Diversity unites us. We are no longer confined to people from our own creed, culture or nationality. Perhaps once upon a time, it was frowned upon to marry across cultures, and couples would have to convert or choose one culture or the other. But in this day and age, it’s not unusual for people from different backgrounds to tie the knot.
Anjuli Nanda and her husband Charlie Diamond are the picture-perfect example of two cultures merging. They had two weddings: a traditional Indian wedding, and a traditional British one, both which took place over one weekend.
Two separate weddings obviously means two different dresses! On the Friday wedding, which was a traditional Indian ceremony, the beautiful bride wore a striking red lehenga, a type of full-length skirt that is embroidered and pleated, designed by Nepalese-American fashion designer, Prabal Gurung. Anjuli chose the lehenga not only because it is traditional wedding attire, but to pay tribute to her late mother.
The colour red is highly symbolic in Indian weddings, representing life, love, passion, prosperity and fertility. The bold colour also compliments various complexions, and the bride is always guaranteed to stand out. Anjuli’s lehenga was filled with detail and meaning. The skirt consisted of eight panels, each with patterns that represented meaningful moments in the couple’s relationship.
Anjuli was also bedecked with jewellery for the wedding. Her wrists were stacked with red bangles, along with a few of her mother’s gold ones, and her necklaces and one set of earrings were designed by Anita Dongre. The glowing bride also donned a pair of Marlo Laz earrings designed by her friend and bridesmaid, Jesse Lazowski.
The big day consisted of various traditional Indian wedding customs, including the Baraat – the groom’s procession to the ceremony on horseback. Arriving on a decorated horse, the groom is then welcomed by the bride’s family and garlands are exchanged. Anjuli and Charlie’s ceremony was also conducted by a Hindu priest and performed under a traditional mandap. After the ceremony, the couple and guests indulged in cocktails along with an Indian buffet.
For the British wedding on the Saturday the next day, the bride wore a white Westwood Couture gown from Vivienne Westwood with a perfectly-fitted corset. In keeping with English tradition, Anjuli had Something old, new, borrowed and blue – her great-grandmother’s gold wedding band (“something old”), Marlo Laz tanzanite and diamond ring (“something new”), her mother-in-law’s earrings, bracelets, and trinity ring (“something borrowed”), and her mother’s sapphire and diamond pinky ring (“something blue”).
This time, the ceremony was conducted by the dashing groom’s friend, and Charlie’s sister and Anjuli’s maid of honour each did a reading. The happy couple wrote their own vows. After the ceremony, everyone enjoyed famously British pastimes such as badminton and croquet set up on the lawn, followed by the wedding reception.
So what’s better than one wedding? Two, of course! For Anjuli Nanda and Charlie Diamond, this was a dream come true.
Picture: Unsplash
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Tennis star Caroline Wozniacki stepped off the court and walked down the aisle in a ceremony worthy of high praise.
The blushing bride shared the first look at the behind the scenes bits and pieces that went into making her big day possible – from dress details to pictures at her wedding venue.
Most impressive was how she custom-created the event to include her sporty personality.
Wozniacki and her now husband, former professional basketball player David Lee, were even named sports’ most romantic couple by Vogue this year – it’s so easy to see why.
She wore an Oscar del la Renta dress that perfectly matched the dreamy setting of the castle ruins at the idyllic Castiglion del Bosco in Tuscany. The details of her dress were handsown and it fit her like a glove. The ethereal gown was embellished with cascading floral details and her train was perfectly designed to fit down the 262-foot long aisle.
The bid day was managed by event planner extraordinaire Alex Fitzgibbons of Fait Accompli, the very same company that managed Duke and Duchess of Cambridges’ and the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs’ phenomenal ceremonies.
The aisle was an extravagant show of drama lined with white roses and purple snapdragons, featuring two large urns overflowing with flowers. Fitzgibbons ensured the most dramatic entrance for the bride as the stone pathway that runs along the property was her entry point.
Caroline was escorted down the aisle by her father at exactly 6pm wearing a classic cathedral length tulle veil and diamond earrings and a bracelet by Ruchi New York.
The groom looked dashing in his Tom Ford suit and the pair said their vows in front of 120 close family and friends, including bridesmaids Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian.
As the fiery Tuscan sun started to dip, the couple were pronounced husband and wife.
After the ceremony guests made their way to an unforgettable cocktail bar set up and dinner commenced at 8pm. A sleek long table framed by a canopy of greenery intertwined with lights and candles welcomed guests.
A three-course Italian dinner was served during speeches.
The bridesmaids wore mint green ensembles with designs to suit each one’s personal style.
Wozniacki and Lee took to the floor for the first time as husband and wife to the classic some “Love Someone” and an evening of unforgettable happiness and love ensued.
Pictures: Instagram/Castiglion del Bosco
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Wearing heels for the entire duration of your wedding may seem a little daunting, especially for women who are not used to being in heels for hours on end. Let’s face it, some of us live in sneakers or takkies, so why change who you are on your wedding day? Rocking a pair of sneakers is the perfect shoe to say “I do” in.
With so many customizable options for wedding sneakers, you will be spoilt for choice. We can’t think of a better way to dance the night away.
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Sneakers can be subtle or overstated. The style options and colourways are endless. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can order and customise your own sneakers online. There is literally a pair of sneakers for every fashion sense.
While choosing a pair of shoes for your wedding may be overwhelming, there is one thing that a pair of sneakers has over any other shoe: comfortability.
Rocking a pair of kicks down the aisle will most definitely leave your guests intrigued. Also your lower back, knees and hips will be eternally grateful.
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If you really wanted to add a touch of flair to your outfit, buy a matching pair of sneakers for him and her. Nobody will forget the wedding where the bride and groom wore a matching pair of sneakers, will they?
Image: Pixabay
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Choosing the diamond, making the purchase, popping the question. Three tasks that require a sufficient amount of consideration but once they’ve been accomplished, and before you make the big announcement, there’s something else you should think about: insurance. Not particularly romantic but extremely important nonetheless. This piece of jewellery is far too valuable, in numerous respects, for you to lose or have stolen. Wedding Album gets some pointers on protecting this valuable asset from Mutual & Federal‘s Head of Product Solutions Fourie Grobler.
1 Choose the right insurance policy
All risk insurance is perhaps the most effective insurance coverage for a specified item such as an engagement or wedding ring. The policy ensures that, while you’re away from home, your ring that you wear daily will be covered if lost.
2 Keep all documentation
Hang on to documents such as the jeweller’s valuation certificate, a photo of the ring, and, of course, the receipt. These are crucial in speeding up – and smoothing out – the process of making an insurance claim.
3 Value your ring regularly
‘It’s very important to update the value of your jewellery on a regular basis to make sure that your sum insured is adequate,’ says Fourie. So ensure you have your ring is valued every year so that the insured value is up to date with the replacement value. A jeweller will either offer you a free annual valuation or charge a flat rate for one. The latter option includes an updated valuation certificate.
Photography pixabay.com