Engagements Archives | Page 15 of 47

In Celebs

Mampintsha and Babes Wodumo are engaged

November 2, 2020 No Comments

Controversial duo Mampintsha and Babes Wodumo got engaged last week Thursday during a live interview on Gagasi FM’s drive show.

They took too social media to let their fans in on their joy. In a video, Mampintsha can be heard saying in isiZulu, “I would like to say please make me man amongst man, we have been together for a very long time now.”

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A post shared by Mandla Maphumulo (@mampintsha_shimora) on Oct 29, 2020 at 10:36am PDT

The couple has a history of a violent past. There were allegations of Mampintsha physically abusing Babes, which was later shown in a video recording.

Despite this, the couple are still together and appear happy. As Babes said on her Instagram “Within a blink of an eye and now I’m left speechless, the journey wasn’t easy, but we stuck together through thick and thin”.

Pictures: Instagram

In Advice

A heavenly finish: The halo engagement ring setting

November 2, 2020 No Comments

With its angelic look, it’s easy to see why the halo setting is one of the most sought-after engagement ring styles. Classic yet glamorous, it flatters anyone who wears it.

Halo engagement rings are versatile and easily customisable, perfect for the bride who wants to add a personal touch to their jewelry.

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A post shared by Engagement Rings Vancouver (@luxurydiamondsvancouver) on Oct 29, 2020 at 10:39am PDT

The halo setting features a central diamond encircled by smaller, typically pavé or micro pavé set accent diamonds. With all the smaller diamonds, it adds a stunning flashing look that draws attention to the centre diamond.

The setting can be the same shape as the centre stone or a different one entirely like a cushion cut halo around a round diamond. However, symmetry is often the best option.

Halo settings can easily be personalised with different diamond shapes, metals, and setting styles for the accent diamonds.

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A post shared by Kristin Coffin Jewelry (@kristincoffinjewelry) on Oct 25, 2020 at 2:06pm PDT

An advantage of this setting is that it makes the centre diamond appear larger. It’s dazzling setting also helps enhance the appearance of a slightly flawed centre diamond.

The halo also helps hide the prongs that hold the centre stone in place, which is a plus for those that don’t like the look of prongs.

Another benefit is that the smaller pavé diamonds are often less expensive than purchasing one diamond of the same weight.

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On the other hand, however, wedding bands only work with some halo setting engagement rings so you will have to plan ahead. You would ideally need to have your wedding band made to fit around or under the engagement ring, otherwise, you run the risk of them rubbing against one another and wearing away over time.

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A post shared by Queensmith Master Jewellers (@queensmiths) on Oct 30, 2020 at 2:30am PDT

Picture: Pexels

In Advice

What not to do on your wedding day

October 28, 2020 No Comments

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. Your wedding day is not the time to try new things, make new plans and additions or risky activities that may lead to any sort of disaster and drama, you are most likely to be already stressed. Do not do anything that will aggravate that feeling.

Facial beauty treatment

You want to look radiant on your big day but you don’t want to do it on the day you are supposed to get married. You might not know the reactions you will get from the treatment. Rather book the treatment a few days before the wedding to avoid funny things.

The lingerie

You’re most likely going to need to use the bathroom regularly on the wedding day, especially with all the drinks at the reception and it’s going to be hard enough to use the bathroom with your couture gown; don’t add extra difficulties by wearing complex lingerie that takes four assistants and science to remove.

Avoid over drinking

After months of stress and planning, you want to thank yourself by downing all the goodness of that champagne but… You probably shouldn’t. You do not want to be remembered as the bride that danced on top of tables on her wedding day. A few glasses of bubbly is fine, you can go ham on your honeymoon rather.

Being anti-social

Do not have your phone in your hand unless it is for emergencies ( something your maid honour should take care of) but take a break from social media for the day. The people you want to share that moment with are already seeing it live with you, your followers can wait 24 hours. Leave the photos and moments to the photographers.

Your wedding shoes

It is best to wear your shoes prior to the wedding, walk around the house with them so that you can be comfortable wearing them on the day. You do not want to look like a drunk bride trying to find balance. Also, if they are not comfortable then you still have time to return them and pick a more comfortable pair.

Packing in a rush

You should have a todo list and it should include your honeymoon and the dates. If you are leaving right after the ceremony then do not pack on the day of the wedding because you are most likely to forget a lot of things, your passports being the biggest possibility. Take your time with packing.

Packing

Wake up and eat, the saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day is most important today. Weddings are generally stressful and skipping meals may be dangerous. You need all the energy you can get on the day.

Being a control freak

It is natural that you want to take care of everything on that day but just for the day, relax. You need to leave everything to everyone else to others and just enjoy your day. Try to go with the flow and delegate as much as possible, what will work out will and what doesn’t won’t, you did your best.

Picture: Unsplash

In Celebs

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton are engaged

October 28, 2020 No Comments

The famous couple who met on the set of The Voice in April 2014 is engaged. Blake Shelton popped the question to girlfriend Gwen Stefani and she said yes.

The couple posted on Instagram a picture that shows Gwen wearing the ring. Blake proposed on October 27.

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@blakeshelton yes please! ??? gx

A post shared by Gwen Stefani (@gwenstefani) on Oct 27, 2020 at 10:09am PDT

Gwen was married for 13 years and Blake for four when they filed for divorce from their partners. They have not met then and only got romantically involved after.

In November 2014, Gwen posted a picture of them together, writing “him” and a heart emoji. Fans started suspecting romance between the two.

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?him @blakeshelton @nbcthevoice gx

A post shared by Gwen Stefani (@gwenstefani) on Nov 25, 2014 at 5:37pm PST

In 2016 Blake said at an interview with Rolling Stone: “If you had told me that that’s who I’m gonna end up with, I would have thought you were crazy. But she became my closest ally”. This is the same year they made their official debut as a couple at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party.

With their blooming romance, the pair gave us blended family goals captured on a day out in 2019. Fans cannot wait for the wedding of the two judges.

Picture: Instagram

In Weddings

India records the highest number of reception cancellations

October 27, 2020 No Comments

With lockdown, there has been a cancelation of many events, including weddings and their receptions. This was because of the regulations and the number of people allowed in one space. These were put in place to prevent a further spread of COVID-19.

In the midst of all that, people have been creating new ways to get married, such as holding virtual and drive-by weddings.

Some, however, have been canceling altogether. India was found to have the most reception cancelations in the world with 23% of couples only going ahead with the formal ceremony.

Indian weddings are known for their big beautiful celebrations with masses of guests.

When compiling the report, The Knot Worldwide found that three of four respondents in India said they would go ahead with the wedding ceremonies on dates planned before COVID-19 but they will not do the big, traditional celebrations they normally have in Indian weddings.

In addition, 23% of couples said they are not going ahead with a wedding reception while 48% are planning one but with health and safety measures. The report said a vast majority of couples (80%) said they would encourage social distancing, and invite-only immediate family and close friends.

The couples going ahead with their celebrations have to abide by the rules and make sure that their guests get checked, and the venues will have to be sanitised and they should ensure that everyone has a mask on at all times.

The data was compiled from a report among 9,767 couples who originally had weddings planned between October 2020 and February 2021. Another study by Knot Worldwide COVID-19 revealed that 96% of couples are not planning to cancel their weddings at this time. Instead, they are either keeping a close eye on recommendations from the CDC or postponing their dates.

To summarize the findings, 96% of couples are not canceling their weddings but postponing them until it is safe to do so, on that number, 65% of them are having a wedding ceremony but will have a wedding reception later.

Photo: Unsplash

In Advice

Supporting your partner’s pronouns during wedding planning

October 26, 2020 No Comments

There are many couples whose identities are outside of the heteronormative spectrum. They are always the minority and have to constantly fight for their place in society.

They normally use different pronouns and chances are that people will get them wrong, which can be frustrating for them. If your partner exists outside of this box, there are things you can do to make life easier when planning your wedding.

What are pronouns?

Some non-binary/genderqueer people prefer to use gender-neutral pronouns. Usage of the singular ‘they’, ‘their’, and ‘them’ is the most common.

These are words that refer to an individual in place of their name. They describe different gender identities other than just male or female.

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Don’t give in to traditional gender roles

The idea that women can only have female friends and men can only have male friends should not exist in your plan for the wedding.

Instead of traditions like the “Best Man Speech,” use gender-free labels like “Friends and Family Speeches.”

Everyone should have the same tasks unless it’s beyond their physical strength, do not give men certain tasks because of their gender and the belief that they are stronger.

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Specify in your wedding registry

Monitory donations are a great alternative to avoid receiving gender-specific gifts. You can even ask for donations to your favourite charity, preferably one fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights to help give back on your big day.

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Include correct pronouns on your invitation card and wedding day

Your guest list might include people they haven’t met before. To help initiate that conversation, use clear preferred pronouns. Use wedding planning tools as a way to introduce your guests to your partner’s pronouns, and ask for your guests’ pronouns when they RSVP.

If a person uses the incorrect pronouns when referring to your partner, address it respectfully.

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Hire LGBTQIA + accomodating vendors

Not only are you supporting the larger LGBTQIA+ community, but it will also make things easy to work with people that understand you. Your partner will be more relaxed and that will result in them feeling included and validated.

The work will be less because most of their tools will not need to be altered or change to suit your needs, as they are already set up like that.

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Pictures: Unsplash

In Bachelorette Party

Bridal shower vs bachelorette party: What’s the difference?

October 26, 2020 No Comments

Picture this. You’re surrounded by the women in your life: your mother, grandmother, and future mother-in-law are all smiling at you as you unwrap a gift from a friend. To your dismay, it’s a dainty piece of lacy lingerie that you now have to show everyone.

With so many different pre-wedding events, it’s easy to get confused. While they seem similar on the surface, a bridal shower and bachelorette party are designed for different audiences.

We’re here to help clear things up to avoid these awkward situations.

Bridal shower

This is the tamer party of the two. Normally a brunch or high tea, it’s a lovely gathering with yummy treats, delicious drinks, and good old-fashioned bonding. Back in the day, this was the event at which the bride was presented with all the things she would need for her kitchens, such as crockery and tea towels. Hence it’s also known as the kitchen tea. Now that times have changed, you can present the bride with whatever you want – just make sure the gift is PG!

This is the event your gran and niece will attend and is also a good opportunity to spend some time with your mother-in-law, away from all the wedding chaos. Get some advice from the married women in your life, enjoy delicious finger sandwiches, and sip on some bubbly. There are also a great number of family-friendly games you can play to break the ice and help both sides of the family mix and mingle ahead of the big day.

Bachelorette party

When the cucumber sandwiches are finished and the sun goes down, it’s time to gather your girlfriends and paint the town red. Some brides opt to have the bridal shower and bachelorette party on the same day as all the people you’re having at your wedding are all in one place, but it’s really up to you.

The bachelorette party (or hen night) is a chance for you to let your hair down and have some fun with your friends. This is usually the place where the naughty gifts – think toys for the bedroom – and craziness appear. For lots of people, a bachelorette party is just that – a party. But it doesn’t have to be. You can indulge in a spa day, cocktails, dress up, dress down, it doesn’t matter. As long as you have fun.

Picture: Pexels

In Engagements

Perfectly elegant: The prong engagement ring setting

October 26, 2020 No Comments

A setting can make of break your engagement ring, so it is important to choose one wisely. One of the most popular choices in the wedding world is the prong setting.

Classic and elegant, the prong setting is one of the most famous diamond ring settings. This setting is perfect for the timeless bride.

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A prong setting typically features four to six thin metal claws that are placed on the diamond’s surface to secure its position. This setting is designed to perfectly highlight the diamond’s brilliance by giving maximum exposure to the stone.

This particular range of settings can be shaped in different ways – prongs can be rounded, squared, V-shaped, elongated or even pointed.

Ideally, the prongs should end on the diamond’s surface. If the claws extend too high, the diamond’s top portion will be less visible, thus reducing its brilliance.

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This setting has been in style for decades, and first grew in popularity in the 19th century as more dramatic and larger stones were being unearthed. Jewellers wanted to showcase these stones, and thus needed a setting that would allow it to shine.

The advantage of this setting is that it allows the diamond to take centre stage. It is also easy to clean and maintain. For those wanting to customise their ring, this setting is versatile enough to complement all diamond shapes, and is easy to adjust for different sizes of stones.

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On the other hand, because the diamond’s girdle is only partially covered, it is quite prone to chipping. The claws of the setting are also more prone to get caught on clothing.

Picture: Unsplash

In Advice

Don’t get married before asking your partner these questions

October 26, 2020 No Comments

Marriage is a big step, one not to be taken lightly. Before making this commitment, its important to spend time with your partner to discuss major topics that could affect your future.

While love and mutual respect is considered the most important aspects of a relationship, there are many other external factors that could affect your journey. Making sure you and your partner are open and honest with each other about various topics will help alleviate future issues.

Here are some topics to bring up before your big day:

Debt

If you have debt, it is important that your partner knows about it and how much it is. South Africans automatically marry in community of property, which means that the estates of the married couple are combined and thus debt is inherited. Property and debts acquired prior to or during the marriage are shared equally in undivided shares (50%) and spouses are jointly liable to creditors.

Children

Do you and your partner want children? If yes, how many? It is incredibly important to be on the same page with this, as bringing a child into the world is a major life decision that should not be made lightly. Some people don’t want to have kids at all, and it is unfair to persuade an unwilling partner to change their mind later on in life.

Career/education

If your partner gets an amazing job or learning opportunity that requires relocation, how will you deal with that? Are you committed to moving with them or will you be long-distance?

Religion

While you and your partner do not need to practice the same religion, the core beliefs could cause conflict if they are incredibly different. For example, if one of you is Catholic and therefore oppose abortion while the other is pro-choice, this could be an issue in the future if an unwanted pregnancy were to occur.

Sexual compatibility

Sex is a part of marriage, and when and how you choose to do it is an important discussion. Consent needs to be defined, and both partners must be aware that it is necessary every time you have sex as marital rape is illegal in the country. It is also important to have an open and honest conversation on sexual fantasies and expectations, so that partners feel comfortable expressing their desires.

Finances

Money is one of the major issues in a relationship. How will you pay for things once you are married? Will you split bills equally, or divide based on salaries? How will you save and spend your money?

Gender roles

This will impact on household duties and who does what in the relationship. For example, if one person believes women should do all the cooking and cleaning while the other believes the work should be equally divided, this could cause major resentment.

Boundaries with others

What is your partner comfortable with in regards to how you interact with people of the sex you are attracted to? For example, if they are the jealous type, you being touchy-feely with someone, even in a non-romantic way, might create tension with your partner. It is important to know what your partner’s boundaries are and to discuss it if it conflicts with your own.

Social media activity is also connected here. Some are more private than others, and don’t like to share details about their personal life on the internet while others post everything and anything.

Picture: Pexels

In News

Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty celebrate their first year of marriage

October 22, 2020 No Comments

Nicki Minaj shocked everyone when she announced that she was starting a family. Things have moved quickly for the singer, who got married last year and retired from her music career to focus on her family life.

The rapper is also celebrating her first year anniversary with her husband, Kenneth Petty. She posted a picture of their son’s foot on Instagram and captioned it “happy anniversary my love”.

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Minaj dated rapper Kenneth Petty for almost a year before she hinted that they got married a year ago on October 21. However, they have known each other longer than that.

They met in New York when Minaj was a teenager. She once mentioned in one of her songs “I met my husband when I was 17 out in Queens / If you love it, let it go, now I know what that means / While he was up North for a body / I bodied everybody and got known for my body”.

In December 2018, she uploaded two pictures of them together during a trip to Turks and Caicos. In June 2019, the couple had their first marriage license but there was a mishap and they picked up their second one in August. They officially married in October in a ‘secret ceremony’. Nicki explained that they had a small ceremony because she was traveling and busy with an album, but she was determined to marry the Clyde to her Bonnie.

A day after they officially got married, she was already speaking about starting a family, and on September 30, 2020 she gave birth to their son.

Now that her album is done and she has started a family, fans are waiting in anticipation of the big wedding she promised her fans.

Pictures: Instagram