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    One thrifty bride-to-be took all her would-be wedding guests for a ride.

    Apparently, she and her husband opted for a crowd-funded wedding, then cancelled the wedding after receiving over USD 30 000 (over R440 000!) and pocketed the money. Friends and family alike were outraged, and understandably so.

    According to Digg, the would-be bride posted a message to a Facebook group to say that the wedding has been canelled for now, but did not provide concrete reasons why. Screenshots from her Facebook message were posted to Reddit. In the meantime, the couple plan to use the money for a “honeymoon”, after which they will supposedly reschedule the wedding. Here’s the best part: They said they will re-open the fund once the wedding had been rescheduled to welcome any further donations.

    Credit: Reddit

    Some guests, who have already gotten leave for the supposed wedding, were very upset and called the bride “greedy”. She responded by saying she felt attacked, and that since they donated the money as a gift, it doesn’t matter how she spends it.

    This after loved ones selflessly donated hard earned money for what they believed was a worthy cause. Beware ladies and gents. No good deed goes unpunished.

    Image: Unsplash

    Your bachelorette is seen as the last time you get to party with your girlfriends as a single woman. It’s often associated with wild nights out, drinking way too much and some scantily-clad well-built men. We’ll stop there.

    This special event can be so much more. If you want to do things a little different, it can become a treasured memory of best friends coming together to spend some much needed girl-time, allowing you to share your hopes and dreams for the future while getting rid of the wedding stress.

    Here are some fun, alternative ideas to the traditional bachelorette party:

    Take a hiking-trip

    If you like being active, getting outdoors with the gals is a great way to recharge, forget about your phone and get close to nature. Remember to do research beforehand and only hike on established routes. Booking a tour-guide might also be a good idea, so you don’t have to worry about anything! For a full weekend of fun, you can even consider setting up camp and sleeping over.

    Take a cooking or cocktail class

    If you’re not that adventurous, why not keep it indoors and take a culinary class together? Learning to make something yummy to eat or drink is guaranteed to result in loads of laughter and a satisfied tummy. Plus, adding skills to your repertoire is always a plus!

    Guided garden tours

    If you like sunshine, beautiful flowers and fresh air, but you’re not keen to do a full on hike, get out there with a botanical garden tour. Many botanical gardens have amazing histories and it’s always interesting to have someone knowledgeable to teach you about the birds and the bees. End it off with a lovely picnic!

    Sing your heart out

    If you have the talent (and even if you don’t) a sing-off is always a goodie. Karaoke is a great way to let your hair down and forget the world. Take a trip down memory lane and sing to your high school favourites, or strut your stuff with the latest pop song.

    Get creative: Clay, soap or candles

    Art is known for being therapeutic, and having something to show for it will be a special memory. There are many different options, like pottery, candle making and soap making. Choose something that strikes your fancy and will look lovely in your home.

     

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    Picture: Pexels

     

    Everyone loves a man in a suit. Grooms have been relying on the old faithful, a classic black tux, for decades. However, today’s groom is one that is willing to take a risk. From bright colours to bright prints, there are so many ways for the man of the moment to stand out on his big day.

    Go crazy with colour:

    Make a splash with a coloured suit. A monochrome suit is the easiest way for a groom to make a fashion statement without being overly dramatic. Be sure to pick a colour that compliments the wedding colour scheme for a cohesive finish.

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    Print perfection: 

    If you are feeling daring, go for a bold print. This will be sure to turn heads at your wedding. The key with printed suits is to stick to no more than 3 shades and a smaller print to avoid your outfit looking like a costume.

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    Velvet fancy:

    Take a page from Prince Harry’s playbook and rock a velvet blazer at your wedding. Velvet has been a thing for a while now. The fabric has become popular in weddings because it is sophisticated and glamorous yet simple at the same time. For an extra stylish element, contrast your suit lapel with a different colour or fabric.

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    Drama alert:

    Sometimes you just need to throw out the rulebook. Make the ultimate statement with these non-traditional grooms’ fashion looks.

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    Image: Unsplash

    Tim and Bekah Blakely-Savage of Texas were ready. Their wedding day was beautiful and all was in place. Next thing you know, Mother Nature crashes in full force during their wedding photoshoot, sweeping them off their feet and leaving them soaked! The couple took it in their stride, laughing and yelling as it turned into a fun spectacle. Here’s how it unfolded:

     

    “We didn’t necessarily intend on trashing the dress, but the ocean had other plans,” Bekah captioned the photos. Luckily, she even managed to salvage the gorgeous dress. “Shoutout to the world’s best dry cleaner who still managed to get all the spots and stains out,” she wrote in the comments section.

    The photoshoot has since gone viral on Reddit, collecting more than a 1,000 ‘upvotes’ since being posted. It has also received a lot of love from other social media users.
    “This looks like a photo from an epic romance movie!!! So beautiful!!!” wrote one commenter. “Your union has been blessed by the Earth! How wonderful,” said another.

    This might just have turned out even more perfect than intended.

    Picture: Reddit

    You know how it goes: Photos or it didn’t happen. Recently, it has almost become a competition, with some couples going to extreme lengths to do certain poses and photographers bending over backwards to capture it on film. Some fail hilariously, others make for incredibly beautiful photos. We’ve found the best and worst.

    The best

    We’ve all seen them, and we’ve all wished we were in them. Some engagement photoshoots out there are simply jaw-dropping, and here are the best ones we found.

    Playful:

    Include your pet:

    Romantic:

    Funny:

    The worst

    From going horribly wrong, to just plain uninspired, here are the worst. Don’t try this at home.

    Uhm…

    Breaking bad indeed

    Careful now!

    Why though?

    Image: Unsplash

    White wedding dresses have been a tradition since Queen Victoria popularised the trend back in 1840. Classic and regal, there is no denying that this light hue will never go out of style. However, non-white wedding gowns have been making a splash for years.

    We’ve seen stars like Gwen Stefani, Jessica Biel and Dita Von Teese donning rainbow hues for their big day. If you want to make a statement, live in colour with these non-white looks.

    Blushing bride:

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    Orange dreamsicle:

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    Pastel perfection:

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    Black beauty:

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    Go for Gold:

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    Green goddess:

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    Ocean eyes:

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    Pretty in print:

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    Romantic red:

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    Abstract adventure:

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    Delicious Dip-dye:

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    Image: Unsplash

    Writing your wedding vows but lacking inspiration? Turn to the literary giants. Let these words of love get your romantic juices flowing.

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    “Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” – Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

    “You are sunlight through a window, which I stand in, warmed. My darling.” – The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

    “The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you.” – The Illustrated by Jalaluddin Rumi

    “You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.” – Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell

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    “I choose him over and over again, and he chooses me. – Allegiant by Veronica Roth

    “I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who’s ever lived: I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough.” – The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

    “It was love at first sight, at last sight, at ever and ever sight.” – Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

    “Love lets you find those hidden places in another person, even the ones they didn’t know were there, even the ones they wouldn’t have thought to call beautiful themselves.” – Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith

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    “You don’t love because, you love despite; not for the virtues, but despite the faults.” – The Sound and The Fury by William Faulkner

    “You and I, it’s as though we have been taught to kiss in heaven and sent down to earth together, to see if we know what we were taught.” – Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak

    “I’ve never had a moment’s doubt. I love you. I believe in you completely. You are my dearest one. My reason for life.” – Atonement by  Ian McEwan

    “I don’t ask you to love me always like this, but I ask you to remember. Somewhere inside me there’ll always be the person I am tonight.” – Tender Is The Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald

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    “I look at you and I would rather look at you than all the portraits in the world.” – Having A Coke With You by Frank O’Hara

    “For the two of us, home isn’t a place. It is a person. And we are finally home.” – Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

    “You are my heart, my life, my one and only thought.” – The White Company by Arthur Conan Doyle

    “We are asleep until we fall in love!” – War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

    “Soul meets soul on lovers’ lips.” – Prometheus Unbound by Percy Bysshe Shelley

    “In case you ever foolishly forget: I am never not thinking of you.” – Selected Diaries by Virginia Woolf

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    The celestial wedding theme is perfect for those who want their wedding decor to be out of this world; plus, there’s nothing more romantic than stargazing under the night sky. For your decor, think twinkling lights and the colours of the galaxy. This theme will show your guests that your marriage was written in the stars!

    Take a look at these trendy elements to include in your wedding:

    Hanging stars

     

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    Ceremony arch

     

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    Crescent moon backdrop

     

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    Seating chart

     

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    Cosmic placement cards

     

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    Dessert table

     

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    Custom cookies

     

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    Fairy light walkway

     

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    Feature image: Unsplash

    With endless designs, materials, shapes and sizes, rings are quite a big deal. People gush over it, spend crazy amount of money on it, and flaunt it for all to see. But where did it all begin, and why did societies across the globe agree that it should be worn by engaged and married couples?

    Where it started: Ancient Egypt

    As far as historians can tell, lovebirds in Egypts presented each other with small circles made of reeds over 3,000 years ago. As can be expected, these rings didn’t last long and inventive souls soon came up with bands made from leather, bone or ivory. Translation of hieroglyphics show that Egyptians believed the rings symbolized undying commitment and eternal love between the couple because the circle has no beginning or end. The center opening is a door to the future. This symbolism still applies to many cultures today.

    Where it continued: Ancient Rome

    It seems that grooms would present their brides with iron bands to wear. The iron symbolized steadfastness and stability. It is also believed that the Romans were the first to have their rings engraved. The ring was placed on the lucky lady’s fourth finger, which was believed to contain the vena amoris, or the vein of love, that connected to the heart. Today, of course, we know that it’s not quite medically true. However, romanticism led us to stick to the practice anyway.

    The reason behind why it’s specifically worn on the left hand, is apparently that most people are right handed and so the ring would be out of harm’s way and not be as likely to get damaged.

    Where it is now: Modern times

    Before the onset of World War II, it was customary for only the woman to wear a ring. We’re not sure why. It could be for financial reasons, or even sexist reasons. During the war, however, some soldiers chose to wear rings their wives would give them as a reminder and symbol of commitment. A few years and few wars later, wedding ring sets became more popular among civilians as well.

    Today, it’s a multimillion-dollar industry and most couples choose to both give each other rings as a symbol of love, commitment and security.

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    Talk about raising the bar. This bridal couple opted for something different on their wedding day, and made a strong statement by doing a tandem deadlift at the aisle mid-ceremony.

    Lisa Yang and Wek Hernandez, who met online and have been together for five years, are both fitness fanatics. Their love for weightlifting grew out of a desire to be stronger.

    “We were runners actually, and we wanted to get stronger,” Hernandez told NBC News. “Initially, I got her into CrossFit, and then she found her way into the weightlifting team.”

    “Weightlifting to us is very special,” Hernandez told Womens Health US. “We lift with our local team in Brooklyn. They’re family to us, and the whole weightlifting team was at our wedding.”

    When thinking of a unique thing to do mid-ceremony, none of the traditional occurrences worked for them as a couple.

    “We thought about the usual candle lighting, tree planting, sand pouring, and none of those things represented Wek and I,” Yang explained. “We were joking about doing a tandem deadlift. At the time, it seemed ridiculous because we’re Olympic weightlifters, deadlift isn’t even our main sport. But a snatch or clean-and-jerk in dresses might be a bit dangerous, so we settled on three deadlifts.”

    The tandem deadlift came to mean more than just a personal touch for their wedding.

    “It was meant to not only be a symbol of unity but also a statement, ” says Hernandez. “Individually, we are strong, capable women, but together we are stronger.”

    So soon after they exchanged their wedding vows in Brookyn’s Prospect Park, Yang and Hernandez ditched their shoes, stood firm and lifted a 253 pound (114.8 kg) barbell together for three reps. Poofy dresses and all. They then casually went right back to the ceremony.

    “I was just so happy and in the moment!” Hernandez exclaims. “I mean, we were deadlifting in Prospect Park in wedding gowns professing our love. It was awesome!”

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    Their photographer, Eileen Meny, was able to capture the moment in all its glory. The image went viral soon after it was posted to social media.

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    Yang hopes their unique wedding moment will inspire others to challenge themselves when it comes to fitness.

    “People get really intimidated by barbells, but if they see tiny Asians in wedding dresses lifting weights, maybe they can start to believe that anything is possible.”

    Picture: Instagram / eileenmenyphoto