• You’d think that by now, we know everything there is to to know about the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Megan Markle. That’s not the case.

    Harry and Megan’s official royal photographer, Chris Jackson, recently let the public in on anothet unknown fact from the big day.

    Speaking on the Royally Obsessed podcast, Jackson told hosts Rachel Bowie and Roberta Fiorito that there was a very special guest at the wedding that many might not know about.

    “What I thought was lovely was the fact that the couple invited 2,000 charity representatives from their various charities to be the first witnesses of them emerging from the chapel as a married couple.”

    Also in the crowd was a young orphan that the Duke of Sussex had met during his gap year in South Africa back in 2004.

    “Prince Harry invited Mutsu, a young orphan from Lesotho who I’ve met a few times over the years. He’s actually the boy that Prince Harry met on his gap year,” Jackson said. “He was one of the first people to see them come out as a married couple.”

    Feature image: Instagram

    Some believe you make your own luck, others hold fast to age-old traditions and superstitions. We’re not here to judge. In fact, many cultures swear by certain dates and times as being good for marriages, while naming other months as a wedding date will undoubtedly extract a gasp from some.

    An old rhyme would guide many in choosing their wedding month through the years (although it does seem to revolve around the weather of the northern hemisphere, so you might want to take it with a pinch of salt). We take a look at some of the months that will see you have a long and happy marriage, and which months to steer clear of.

    When to say ‘I do’:

    February: “Married in February’s sleepy weather, Life you’ll tread in tune together.”

    June: “Married in month of roses – June – Life will be one long honeymoon.”

    July: “Married in July, with flowers ablaze, Bitter-sweet mem’ries in after days.”

    August: “Married in August’s heat and drowse, Lover and friend in your chosen spouse.”

    September: “Married in September’s golden glow, Smooth and serene your life will go.”

    November: “Married in veils of November mist, Fortune your wedding-ring has kissed.”

    December: “Married in days of December cheer, Love’s star shines brighter from year to year.”

    When to say ‘I don’t’

    January: “Married in January’s hoar and rime, Widowed you’ll be before your prime.”

    March: “Married when March winds shrill and roar, Your home will lie on a distant shore.”

    April: “Married ‘neath April’s changeful skies, A chequered path before you lies.”

    October: “Married when leaves in October thin, Toil and hardships for you begin.”

    The rhyme and its wisdoms sourced from Chest of Books.

    Also read: Lucky and unlucky days to get married

    Image: Unsplash

    Are you a big fan of happily ever after? Well, why not say ‘I do’ at the happiest place on earth – Disneyland!

    Disney darlings will adore this wedding location that brings their favourite movies like Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella to life.

    There are Disneyland destinations in Florida, California, Hawaii, Tokyo, Paris and even aboard a Disney cruise. The various Disney theme parks across the world offer multiple wedding packages for engaged couples to pick and choose from.

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    “Memories to cherish forever are about to be made. Each Disney wedding destination offers something unique, something any couple can get excited about and something all your guests can enjoy,” says the company. “World-famous theme parks, award-winning Resort hotels and luxury ocean liners can’t help but make your celebration magical and the perfect prelude to the rest of your lives together. Decide where your fairy tale will begin.”

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    Couples can arrive in style in Cinderella’s horse-drawn carriage, tie the knot next to Sleeping Beauty’s castle and even enjoy a Disney-themed wedding cake.

    Count your favourite Disney characters in as wedding guests! Mickey Mouse, Aladdin, Mulan and a host of other popular characters can make an appearance at your big day. Couples may even arrange private performances by the renowned Disney entertainers for an extra fee.

    Disneyland offers in-house wedding experts, including a day-of coordinator – who handle everything involved in the planning process.

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    These packages, however, don’t come cheap. The prices typically include location rental, the ceremony fee, reception food and beverages and the wedding specialists. There are a host of additional services couples may choose from to enhance their event.

    Location and ceremony fees range from $2,600 – $10,000 depending on the specific venue chosen. Food and drink is per person, and prices range from $145 to $190 per person depending on whether you want brunch, lunch or dinner.

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    Feature image: Unsplash

    What’s a wedding without flowers? From the bridal bouquet to centrepiece arrangements, flowers have become an integral part of the big occasion.

    While roses are popular for obvious reasons, there are so many stunning flowers with meanings just as romantic. If you’re planning your bouquet, consider one of these flowers.

    Salvia

    This adorable flower has different meanings depending on its colour. A blue salvia says ‘thinking of you’ while a red one means ‘forever mine’. We think the red varietal is pretty fitting for a wedding day.

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    Edelweiss
    The Sound of Music fans might be even more inclined to incorporate this flower in their bouquet, considering its sweet meaning. The flower stands for courage and devotion, both of which are necessary for a healthy marriage.

    Gardenia

    Gardenias represent purity, joy and love, much like a wedding day. In Victorian times, people used flowers to convey messages to one another. They used gardenias to express their love and devotion without revealing their identity. Thus, gardenias came to represent a secret or untold love.

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    Myrtle
    Myrtle is a popular addition in royal bouquets. In fact, every British royal bride since 1940 has carried myrtle in her bouquet. This bloom is meant provide good luck and encourage love and fertility in a marriage.
    Honeysuckle
    Much like its sweet scent, this flower has a beautiful meaning. The bloom stands for devotion and strong bonds of love. It is meant to symbolise being united in love because of the flowers clinging nature.

    Tulips 

    Yellow tulips represent cheerful thoughts, white convey forgiveness and purple represent royalty. However, red tulips symbolise perfect love. According to Turkish legend, Prince Farhad fell in love with a maiden named Shirin. After she was killed, he was overcome with grief and killed himself by riding his horse over the edge of a cliff. Scarlet tulips are said to have sprung up from each droplet of his blood, giving the flower its meaning of ‘perfect love’.

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    Camellia

    Much loved by the Victorians, this flower is meant to say “my destiny is in your hands”. The white varietal is given to someone you like, while pink camellias represent longing for someone, and are often given to someone who is greatly missed. Red camellias symbolise love, passion and deep desire.

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    Lavender

    Besides their amazing scent, this beautiful bloom stunning  meaning. Lavender is typically a sign of devotion, and also has calming properties. It might come in handy to ease those nerves on your big day.

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    Daffodil

    Daffodils are perfect for celebrations of any kind. This cheery flower typically symbolises new beginnings, and we’d say a wedding is the start of a pretty big new way of life.

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    Lilac
    The meaning of this flower shifts depending on colour, so be careful! White lilacs symbolise purity and innocence, while violet lilacs symbolise spirituality. Blue stands for happiness and tranquility, magenta for love and passion, and a purple lilac symbolises a first love.

    Feature image: Unsplash