Sometimes, a bit of self love is all you need. A bride called off her wedding to “marry herself” in a move to boost her self-confidence. Now, years later, she has married the same man she was originally engaged to.
Nicole Russo (39) became engaged to Paulo de Souza (35) in October 2013, after two-and-a-half years of dating. However, the wellness centre boss struggled with many insecurities that eventually lead to her ending their engagement.
“I remember at one point looking at that ring on my finger and thinking to myself, ‘wow how could I have gotten so far along in myself and almost committed to this other person before I had committed to myself and my own needs and listened to who I really needed to be inside’,” Nicole told Metro UK.
She called the wedding off and married herself instead, reciting her vows in her mirror on October 14, 2014. Years later, the pair reconnected and fell in love once again. This time, Nicole already had love for herself and was able to accept Paulo’s love.
The pair tied the knot of October 12, 2019, just a few days before her fifth wedding anniversary to herself. Nicole sees the two as very different weddings.
“My marriage to myself is not the same as my one to Paulo. It’s not a legal marriage, nor a traditional one with a church and big white dress. Rather, it’s a way of committing to and loving myself.”
Some may find the idea of self-marriage strange, but Nicole believes it changed her life for the better.
“As women, the old-fashioned view of marriage can feel like you are giving part of yourself up to your husband, but we should value ourselves and a self-marriage ceremony is a great way to do that.
“I’d encourage people to give it a go, even if it does feel a bit silly. There were times where I thought I was nuts and that nobody else in the world did this sort of thing. But once you learn to love yourself, it ripples out, and makes being kind to others come naturally.”
“Marrying yourself isn’t easy. There are a lot of tears and forgiveness involved, but it’ll also be the most fulfilling thing you ever do.”
Feature image: Unsplash
While the standard assumption is that celebrity marriages don’t last, there are actually some Hollywood couples who have proven that love conquers all. These great talents are also…
As part of the winning team in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Stormers fullback Cheslin Kolbe is no stranger to competition. Luckily, his love life has been an easy ride.
Cheslin and wife Layla, a chartered accountant, have been together since 2013. They met at the DHL Newlands stadium, and the connection was instant.
“We had played a Currie Cup game against the Xerox Golden Lions, and after the match I noticed a beautiful girl in a red hoodie coming down Boundary Road outside DHL Newlands,” Chelsin said in a statement.
“She stopped myself and Kurt Coleman, because her friend wanted to take a photo with us, and I have been in love with her ever since,” he said.
They soon began dating, and Cheslin knew Layla was the one for him. He popped the question in September 2016, after his team’s victory over the Boland Cavaliers at DHL Newlands. The location was extra special because it’s where they first met.
Take a look at their proposal:
WATCH: Cheslin Kolbe proposed to his girlfriend Layla Cupido at #DHLNewlands, and she said yes! #cheslinjoulekkerding
Posted by Stormers on Friday, 30 September 2016
The pair tied the knot in 2018 at Webersburg in the Stellenbosch winelands. Fellow rugby stars Siya Kolisi and Justin Geduld acted as groomsmen, and Rachel Kolisi served as a bridesmaid.
The couple’s daughter Kylah, who was nine-months old at the time, came down the aisle in a custom-made cart with a board that read: ‘Daddy just wait til you see mommy’. Their godchild, Siya and Rachel Kolisi’s son Nicholas acted as pageboy. He carried a sign that read, ‘no stepping this now Uncle Chessy’.
Layla walked down the aisle to ‘The Prayer’ by Celine Dion, a live duet sung by Vernice Platje and Danelle Lewin from the Hillsong church in Cape Town the couple belong to. For her big day, Layla wore a fit-and-flare Robyn Roberts dress covered in beaded lace with long sleeves, a detachable tulle skirt and a low open back.
They had an unconventional navy blue four-tier wedding cake with gold printed leafing and orchids flowing down, and a personalised hand-made topper figurine of Cheslin running with a rugby ball and Layla catching him/falling for him- depicting their love story.
South African comedian Siv Ngesi was the MC for the reception. Later in the evening, the wedding party was entertained by fire dancers.
Their wedding day was captured in all its glory by Top Billing, take a look:
The couple now live in France with their two-year-old daughter Kylah, and Cheslin plays for French rugby team Toulouse. They are expecting the birth of their second child very soon.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDeY0BfqlZV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Feature image: Instagram/Layla Kolbe
A newly married couple have been criticised for their ‘tasteless’ actions after they shared pictures from their recent wedding day. In the images the bride and groom, wearing…
Miles Teller and wife Keleigh Sperry Teller are celebrating their very first wedding anniversary.
The young couple married on September 1 in Maui, Hawaii in a Catholic church on the island. One year later, they have returned to the island for a romantic getaway.
“Happy one year anniversary to my all-time love @kelighsperry. You and me til the end,baby,” Teller wrote in a tweet.
Happy 1 yr anniversary to my all-time love @keleighsperry. You and me til the end, baby. pic.twitter.com/lHpdWRbEcp
— Miles Teller (@Miles_Teller) September 1, 2020
Keleigh simply wrote, “1 year ago, til the end”.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEnNkecjHj7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Miles Teller is known for his roles in The Divergent Series (2014-2016) and War Dogs (2016). He met model Keleigh Sperry in 2013 at a party for the Black Keys. The two hit it off and there was an instant connection.
A week later they went on the date, and the rest is history. After fours years of dating, Miles popped the question in August 2017. The pair went on a romantic safari in South Africa. While enjoying their morning coffee and the wilderness, Keleigh noticed a rose attached to a tree. She decided to investigate as she thought it was weird to see a rose in the middle of winter. The flower had a note attached to it and when she started reading it, Miles finished it and got down on one knee.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfMW4A9BgyC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Maui was the destination of choice for the lovebirds because it was a home away from home for Keleigh and her family. Miles joined them for family trips and fell in love with the destination. Hawaii seems to be a popular wedding spot for celebs.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B17v4x1jPZj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2DM7D5DUt_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The blushing bride wore a Monique Lhuillier dress, which was elegant and tradition, while still feeling whimsy and light. The ensemble was accompanied by her mother’s necklace, which is a family heirloom.
The dashing groom wore a suit by Celine, designed by Hedi Slimane.
Wedding guests included Nina Dobrev and The Divergent Series co-star Shailene Woodley.
Feature image: Instagram / Keleigh Teller
Another royal wedding is on the way. Prince Philippos of Greece has popped the question to longterm girlfriend Nina Nastassja Flohr. The prince proposed during a summer vacation…
This couple has come a long way from their Scooby-Doo days. Actors Sarah Michelle Geller and Freddie Prinze Jr. have beat the Hollywood curse and recently celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary.
It seems the key to this couple’s success is humour. In a social media post, Geller posted throwback images of their 2002 wedding day and captioned it: “You… are my favorite husband #happyanniversary”.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEmhd_hDFif/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
This iconic couple met back in 1997 on the set of I Know What You Did Last Summer, in which they both starred. Interestingly, it took another three years before they would start dating. They were meant to have dinner with a mutual friend, who ended up missing her flight. The pair decided to still meet up, and their love story began.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7_gvXLDqFs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
They got engaged in 2001 and tied the knot the following year in a lavish ceremony in Mexico. Almost two decades later, they are still going strong.
They have two children together: Charlotte (11) and Rocky (8)
Feature image: Instagram/Sarah M Geller