• Get ready to say ‘I do’! Weddings are once again allowed in South Africa under Level 2 lockdown regulations.

    Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on Saturday, August 15 that the country would move to alert Level 2 on midnight of August 17, a number of restrictions of movement and activity have eased.

    On Monday, August 17 the new regulations were gazetted, with one point giving extra joy to the wedding industry.

    “All gatherings are prohibited except at [regulation 10 0f 15] gathering weddings, subject to a limitation of 50 persons, and directions issued by the relevant Cabinet member,” the Gazette reads.

    The gazette also reads that all those attending a gathering must wear a face mask and adhere to all health protocols and social distancing measures.

    Under Level 2 lockdown, weddings may continue but only for a maximum of 50 people in a gathering. As such, no big weddings will be allowed.

    This is exciting news for those who have had to postpone their big day amid the pandemic. If you’re keen to get married now, you’ll have to start considering a micro wedding. Luckily, we have the best advice.

    Also read: Why micro-weddings will be big in 2021

    Also read: Decor ideas for intimate wedding tables

    Also read: Coronavirus-era wedding guest etiquette

    Read the gazetted regulations here: 43620gon891s_0

    Feature image: Pexels

    Get your fairytale ending with a princess-cut engagement ring. This cut is incredibly popular, and graces the ring fingers of celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski, Cameron Diaz and Kate Bosworth.

    The princess-cut is the most popular of the fancy cut diamond shapes, according to Shimansky. It is a timeless shape, with a geometric silhouette that makes the stone appear brighter and whiter.

    If you’d like to join the ranks of the rich and famous, here’s what you need to know about the princess-cut.

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    The shape:

    A princess-cut diamond has a square-shaped stone with pointed corners, and can have up to 78 facets. From the side, it appears as if the stone is the shape of an inverted pyramid.  This cut offers stunning sparkle thanks to its high levels of brilliance and fire.

    About 80% of a rough stone’s radiance is retained when cutting a princess shape, compared to the 50% of a round brilliant shape. This makes a princess cut the more economical choice as well.

    This cut requires master craftmanship. In the wrong hands, the stone’s delicate and intricate facets can appear chunky.  It must have a deep cut, a relatively slim girdle and pointed corners. V-shaped prongs hold the body of the stone securely in place while also protecting the corners.

    “The square shape of this cut is associated with the personality traits of independence, audacity and confidence. Thanks to its beauty, brilliance and striking appearance, it’s not difficult to understand why the princess cut diamond has become such a popular cut among modern-day brides,” says Shimansky.

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    The origin:

    This shape is one of the newer cuts on the market, and has had multiple precursors. It is believed its origins began back in the 1960s when diamond cutter Arpad Nagy created the ‘profile’ cut in 1961. This cut has 58 facets and was designed to allow less of the rough stone to be lost in the cutting process.

    South African designer Basil Watermeyer then introduced the Barion cut in the 1970s, which was a stunning cut with 81 hard to replicate facets. Israeli diamond duo Betazel Ambar and Israel Itzkowitz followed up by creating the ‘quadrillion’ cut, which is the closest to the modern princess cut as we know it.

    How it got its current name is not definite, but jewellers suspect it is because of its radiant sparkle that makes the stone appear fit for royalty.

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    What to consider:

    If you’re on the market for a princess-cut ring, there are a few things to keep in mind. Generally, this cut is priced lower per carat because more of the rough stone is saved during the cutting process. Due to their multiple facets, incusions or natural imperfections are hidden quite well in the stone.

    However, because most of the weight is on the underside of the diamond or the pavilion, this cut may make the stone appear smaller than another diamond with the same carat weight.

    As such, you get higher brilliance on this cut but may sacrifice size. Each customer must decide for themselves what they care about more.

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    Feature image: Unsplash

    The white wedding has earned its place in the traditional Western society, but in recent years, more and more couples have deviated from tradition. Sometimes, you just want something a little different. Not a lot different, just a little.

    The champagne-coloured wedding dress does that effortlessly. You don’t have to go all out with bright and bold colours if that’s not your style. You can easily just veer a little off path and opt for the colour that will make you look and feel as sophisticated (yet fun) as a glass of bubbly.

    Here are our favourites to gather some inspiration from.

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    Image: Pixabay

    Kurt and Edith Leuchter from the Sun Valley East community in southern Palm Beach County have reached a significant milestone in their relationship. This unique couple survived the holocaust, and have been married for 70 years.

    Their story is one of love in the face of resistance. After overcoming one of the worst human atrocities, they built a long-lasting love and happy family.

    “We’re Holocaust survivors, I fought in the French Resistance,” Kurt Leuchter told Fox 29.

    Kurt was born in Austria and Edith in Germany. They met in 1943 at an orphanage in France after their families were sent to concentration camps.

    “I liked her very much, and after six months, we all got separated and had to go into hiding because the Nazis came looking for us,” says Kurt.

    After surviving the holocaust, they both seperately moved to America to start a new life. It was in New York in 1947 that they were reunited, as if by fate. Kurt had been speaking with a friend when Edith showed up behind him, tapped him on the shoulder and asked him for his phone number.

    They soon fell in love, and tied the knot on August 13, 1950. Over the course of their 70-year marriage they have welcomed two daughters and four grandchildren. They both agree that the secret to a long-lasting marriage is compromise.

    Neighbours made signs and held balloons to honour the couple on their special day, according to Fox 29.

    Feature image: Unsplash