• This interracial South African couple’s proposal recently went viral on Youtube and the Facebook #ImStaying Group, proving that love should have no boundaries.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2rlKw-J8nK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    In a video posted to Youtube, Samuel Varrie proposes to his girlfriend of two years, Tshepiso Mathole. On their two year anniversary, Sam first had her read a flip book he made for her under the guise that it was just a gift. They then went to a beautiful park, where Sam proceeded to get down on one knee and propose. Since being posted a month ago, the video has racked up over 50 000 views.

    Watch the cute video here:

    The couple met in res at the University of Pretoria where they both studied. The pair were friends for two years but after they ran for chairperson and vice-chair of Tuks village, which they both got, the flame was ignited.

    They fell in love quickly, and after two years of dating, they are ready to get married.

    Sam spoke to Tshepi’s uncle beforehand to discuss all of the details because he wanted to follow customary law, but still wanted to keep everything a surprise. However, the uncle spilt the beans and told Tshepi that he met with Sam. According to Tshepi, nothing stays a secret in customary law.

    Out of respect for Tshepiso’s culture, Sam decided to engage in lobola negotiations. In order to do things right according to her culture, Sam’s family had to write a letter to the Tshepi’s family in which they detail their intentions to enter into union as families. The full negotiations will begin in December 2019.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2roycnD4yf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    “I wanted to share with people the love that we have,” Sam explains to Jacaranda FM about why they posted the engagement video. “There is such a genuine thing that can be amazing if you just look past your race”.

    Tshepiso says that although interracial relationships have become more normalised in society, they still get a lot of stares when they’re walking around. They’ve also experienced unsolicited comments when out in public.

    Picture: Youtube

    There’s nothing quite like being in a beautiful and lush environment. If you love nature and want to make use of its beauty then a garden wedding could be perfect for you. However, as with any wedding venue, there will be upsides and downsides and you will need to decide for yourself if the negatives outweigh the positives when it comes to planning a garden wedding.

    The location

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Los Willows Wedding Estate (@loswillows) on

    Gardens generally have plenty of space and can therefore accommodate all your guests easily. The setting itself is already natural and beautiful and so you will not have to worry too much about decoration. You will most likely be able to have your ceremony as well as your reception in the garden which cuts out travel for yourself and your guests.

    If you’re lucky and a family member or close friend has a stunning garden, they might allow you to have your wedding there and that will save you tons of money.

    However, if you are planning on holding your reception in the garden, you might want to hire a marquee to protect yourself and your guests from the elements and bugs. You should also have a back up plan in case it is incredibly windy or happens to rain on the day.

    If you’re looking at a public garden, it won’t be private and you may have trouble booking it during season as it will be in demand.

    The vibe

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Emma Joy The Wedding Planner (@emmajoytheweddingplanner) on

    A garden wedding invokes a casual vibe and is also a much more family-friendly wedding venue. Kids can run around and play without getting bored and wanting to go home and you can set up lawn games for the adults’ entertainment.

    On the downside, if you’re wanting a full set up then you will most likely have to rent everything including seating, sound equipment and a power source since there won’t be any electrical outlets in a public garden. If it’s in the garden of someone’s home, you can get away with running extension cables from the house to power everything you need.

    The logistics

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Destination Wedding Planner (@theonemomentevents) on

    The nice part about garden weddings is that you will be free to use vendors of your choice. You might be able to find good deals with unattached vendors rather than using sponsored vendors and then having to put up with their pricing.

    As with any open space, however, there is the issue of sound getting lost, especially if there is a breeze. If you’re under a marquee, then this shouldn’t be a problem.

    These are just a few things to consider when you are planning a garden wedding. There are wedding venues that have garden locations within them that will have all the necessary equipment that you would need, but you might end up paying heavily for this type of venue.

    Feature image: Unsplash

    Austrian countess Olympia von und zu Arco-Zinneberg married Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon Bonaparte on 19 October 2019 in a magical ceremony in Paris.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    I’m happy to report that our photo of our lovely Paris couple from last Saturday is gracing the cover of French magazine Point de Vue today. Check out the cover in our stories! ✨ . . . . Bride’s Dress by @oscardelarenta , Hair + Makeup by @gerhardmeir_salon, Christian Bräuer, Jean-Luc Minetti @alexandredeparis_coiffure . . . . . . #pariswedding #weddinginfrance #royalwedding #oscardelarenta #weddingphotography #destinationwedding #boda #destinationweddingphotographer #wanderingphotographers #fineartwedding #hochzeit #junebugweddings #greenweddingshoes #authenticlovemag #loveintentionally #ruffledblog #magnoliarouge #wayupnorth #firstandlasts #soloverly #thehappynow #iconoclashphotography #heyheyhellomay #weddingphotoinspiration #weddingdress #bridalstyle #classicbride #novia

    A post shared by Iconoclash Photography (@iconoclash.photography) on

    Prince Jean-Christophe is the great-great-great nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte and Countess Olympia is the great-great-great niece of his second wife, Archduchess Marie-Louise.

    In a symbolic union, one can say that history has repeated itself as the (former) Imperial House of France and the Austrian House of Habsburg wed once more. Minus the political motivation.

    In 1810, the wedding of Napoleon Bonaparte I and the Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria that took place was a strategic move by the Archduchess to end the conflict between Austria and France.

    The bride looked elegant and beautiful in her satin-and-lace Oscar de la Renta gown. The dress had a cut-out fern monogram that fit her perfectly. To match, she sported a caplet for the ceremony which was taken off for the reception, held at the historic Palace of Fontainebleau.

    Traipsing behind the gown was a gorgeous veil, trimmed with matching lace. Atop her head sat a bejewelled tiara.

    Image: Instagram

     

     

     

    You might think that a wedding planner wouldn’t want to do the work of planning his/her own wedding, since that’s what they do for a living. But actually, that’s the perfect reason for them to do it. They know all the ins and outs, the tricks and tips and most importantly, they have contacts in the industry.

    One such lucky lady,  California-based Erica España, recently threw her own wedding when she got hitched to her long-time best friend and high school sweetheart Dustin Lakin. They said their vows in the lovely English Gardens of Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. And here’s the best part: There was no one at the ceremony.

    Credit: Mike Radford

    Afterward the ceremony, they invited 30 family members for an intimate dinner at a hotel in Downton LA.

    Erica told Brides that she called in some favours for her big day. The couple’s custom invitation suite featured calligraphy and bright, cheerful botanicals. It also included elements that hinted at reception elements to come. She asked bakers she often worked with to make cookies and macaroons that matched the invitation suite. The treats were packaged in mini velvet bags, the same material used to line the envelopes.

    Credit: Mike Radford

    After the stately dinner, they threw a dance party for 90 guests. “I didn’t stop dancing until the wedding was over!” said Erica.

    As a wedding planner AND a married woman, we are eager to get some wedding advice from her. Her mantra is easy enough: “Go with your gut and do what makes you feel comfortable. When guests see that you’re relaxed and having fun, they’ll follow suit.”

    Picture: Brides/Mike Radford