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    Congratulations are in order for Hollywood couple Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone! The comedic duo recently celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary.

    Taking to social media, McCarthy gushed about her husband.

    “15 years ago today I married the kindest, funniest and weirdest human I’ve ever met. Grateful every single day!!!” McCarthy wrote on Instagram.

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    Falcone was a bit more cheeky with his tribute, sharing an image of his wife clutching two bunnies to her chest.

    “Was scrolling through my phone and came across this photo. Can’t remember seeing it before. Two things: A) I’m so lucky and grateful to be married to such a lovely, smart, kind and wonderful person B) why is there a skunk in the picture? Happy fifteenth Anniversary, Mooch! Here’s to 500 more (I am assuming we will kinda be robots for 400 of those years),” he wrote.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CGEEKufhcfz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    The Emmy winner and her actor/filmmaker husband met in 1998 when they were both apart of the Los Angeles comedy troupe Groundlings, and tied the knot in 2005.

    They run their own production company together called On The Day Productions, and have featured alongside one another in many films like Bridesmaids and Tammy.

    The pair share two daughters: Vivian (13) and Georgette (10).

    Picture: Instagram / Melissa McCarthy

    The Department of Home Affairs is expected to introduce a new draft marriage policy for the country that will bring new changes to marriage laws.

    The draft was originally planned to be gazetted for public consultation during the 2020/2021 financial year for cabinet approval by March 31, 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic brought these plans to a halt.

    The new draft is aimed to changing current legislation, which the department explains is not based on constitutional values and modern social dynamics.

    “Despite all the changes that have been made in the marriage legislation post-1994, there are still serious gaps in the current legislation. For instance, the current legislation does not regulate some religious marriages such as the Hindu, Muslim and other customary marriages that are practised in some African or royal families,” they explained in May.

    “Given the diversity of the South Africa population, it is virtually impossible to pass legislation governing every single religious or cultural marriage practice. It is against this background that the DHA is embarking in the process of developing a marriage policy that will lay a policy foundation for drafting a new single or omnibus legislation.”

    Some changes they plan to bring to marriage policy include:

    – enabling South Africans of different sexual orientation, religious and cultural persuasions to conclude legal marriages

    – introducing strict rules around the age of marriage (including the alignment of age of majority in the marriage legislation to the Children’s Act)

    – aligning the marriage, matrimonial property and divorce legislation to address matrimonial property and intestate succession matters in the event of the marriage dissolution

    – allowing for equitable treatment and respect for religious and customary beliefs in line with Section 15 of the Constitution

    – dealing with the solemnisation and registration of marriages that involve foreign nationals

    – dealing with the solemnisation and registration of customary marriages that involve non-citizens especially cross-border communities or citizens of our neighbouring countries

    Picture: Pexels

    Spooky season is officially upon us, bringing with it some festive frights and fancies. Halloween is a loved holiday across the world, and some are such big fans that they base their wedding on it.

    In October, many couples throw Halloween themed weddings. It is easy to achieve, all you need is tons of moody tones and vintage touches. You can go full out with miniature skulls and pumpkins.

    Those that want a subtler finish should focus on tones and textures. Black, orange and red are classic Halloween colours, and they look great paired with gold for a vintage flair. Use velvet and lace for extra dimension, and finish off with dried flowers. Of course, you’ll need an array or candles of different heights to light up the night.

    Here are some table decor ideas to inspire your own:

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    Picture: Unsplash

    These days there are so many kinds of families that it is not often those getting married are childless. Whether you have children from previous partnerships or have had a child together before getting married, they are a very important part of your life.

    If you are looking to make the wedding a family affair, there are some great ways you can include your children in the wedding day. Here are a few cute ideas.

    Flower Girls, Ring Bearers, Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

    This one is a bit obvious but giving the children a specific role in the wedding like a flower girl, ring bearer or even part of your wedding party is a simple and effective way to immediately include them on the big day.

    Include them in the (non-alcoholic) cocktails 

    Weddings are filled with special moments and if you’ve opted for something fun like a gin bar or a signature cocktail, why no let your kids in on the fun with their own fancy drink to sip with the adults or a fun drink-making table, all child-appropriate of course.

    Incorporate them in the decor 

    If you’re having photos of you and your partner at the venue or on the wedding website, why not include your children as well? It is the perfect way to show how this day is about connecting the family and allows you to indicate to your guests the tone that your wedding is taking.

    Write them into your vows 

    If you’re not going with traditional vows but rather writing your own, it is the perfect opportunity to speak to your child about this big moment in your shared lives. You can even have your children participate in the vows, talking about their role in this union as well.

    Put them on the cake 

    Cake toppers are not as in fashion as they once were but if you’re going to go this route why not put little figures for your children onto the cake as well.

    The first (family) dance

    The first dance is a romantic moment with your partner, so its understandable that you would do your own couples dance first. However, before inviting others to join you, first bring out your little ones to join in on the special moment.

    Adorable MC’s 

    Wedding speeches need some organisation, so if you have an old enough child who is keen to speak in front of all of your guests, include them by making them the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Especially confident children will love it and it will make the evening quite special.

    Picture: Unsplash

    Link: Things to do in Cape Town with kids

    In even more bizarre news for 2020, British broadcaster Piers Morgan claims he is married to Paris Hilton.

    During an episode of Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, the TV anchor explained that back in 2009, he ran a segment on the show about how easy it is to get married in Las Vegas. To truly hammer the message home, he said ‘I do’ to heiress Paris Hilton.

    “She’s still my wife technically. We got married in Vegas for a TV show. True story, there’s video of it,” he said during the show. “We had an Elvis lookalike, a Frank Sinatra lookalike, a Marilyn Monroe lookalike. She wore a beautiful bridal gown, brought a dog with her, I got to kiss the bride, we exchanged rings.”

    The wedding was not legally binding, however, as Morgan was already married to his first wife Marion Shalloe.

    Picture: screenshot from video

    Iconic country duo Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have been married for 24 years. Taking to social media, the pair wrote sweet messages of devotion to one another on their special day.

    “24 yrs…….These years have rushed by in a series of beautiful, painful and unexpected moments….
    We have loved, laughed and cried through exciting, inspiring and heartbreaking events in our lives together,” McGraw gushed on Instagram.

    “You have been a role model for 3 remarkable young women who have made me a better man than I ever thought I could be…..The future will surely hold more of all of these things. It only matters if I’m with you. It only works if I’m with you. My oxygen only exists if you’re by my side. Forever and always living and loving our way through anything @faithhill

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CF_-9yGAZ-z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Hill was short and sweet with her message, writing: “To my guy…The one that stole my heart 24 years ago today. Happy Anniversary my love❤️❤️❤️”

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    The couple fell in love at first sight when they met at McGraw’s Spontaneous Combustion tour in 1996, which Hill was the opening act for. They tied the knot on October 6, a few months into dating. Soon after, they announced they were expecting their first child.

    They are now parents to three daughters: Gracie (23), Maggie (22), and Audrey (18).

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    Picture: Instagram / Faith Hill

    Muhammad Buckus and Kyle Pillay have been together for about five years. They live openly as a same-sex couple. A year ago, they exchanged wedding vows at a traditional Hindu ceremony. But they have been unable to formalise their partnership, because Home Affairs officials in Richards Bay kept turning them away.

    “We have been given excuse after excuse and it seems to us that the problem is that we are a same-sex couple,” says Buckus.

    On the eve of moving from Pietermaritzburg to Richards Bay, they went to the temple with a few close friends and committed themselves to each other.

    “We knew we also wanted to get married legally,” says Buckus. “We didn’t for a moment think it would be a problem.”

    He and PIllay have been to their local office about five times since September last year. Buckus recounted the excuses he’d been given by various officials and forwarded Whatsapp messages and voice-notes he has sent to various Home Affairs managers in the province.

    Initially, they were told there was no marriage officer. Then they were given an email address for one but she responded that there were no dates available until the following year.

    “We went there to find out what dates were available and we were then told that officials there were not trained to do same sex marriages.

    “We then contacted the manager, who told us that was not so, but they didn’t have a marriage register or certificates,” said Buckus.

    He said they were told to “try” other offices in the province but were given no guarantees.

    Then came the Covid-19 lockdown and the office closed. But after it reopened they were again given the excuse that it didn’t have the necessary documents.

    “On one of our visits, an official tipped us off that they would never perform the marriage there ‘because they are Christians who have staunch beliefs but they will never tell you that to your faces’,” said Buckus.

    On Thursday last week, a day after GroundUp sent questions to the department, Buckus said he received a call and was told an appointment was available on 8 October.

    While thrilled at this development, he said he and Pillay still felt they had been victimised.

    Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza said the Richards Bay office could not assist the couple earlier this year as it did not have the necessary documents to solemnize same sex marriages.

    “The couple was advised that the offices in Umgeni, Ethekwini and Ulundi would be able to assist them. The couple advised the officials in Richards Bay that they would wait until that office was able to assist them,” said Qoza.

    This article was written by Tania Broughton and originally appeared on GroundUp.

    Entrepreneur, media personality, and telecommunications expert Romeo Kumalo and former Miss South Africa and businesswoman, Basetsana Kumalo are one of South Africa’s iconic couples. The two have been together for 21 years but married for 19 years.

    The former Miss South Africa met her Vodacom executive and former broadcaster husband Romeo whe she was crowned Miss Soweto in 1990. They began dating in 1997 and tied the knot in 2000.

    The notoriously private pair are a powerhouse together, and rarely share details into their life.

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    18th Anniversary

    On their 18th anniversary, their children asked them how come there were no wedding pictures, so the duo decided to relive the moment and have a second wedding for their 18th anniversary.

    They had an intimate celebration that only family and friends attended.

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    Basetsana and Romeo included their children this time around. This was initially their idea so it was fitting for them to cut the cake.

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    Basetsana’s friend Dr Mpho Ndou helped the Kumalos create “the most exquisite” setting for their special day.

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    The view from the venue was spectacular, fitting for a couple like Basetsana and Romeo

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    Picture: Instagram

    South African singer Jarrad Ricketts is a married man! The musician shocked fans when he announced he secretly married his best friend Kim Wentzel back in September.

    Taking to social media, Ricketts announced their recent union. The pair tied the knot at St Mark’s Anglican Church in District Six on Saturday, September 19.

    “To start the weekend with some incredible news…I asked, she said yes! I stole her heart, so she took my name!” he wrote.

    “I am blessed and thrilled to announce my marriage to my best friend, my #confidant, my biggest cheerleader and #partner in all things! Our wedding ceremony took place at St Mark’s Anglican Church in District Six on Saturday, 19 September 2020. The ceremony was followed by an intimate celebration with our families.

    He explains they decided to keep their wedding secret for a while to enjoy their special moment in private.

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    “The choice to not immediately share this publicly has allowed us to enjoy and share this milestone in our lives together with each other and our wider friend-and-family circle. So much of what I do is highly publicised by the media. Our intention and wish, was to not lose the importance of our marriage in any form of too much media attention. Having had a chance to celebrate our newest adventure over the past few weeks, I am so excited to now be able to share some positive news with all of you after these recent trying and difficult times.

    “My wife (yes, I really said that!) and I, are looking forward to the next chapter of our lives together! We are so grateful for the love and support shown to us over the past few weeks and ask that you all continue to pray for us as we navigate this chapter.”

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    The pair have been together for over a decade, and Wentzel has been Ricket’s manager for eight years.

    Congratulations to the happy couple!

    Picture: Instagram / Jarrad Ricketts

    If you’re attending the wedding of a couple of alcohol-lovers, why not treat them to their favourite thing? It’s easy to buy the bride’s favourite wine, but that’s also boring. Instead, opt for something that will last and actually benefit their lives in some way.

    From wine to whiskey, gin to beer, there are a host of accessories designed to improve your drinking experience. Give your newlyweds the gift of a good drink with one of these items:

    Eetrite Wine Chiller & Pouring Rod – R249 from Yuppiechef

    Champagne flutes (set of four) – R260 from Woolworths

    Cocktail shaker – R229 from Takealot

    Bohemia Crystal Quadro Whiskey Decanter 850ml – R999 from Lavish’d

    White terrazo coaster (set of four) – R249 from Superbalist

    Vinturi Red Wine Aerator – R749 from Yuppichef

    DIY Homemade Gin Kit Gift Box – R519 from Yuppiechef

    Drinking tower game – R299 from Typo

    Picture: Pexels