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In Emotional

Women throw best friend a surprise wedding

March 5, 2020 No Comments

Shevon Cupido and Carmelete Mentoor have been best friends for almost 30 years, and have supported each other each step of the way. Proving that she is a true ride-or-die friend, Shevon, along with their other lifelong friend Jolene Muller, threw her best friend Carmelete a surprise wedding.

Carmelete met her future fiancé Shawn at a party in 2006. They exchanged numbers and soon became official. In 2012, the pair became engaged at the Cape Company Gardens. However, due to financial reasons, Carmelete and Shawn struggled to set an official wedding date.

Shevon decided to step in and give her best friend a day she’ll never forget.

“They were planning on eventually having a small ceremony and getting a member of their church to marry them at their house, just the two of them. I knew that wasn’t what she really wanted in her heart so I knew I had to do something as every wedding deserves a celebration,” Shevon explains.

Sunflowers are the bride’s favourite flower, so Shevon decided to base the decor on this plant and everything fell in place.

Of course, planning a surprise wedding comes with even more difficulties than planning your own. Shevon experienced much stress, particularly over whether they would have enough finances to make the perfect day.

To keep the surprise alive, Shevon came up with a diversion.

“My plan was to take her and her now husband out on the Saturday as her 40th birthday was the Thursday before. This gave me an excuse to have them ready for the day and luckily they did not suspect anything until we reached the wedding destination, which was my in-laws home. Before entering the home, I then told them that they are actually there to celebrate their wedding day and was met with shocked but happy faces and lots of happy tears.”

Luckily the bridal couple was over the moon at this surprise.

“I was shocked and burst into tears when Shevon told us,” says Carmelete. “I then ended up crying the entire day with happiness and gratefulness. I just couldn’t believe that today is the day that I will be getting married. Finally.”

“My favourite part was seeing everyone that I keep close to my heart. My day was overwhelmed by love, happiness and most of all a thankful heart.”

All images taken by Tred Magill.

Featured image: supplied

In Advice

The ex-factor: Should you invite them?

February 25, 2020 No Comments

The million dollar question! If you were in a serious relationship before dating your current partner, you might wonder how to go about it. You can’t deny that they were a significant part of your life, but you also don’t want to create unnecessary tension or make anyone uncomfortable, least of all yourself or your new partner.

So, if it’s something you’re considering, it largely depends on a few factors. Keep these in mind when making your decision:

Do you have a relaxed friendship with them? If so, and hopefully in that case they are friends with your current partner too, of course you should invite them. That probably means you broke up on good terms and have put the past behind you. We say go for it.

If, however, things did not end on a good note and there is unfinished business, or unresolved feelings from their side (hopefully not from yours!), then it might be a no-go. You might think you are just being polite, but the truth is, you don’t owe them anything. Having them there might just create opportunity for a scene you don’t want.

If they are the plus-one of an invited guest, but you did not actually plan on inviting your ex, discuss this with your partner and the invited guest. If it makes you or your spouse uncomfortable, you can talk to the guest and sensitively explain why you don’t think it’s a good idea. Any reasonable person would understand if they are made aware of the situation.

Lastly, in which ever scenario you find yourself, avoid two things: Trying to make your ex jealous with your new partner, and disregarding your new partner’s feelings. If you’re trying to make anyone jealous, you might have to work on some issues and make sure you really are over your ex. Remember, your new life with your new partner should kick off with a happy start and if it would hurt them, we say don’t go there. It’s not worth it.

Image: Unsplash

In Celebs

Inside David and Victoria Beckham’s lavish 1999 wedding

February 18, 2020 No Comments

They’re one of the most iconic couples to ever walk this Earth. Victoria and David Beckham, or Posh and Becks as they’re affectionately referred to, have been married for over two decades and have kept us entertained throughout. While they’ve definitely elevated their style game since then, we’ll never forget the truly memorable fashion choices they made on their big day. Let’s take a look back at their over-the-top wedding day…

Posh and Becks said ‘I do’ on July 4, 1999 in a truly 90s way. For their big day, they settled on the Luttrellstown Castle in the outskirts of Dublin in Clonsilla. Working with wedding planner Peregrine Armstrong-Jones, the couple chose a ‘Robin Hood’ theme with a dark, rich colour scheme. Instead of flowers, Victoria opted for berries, twigs and brambles to carry in her bouquet.

The event was dubbed the ‘celebrity wedding of the year’ and even required police presence to keep crowds away from the festivities.

Victoria wore a strapless silk Vera Wang gown with corset detail and a 20-foot train. To top of the look, Posh donned an 18-carat gold tiara, while David went bold in an all-white suit and cravat. Their four-month-old first child Brooklyn matched his parents in a white suit of his own.

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Surprisingly, the wedding ceremony itself was quite small. The pair only had 29 people witness their vow exchange. After the couple said their ‘I do’s”, a flag reading ‘ V. B. D.’ (for Victoria, Brooklyn and David, naturally) was raised above the castle and a dove was released.

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Their reception was a greater affair, boasting 230 guests including Victoria’s fellow Spice Girls Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Melanie Chisholm, as well as Manchester United teammate Gary Neville who acted as David’s best man. During the reception, Posh and Becks, who changed into matching purple outfits, sat atop golden thrones and shared their first dance to “It Had To Be You.” They also cut into their untraditional wedding cake decorated with apples and greenery with a sword.

https://www.instagram.com/p/qBw0LZFiAX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Also read: A look at Victoria Beckham’s 14 wedding rings

Feature image: Instagram / David Beckham

In Emotional

Bride honours sister on her wedding gown

February 14, 2020 No Comments

Megan Dean, who got married in October 2019, recently told TODAY the heart wrenching story of how she used her wedding dress to honour her deceased sister Rylie. In a Facebook post, on January 3 – which would have been Rylie’s 19th birthday – Dean detailed her tribute further.

Dean was only 4-years-old when her little sister passed away due to a heart condition. Despite having only known her for 8 days and despite having three living sisters, the now 23-year old Dean could not let her special day go by without including Rylie in some way.

Her plan was to integrate her sister’s baby blanket into her wedding gown. For this she employed the help of her mother, Rebecca.

“Getting her blanket required my mom and I to open up a box filled with Rylie’s things that we hadn’t looked at for years”, Dean told TODAY.

“Getting to talk with my mom about her experience and the memories she had was something quite special”, she added.

The bride-to-be at the time had her tailor create a patch in the shape of a heart using the blanket which had her sisters name embroidered on it. The patch was then sewed to the inside of Deans wedding gown.

In her Facebook post dedicated to Rylie she wrote, “This is the blanket you were swaddled in the moment you left our mother’s womb. It is what wrapped around you as our mom and dad held you for the first time…This is the blanket you wore during my last memory of you, kissing your forehead for one final time and not wanting to leave your side. I could not fathom celebrating a new beginning without you right there alongside me.”

If this wasn’t enough to tug at your heart strings, Dean had another idea. She requested that an identical patch be made, also using the baby blanket as fabric. The second patch would be a gift from her to her father; he would wear it as a pocket square as he walked her down the aisle.

“I was so excited to show my dad our tribute to Rylie. When I showed him the heart, I remember him saying through tears, ‘It’s her blanket,’ and we both began sobbing”, she told TODAY.

Dean also surprised all her sisters with the tribute to Rylie. We’re sure this made the day extra special.

Images: Facebook / Megan Dean

In Advice

Help! I don’t get along with my in-laws

February 10, 2020 No Comments

Everybody knows getting married is a package deal. You might adore your new spouse, but that doesn’t mean you will necessarily get along with their family. However, as much as we’d love to tell you it doesn’t matter, it does. Family is family, no matter what and building good relationships with your in-laws will make for a healthy relationship with your partner. Here are a few things to try if you’re faced with a monster-in-law.

– Don’t judge a book by its cover

This is true of all relationships. The way people seem is not always the way they are. Even if they behave in what comes across as rude or mean, it might have nothing to do with you. There might be a deeper insecurity or issue that leads to certain behaviour. Always give people the benefit of the doubt. Also remember that people have different personality types, and not everyone will always get along. That doesn’t mean you can’t be civil towards each other for the sake of your partner. Try spending some one-on-one time with the person and find common ground. You might just be pleasantly surprised.

– Stand your ground

If you have tried getting to know them better and being kind, but nothing’s changed, it might be time to stand your ground. There’s a line between being nice and getting walked over, which no one deserves. If things get so heated that they make you uncomfortable or the other person is downright condescending, you may want to set boundaries and be straight with them. Don’t compromise on your own values just to get them to like you. It’s important for them to know that they should also respect you and your beliefs, even if they don’t agree. Try to explain your point of view in a calm and open-minded manner, giving reasons for your view points.

– But not too much

That being said, always keep in mind that your relationship with your partner comes first. You don’t want to end up hurting them or worse, forcing them to choose between you and their family. If you have tried to be the bigger person, stated your take on things and set some boundaries, but the conflict is still not resolved, you might actually want to take a step back. This might include politely declining from family gatherings. It’s not worth losing your partner over a feud with your in-laws.

– Always be respectful, even if they’re not

The golden rule in every situation is respect. Accept the fact that you may never get along, even though you tried. However, and this especially applies during the “stand your ground” phase, always be respectful. That way, you don’t give them any ammunition to fight with, plus you’re showing your partner that you respect them too. Never stoop down to verbal abuse, immature games or using children as a means to manipulate their grandparents, for example. As long as the in-laws are not actually doing anything illegal or harmful, there’s no reason for you to keep your partner or children away from them. The battle is between you and them.

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

How weddings have changed over the years

February 6, 2020 No Comments

Weddings come with tons of customs and traditions, the history of which is always quite interesting. Many couples are eager to incorporate age-old practices into their weddings. Over the years, however, the practices have changed and transformed.

For those who want tradition and modernity, or who would prefer to customise their wedding to be more original, perhaps insight into how wedding traditions have changed over the years will help to find a middle ground.

– Asking for permission

In years gone by, it was often considered respectful to ask a woman’s father for her hand in marriage. Today, women have much more agency and are no longer considered to be “passed on” to their husbands. Many still follow this custom as a sign of respect. However, others have completely done away with the tradition.

– Veils

Originally, the wedding veil was a way to protect the bride from evil spirits on her wedding day. In 1849, however, Queen Victoria donned a veil as fashion for the first time ever. Since then, many brides have decided to go without a veil or have replaced it with other accessories such as flower crowns.

– Not seeing each other before the ceremony

In the past, it was considered to be very bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding. This tradition started at a time when arranged marriages were more common, and was a way to ensure that a groom did not have a change of heart before the ceremony.

Today, many couples have “first look” shoots. They have a private moment together before their nuptials to capture the first moment they see each other in their wedding attire.

– Receptions

Today, we have large receptions that take months of preparation and planning. We offer full meals and often have a constant flow of food and drink for our guests. Previously, a wedding reception was merely some cake and tea at the home of the brides parents.

– The classic vows

The classic wedding vows, which can be traced back to 1549, say that the bride promises to “love, honour, keep, obey, and serve” her husband to be. The last two words are often dropped, these days.

– Rice throwing

Traditionally, newly-weds were sent off from their weddings by having rice tossed at them. Today, bubbles, eco-friendly glitter, or sparklers, amongst other things are often used instead.

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

Tim Moolman: Not your average wedding photographer

February 4, 2020 No Comments

Wedding photographers are a dime a dozen, but this one truly stands out. An official photographer to the British Royal Family, Tim Moolman has captured some famous moments. His love of wedding photography, however, has become career-defining.

Widely recognised as South Africa’s leading documentary wedding photographer, Moolman’s work is iconic. He is a rare breed of professional photographer, able to capture photographs in many different genres – and do it well. He’s a Fujifilm X-Photographer ambassador, a passionate documentary photographer, and is also known for his skateboarding photography.

Surprisingly, this artist only began capturing these moments at the age of 30, and quickly fell in love with it. He learned most of his skills on-the-job while working at a photography shop that hired out photographers for various events.

Through his wedding documentary work, it is clear to see that Moolman is a craftsman that blends into the background to capture those images brides and grooms might have wished were taken during their big day. Instead of the big moments, Moolman favours those smaller, more intimate exchanges. Some of his favourite moments of a wedding are when guests are interacting with the couple, congratulating them with hugs and kisses. Behind-the-scene photography tells the story of the moment, capturing smiles and tears, the joys of those who were there and, sometimes, the sadness that goes along with it.

“During a wedding, hundreds of random things happen every minute. There’s joy. Tension. Anticipation. Glee. Drama. Boisterous buttons seek to escape. Little fingers trail across spotless windows. Soggy (t)issues sit in the hands of emotional aunts. I see these little moments clearly – and wedding couples miss out on them, because you can’t be everywhere. But I am.”

“This is my passion, these are my images, this is your story.”

To couples, Moolman advises that they take the time to truly enjoy the day instead of focusing on all the things that may have gone wrong.

“No event ever runs 100% according to plan and I feel it’s far more important to focus on the love and joy with friends and family instead of worrying about some minor table decoration.”

Please visit his website or his Instagram to view more of his incredible work.

Feature image: supplied

In Advice

Wedding processional songs to walk down the aisle to

January 28, 2020 No Comments

The bridal march is a classic, but sometimes you want to be different. Opting for a unique, contemporary song to act as the backtrack for your walk down the aisle makes for a more a memorable moment. To set the tone for the rest of your day, be sure to pick a song that fits you and your partner.

Here are some alternative options to the traditional ‘Here comes the bride”.

– 10 000 Hours – Dan and Shay

– Marry You – Bruno Mars

– Kiss Me – Sixpence None the Richer

– Songbird – Fleetwood Mac

– A Thousand Years – Christina Perry

– Lucky – Jason Mraz and Colbie Callait

– The First Time Ever I saw Your Face – Roberta Flack

– Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles

– Stuck on You – Lionel Richie

– Crazy Thing Called Love – Queen

– Love of My Life – Queen

– (They Long to Be) Close to You – The Carpenters

– My Girl – The Temptations

– Let’s Stay Together – Al Green

– Beyond – Leon Bridges

Feature image: Unsplash

In Emotional

Stunning underwater wedding photography makes waves

January 28, 2020 No Comments

A memorable image will live on forever, and this one is pretty magical. This couple combined their love for each other and the water to create a breathtaking underwater image.

Photographer Kimber Greenwood captured a stunning image of newlyweds still in their wedding attire kissing underwater at Kelly Springs in Apopka, Florida. Of the image, Greenwood says, “This is a two image composite. The current was intense so my assistant was holding me in place! I love underwater portrait work and this session was a dream come true!”

The image quickly made waves, and was even given an honourable mention in the Underwater Art category at the Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition.

Another shot from the photography session. Credit: Kimber Greenwood

Greenwood must have found a passion for underwater photography. She also offers underwater maternity shoots!

Feature image: Unsplash

In Celebs

Inside Demi-Leigh and Tim Tebow’s wedding

January 28, 2020 No Comments

It’s been one week since Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters and Tim Tebow tied the knot, and they’re letting us in on their big day. Both shared a beautiful 5 minute video showing fans an inside look into their nuptials.

“Happy one week anniversary @timtebow !Its still surreal that I get to call you husband ?The song you’re listening to in this video, “Pennsylvania by Matthew Mole,” was our first dance song. @matthewmole wrote and was so kind to perform our first dance song live at our wedding. Thank you for capturing Tim and I’s love story in your music and giving us another way of holding on to so many beautiful memories. Full song now available for download. Visit the link in my bio!” Demi-Leigh captured the video.

Watch the video below:

https://www.instagram.com/tv/B70O8Hkh-bX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The pair got married at the La Paris Estate in Franschhoek on January 20, 2020. South African celebrity wedding planner Zavion Khotze organised the day. The former Miss Universe wore an off-the-shoulder cowl-neck dress by Davids Bridal. Demi-Leigh’s favourite performer, Matthew Mole, performed his original song “Pennsylvania” for their first dance.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7oMECWBgFd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Demi-Leigh also shared a tutorial on how to achieve her beautiful wedding look.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/B7vNr-UhjTO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Feature image: Instagram / Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters