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    With a million things to decide on, from cakes, decor, and venue amongst others, making the decision whether to hire a wedding planner or to do everything yourself is a tricky decision.

    The logistics can take away from the thrill of enjoying your big day. It’s no wonder so many choose to hire a wedding planner to plan their big day so they can focus on the fun.

    While wedding planners are more experienced and flexible, those who want 100% control will probably be better doing doing it themselves.

    If you enjoy planning and doing things yourself then, by all means, you should plan your wedding. This can also be another way to save money because it will cost you less than having to pay a professional.

    Here are the pros and cons of hiring a planner.

    The Pros

    – Your wedding will have an expert look to give it the extra flair and beauty

    – You will not worry about things going wrong, because that is not your responsibility

    – Pros already know who to call and for what  to make your big day amazing

    – Your budget gets a professional eye and you will get a fresh perspective of ideas

    The Cons

    – You will lose some control over the planning of your own wedding

    – You will spend more money paying a professional than you would if you were doing it yourself

    – You may have a difficult time trusting someone with every detail, and have disagreements from time to time

    Picture: Unsplash

    Diogo Rabelo, a 33-year-old doctor, married himself in a sologomous ceremony at a luxurious resort in Itacare, in the north-eastern state of Bahia, Brazil on October 17. The decision to marry himself followed after his fiance broke up with him over a series of arguments over the summer.

    The couple was meant to get married in September but broke up in July. Instead of calling off the whole thing, Rabelo decided to got through with the big day and marry himself. The wedding cost him around 350,000 BRL (R977 989) and 40 of the people who were initially invited attended. Not surprisingly, the ex’s friends and family did not show up.

    The reason behind tying the knot on his own was that he wants to send a message to people that you do not need to depend on a marriage to be happy.

    Rabelo explains: “Today is one of the happiest days of my life, as I’m with the people I love the most in this life, celebrating what could be a tragedy, but I made it a comedy.”

    “I do want to marry someone else, and I want to have children, but my happiness cannot depend on that,” he added.

     

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    Valentina, hoje será o dia que seu tio vai casar! ? @landersonviana

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    Picture: Pexels

    A British couple now shares a rather unusual surname. After tying the knot in a pre-second lockdown wedding, the pair now go by Mr and Mrs White-Christmas.

    Tilly Christmas and Kieran White met as children and got married on Tuesday [November 3] at the Roman Baths in Bath, just before England began its second lockdown.

    Christmas already has a unique surname and decided to keep it after marriage. However, combining her surname with her husband’s surname was an offer she could not refuse.

    “I wanted to keep the name going. It just so happens the man I am marrying has the perfect surname to go with it,” she told the BBC.

    The pair first realised their surnames came together as the festive White-Christmas at their secondary school prom when their friend uploaded pictures to social media using #WhiteChristmas.

    Picture: Unsplash

    Nevada voters have overturned an 18-year old amendment and became the first American state to officially remove a ban on same-sex marriage from its state constitution.

    Despite the Supreme Court ruling same-sex marriage legal in every state across the country in 2015, an inactive ban from a 2002 amendment defining marriage as being between one man and one woman remained. Nevada was one of 30 states to pass a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

    During Tuesday’s [November 3] election, state residents voted in support of the “Marriage Regardless of Gender Amendment” to have the inactive ban removed from the constitution. According to Nevada secretary of state, about 62% were in favour while 38% of residents voted against the amendment. Now, marriage will be defined as between couples, regardless of gender, although religious organisations and clergypersons will still retain the right to refuse to solemnise a marriage.

    “This overwhelming majority should be a reminder that LGBTQ equality is not just the right thing to do, it is exactly what Nevadans want,” said Briana Escamilla, Human Rights Campaign’s Nevada director.

    “It’s the fix we need to make here,” André Wade, head of Silver State Equality, told KTNV-TV. “We have discriminatory language in the constitution, and we need to take it out. We know Nevadans value equality, and we want our constitution to mirror that.”

    Concerns of a conservative majority on the Supreme Court have increased following the appointment of Justice Amy Coney Barrett to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Removing the same-sex ban thus acts as a way for residents to offer some form of protection for same-sex couples, regardless of any future federal moves in the Supreme Court.

    Picture: Unsplash

    Unsure of what suit will fit you best? It’s important to choose the right style and wear what flatters your shape most. Looking good is guaranteed to make you feel good!

    Take a look at these tips and tricks to find the perfect fit for you.

    Slender and tall

    Tall men often have trouble finding pants that cover their ankles completely. Make sure your pants are the right length, as pants that are too short will seem skimpy. Alternatively, you cold opt for ankle grazers which are meant to be shorter and end just above the ankles. If you are slim and want to add more texture to your shape, opt for a blazer with padded shoulders. Dark colours work well with taller postures.

    Muscular

    If you are a fitness enthusiast and have the muscles to prove it, you could possibly wear any style and rock it. However, remember to choose the right size. Buying too small to enhance your muscles is not smart. You will feel uncomfortable and there is always the risk of popping buttons.  The correct size will set you off just fine.

    Short and bulky

    Go for smooth textures, without too many bells and whistles. The idea is to make you look taller, so opt for vertical stripes or buttoned blazers. Make sure the pant legs are not too long and don’t scrunch at the bottom. Rather get them hemmed if you can’t find a size that fits the waist and legs equally well.

    Slender and short

    If you have a small frame, you get to go all out. Lighter colours will make you appear larger and stylish accessories will be pleasing to the eye. A bit of extra shoulder padding will also go a long way, and keep an eye out for shoes with a slightly raised sole.

    Large

    If you are more man than muscle, fret not. Dress smartly in slimming colours like navy and charcoal, and avoid attracting attention to your waistline. Vests are flattering and will conceal any insecurities. Make sure your pants fit nice and snug, not baggy as that will make you seem bigger. The right size is key.

    Images: Pinterest

    Feature picture: Unsplash

    Tradition dictates that only the bride can wear white on her big day. Well, it’s 2020 and rules are meant to be broken!

    The tradition of brides wearing white began with Queen Victoria back in 1840, and has been an accepted and essential part of weddings ever since. However, many brides are skipping tradition and creating memorable weddings following their own tastes on desires. Some opt to not even wear white.

    Why not take it one step further and have your bridal party dress in white too?  The key to pulling off this trend is contrast. Even though everyone is wearing white, guests should immediately be able to tell who the bride is. Keep enough difference between your dress and your bridesmaid dresses so that the roles are clear.

    Here are some beautiful bridal parties wearing white and making a statement.

     

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    Picture: Unsplash

    Talk about an out-of-this-world proposal! This couple got engaged while on a ZERO-G space simulation flight.

    Xavier Andrews popped the question to his girlfriend Shanté Cosme aboard the ZERO-G in a modified Boeing 727-200, a commercial way to experience what it’s like to be in space without actually going there.

    Speaking to Brides, Andres explained that he wanted to do something special for the proposal.

    “We’re an adventurous couple,” he said“We’ve been to 12 countries together and have done everything from exploring the caves of Railay Beach, Thailand to snowmobiling the Vatnajökull glaciers of Iceland—so it felt right.”

    The incredible images, captured by photographer Steve Boxall, shows the couple floating as if on Cloud 9 as the proposal takes place.

    Cosme was suspicious of her partner and had already sussed out that a proposal was near.

    “When we got to the Blade lounge in NYC and I realized we’d be taking a helicopter to the airport, I thought, ‘This would be a really cool way to propose,’” she told Brides. “People kept pulling him aside and he assured me he was just handling the bill, but I knew something was up.”

    While enjoying the experience, Andrews pulled out the ring, which was fastened to him by string to keep it from floating away.

    Cosme immediately burst into tears at the sight of the ring and accepted the proposal before Andrews even officially asked.

     

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    Congrats to the happy couple!

    Picture: Pexels

    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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     Picture: Pexels

    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…

    A post shared by Moshe Nkumanda-Ndiki (@moshendiki) on

    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.

    Picture: Unsplash