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.
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.
“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
“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
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:
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.
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!”
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.”
Nowadays, weddings are elaborate events. However, bigger isn’t always better. Home Affairs -or courthouse weddings- are a great alternative for couples that don’t want a big fuss or simply don’t have the funds.
If you are considering having a courthouse wedding, you need to be aware of the positives and the negatives that it entails.
Sometimes it can be overwhelming to have a large amount of guests. With a courthouse wedding, you go back to basics with the people that matter. Generally at courthouse weddings, it’s just you, your partner, the officiant and two witnesses. Up to six guests are usually allowed to participate in the proceedings. Invite your best friends or family members to share in your special moment.
Cheaper:
Weddings are expensive. Many South African couples spend upwards of R70 000 – R80 000 on their big day. If you don’t have the funds, a courthouse wedding is essentially free of charge (you still have to pay for the marriage licence), leaving you to spend your money in other ways.
Little planning necessary:
With a courthouse wedding, all you really need to do is make an appointment and show up. There is no dress rehearsal, no event planner, no real planning necessary. If you’re a more chilled person that doesn’t want to be bogged down by details, this might be a great option for you.
Less stressful:
Wedding planning can be overwhelming. With vendors, schedules and seating arrangements, it can quickly become a stressful time moving around multiple elements that need to fit together. Cut out the stress by having a simple courthouse wedding.
Weddings are a great time for family and friends to gather together and celebrate their loved ones. What other opportunity do you get to have everyone you love under one roof on such a special occasion? With a courthouse wedding, however, there is little space for guests, as many only allow a maximum of six. Many of the people you love will thus not be present on your big day.
Location is not always pretty:
Most Home Affairs offices are not exactly aesthetically pleasing. With dull brown furniture and bare white walls, you venue can leave you begging for some vibrancy. If you want beautiful pictures and a decorated venue, a Home Affairs wedding might not meet your standards.
At the end of the day, your wedding day is about you. If a smaller wedding feels right, then do it. Alternatively, if you’ve always dreamed of having a big wedding then live your fantasy. There is no one-size-fits-all for weddings.
Yes, Bieber fever is still a thing, and the wedding of Hailey & Justin Bieber hasn’t made it go down whatsoever. To say Hailey looked perfect on her wedding day is an absolute understatement. Her glam team pulled out all the stops and we are totally here for it. We break down how to achieve the Hailey Bieber bridal beauty look with a few simple steps.
Overall, Hailey had a make-up look that just added to her features instead of overpowering one another, and we are obsessed. Make-up artist to the stars, Denika Bedrossian, opted for subtle and natural glam to bring out her best features.
Before you can start with foundation and all the added extras, your skin needs to be well cleansed and moisturised. This means cleansing with a gentle cleanser and following it up with a moisturiser with an added hit of hydration. Also, try to go for monthly facials leading up to the wedding to deeply cleanse and promote blood circulation for a healthy, believable glow.
Precisely defined brows are no longer top of the list as natural and fluffy are now the way to go. Hailey’s well-groomed brows were full, yet still subtly defined. Try using a brow setting gel with just a hint of colour to hold the hairs in place.
Lengthy, fluttery lashes are enviably romantic and utterly flirtatious. Make-up artist Denika used a defining and lengthening mascara to achieve this. Make sure it’s waterproof to ensure those inevitable waterworks don’t ruin your make-up.
Neutral was the name of the game with this entire make-up look and using subtle pink shades with brown and warmer undertones most certainly created a softness to the eye and added that romantic glam. There was also no dramatic cat eye, with Denika opting for a non-winged eyeliner to just define the eye less harshly.
Edward Scissorhands. Beetlejuice. The Nightmare Before Christmas. Corpse Bride. All of these films are classic Halloween-time viewing that come from the mind of the unique writer and director, Tim Burton.
Many laud Burton for being the king of spooky with his dark yet comical films that have gone down in history. His characters continue to inspire many a halloween costume, and now it has even inspired a wedding photoshoot.
Miami-based couple Genesis and Kelvin have been together for 10 years and married in July 2019. However, due to personal circumstances they did not have the financial means to throw the extravagant wedding they wanted. They have four children, one of whom suffers from a severe form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome, and her resulting medical bills have been costly.
“We didn’t really have a big wedding because our daughter has a disability,” Genesis told Business Insider US. “Our wedding day, unfortunately, was a big flop.”
The couple, who are big Tim Burton fans, were granted the opportunity to have the wedding of their dreams when their friend approached them to do a posed photoshoot.
The photoshoot, captured by photographer Angela Vallejo, recreated their wedding day in epic style. Together with Monica Reyes, event planner from ‘Events with a Promise’, the couple were spoiled with the spooky and glamorous day they had originally envisioned.
With the white piping on his lapel and the black and white colour scheme, Kelvin’s suit perfectly hinted at Jack Skellington’s attire from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Credit: Angela Vallejo Photography
Genesis went for a gothic look, sporting a black lace gown with a lengthy train.
Credit: Angela Vallejo Photography
Elements from Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas and Beetlejuice were incorporated through decor and colour scheme. Green, purple and black are focal colours in many of Burton’s films, and were stylishly woven into this styled table without looking overly themed. Pumpkins, Jack Skellington’s favourite accessory, were also included in the decor.
The wedding invites featured curlycue script on a charred paper, giving a Halloween inspired look. The envelope, which reads “Mr. Unlucky”, referred to “Jack’s Lament” in The Nightmare Before Christmas.
There was even a replica of Beetlejuice‘s “Handbook for the Recently Deceased”, except this time it was used as a guest book.
The stunning three layer black cake was adorned with dried flowers and a cake topper with the figures of Jack Skellington and Sally cut into it. It also reads “Mr” and “Mrs”. The cake stand is in the shape of skeleton legs.
The photoshoot gave Genesis and Kelvin some much-needed time to spoil themselves. Most of their time is dedicated to looking after their children, especially their special needs daughter.
“Your whole life becomes taking care of this child,” she said of her youngest daughter. “You don’t notice how much time is fleeting, and although your life becomes taking care of this child, you need to practice self-love too.”
“We don’t really have time to go on dates or things like that, so for us, this shoot was just a time for us to take a step back and really, you know, practice self-care,” Genesis said.
California is currently reeling from an ongoing wildfire. One couple, however, wanted to get married in the beautiful winelands, and didn’t want to cancel it. One of their wedding photos went viral when they posed wearing protective masks.
This past weekend, Katie and Curtis Ferland, from Chicago, Illinois, said their I do’s at the Chateau St Jean Winery in Sonoma County, California. The Kincade Fire has affected over 31 hectares and is only 45% contained as it continues its destructive path across the state, according to ABC7news.
At first, the couple was unsure about whether the wedding could go ahead as planned. However, after numerous setbacks -including having to change location- they decided to go ahead.
All the guests received masks they could wear to keep from inhaling smoke in the air, and the photographer, Karna Roa, suggested the couple incorporate it in the photos. The photo went viral since.
“I was thinking of ‘American Gothic,’ the 1930s painting that was the regular, normal of American life at the time,” Roa told ABC7 of the inspiration behind the photo. “And all of a sudden, in a very strange way, this has become our new normal of the wine country.”
“The joy won out, it was a happy wedding … But all of us were caught in that dichotomy of joy and sorrow. As a photographer, it’s easy for me to get lost in the moment and feel the joy of the couple.”
The morning after the wedding, the couple and their guests were forced to evacuate to San Francisco.
Roa hopes the image will help bring light to the escalating wildfire tragedy.
“It’s helping to bring light to the crisis and destruction going on here,” she told The Guardian US. “There are people who are still having major life events, and it’s happening right in the middle of a firestorm.”
