As the pandemic continues, long-distance couples are kept apart even longer. For many, it has been at least five months since they’ve physically seen their partner. A new movement is growing across the world to reunite these lovers.
Called the ‘Love is Not Tourism‘ movement, they are speaking out against rules in various countries preventing international travel and keeping them apart.
“The closure of international borders in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic was – and still is – sensible and even necessary. It is obvious that we must halt tourism to protect us and others,” the movement explains on their website. “But love is not tourism. This is not just about a summer holiday, it is about mental health and the future of people all around the world.
“We as international lovers and families, urge governments of all states to amend their travel restrictions. Allow the un-bureaucratic and safe reunion of partners in long distance relationships as well as family members.”
They also say they are willing to submit to appropriate safety regulations, self-pay for a test upon arrival and quarantine until a negative result is received or a 14-day strict quarantine, as long as unmarried couples and families can visit their most important people.
Countries like Denmark, Iceland, Germany, France and Spain have already introduced measures to allow couples and families to meet up. The movement is calling for other countries in the world to follow suit.
Most regulations protect married couples, but engaged or unmarried couples are not included. Kana Ishii from Toyo and Jarran Muse from New Jersey were meant to marry this year, but COVID-19 halted their plans. In an interview with NBC New York, they explain their separation has left them drained. They are heartbroken that government will not recognise their love just because they are not married yet.
In South Africa, the Facebook page ‘Love is Not Tourism SA’ is quickly gaining traction. Couples separated by borders come to share their stories, as well as any resources they have in their fight to be reunited with their loved one.
Dessert stands are growing in popularity among modern couples. These stands offer a variety of sweet treats for your guests to pick and choose from.
A unique way to display your desserts is in tower form. It adds a unique and dramatic finish, and also provides height and variety to your dessert table from a visual standpoint.
These towers are also easily accessible for your guests, as it is made up of individual treats. They can simply reach out and grab whichever dessert takes their fancy. This also helps move lines along, as people won’t be taking forever to cut a piece of cake or dish out some mousse.
Your options are endless with dessert towers. You can layer donuts, cupcakes and even cheese to create stunning stacks of treats.
Cake is a wedding tradition, but that doesn’t make it a requirement. For those lacking a sweet tooth, a cake won’t make sense. An excellent alternative is a cheese tower!
Alternatives like cookies, pancake stacks and fruit cakes have grown in popularity over the years as couples desire something more unique and memorable than a traditional cake. These options are great, but a cheese tower is perfect for those not wanting another sweet dessert.
If you’re already offering a dessert table with a variety of sweet treats on your big day and don’t want a massive wedding cake, then a cheese tower is a great replacement.
Stack your favourite cheese rounds on top of each other to create a unique and delicious tiered cake. From brie to blue, camembert to stilton, there are so many tasty cheeses to choose from.
Of course, you can still go wild with decorations. Place fruits like figs and grapes on the sides of the tower, and don’t forget about the delicious freshly-baked bread and crackers to accompany. Have jams, honey and more fresh fruit on hand to pair with your cheeses.
When stacking the cake, think logically. The heaviest, firmer cheeses should go at the bottom to hold everything else up. Softer cheeses like brie or goats cheese should be saved for the top tier.
To make things easier when serving the ‘cake’, you could simply cut the tiers into smaller cheese blocks. Or you could incorporate it into your harvest table and let your guests go crazy!
Wedding drone photographers in Mauritius are mobilising to help do their part to reduce the massive oil spill off the coast of the island country.
On July 25, a Japanese ship crashed into a coral reef and began leaking oil into Mauritian waters from its cracked hull after it ran aground. The ship was carrying nearly 4000 tonnes of fuel, which is now threatening the island’s marine habitat and coastal ecosystem, according to Al Jazeera. It is the country’s worst ecological disaster in history.
Many residents quickly sprung to action to help, creating makeshift oil spill barriers out of fabric sacks filled with sugar cane leaves.
Wedding drone photographers have also been a massive help. Being a popular wedding and honeymoon destination, Mauritius has a big wedding industry. Many amateur drone pilots form part of the commercial drone market, and are now using their talents to assist in cleanup operations.
Mauritus does not have a Navy or Air Force, which means they could not get effective hyper-local aerial footage of the scene, reports Forbes.
Drone pilots are now filling the gap by flying their drones over the area to identify where the oil spill may be heading, thus helping co-ordinate where the team of volunteers on the ground need to focus on.
With less international business coming in due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mauritian wedding drone photographers have found a way to still use their skills and make a difference.
Rapper 2 Chainz and wife Kesha Ward are celebrating their two-year wedding anniversary.
In a sweet Instagram post, the hip-hop veteran shared throwback images of the pair on their wedding day.
“2 years ago I married the most beautiful, pure, caring, spiritual, loving person on earth … Kesha you my rock , you my best friend , YOU DA 1 baby HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KEE,” he captioned the slideshow.
2 Chains, real name Tauheed Epps, proposed to Ward on the red carpet at the 2018 Met Gala. This was not his first proposal, however. The rapper first went down on one knee back in 2013 while at the Bet Awards.
The pair tied the knot on August 19, 2018 in a star-studded Miami wedding. Their wedding venue was the Villa Casa Casuarina, also known as the Versace mansion as it is the former home of late designer Gianna Versace.
Some notable names attending the wedding include Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Lil Wayne.
In the United States, recent uproar over former plantations hosting weddings has resulted in their removal from major wedding sites. South Africa has an equally dark past when it comes to slavery, so should you also consider your wedding venues history before booking?
Plantation weddings have been huge in the US for years. Despite being the site of slavery for hundreds of years, many love the old grand houses and large open gardens for their wedding. Ignoring the brutal history of the slavery in favour of a grand staircase in an Antebellum estate is quite a difficult pill to swallow, especially when it is likely there will be persons of colour, whose ancestors were slaves, attending or working at your wedding.
Even big wedding planning sites like Pinterest are removing the references to a plantation aesthetic from their site. According to CNN, Pinterest will limit the distribution of plantation wedding content across its platform.
In South Africa, wine farms and old historical sites are equally beloved as wedding venues for their antique and classic feel. Big open lawns, old Dutch colonial buildings and vineyards do make for pretty pictures, but it is a bit uncomfortable when you realise that “quaint” bell in the corner of your group shot was built to regulate the slaves who worked on the farms every day.
In addition, many wine farms are further tainted by the history of oppression of workers under apartheid. Unfair labour practices and cruel payment systems like the “dop” system have resulted in years of trauma, addiction and degradation of communities as a result of your wedding venue’s previous choices.
So does this mean you should strictly search for wedding venues that have not been tainted by slavery? Well that’s a bit difficult as much of South Africa, especially in the Western Cape, was built by slaves and so the history is everywhere.
Rather when choosing a location which does have a clear connection to slavery, it should be important to consider how the venue is run now, ask questions regarding their treatment of staff, consider finding out if they are contributing to initiatives to uplift the community that supports them and how they reconcile their slave and apartheid past with their current ethos.
In addition you can also consider how you can contribute to the community where you are holding your wedding, either through donations or volunteering your time. While not a solution to the thousands of years of oppression, it at least would go a way to acknowledging the past and recognising how your lovely wedding venue came to be.
Spring is fast approaching in South Africa, bringing with it vibrant colours and sunshine. It is a time of rebirth and to celebrate new beginnings.
If you’re planning a spring wedding, why not lean into the theme? Spring is all about colour and life. Give your bridal party that extra shine by opting for fun, lively shades like yellows, pinks, greens and blues to represent the season.
Take inspiration from the West Coast, which is currently blooming as Flower Season reaches its peak. From pastel shades to vibrant hues, any bright colours will match this theme.
You could go on-the-nose with floral print dresses, or simply incorporate the colours. We also love mismatched bridesmaid dresses for this theme, it will make your best girls look like the blooming beauties they are.
Here are some beautiful bridal parties giving us major goals with their outfits:
There are a handful of days you’ll always want to remember. Your 21st birthday, a graduation and the birth of your first child are likely high up on the list. While these are all exciting moments, your outfit is not really that crucial to them. A wedding day, however, is the biggest, most important day for you to truly look and feel your best.
Grooms typically have less options to make a statement with their wedding day looks given the traditional suit-and-tie attire that most tend to go for. Luckily, this can easily be jazzed up to add extra style and personality. Here are some must-haves to upgrade your wedding look:
Watch:
Credit: supplied
A watch will definitely come in handy, not just to make sure you’re on time for your big day. This accessory does more than just tell time: it tells about its wearer. Bold, simple, luxurious, sporty – a watch has a personality of its own, much like a man.
A watch is an investment piece. It truly stands the test of time, and can be passed down from generation to generation. That’s why it’s crucial to opt for a reliable, quality brand. We love Tomato because this iconic brand constantly pushes boundaries. It perfectly blends fashion trends with timeless style, while still celebrating individualism. At the end of the day, we all want to feel special and that’s what Tomato is all about.
Neckwear:
Credit: Unsplash
Grooms have quite a bit of variety in the neckwear department, each offering its own unique vibe. You could go classic with a tie, debonair with a bowtie or get inspired by the wild, wild west with a bolo tie. Each one of these choices can be customized to match your personality or the theme of your wedding.
Many grooms opt to incorporate their wedding colours into their neckwear. You could also go with a fun pattern or even a graphic option that references your favourite movie or book. If you have a sentimental piece of clothing, you could repurpose a piece of it into neckwear to act as your ‘something old’.
Boutonnière / pocket square:
Credit: Unsplash
Your chest is looking a bit bare, so why not dress it up? A boutonnière and pocket square add stunning visual interest to an otherwise simple suit. If you’re not one for big detail, this is how to have some fun without dramatic detail.
Fresh flowers are always a classic choice when it comes to boutonnière’s, but truly anything goes with this accessory. Pin a mini-figurine to your lapel to show off your love for your favourite franchise, or a unique rope knot to reference your boy Scout days. Opting for a fabric like velvet, lace or suede for your pocket square will add texture and dimension to your final look.
Shoes:
Credit: Unsplash
Shoes are a necessity, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with them. Considering you will be doing quite a bit of standing on your wedding day, make sure to pick a shoe that is comfortable and break them in beforehand so that you aren’t left with any unfortunate pains the day after.
The colour of your shoes will largely depend on your suit. We love a rich brown shoe paired with a black suit for a subtle pop without being too loud. Bolder grooms can add even more flair and opt for an embellished shoe, a velvet loafer or even sneakers. There are no hard and fast rules here, the right choice is whichever shoe speaks to you.
Weddings can make mothers go a bit crazy. Considering their child is marrying someone and starting a new life, it’s fair to say that it is an emotional moment. However, some mothers have taken things to a whole new level on their child’s big day.
Here are some of the craziest things mothers have done come wedding day.
I object:
This mother interrupted her son’s wedding as her future daughter-in-law was saying her vows. In a viral Tik Tok video, she continues to heckle the daughter, telling her “You’re not going to say my son has flaws”.
DJ duties:
Music can make or break a wedding. This mother clearly knew this, and went behind the bride’s back to change all the pre-determined music for the big day.
“Oml… so months ago I made selections for my dj music and I have the usual week of DJ call. TURNS OUT MY MOTHER CALLED A MONTH AGO AND SHE CHANGED THE MUSIC FOR EVERYTHING. The ceremony music, bridal party walk in, last dance song… everything. Oml,” the bride explains in a Facebook post.
“Because she is paying she has access to the password on their site to change the music (which she changed my music to music from the 70s and nothing anyone in their 20s would know) the DJ shut down access for everyone, so she can’t change anything back.
“The DJ and I are having a good laugh and I’m not surprised because this is usual behavior for her but ugh… it’s my wedding. Let me pick my music.”
Prior commitments:
This mother-in-law tried to get the bride and her fiancé to change the date of their wedding day because she wouldn’t be available. Fair enough right? Right…except her prior commitment was a Mardi Gras ball that she wants to attend. The wedding date had already been set a month prior and the couple would not be able to receive a deposit if they cancelled.
Matchy matchy:
Wearing white to a wedding day if you’re not the bride is a cardinal sin. Even worse is to wear a dress that is almost identical to the bride. This future mother-in-law did exactly that.
Posting on a Facebook Bridal page, the bride expressed her anger over a picture her fiancé sent her, which shows what his mother plans to wear to the wedding. The mother’s cream coloured lace gown is incredibly similar to the bride’s wedding dress.
The wedding dress vs the mother-in-laws dress. Credit: Facebook
Heartbreak hotel:
Weddings have a habit of bringing the tears, but this one is pretty weird. A mother-in-law (who lost her father 20 years prior) had a full breakdown during the wedding reception because she missed her father. Turns out she had been enjoying the Patron shots a bit too much.
“So I finally get a moment to myself during the reception to eat some pie (I cannot stand cake) when my husband’s cousin comes up to me with a look of horror upon her face. She tells me I had better come with her because there is a “situation”,” the bride explains in a Facebook post.
“She leads me to the only restroom in the reception hall and I hear this wretched noise…like imagine that awful cat sex sound..coming from it. She opens the door for me, and I shit you not, there is a huddle of 30 women crying in that restroom. My mother is the center of it SHRIEKING “I MISS MY DADDY” over and over and over. Well, I nope the hell out of that real quick and instruct my husbands cousin to go get my father in law.
“He went in and fireman carried my MIL out of the restroom, all while she is now shrieking about “MY BABY! MY BABY GOT MARRIED TODAY! MY BAAAAAAABBBBBBBYYYYYYY!!!” By the time my husband got out to their vehicle to say goodbye it was revealed that she had been taking shots of Patron…which, by that time, she had vomited all over her dress.”
Present your presents:
Seven months after the wedding day, the mother of the bride sent a message into the extended family group chat to remind guests to send in their wedding gifts.
Come to me:
Settling on a wedding venue can be tough, especially if you’re family lives far away. This mother took things personally when her daughter chose a venue outside of where she lives. In fact, she threatened to skip the wedding entirely!
“I just got engaged (yay!) and my mother is threatening to skip the wedding because it’s not in upstate New York (Buffalo) where my parents live. 90% of the attendees, including my fiancé, myself, his entire family, and our close friends live in NYC so that’s where we want to host it. Plus we figured out a venue and budget that works for us,” the bride explains in a Facebook post.
“My parents are telling me it’s a huge burden and that I must hate them, obviously. I’m not asking them to pay for anything for this wedding, I just asked them to show up. I offered to pay for their travel expenses.
The big excuses? They have five cats and a dog and refuse to let me hire them a pet sitter. Don’t get me wrong, the pets are important and I love them. But my parents are about to skip my wedding because they’ve prioritized and infantilized them.”
Iconic performer Elton John has had hit after hit over the decades. The Rocketman performer has had a tumultous life, one made much sweeter when he met future husband David Furnish.
After almost 30 years together, Elton John and David Furnish has become one of the most famous same-sex celebrity couplings. They continue to work together to break stigmas and support worthy charities. Here’s how they found love.
The legendary musician met the Canadian filmmaker and former advertising executive back in 1993, and the love connection was instant. At the time, John was newly sober after a decade of substance abuse. He had left his home in Atlanta to return to his estate in Windsor, England and decided to host a dinner party.
“I wanted to meet new people so I rang up a friend in London and said, ‘Could you please rattle some new people together for dinner here Saturday?’” he told Parade in 2010. Furnish had accompanied a friend on the evening, thinking it was going to be a dull affair. It was anything but, as the pair had an immediate attraction.
“I was attracted to David immediately,” John told Parade. “He had a real job, his own apartment, a car. He was independent. I didn’t need to take care of him. I thought, ‘God, this is new territory for me — someone wants to be with me just because he likes me.’ I knew he was the one because he is not afraid of me. He always tells me exactly what he thinks.”
The very next evening, they met up again for a one-on-one dinner at John’s home. One dinner led to more, and they quickly fell in love.
The pair eventually began working together. In 1997, Furnish made his directorial debut with Elton John: Tantrums and Tiaras, a documentary about the musician that earned a BAFTA award.
In 2005, Elton John popped the question while hosting a dinner party at their Windsor home. At the time, however, marriage was not legal for same-sex couples. They then made history by becoming one of the first couples in the UK to form a civil partnership on December 21, 2005.
On December 21, 2014, nine years exactly to the date, the pair officially tied the knot when gay marriage was made legal in the UK.
This was not the first marriage for Elton John. He was engaged to Linda Hannon in 1970 before cancelling the wedding days before the ceremony. He later married sound technician Renate Blauel from 1983 to 1987. John had already come out as bisexual in 1976. Soon after their divorce, he told Rolling Stone Magazine that he was gay.
Throughout the course of their 27-year relationship, philanthropy has been close to their hearts. John is head of the Elton John AIDS Charity, and David serves on its board. Together, they work to break the stigma and raise awareness and funding for the AIDS crisis and programs around the world. Every year, their black tie charity event raises millions of dollars for the foundation.
