On your wedding day, it’s important to feel comfortable and stay true to yourself. Many brides may opt to up the sexy factor but if that does not feel authentic to you, don’t worry about it.

Dressing modestly does not have to be boring. You can still make a stylish statement while covering your cleavage, legs and arms if that is what makes you feel most comfortable. The important aspect then comes in the design of your wedding dress.

Lace, embellishments and beadwork do wonders for bringing life to an otherwise simple silhouette. If you’re not one for sparkle, opt for a more modern cut like a cape that will still cover your arms while giving you a fashionable edge at the same time. A super-long train and subtle corset detailing are also subtle ways to add a unique touch to your look.

Here are some stunning brides who rocked modest bridal fashion on their big day:

 

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Picture: Unsplash

As we bid 2020 goodbye and ring in 2021, with no end in sight yet to the Covid-19 pandemic that has forever changed our world, it’s worth taking a look at how Wrapistry has evolved to help couples – and their loved ones – celebrate their most important moments.

Wrapistry is a local online registry and gift store aimed at making happy couples (and their guests) even happier by creating the ultimate registry experience. They’ve already proven themselves market leaders in the wedding gift registry space and now they’ve evolved, just like the couples they help celebrate do, by creating baby registries to welcome new bundles of joy to the world.

“Weddings are just one part of a couple’s journey together. We want to be a part of every chapter. So, it makes sense for reimagining the baby registry to be our next adventure,” comments CEO, Jed Shein.

Brick-and-mortar shopping has quite rightly developed into the click-and-mortar variety: you order online and have it delivered to your home. Wrapistry uses design and technology combined with exceptional customer service to help couples – and their loved ones – browse through a curated selection of everything that new parents and the new arrival may need. Couples can choose from an amazing range of products. From stylish cots and sleek strollers to everyday essentials (think cutlery sets and vests), Wrapistry has created the ultimate baby registry. Plus, new, beautiful items are added to the online store each week.

Let’s face it, traditional gift registries don’t leave much room for creativity. With Wrapistry, though, couples can ask for what they actually want. They can register for gifts and cash funds – all in one place – so their loved ones have options. And when they really desire a big-ticket item (a baby stroller or bassinet, for example), simply turn on group gifting and give guests the opportunity to contribute what they can. No stress, no hassle and no fuss of keeping tallies of who gave what – Wrapistry does that all for you.

“Creating a gift registry should be one of the most fun experiences,” says co-founders Pat Berman and Linda Shein.

Family and friends may not always be able to celebrate a baby’s arrival in person during a pandemic, and that makes giving them the option of gifting something special that they know the couple chose themselves so much more special. For the couple, the Wrapistry team is on hand to help. The team has learnt much over the years: from the most popular gifts to the average amount people spend. Answer a few questions and they’ll recommend how many gifts to add to the registry, based on price point and category. This way not only will the new parents get a variety of items, but also accommodate different budgets.

Each Wrapistry registry includes:

– The option to play around with photos, background images and customise the welcome message.

– Notifications every time guests shop the registry.

– Free delivery. Plus, the option to choose when to have gifts delivered.

– Free exchanges before closing the registry.

– A 10% registry completion discount.

– Support for the couple and their guests.

Visit wrapistry.shop today to create the perfect registry for the new chapter you’re about to enter as parents.

Picture/s: supplied

What began as a simple COVID-19 vaccination ended as a sweet marriage proposal for this healthcare couple.

Robbie Vargas-Cortes (31) who works as a paramedic and EMS supervisor, was one of the first healthcare workers in Canton, South Dakota to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. His partner Eric Vanderlee, a registered nurse, was one of the vaccine administrators at Sanford Health.

Vargas-Cortes then decided to use this opportunity to plan the perfect surprise proposal. During the appointment, Vargas-Cortes rolled up his sleeve to reveal his arm and receive the vaccine, but to Vanderlee’s surprise there was already tape on his arm.

Initially, Vanderlee thought it was his partner’s way of jokingly showing him where the vaccine needle should go. Upon closer inspection, however, he realised that there was a ring taped to his partner’s arm.

“It just kind of dawned on me and I was like, ‘absolutely, of course, yes.’ It was just an amazing moment after I figured it out,” Vanderlee told CNN.

“Robby got his vaccine – and an enthusiastic yes from his now fiancé. Congratulations, Eric and Robby!” wrote Sanford Health in a Facebook post.

Picture: screenshot from video

Retired tennis star Maria Sharapova has some exciting news. The former athlete recently announced her engagement to British businessman Alexander Gilkes, after two years of dating.

Taking to social media, Sharapova gushed about falling in love with Gilkes at first sight.

“I said yes from the first day we met❤️This was our little secret, wasn’t it ??@gilkesa,” Sharapova wrote on Instagram.

 

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In his own post, Gilkes expressed how happy he is to be engaged to Sharapova.

“Thank you for making me a very very happy boy and saying yes. I look forward to a lifetime of loving you, and learning from you @mariasharapova,” he wrote on Instagram.

 

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Gilkes (41), is a close friend of Prince William. The pair met while studying together at Eton College and have remained friends ever since.

Sharapova and Gilkes have had a relatively low-key relationship. They went public in October 2018 when they took a trip to the Cotswolds, but had been spotted together as early as March that year,

This is the second engagement for both. Sharapova was previously engaged to former Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Sasha Vujacic before splitting in 2012. Gilkes was once married to designer Misha Nonoo, who is known for being the friendly matchmaker who set up Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. The pair divorced in 2016 after 13 years together.

Picture: Instagram / Maria Sharapova