News Archives | Page 11 of 46

In Celebs

UFC star Conor McGregor proposes to long-time girlfriend

August 11, 2020 No Comments

UFC star Conor McGregor has finally proposed to his long-time girlfriend of 12-years, Dee Devlin. The fighter put a ring on it on Sunday, August 9, which happened to be Devlin’s birthday too!

Taking to Instagram to announce his exciting news, McGregor posted a picture of himself and Devlin cuddled up, showing off the new engagement ring.

“What a birthday, my future wife,” wrote McGregor.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDodFIDJqDg/?utm_source=ig_embed

The pair share two children together, a three-year-old son Conor Junior, and a one-year-old daughter Croia.

McGregor has been open and public about his relationship with Devlin, and often credits her for his success in life. In an interview with MMA Fighting, he said: “My girlfriend has been there since the start. She has helped me throughout this career. If it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.

For me to be able to take her out of work, give her everything she’s ever wanted and to travel the world with her fills me with pride. It keeps me going. We’ve been together a long time. She’s been through it all with me.”

They started dating in 2007 after meeting in a nightclub, and they have been inseparable ever since.

For their happy news, congratulations poured in for the couple. Several other UFC stars including Holly Holm sent their well wishes. Conor’s father Tony, sister Erinn, and niece Taylor all sent their love too, and so did Devlin’s sister Sarah, who wrote, “My heart is so full for these two.”

Congrats to the happy couple!

Image: Instagram / Conor McGregor

In News

Joburg man wants to gift wedding to couple in need

August 7, 2020 No Comments

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.

– A professional photographer

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

In News

Beirut explosion caught on camera as bride poses for wedding film

August 6, 2020 No Comments

The massive explosion that recently shattered the streets of Beirut, Lebanon, caught many off-guard. People were simply going about their days as the shockwave swept through the city. One bride was in the process of filming an outdoor photo session in her wedding gown just as the explosion took place.

Israa Seblani, a doctor who works in the United States arrived in Beirut three weeks ago for her wedding, according to The Guardian. Seblani, who is the bride in the video, was in the city’s Saifi Village with her wedding photographer, Mahmoud Nakib, recording a film of her in her wedding dress as the explosion took place.

Speaking to CNN, Nakib said they heard an explosion and thought it was far away, so they continued filming. As it turns out, that was only the first explosion. “In just one second, the sky turned black and we heard the second explosion,” he said.

The shockwave caused by the explosion created a massive gust through the city, which was caught by Nakib on his film.

“The area I was in – within matter of seconds – it went from beautiful place to ghost town filled with dust, shattered glass and people yelling [and] bleeding. It was like a nightmare scene,” he explained.

“What happened during the explosion here – there is no word to explain … I was shocked, I was wondering what happened, am I going to die? How am I going to die?” the bride said to Reuters.

Everyone who was out filming with them made their way inside, and they are all safe and unharmed.

“We are still in shock … I have never heard anything similar to the sound of this explosion,” said Seblani.

“There is a lot of damage, many people were killed and wounded. But also if I want to look at us, myself, my husband, the photographer – how we escaped unharmed, I thank God for protecting us.”

The footage has been obtained by Reuters, watch it here:

Image: Screenshot from video

In Engagements

Man accidentally sets flat on fire during proposal

August 5, 2020 No Comments

When somebody plans out their proposal idea, they usually consider all things that could go wrong. Will it be interrupted? Will there be distractions? However, one would never envision their romantic proposal going up in flames; and we don’t mean that metaphorically.

A man from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, planned to propose to his girlfriend on Tuesday, August 3. He filled a room in his flat with hundreds of tea lights, balloons, and a nice bottle of wine.

After setting up his romantic gesture, he went to pick up his girlfriend to bring her to the flat. As they returned, their flat was on fire. According to the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, the cause of the fire was the tea lights.

The Fire and Rescue Department posted a series of Tweets, talking about the incident.

THREAD: Look closely. What do you see? That’s right, hundreds of tea light candles! ?️

Want to know what happened here? We thought you did. It involves a romantic proposal that didn’t quite go to plan, and includes an important lesson around candle use.

Lets go! ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/p8aU6pQAUF

— South Yorkshire Fire (@SYFR) August 4, 2020

“Last night three crews were mobilised to a flat fire in Sheffield. They dealt with it quickly, as ever, before trying to establish what caused it,” they said.

“So, a quick chat with the occupant revealed that this room had been filled with 100s of tea lights,” they said, adding “This was going to be the scene of a romantic proposal and the occupant, a chap who we shall not name, had really gone to town!”

After noting what was in the apartment and what had gone wrong, they said that the firefighters dealt with the fire quickly and nobody was injured.

Not to worry though, it’s not all doom and gloom! There is a silver lining.

“As a bonus, she said YES!” Fire and Rescue said.

However, the department noted that despite being sweet and romantic, candles can be quite dangerous. They urged that if people decide to make use of candles that they must ensure they are extinguished properly after, they are not placed near flammable items, and that they are most definitely not to be left unattended in an empty flat as you leave to fetch your girlfriend.

Image: Twitter / South Yorkshire Fire (@SYFR)

In News

Couple sneak wedding into iconic church, guests infected with COVID-19

August 4, 2020 No Comments

It seems that many still don’t think that breaking the rules has consequences. Not only can you get in legal trouble from breaking lockdown regulations, you also put your family and friends in danger, especially when having large gatherings.

A couple in San Francisco tried to sneakily have a wedding ceremony in the city’s iconic Saints Peter and Paul Church. Dozens of their loved ones including friends and family were present at the event. Now, several of those who were members of the wedding party have been infected with COVID-19.

Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple had intentions to marry early this year. However, when the outbreak and the resulting movement restrictions came into play, they rescheduled their wedding to July, according to The Denver Channel.

With the replanned, illegally held wedding, guests were instructed to make use of the church’s underground parking. The Chronicle reported that the bride’s father emailed guests three days before the wedding to explain safety guidelines they had put in place.

However, officials from the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office caught wind of the ongoings, and tried to stop the wedding. According to Business Insider, the officials told the couple and their guests that the wedding had to be held outside, as the city currently allows up to 12 people to gather in open spaces, without food or drink.

It was reported that thereafter, the couple took their ceremony to a nearby basketball court and had several guests tune in from a live stream. The bride, groom, and at least eight members of the wedding party later tested positive for COVID-19.

This was not the first time this church had broken rules. In June, the San Francisco city attorney’s office issued a cease-and-desist letter to several churches, including Saints Peter and Paul Church, after they held indoor masses.

Infectious disease expert John Swartzberg at UC Berkeley told The Chronicle that instances like this “infuriated” him.

“This is the perfect example of why public health officials have been trying to convince people of the problems with getting together in crowds,” he said. “And I would be shocked if we didn’t see this consequence. This should be the poster child in why people should take responsibility.”

Image: Facebook / Saints Peter and Paul Church San Fransisco (Alexey Speranksy)

In News

Lebanese beauty queen holds wedding amid lockdown

August 3, 2020 No Comments

Across the world, bans on social gatherings are still in place to curb the spread of coronavirus. However, recently many have broken rules for their own pleasure. A Lebanese beauty queen did the same and hosted her wedding on August 1.

The beauty queen and actress, Valerie Abou Charca, who happens to be Miss Lebanon 2015, married Lebanese businessman, Ziyad Ammar, in an open-space wedding venue in Bkerke. After the wedding ceremony, a wedding gala was held for family and friends of the newlyweds.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDYCxQ1lrNx/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDXcy-slpnd/

This occurred despite the government-imposed lockdown, with strict regulations by the health and interior ministries.

Some Lebanese citizens took to social media to express how irresponsible Charca was for allowing her wedding plans to continue despite the upsurge in coronavirus cases and the strict lockdown in the country. They criticised the couple and said that they were socially irresponsible.

Others, however, sang her praise and said that her wedding was beautiful.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDY4I7Vl5Zj/

Following the criticism, several ministries made statements about how some rescheduled weddings were allowed to go ahead with regulations in place, according to Arab News.

Health Minister Dr. Hamad Hassan, in a televised interview, said that he had made exceptions for seven specific weddings to continue despite the lockdown. However, if they had not followed procedural rules then the wedding would be reconsidered by the Interior Ministry.

“We have to adapt and live the joys and sorrows, but with certain procedures,” he said.

There has been no confirmation that Charca’s nuptials were one of the seven functions that were allowed. However, an official told Arab News that “Part of the regulations were that the party be held outdoors, social distancing be respected and the number of invitees must be limited in accordance to the venue’s seating and accommodation”.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDZ0nC2FfsS/

According to a member of Lebanese media, Yomna Sherry, the wedding was stopped by officials, however this has not been confirmed by any official or Charca herself.

Image: Instagram / Valerie Abou Chacra Magazine

In Do's And Don'ts

Bride asks guests to write essays on why they may attend wedding

July 31, 2020 No Comments

Planning a wedding is tough enough, but add a global pandemic and it’s almost nightmarish. While some rise to the occasion, others require guests to do some strange things in the name of love.

According to a thread on Reddit, one bride reportedly re-invited guests to the big day after she had to change plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Included in the RSVP is a request for each guest to write two essays on why they should be allowed to attend. The bride’s sister took to Reddit to ask whether she is in the wrong for refusing to RSVP.

“So my sister is getting married next February, destination wedding no less. I have doubts whether this wedding is actually going to happen with the pandemic and everything but she is totally set on moving forward,” writes the sister.

“Anyways because of the pandemic, her original venue has made her cut down on guests because they’re cutting capacity by half. As a result she’s sending out “re-invites” that asks everyone to RSVP again. But in order to figure out who to invite and who to cut, she’s asking all confirmed guests to submit two 250-word “essays” to two questions. The gist is that they’ll use these essays to choose who can come or not, based on people’s enthusiasm. People who don’t write the essays at all will be automatically disqualified.”

The two questions guests must answer are “why do you still want to celebrate this day with us?” And “what will attending our wedding mean to you specifically?”

The sister believes that she should not have to write these essays, as she is spending her own money on plane tickets and a hotel to attend the destination wedding, as well as a wedding present. However, the bride has told her that without an RSVP, she may not attend the wedding.

This has caused strain in the family, with the parents telling the sister she has to write the essays or else she will cause even greater issues with relatives.

Since the thread was posted, it has received 3 700 comments with the vast majority siding with the sister. Many suggest writing the essays in a sarcastic manner.

“I would definitely send in two essays. The first would say ‘Mom/Dad said I have to come or I’m in BIG trouble’ over and over again until you hit 250. The second, ‘I’m your sibling'”, comments one Reddit user.

Is the sister in the wrong for not meeting the bride’s wishes, or is it unfair of the bride to expect guests to motivate for why they deserve an invite?

Feature image: Pexels

In Celebs

Lupita Nyong’o joins brother’s wedding virtually

July 31, 2020 No Comments

As we all know by now, the virtual wedding has taken the world by storm as coronavirus prevents families from joining their loved one’s ceremonies in person. While some are saddened by the fact that they must join the party via video, others are grateful that technology allows them to stay close even when they’re far away.

Lupita Nyong’o is one of those who fall into the category of being happy that the technology exists. Without it, she wouldn’t have witnessed her brother’s wedding.

The actress tuned in to her younger brother, Peter (Junior) Nyong’o’s nuptials via video this week. Lupita is in the US, and her brother is in Kenya.

Like a proud big sister, Nyong’o shared snaps from little bro’s wedding (including her setup), captioning it: “Yup, he is off the market, folks! Sharing a moment of joy in my family’s life when my sweet, gentle, loving baby brother @juniornyongo made his declaration of love to his new bride @wanjawohoro this week.”

“I still cannot believe I was not physically present, but thank God for technology! Welcome to the family, Wanja” she added.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDRMsdKpYpf/

In a post to Instagram, Wanja Wohoro, the bride, said of their wedding: “Not the wedding we planned originally, but ultimately even more perfect and intimate than we could have ever imagined.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDQ4-hKgh2V/

Of course, congratulations came pouring in for the pair. Those sending their love included Star Wars actor John Boyega, who commented on both Lupita and Peter’s Instagram post’s. He wrote, “Yessss brooo congrats” on Peter’s upload.

Image: Instagram / Lupita Nyong’o

In News

Woman spontaneously photographs strangers’ intimate wedding

July 30, 2020 No Comments

With the coronavirus pandemic still ongoing, most couples are significantly scaling down their wedding ceremonies. This means that many are not making use of traditional vendors such as photographers.

One New York couple decided they would marry on the Brooklyn Bridge, with nothing but an officiant and a stunning view. However, they were in luck as a woman passing by decided it would be a terrible shame for them to go without a single wedding photo to remember the day by.

Nevona Friedman took a stroll on the Brooklyn Bridge on Sunday, 26 July. Along the way, she stumbled upon a couple getting married all by their lonesome, apart from the officiant. She decided she would help out by snapping some shots of the special moment.

“I realized there was no one else there — no family watching or photographer. I really can’t imagine getting married with no photos,” she told the New York Post.

Excited to share what she’d done, and hopefully find the couple to gift them with the photos, she took to Twitter.

“If you were getting married on the Brooklyn Bridge this evening, I’ve got some photos for you!” she wrote.

if you were getting married on the brooklyn bridge this evening, i’ve got some photos for you! pic.twitter.com/c61eDmAIaM

— nevona (@nevona) July 27, 2020

According to the New York Post, Friedman went on a search for the couple, tagging as many journalists as she could and posting the photo to various social media groups. She eventually found a mutual friend who put her in touch with the bride, Nikolina Kovalenko, a 32-year-old artist from Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

After getting engaged last month, Kovalenko and her now-husband, Stefan Ponova (30), decided they would have a wedding without all the fuss.

“We knew we wouldn’t be able to have a wedding where all our friends and family could attend,” she told The Post. Their lack of photographer was in an effort to keep to social distancing regulations and not put anyone at risk.

Another Twitter user seems to have captured the ceremony too and posted his photograph in the comments of Friedman’s post.

I was the second wedding witness ?? pic.twitter.com/Fz6ASbF0Eg

— John Prieto (@Johnick3000) July 30, 2020

Other Twitter users responded overwhelmingly positively, with one saying that this is all you need for a wedding.

Stunning dress, stunning scenery… all you need for a perfect wedding day if you ask me! The love of your life & a stunning sunset ? ❤️?????????

— Ruth Holcombe (@RuthHolcombe) July 28, 2020

This is really all you need when you get married. You & your intended, starring so deeply into each other’s eyes that you don’t care about the view behind you.

The rest of the wedding show isn’t necessary if you have that.

— East2West ?? (@CarolynEast2) July 27, 2020

Stunning photo at that! They are so lucky you were there! Perfect bit of kismet, especially needed to refresh our souls in these times! So glad you found them, Twitter!

— laurawinge (@laurawinge) July 28, 2020

Image: Twitter / Nevona

In Emotional

Mother’s lost wedding ring found in backyard after 34 years

July 30, 2020 No Comments

A Scottish family were granted a stroke of good luck when their late matriarch’s wedding ring was found in the garden of her home, 34 years after she lost it.

Mary Cunningham passed away in 2017, and is survived by son Phil Cunningham and daughter Laura Cunningham-Brown. She married her husband Jack in 1950 and had worn her wedding band ever since. Unfortunately, she lost her ring in 1986.

Fast forward 34 years, the new owners of Mary’s home happened upon the gold band in their garden, reports South West News Service (SWNS). They had been digging a new patio in their yard when they discovered the ring sitting in the mud. They then tracked down Phil to return the ring, to his complete surprise.

“We are all really thrilled, it totally came out of the blue. Such a lot has happened since she lost the ring, I had kind of forgotten about it. She saw the inscription and knew my mum’s name was Mary so tracked us down,” Phil told SWNS.

The return came soon after the family marked the three-year anniversary of Mary’s passing, making it even more emotional. Phil said that his mother would have been so happy to know the ring was back with the family after so long.

Phil’s sister Laura now proudly wears the ring.

Picture: Pexels