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    Women in lockdown wear their old wedding dresses

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    Throughout the world, many are isolating themselves at home amid the coronavirus pandemic. Sitting at home, however, loses its spark quite quickly, and its necessary to find something interesting to pass the time. So why not put on your old wedding dress?

    When bestselling American author Curtis Sittenfeld posted this picture in her old wedding dress, a trend was born. She captioned the image, “Social distancing Day 12: Today my kids wanted me to wear my wedding dress at lunch & I couldn’t think of a reason not to.'”

    The tweet now has over 240k likes and 18k retweets. Sittenfield’s followers decided to join in on the fun, pulling their own big day dresses out of retirement.

    Feature image: Twitter / Curtis Sittenfeld

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    In Advice

    How to have a fun online bachelorette party

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    We know, we know. It’s not exactly what you had in mind. But hey, sometimes doing things a little different can be tons of fun! So, if you were planning to host your own or someone else’s bachelorette party soon and you don’t feel like postponing, don’t worry. You can easily move it online. Here’s how:

    Choose your platform

    If you’re tech-savvy, you will be spoiled for choice. There are loads of different group communication platforms, including Skype, WhatsApp video call, Zoom, Google Hangouts and more. Choose the one you and your mates are most comfortable with and go for it.

    Invite everyone and make sure they can access it

    Of course, you and everyone attending will need reliable and strong internet access. It might be smart to do a test run a few days before to make sure everyone can access it and that it will work well. If not, you might consider trying a different platform. Then, the fun part starts. Make some awesome e-vites and get everyone to pin down the date (they’ve got no excuse not to be there!).

    Go all out with the dress code

    The most important part of the event is (arguably) the theme. If you have a theme or a dress-code, don’t leave it behind! You will still be able to see each other, and you will feel all the vibes if you dress the part.

    Have plenty of games on hand

    No bachelorette is complete without a bunch of games. Granted, this might not be the wild night out you planned, but it doesn’t have to be any less fun. Games like Heads Up, charades and Never have I ever will have you crying with laughter!

    Don’t forget the drinks

    This is can be combined with the games for best results. You can even all make cocktails together during the party (assuming you have all the ingredients already, since no alcohol will be for sale during lockdown). If not, get that steaming cup of coffee or heavenly tea ready!

    Image: Pixabay

     

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    In Engagements

    Man takes the last flight during global pandemic to propose

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    In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, this man had to make a decision of vital importance: to stay in Cairo or take the last available flight to Canada to be with his girlfriend. He chose the latter.

    Eihab Boraie was in Cairo when the covid-19 broke out. His Italian-American girlfriend, Francesca Brunndisini, is in Quebec City. As the global health crises deepened and became increasingly serious, Boraie realised he had to act fast.

    Soon things became more tense, as Egpyt announced that airports would shut down on March 19. This meant that the very few left over tickets were much more expensive than usual. But Boraie took his chances anyway. He didn’t expect things to work out.

    “I assumed the only way I would be travelling home was if the Canadian government sent a plane to retrieve stranded Canadians,” he wrote on CNN.

    Miraculously, he secured a seat on the very last flight to Canada. So he set off  to be with his girlfriend, leaving behind his loving parents who’s health he worried about.

    Once he arrived in Quebec City, he couldn’t wait any longer. The first thing he did when he saw Brunndisini was to get down on one knee and propose.

    Credit: Facebook / Eihab Boraie

    “She was completely caught off guard as less than 48 hours before she didn’t know when and if she would ever see me again, let alone predict that I would ask her to marry me,” he said.

    “She accepted my proposal, we removed our masks and made it official with a long kiss,” he added.

    Boraie joked that they sealed the deal with a ring and the possibility that he could have passed her the virus in that moment.

    “When the world is healed, our plan is to get married in Italy on the island of Giglio, but it’s hard to imagine when that will be. Until that day the only couple goals we set in stone is to stay isolated and survive the quarantine,” he said.

    Image: Facebook / Eihab Boraie

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    In Advice

    Who to leave off your wedding guest list

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    Let’s be honest, there are quite a few wedding guests who fall under the ‘non-essential’ category. We tend to invite people to be polite, because our parents expect us to, or because that’s what tradition dictates.

    Eventually, the list will grow too long. Your venue’s capacity may not allow for the long list of guests, or it could be the gaping hole in your pocket calling for you to cut down on the invites. Whatever your reason for a shorter guest list, you need to remember that in the end it’s your special day. You can invite (or not invite) anyone you please.

    If you’re wondering where to start trimming, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some people you can leave off your wedding guest list:

    – MIA friends and family 

    Your wedding is an opportunity to celebrate your love and the big steps you’re taking in life. Those who are present in your life should have a chance to share that happiness with you. If there are family members or friends you haven’t spoken to in years, there is no need to invite them. This is not a reunion, it’s a wedding.

    – Neighbours 

    Physical proximity should not be a factor in choosing your wedding guests. Just because they live next to you, doesn’t mean they get an invite. If you’re very friendly with them, it’s a different story, but if they’re the “wave and keep it moving” types of neighbours, then an invitation is not necessary.

    – Kids

    There is a lot of debate about whether kids should be invited to weddings. Ultimately, the choice is yours. But if you wanting to cut down on the amount of mouths you need to feed, this is a great place to start.

    – Your parents’ friends 

    No doubt your mom’s friend will see all your wedding photos on Facebook (and like them all individually). There’s no need for her to see it live.

    – Badly behaved guests 

    If you have a friend who is notorious for getting smashed and wrecking the cake at weddings, why would you invite them? Be smart, don’t do it!

    Also read: Should you invite kids to your wedding? 

    Also read: Wedding plus-one etiquette: Rules for the couple

    Also read: The ex-factor: Should you invite them? 

    Image: Pexels

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    In Engagements

    Agent E helps men find the perfect ring

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    Finding the perfect engagement ring is a tough task! If you’re a groom-to-be, or have experienced the ring shopping rush then you know a bit about this. We bet a one-stop-shop for finding the dream ring is exactly what soon-to-be-husbands are yearning for.

    Rowena Cumner, a 34-year-old Londoner, launched her engagement business, Agent Engagement, in 2015. The business helps men find the perfect engagement ring, assisting them in the full process including sourcing the ring and transporting it through airport security.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7isPFlgi6H/

    Cumner offers the service at no cost at all, with her income coming from commission from jewelers. According to Daily Mail, Cumner thought up this business idea when her friend requested that she assist in bringing a ring across London.

    About her business she said: “I started being Agent E to help people save time, hassle or money when searching the engagement ring market and it just became really fun. From teachers to doctors, builders to bankers, my clients seemed to find it fun too, pretending to be 007 running around creating the perfect ring.

    “The best part is that my clients never tell their partners that I’ve helped them. They want them to think they did it all by themselves,” she added.

    Included in her job description is ensuring that brides don’t catch on to the upcoming proposal. She claims that at times she speaks to clients more than 30 times a day, if they’re working with a deadline.

    Apparently, getting rings through airport security is the most difficult part. “Usually we get around this with a giant post-it note on the ring box alerting airport staff that it’s a surprise engagement ring and not to be opened carelessly,” she said.

    “Sometimes the rings are so precious we can’t risk a problem in security, so I once booked a £1 EasyJet flight to Dublin, just so I can get the ring through airport security slowly, in order to pass it over to my client outside Pret a Manger in Gatwick while his girlfriend was in the loo,” she added.

    Cumner takes pride in her business and is tremendously happy helping clients create the perfect proposal. “I will stop at nothing to help my clients pop the question with complete peace of mind – as long as it’s legal,” she said.

    Here are some of her happy clients:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7o0MhogATQ/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ8GeFRAomV/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ebxm_Ax4E/

    Image: Instagram / Agent Engagement

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    In Advice

    Does your personality match your perfume?

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    If eyes are the window to your soul, then perfume is the gateway to your psyche. Wearing perfume is like making your own non-verbal statement. Your scent follows you, speaks of and to you.

    Whether you prefer the boldness of musk or light floral notes, your choice in fragrance will leave a lingering impression on everyone you come in contact with so make sure it’s the right one. Before you spray away, consider which best suits your personality…

    Nature Lovers: Floral

    Earthy and sweet, floral scents are for the nature lovers. Floral scents are also distinctly soft and feminine. It’s for the woman deeply in touch with her femininity, who wants her sweetness shared with the world. The wearer of this scent immediately brightens a room with their warmth and sunny disposition. Jasmine, lily, and gardenia are popular ingredients for this perfume type.

    Self Assured: Musk

    A musky scent is hard to ignore, just like its wearer. Earthy, woody, animalistic, and intoxicating, this scent gives you everything and more. A musk-wearer is self-assured, the type that doesn’t need to shout to be seen. Naturally, this bold and confident scent can be polarising, so it’s not for the faint of heart.

    Feminine and Flirty: Fruity

    Fruity scents can go two ways. Citrus scents are sharp, clean, and energically fresh. It’s feminine without being too flirty, ideal for a woman with sass. Those who prefer the more tropical side tend to be more fun and full of life. Scents reminiscent of watermelon, berries or passionfruit are heartwarmingly optimistic, like a day spent on the beach. If you wear this scent, you’re most likely the life of the party.

    Uncomplicated: Fresh

    Understated but not underwhelming, this perfume scent is like a breathe of fresh air. Wearers of this scent appreciate simplicity and follow an uncomplicated way of life. If you’re into the minimalist aesthetic, this scent is for you.

    Well-grounded: Woody

    Typically the most popular unisex fragrance type, woody scents are earthy and grounded. With ingredients like sandalwood, cedar and patchouli, this fragrance type is easyngoing and clear just like its wearer. Those that spritz this scent are typically solid and dependable, but definitely not boring.

    Mysterious: Spicy/oriental

    This warm scent is dark and curiously inviting. Those who don a spicy scent are bold, mysterious and sensual yet playful. Almost hedonistic in nature, this smell speaks to an uncompromising personality who enjoys the pleasures of life. It’s perfect for a spontaneous wearer that likes to keep people guessing.

    If you’re looking for a new fragrance that is as multifacted as you, look no further. Like the Quatre ring that combines four different motifs with an array of colours and dazzling harmony, the Boucheron fragrances will reveal surprising facets and daring sharpness, reflecting elegance and style. A frenzy of precious raw materials unveil their scent uniquely in every occasion and for each skin.

    Boucheron Quatre fragrances are exclusively available in Dis-Chem Pharmacies.

    Feature image: supplied

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    In Bridal Shower

    Dramatic wedding entrances you won’t believe

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    Simply walking down the aisle on your wedding day is so expected. Some brides and grooms feel the need to really set themselves apart on their big day, and opt for grand entrances.

    From a skydiving groom to a flying bride, here are a few OTT moments you need to see.

    A bride and her balloons

    Ballerina beauties

    Let the sky fall

    Light ’em up

    The greatest show

    Feature image: Screenshot

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    In Weddings

    Couple forced to wed at home treated to surprise

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    A couple in Canada had to cancel their wedding due to the coronavirus outbreak. Instead of cancelling it all together, they decided to have their ceremony at home.

    Anastasija and Josh spoke to Insider and explained: “We got our decor, we got our party favors, we got our music, we got our DJ, photographer, everything,” said Anastasija. “Everything was planned until about three weeks before our wedding.”

    “And then, COVID,” Josh said.

    Anastasija’s brother and sister-in-law, who were supposed to provide the decorations, got stuck in Europe as borders began to close. Other guests also had to cancel due to travel restrictions. Then gatherings of 50 people or more were banned, leaving the couple with few options.

    All plans had to be changed and so the couple decided to let their 135 guests know that the celebrations would be a no-go. Instead, their ceremony would be held at home. Only family were to attend and Josh’s best friend, his best man.

    Anastasija explained: “We can’t even express how hard it was to message all of our friends that we’ve been so excited to have at our wedding to be like, ‘We’re not only moving the date, but you guys can’t come’. It was heartbreaking. But we came to the conclusion that we could either postpone or we could just get married.”

    Their makeshift wedding took place at Josh’s parents house, with white draping for decor. Josh said that the wedding felt very intimate.

    “It felt very personal and very intimate. What do you really need when you get married? You don’t need all the trappings, all the decorations, all these things. You just really need family, and maybe a few close friends, and that’s what we had.”

    The couple weren’t able to cancel their limo and so rode in style to a location away from the house to take their wedding photos.

    Josh’s best man told the couple to look outside and that’s when the surprise was revealed. “I start seeing a friend of mine, and another friend of mine, and another friend. All of these familiar faces from church are lining the street, all in their cars. We just broke down,” said Josh.

    “They were honking, cheering, yelling congratulations. Josh and I were shocked. We were crying, we couldn’t believe this was happening. Seeing them on the street, celebrating our day with us, made it so magical,” said Anastasija.

    Image: JL Frew/ Facebook

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    In News

    Couple stage Lindt bunny wedding after cancelling own

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    The show must go on in any way possible, right? This couple took a humorous approach to their postponed wedding by having a miniature wedding in quarantine…for their wedding favours.

    Frankie and Mark, living in Thailand, were scheduled to marry in the UK. Of course, with the coronavirus outbreak, their wedding had to be postponed. The couple were left with 115 Lindt bunnies they had planned to use as wedding favours. While disappointed that their wedding could not go on as planned, the pair decided to have a little fun and lighten the mood.

    They lined all the bunnies up and staged a mini wedding, complete with a veil for the bunny bride.

    “We decided to stage some recreations – mainly to stop us just scoffing the whole lot of them.” Mark told Metro UK.

    Mark shared the big day on social media, writing, “So our wedding has been postponed for obvious reasons and we had 115 chocolate Lindt bunnies as wedding favours – time for a bunny wedding of course!”

    This wasn’t the end of the bunnies day. They then hopped onto an ark (while maintaining safe social deistancing, naturally) and even competed in the Bunny Olympics.

    Feature image: Instagram

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    In Advice

    How to preserve a wedding dress at home

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    Your wedding dress is probably the most loved item in your wardrobe. You may never own another piece of clothing as special as this. Of course you’d want to preserve it!

    Preserving a wedding dress means different things to different people. It could be to store away treasured memories, to keep it safe and in good condition for your child to wear one day, or to ensure that it becomes a family heirloom. Whatever your reason, you’ll want to do it properly.

    The last thing you want is for the dress to be ruined over time, or to trust somebody else with the preservation only to find out 30 years later that it’s the wrong dress (tragic).

    So to be sure you get the best preservation possible, here are some tips:

    – Plan ahead 

    If you know you’re a sentimental person, keep some of your budget aside for dress preservation. This can include a budget for a trip to the cleaners, and any items you may need to do at home preservation. (or to get your dress professionally preserved)

    – Handle with care 

    On your big day you should keep in mind that this is an item you want to keep forever. Try to avoid getting stains on it, carry it in a garment bag if you’re travelling, and only put in one at the last minute.

    – Clean the dress 

    After the wedding, but before the preservation process, you have to clean the dress. Of course you could take it to the cleaners, but if you want to do it yourself you need to be aware of the materials your dress is made of. Don’t use harsh laundry detergent and never use bleach.

    If you preserve the dress without cleaning it first, all the tiny stains and marks will set and will become impossible to remove in later years.

    – Acid Free tissue paper 

    At this point, if you’re enlisting the help of a professional, your dress will be put into a preservation box and will be sealed (commonly, you’re advised to never break the seal unless you want to use the dress).

    If you’re DIY-ing then you better get some acid-free tissue paper or pre-washed unbleached muslin. Place layers of tissue paper or muslin between folds of the dress. Stuff the bust with tissue paper too, this helps to maintain shape over time.

    NB! Do not use coloured tissue paper, it’ll stain the dress over time.

    – Acid free container 

    After it’s folded, store the dress in an acid free container. Add silica desiccant packets inside the box.

    – Store in a cool dry place 

    We all have heard this phrase before, but this time it’s serious. Don’t skip this step. If you’re thinking of storing the dress in the attic, basement or garage…DON’T! Cool and dry is the best option. Under a bed or in a closet is probably the best way to go.

    – Check in 

    If you’ve preserved the dress yourself,  you have to check in on it now and then. Every 2 -3 years, have a look at it and maybe give it a re-fold.

    Image: Unsplash 

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