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Weddings

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While many brides want to be different on their special day, your hair is not something you need to be unique.

There is no need to go crazy with a wedding hairstyle. In 20 years time, you don’t want to look back at your wedding pictures and hate your hairstyle. Sometimes, a classic look is best.

Soft flowing waves or a chic chignon are popular for a reason. They are eternally glamorous styles that have been in fashion for decades.

Whether you want your hair up or down, a simple hairstyle can quickly be elevated by adding a fun hair accessory. From a flower crown to jewel-encrusted clips, choose a look that goes with the overall vibe you have in mind. This way, you have the classic look with a little something for added personality.

Take some inspiration from these brides.

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South African celebrity couple Moshe Ndiki and Phelo Bala shocked fans when they recently announced they secretly tied the knot a year ago. The pair have just shared another never-before-seen look into their special day.

Ndiki and Bala said ‘I do’ on October 31, 2019, in a secret ceremony.  In an Instagram post, Moshe shared their anniversary news and a collage of images from their time together, captioning the post: “Happy 1 year Wedding anniversary to us♥️ “What God Has Put Together Let No Man Put Asunder” Matthew 19:6Happy One year wedding anniversary my love, always has been you, always will be you.”

In another video recently shared, Ndiki posted a clip from their actual wedding day. Surrounded by family and friends, the pair lovingly say their vows to one another.

“I promise to love you in this life and the next (lifetime),” Ndiki says in the clip.

“The kind of love I have for you is the Godly love…it’s unwavering…baby I love you…I really love you,” Bala expresses. “I love you today, I love you tomorrow and we’re still going to go through things and I will still love you then.

 

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I still get those butterflies , crazy after all this time…

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The secretive couple have been together on and off since 2010 and got engaged in September 2019 when Bala went down on one knee. Two months later, unknown to the general public, they tied the knot.

Since then, they have had a whirlwind few months. In June, reports emerged that Ndiki had allegedly assaulted Bala with a candle stand, leading Bala to obtain an interim court order against Ndiki.

In a statement, Ndiki denied the rumours and later filed a counter case, claiming that Bala had been abusive towards him on numerous occasions.

Picture: Instagram / Phelo Bala

Scottish couple Melissa Russell, 27, and Shannon McKenna, 26, have been together for six years, and getting married was not part of their plans. However, like many couples this year, the COVID-19 pandemic made them realise that they want to spend the rest of their lives together.

Melissa and Shannon had hoped for a marquee in their garden for the wedding and a few nights away at a hotel.

Melissa, who is an employee at McDonald’s, spoke to her boss about her frustrations of planning a wedding during a pandemic. Her employer, Kate, then pulled out all the stops to give them a dream wedding reception in the fast-food restaurant.

The two were legally married by a humanist celebrant in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, and then went to celebrate the rest of the day at the McDonald’s Melissa works at.

On the menu for the newlyweds was a three-course meal containing Mozzarella Dippers or Chicken Selects for starters, anything on the menu for the main course and ice cream was served in crystal glasses, or apple pie and ice cream.

The couple were over the moon and so emotional about the whole thing,

“It was an absolutely fabulous day. Kate is such a lovely, helpful person and she went above and beyond, she did so many things we didn’t expect, she got the tables decorated,” said Melissa.

The newlyweds then spent a night in Loch Lomond for a brief honeymoon, before returning home.

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When crafting a wedding look, many brides keep their culture close to their heart. For Muslim women who choose to wear a hijab in everyday life, it seems natural to wear one on their big day too.

A hijab is a headscarf worn by Muslim women. It covers the hair, neck and upper chest in accordance with Islamic tradition. Wearing a hijab is not compulsory, which is why it is a choice for women to wear one from puberty onwards.

Those who do choose to wear one do so stylishly. Many work it into their personal style, and your wedding look should be no different. Customise your bridal look by using the detail on your dress to adorn your hijab. From lace to beads and pearls to tulle, anything goes.

Here are some wonderful hijabi brides to inspire you:

 

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Bachelorette parties are best known as a night out with your best friends, drinking at a bar while dressed up in all sorts of bright and fluffy accessories. While this is appealing to some, others may not find running from bar to bar to be a good night out.

Luckily, bachelorettes don’t have to conform to any plain standard anymore. If you’re more of an active person who likes to get out there and do some exciting activity, why not make your bachelorette about that. Group activities are also a great way to bond with your friends before the big day.

Zip-lining 

Flying through trees or over large ravines is always a thrill but isn’t quite as high risk as bungee jumping which makes it perfect for the thrill-seeker who may have friends who aren’t quite as adventurous. There are many zip lining experiences all over South Africa so you won’t be out of options when it comes to the kind you would like to do.

Stand-up paddle boarding 

A more recent sport that has risen to popularity, stand-up paddle boarding gives you all the excitement of surfing without the stress of having to learn to pop-up. You can paddle your way through a canal or out in the ocean beyond the break with your friends and an instructor. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you could even try paddle-board yoga before a relaxing brunch.

Hike

This one is quite simple, if you’re into hiking why not pick your favourite hike and go with your friends. Try keep the route do-able for everyone and take some snacks to have a picnic at the top before making your way down.  Hikes give you loads of time to catch-up and talk as you marvel at nature around you and don’t leave you with a painful hangover.

Paintball

Who said paintball is just for the men. Traditionally part of many male bachelor parties, this could be a great way to get out some wedding stress and have fun with your friends. While going with a mixed group can often be stressful when things get competitive, you can set the tone when it comes to your paintball day.

Kayaking 

Whether it’s down a river or out in the ocean, kayaking is a really peaceful activity that can be done by most people. There are many companies that give you all the tools you need and instruct you on how to paddle properly so you don’t get stuck in one place. It makes for a great morning or afternoon out and can be followed by a lunch, brunch or drinks.

Pole Dancing Class

This one is almost a staple for the adventurous bride who has a decent amount of upper body strength. Pole dancing studios have been popping up all over the place and many offer a bachelorette package to show you some sexy, and acrobatic moves. Partially a workout, partially a laugh with your friends when you struggle, this is a great time to try if you’ve never done it. 

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On Saturday, October 31 Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that they will be going to another hard lockdown that will last four weeks in preparation for Christmas and to reduce the number of rapidly growing infections.

Couple Jo Loosemore, 33, and Matthew Goffin, 37 were meant to get married on November 14. Instead, they married 24 hours after the announcement. 

Matthew said that they already had a set date, venue, and 200 guests as part of their plans for their wedding day. The ceremony was going to take place in  Devon but because of the impromptu decision to get married a day after the announcement, they got married at Church of St Martin in Witcham, Cambridgeshire instead.

Initially, the venue in Devon was chosen because of the proximity to Jo’s parents but the change forced them to get married where they lived with their son.

Jo said: “I was having a shower on Saturday morning and I heard about the news coming out so I just thought, ‘Well I’ll see if we can get it done this weekend”

The couple ran around trying to get everything ready for their new wedding date, they posted an appeal on their village’s Facebook page, which led to offers from musicians, with friends and family also helping them and they had a beautiful ceremony.

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Etsy has announced the winners of its second Etsy Design Awards, and a wedding dress has made it on their list of favourites.

The Etsies is a global design competition in which people from around the world can submit their creations for categories from home and art to fashion, kids and pets.

Winners of the Etsies are chosen with the help of two star judges. This year, actress Drew Barrymore and NBC’s Making It judge and Etsy Trend Expert, Dayna Isom Johnson were part of the panel.

The competition has 12 categories, including a wedding category. This year, Lithuania-based designer Inge Stalyte took home top honours for her celestial-inspired wedding dress.

The tulle gown is adorned with silver and gold stars, and features a cascading cape.

 

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“Inge Stalyte’s intricate, celestial bridal gown is full of sparkling silver and gold sequin stars, carefully sewn into satin and tulle. Her collection of free-spirited, bespoke bridal pieces are completely made-to-measure, with a focus on comfort and inclusive sizing,” Etsy explains.

Picture: Instagram / Etsy

Three years of marriage is no small feat. While the honeymoon period is over and you’ve likely settled into wedded bliss, it is still important to honour every moment.

Every year is a special year for a married couple, as it marks another 365 days of their union. However, each anniversary has its own special meaning, according to tradition.

The third wedding anniversary is symbolised by leather, meant to represent strength and security. At this stage in your relationship, you’ve developed habits and patterns that have solidified, and you’ve faced ups and downs. Like leather, your love is durable and resilient.

Of course, it does not have to be real leather. You can easily opt for vegan leather alternatives to stay on tradition while not compromising your principles.

Here are some leather-related gift ideas to honour the day:

– A handbag

– A monogrammed wallet

– An office chair

– Boots

– Driving gloves

– Camera strap

– A leather-bound notebook

– Matching bracelets

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Got a special island wedding planned? Or even if you can’t have the destination wedding of your dreams, you can bring the island vibes to your special day with some tropical-inspired touches.  

Bring your wedding cake to life with some fun and fancy tropical extras. A tropical theme is all about bright, fun colours, from vivid greens to sharp yellow, any bold hue will work. Of course, you’ll need to incorporate flowers of some kind. If you’re hosting a destination wedding, use a popular local flower. Otherwise, palm leaves will work perfectly.

If you’re not into the botanical look, you could also use items like coconuts or pineapples to complete the feel.

Here are some stunning cakes to inspire you:

 

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Planning your wedding to the last detail can greatly help to cut down costs. Importantly, not everything needs to be outsourced, You can easily serve up some delicious DIY drinks to your guests, adding an extra interactive element to your big day.

Not only will it save you costs, but this will also create a fun vibe and you won’t have people complaining that eadrink menu did not have their favourite drink. Here are 5 DIY drinks your guest can make for themselves.

Cool lemonade 

For the non-drinkers and possibly children (if you will have them at your wedding) a cold lemonade is always a winner, it is very easy to make and you can easily be creative when making it. Another plus about this drink is that you don’t need a lot of ingredients. All you need are some lemons, water, and sugar/syrup.

Cut the lemons in half and then juice them.  Pour water and stir in sugar. Continue stirring until sugar is dissolved and the liquid looks clear again. Combine sugar solution with lemon juice. When ready to serve, add water to taste.

Mimosa 

This lovely two ingredients cocktail is a favorite amongst champagne lovers. It is easy to make. All you need is some chapmpagne and orange juice.

Ensure both ingredients are well chilled, then mix into the glass. Serve cold. To get the best taste, stir and not shake. For the ambiance you can add cherries, grenadine, strawberries
Gin bar
For gin lovers, Here’s an easy option that only requires one main ingredient and that is gin. Have mint, rosemary, and basil ready, slice up limes, lemons, and grapefruit to let guests add a refreshing twist to the classic. Look at how you can set up a gin bar.
Mojito
This is a sweet cocktail that is also very easy to make. It has versatility because you can have it as a non-alchoholic beverage but you can also add  your rum. You will need white rum, lime juice, sugar, mint leaves and soda water.
Whiskey cocktails
For guests who like hard liquor, this is the perfect thing for them. If you are tired of drinking it in shots, you can make cocktails out of them. You can have whiskey with apple tiser or red bull. The options are endless.
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