Weddings Archives | Page 42 of 188

In Celebs

Food Network star Ree Drummond shares new image from 1996 wedding

September 22, 2020 No Comments

It’s been 24 years since Food Network’s Ree Drummond aka the Pioneer Woman, married husband Ladd. Over two decades, later, the couple have four kids, a ranch and an empire.

The pair married on September 21, 1996 and Ree recently took to social media to share a never-before-seen image from their special day in honour of their 24th wedding anniversary.

‘I never got around to ordering my wedding photos. I’m an enneagram 7 like that. Anyway, I found this snapshot last week because Alex wanted to see my dress. It had a corset tie in the back with a little bunch of silk flowers at the waist. All business on the front, though. ? I love you, Ladd Drummond! Happy anniversary, and thank you for getting me pregnant within a week of this photo being taken,” the chef wrote on Instagram.

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Ree and Ladd met during a girls night at a bar in her hometown, according to The Pioneer Woman’s website.

“When Ree headed out for a casual girls’ night in her hometown, her expectations were low,” it said. “She had just moved back from Los Angeles and was making a pit stop in her hometown of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, for a few months before moving to Chicago. Desperate for a fun time with old friends, Ree agreed to meet her childhood buddies at a local dive (and didn’t even bother to put on eyeliner before rushing out the door!). The only thing on her mind was a much-needed glass of chardonnay.”

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They locked eyes at the bar and have been together ever since. They now share four children: Alex (23) , Paige (21) , Bryce (18) and Todd (16). Their eldest daughter Alex recently got engaged.

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Feature image: Instagram/Ree Drummond

In Emotional

Bride drives over 300km to show off wedding dress to grandad

September 22, 2020 No Comments

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced families apart as a form of protection. As life goes on, we miss more and more important milestones to the virus. However, this bride was determined to have her beloved grandfather see her in her wedding dress and put the pedal to the metal to make sure he did.

UK couple Alex Pearce and her new husband Philip married on August 29 in a micro-wedding with only 30 guests in attendance and in line with coronavirus restrictions. One of her most important family members, grandfather Graham Burley (87) unfortunately could not attend as it was too high-risk.

So Alex and Philip recently set off on a three-hour, 200 mile (321.869km) road trip to Hampshire to surprise her grandfather at his care home. They wore their wedding gear to relive their special day with Burley.

Upon arrival at the care home, the pair had their temperatures checked before sitting behind a clear screen and and toasting to their big day with the grandfather. Champagne and a slice of cake was on hand for their impromptu celebration.

“When we turned up at the care home it was a complete surprise for grandad, but obviously the staff knew about it. He burst into tears as soon as he saw us. It was incredibly special to visit him,” Alex told Metro UK.

Mr Burley added: “It was very emotional and I did shed a few tears. ‘It meant so much to get to see Alex in the beautiful white wedding dress she wore on her special day.’”

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

Snack bar ideas for your guests to enjoy

September 18, 2020 No Comments

If you’ve ever been a guest a wedding, you’ll know there’s a weird waiting period between the wedding ceremony and the reception. While the bride and groom are take photos, the guests make their way to the reception venue and hang around until the bridal party arrives.

To make this period a little more fun, why not have a snack bar for you guests to indulge in? That will take care of that slight rumble in their tummy. It also gives them the opportunity to interact with each other at the same time.

To keep the hunger at bay, delight your guests with a snack bar. Here are some cool ideas.

Movie theatre popcorn

Popcorn is easy to snack on and you can make tons of it at once. You can even offer various flavours, from caramel corn to butter and icing sugar. Make sure to offer your guests tons of toppings and sides, like Astros, mini chocolates and nuts to mix in their bags.

Sophisticated seafood

Oysters are chic and sophisticated. Have them displayed with some lemons and lime, and of course some sauce to pair. If you want to be even more extravagant, have some champagne on hand to pair them with.

Donut wall:

Donut mind if we dig into this station! Donut walls have been trending in the wedding world for years. It doubles up as a snack station and a visual attraction.

Candy station

Get your sweet on with a colourful candy station. Incorporate all your favourite sweets and throw in some sour candies for balance.

Ice cream bar

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. Buy a few of your favourite ice cream lollies in bulk and keep them cold in a cooler box, or have tubs and cones ready for your guests to help themselves. This is perfect for a summer wedding, when your guests will be desperate for something to cool them down.

Feature image: Pexels

In Diy

How to turn your backyard into a wedding venue

September 18, 2020 No Comments

Weddings are (almost) back to normal with the new Level 1 regulations. Venues may be filled to 50% capacity with the cap on outdoor venues at 500 people. So, unless you live in Buckingham Palace, you shouldn’t have to cut too many from your guest list for a backyard wedding.

Having your wedding in your own garden might be a very attractive option for some for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, you don’t have to budget for venue hire, and you can get any date you choose. Some might also feel safer in terms of COVID-19, as you don’t have to go into a public space.

If you decide to go this route, you have to do it well. Here are our top tips on how to make sure your big day is extra special.

Decide on the number of guests

Firstly, depending on your space, budget and current lockdown regulations, you and your partner will need to decide how many guests you can invite. Backyard weddings tend to be smaller and more intimate, so firstly set out a list of your closest family and friends you want to invite. Remember to count all the vendors and the marriage officer too. All this will help determine how you lay out of the wedding and the rest of your plans.

Consider the weather

Depending on the season in the area you live, you might have to provide some form of cover from wind, rain or sun. Shop around for different styles of marquee tents, tepees, gazebos or even just umbrellas. You wouldn’t want to have everyone slosh around in mud or get heat stroke on your wedding day.

Use available space economically

Decide where you want the ceremony, the ‘waiting area’ and the reception. Of course, it can all be the same spot if you choose, but make sure guests know where you want them. Also be mindful of social distancing for your own and your guests’ safety. Place families together at dining tables and place seats at the reception far apart. Names on seats and tables are an easy way to guide everyone.

Match your decor to what you already have

If your garden is the setting, you can work with what you have and just add subtle extras to complement existing beauty. Take note of the plants growing in your garden and match your colour scheme to that. Also try to use functional items doubly as decor. For example, if you have an arch at the ceremony, why not make it double as a photo booth at the reception? If you have a gifts table, ask your bridal parties to move the gifts indoors before the reception and convert that table into the drinks station.

Images: Pinterest

Featured Images: Pexels

In Advice

Banging decor for a beach wedding

September 18, 2020 No Comments

A beach wedding is the quintessential summer event. The sound of the waves gently lapping on the shore and the feeling of sand in between your toes is enough to soothe anyone’s senses.

With such a beautiful backdrop, there isn’t that much you need to do to dress your venue. A few tables, flowers and umbrellas for shade are all you need.

If you want to add that extra flair, there are so many fun and vibrant styling ideas that are guaranteed to wow your guests. Think chandeliers, modern arches and boho-inspired lanterns.

If you’re struggling to visualise, don’t fear. We’ve got some amazing inspiration:

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Feature image: Pexels

In cake

Wedding cakes that are basically works of art

September 18, 2020 No Comments

Decorating a wedding cake is a form of art. Anyone can ice a cake, but only true artists can take it to the next level.

We love a stand-out wedding cake, mainly because it can work as its own feature on your big day. A cake can become art depending on the overall aesthetic and finish you choose.

Adding tons of texture and 3-dimensional detail is the easiest way to get your art on. You can also go literal with an abstract-inspired icing job, or get creative with your cake stand.

Here are a few of our favourite creations:

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Feature image: Pexels

In Legal

Same-sex couple seek R2-million in damages from SA wedding venue

September 18, 2020 No Comments

The battle continues for same-sex couple Megan Watling and Sasha-Lee Heekes. The pair are facing off in court against Western Cape wedding venue Beloftebos, who made headlines in January for refusing to host their same-sex wedding ceremony on religious grounds.

The couple are now seeking R2-million in damages, which they plan to donate to charity. Court papers filed in the Equality court reveal that Watling and Heekes are suing Beloftebos owners Andries and Coia de Villiers for the impairment of dignity, pain and suffering due to unfair discrimination against them.

The brides-to-be also want the court to declare the venue’s refusal to host same-sex weddings as unfair discrimination, and thus unlawful and unconstitutional. They are seeking an unconditional apology from the venue, in which they acknowledge the harm they have caused.

The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) launched an application against the owners in March, following several complaints about the venue. The Comissioner, André Gaum, explained that the outcome they hoped to achieve includes that the venue’s policy be declared discriminatory, and that they are forced to host same-sex marriages. He said that the policy is unconstitutional and amounts to unfair discrimination.

Back in May, Beloftebos filed their own papers claiming that they were discriminated against by the SAHRC. The owners of the establishment claimed that they had filed papers with the Equality Court, opposing the fact that they have discriminated against LGBTI+ people. This means they are arguing that their policy which states that they will not host same-sex weddings, is not discriminatory.

Michael Swain, executive director of Freedom of Religion South Africa said that Beloftebos are “asking the Equality Court to find that the SAHRC unfairly discriminated against them on grounds of conscience, religion and belief, and that the commission is biased and prejudiced in its treatment of them and their belief system”.

Feature image: Facebook / Beloftebos

In Emotional

Colombian woman has dream wedding days before she dies

September 18, 2020 No Comments

A 30-year-old woman from Colombia had her dream of being a bride come true when she married her long-term love in the hospital, a few days before her death.

Estefany Torres Vera (30) and Duvan Yefren Pabon met at a mall nine years ago, and have been together ever since. They have a seven-year-old son and always wanted to get married but were unable to do so due to their financial situation.

Estefany was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer, and was hospitalised in 2020 as her health deteriorated. Still wanting to marry the love of her life, Estefany and Duvan planned an impromptu hospital wedding.

#bucaramanga Falleció este Domingo la joven Estefany Torres Vera, quien con apoyo de las autoridades cumplió el sueño de casarse con su pareja Duvan Yefren Pabon en el Hospital Universitario de Santander. pic.twitter.com/jYSnpDBeuK

— Revista MB® (@MBucaramanga) September 14, 2020

The pair married in Estefany’s hospital room on September 11. The bride wore a white dress and tiara for their nuptials. They livestreamed the wedding so that their family at home could still attend virtually. Local police organised a brass band to play outside as the bride was wheeled into the room.

“We did not want a painful goodbye, we wanted a joyful one. This gave Estefany the happiness she deserved,” the bride’s sister Julia Andrea Torres Vega said.

The bride sadly died on September 13, just two days after her dream wedding.

Feature image: Pexels

In Decor

Amethyst-inspired wedding decor

September 17, 2020 No Comments

Amethyst, a violet variety of quartz, is not only a popular ring choice, but can make for exquisite decor inspiration too. The deep, regal colour of the stone can guide you in planning your atmosphere and style.

Read: Stone of the Gods: Amazing amethyst rings

Often viewed as a stone of peace, some believe amethyst’s calming presence produces a soothing and tranquil feel.

Here are some of our favourite amethyst-inspired decor, stationery, bouquets and more:

Images: Pinterest

In News

Weddings may be bigger in Level 1

September 17, 2020 No Comments

South Africa is officially moving to Level 1 lockdown from midnight on Sunday, September 20. With this shift comes an easing of restrictions, which may benefit the wedding industry.

Under Level 2, weddings were allowed to continue but for no more than 50 people, and a host of health and safety measures must be adhered to.

In his televised address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the Level 1 has less strict regulations on gatherings. While the safety regulations will likely remain in place, couples may be able to increase their guest list. Instead of a blanket number of 50 people, social gatherings will now depend on the size of a venue.

“Social, religious, political and other gatherings will be permitted, as long as the number of people does not exceed 50% of the normal capacity of a venue, up to a maximum of 250 people for indoor gatherings and 500 people for outdoor gatherings,” Ramapshosa said in his speech.

“Health protocols, such as washing or sanitising of hands, social distancing and mask-wearing, will need to be strictly observed.”

Ramaphosa also announced that the country would begin a gradual reopening of international travel, subject to various containment and mitigation measures. This means that destination weddings are on the cards again.

Travel may be restricted to and from certain countries that have high infection rates. A list of countries will be published soon based on the latest scientific data.

Picture: Pexels