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Weddings

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Who knew the wrong song could make or break you? According to a new survey, the wedding song you choose for your first dance may heavily impact on your marriage.

A recent survey by online marketplace OnBuy.com asked 5500 married couples in Britain what their first dance song was and how they would describe their relationship now.

Elton John’s ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’ came out tops as the song with the happiest couples post-wedding. A reported 506 couples chose this song to sway to, and 77% of them are still in a happy marriage.

Other songs happy couples danced to on their wedding night include:

– ‘Isn’t She Lovely’ by Stevie Wonder (75%)

– ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ by Frank Sinatra (74%)

– ‘A Whole New World’ from Aladdin by Lea Salonga & Brad Kane (71%)

– ‘At Last’ by Etta James (71%)

– ‘You Are So Beautiful’ by Westlife (70%)

– ‘You’ll Be In My Heart’ by Phil Collins (70%)

– ‘ I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing’ by Aerosmith (69%)

– ‘Your Song’ by Elton John (64%)

– ‘Better Together’ by Jack Johnson (64%)

Of those who danced the night away to One Direction’s ‘Little Things’, 75% were the most likely to be unhappy, separated or divorced. Other songs that future unhappy couples danced to include:

– ‘I’m Yours’ by Jason Mraz (61%)

– ‘Chasing Cars’ by Snow Patrol (56%)

– ‘Skinny Love’ by Birdy (54%)

– ‘You’ve Got a Friend In Me’ by Andy Newman (52%)

– ‘Stay With You’ by John Legend (49%)

– ‘Everything’ by Michael Bublé (49)

– ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ by Elvis Presley (48%)

– ‘Perfect’ by Ed Sheeran (42%)

Feature image: Pexels

One of the most popular millennial couples in Hollywood has a love story that is incredibly fitting. What started off as a Direct Message on Instagram grew into love, marriage and a baby for Joe Jonas and Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner.

Here is how this much-loved couple came to be:

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Turner (24) and Jonas (30) connected in 2016 in a way that seems the new norm: via Instagram.

“We had a lot of mutual friends and they’d been trying to introduce us for a long time,” Turner told Harper’s Bazaar UK during a March 2019 interview. “We were following each other on Instagram and he direct messaged me one fine day, out of the blue.”

They spoke for a few weeks before meeting up in real life at a local bar in London. Turner even brought some friends with in case Jonas was a catfish.

“I brought all my guy friends to come with me to meet him, because in the back of my mind I still worried that he could be a catfish — or I don’t know what,” she told Elle Magazine. “I just wanted my guy friends with me. I had my rugby boys. I was safe.”

Luckily, he was everything she wanted and more. They spent hours talking about everything under the sun and were inseparable from that point onwards. Turner even joined him on tour.

They went social media official in January 2017 after months of secretly dating when Turner posted an image of Jonas to her Instagram, simply captioning it ‘Miami daze’. They made their first public appearance together at the 2017 Met Gala, although they did not walk the carpet together.

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The relationship continued to grow, and by September of 2017 they adopted a puppy together, who they named Porky Basquiat. They also have another dog named Waldo Picasso, who is Porky’s biological brother.

Turner credits Jonas for helping her find self-love and work through her depression, which she has struggled with for years.

“I don’t think I love myself at all, but I’m now with someone that makes me realize that I do have some redeeming qualities, I suppose,” she said during an interview with Dr. Phil. “And when someone tells you they love you every day, it makes you really think about why that is and I think it makes you love yourself a bit more. So yeah, I love myself.”

In October 2017, they surprised the world by announcing their engagement.

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In May 2019, the couple shocked fans once again by getting hitched at a Las Vegas chapel after the Billboard Music Awards. The event was officiated by an Elvis Presley impersonator, and DJ Diplo livestreamed it to all his Instagram followers.

They said ‘I do’ yet again a month later, although on a much grander scale. Their official wedding in June was held at a chateau in the France, and Turner stunned in a custom Louis Vuitton gown.

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The pair welcomed their first child in July 2020, a daughter named Willow. We can’t wait to see what they do next.

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Feature image: Instagram/Joe Jonas

You might want to add a handbag to your wedding attire. However, a large sling bag is not exactly ideal for an elegant and formal look.

We recommend getting a small clutch to keep your make-up and tissues handy. Either go with the colour of your dress or a matching shade, or go with the colour of your decor to fit in with the theme.

You could also just abandon all tradition, and a pick any colour simply because you love it! There are endless styles, textures and design variations to choose from. Take a look at these stylish clutch bags to take inspiration from.

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Image: Pixabay

Many believe a wedding dress is the most important outfit one can ever wear. It’s the attire you choose to make an eternal promise to your love, so you’ll want to look your best.

With such weight and importance attached to an outfit, it’s easy to see why people opt to go big and bold for their special day. While lace, beading and applique detail are popular finishes to make a splash, it’s not necessary and can often times be quite costly. Sometimes, the most simple design is the most effective.

For those not into dramatic detail or for the budget conscious, there are many ways to still stun in a simple gown. The focus should be on the cut and fabric of the dress to make it appear more luxurious. An off-the-shoulder gown oozes sophistication, while small stylistic choices like adding a cape or twist detailing on your waist easily elevates a look.

If you’re in need of some inspiration, you’re in luck. Here are a few of our gowns sans-lace that are anything but boring:

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Feature image: Pexels

Emma Stone is a married woman! After months of speculation, it has been confirmed that the Oscar-winning actress secretly tied the knot with her Saturday Night Live writer, fiance Dave McCary.

People Magazine reports that a source can confirm the couple are married, although no further details were provided. Neither of them has publicly addressed their nuptials, but they have been spotted out wearing matching wedding bands.

Stone first got the rumour mill running when she wore a wedding band very different to her engagement ring during an interview with Reese Witherspoon and psychiatrist Harold S. Koplewicz on the Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine YouTube channel back in May.

The couple got engaged in December 2019, after being together for about two years. McCary announced the engagement on Instagram.

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The couple met on the set of Saturday Night Live (SNL) when Stone hosted the show in 2016. According to a source, McCary took the actress ”back to the hallway where they first locked eyes” for their romantic proposal.

“He had rose petals scattered all over the floor, dropped to one knee and asked Emma to marry him,” they add. “Of course, she said yes. Emma’s found her dream man, and now, she’s getting her dream wedding!”

Feature image: Instagram

It’s a time-honoured tradition to display your new relationship status on the getaway car on your big day. Passersby rejoice at the familiar sight of the ‘Just married’ sign trailing tin cans or colourful ribbons in its wake as your car heads from the ceremony to the reception.

Why limit yourself to just your car? You can announce your marriage on pretty much anything you’d like. Go as big, or as small, as you’d like, it’s your day!

Modern couples have taken to creating custom pieces they can keep forever to let the world know they’ve tied the knot. From custom leather jackets, parasols or even a neon sign to light up the night, anything goes. We love that these alternative items can be preserved for decades and act as a special tangible memory to look back on as the years go by.

Here are some traditional and trendy ideas to be inspired by:

 

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Feature image: Pexels

International travel is back on the cards! Now that South Africa has shifted to lockdown Level 1, our borders will reopen to visitors from October 1.

With this, couples now have the option to once again host a destination wedding in another country. Of course, this comes with its own difficulties as other countries also have lockdown measures in place. Here is what to keep in mind:

Travel restrictions:

Only three airports are open for international travel in the country: OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town International Airport. There are 18 land borders open to the public, and the other 35 will remain closed. Every flight, bus, cruise and train ride carries with them a risk of further transmission. Thus, there will be strict protocols implemented to limit the risk.

While the borders are open, not every country is accessible. All travellers from the African continent and from countries outside the African continent with a low rate of infections and transmission may travel to and from South Africa, subject to them having a health clearance certificate and the directions by the relevant ministers.

In the event of the traveler’s failure to submit a certificate as proof of a negative test, the traveler will be required to quarantine at his or her own costs.

To temporarily control entry into the Republic from countries outside the African Continent, the relevant Cabinet members shall, after consultation with the Cabinet member responsible for health, determine in directions

– criteria for controlling entry into the Republic, from such countries with a high COVID -19 infection and transmission rate;

– the list of such countries with a high COVID -19 infection and transmission rate, which may, from time to time, be amended.

Countries with high infection rates will not be allowed to enter until their infections come under control.

Visa applications will reopen and long-term visas will be re-established from October 1.

Feature image: Pexels

Spring has sprung, so why should your hair still be stuck in winter? From a subtle trim to a dramatic colour change, we’re showing you four ways to up your hair’s cool factor this Spring.

A cut above the rest

It doesn’t take a dramatic change or a major snip to have a transformational hair moment, so before you reach for the scissors, listen up. An easy way to completely change your look without any long term commitment, is by going for some well-placed layers, or better yet, bangs. These options won’t require you to change the overall length of your hair, but will still give you some new-found movement. You could also try changing up the style of cut you’d normally get, like going for a blunt cut rather than feathered, or something leaning more towards asymmetrical. Small changes can make you feel like a brand new person, and isn’t that what spring is all about?

Pin-up girl

This Spring, it’s all about bringing retro back. Opt for slicked back hair with a few pins, slides or barrettes keeping it all together. Alternatively, wash and blow-dry hair into a smooth, voluminous ‘do, making use of some mousse, a blow-dry cream and a big barrel brush. For the curly girls, take it up a notch and really celebrate those curls by grabbing a curling cream or gel, and working it through damp hair to define curls without weighing it down.

Dive right in

Even though it’s not quite warm enough to go for ocean dips yet, we can still achieve beachy waves without needing the actual waves. Surfergirl hair is not only effortless and cool, but saves on unnecessary heat damage and mechanical wear and tear as well. Regardless of your hair texture, beachy waves is all about working with the texture you have and creating a more tousled, natural effect. Work a small amount of sea salt spray through the lengths of your clean, towel-dried hair and comb through to distribute evenly. Scrunch the hair to encourage a tousled effect, or plait hair into a few rough braids and leave to air dry.

Hot or cold

But in this case, why not both?! Science has revolutionised the beauty industry, and it isn’t stopping any time soon. So why not jump on the bandwagon and try out, not one, but two tones for your locks this Spring? Wella’s Opal-Essence range gives you one colour result with both warm and cool light reflections and a milky metallic sheen, thanks to a proprietary artificial intelligence process where unique colour desire is captured. From copper peach to silver mauve, the 5 no-depth permanent shades means the light is less absorbed, producing warm and cool hues depending on the bend of each hair.
For a completely unique colour update, visit your nearest Wella Professionals salon near you:  https://linktr.ee/wellaprofessionals_sa
Feature image: Unsplash

Kim Kardashian is entering the wedding world! The mogul just expanded her coveted shapewear brand SKIMS to include something new for brides.

The SKIMS bridal collection features their popular solutionwear styles like bodysuits, briefs, bralettes and more to wear underneath your dress for a seamless finish. All pieces come in soft blue.

“From something silky to something blue: we’ve got you covered with our most loved Solutionwear styles in a new soft blue color and a limited edition, embroidered silk robe,” they explain on their Instagram page.

Sizes range from XXS to 5x, and the line launches Firday, September 25 on the SKIMS website.

Take a look at the collection:

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Feature image: Instagram / SKIMS

South Africa is officially in Level 1 of the nationwide lockdown, bringing a further easing of restrictions. This shift has inspired a greater interest in wedding bookings.

While weddings have been allowed since Level 2, the restrictions on public gatherings meant that only 50 people may attend. Under Level 1, a maximum of 250 people are allowed at an indoor venue, and 500 for an outdoor venue as long as a 1.5metre distance can still be applied.

The wedding industry has experienced a spike in bookings from couples looking to still tie the knot this year. According to EWN, many couples have booked venues to host their weddings in the last few months of the year.

“You finding a lot of last-minute people who are taking advantage of level lockdown regulations,” explained wedding specialist Khali de Villiers.

Many venues and vendors will be offering specials as the industry opens up, enticing more and more couples to place a booking.

All weddings will be under strict health and safety regulations, and guests will be required to wear masks at all times unless eating or drinking.

Picture: Pexels