It’s likely that the coronavirus pandemic will change the way of weddings forever. Now more than ever, it is important to abide by certain rules and regulations in order to stay safe. This means that wedding etiquette must change too.
Whether you’re attending a very small function in person or you’re watching a virtual ceremony, there are certain aspects of etiquette you’ll want to follow. Lest your friends or family consider you rude; you wouldn’t want that right?
If you’re wondering what coronavirus-era wedding guest etiquette looks like, not to worry. Here’s what to do:
For attending a wedding in person:
– Keep those masks on!
It doesn’t matter if you’re struggling to hear each other, or if people can’t see you smiling. Protecting each other’s health and wellbeing is the most important thing.
– Greeting
You may feel it a bit uncomfortable to not congratulate the couple with a hug, or greet other guests with a handshake or hug too. However, safety regulations dictate that no such physical contact should occur. This means you don’t have to worry about being rude when it comes to greeting. Stick to a chat or an elbow bump.
– Not attending
If you’ve been invited but do not feel comfortable attending an in-person function, be sure to let the couple know as soon as you possibly can. Since events are limited in the number of people who may be present, the couple will surely have somebody who can fill your seat. Be polite but honest that the circumstances make you uncomfortable and worried for your health. They will most definitely understand.
You may, however, still need to send a gift to the couple. Depending on how close you are, you can decide if it is appropriate or required.
– Best not share photos
The couple may have had to cut important guests from the list in order to abide by minimum number requirements. Avoid offending other friends and family by refraining from posting any images online, unless the couple directly gives you permission to do so.
For attending a virtual wedding:
– RSVP
It remains important to let the couple know you will be attending, despite the fact that it won’t affect their budget. This is simply good manners.
– Don’t share the link
If you’ve been sent a Zoom link or anything of the sort, do not share it with anyone who has not been invited to the wedding by the couple. Even though it won’t make much of a difference, it is their personal choice and their privacy that you are disrespecting if you share the link with uninvited guests.
– Do not attend in your PJ’s
Despite the fact that you’re cozy on your couch, you shouldn’t attend the wedding in sloppy attire. You don’t have to get fully dressed up, but be sure you look presentable.
– Gifts
It could be more difficult to give a gift, however, a monetary gift is quick and easy. If you’d like to send an item as a gift, be sure to let the couple know that you will be doing so.
– Congratulations
You may not be able to speak during the livestream, as it may be a bit messy and noisy if the couple unmuted all guests at the same time. However, you should definitely send them a congratulatory message either via text or you could film yourself sending some well wishes. It will mean a lot to the newlyweds.
Image: Pexels
Many say that in order for your love to be strong, it should be founded on friendship first. For South African on-air personality, actress and model Minnie Dlamini…
Before Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie sizzled on the silverscreen in their 2005 film Mr and Mrs Smith, the movie star was married to America’s sweetheart Jennifer Aniston.
The iconic couple shared a deep love for one another, as well as matching outfits and hairstyles. If they had stayed married, they would have celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary this year.
As we know, things didn’t work out that way. Since we can’t predict the future, why not look back on how things used to be?
The beginning:
Brad and Jen met in 1994 through their managers. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Aniston described him as a sweet, normal guy from Missouri. At the time, Pitt was dating fellow actor Gwyneth Paltrow, a relationship that would end a few years later in 1997.
In 1998 the pair first began dating after their agents set them up. It was on this first date that Aniston knew they were meant to be, she told Diane Sawyer in an interview.
“It was weird … That was a really easy evening. It was really fun.”
At the time, they were already two of Hollywood’s biggest movie stars, so it wasn’t long before their relationship was uncovered. In April 1999 they made their official debut as a couple at the Emmy Awards.
Love and marriage:
A few months after going public, the pair announced their engagement at a Sting concert in November 1999. The pair crashed the stage and Aniston showed off her new diamond sparkler.
They tied the knot on July 29, 2000 on a Malibu bluff. For her big day, Aniston wore a glass-beaded floor length silk and satin gown with a low back, designed by Lawrence Steele. She accessorised with a circular veil topped with a pearl-and-Swarovski-crystal crown.
Their wedding had 200 guests who were entertained by four bands, a gospel choir and fireworks, reports People. The wedding is estimated to have cost $1-million.
Of course, Friends co-stars Courtney Cox Arquette, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry and Lisa Kudrow were in attendance (Matt LeBlanc could not attend as he was filming a movie in Budapest at the time).
Other notable names in attendance included Pitt’s Fight Club co-star Edward Norton with Salma Hayek, who he was dating at the time, as well as Cameron Diaz, David Arquette and David Spade. Aniston’s mother was not present, as they were estranged.
Things fall apart:
For the first few years after their wedding, things were going well for the pair. In 2004 when Friends was ending, Aniston said she was looking forward to being able to dedicate time towards starting a family with Pitt.
“Yeah. It’s time. It’s time. You know, I think you can work with a baby, I think you can work pregnant, I think you can do all of it,” she said in an interview with The Guardian. “So I’m just truly looking forward to slowing down.”
At the time, Pitt had signed on to star in Mr and Mrs Smith alongside Angelina Jolie. In her interview, Aniston said she and Pitt planned to travel after filming wrapped.
As we all know, this was the beginning of the end of the couple. By May 2004, cheating rumours began to circulate and Pitt and Jolie became closer during filming.
Much later in 2006, Jolie told W Magazine that love began to blossom between them on set.
“Because of the film we ended up being brought together to do all these crazy things and I think we found this strange friendship and partnership that kind of just suddenly happened,” she said. “I think a few months in I realized, ‘God, I can’t wait to get to work.
“We just became kind of a pair. And it took until, really, the end of the shoot for us, I think, to realize that it might mean something more than we’d earlier allowed ourselves to believe.”
It’s over:
In January 2005, Pitt and Aniston officially announced their separation.
“We would like to announce that after seven years together we have decided to formally separate,” read their joint statement. “For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any of the speculation reported by the tabloid media. This decision is the result of much thoughtful consideration. We happily remain committed and caring friends with great love and admiration for one another.”
By October of that same year, their divorce was finalised.
The world quickly took sides and joined wither ‘Team Jen’ and ‘Team Angie’ as news on the couple’s break-up dominated headlines. To date, its been one of the largest, most influencial celebrity break-ups in history in terms of its impact on pop culture.
In an interview, Aniston famously said Pitt was missing a sensitivity chip. She also later told Vogue that she learnt many details of the affair from interviews Pitt and Jolie did.
Moving on
Since their breakup, Pitt went public with Jolie and they married in 2014. They have six children together, and announced their divorce in 2016, filing irreconcilable differences.
Aniston also remarried when she said ‘I do’ to actor Justin Therous in 2015. They later divorced in 2018.
With both actors single, many rumours began to circulate that they would get back together. Soon after his divorce, Pitt reportedly reached out to Aniston. In February 2019, he attended Aniston’s 50th birthday party and have had a few run-ins since.
Feature image: Pinterest
The global pandemic has forced many couples across the world to postpone their big days, and celebrities are not exempt from this. Modern Family star Sarah Hyland and…
Cape Town’s own olympic athlete Wayde van Niekerk made headlines across the country when he became the 400m record holder. He achieved a lifetime dream that day. It seems that the runner is set on making all of his wishes come true, as he found and married the girl of his dreams too. We take a look at his wedding, marriage, and more.
In December 2016, the Olympian got engaged to his girlfriend of 3-years, Chesnay Campbell. Taking to Twitter with excitement, van Niekerk posted a video showing off the ring, with the words “SHE SAID YES” written in bold across the footage.
— Wayde van Niekerk (@WaydeDreamer) December 29, 2016
Shortly thereafter, Van Niekerk announced that he would be concentrating on plans for his wedding, and shared no other details other than the fact that he was very excited to marry the love of his life.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpeZyL3nTvx/?utm_source=ig_embed
In October 2017, the pair tied the knot at the Bloemfontein Botanical Gardens. They had over 200 guests join them, including other sporting starts such as Siya Kolisi, Caster Semenya, and TV personality Siv Ngesi.
In a tweet Van Niekerk said, “Can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you,” accompanied by a black and white picture of him with his new wife on their wedding day.
“So blessed to start this next adventure with the girl of my dreams!” he said.
Can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you @Neshney. So blessed to start this next adventure with the girl of my dreams! I ♥️ you! pic.twitter.com/mhr0SNOwZE
— Wayde van Niekerk (@WaydeDreamer) October 29, 2017
Chesnay detailed how the pair planned their wedding.
On the decor, she said: “When it came to picking a wedding planner, everyone suggested one person, @tonypengofficial. I’ve never been the girl who dreamt and planned her wedding since she was 10 years old & Wayde kinda just told me that I can do whatever I want to, as long as he can pick his own suit. ? I met with Tony and told him all I want is for it to be white and as long as everything is pretty, he can do whatever he wants to,” she explained.
“The end result was everything I didn’t know I needed. He kept it clean and classy. Simplicity at its best. We didn’t want the over-the-top “celebrity” wedding because that’s not who we are. We wanted our guest to be able to communicate without having big plants & decor in their faces. We wanted it to feel intimate and comfy. It was the details in the simplicity that made it the most beautiful night ever.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpTshSPHLAg/?utm_source=ig_embed
About the reception, Chesnay said, “I can’t say anything else but that our reception was the biggest party ever. Having all our close friends and family around us made it very beautiful and super fun. Everyone danced. I mean, EVERYONE danced.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpcfA6enYEH/?utm_source=ig_embed
On the wedding day as a whole, Chesney said it was beautiful. “An ice cold day at the end of October ( I’ve always wanted an autumn wedding and God listens to his children so I will take all the blame, sorry) But I’d do it all over again even with the cold weather. What’s a cold breeze if you’re marrying your best friend?”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bej-Yy3giYj/
The couple are still as in love as ever, and Wayde shows off his wife very often.
I wanna give you what’s better than better. @Neshney #Fifteen27 pic.twitter.com/jhQ07jlzYJ
— Wayde van Niekerk (@WaydeDreamer) July 26, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8inVjeHiXc/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6aiNfxH2YQ/
Image: Twitter / Wayde van Niekerk (@WaydeDreamer)
South African politician Mmusi Maimane has reached a special milestone with wife Natalie. The pair have been married for an incredible 15 years. Taking to social media, Maimane…
Having to cancel your wedding is a sad feat. A Johannesburg man, however, is not letting it get the best of him. Rather, it has brought out the kinder side of him.
Matthew Boshoff from Johannesburg has unfortunately had to cancel his wedding due to unforeseen circumstances. After contacting his wedding venue to cancel his package, he found out they would not give him a refund.
Instead of letting this annoy him, he has decided to make the best of it through an act of kindness. Now, he hopes to find a couple in need to gift his wedding package to, according to Jacaranda FM.
Taking to Facebook to find a couple to spread the love to, Boshoff wrote, “Hello Facebook peeps, I need your help. Due to unforeseen circumstance, I have to cancel my wedding. The venue will not give me a refund but I have spoken to them about gifting my package away and they are ok with this. So, I am looking for a couple who is planning on getting married and maybe struggling a bit financially. I would like to help them with their special day by giving away my full package at no extra cost.”
The package, from Makiti Wedding Venue, includes several things like:
– 60 people
– The venue hire
– The catering (starter, main and dessert) the options can be changed to cater to your needs. (The cake will still be required on your side)
– Makiti’s beautiful outside chapel by the river
– Starter drinks for after the ceremony (these can be changed as well)
– Open bar afterwards
– A corkage fee has been paid for 16 wine bottles, this amount may change depending on your wine selection.
– All the decor already paid for; floral, vases, cutlery, cake stand etc. If you would like your own decor you can liaison with the decor lady and change as you please.
Boshoff said that this is essentially a full package, which excludes only the cake and a pastor. The chosen couple will have to pick a date that falls between a Monday and a Thursday, exclusive of public holidays.
“You are able to change any and all options as you please and any extra costs will have to be covered by you,” he added.
“Please share this far and wide so I can find an appropriate couple to give this away to,” he urged.
If you think you know of a couple deserving of this treat, or if you think that couple is you, email Matthew directly to [email protected].
Image: Unsplash