From terrible tragedy, this couple found love. One of the most terrifying mass shootings in the US became a turning point for Austin Monfort and Chantal Melanson.
Austin Monfort and Chantal Melanson first met at a Las Vegas country bar in September 2017. Monfort made enough of an impression on Melanson that she invited him to hang out with her at the Route 91 Harvest music festival outside the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Vegas.
It was at this festival that gunman Stephen Paddock opened fire on 22 000 unsuspecting partygoers. The Las Vegas mass shooting has since become the deadliest of its kind in modern US history. 58 people were killed and more than 850 injured.
Monfort instinctively felt the need to protect Melanson when the gunfire began.
“I felt a sense of responsibility for Chantal,” he told People. “She was with me and not her friends. I felt like not only did I have to get myself out, but also her. Keeping her calm and getting her out kept me calm, and didn’t allow me to panic.” He helped guide her to safety, much to Melanson’s appreciation.
“I remember laying on the ground just looking into Austin’s eyes, trying to make sense of everything,” she said. “Next thing I knew, Austin was holding my hand and we were running through the entire grounds trying to make it to safety.”
“I felt safe with him — I didn’t want to leave his side,” Melanson said. “In many ways, he did save my life.”
This tragic, frightening night bonded the two together. They stayed in contact over the following months, eventually falling in love. They became engaged in March 2019, and have since married at a San Diego, California, courthouse.
Their traditional ceremony was planned for May 8 of this year in Vegas. However, amid the coronavirus pandemic, the pair have postponed their big nuptials.
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Feature image: Instagram / Tragedy to love
For some people, lying around by the hotel pool on your honeymoon is not enough. And why should it be? If you and your love are adventure-seekers, there’s…
Sebastian Cina and Jaclyn Hockenjos have had to postpone the day they’ve been planning for months, like many other couples across the world.
The two were supposed to say ‘I do’ tomorrow, May 16 in New Jersey. Instead of grumbling about the misfortune, this power couple instead launched a fundraising campaign called #WithThisRingYoullBeFed and are inviting friends, family and supporters to make donations. The campaign is partnered with a local food bank and will feed families in need.
“We were devastated when we found out we had to postpone our wedding,” said Jaclyn, a first-grade teacher. “Then we thought about it and realized we could use it as a platform to help people in our community, and that’s exactly what we intend on doing.”
More than that, they have even encouraged other couples who postponed their weddings to start their own campaigns.
If you would like to donate, click here: https://bit.ly/2YXs1OK
Join The Movement & Learn More: https://bit.ly/3boYwrV
Image: WithThisRingYoullBeFed
If you’ve spent most of your life with your nose buried in a book, a library is the perfect place to tie the knot. This way, you can…
Wearing white may be tradition, but it’s not a rule. Over the decades, many celebrity brides have decided against the expected, instead donning colourful gowns that truly made a statement.
From blush pinks to marigold yellow and even vivid purple, these famous brides have laid a serious case for colourful wedding dresses. Here are some celebrity brides that didn’t wear white on their wedding days
Elizabeth Taylor:
Screen icon Elizabeth Taylor went for bold colour for many of her eight weddings. She wore emerald green for her 1959 wedding to Eddie Fisher, yellow for her 1964 wedding to Richard Burton and a rainbow gown to wed Burton again in 1975.
Also read: Always a bride: Elizabeth Taylor
Keira Knightley:
Not only did she wear a colour-tinted dress, actress Kiera Knightley chose a knee-length dress she already owned. She paired her pale-pink Chanel minidress with sunglasses and a cardigan for her big day, and has since reworn the dress on the red carpet.
Kaley Cuoco:
The Big Bang Theory actress Kaley Cuoco married former professional tennis player Ryan Sweeting in 2014 wearing a bright pink custom Vera Wang gown.
Mandy Moore:
Mandy Moore wed musician Taylor Goldsmith in a lacy, tiered pink gown by Rodarte that perfectly complimented her pink wedding colour scheme.
Julianne Moore:
Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore went against tradition for her big day in 2003. Instead of white, she donned a lilac Prada dress featuring a deep v-neckline to marry director Bart Freundlich, who matched witha purple tie and striped shirt.
Sarah Jessica Parker:
The Sex and the City star went polar opposite tradition, opting for a black gown she purchased off-the-rack to say I do to Matthew Broderick back in 1997.
Kristen Bell:
Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard tied the knot at a courthouse back in 2013. For their big day, Bell wore a simple black dress.
Anne Hathaway:
Anne Hathawy looked every inch of a princess on her big day. In 2012, she married actor and producer Adam Shulman in a custom-made pink Valentino gown that she accessorised with a beautiful Flapper-inspired headpiece.
Gwen Stefani:
‘Hollaback Girl’ Gwen Stefani had the best of both world’s for her wedding dress. When she married musician Gavin Rossdale in 2002, she did so in a pink dip-dyed gown by John Galliano for Christian Dior.
Dita von Teese:
Living up to their unconventional relationship, burlesque performer Dita von Teese donned a Victorian-inspired violet gown custom designed by Vivienne Westwood when she married metal performer Marilyn Manson.
Jessica Biel:
Jessic Biel wore a stunning cotton-candy pink couture Giambatista Valli gown to marry longtime love Justin Timberlake. The custom stapless dress featured layers of delicate tulle.
Amber Tamblyn:
Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants actress Amber Tamblyn went bright for her wedding dress. She opted for a marigold-yellow gown to say ‘I do’ to actor David Cross in a low-key ceremony back in 2012.
Shenae Grimes:
90210 actress Shenae Grimes went for black dress from Vera Wang’s Fall 2012 bridal line to marry musician Josh Beech in 2013.
Feature image: Instagram / Kristen Bell
Dancing brings people together. Whether you’re a professional or you have two left feet, it’s always fun. At weddings, especially the westernized ones, everyone awaits the newlyweds’ first…
Trip planning time! If you’re recently married or plan to get hitched as soon as lockdown lifts, you’ll want to go on a special vacation with your love.
A honeymoon is a time to celebrate your new life together, bond and grow close without all the hassles of everyday life like work and kids.
A honeymoon abroad may sound exotic and exciting, but it might not be possible for another while to come. We’ll let you in on a secret. Honeymooning in South Africa is actually a way better idea! Here’s why.
1. You’ll boost local economy
The South African tourism industry is on its knees since the coronavirus hit. The lockdown has been especially hard for hotels, restaurants, tour operators and travel agents. Why not play a part in helping them get back on their feet? Supporting the local industry will strengthen the economy and recover livelihoods.
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2. It’s lighter on your budget
Of course, travelling abroad is expensive, no matter where you go. Booking locally means you can plan your budget in your own currency and don’t have to worry about exchange rates. Many tourist attractions have special prices for South African citizens, too.
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3. You’ll have more time
Not having to sit on planes and airports for hours means you spend more time having fun. Destinations are closer and getting where you want to be is easier than flying overseas. No time difference also means no jet lag, bonus!
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4. There is so much to discover
You might not think so, but there’s way more to South Africa than safari and Table Mountain (although those two are pretty awesome). Our diverse country offers remote camping spots, loads of adrenaline pumping adventure activities, idyllic beaches that are not overcrowded (try the West Coast) and a wealth of cultural heritage (have you ever been to the Cradle of Human kind?).
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5. It’s convenient
Unless you’re rolling in cash and can afford to book all the most luxurious companies that will do almost everything but your packing for you, it’s hard work travelling overseas. Getting from place to place can be a hassle on public transport and struggling to get an activity booked in a foreign language can be terrifying. Plus, you’re already missing your biltong and milk tart when you look at the menu with no idea what’s on it.
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Image: Instargam/VisitSouthAfrica