A recently married couple and their photographers had social media up in arms with their wedding picture that include figures from the popular series The Handmaid’s Tale.
The picture, featuring the couple Kendra Munro and Torsten Mueller surrounded by hooded figures dressed like characters form the show, was taken in front of the “Hanging Wall” which is used as part of the set on the show. The wall is at Cambridge Mill, a restaurant and wedding venue in Ontario, Canada.
The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian novel by Margaret Atwood released in 1985 and later made into the television series. The story depicts a future in which fertile women, called handmaids, are forced into surrogacy to bear children for the rich. “The hanging wall” is specifically sombre because it is where those who refuse the tradition are hanged in the series.
The “handmaids” were digitally inserted by the photographers, Van Daele & Russell Photography. Response to the now infamous picture included commentary on the nature of the series and argues that “human subjugation” is not a suitable “theme” for a wedding. Others were outright furious and posted that “This is in such bad taste, is so f***ing incredibly tone-deaf, and ain’t how you honour this literary work [sic],” according to The Independent.
The photographers have since responded by telling PetaPixel that the couple as well as themselves are big fans of the show and that they decided to do it in the hopes that it would start a difficult conversation. “I joked about adding in some handmaids (since it seemed the natural thing to do since we were there … I’m certain any ‘creative’ or photographer would have the exact same thoughts)”, says Shawn van Daele.
“We didn’t expect the photo to go viral, but we are SOOO HAPPY IT HAS because hopefully it will wake people up to how they too contribute to the oppression and hatred that they’re rightfully worked up over.” In the end, Van Daele wants to remind people that this wasn’t “a ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ themed wedding,” it was their wedding day. One photo in a series of thousands from their wedding day that was intended mostly as a keepsake for them.
The picture has since been removed from the photographer’s website, reportedly on request of the couple.
Picture: Twitter/Van Daele & Russel
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You’ve finally made it. It’s been months of prepping and planning and now it’s the week of your wedding. However, the work does not end quite yet.
The week of your wedding is busy. It’s your last chance to make sure everything is secured and plans are in place so that your day runs smoothly. However, in the chaos it’s easy to forget what still needs to get done. Here is a wedding checklist of things to do the week of your wedding to make sure your day is perfect:
Have a full test-run of your look:
So far, you’ve probably had makeup trials, purchased shoes and secured your wedding gown. But have you put them all together? The week before your wedding is the perfect time to test-drive your wedding look from head to toe. This way, you can actually visualise how you will look and be able to fine-tune any aspects you are not pleased with so that the day of, you can just get dressed and go.
Break-in your shoes:
New shoes are great, but they can also be uncomfortable. If you’ll be wearing high-heels, make sure to give yourself a few days to break them in. Doing this will ensure you are as comfortable as possible on your big day.
Fine-tune the guest list:
At this point, everyone would have hopefully RSVP’ed. However, there are always people that leave things to the last minute. Now is the time to call people that have not responded to get definitive answers. You can then give the final headcount to hotels and caterers and let them take it from there. You can also then fine-tune the seating charts if need be.
Inspire your photographer and DJ:
If you have a specific vision for your wedding photographs, now is the time to let your photographer know. Send your photographer a list of the exact shots you want. Providing them with a mood board makes their job easier and also eases your concerns as you know you’ll get exactly what you want.
Don’t forget to make sure your DJ knows what song to play for your first dance, as well as what songs you’d like on the playlist. If you have specific songs in mind, provide them with a song list.
Have your engagement ring cleaned:
Your ring will be on show on your big day, so you better make sure it’s sparkling. Send your wedding ring in to be cleaned the week of your wedding to ensure that it is looking its best for all your photos.
Draw up a contact list and schedule:
Create a contact list of every service you’ll be making use of throughout your day, as well as a schedule of when they are meant to arrive and start working. Share the schedule with your bridal party so that they can help ensure everyone sticks to the timeline.
Confirm timelines and details:
It is easy to get wires crossed, especially if you are co-ordinating with many people. Liaise with your photographer, caterer, officiant, florists, cake makers, bartenders and everyone else you’ve hired to be a part of your day to make sure they know exactly when and where to arrive.
Write your speech:
If you will be writing your own vows, now is the time to finish them. Dedicate enough time to put your feelings into words. Once you’ve completed writing it, spend enough time learning your speech so that you are more comfortable actually saying it out loud.
Beautify yourself:
If you’re planning on having any treatments done prior to your wedding, do them three to five days before. This includes spray-tans, manicures and pedicures, dying or cutting your hair, facials, massages and waxing.
Pack an emergency kit:
You never know what you need until you need it. Pack an emergency kit to help solve any issues that may spring up. Things to put in your emergency kit include: a sewing kit, tissues, plasters, medication, gum or mints, deodorant and perfume, make-up wipes, a hairbrush and bobby pins, and a snack.
Image: Unsplash
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As the best man, you’re being entrusted to be the groom’s greatest support. Whatever he needs, you have to be ready and willing to help him. You’ll even have to expect the unexpected. For this, you’ll need an emergency kit filled with tools for every requirement or emergency that might just pop up. Here is what every best man will need in his emergency kit:
Personal items:
Gum/mints:
No-one wants bad breath, especially not on their wedding day. Slip the groom some gum or mints to chew on before the ceremony to keep his breath minty fresh. Just remind him to get rid of it before getting married!
Medication:
If a sudden headache or wave of nausea hits the groom, you have to be ready with some tablets to quell his ills.
Tissues:
Weddings and tears go hand in hand. Keep tissues in your pocket to pass to your groom when the waterworks start flowing.
Lip-balm:
The groom will be having his most important kiss on his wedding day, so his lips need to be moisturised and in tip-top shape.
Hairbrush:
Fly-aways be gone! Keep a hairbrush/comb on hand to smooth the groom’s locks before he walks down the aisle.
Cash:
You never know when you’ll need some money. Make sure to keep a few notes in your pocket in case you need to tip any of the vendors or do a quick shop run.
Clothing items:
Cologne:
Your groom should be smelling his best on his big day. Keep a bottle of his favourite cologne on hand to spritz him with before he weds.
Sewing kit:
Keep a sewing kit on hand in case of seam rips or loose buttons. If you don’t know how to sew (let’s be honest), replace the kit with hem tape or safety pins.
Extra cuff links:
Things can go missing easily in high-stress situations. Have a spare set of cuff links available in case the groom misplaces one of his.
Shoe polish:
No one wants a dusty shoe. Have shoe polish on hand to shine the groom’s shoes and keep him looking polished.
Lint roller:
Dust, random hairs and loose fabric threads can ruin the groom’s overall look. Make sure to give him a once-over with a lint roller to have him looking his best for his big day.
Image: Unsplash
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Imagine your wedding is going ahead on schedule and then you have an unexpected guest. Seems somewhat normal, right? Well, not for this unlucky couple, who were surprised by a bear at their wedding!
Sarina Thompson and Cory Alan Brewer had the shock of their lives when a massive black bear stumbled onto their wedding in the Great Smoky Mountains of Gatlinburg, Tennessee mid photoshoot. Luckily, their photographer, Leah McMahan Edmondson, was on hand to capture it all.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2vLNucg9JK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
“I had the bride and groom with me starting to shoot when we all noticed this bear,” photographer Leah McMahan told The New York Post. “He turned and started down the aisle. Being scared didn’t cross my mind, I just wanted ‘the shot’.”
The bear then made a huffing noise and started coming toward them, at which point Leah began to panic.
“He jacked my heart rate up to Jesus,” she said.
Luckily no one was injured.
They say a picture says a thousand words. Well, these photographs definitely tell an interesting story!
Image: Instagram/gypsysoul_knoxville