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In Wedding Gowns

Bride tries to sell ‘haunted’ vintage wedding dress

December 10, 2020 No Comments

An unidentified woman in the US is working hard to sell a vintage wedding dress she found in an abandoned old gold rush town while hiking.

Since returning home with the dress, she claims strange things have been happening to her. The bride is now trying to sell her dress on Facebook Market place for $600 (about R8 900).

In the Facebook advert for her dress, the bride explains that the minute she returned home with the dress, everything changed.

“While my fiancé and I were hiking through a small town between Fairfax and Carbanado, Washington, we came across an old gold rush town that was completely abandoned,” she wrote. “Needless to say our curiosity got the best of us and we started to explore the ruins of this ghost town. In one of the rundown remnants of a small cottage we shimmied up into, I came across this dress.

“It was so gorgeous, I froze at the sight of it. And if I’m being completely honest, it scared the crap out of me all at the same time, but something about its ethereal beauty just begged me to bring it home with me.”

“First small things like a sock, and my closet door being open in the morning when I specifically remember closing it before bed. Then my cat’s food tray would get thrown at such velocity it would knock things off of the shelf hung on the wall it strikes. This happened relentlessly.”

Doors would slam, lights would turn on and off, and the couple heard footsteps all over their apartment. If that wasn’t bad enough, their home also began to smell.

“And then came the smell of rotten eggs and fire that would fill our bedroom. Night after night. Then flies started to pile up against my back windows and swarm around my front door.”

Life began to calm down after the woman gave the dress to her future mother-in-law for cleaning and tailoring.

“During the two months that she had the dress it was complete peace, no more tension in the room, no more arguing between me and my partner, no more objects moving or footsteps and my cat was back to her affectionate playful self,” she said.

“She never got it dry-cleaned and begged me not to get married in this dress because of the energy surrounding it and I hadn’t even told her about what was going on at home because up until that point, I hadn’t even connected the two.”

The bride is now keen to find a new owner for the cursed dress. However, her Facebook post did not get the reaction she was expecting. Many accused her of stealing the dress, and said she deserved to be haunted for taking something that did not belong to her.

Others said instead of selling and making a profit off of it, she should return the dress wear she found it to hopefully break the curse.

Picture: Unsplash

In Weddings

The wedding Money Dance, explained

December 9, 2020 No Comments

A fascinating wedding tradition that’s present across many cultures is the Money Dance. Although it’s slightly different in each iteration, the basis of all the customs is that at the wedding reception, guests offer the newlyweds money while they are dancing. This is meant to help establish their life together and express everyone’s appreciation for them.

In some traditions, the money is pinned to the bride and groom as they dance with guests while in others, it is thrown over them on the dance floor like confetti.

Here are some of the ways different cultures practice this tradition with cash:

Nigeria

A Yoruba tradition, to begin with, it has spread across Nigeria with all different groups participating. Called a Money Spray, the bride and groom are encircled by guests on the dance floor before each comes forward to place the bill on their head, letting it fall down around them. The practice symbolises happiness, good fortune and affection.

Phillippines

For Filipino people across the world, the tradition has the male guests pin money to the bride while the women pin money to the groom. This adds an element to the bride and grooms outfits, with cash being made into sashes, garlands, crowns and even decorating the bride’s veil.

Greece

There is an old tradition in Greece to pin money to the brides dress and this has followed some Greek nationals across the world. It has changed among immigrant communities, with some practising a money shower while others still prefer to pin.

Poland

In Poland, there is an even more elaborate tradition. Guests like up to dance with the bride and hand over cash to the bride’s father who is carrying a special apron. The Pani Mloda Polka is traditionally played and guests get a drink, in the form of a shot, as thanks for their contribution.

Portugal

Another unique twist, the male guests dance with the bride while the women dance with the groom. During this part of the event, the bride removes her shoes into which guests put their money as they pass them around.

Picture: @WestinSanJose/Twitter

In Celebs

Connie and Shona Ferguson celebrate 19th wedding anniversary

December 9, 2020 No Comments

Power-couple Connie and Shona Ferguson recently celebrated a whopping 19 years of marriage. The actors, who run production company Ferguson Films together, have had a beautiful romance over the nearly two decades of their relationship and are always keen to share it with their fans.

Naturally, the social media-loving couple took to Instagram to express their love for one another on their special day.

“I have no idea what you were saying here, but the fact that 19 years later you still manage to make me laugh is everything I’ve prayed for and more! Happy Anniversary my skeem!????? I love you more each day, and thank God for you!” Connie wrote on Instagram.

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“We are 19. Happy anniversary my love. This life journey is super easy with you by my side. There is nothing we can’t take on together. I love you melaiti,” Shona wrote.

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Shona, real name Aaron, met Connie at her Johannesburg home in 2001. At the time, she was already a household name thanks to her iconic role as Karabo Moroka in Generations. Shona was there to drop off mutual friends meeting Connie’s sister Lorato. As he sipped on a glass of water, Connie came out out of her room to greet him and their love story began.

It was a whirlwind romance for the pair. After only two months of dating, they tied the knot in a traditional wedding. Their white wedding was held soon after and appeared on the December 2001 cover of Drum.

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In 2011, the pair renewed their vows in a lavish ceremony in front of 70 guests at top Johannesburg wedding destination Avianto.

For the big day, Connie wore an ivory sheath gown designed by Biji, who also designed her first wedding dress back in 2001. The gown’s corset-style top featured Swarovski crystals, pearls, silver beads and lace.

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Throughout their marriage, the pair have built an empire that has brought much luxury to their lives. Aside from their production company, Connie also owns a beauty line called Koni Multinational Brands. She is also among the highest-paid actors in the country.

Picture: Instagram / Connie Ferguson

In Advice

Walking the bride down the aisle: Its origins and how it’s changed

December 7, 2020 No Comments

For centuries, it has been an enduring wedding tradition that a father walks his daughter down the aisle on her big day. As the first moment guests (and the bride’s partner) sees the bride, this is a pretty big deal.

While usually a sweet and sentimental moment, it comes from less than heartwarming origins. According to wedding historian Susan Waggoner, this tradition comes from the days when arranged marriage was a normal custom in society.

Speaking to Brides, she explains: “this custom stems from the days of arranged marriages when a father’s looming presence was a good way to prevent the groom from backing out.”

In many societies, a bride was considered a form of financial liability who could be transferred from her father’s household to her eventual husband’s home.

With marriage being more of an economic choice than a romantic one, some grooms got spooked at the thought of getting hitched. This is where dads came in. Fathers would act as a physical reminder (and threat) of the deal, making grooms more likely to go through with the wedding.

Over the years, as with virtually every other wedding tradition, the origins of this custom has become sanitised and romanticised. Today, its a special moment for brides to walk arm in arm with their father on such a special occasion.

As the times have changed, however, so has the tradition. Some brides don’t have fathers and have alternative family members walk them down the aisle. Some share strained relationships with their dads, and choose to not partake in this tradition at all. In the case of some same-sex couples, it might be a groom walking down the aisle instead of a bride.

The beauty of weddings nowadays is that couples have choices. Some traditions, while sentimental for some, are outdated or hurtful to others. There is no one way to get married. Traditions are not required, and rules don’t always have to be followed.

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In Accessories

Which veil length is right for you?

December 7, 2020 No Comments

Veils are not made equal. From fabric and length to fullness and style, every aspect of your wedding veil can make or break your bridal look.

With thousands of veils to choose from, it can easily feel like an overwhelming task. However, there are ways to refine your search. These are the key veil lengths and the looks they suit best:

The birdcage:

For a vintage flair, opt for the birdcage veil. This short veil often features stiff netting or mesh that covers just the forehead and top half of the face. They are usually fastened to pillbox hats or headbands.

This veil looks best for brides wanting a more vintage, throwback look. It pairs especially well with tea-length dresses.

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Fingertip length veil:

For a more classic look, the fingertip length veil is perfect. This mid-length veil stops below the waist and is flattering on every body shape. Not too long and not too short, this veil can be dressed up or down depending on how fancy you want your look to be.

This is truly the jack of all veils. It flatters a range of hairstyles and dresses, so you have endless options with this look. If your dress is quite embellished and dramatic, it may be best to pair it down with a more simple veil. However, a more simple silhouette can be given added drama with a full veil.

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Ballet length veil:

One of the most popular veil looks is the ballet length. Also known as the waltz veil, it falls below your hips, anywhere between your knees and ankles.

This look is extra feminine and romantic, and works especially well on petite brides as it won’t drown her out with fabric and make her appear smaller.

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Chapel length veil:

Most brides traditionally opt for the chapel length veil, which drapes all the way to the floor and spreads out a few inches behind their wedding dress.

This style is more formal and traditional, making it perfect for brides wanting a classic look.

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Cathedral length veil:

This style is essentially the extended chapel veil. It’s usually about 30-60cm longer than a wedding dress, and often requires assistance when laying it out neatly behind you.

Brides wanting a bit more drama but not too much fuss will love this look. It complements ballgowns especially well, adding a special fairytale spin.

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The Royal veil:

It’s clear to see how this veil got its name. Channel the drama of Princess Diana with a bold wedding veil that extends not only centimetres but meters behind your dress. Of course, you’ll need some assistants on hand to make sure it looks perfectly sleek and straight, and that no one trips on it.

Naturally, this veil is perfectly designed to complement a dramatic ballgown.

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Picture: Pexels

In News

Seven care home residents die after staff members attend wedding

December 7, 2020 No Comments

A 300-person wedding in Washington State has been linked to dozens of coronavirus cases and the deaths of seven care home residents in the area, none of whom attended the wedding.

A reported seven care home residents, aged between 70 and 90, have died after staff members at the facility attended the November 7 wedding.

At the time the wedding was held, indoor ceremonies in Washington State were limited to 50 people.

In an announcement, the Grant County Health District explained that residents were staying at three care homes in Grant County, Washington, and all seven had underlying health conditions. There were also three other deaths not associated with the Long Term Care Facilities

“Our investigations have determined that there were long term care staff who tested positive for COVID-19 who attended the large wedding in Ritzville, WA reported on November 16. Because staff in these facilities care for entire units, direct contact with associated patients is not known. Our most vulnerable community members — elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic conditions — are especially at risk of complications due to a COVID-19 infection and we must continue to take measures to protect them from this disease.

“The best way to do that is by staying home as much as possible. Your choice to gather with those outside your household could lead to additional cases of COVID-19 and even death. Please protect those you love by staying home,” they concluded.

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In Celebs

You are the music in me: Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra’s love story

December 4, 2020 No Comments

In a story that is wildly millennial, Hollywood “it”-couple Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra began their love story thanks to a Twitter DM.

Since then, they’ve had a whirlwind romance that saw them date, get engaged and marry in quick succession. This beautiful couple have been married for two years, but have been giving us couple goals for even longer. Here’s how they stole each other’s hearts.

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Back in 2016, the Jonas brother slid into actress Priyanka Chopra’s Twitter DM’s with a casual, “I’m hearing from a few mutual friends that we should meet,” the singer told Vogue.

Not one to mince words, Chopra responded with, “My team can read this. Why don’t you just text me.”

For about a year, the pair shared friendly yet flirtatious conversations over text. They finally met in person at the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar party in February. Jonas was so bowled over by Priyanka’s look that he went down on one knee and loudly proclaimed, “You’re real. Where have you been all my life?”

The pair continued to hang out, and even attended the Met Gala together later that year, both wearing Ralph Lauren. At the time, however, Chopra claimed they were just friends and had attended together because they were wearing the same designer.

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Nearly a year after that fateful DM, the pair went on their first official date in May 2018. They went to see Beauty and the Beast at the Hollywood Bowl. It was a fast romance for the pair from this moment. In June, Chopra was Jonas’s plus-one to his cousin’s wedding, and the couple went Instagram official on June 22.

Before the dust settled on their relationship announcement, the pair were back with even bigger news: In July, they got engaged. Jonas had proposed the day after Chopra’s 36th birthday while on holiday in Crete.

The pair announced their engagement in August while on a trip in Mumbai, in which their families met for the first time.

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Chopra’s engagement ring was designed by Tiffany’s, a childhood dream of hers. Going along with the theme, she hosted her bridal shower at the iconic Tiffany’s Blue Box Café in New York. She wore a strapless white Marchesa gown and A-list stars like Lupita Nyong’o and Kelly Ripa were on hand to celebrate with her.

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The pair’s elaborate wedding weekend kicked off on December 1, 2018. Their nuptials were done in spectacular fashion with a three-day wedding blending Hindu and Christian traditions.

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They said ‘I do’ at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Kevin and Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner, 30 Rock actor Jack McBrayer and Elizabeth Chambers Hammer were just a few of the notable guests at this lavish wedding.

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Every member of the bridal party stunned in Ralph Lauren, with Chopra stealing the spotlight in a Ralph Lauren-designed dress that was hand-embroidered and hand-beaded with more than two million mother-of-pearl sequins. It was her veil, however, that truly stole the show. A 22-metre veil, that is! Chopra’s veil required assistance from five people to bring to the altar where Nick Jonas was awaiting her.

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In Advice

How to handle unwelcome wedding crashers

December 4, 2020 No Comments

We all hope for a smooth-sailing kind of wedding day, but of course, there’s always the odd chance that some drama will go down.

You might think no one would be rude enough to show up to a wedding uninvited, but it can happen. Rather have a game plan worked out on how to handle it than get caught off guard.

Here’s how to avoid having unwanted guests show up, and what to do if it happens.

1. Be clear on the wedding invitations

Firstly, make sure that you are very clear about who is invited when sending the wedding invitation. Sending one card to a family when you only intended to invite the parents, for instance, could cause a misunderstanding. The best way to avoid this is to put the names of your guests on the card, and state whether or not plus-ones and children are invited.

Here’s an example: Instead of saying “Dear Maxwell family”, rather say “Dear Julia and John, please join us in the celebration of our wedding. We regret, we are not able to accommodate children”.

2. Follow up on unwanted RSVPs

Should you receive an RSVP for someone who was not directly invited, you have the full right to contact the person and politely ask them not to come. This is most likely to happen in the case of invited guests who want to bring uninvited partners. Contact the invited partner, and gently but firmly say that you really do not have space for more people than invited.

3. Make a decision about whether to let them stay

Once you’ve done all the invitations right, there is still a chance that someone might show up out of the blue. A long-lost cousin you have no contact with might feel wronged and shows up to confront the family, or an ex-partner tries to interfere with your new relationship.

In cases like these, you need to decide whether you will force them to leave or let them stay and adopt a “the more the merrier”-attitude, provided there is no drama. You will probably be too caught up in your own fun and happiness to bother about the plus-one that snuck in after all. If it’s more serious than that, you should address it.

4. Speak up

Should the situation need sorting out, you will have to face the person and ask them to leave. It will probably be unpleasant, but it is needed. Be friendly and kind, and take your partner or a member of the bridal party with you. Take them aside in private and tell them that it’s wrong for them to be here. Here’s an example: “I’m really sorry I couldn’t invite you, but I feel that it’s better if you are not here today. Please leave the wedding, and we can talk more later.”

5. Know who to call

Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. If the uninvited guest for some reason refuses, you need to have backup. The person might be intoxicated, aggressive or just plain rude but you do not need that on your special day. If you have a wedding planner, call them for assistance. If not, call the venue security or the manager, and explain the situation. It might be a good idea to also save the nearest police station’s number too, just in case.

Picture: Unsplash

In News

COVID-19 positive bride ties the knot in quarantine

December 4, 2020 No Comments

In a story entirely fitting for 2020, a bride would not let her positive COVID-19 diagnosis stop her from getting married.

California couple Lauren (29) and Patrick Delgado (27) have been engaged since May 2019, and had already downscaled their big day due to the pandemic. They changed their venue and guest list three times, and took it in their stride as they were excited to marry. However, things took a turn for the worse when Lauren tested positive for COVID-19 only five days before their wedding.

“Everything that could go wrong did go wrong,” Lauren told NBC News. “”I was really saddened because everything we had planned was already getting cancelled.”

Since their marriage license was scheduled to expire the day after their wedding, the pair decided to go ahead with their big day while Lauren quarantined at her mother’s house.

Their November 21 wedding was so impromptu that Lauren didn’t even have enough time to pick up her wedding dress, and instead just wore a white dress straight from her closet.

Patrick stood outside the home as Lauren said her vows from her second floor bedroom window. Their 10 guests, who had all tested negative, wore face masks and stood socially distanced outside Lauren’s window or watched from their parked cars to enjoy the 45-minute ceremony.

In place of holding hands, the pair held each end of a flower-decorated ribbon as they exchanged their vows.

What do you do if you test positive three days before your wedding, but everyone else around you is negative? Let’s up…

Posted by Jesscaste Photography on Sunday, 22 November 2020

“It was the most 2020 wedding I have ever shot during Covid-19,” said Jessica Jackson, the wedding photographer.

“I was just so happy and excited to be surrounded by my closest loved ones there,” Lauren added. “It wasn’t about a big wedding, it was just about celebrating our love and life together.”

After the ceremony, Patrick went to his home while Lauren stayed at her mother’s house to continue her quarantine. They ended their evening by watching the Netflix movie ‘Holidate’ and eating dinner separately over FaceTime

“It’s almost like a funny story we’ll one day tell our children,” Delgado said. “Like, we couldn’t sleep in the same bed the same day we got married.”

Lauren hopes to have a bigger ceremony with their extended families and friends some day in the future, when it is completely safe to do so.

Picture: Pexels

In News

The strangest things people have married

December 3, 2020 No Comments

Marriage has been a time-honoured tradition for centuries. While normally considered to be between two consenting adults, it seems marriage has a loose definition in today’s world.

It’s not only humans tying the knot with each other. Over the years, people have fallen in love with inanimate objects and decided to take the next step in their relationship by getting married. Here are a few of the unexpected things people have tied the knot with.

The Eiffel Tower

Erika La Tour Eiffel must have a thing for the tall, strong and silent type because she said ‘I do’ to the iconic Eiffel Tower. The bride is known as an “objectum sexual”, a person who falls in love with inanimate objects. Before the Eiffel Tower, she was in love with Lance, a bow that lead her to become a world champion in archery.

If you’d like to know more about Erika, there is a whole documentary called “The Woman Who Married the Eiffel Tower,” that tracks her life and her love story with this iconic landmark.

A ghost

Amanda Large Teague from Ireland claimed to have tied the knot with the ghost of a 300-year-old Haitian pirate she met while meditating for the first time. She is convinced the pirate was that of Jack Teague, who some believe to be the pirate who inspired the character of Captain Jack Sparrow in the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ franchise.

After months of communicating, the pair married aboard a boat on the Atlantic Ocean in 2016. Unfortunately, the pair did not last, and went their separate ways in 2018.

A smartphone

It seems this guy saw the movie “Her” one too many times. Back in 2016, Aaron Chervenak from Los Angeles travelled to The Little Vegas Chapel in Nevada to say ‘I do’ to his cellphone.

His marriage, while not legally recognised, was done to make a point about society’s growing obsession and reliance on smartphones.

A sex-doll

Kazakhstani Bodybuilder Yuri Tolochko recently married his sex-doll girlfriend Margo after proposing back in December 2019. The pair were meant to marry sooner, but were forced to postpone due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an interview, Tolochko claimed to have paid for Margo to have plastic surgery, as she “began to develop a complex” after receiving criticism over her looks following their engagement announcement.

“She has changed a lot. At first it was hard to accept, but I got used to it later on. It was at a real clinic with real doctors,” he said.

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A tree

Back in 2018, mother of two Kate Cunningham said ‘I do’ to an elder tree at Rimsose Valley Country Park in order to bring attention to how green spaces in the area were being destroyed.

The Daily Mail reports that she changed her last name by deed poll to ‘Elder’ after the species of the tree she married.

The marriage idea began as a way to prevent the local government from building a bypass road that would run through the Valley.

A hologram

Akihiko Kondo from Japan married a hologram of cyber celebrity Hatsune Miku back in 2018. He fell in love with her a decade before when he first heard her music.

After falling into a deep depression, Kondo explains that the hologram, which is programmed to speak and respond, helped bring colour to his life. His bride lives in his Gatebox device, which creates the flickering hologram of Miku.

Picture: Instagram / Yuri Tolochko