• A year ago, Joe Jonas and Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner said ‘I do’ in an impromptu Las Vegas ceremony after the Billboard Music Awards.

    The pair married at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas in May 2019, in a ceremony officiated by an Elvis impersonator. During a video for GQ Magazine’s “Actually Me” series, Jonas reveals that the reason for this wedding was not that romantic.

    Jonas explains that the pair needed to legally marry in the States, as they planned to tie the knot in a big wedding in the South of France later in 2019.

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    “So we thought it would be really fun to get all of our friends, invite them out (to Vegas), and do an impromptu wedding,” he explained. “And we actually had some people that I didn’t even know that well there.”

    “Some people (in attendance) I am now closer with! Khalid was there! That was cool. And Diplo decided to livestream the whole thing.”

    Following the spontaneous wedding, Jonas did land in a bit of trouble with his parents.

    “My parents called me the next morning and they were like ‘Did you just get married?’ And I realised that I told everybody, but forgot to tell my parents. So, kids, make sure you tell your parents when you’re getting legally married!”

    Feature image: Instagram/ Sophie Turner

    Weddings, like a whole lot of other industries, have been heavily affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Experts say it’s likely to continue to change as trends adapt to current affairs. It’s safe to say that most couples who planned to get married in 2020 either cancelled or postponed their weddings. Some might have pushed through to get married online or at home.

    Couples who are looking to tie the knot next year, however, might also have to look into the best way to do that. Destination weddings, for example, might not be possible for a whole lot longer than we think, as well as honeymoons abroad.

    One wedding trend that’s been around for years but has recently become the go-to is the micro-wedding. That’s because some countries like the US and Sweden have not gone into lockdown, but are under social distancing regulations which mean they may move around freely but certain rules apply. Hence, those who got married had to scale down.

    Micro-weddings have many benefits, and we believe it’s only going to get more popular. Here’s why.

    It’s cost-effective

    It’s simple math: the more guests, the more expenses. Having a small gathering of 10 to 20 guests means cheaper catering. A smaller venue means less decor, and so it goes on. After the coronavius crippled the world economy, many couples might seek to save a few bucks and this is the perfect way.

    It’s more intimate

    Having to single out only your closest family members or friends will ensure that the event is more meaningful and intimate. You will have time to hang out with everyone individually, and create special memories with the people that really matter.

    Fewer practical arrangements

    This is a big one for many brides who plan their own weddings. Everyone knows how stressful all the arrangements can be, and more often than not, things go wrong. With fewer people comes less responsibility, and you’ll have more time to just relax and enjoy the time leading up to the wedding.

    It’s less pressure

    Modern society can easily turn into a situation where everything is a competition. Every couple tries to outshine the next and expectations from others can put a lot of pressure on the couple. Micro-weddings shift the focus back where it belongs: on the couple who want to celebrate their love.

    Image: Instagram

    Des Codona has always wanted to marry his partner and mother of his kids, Christine Meaney. The timing was just never right. When Codona was diagnosed with terminal cancer in April and given weeks to live, however, he knew that now was the time.

    Due to lockdown restrictions in the UK, however, Codona and Meaney did not think their dream was attainable. No weddings are allowed at the moment to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

    Des and Christine. Credit: Facebook / Middlesbrough Council

    Codona’s daughter Suzi contacted the Middlesbrough Council in the hopes that they could be granted special permission to marry in their home. The council first weighed a risk assessment, and decided to use their emergency powers to allow the wedding despite regulations.

    “In this instance, having spoken to the family and carried out a risk assessment, we felt it was something we could do for them,” said Registrar Dawn Galloway.

    “They are a lovely family and a lovely couple and we are really pleased that we were able to grant this wish and make it happen for them.”

    The pair wed on April 30 in their home. Of course, safety precautions were put in place. Registrar Dawn Galloway and her deputy Sarah Teece wore personal protective equipment (PPE) as they married the couple.

    Registrar Dawn Galloway and her deputy Sarah Teece in their PPE. Credit: Facebook / Middlesbrough Council

    The day was a meaningful one for the couple.

    “Des is absolutely buzzing, it has really given him a lift. It has really picked him up and that has made me feel a lot better. It’s given him a real boost,” said newlywed Meaney.

    “He had been talking to our children Suzi, Michael and Katie… and Suzi got in touch with Dawn and it spiralled pretty quickly – that was on Tuesday and on Thursday we were married. It was very surreal.”

    Feature image: Facebook / Middlebrough Council

    Your guests need to know where to sit at your reception, so you might as well guide them in style. Seating charts have gotten much more elaborate over the years. If you’ve got a creative eye and some time on your hands, why not try making your own?

    Using everyday items like glass bottles, cheese boards, plant leaves and mirrors, you can easily create a stunning seating chart that will impress your guests.

    Here are some creative ideas to inspire you:

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    Feature image: Pexels