Weddings are meant to be a happy occasion, where couples can celebrate their love for one another with their closest friends and family. Testing positive for COVID-19 afterwards, however, puts a big damper on the day. As the COVID-19 pandemic escalates across the world, more and more cases of wedding ‘super spreaders’ are being reported.
In South Africa, public gatherings of over 50 are currently banned which means that weddings as we know them cannot currently go ahead. Countries across the world have instilled similar regulations on public gatherings. However, many members of the public have broken these rules and continue to host large events. This has lead to these parties being called ‘super-spreaders’, as one COVID-19 positive person can spread the disease to several others.
The reality:
In July, 25 guests who attended a wedding in KwaZulu-Natal tested positive for COVID-19. A couple in San Francisco tried to sneakily have a wedding ceremony in the city’s iconic Saints Peter and Paul Church in August. Dozens of their loved ones, including friends and family, were present at the event and several of them were infected with COVID-19.
A wedding which took place in the Patna District of Bihar, a state in India, effectively started a COVID-19 chain as 113 people tested positive and the groom passed away. It has been reported that this was the largest chain of infection in the state thus far.
Breaking the rules:
In America, weddings are allowed but each state has differing rules on how they may continue. For many in the wedding industry, this has become a great concern as guests don’t follow health and safety regulations.
“Weddings are so different from going into a store or sitting in a restaurant for 45 minutes,” an anonymous wedding planner told the New York Times. “These receptions last for three, four hours, and everyone is in an indoor space, breathing the air. They aren’t wearing masks and they are dancing. And when they start drinking, it’s like there is no pandemic.”
“I am scared there is going to be an outbreak at one of my weddings and someone is going to die.”
While vendors can control the behaviour of their employees, it’s hard to tell a guest what to do. Sanitising stations can be set up, socially distanced seating arranged and a mask-wearing policy encouraged but in reality, it’s up to guests to follow those rules.
Vendors thus put themselves at risk to fulfill their contractual obligations, but cannot easily rely on strict safety protocols other businesses have enforced.
The way forward:
The South African wedding industry is desperate to get back to work after months of inactivity amid the pandemic. Before this happens, government will have to outline strict regulations to prevent further spread of the virus.
As with sit-down restaurants, wedding guests should be required to wear a mask at all time except for eating and drinking. It is likely that government will also require guests to fill in health questionnaires, and be subjected to temperature testing. This responsibility will fall on wedding vendors.
The issue is enforcing social distancing on such a special day where people will naturally want to hug one another and celebrate.
Once weddings do continue, they will be nothing like before. We will all have to adjust our behaviours to celebrate responsibly, and help protect the health of others.
Feature image: Unsplash
It’s likely that the coronavirus pandemic will change the way of weddings forever. Now more than ever, it is important to abide by certain rules and regulations in…
As one of the most memorable moments of your wedding, the perfect first dance not only opens the floor but is a special and intimate moment between the newlyweds which has become an important wedding tradition over the decades.
It stems from many years ago when ballroom dancing was an acquired skill everyone had to have, and the first dance at a ball or special event was usually done by a royal guest of honour to open the floor.
Nowadays, couples typically pick a song suited to their personal love story and practice a routine before the time to entertain their guests. But to make your first dance special, there needs to be a touch of originality. Since not everyone is a skilled ballroom dancer, it can be challenging to put on the performance you want.
Here are some easy steps to getting your first dance-off on the right foot.
STEP 1 – THE VIBE
What kind of story do you want to tell with your first dance? As we’ve said, this is a crucial moment to show off the type of couple you are. You could go romantic and sultry with a tango, or cheesy with an 80s-inspired throwback that references moves like the electric slide and the hammer dance. If you’re more emotional, a slow dance is perfect whereas a classic couple might enjoy a foxtrot. Each dance style gives a different vibe and will determine the music choice and choreography going forward.
STEP 2 – THE SONG
The song you choose for your first dance should be representative of the personal relationship you have with your partner. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to choose a completely original song, but you should feel that it speaks to you and your partner’s feelings towards each other. You also need to keep in mind the length of the song and the beat for your dance.
STEP 3 – THE CHOREOGRAPHY
You can either choose to have a professional dance instructor choreograph a dance for you and your partner, or do it yourself. If you want to choreograph your dance, however, you need to start as soon as possible as the more time you have the more time you will have to learn the steps. This can be a good time for you and your partner to become even closer during the wedding planning, through learning to dance together.
STEP 3 – THE DANCE
When it comes to your big day there will be a swarm of emotions, and executing a rehearsed dance may be a challenge, despite all your practice. Don’t feel discouraged by this, and, instead, focus on your partner and all the moments you’ve shared and the ones you’ve yet to share. A perfect dance will look different for everyone and should be about celebrating with your loved ones.
Smaller factors to keep in mind:
– Take your wedding shoes into consideration when planning your wedding dance. Practice in them a few times before your big day.
– When deciding on your wedding outfit, think about whether you will be able to move around and dance comfortably in it.
– Make sure to speak with your DJ and MC beforehand to let them know how and when you would like your dance to happen.
– Give yourselves enough time to practice, and remember to relax and allow for mistakes to happen in your first few tries.
Image: Unsplash
Before Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie sizzled on the silverscreen in their 2005 film Mr and Mrs Smith, the movie star was married to America’s sweetheart Jennifer Aniston.…
UFC star Conor McGregor has finally proposed to his long-time girlfriend of 12-years, Dee Devlin. The fighter put a ring on it on Sunday, August 9, which happened to be Devlin’s birthday too!
Taking to Instagram to announce his exciting news, McGregor posted a picture of himself and Devlin cuddled up, showing off the new engagement ring.
“What a birthday, my future wife,” wrote McGregor.
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The pair share two children together, a three-year-old son Conor Junior, and a one-year-old daughter Croia.
McGregor has been open and public about his relationship with Devlin, and often credits her for his success in life. In an interview with MMA Fighting, he said: “My girlfriend has been there since the start. She has helped me throughout this career. If it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.
For me to be able to take her out of work, give her everything she’s ever wanted and to travel the world with her fills me with pride. It keeps me going. We’ve been together a long time. She’s been through it all with me.”
They started dating in 2007 after meeting in a nightclub, and they have been inseparable ever since.
For their happy news, congratulations poured in for the couple. Several other UFC stars including Holly Holm sent their well wishes. Conor’s father Tony, sister Erinn, and niece Taylor all sent their love too, and so did Devlin’s sister Sarah, who wrote, “My heart is so full for these two.”
Congrats to the happy couple!
Image: Instagram / Conor McGregor
Cape Town’s own olympic athlete Wayde van Niekerk made headlines across the country when he became the 400m record holder. He achieved a lifetime dream that day. It…
While the term ‘laminating’ may remind you of your days at school, it’s gotten a new upgrade in the beauty world. Brow lamination has risen as a less-permanent alternative to microblading, allowing people to have the eyebrows of their dreams.
If you’ve got pesky eyebrows that won’t stay in place no matter how much eyebrow gel you apply, brow lamination might just be for you. Brides who get these procedure done can rest assured their eyebrows will be on point for their wedding day.
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What is brow lamination?
Brow lamination is almost like a perm for your eyebrows, which will leave the hairs structured into a particular shape. The hairs are brushed straight up and a chemical treatment is applied to retain it. Once removed, the brow hairs appear fluffy and feathery.
At first, the brows can appear quite overwhelming and straight. However, they settle within a few days.
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Who is the ideal customer?
This treatment is ideal for people with bushy brows that follow irreguar patterns as it trains the hair to go in one direction. It’s also good for those with finer, more sparse brows as it can create the effect of fulller brows.
Another bonus is that it’s not permanent, as it typically lasts for eight weeks as your eyebrow hairs grow out. Microblading, however, lasts for about a year and the procedure can be painful, which deters many.
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How does it work?
This treatment is similar to a lash lift, and is not painful although it may slightly irritate sensitive skin. Two treatment solutions are applied to the brows. First, a keratin-infused straightening treatment is brushed through the hairs and left on for 20 minutes to soften them and make them more malleable. In the next step, the hairs are brushed into the desired shape and another solution is applied to keep them in place.
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How to maintain it?
For the first 24 hours after your appointment, it is important to avoid getting your brow hairs wet. Thus, one should avoid exercising, swimming, going out in the rain or wetting their face when bathing. You should also condition the brows daily with a lash serum, ask your beautician to recommend a good product.
Feature image: Unsplash