• Weddings are stressful. Throw family into the mix, and sometimes you find a recipe for disaster. However, one wedding couple found that a few family members were ready to douse the traditional disaster recipe in petrol, set it alight and watch the flames burn it to smithereens. 

    A bit dramatic, but we can only imagine that that’s exactly how it must have felt for the couple on their wedding day when all of the groom’s female family members showed up to the ceremony dressed in white. 

    A 33-year-old groom recently took to Reddit to share his story of the wedding “prank,” which hadn’t exactly gone down too well. In an AITA (that stands for ’Am I the A-hole’) post, the groom explained that the women in his family are a very close-knit bunch which he explained is similar to a “unit” that is rather “toxic.” He went on to explain that the women in his family “tease and roast every new woman that enters the family by marriage” as a way to “test” to see if the women deserve to be a part of the family. 

    Everything from the look and style of the women is roasted as they spend months teasing her before announcing that she has finally been welcomed into the family. Unfortunately, the cycle continues with every new woman that attempts to enter.

    According to the groom, his brother warned him of the impending mess that was about to ensue as the “unit” planned to wear white on the wedding day. Despite the group vehemently denying the rumours, the day of the nuptials saw the women sporting white as the “ultimate test.”

    The result? The groom asked them to leave, which resulted in a scene being made. His aunts and mother refused to leave, forcing the groom to threaten “harsher action.” Thankfully, they eventually all left, but not without his cousins blasting him on social media. 

    “My cousin blasted me on social media later, saying I excluded all the women from the wedding because my wife was insecure that she couldn’t handle another woman’s presence at the wedding.”

    However, things didn’t end there. The groom had an argument with his mother who states that she simply wanted to see if his future wife was a “bridezilla.”

    “I haven’t seen the lot of them in two weeks and they’ve excluded me from everything.”

    Picture: Unsplash

    There’s nothing more romantic than popping the question on a wholesome beat. It’s also a great way to personalise a moment since music enhances emotions, and emotions enhance our memory processes. Long story short, we’ll remember them going down on one knee and the associated feeling every time you hit play.

    One study took the time to sift through over 60 Spotify proposal playlists with 10 epic love songs coming out on top. Some of these hits you might know for being uber-romantic, while others may surprise you.

    Without further ado, here are the top 10 songs to propose to, according to Spotify.

    1. All of me, by John Legend 

    Because we all love romance!

    2. Perfect, by Ed Sheeran 

    The perfect lyrics: “When I saw you in that dress/Looking so beautiful/I don’t deserve this/Darling, you look perfect tonight”

    3. Thinking Out Loud, by Ed Sheeran

    And who wouldn’t want to be proposed to or kissed under a thousand stars?

    4. A thousand years, by Christina Perri

    A beautiful ode to love everlasting.

    5. Make you feel my love, by Adele

    There’s no Adele song that we don’t love.

    6. Marry You, by Bruno Mars 

    Uhm … it’s literally a song about wanting to get married – perfect!

    7. Marry me, by Train 

    “You wear white and I’ll wear out the words I love you”

    8. On bended knee, by Boys II Men 

    Get ready to ball your eyes out because Boys II Men will always be our go-to love crooners.

    9. Just say yes, by Snow Patrol 

    Just say yes!

    10. I swear, by All-4-One

    The lyrics say it all: “For better or worse/Till death do us part/I’ll love you with every beat of my heart/And I swear/I’ll give you everything I can”

    Picture: @breeannalasher

    Weddings and stress go together like All Gold tomato sauce and slap chips – it’s the perfect combination. 

    The infamous Bridezilla always seems to be a tiny disaster away, but one bride appears to have taken the stereotype to its extreme. 

    A Reddit user shared a less than flattering story of a bride and groom on their wedding day. 

    According to a Reddit user, her friend was in desperate need of a photographer as they were on a tight budget – and we all know how expensive weddings can be. 

    While she was more than happy to help her friend out, the user did admit that snapping adorable dogs pics was actually her forte, opting to charge $250 (R3 600) for 10-hours of work. 

    The day started great. 

    “On the day of, I’m driving around following the bride as she goes from appointment to appointment before the ceremony, taking photos along the way. I shoot the ceremony itself, and during the reception I’m shooting speeches and people mingling,” says the photographer, adding that she started around 11:00 and was due to finish around 19:30. 

    “Around 5pm, food is being served, and I was told I cannot stop to eat because I need to be the photographer; in fact, they didn’t save me a spot at any table. I’m getting tired and at this point kinda regretting doing this for next to nothing,” says the photographer.

    That wasn’t the end though. She told the groom that she needed to take a 20-minute break in order to grab something to eat and drink as she didn’t have any more water in her water bottle. 

    The breaking point? The photographer was told by the groom that she needed to either be a photographer or leave without pay. 

    “With the heat, being hungry, being generally annoyed at the circumstances, I asked if he was sure, and he said yes, so I deleted all the photos I took in front of him and took off saying I’m not his photographer anymore,” says the photographer who is now wondering if she acted too harshly.

    “If I was to be paid $250, honestly at that point, I would have paid $250 just for a glass of cold water and somewhere to sit for 5 min,” says the photographer.

    Many users came to the photographer’s defence, stating that “if you’re going to be there all day, then they absolutely should be fed. Plus, it just seems like the polite thing to do,” stated one user. 


    Read Also: Wedding veils that will wow a crowd

    Picture: Unsplash


     

    You’re about to say your “I dos,” an event that will undoubtedly sweep you up into a love bubble of bliss as you learn to adjust to your new life as Mr and Mrs. But after 18 months of living in close proximately (at least for some of us) with your other half, spending some quality time with the most important person in your life – you – is crucial to stepping into this life of partnership on the right foot.

    Indulging in a solomoon is a great way to get some much-needed “me time” before standing at the altar. Whether you choose to enjoy a week-long solo trip or a weekend under the stars, experts are adamant that prioritising some alone time is a must before embarking on your new journey. 

    What is a Solomoon?

    Think of it as a honeymoon, but solo. Basically, it’s an independent trip that’s taken before your wedding day. Marriage is about finding that sweet spot between independence and dependence, learning to build a life with someone while staying authentically you. Taking time out to enjoy your company – alone – is the perfect way to get reacquainted with yourself before getting married.

    Sky Villa Boutique Hotel – Plettenberg 

    Sky Villa Boutique Hotel

    Perched on a hilltop, Sky Villa offers incredible views of Plettenberg Bay that will definitely make your soon-to-be-husband a little jealous. It’s only a five-minute drive from the beach, but trust us, you won’t want to leave this sprawling property. They offer a range of accommodation options, but it’s the Sky Villa cottage that you have to take advantage of. The cottage provides comfort and luxury, with a touch of independence if you’re not keen on spending your time in a hotel during your getaway. A gym, restaurant, fynbos garden, swimming pool and their famous Sky bar are all on-site, so you’ll never have to leave (or lift a finger).

    Leobo Private Reserve – Vaalwater

    Solomoon - Leobo Private Reserve
    Lebo Private Game Reserve

    The key to an incredible solomoon is peace and quiet, and Leobo Private Reserve is paradise. Nestled within the Waterberg mountains, it’s a three hours drive from Johannesburg and offers everything you can possibly imagine for the nature-loving bride-to-be. Spend your day exploring this 20 000 acre reserve, with bird-watching, safaris, kayaking, game viewing and sky diving all on offer. Or enjoy a quiet time out by relaxing alongside the swimming pool or enjoying the mesmerising views. There’s literally something for everyone

    Woodsong Cottage – Dargle, KwaZulu-Natal 

    Solomoon - Woodsong
    Woodsong Cottage Airbnb

    Resorts aren’t the only place you can enjoy a solo vacation. If you love spending time on your own, blasting some R&B while cooking up a storm, then self-catering is a great option. Whether you’re exploring the lush landscapes of KwaZulu-Natal or looking for something a little closer to home, Woodsong Cottage is a steal. Nestled in the Dargle Valley and overlooking the Umngeni River, it provides some amazing views for the ideal time alone. Each bedroom leads out onto the deck, where views, views, and more views are on offer. A feast for your eyes for sure, but it’s the minimalist interior design and sense of escape from the bustle of wedding planning that will really leave you screaming with delight. 

    A Treehouse Stay – Port Elizabeth 

    Port Elizabeth Treehouse
    Port Elizabeth Treehouse Airbnb

    Allow your inner child to live vicariously through you before committing yourself to a life of forever with your person by booking a stay at this incredible Port Elizabeth Treehouse. You know it’s great when it’s ranked one of the top treehouse stays in South Africa, with endless views of the valley and sea in the distance right outside your window. Don’t forget to take your Lush bath bomb as you unwind in a bathtub that offers some incredible views of the forest – a nature lover’s dream! Grab a book and enjoy the incredible bird calls, soaking in the magical yet simple architectural design and interior. If it’s not on your solomoon list, then make sure to add it to your travel bucket list.

    Picture: Spirited Pursuit