• Big fan of Marvel or DC? Let your nerd flag fly with a sweet reference to your favourite comic book character on your big day.

    Add subtle personality to your groom attire with a superhero boutonnière. This is a super easy DIY that you’ll love for years to come.

    Here is how to make a superhero boutonnière, for the superhero groom.

    What you’ll need

    • Small bunch of fresh flowers

    • Elastic band

    • Floral tape

    • Ribbon

    • A superhero figurine (Lego men will work well too)

    Directions

    1. Arrange the flowers in a buttonhole shape – small enough to be wearable by the groom, but big enough to complement and hold your superhero in place.

    2. Fasten the flowers with an elastic band and floral tape, then cover the stems with ribbon or any other fabric of your choice.

    3. The last step is to attach your character to the flowers. You can be creative here and bend it or manoeuvre it in a way that makes the character look more alive.

    Tip: Make sure your character matches the theme and colour scheme of your wedding.

    Picture: Pinterest

    So you’ve decided it’s just not a party unless everyone, big and small, is invited. Including kids in your big day can be sweet and meaningful, but also a lot of work.

    Here’s how to make sure the lovely lilt of children’s laughter fills your day from start to sleepy finish, without any drama.

    Spare them the ceremony
    It’s perfectly acceptable to invite children to the reception but not to the ceremony, especially if it’s likely to be a long one. (This is when a babysitter will really come in handy, to entertain them off-site until the reception starts.)

    Hire help
    If the budget stretches, consider hiring a babysitter. That way both you and the parents can relax and enjoy the day knowing that their little ones aren’t getting into any danger – or mischief!

    Plan their own party
    What if you want to have flower girls and a little ring bearer, but would rather host an adults-only reception? Chat to the parents about arranging a fun evening for the kids after the ceremony – such as a sleepover at their friends’ house or a pizza party with a babysitter – and offer to cover any expenses. This way the kids won’t feel left out when everyone else goes to the reception, as they’ll have their own special plans!

    Have a kids menu
    Remember to factor in tiny tastebuds when drawing up the menu and drinks list. Canapés and a Cabernet may thrill your palate but they’re not going to do much for little rumbling tummies. A kids menu doesn’t have to involve fish fingers or greasy pizza – consider individual portions of delicious mac and cheese, gourmet sliders, or even a sophisticated French fry bar. Sparkling grape juice served in flutes for the tweens and teens will make them feel very grown-up.

    Seat them correctly
    It’s your choice whether the kids sit with their parents or at a designated children’s table. Just keep in mind that little grown-ups may not be amused at being stuck with the toddlers.

    Keep them entertained
    Remember that young attention spans aren’t the longest. Provide entertainment to keep them busy during speeches and other moments you’d prefer not to have an ‘I’m bored!’ break the spell. Wedding-themed colouring-in sets and join-the-dots games are great, and you can also get creative with I-spy lists and not-too-boisterous boardgames.

    Crashlanding
    Designate a room or screened-off area at the reception for naps, and fill it with comfy beanbags, pillows and blankets. Put a grandparent (or the babysitter) in charge of sending the little ones off for a lie-down before yawns and scrunched-up eyes cause mom and dad to cut short their time on the dance floor.

    Baby boogie
    Speaking of the dance floor, let your DJ know you’ll be having children in attendance so they can tailor the playlist accordingly. Explicit tracks may have to be swapped for radio-friendly versions, but perhaps a current teen favourite or singalong Disney song could be included so the little ones get some time on the tiles.

    Picture: Unsplash

    American TV personality Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey are the best of friends.  It is thus no surprise that King’s daughter Kirby would tie the knot at Oprah’s Santa Barbara home.

    Kirby Bumpus, who is Oprah’s goddaughter, married Virgil Miller in a small socially-distanced ceremony back in December 2020 after postponing their nuptials due to the pandemic.

    King took to Instagram to make the announcement, writing “FINALLY fav daughter @kirbybump gave me permission to share the news she’s a married lady.. she & Virgil Miller tied the knot in super small service(6 people) @oprah house in December. Strict covid rules I couldn’t even hug her on her wedding day that was haaaaard!

    “Not the wedding we planned in 2020 but my favorite son @willgb3 performed the ceremony… the day was gorgeous and so was kirby! I call that perfection.. swipe left for stunning pixs from @JoePug… thank you joe! Ps anybody have tips on being a good mother-in-law ?? Im all ears and taking notes!”

     

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    A post shared by Gayle King (@gayleking)

    The entire wedding process had to be tailored due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dress fittings were held via Zoom and had her mom, along with Oprah and her best friend offered feedback virtually. On the big day, mom Gayle couldn’t even help her daughter get ready.

    Her brother Will was not the original officiant choice, but he was the best option because h already had an officiant’s license.

    “Nobody knows Kirby the way her brother does, so for him to do the ceremony felt meant to be,” Gayle told Oprah Magazine. “My son, Will, says, ‘We call ourselves a tripod, and that day with Virgil, we became a perfect square,'” Gayle says. “Kirby really is so happy, and nothing beats when your children are happy.”

    Picture: Instagram / Gayle King

    Ever wondered where the rich and famous jet off to when celebrating their new status as Mr and Mrs? Well, wonder no more…

    With a little more disposable income than most, celebrities often go big to celebrate their recent nuptials. Instead of the big tourist destinations, however, they tend to set trends and visit smaller, more private spots.

    Here are a few of the most dreamy destinations celebrities have been loving.

    Cork, Ireland

    Kim Kardashian and Kanye West ended off their lavish wedding celebrations in Cork, Ireland. Situated in one of the most historic parts of Ireland, the Castlemartyr Resort is an 18th-century manor house that offers special honeymoon packages – including spa treatments and delicious complimentary treats on arrival to set the mood for a couple’s stay.

    The Serengeti, Tanzania

     

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    A post shared by Singita (@singita_)

    Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel enjoyed a stay in Tanzania after their super-secret exchange of vows in Italy. Following a private flight into Kilimanjaro International Airport, the couple lived it up in the lap of luxury at the Singita Faru Faru riverside lodge in the Serengeti. The lodge is said to be a combination of contemporary, organic styles and quirky practicality of a botanist’s camp.

    St Barths, Caribbean

    Lying 240 km east of Puerto Rico, the volcanic island in the Caribbean is frequented by celebrities on a regular basis. Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo honeymooned here in 2011, joining the likes of other celeb couples like Beyoncé and Jay Z who have visited the island for a little relaxation time before. The Hotel Guanahani & Spa is made up of 68 Creole-style cottages – a change from the towers of luxury suites and restaurants that often characterise exclusive resorts.

    Riviera Nayarit, Mexico

    The St Regis Punta Mita Resort was the choice of more than one celeb couple for their 2014 nuptials. Adam Brody and Leighton Meester revelled in the beauty of the romantic getaway, and Jessica Simpson and husband Eric Johnson spent time at the resort later in the year. A Couples’ Luxury Suite at the resort’s Rèmede Spa sees to all your R&R requirements.

    Turks & Caicos, Lucayan Archipelago

     

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    One of Hollyood’s favourite couples Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner enjoyed a low-key wedding at this exclusive private island getaway. The Parrot Cay is an award-winning luxury holiday resort on the island that’s seen its fair share of celebs… Barbara Streisand, Britney Spears, Bruce Willis, to name but a few.

    Amalfi Coast, Italy

     

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    While this breathtaking location charts on Kim Kardashian’s list of honeymoons (she and second husband Kris Humphries flew there after their flash 2011 wedding), Reese Witherspoon and husband Jim Toth have also enjoyed a taste of this scenic spot on the Italian coastline. The Le Sirenuse Hotel offers unbeatable views of the 50 km stretch of beach with rooms 70 m above sea level.

    Paradise Valley, Arizona, US

    Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa is where Beyoncé and Jay Z spent their honeymoon in 2008. The resort offers sporting facilities for guests who want to unwind on the tennis court or book sessions with a personal trainer. Getaway packages for the resort include a meditation-focused retreat, a Ferrari Casita package (designed for those with a need for speed) and a Thrill Seekers package for the adventurous.

    Picture: Instagram / Parrot Cay