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    Woman cancels wedding to marry herself, marries original fiancé years later
    In News

    Woman cancels wedding to marry herself, marries original fiancé years later

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    Sometimes, a bit of self love is all you need. A bride called off her wedding to “marry herself” in a move to boost her self-confidence. Now, years later, she has married the same man she was originally engaged to.

    Nicole Russo (39) became engaged to Paulo de Souza (35) in October 2013, after two-and-a-half years of dating. However, the wellness centre boss struggled with many insecurities that eventually lead to her ending their engagement.

    “I remember at one point looking at that ring on my finger and thinking to myself, ‘wow how could I have gotten so far along in myself and almost committed to this other person before I had committed to myself and my own needs and listened to who I really needed to be inside’,” Nicole told Metro UK.

    She called the wedding off and married herself instead, reciting her vows in her mirror on October 14, 2014. Years later, the pair reconnected and fell in love once again. This time, Nicole already had love for herself and was able to accept Paulo’s love.

    The pair tied the knot of October 12, 2019, just a few days before her fifth wedding anniversary to herself.  Nicole sees the two as very different weddings.

    “My marriage to myself is not the same as my one to Paulo. It’s not a legal marriage, nor a traditional one with a church and big white dress. Rather, it’s a way of committing to and loving myself.”

    Some may find the idea of self-marriage strange, but Nicole believes it changed her life for the better.

    “As women, the old-fashioned view of marriage can feel like you are giving part of yourself up to your husband, but we should value ourselves and a self-marriage ceremony is a great way to do that.

    “I’d encourage people to give it a go, even if it does feel a bit silly. There were times where I thought I was nuts and that nobody else in the world did this sort of thing. But once you learn to love yourself, it ripples out, and makes being kind to others come naturally.”

    “Marrying yourself isn’t easy. There are a lot of tears and forgiveness involved, but it’ll also be the most fulfilling thing you ever do.”

    Feature image: Unsplash

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    Best marriage advice from our favourite celebrities
    In Advice

    Best marriage advice from our favourite celebrities

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    While the standard assumption is that celebrity marriages don’t last, there are actually some Hollywood couples who have proven that love conquers all. These great talents are also great partners and have shared their wisdom with fans over the years.

    Here are our favourite bits of marriage advice from celebrity couples.

    Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Goldie Hawn (@goldiehawn) on

    Although not legally married, Goldie and Kurt have been together for more than 30 years.

    “Love, gratitude, compassion, because sometimes every man or every woman will drive their partner crazy. Family. Fun. Laughs. Sex,” Goldie told People. “If you don’t nurture that, and remember, you’re done.”

    Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka 

     

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    A post shared by Neil Patrick Harris (@nph) on

    Everyone’s Instagram couple goals, Neil and David aren’t just good on the gram but are actually good at building a strong bond in reality as well.

    “In our relationship, communication is super important,” Neil said to Entertainment Tonight. “Good friends of ours said, ‘You need to talk it out,’ and if that means raising your voice, you need to raise your voice. Know what you’re talking about. Know where you’re standing as opposed to letting stuff build up, I guess.”

    Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson 

     

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    A post shared by Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) on

    Tom Hanks, everyone’s favourite star/dad gave out the marriage advice you would expect from such a lovely, humble guy. 

    “We just like each other,” he said. “You start there … I still can’t believe my wife goes out with me. If we were in high school and I was just funny, I’d never have the courage to talk to her.”

    Emily Blunt and John Krasinski

     

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    A post shared by Emily Blunt (@emily.bluntt) on

    Another favourite pair, Emily and John combine major Hollywood stardom with their down-to-earth, funny style.

    “We really trust each other,” she told E! News. “We’re very honest with each other. We sort of have a shorthand and secret language that ultimately is gonna work for us.”

    Chrissy Teigen and John Legend 

     

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    A post shared by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on

    Everyone knows that Chrissy and John are great together, especially because she teases him so much on social media. Her advice reflects their “all in good fun” attitude.

    “I think it’s really important to be complete partners in crime,” Chrissy told Well+Good. “I love the mentality of ‘us against the world.’ Even when you have kids, never forget your relationship as partners and lovers – that’s so important.”

    Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard

     

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    A post shared by kristen bell (@kristenanniebell) on

    These two have weathered incredible storms and come out on the other side stronger. Acknowledging you need some help is key and this couple know first hand.
    “We have a very healthy marriage and we got there by doing therapy when we needed it, and constantly doing fierce moral inventories,” Kristen once told People.
    Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade 

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion) on

    Finally, Gabriella and Dwayne have the advice that trumps all others: Don’t listen to advice. The beautiful couple understand that each relationship is personal between those involved so taking on the world’s pressures doesn’t help.
    “Stop listening to people who have failed miserably at relationships as they offer relationship advice; that’s the first thing,” she told Ebony. “Second, my ‘perfect’ relationship isn’t the next person’s. Stop comparing your life, your love and your marriage. Everyone [doesn’t] have to match for it to be real, amazing and beautiful. It only needs to be [those three things] to you.”
    Image: Instagram/GabUnion
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    Should you marry in community of property?
    In Advice

    Should you marry in community of property?

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    Planning your big day is an exciting time, filled with a number of moving parts. Beyond your wedding flowers and seating chart, it’s important to give lots of thought to the legal side of getting married.

    As you join hearts with your partner, you also enter into a legal agreement that can have serious repurcussions later on in life. As such, this might be the most important decision you make in the lead up to your big day.

    Couples intending to marry will have to sign a marriage contract. South Africa has three main matrimonial property systems, and each option will largely impact on the couple if they decide to divorce later on in life.

    Marriage in community of property:

    Legal Wize explains that marriage in community of property essentially combines the estates of the married couple. Property and debts acquired prior to or during the marriage are shared equally in undivided shares (50%). Both spouses are jointly liable to creditors.

    South African law automatically opts for this marital regime unless another regime is selected. This is the most popular agreement in the country, although it’s not the advisable option for many reasons.

    This contract makes you responsible for all debt incurred by your spouse, including debt incurred before your marriage. Your financial position could thus be weakened by your partner. In the event your assets are seized by a court order to pay creditors for money owed to them, all of your assets can be taken because your estates are joined.

    Beyond this, if your spouse dies without a will in place, the surviving spouse is only entitled to half of the assets. The other half are automatically granted to any dependents like children, or the deceased’s nearest relations in the absence of kids.

    Of course, if the marriage ends in divorce then all assets will be split equally, regardless of what you came into the marriage with.

    This option makes the most sense for couples who enter into the marriage with little assets. However, you cannot predict the future. You might hit it big later on in life and your relationship with your partner may turn sour, but you will still have to share your assets equally in the event of divorce.

    Marriage out of community of property with accrual:

    Another option is to marry out of community of property with accrual.  The accrual system is a formula that is used to calculate how much the larger estate must pay the smaller estate if the marriage comes to an end through death or divorce.

    Only property acquired during the marriage can be considered when calculating the accrual. The accrual system does not automatically apply and must be included in an ante-nuptial contract.  

    An ante-nuptial contract is a contract entered into to regulate whether a marriage will be out of community of property with/without the accrual system. It must be signed by the persons entering into a marriage, two witnesses and a notary public, and it must be registered in the Deeds Registries office within the prescribed time period.

    Marriage out of community of property without accrual:

    If a couple decides to marry out of community of property without the accrual system, the spouses have their own estates which contain property and debts acquired prior to and during the marriage (“what is mine is mine and what is yours is yours”). Each spouse is separately liable to his/her creditors. Prior to the marriage, an ante-nuptial contract must be entered into to indicate that the marriage will be out of community of property. 
    This marriage contract protects your individual assets, but disadvantages the spouse who earns less. The breadwinner of the relationship will end up with greater assets because they likely paid for it, disadvantaging the other spouse and all of their unpaid efforts in the marriage. This is especially damaging for those who stop working to raise their children while their partners work, as their reproductive labour goes unrecognised by the law.

    Feature image: Pixabay

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    In Celebs

    Cheslin and Layla Kolbe’s love story

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    As part of the winning team in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Stormers fullback Cheslin Kolbe is no stranger to competition. Luckily, his love life has been an easy ride.

    Cheslin and wife Layla, a chartered accountant, have been together since 2013. They met at the DHL Newlands stadium, and the connection was instant.

    “We had played a Currie Cup game against the Xerox Golden Lions, and after the match I noticed a beautiful girl in a red hoodie coming down Boundary Road outside DHL Newlands,” Chelsin said in a statement.

    “She stopped myself and Kurt Coleman, because her friend wanted to take a photo with us, and I have been in love with her ever since,” he said.

    They soon began dating, and Cheslin knew Layla was the one for him. He popped the question in September 2016, after his team’s victory over the Boland Cavaliers at DHL Newlands. The location was extra special because it’s where they first met.

    Take a look at their proposal:

     

    WATCH: Cheslin Kolbe proposed to his girlfriend Layla Cupido at #DHLNewlands, and she said yes! #cheslinjoulekkerding

    Posted by Stormers on Friday, 30 September 2016

     

    The pair tied the knot in 2018 at Webersburg in the Stellenbosch winelands. Fellow rugby stars Siya Kolisi and Justin Geduld acted as groomsmen, and Rachel Kolisi served as a bridesmaid.

    The couple’s daughter Kylah, who was nine-months old at the time, came down the aisle in a custom-made cart with a board that read: ‘Daddy just wait til you see mommy’. Their godchild, Siya and Rachel Kolisi’s son Nicholas acted as pageboy. He carried a sign that read, ‘no stepping this now Uncle Chessy’.

    Layla walked down the aisle to ‘The Prayer’ by Celine Dion, a live duet sung by Vernice Platje and Danelle Lewin from the Hillsong church in Cape Town the couple belong to. For her big day, Layla wore a fit-and-flare Robyn Roberts dress covered in beaded lace with long sleeves, a detachable tulle skirt and a low open back.

    They had an unconventional navy blue four-tier wedding cake with gold printed leafing and orchids flowing down, and a personalised hand-made topper figurine of Cheslin running with a rugby ball and Layla catching him/falling for him- depicting their love story.

    South African comedian Siv Ngesi was the MC for the reception. Later in the evening, the wedding party was entertained by  fire dancers.

    Their wedding day was captured in all its glory by Top Billing, take a look:

    The couple now live in France with their two-year-old daughter Kylah, and Cheslin plays for  French rugby team Toulouse. They are expecting the birth of their second child very soon.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDeY0BfqlZV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Feature image: Instagram/Layla Kolbe

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    In Do's And Don'ts

    Couple pose with gas masks and ‘dead’ guests for wedding photos

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    A newly married couple have been criticised for their ‘tasteless’ actions after they shared pictures from their recent wedding day.

    In the images the bride and groom, wearing old-fashioned plague masks, hold hands as their guests lay strewn around them as if they were dead. The images were captioned,  “For all the COVID brides! Don’t let it overshadow your fun!”

    The post was shared to Reddit, where users quickly admonished the couple and accused them of being offensive in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Of all the heartless and tacky things I’ve see lately on the sub, this one takes the wedding cake. This is absolutely disgusting, tasteless, and just sick,” wrote on Reddit user.

    “This is akin to having a wedding at the Auschwitz museum and being like, “lol, dead people!”. It’s not a joke, real people have died. People that were loved ones, real daughters and father’s who’s death devastated families. This isn’t a damn joke,” commented another.

    Feature image: Pexels

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    Couple celebrate 60th anniversary with photoshoot in their original outfits
    In Emotional

    Couple celebrate 60th anniversary with photoshoot in their original outfits

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    Being married for 60 years is a true feat. The traditional symbol for this anniversary is a diamond, meant to represent undying love.

    For Nebraska couple Marvin and Lucille Stone, their diamond anniversary was the perfect occasion to show of their commitment to one another. The pair decided to re-enact their wedding day and pose for an adorable photo shoot in their original wedding outfits.

    The stunning shots taken by photographer Katie Autry were shared to social media, where they  went viral. Speaking to Fox News, Lucille (81) said they were overwhelmed by the amazing response.

    Posted by Katie Autry Photography on Thursday, 20 August 2020

    Posted by Katie Autry Photography on Thursday, 20 August 2020

     

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

    Marvin and Lucille married in 1960. Six decades later, they have three children and a lifetime of memories.

    The pair say their secret to success in love is to work hard, be kind to one another and to think before you speak. They also advise couples rely on each other’s strengths to overcome weaknesses, and stay strong in your faith.

    “From day one we have assumed marriage is forever,” said Lucille to Fox. “You do what you have to do and by no means have we been perfect in our marriage.”

    Feature image: Pixabay

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    In Celebs

    Miles Teller and Keleigh Sperry Teller celebrate first anniversary

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    Miles Teller and wife Keleigh Sperry Teller are celebrating their very first wedding anniversary.

    The young couple married on September 1 in Maui, Hawaii in a Catholic church on the island. One year later, they have returned to the island for a romantic getaway.

    “Happy one year anniversary to my all-time love @kelighsperry. You and me til the end,baby,” Teller wrote in a tweet.

    Keleigh simply wrote, “1 year ago, til the end”.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CEnNkecjHj7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Miles Teller is known for his roles in The Divergent Series (2014-2016) and War Dogs (2016). He met model Keleigh Sperry in 2013 at a party for the Black Keys. The two hit it off and there was an instant connection.

    A week later they went on the date, and the rest is history. After fours years of dating, Miles popped the question in August 2017. The pair went on a romantic safari in South Africa. While enjoying their morning coffee and the wilderness, Keleigh noticed a rose attached to a tree. She decided to investigate as she thought it was weird to see a rose in the middle of winter. The flower had a note attached to it and when she started reading it, Miles finished it and got down on one knee.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BfMW4A9BgyC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Maui was the destination of choice for the lovebirds because it was a home away from home for Keleigh and her family. Miles joined them for family trips and fell in love with the destination. Hawaii seems to be a popular wedding spot for celebs.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B17v4x1jPZj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2DM7D5DUt_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    The blushing bride wore a Monique Lhuillier dress, which was elegant and tradition, while still feeling whimsy and light. The ensemble was accompanied by her mother’s necklace, which is a family heirloom.

    The dashing groom wore a suit by Celine, designed by Hedi Slimane.

    Wedding guests included Nina Dobrev and The Divergent Series co-star Shailene Woodley.

    Feature image: Instagram / Keleigh Teller

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    Sarah Michelle Geller and Freddie Prinze Jr mark 18th wedding anniversary
    In Celebs

    Sarah Michelle Geller and Freddie Prinze Jr mark 18th wedding anniversary

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    This couple has come a long way from their Scooby-Doo days. Actors Sarah Michelle Geller and Freddie Prinze Jr. have beat the Hollywood curse and recently celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary.

    It seems the key to this couple’s success is humour. In a social media post, Geller posted throwback images of their 2002 wedding day and captioned it: “You… are my favorite husband #happyanniversary”.

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

    This iconic couple met back in 1997 on the set of I Know What You Did Last Summer, in which they both starred. Interestingly, it took another three years before they would start dating. They were meant to have dinner with a mutual friend, who ended up missing her flight. The pair decided to still meet up, and their love story began.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7_gvXLDqFs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    They got engaged in 2001 and tied the knot the following year in a lavish ceremony in Mexico. Almost two decades later, they are still going strong.

    They have two children together: Charlotte (11) and Rocky (8)

    Feature image: Instagram/Sarah M Geller

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    Viral wedding announcement reveals man cheated on his ex
    In Do's And Don'ts

    Viral wedding announcement reveals man cheated on his ex

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    It’s always tough to see an ex move on and find a new love. However, it’s a whole different can of worms if that ex found their partner while you were still together. This is exactly what happened to Nikyta Moreno, who accidentally discovered her ex-husband had cheated on her.

    Unfortunately, Moreno did not find this unsettling news out privately. She put two and two together when reading an article in the New York Times’ Wedding section, where her ex and his new wife had announced their recent nuptials.

    The article, originally published on August 7, detailed how her ex-husband Robert Palmer met and fell in love with Lauren Maillian. It was a very sweet story of love in the face of adversity, and Palmer even calls his new wife “the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. This is the most meaningful, deep connection I’ve ever had.”

    A beautiful story, except it had one false detail: it claimed that Palmer had never been married before.

    Moreno didn’t take this lying down. Instead, she wrote her own article for the New York Post to set the record straight.

    “According to the (New York Times) article, the couple, Rob and Lauren, started their relationship in January 2017. It also said that he had never been married. That was news to me — because I was his wife in January 2017,” Moreno wrote in her article. “We split in late March of that year, officially divorcing in January 2018, and I never exactly understood why. Until I read about it in the Times.

    “He was publicly admitting that he dated this woman while we were married — the details of his infidelity laid out on the page. When I put their presentation next to the truth, it was like one of those ­reality-versus-Instagram memes come to life.”

    “He was my best friend, and my whole life was destroyed,” she wrote. “But I knew something else was wrong. I suspected he had cheated on me, but when I confronted him about it, he never quite answered me.”

    Despite all of this, Moreno ended her article saying she wishes him and his new wife all the best.

    The article went viral as soon as it was published, and readers quickly took Moreno’s side. Palmer eventually released a statement, telling CNN: “Nikyta and I were separated and both consented to a mutual and amicable divorce. This is all very surprising to me and I was unaware that there was ever an issue. I’m happy with my family and I wish Nikyta the best.”

    Picture: Pexels

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    Celebrate new beginnings with spring-themed wedding invites
    In Engagements

    Celebrate new beginnings with spring-themed wedding invites

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    It’s springtime! Everybody loves the turning of the season from icy cold temperatures to milder, sunny days. Nature agrees and gives us her prettiest, most colourful blossoms. Wildflowers are in bloom and trees sprout young new leaves.

    If you’re having a spring wedding, your stationery should be fresh, vibrant and colourful. Take a look at these lovely invitation sets that we adore.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BvgMKvzglha/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CEl0pw_s8SO/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CElv2vOArtA/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CEk34AUB7Lg/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CEj6svEsMnW/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CEj4t9-Dd8v/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CEjsqhXF5rW/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CEhmUyDHZSq/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CEjVnGUgeWn/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CEIu3ILnUsf/

    Image: Pinterest

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