Weddings Archives | Page 107 of 206

In Planning

Romantic poetry to include in your vows

May 21, 2020 No Comments

Thomas Hardy, an English novelist and poet, is quoted by his second wife, Florence Hardy, saying that “Poetry is emotion put into measure”. If we consider it, poetry is one of the best means by which to express feelings. The flow of words which sound like a melody will be like music to your partners ears.

Including poetry into your wedding vows could be a great way to elevate them and make them more special. If you’re struggling to find the perfect words to say, this is also a good work-around. You could base your vows off of the perfect quote, or add in a quote to precisely and lyrically express the message you’d like to get across.

After all, poetry is known to cause swooning. Who better to look to for help with your vows, one of the most romantic things you should ever write, than the legendary wordsmiths themselves.

Here are some poetry quotes to add to your vows:

– Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda

“I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way”

– Untitled by Lang Leav

“You were you,
and I was I;
we were two
before our time.

I was yours
before I knew,
and you have always
been mine too.”

– [i carry your heart with me(i carry it in] by e. e. cummings

“i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go, my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)”

– To Be One With Each Other by George Eliot

“What greater thing is there for two human souls
than to feel that they are joined together to strengthen
each other in all labor, to minister to each other in all sorrow,
to share with each other in all gladness,
to be one with each other in the
silent unspoken memories?”

– Our Souls are Mirrors by Rupi Kaur

“when i look in the mirror
i am looking at you
when you breathe
my own lungs fill with air
that we just met but we
have known each other our whole lives
if we were not made as one to begin with”

– Loves Philosophy by Percy Bysshe Shelly

“And the sunlight clasps the earth
And the moonbeams kiss the sea;
What is all this sweet work worth
If thou kiss not me?”

– In and Out of Time by Maya Angelou

“We see in the distance…
our long way home.
I was always yours to have.
You were always mine.
We have loved each other in and out of time”

– “La Reina” (“The Queen”) – Pablo Neruda

“And when you appear
All the rivers sound
In my body, bells
Shake the sky,
And a hymn fills the world.
Only you and I,
Only you and I, my love,
Listen to me.”

Feature image: Unsplash

In Venues

Magnificent museum wedding venues

May 20, 2020 No Comments

There are stunning wedding venues across the globe, each offering their own unique charm. From libraries to barns, people can tie the knot at pretty much any venue that speaks to them.

If you love to be surrounded by art and culture, a museum might just be the perfect wedding location for you. Museums naturally offer a dramatic setting, beautiful architecture and built-in decor with all of its art, making them great as wedding venues.

Here are a few of our favourite museums from around the world where you can tie the knot.

Zeitz MOCAA – Cape Town

Zeitz MOCAA offers an otherworldly venue hire experience attributed to its understated eccentric interior design and artwork that embody what modern Africa has to offer to the world. Each venue space in the museum is marked by its unique offerings.

Due to the exceptional acoustics in the BMW Atrium, the cathedral-like architecture exceeds high expectations for performances and cocktail events. The Level 6 restaurant offers a cosmopolitan dining experience. The space is tailored for luxury dinners and cocktail events. The restaurant is run by Zeitz MOCAA Events who provide all catering services for private events in the museum. The venue also extends to a rooftop terrace that leaves guests with breath-taking views of the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_2OuMxDWMi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Winterthur Museum & Country Estate – Winterthur, Delaware

Nestled in the picturesque Brandywine Valley, Winterthur Museum & Country Estate sits amidst nearly 1,000 acres of rolling meadows, woodlands and a dazzling 60-acre garden. The estate, which once belonged to famed American horticulturist and antiques collector Henry Francis du Pont, house one of the most important collections of Americana in the United States of America.

Acres of grounds, picturesque gardens, various indoor locations- the possibilities are as endless as the hospitality you will experience at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library.

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Iziko Museum – Cape Town

Iziko Museum was one of the first museums built in the country, and houses important African zoology, palaeontology and archaeology collections, some dating back to the 1600s. Create memorable moments at an historic location featuring stunning architecture.

Imagine picnics in lush landscaped gardens, dancing in stately ballrooms, a romantic interlude under velvet night skies, jazz in historic courtyards and dining with whales and dinosaurs. All this and more are on offer at Iziko Museums venues, which include the Slave Lodge, Groot Constantia, Rust en Vreugde, the Planetarium and the Castle of Good Hope. All these venues offer unique settings for unforgettable functions.

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Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Bristol

The popular Bristol Museum & Art Gallery features sections from various periods such as natural history, as well as local, national and international archeology. The art gallery is the same, and contains works by internationally renowned artists such as Banksy.

There are two main event spaces for your big day. Winterstoke Hall provides a grand entrance foyer, the perfect place for a drinks reception and entertainments. Wills Hall is the centrepiece of the museum, complete with a grand staircase and chandeliers, ideal for formal receptions. Both halls boast extravagant sweeping starcases, vaulted glass ceilings and balconies which give access to the museum galleries, where you could even book a private gallery viewing for your event.

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Museum of Science – Boston, Massachusetts

For a truly unique venue, the Museum of Science in Boston is a great choice. The museum is both a science museum featuring over 700 interactive exhibits and an indoor zoo to over 100 rescued and rehabilitated animals. The grounds also contain the Charles Hayden Planetarium and the Mugar Omni Theater, the only domed IMAX screen in New England.

Offering a matchless riverfront location, the Museum presents a complete range of options for your special day. Choose from an array of unique indoor venues, or opt for the open-air, riverfront Washburn Pavilion. There is even a giant T.Rex skeleton looking on in the expansive Blue Wing, who makes an exciting addition to wedding photos.

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

Fernbank Museum of Natural History – Atlanta, Georgia

If you’re a dinoasaur lover, we’ve got the venue for you. Fernbank Museum of Natural History is home to some the world’s largest dinosaur fossils, Atlanta’s biggest movie screen and one of the largest assemblages of urban Piedmont forest in the United States.

The venue offers stately elegance and unique character for wedding parties, with a variety of settings ranging from intimate to grand. Incredible features, including the world’s largest dinosaurs, limestone fossil floors and the twinkling Star Gallery, add a touch of cultural elegance to your occasion.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcMA6JYhGRA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Brooklands Museum, Surrey

Brooklands Museum celebrates the history of innovation in aviation and motor sport, making it a great wedding location for car enthusiasts. Newlyweds and guests can enjoy a ride on the old track with one of their racing cars, giving the perfect entertainment option. The Brooklands car rides team offers activities from a guided tour, 4D Theatre or Concorde Experience.

Take photos under the wings of the first production Concorde, with your wedding car on the oldest remaining British motor racing track, in amongst the stunning scenery of the Aircraft Factory or next to the most remarkable motor racing vehicles ever produced.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B52HTTqBI7g/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The Frick Collection

Transport your guests to old New York at the Frick Collection, an art museum that was once the home of industrialist Henry Clay Frick. Now, the museum houses Frick’s work, as well as masterpieces by Rembrandt, Goya, and Vermeer.

Wedding guests can marvel through the galleries to the music room, a 1,625-square-foot space which features a glass ceiling and damask walls and is ideal for cocktails. Receptions can be held in the courtyard, which holds a central fountain and has a stunning a Gilded Age interior.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAVwO2spNfc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Feature image: Facebook / Zeitz MOCAA

In Celebs

Megan and Harry quietly celebrate two-year anniversary

May 20, 2020 No Comments

It seems like ages ago that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot in a glamorous affair at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018. The royal couple celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary yesterday at home with son Archie.

While it is not clear what the couple got up to to celebrate, royal biographer Omid Scobie claims that they had planned a quiet day at their Los Angeles home. They reportedly took the day off of work to spend time together as a family.

“The day will simply be quality time with one another and as a family. They’re not going to be doing any work and made sure they have no meetings or calls in the diary,” Scobie told Hapaars Bazzar.

“Like everyone else, they are in lockdown at the moment, so they will just be hanging out together at home,” says the source. “But it will still be a lovely day.”

Scobie also shared some new behind-the-scene images from the 2018 royal wedding.

Two years ago today! As Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan celebrate their second wedding anniversary, a few lesser seen moments from the Sussexes’ 2018 wedding… pic.twitter.com/qW62Qj0USo

— Omid Scobie (@scobie) May 19, 2020

The day off of work must be a welcomed one for the couple, who have been working from home on their various charity endeavours and the launch of their non-profit organisation, Archewell.

To mark their first anniversary last year, Prince Harry surprised Megan with a bespoke conflict-free diamond eternity band designed by Lorraine Schwartz, which featured the birthstones for himself, Megan and son Archie on the underside of the ring.

Feature image: Instagram / The Royal Family

In News

Home affairs may allow marriage registrations at Level 3

May 20, 2020 No Comments

Home Affairs are considering registration of marriages to be allowed under Level 3 of the national lockdown.

The department is currently dealing with a tremendous backlog in birth registrations which have accumulated during Level 5, according to News24. They restarted these registrations on May 1.

“The department had an estimated backlog of 81 650 [registrations] at the beginning of Level 4 lockdown,” its acting director-general, Jackie MacKay, told the committee.

“Of the aforementioned backlog, the department registered 46 541 births which represent 57% of the above, estimated backlog.”

MacKay added that 35 109 births are yet to be registered and that demand was high for re-issuing of birth certificates and temporary ID certificates.

Finally, MacKay noted that a growing demand for all services provided by the department has led to a discussion about the identification of areas which are to be relaxed as we move through the levels of the national lockdown.

As a result, Home Affairs proposed that the registration of marriages be allowed during Level 3. According to The Citizen, these registrations, if they should be allowed, will happen through appointments.

While we are still unsure of when lockdown Level 3 will be put in place, Ramaphosa has hinted at the chance of it coming before the end of the month.

Image: Pexels

In News

The new normal: Weddings during coronavirus

May 20, 2020 No Comments

The coronavirus pandemic hs changed weddings as we know them. No longer may large crowds gather to celebrate their loved ones. Couples have had to get incredibly creative to allow their big days to continue. Here are a few ways they’ve adapted.

1. Mask on:

Now that face masks are recommended for wear whenever people step outside their doors, they’ve become a normal part of ones wardrobe. It has even featured in wedding attire. This designer has taken to making haute couture bridal masks. Many newlyweds have taken to posing with their masks, and some even kiss over them.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Bf1fJKHto/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

2. Coming at you live (stream)

With in-person weddings not allowed, engaged pairs determined to tie the knot have taken to livestreaming their big day. From Facebook to Zoom, technology has never brought us so close. If you’re planning a Zoom wedding of your own, here’s how to make it special.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B–EA2tqRsC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

3. Creativity is King:

Right now, there are no rules. Drive-thru weddings have grown in popularity as a quick and easy way to tie the knot. We’ve seen a couple get engaged as their ordained minister officiated from a fourth storey apartment window. One couple had their dogs pose as bridesmaids for their at-home wedding, and another had cardboard cutouts as wedding guests. One particularly inventive couple even ‘got married’ on popular game Animal Crossing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_OT4sxhB0t/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

4. Minimonies:

Many couples have already placed deposits for wedding venues, thus decide to go ahead with their big day albeit it on a much tinier scale. Those still trying to have in-person weddings have taken to ‘minimonies’, an even smaller version of microweddings where couples get hitched with a small guest list of typically under 10. The rest of their guests tune in via livestream. In these uncertain times, minimonies are a great way to still say your I do’s safely.

Feature image: Instagram/Duke Moose

In Decor

Ways to incorporate travel into your big day

May 19, 2020 No Comments

Do you and your partner share a sense of wanderlust? Or maybe you’re dreaming of a destination wedding but don’t have the funds to make it happen. Fear not. There are many fun and creative ways to bring the world to your wedding.

Adding travel-themed elements to your big day is a great way to honour your love of travel. Using creative decor ideas, you can easily add that sense of wanderlust into your wedding.

Here some ideas to make your guests feel like they’re part of an exciting adventure.

Invitations:

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

Escort cards and seating charts:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9VuVJ8Kqco/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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

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

Decor:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxclz0qoG91/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0ZZPIMJ-jE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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https://www.instagram.com/p/B1ZTPyDJZV_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Dessert:

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

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Feature image: Unsplash

In Accessories

Rock star rings for grooms

May 19, 2020 No Comments

The bride’s ring used to be the sole focus of an engagement. These days, groom’s rings are claiming their place in the spotlight too. Don’t let her have all the fun, show your rocking ring to all who can see.

Take a look at these stellar rings for inspiration:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-dlrWWJkJy/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6_zEUaJA5h/

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJXjtk-AOzo/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFc0NwGw0p2/

https://www.instagram.com/p/46naXVClfR/

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

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAWRQSInmQ2/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAVWqnDgK68/

Image: Instagram/tungstenjewelercom

In Accessories

Now trending: Haute couture bridal face masks

May 19, 2020 No Comments

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, designers have gotten especially creative. The new trend? Haute couture bridal face masks.

These fashionable designs, created by Winnie Couture, encourage brides and grooms to stay safe and stylish on their big day. Winnie Couture describes them as “protective wedding masks that offer style and safety for engaged couples across the globe.

“Each Haute Mask is handcrafted with the finest wedding attire fabrics and elements, 100% organic cotton lining, and a filter pocket for safe and comfortable wear.”

Masks range from $239-$389, and come in four main variants.

The L’amour mask. Credit: Winnie Couture

The Grandiose mask. Credit: Winnie Couture

The Nior Luxe mask. Credit: Winnie Couture

The Nior Homme mask. Credit: Winnie Couture

The masks are for a good cause as 100% of the proceeds from the collection will be donated to Direct Relief, a non-profit organization that is providing personal protective equipment and essential medical items to U.S. and international health workers responding to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“Our most selfless medical heroes are keeping us safe with limited access to protective face masks. In order to contribute to the alleviation of the situation, my team and I have been making hand-sewn cloth masks to donate to hospitals and senior communities,” said Winnie, CEO of Winnie Couture.

Feature image: Winnie Couture

In Celebs

Marilyn Manson and Dita von Teese’s gothic nuptials

May 19, 2020 No Comments

Metal singer Marilyn Manson and burlesque performer Dita von Teese seemed a strange romantic pairing, but that’s exactly what drew them to each other.

Both from middle America, the two had reinvented themselves into who they wanted to be. Born Heather Sweet from Michigan, Von Teese became one of the most famous burlesque performers in the world. Brian Warner of Canton, Ohio grew up to be the world-famous controversial and iconic rocker.

After a five-year relationship, the pair tied the knot in a private ceremony at home in Los Angeles in November 2005, then exchanged vows again in a more lavish event at a friend’s castle in Ireland a week later. Their unconventional nuptials were even captured in an iconic spread for Vogue magazine.

Their nuptials went on for several days, starting with a civil ceremony at Von Teese’s Los Angeles home. This location was chosen as many of the churches they approached were apprehensive of having Manson inside their venues, according to Vogue.

Von Teese wore a simple white Moschino suit, designed by the label’s then-creative director, Rosella Jardini for the low-key event. It was Von Teese’s vision to look like “a forties bride going to the courthouse to get hitched before going off to the war” that inspired the design. Manson wore a Dior Homme jacket, a Galliano shirt, and Moschino creepers.

Their formal ceremony was much more extravagent. Held at Ireland’s gothic-style Castle Gurteen, the wedding was officiated by surrealist film director and comic book writer Alejandro Jodorowsky. Gottfried Helnwein, the owner of the castle, stood as Manson’s best man. The wedding was attended by about 60 guests, including Lisa Marie Presley and Princess Olga of Greece and Denmark.

For the nuptials, Von Teese wore a striking royal purple silk tafetta gown designed by Vivienne Westwood that featured a custom corset for her a 17-inch waist. She accessorised with a tri-corned hat designed by Stephen Jones and custom Christian Louboutin shoes the designer had created just for her. John Galliano designed Manson’s black silk taffeta tuxedo for the big day.

Of course, the reception was as unconventional as the couple. The banquet table was lined with giant centerpieces of black and crimson rose and featured gold skull-shaped candles. The waitstaff all wore Moschino tailcoats and pipers, and serenaded guests.

In the days after the wedding, guests partook in skeet shooting, archery and falconry on the castle grounds.

Unfortunately, the pair divorced a year later. During an interview with Khloe Kardashian on the Kocktails with Khloe show, she explained that getting married ruined their relationship.

“I was with him for seven years, we were married for only a year,” she said. “I feel like getting married was sort of like the kiss of death for us because it was sort of like the nail in the coffin. I felt obliged to go through with the ceremony in a way because so much was riding on it, like Vogue was photographing it, and it was in this castle, I just thought, ‘Oh well.'”

While they were not friends for a long time after their divorce, the pair are now amicable.

Feature image: Pinterest

In News

Cape wedding venue takes SAHRC to court

May 19, 2020 No Comments

Beloftebos, a wedding venue in the Western Cape who made headlines in January for refusing to host a same-sex wedding ceremony on religious grounds, are now claiming that they are being discriminated against by the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

On Monday [May 18], the owners of the establishment claimed that they had filed papers with the Equality Court, opposing the fact that they have discriminated against LGBTI+ people, reports Times Live. This means they are arguing that their policy which states that they will not host same-sex weddings is not discriminatory.

Michael Swain, executive director of Freedom of Religion South Africa said that Beloftebos are “asking the Equality Court to find that the SAHRC unfairly discriminated against them on grounds of conscience, religion and belief, and that the commission is biased and prejudiced in its treatment of them and their belief system”.

The commission launched an application against the owners in March, following several complaints about the venue. The Comissioner, André Gaum, explained that the outcome they hope to achieve includes that the venue’s policy be declared discriminatory, and that they are forced to host same-sex marriages. He said that the policy is unconstitutional and amounts to unfair discrimination.

According to Times Live, the owners claim that the ruling will have far-reaching consequences for them. “If the court decides against them, the owners of Beloftebos will be forced to participate in and celebrate events that violate their conscience, religion and belief — or alternatively be forced to close their venue and cease to offer their services,” said Swain.

Picture: Unsplash