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A terminally ill superfan had his final wish fulfilled, thanks to iconic actress Jamie Lee Curtis. The original scream queen officiated the superfan’s wedding less than an hour before his death.

Horror movie-lover Anthony Woodles had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2019. Prior to the diagnosis, the 29-year-old aspiring director had been in contact with Halloween star Jamie Lee Curtis.

After informing her of his plans to marry long-term girlfriend Emilee, Curtis offered to officiate the wedding. They planned the big day for September 13.

The day of the ceremony, Woodle’s faced a severe health setback. As he lay unconscious in bed, surrounded by his family, Curtis officiated the wedding via a phone call.

“Anthony and Emilee, all anyone is promised is this moment,” she said during the ceremony. “We live and we love in this moment. May the blessings of God rest upon you, may his peace abide with you, may her spirit illuminate your heart now, in this moment. With the power vested in me by the internet, it is my great pleasure to tell you that you are now married people.”

The ceremony began at 10.30pm, and Woodle died at 11.17pm.

Before his death, Woodle was lucky enough to be the first outsider to watch the upcoming thriller Halloween Kills, the latest in the iconic Halloween-franchise. Director David Gordon Green set up a private screening for Woodle and Emilee.

In South Africa, there are only three types of marriages that are recognised by the law. Those are civil marriages, customary marriages, and civil unions.

Whichever marriage you are going to register under, there is a protocol to follow and there are specific documents and forms to submit to the Department of Home Affairs.

When you enter into a civil marriage or civil union, the marriage officer will issue a handwritten marriage certificate free of charge at the ceremony, but you will have to apply for a copy of the marriage certificate from the Department of Home Affairs. Your first abridged marriage certificate is free.

After your wedding, it is advised that you report within two to three days of the marriage taking place but with customary law, you can take up to three months to have it legally registered.

You must go to your local marriage officer with all the necessary documents and ensure that they are certified.

What do you need?

– Fingerprints (left thumbprint) of the bride and groom

-Three ID size photos (preferably in colour) of the bride

-Three ID size photos (preferably in colour) of the groom

-Certified copy of the bride’s green ID or Passport

-Certified copy of the groom’s green ID or Passport

-Certified copy of the ID with the address and telephone number of the TWO witnesses

-Proof of residence

Pro tips

– Purchase a small stamp pad for the purpose like those used in Trodat stamp pads

-Keep tissues handy (to wipe fingers, not tears!)

-Take fingerprints and collect all documentation at the wedding rehearsal and NOT on the wedding day

– Make sure that you have all the necessary paperwork, photos, and fingerprints before the wedding commences

– Go change the names on passport and ID documents as soon as possible

-It is convenient to have the last will and testament and all other legal matters concluded at the time of the marriage.

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Finding your dream dress is always a special moment, but when it’s out off your price range that dream turns into a nightmare. Luckily, this bride was able to get her gown thanks to an unlikely celebrity source.

A woman went on social media and posted about an A-line dress from David’s Bridal with floral details and removable neckline sleeves that she fell in love with, but also mentioned that she could not afford it.

“I’m getting married in March and trying to move home,” Twitter user Ireanna wrote. “Excited but overwhelmed. I saved some money, but it’s still a struggle. I found the dress of my dreams and want to have it so badly, but come in saving for the move, I don’t think it will be possible.”

She then asked her followers to consider donating to her Cash app to help make her dream come true. Out of the people that the tweet reached, Missy Elliot responded with: “Congratulations early on. God bless you both with an unbreakable Union full of love and happiness”.

Ireanna was overjoyed about Missy’s response and invited the star to her wedding. Missy responded by telling her that she has paid for her dress.

 

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It seems that the iconic singer has a heart for charity as another Twitter user commented that Missy has paid for her dog’s surgery.

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2020. The year we spent indoors. Now, summer is here, and with restrictions having eased somewhat we’re finding ourselves more inclined to spend time outdoors in the sunshine.

“While it’s important to remember that COVID-19 is by no means behind us, and all safety precautions such as mask-wearing, sanitising and social distancing should be adhered to when out and about, bidding farewell to this year while enjoying the great outdoors our country has to offer is something to celebrate,” acknowledges Themba Ndlovu, Clere For Men and Clere For Men Active brand manager.

He adds that when spending time outside it’s important to take your skin into account. “Summer can be harsh on your skin if you don’t prep it or look after it properly. The heat, air pollution, perspiration and excess oil build up are the not so nice side effects of the season. This is where skincare comes in. It’s important to switch up your skincare routine as and when your skin requirements change.”

Ndlovu advises on what you should focus on when it comes to your skin this summer:

Eat healthy: You must have heard that you are what you eat. This may sound clichéd but it’s true your skin is directly impacted by your diet and the lifestyle choices you make. Avoid oily, fried food. Get your glow with proteins, Vitamins A and C. A yoghurt smoothie with fruits such as strawberries and apple is a great way to start your day.

Wash your face: Maintaining a clean face is key year-round, but because the heat makes you sweat more, keeping pores unclogged is more challenging during summer. A deep-cleaning face wash formulated for daily use will help free your skin of dirt build up without drying it out. Once daily is enough but add a second wash on extra active afternoons.

Moisturise: Although our skin tends to become oiler in summer and perspiration increases this doesn’t mean you should skimp on moisturiser. In fact, the drier you leave your skin, the more oil it will generate naturally to compensate. The speediest route to summer skin? Internal hydration by drinking water and external by applying moisturiser. Apply a moisturiser daily, preferably one that offer long-lasting moisturisation. Both Clere For Men and Clere For Men Active lotions and crèmes will help moisturise your skin for up to 48 hours keeping your skin healthy and looking its best.

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Itumeleng Khune and Siphelele Makhunga have reached an exciting milestone. The Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper and his beautiful wife have officially been married for one year.

The sports star ‘put a ring on it’ in 2019, but they have been a couple for three years.

“3 years of loving each other down, Forever to go. Happy Anniversary my love?” Makhunga wrote on Instagram to mark their two special anniversaries.

While he didn’t make a post of his own, Khune commented of his partner’s post: “Here’s to more years wifey.”

 

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The pair have a nine-month-old baby together.

 

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Pictures: Instagram

Your wedding day is the one day that you get to live out your fantasies. All the things you dreamt of when you were young can come true on this special day.

A unity ceremony is not necessary if it is not what you want, but it might be an option that’s the perfect fit for you and your partner, whether you’re looking for something religious, historical, or sentimental.

What is a ‘unity ceremony’?

A unity ceremony is a symbolic ritual intertwined with the wedding ceremony.  They are meaningful rituals performed during your wedding to represent becoming a union.

Normally, a unity ceremony allows for other family members to participate as well, furthering its meaning and representation of two families joining together.

Light A Candle

This one is the most traditional and common option, so it’s perfect for couples who want something a bit more classic. Before the ceremony, three candles are placed on the altar: two taper candles and one large candle—the “unity candle”—in the middle. At the beginning of the ceremony, a member from each family – traditionally the mothers – lights one of the taper candles before you exchange vows.

Take A Shot

If you and your partner like taking the time to appreciate your drinks or want an excuse to calm the nerves in the middle of your ceremony, you could go straight for taking a shot of your favorite alcohol. This will have a deeper meaning for both of you.

Unity sand

This is a ceremony that is best when the whole family does it. The idea behind the sand ceremony is that, when poured together, the grains of sand will blend, and they are not easily separated from one another. You can use coloured sand, or sand from meaningful locations.

Love letters

The most sentimental ceremony hands down, is the love letters. The couple would have written love letters to each other, they take these and lock them in a box with a bottle of wine and some wine glasses.

They are only allowed to open the box on their first anniversary, share the wine, and read the letters you wrote for each other.

Jumping the broom

In this old wedding ceremony tradition, the couple hast heir hands bound together before they jump over the broom, which signifies leaving their single lives behind and jumping into their new married future together.

Pictures: Unsplash, Pixabay, Pintrest.

We all know the tragic story of Princess Charles and the late Princess Diana. The young Diana, plucked from her normal life, became the world’s obsession when it was announced she would marry the future king, Prince Charles.

What many people don’t know, however, is that she very nearly did not become princess. Before they met, Prince Charles was pressured into proposing to someone else.

Prince Charles famously dated future second wife Camilla Parker-Bowles when they were younger, but was forced to break things off because his family had determined she was not a suitable partner for the future King.

In the years after, the prince was pushed toward his cousin (not a first cousin) Amanda Knatchbull. Charles’ great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten had encouraged him to strike up a relationship with Knatchbull, who was his granddaughter, reports royal historian and biographer Robert Lacey.

“Over the years the two cousins did grow close, developing a mutual respect and friendship that has lasted to the present day. But when the prince finally made his proposal in the summer of 1979—shortly before Lord Mountbatten’s assassination by the IRA—the independent-minded Amanda politely turned him down,” wrote Lacey in Battle of Brothers: William and Harry – The Inside Story of a Family in Tumult.

“The surrender of self to a system, she explained, was so absolute when joining the royal family, it involved a loss of independence ‘far greater than matrimony usually invites,'” Lacey writes in the book.

Her reasoning for not accepting the proposal reportedly greatly impacted the future king, and served to confirm his “own belief that to marry into the House of Windsor was a sacrifice that no-one should be expected to make,” wrote Charles’ biographer, Jonathan Dimbleby.

The prince went on to date Diana in 1980, after meeting her through her older sister Lady Sarah, whom he also used to date. The pair announced their engagement on February 24 and married later that year on July 29.

Picture: Pinterest

There is no rule that says you can’t look sexy on your big day. Bold brides are encouraged to show some skin with a daring dress that oozes sex appeal.

Show off your favourite assets in a sexy wedding gown. From a plunging neckline to an open back or thigh-high slit, you can achieve this look in multiple ways.

Here are a few slinky numbers we are loving:

 

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Grooms want to go bold on their big day should opt for a white suit. Crisp, classic, and cool, this look is enduringly stylish.

A white suit works for almost all seasons. It complements a winter wedding and adds a lighter feel to go along with a summer soiree. What’s great about a white suit is that it looks great in any style, from a classic tuxedo to an edgy double-breast.

You can opt for white from head to toe, or bring in some dimension with a coloured shirt or suit lapel. The beauty of this look is that it is easily customisable.

Here are some dapper grooms doing it big:

 

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A wedding dress retailer in Johannesburg allegedly shut down its shop without warning, leaving many brides without the gowns they paid for in full or most of the money upfront.

According to W24, the shop owners left a handwritten poster outside the shop saying “Due to the current economic state in our country and the rest of the world, Eurobride has not been able to recover financially to open our doors again. Regretfully we are not able to fulfill our obligations to all our clients.”

Nerissa was one of the unfortunate brides that lost money due to the closing of the shop. She saw a special on Facebook saying that there is a 50% special that was going on at Eurobide for bridal gowns. Her wedding was supposed to be in December and in August she went for a fitting and she says that it went well.

Speaking to W24, she explained that she paid R10 000 upfront for the dress and the full amount was R20 000. The lady at the shop asked her if she wanted to keep the dress and Nerissa thought it was easier to leave the dress at the shop so that she can come in for alterations without problems, little did she know that she was going to lose the money. She was supposed to go on her final fitting on November 16, 2020 but received an email on October 13 informing her of the closure.

She was not the only customer who suffered this loss, many brides went on social media and spoke about this.

The shop’s attorney Johan du Toit told Timeslive that “If our client has to meet every bride, they will honestly not get to all of them. As this is an incredibly time-consuming and expensive exercise for our client’s small team.”

A total of 29 brides are reportedly owed R473 950 by Eurobride, and took to protesting outside the store.

 

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Attorney Du Toit sent letters to several Eurobride clients who had shared their experiences on social media, she responded to the accusations and said that Eurobride has had no new income for six months, yet still the same overheads. The postponement of all weddings came at a huge expense for the comapny, and the client was forced to make difficult decisions, due to the fact that they do not satisfy the solvency and liquidity test, and it would be negligent if they continued trading.

Pictures: Instagram/ Unsplash