TV.

    Season 1 premieres on July 1, 2020.

    Feature image: screenshot from video

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