While a couple were in the midst of a marriage proposal, a few seconds after the bride-to-be said ‘yes’, a lion stepped onto the scene to join in on the magic, and let out a roar (possibly of approval if this were a Disney movie) moments after the two became fianceés.
The moment took place in the Kgalagadi at the Cape Town couple’s campsite in Botswana.
According to John Peiser, he had heard a roar in the distance and decided it was the perfect moment to propose to his fiance, Sandy.
“Mr. Lion must have told a friend, as a lioness came into our camp the very next evening, more or less the same time!” John recalled speaking to Latest Sightings.
Footage was captured of the special moment, and it stands as just one of many magical moments in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
WATCH: Lions during the proposal aftermath
Feature Image: Screenshot
There’s something magical about saying “I do” under a canopy of indigenous fauna and flora, the burnt-orange sun setting in the background and an endless array of wildlife…
While saying “I do” is a magical experience that inherently symbolises love, sometimes bridal couples are looking to step away from tradition and personalise their wedding experience… spice things up, even.
If you’re looking to put a unique spin on your upcoming wedding ceremony, why not incorporate various rituals from around the world that embody the very meaning of marriage: unity.
Here are a few traditional and modern rituals that encompass this very word, and provide a foundation for couples looking to incorporate something a bit more unique when it comes to their nuptials.
Take what resonates and toss what doesn’t, here are six creative wedding rituals that are well about two partners in love:
Jump the broom
Jumping the broom has its roots in African American culture, but the meaning behind this ritual is universal. The ritual originated in the early 19th century when slaves were not formally allowed to get married.
Instead, couples looking to get married would place a broom on the ground and hop over it together. The tradition has now come to mean a “brushing away” of the parts and starting things on a clean slate.
Releasing butterflies
Is there anything more romantic than rose petals and butterflies? Butterflies often represent change, hope, life and transformation, and there’s nothing more transformational than getting married.
Releasing butterflies at your wedding ceremony is meant to encompass all of these elements as you start your journey as newlyweds.
Light a candle
This tradition is often associated with the Judeo-Christian faith and is a common practice that’s associated with “two becoming one.”
During the ceremony, the bride and groom each light a candle and combine their flame to ignite a third and larger one.
Handfasting
This is a beautiful ritual that stems from an ancient Celtic tradition of the same name. Basically, it sees the bride and groom hold opposite hands, ensuring that their arms are tied together lie a figure eight before it is tied together with a ribbon – ultimately symbolising union.
The fabric is also great to keep and pass down to your children.
Plant a tree
Watching something grow can be a beautiful experience. Similar to the love that is shared between two partners, the physical symbol of a tree growing from a sapling into a strong tree can represent growth and strength between partners.
A great way to include this ritual into your ceremony is by having the bridal couple scoop a handful of soil and add it to their planted tree.
Create a time capsule
Time capsules are not just for keeping kids entertained. Add a bunch of meaningful items into a box – items that are specific to you and your spouse – and nail it shut together.
This new and different ritual is all about doing something together. You can open this in the next 10 years or on your one year anniversary.
Picture: Laurken Kendall
There’s nothing more romantic than grabbing a blanket, snuggled up with your boo as you lay underneath a canopy of stars. Your honeymoon is meant to be the…
We’re living in the Digital Age. While relying on robust binders dedicated to vendors, bridesmaids, and various wedding planning activities can be useful, sometimes it can get a bit confusing.
More than 5 billion smartphones are currently in use around the world, so why not lean on the convenient pleasures that come with technology by infusing it into your wedding planning.
Whether you’re just starting out or well on your way to wrapping things up, here are a few digital wedding planning tools you can use to your advantage:
Are you looking for an app that will save you time, money, and efficiently get things done? Joy wedding app and website is your one-stop-shop for a personalised wedding planning experience. You can manage guest lists and create a checklist of all the things that need to be done before your big day. In addition to the impressive features this app offers, you also have the option to create a wedding website directly from the app.
Riley & Grey – Wedding websites
Speaking of creating a wedding website, Riley & Grey is the perfect place to whip up something fabulous for you guests to feast their eyes on. There is a range of wedding templates to pick and choose from that offer a user-friendly experience for those browsing your wedding site.
Trello – To-do list
Trello does more than just offer you the chance to create a work/life balance for yourself, but can help you get organised when it comes to your wedding party. Utilise the site’s virtual pinboard and add a “card” in a column for each category that you would like to create, drop a task and create various colour codes to ensure that everything well-maintained.
Google Drive – Photo organisation
Looking to grab all the incredible photos your guests managed to capture on your big day? As long as you have a Gmail account, Google Drive is an excellent way for guests to add all the beautiful moments and ensures that everything has a place.
Its sometimes difficult to picture just how your venue will accommodate your seating vision, but with Allseated, things are made easier. Send them a photo of the venue and they will create a 3D rendering of the space so that you can digitally organise tables, chairs, bars and all the wedding decor of your dreams.
Without a proper budgeting plan, your big day might leave you in a financial pickle. Goodbudget is a user-friendly app that allows you to allocate expenses for everything that you need. Once you have a budget set in place you can shift expenses around to ensure that you are not overspending in certain areas and neglecting others, maintaining a balance is key to success.
Picture: Pinterest
That period of bliss after getting engaged is a feeling that should be savoured because after that, it’s a lot of sheer panic due to being overwhelmed. Perhaps…
The behind-the-scenes of your big day is often the least prioritised but is something that deserves just as much attention. After all, it not only sets the tone for the rest of the day but the time you spend with your bridal party will be seared into your mind forever – no pressure. With a glass of bubbly in hand, it’s the perfect time to have a few laughs, shake off the nerves and connect with your bridal crew.
So, why not do it will donning a few silky robes. Getting robes for your bridal party may not be a requirement, but the addition can sprinkle a little magic onto your day and be an amazing little memento for them to keep close to them.
Here are a few photo-worthy robes to inspire you:
Dial it all the way to sexy
Zhuzh it up with some feathers
Who doesn’t love a good fringe?
A little jungle fever
Floral prints forever!
An elegant train that highlights your bridal beauty
Picture: Pinterest