The Hallmark Channel is famed for its cheesy straight-to-TV movies. For the first time ever, a storyline on the network will include a lesbian marriage.
The channel’s upcoming film ‘Wedding Every Weekend’ will be the first time the network features a first same-sex wedding. The plot of the movie centres on two friends who “buddy-up” as guests for a four-week wedding marathon, and then recognise that there’s more between them than trying to catch someone else’s bouquet.
“Tune in to an all-new premiere! Amanda (Carmel Amit) and Vicky (Makayla Moore) celebrate their special day in one of the many weddings taking place in “Wedding Every Weekend,” Saturday August 15 at 9pm/8c, only on Hallmark Channel,” writes Hallmark on their Facebook page.
Many have applauded this decision for its inclusive nature, saying it is about time the LGBTQI+ community is represented on the channel.
“THANK YOU Hallmark. We are people too and just want to live our lives like everyone else. This includes all the ‘passages’ in life. Thank you for celebrating our life events,” writes a fan on Facebook.
“Good for you Hallmark! I’m so glad that you guys keep making movies that are all-inclusive! Everyone deserves to be happy and be loved! If people don’t like to bad, they don’t have to watch! As for me and my family we will be watching, and teaching my kids to be kind and not judge others. Love no matter skin color, religion or gender identity!” comments another.
Some, however, have criticised the network for this decision and believe it goes against the channel’s traditional values.
“Will not be watching. First new movie we will miss. No deviant lifestyles on our TV,” comments one Facebook user.
“Nope. I thought Hallmark was a good clean family Christian channel. Sorry Hallmark had to join the other side and its ok to offend us Christians but not them. Sorry Hallmark I thought you were better than that,” says another.
One Million Moms, a division of the socially conservative American Family Association, has since criticised the channel and started a petition to encourage people to boycott the channel.
“The once conservative network has recently caved to LGBTQ pressure and has done a one-eighty from the wholesome content the channel once aired, and the network is now catering to the Left,” reads the petition. “So many people feel betrayed by Hallmark over these past seven months. Hallmark Channel was one of the remaining channels that families could watch without being bombarded by politically correct commercials and the LGBTQ agenda.”
By Monday, August 10, the petition had amassed over 56 000 signatures.
The highly-anticipated third season of Selling Sunset recently premiered on Netflix. Promising heartbreak, love and drama, fans were not disappointed.
The final episode detailed Chrstine Quinn’s extravagent wedding to millionaire tech entrepreneur Christian Richard. Christine is known for being over-the-top, and her wedding would naturally be nothing different. To top her circus-inspired engagement party that came complete with fire dancers and a live zebra, she worked with luxury wedding planner Lisa Lafferty to create a true showstopper.
Speaking to Oprah Magazine, Lafferty said the event had no monetary cap, as the budget was love.
“She said, ‘The budget’s love.’ They were very generous with their budget,” Lafferty told the magazine. “It was absolutely over a million dollar wedding. We did everything custom and couture for her, because her style is kind of wild. We were able to take risks.”
The ceremony venue was designed to look like a dead forest, complete with ice sculptures, chandeliers and live black and white swans. As Christine walked down the aisle in her custom black Galia Lahav gown, a faux storm complete with thunder and fake snow rained on her guests.
It took a team of 100 people to transform the reception venue into a gothic winter wonderland. Red and black were the primary colours.
While little was seen of the actual reception (mainly because the plot was overshadowed by an argument that broke out between the cast regarding costar Christell’s recent divorce from This is Us star Justin Hartley), it was truly mesmerising.
The multi-layered wedding cake was over 8 feet, covered in velvet black petals, golden leaves and deep red poppies. The cake was topped with a sugar gargoyle “watching over the couple, making sure their love will never die”, explains Christine on Instagram. Inside the black cake, a vanilla sponge was revealed to have a ‘bleeding’ centre.
Following the episode’s airing, Christine explained that the wedding was so much more special and over-the-top than was shown. Unfortunately, her big day was somewhat overshadowed by Chrishell’s divorce, which editors heavily focused on.
“I understand they wanted to get certain storylines in there, but this was actually my day. This was my day, and I was just disappointed in the way it was perceived on camera and translated, unfortunately,” she said.
“I’m not going to lie, I was crying when I watched it. I was like, ‘This is not my wedding, this is not my wedding.’”
Most wedding cakes are similar, no matter the style you go for. They often give off the same vibe. However, with a peekaboo wedding cake, you can get the best of both worlds.
Two-sided wedding cakes, otherwise known as peekaboo cakes, allow for the elegance and decadence of a normal wedding cake, with the added splash of personality and pizazz of extra decorations. You could add an interest or hobby that you share as a couple, or simply have one side be showier than the other.
Whichever option you decide on, a two-sided cake will add a personal touch to any dessert table and will stand out from all other wedding cakes. Your cake will be remembered for years to come.
Weddings are meant to be a happy occasion, where couples can celebrate their love for one another with their closest friends and family. Testing positive for COVID-19 afterwards, however, puts a big damper on the day. As the COVID-19 pandemic escalates across the world, more and more cases of wedding ‘super spreaders’ are being reported.
In South Africa, public gatherings of over 50 are currently banned which means that weddings as we know them cannot currently go ahead. Countries across the world have instilled similar regulations on public gatherings. However, many members of the public have broken these rules and continue to host large events. This has lead to these parties being called ‘super-spreaders’, as one COVID-19 positive person can spread the disease to several others.
The reality:
In July, 25 guests who attended a wedding in KwaZulu-Natal tested positive for COVID-19. A couple in San Francisco tried to sneakily have a wedding ceremony in the city’s iconic Saints Peter and Paul Church in August. Dozens of their loved ones, including friends and family, were present at the event and several of them were infected with COVID-19.
A wedding which took place in the Patna District of Bihar, a state in India, effectively started a COVID-19 chain as 113 people tested positive and the groom passed away. It has been reported that this was the largest chain of infection in the state thus far.
Breaking the rules:
In America, weddings are allowed but each state has differing rules on how they may continue. For many in the wedding industry, this has become a great concern as guests don’t follow health and safety regulations.
“Weddings are so different from going into a store or sitting in a restaurant for 45 minutes,” an anonymous wedding planner told the New York Times. “These receptions last for three, four hours, and everyone is in an indoor space, breathing the air. They aren’t wearing masks and they are dancing. And when they start drinking, it’s like there is no pandemic.”
“I am scared there is going to be an outbreak at one of my weddings and someone is going to die.”
While vendors can control the behaviour of their employees, it’s hard to tell a guest what to do. Sanitising stations can be set up, socially distanced seating arranged and a mask-wearing policy encouraged but in reality, it’s up to guests to follow those rules.
Vendors thus put themselves at risk to fulfill their contractual obligations, but cannot easily rely on strict safety protocols other businesses have enforced.
The way forward:
The South African wedding industry is desperate to get back to work after months of inactivity amid the pandemic. Before this happens, government will have to outline strict regulations to prevent further spread of the virus.
As with sit-down restaurants, wedding guests should be required to wear a mask at all time except for eating and drinking. It is likely that government will also require guests to fill in health questionnaires, and be subjected to temperature testing. This responsibility will fall on wedding vendors.
The issue is enforcing social distancing on such a special day where people will naturally want to hug one another and celebrate.
Once weddings do continue, they will be nothing like before. We will all have to adjust our behaviours to celebrate responsibly, and help protect the health of others.
It’s likely that the coronavirus pandemic will change the way of weddings forever. Now more than ever, it is important to abide by certain rules and regulations in order to stay safe. This means that wedding etiquette must change too.
Whether you’re attending a very small function in person or you’re watching a virtual ceremony, there are certain aspects of etiquette you’ll want to follow. Lest your friends or family consider you rude; you wouldn’t want that right?
If you’re wondering what coronavirus-era wedding guest etiquette looks like, not to worry. Here’s what to do:
For attending a wedding in person:
– Keep those masks on!
It doesn’t matter if you’re struggling to hear each other, or if people can’t see you smiling. Protecting each other’s health and wellbeing is the most important thing.
– Greeting
You may feel it a bit uncomfortable to not congratulate the couple with a hug, or greet other guests with a handshake or hug too. However, safety regulations dictate that no such physical contact should occur. This means you don’t have to worry about being rude when it comes to greeting. Stick to a chat or an elbow bump.
– Not attending
If you’ve been invited but do not feel comfortable attending an in-person function, be sure to let the couple know as soon as you possibly can. Since events are limited in the number of people who may be present, the couple will surely have somebody who can fill your seat. Be polite but honest that the circumstances make you uncomfortable and worried for your health. They will most definitely understand.
You may, however, still need to send a gift to the couple. Depending on how close you are, you can decide if it is appropriate or required.
– Best not share photos
The couple may have had to cut important guests from the list in order to abide by minimum number requirements. Avoid offending other friends and family by refraining from posting any images online, unless the couple directly gives you permission to do so.
For attending a virtual wedding:
– RSVP
It remains important to let the couple know you will be attending, despite the fact that it won’t affect their budget. This is simply good manners.
– Don’t share the link
If you’ve been sent a Zoom link or anything of the sort, do not share it with anyone who has not been invited to the wedding by the couple. Even though it won’t make much of a difference, it is their personal choice and their privacy that you are disrespecting if you share the link with uninvited guests.
– Do not attend in your PJ’s
Despite the fact that you’re cozy on your couch, you shouldn’t attend the wedding in sloppy attire. You don’t have to get fully dressed up, but be sure you look presentable.
– Gifts
It could be more difficult to give a gift, however, a monetary gift is quick and easy. If you’d like to send an item as a gift, be sure to let the couple know that you will be doing so.
– Congratulations
You may not be able to speak during the livestream, as it may be a bit messy and noisy if the couple unmuted all guests at the same time. However, you should definitely send them a congratulatory message either via text or you could film yourself sending some well wishes. It will mean a lot to the newlyweds.
Many say that in order for your love to be strong, it should be founded on friendship first. For South African on-air personality, actress and model Minnie Dlamini and her husband, former football player Quinton Jones, this is most definitely the case. We take a look at their love story.
The pair met in 2010 when they both worked at Urban Brew Studios. While Jones was much more senior than Dlamini, who was just an assistant runner at the time, they still worked in close proximity and became very close friends.
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In an interview with Jacaranda FM, Dlamini said: “We both worked at Urban Brew studios. He was obviously much more senior than I was, I was just like an assistant runner. He basically became my best friend. He was one of those friends where I’d be like in the club, and I’d be partying, and he would be like, ‘I think we should go home now,’ and I would be like, ‘why?’ and I would say, ‘okay, dad.’ Our friendship grew and grew.”
She then explained that they were never single at the same time. Eventually, when they were both single, things started to fall into place.
“We were both single, and he was like, ‘why don’t we give it a shot?’ I was like, ‘no that’s weird’. ‘He was like no one knows you like me, and no one knows me like you,” she explained.
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They began dating, but didn’t make things official until a year later.
“So for a year we were together but weren’t official. Then he took me on holiday and asked me to be his girlfriend. And I was like, I really like you,” she said.
On July 8, 2017, the pair tied the knot in a stunning traditional wedding at Glenn Hills in Northern Durban, KwaZulu Natal.
South African stars such as Basetsana Kumalo, Jessica Nkosi, Anele Mdoda, Zakes Bantwini, Nandi Madida, Criselda Dudumashe, Jimmy Tau and Unathi Msengana were all in attendance.
According to multiple reports, the couple asked that guests refrain from taking pictures, and had everyone wear wristbands in order to limit the public knowledge of the inside of their wedding. Despite this, many images were shared to social media.
On September 16, 2017 the pair celebrated their nuptials again with a white wedding at the Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West.
Dlamini produced a TV wedding special for DStv which showcased her wedding. Called “Minnie Dlamini: Becoming Mrs. Jones”, the three-part special takes viewers through the planning for both ceremonies, Dlamini’s bachelorette party and the weddings themselves. It first aired on VUZU AMP on October 13, 2017.
The loved-up couple celebrated the three year anniversary of their traditional wedding this year, and Dlamini was spoiled rotten by her husband as her birthday falls close to the anniversary too.
As one of the most memorable moments of your wedding, the perfect first dance not only opens the floor but is a special and intimate moment between the newlyweds which has become an important wedding tradition over the decades.
It stems from many years ago when ballroom dancing was an acquired skill everyone had to have, and the first dance at a ball or special event was usually done by a royal guest of honour to open the floor.
Nowadays, couples typically pick a song suited to their personal love story and practice a routine before the time to entertain their guests. But to make your first dance special, there needs to be a touch of originality. Since not everyone is a skilled ballroom dancer, it can be challenging to put on the performance you want.
Here are some easy steps to getting your first dance-off on the right foot.
STEP 1 – THE VIBE
What kind of story do you want to tell with your first dance? As we’ve said, this is a crucial moment to show off the type of couple you are. You could go romantic and sultry with a tango, or cheesy with an 80s-inspired throwback that references moves like the electric slide and the hammer dance. If you’re more emotional, a slow dance is perfect whereas a classic couple might enjoy a foxtrot. Each dance style gives a different vibe and will determine the music choice and choreography going forward.
STEP 2 – THE SONG
The song you choose for your first dance should be representative of the personal relationship you have with your partner. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to choose a completely original song, but you should feel that it speaks to you and your partner’s feelings towards each other. You also need to keep in mind the length of the song and the beat for your dance.
STEP 3 – THE CHOREOGRAPHY
You can either choose to have a professional dance instructor choreograph a dance for you and your partner, or do it yourself. If you want to choreograph your dance, however, you need to start as soon as possible as the more time you have the more time you will have to learn the steps. This can be a good time for you and your partner to become even closer during the wedding planning, through learning to dance together.
STEP 3 – THE DANCE
When it comes to your big day there will be a swarm of emotions, and executing a rehearsed dance may be a challenge, despite all your practice. Don’t feel discouraged by this, and, instead, focus on your partner and all the moments you’ve shared and the ones you’ve yet to share. A perfect dance will look different for everyone and should be about celebrating with your loved ones.
Smaller factors to keep in mind:
– Take your wedding shoes into consideration when planning your wedding dance. Practice in them a few times before your big day. – When deciding on your wedding outfit, think about whether you will be able to move around and dance comfortably in it. – Make sure to speak with your DJ and MC beforehand to let them know how and when you would like your dance to happen. – Give yourselves enough time to practice, and remember to relax and allow for mistakes to happen in your first few tries.
Before Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie sizzled on the silverscreen in their 2005 film Mr and Mrs Smith, the movie star was married to America’s sweetheart Jennifer Aniston.
The iconic couple shared a deep love for one another, as well as matching outfits and hairstyles. If they had stayed married, they would have celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary this year.
As we know, things didn’t work out that way. Since we can’t predict the future, why not look back on how things used to be?
Source: Pinterest
The beginning:
Brad and Jen met in 1994 through their managers. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Aniston described him as a sweet, normal guy from Missouri. At the time, Pitt was dating fellow actor Gwyneth Paltrow, a relationship that would end a few years later in 1997.
In 1998 the pair first began dating after their agents set them up. It was on this first date that Aniston knew they were meant to be, she told Diane Sawyer in an interview.
“It was weird … That was a really easy evening. It was really fun.”
At the time, they were already two of Hollywood’s biggest movie stars, so it wasn’t long before their relationship was uncovered. In April 1999 they made their official debut as a couple at the Emmy Awards.
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Love and marriage:
A few months after going public, the pair announced their engagement at a Sting concert in November 1999. The pair crashed the stage and Aniston showed off her new diamond sparkler.
They tied the knot on July 29, 2000 on a Malibu bluff. For her big day, Aniston wore a glass-beaded floor length silk and satin gown with a low back, designed by Lawrence Steele. She accessorised with a circular veil topped with a pearl-and-Swarovski-crystal crown.
Their wedding had 200 guests who were entertained by four bands, a gospel choir and fireworks, reports People. The wedding is estimated to have cost $1-million.
Of course, Friends co-stars Courtney Cox Arquette, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry and Lisa Kudrow were in attendance (Matt LeBlanc could not attend as he was filming a movie in Budapest at the time).
Other notable names in attendance included Pitt’s Fight Club co-star Edward Norton with Salma Hayek, who he was dating at the time, as well as Cameron Diaz, David Arquette and David Spade. Aniston’s mother was not present, as they were estranged.
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Things fall apart:
For the first few years after their wedding, things were going well for the pair. In 2004 when Friends was ending, Aniston said she was looking forward to being able to dedicate time towards starting a family with Pitt.
“Yeah. It’s time. It’s time. You know, I think you can work with a baby, I think you can work pregnant, I think you can do all of it,” she said in an interview with The Guardian. “So I’m just truly looking forward to slowing down.”
At the time, Pitt had signed on to star in Mr and Mrs Smith alongside Angelina Jolie. In her interview, Aniston said she and Pitt planned to travel after filming wrapped.
As we all know, this was the beginning of the end of the couple. By May 2004, cheating rumours began to circulate and Pitt and Jolie became closer during filming.
Much later in 2006, Jolie told W Magazine that love began to blossom between them on set.
“Because of the film we ended up being brought together to do all these crazy things and I think we found this strange friendship and partnership that kind of just suddenly happened,” she said. “I think a few months in I realized, ‘God, I can’t wait to get to work.
“We just became kind of a pair. And it took until, really, the end of the shoot for us, I think, to realize that it might mean something more than we’d earlier allowed ourselves to believe.”
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It’s over:
In January 2005, Pitt and Aniston officially announced their separation.
“We would like to announce that after seven years together we have decided to formally separate,” read their joint statement. “For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any of the speculation reported by the tabloid media. This decision is the result of much thoughtful consideration. We happily remain committed and caring friends with great love and admiration for one another.”
By October of that same year, their divorce was finalised.
The world quickly took sides and joined wither ‘Team Jen’ and ‘Team Angie’ as news on the couple’s break-up dominated headlines. To date, its been one of the largest, most influencial celebrity break-ups in history in terms of its impact on pop culture.
In an interview, Aniston famously said Pitt was missing a sensitivity chip. She also later told Vogue that she learnt many details of the affair from interviews Pitt and Jolie did.
“There was stuff printed there that was definitely from a time when I was unaware that it was happening,” she says. “I felt those details were a little inappropriate to discuss. That stuff about how she couldn’t wait to get to work every day? That was really uncool.”
Moving on
Since their breakup, Pitt went public with Jolie and they married in 2014. They have six children together, and announced their divorce in 2016, filing irreconcilable differences.
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Aniston also remarried when she said ‘I do’ to actor Justin Therous in 2015. They later divorced in 2018.
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With both actors single, many rumours began to circulate that they would get back together. Soon after his divorce, Pitt reportedly reached out to Aniston. In February 2019, he attended Aniston’s 50th birthday party and have had a few run-ins since.
The global pandemic has forced many couples across the world to postpone their big days, and celebrities are not exempt from this.
Modern Family star Sarah Hyland and former The Bachelorette contestant Wells Adams were meant to tie the knot on August 9, but postponed due to COVID-19. This didn’t stop them from celebrating their big day, however.
Dressed all in white, the pair spent the day in style at a vineyard to honour their would-be special day.
“A couple, a pandemic, & a postponed wedding: A series. We were supposed to get married today. Instead… we took pictures and drank wine. I love you to Pluto & back @wellsadams,” Hyland wrote on Instagram.
Hyland showed an interest in Adams back when he was on The Bachelorette. The two started flirting on Twitter in 2016 but only made things official in late 2017. The happy couple had been in a long-distance relationship, since he lived in Nashville, Tennessee and she in Los Angeles, California, but took things to the next level in August 2018, when Adams moved in with Hyland.
In July 2019, Adams popped the question while on vacation in Fiji.
UFC star Conor McGregor has finally proposed to his long-time girlfriend of 12-years, Dee Devlin. The fighter put a ring on it on Sunday, August 9, which happened to be Devlin’s birthday too!
Taking to Instagram to announce his exciting news, McGregor posted a picture of himself and Devlin cuddled up, showing off the new engagement ring.
“What a birthday, my future wife,” wrote McGregor.
The pair share two children together, a three-year-old son Conor Junior, and a one-year-old daughter Croia.
McGregor has been open and public about his relationship with Devlin, and often credits her for his success in life. In an interview with MMA Fighting, he said: “My girlfriend has been there since the start. She has helped me throughout this career. If it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.
For me to be able to take her out of work, give her everything she’s ever wanted and to travel the world with her fills me with pride. It keeps me going. We’ve been together a long time. She’s been through it all with me.”
They started dating in 2007 after meeting in a nightclub, and they have been inseparable ever since.
For their happy news, congratulations poured in for the couple. Several other UFC stars including Holly Holm sent their well wishes. Conor’s father Tony, sister Erinn, and niece Taylor all sent their love too, and so did Devlin’s sister Sarah, who wrote, “My heart is so full for these two.”
