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    Love her or hate her, Emily Ratajkowski has style. Her chic, seemingly effortless silhouette was echoed on her wedding day in 2018.

    True to herself, Ratajkowski wed her man, Sebastian Bear-McClard, in a simple courthouse ceremony. Rather than splashing on luxury, the bride wore Zara (maybe not the most ethical choice). Nevertheless, her $250 mustard yellow suit stole the show.

    She took to social media to announce her nuptials. According to Vogue, Ratajkowski wrote “got married today” in an Instagram story. Her and Bear-McClard had only been dating for a few weeks but have known each other for years.

     

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    A post shared by Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata) on

     

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    ?two years?2.23.18✨love you more every day

    A post shared by Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata) on

     

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    2 years ago at the courthouse ? 10/10 would marry again (& again & again & again)

    A post shared by Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata) on

    Bear-McClard is in the film industry and works as a writer, director and producer. Some of the films he has worked on include Heaven Knows What and Good Time. 

    Image: Instagram

    It’s been four years since funnyman Kevin Hart and model Eniko Parrish said ‘I do’. A pregnant Eniko took to social media to write a sweet message of devotion to her husband.

    “HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MY LOVE ? Here’s to US! to our love, our adventures, our hearts, and our forever. 8.13.16,” she wrote on Instagram, along with an image of the two on honeymoon in St. Barths.

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    Kevin and Eniko met in 2009. While little is known about the early days of their relationship, we do know that they made their first public appearance as a couple in 2011 after Kevin’s divorce to first wife Torrei Hart was finalised.

    On August 9, 2014 (Eniko’s birthday) Kevin popped the question and, of couse, Eniko said yes.

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    They married on August 13, 2016 in a lavish ceremony in Santa Barbara, California. Eniko wore two custom Vera Wang bridal gowns for their big day. Kevin’s son Hendrix acted as his best man, and daughter Heaven was also in the bridal party.

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    Despite infidelity on Kevin’s side, the couple have maintained a united front. In November 2017, they welcomed their first child together, Kenzo, and in 2020 they announced they are expecting their second child together.

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    Feature image: Instagram / Eniko Hart

    Traditionally in a heterosexual marriage a woman wears a dress while the groom wears a suit, the expansion of marriage rights across the world and de-gendering of clothing has led to a surge in suits for all genders in the wedding party.

    A suit can look smart, well-put together and well-fitting if you follow very simple rules, otherwise it can easily become a bit of a mess.

    Here are our tips for making sure you look smart on your big day.

    Do not wait until the last minute 

    Although it might not be as intricate as a traditional wedding gown, finding exactly what you want in a suit and getting it fitted is unlikely to be a quick affair.

    You’ll have a lot of other things to do in the run up to the wedding so you don’t want this to be a rush.

    Do not avoid the tailor 

    A tailored suit can with the perfect fit is incredibly important. If you’re getting a suit made then this will be part of the process. Even if you decide to buy off the rack, take it to a tailor. There is always something that can be tweaked.

    Do not go overboard on accessories 

    Since suits are simple ensembles, personalising them is tricky to get right. A big way to make your suit reflect your personality is through accessories but be careful not to go overboard and include all of them. Be judicious, a fun pair of socks is a good idea but having flashy suspenders, socks and a pocket square could make you look more clown and less classy.

    Choose the right shoes 

    The wrong shoe can throw off the whole outfit. Make sure the colour works, they are comfortable and speak to the style you’re going for rather than just picking out the most “formal” option you can find.

    If you’re going to wear heels with your suit, consider this when getting your pants leg tailored.

    Getting creative 

    If you have a look around there are beautiful colourful, patterned suits out there for the brave and bold. While these can work for the right people, make sure it is something you want and are comfortable with. Wedding photos will be around forever, so ensure that even an exciting suit reflects you and your personality and is not just something you chose on a whim.

    Image: Unsplash

    Pastel shades like baby blue, lavender and mint are often associated with spring, so why not embrace the season by incorporating these shades into your big day? These colours can come in a number of ways, from your wedding furniture to your centrepeices and backdrops.

    Juxtaposing soft pastel shades with more modern design creates a wonderful contrast. It especially works well with abstract detail, which can add a more artistic flair to your big day. Or, you could lean in to the vibe and use vintage-inspired pieces for a more whimsical look. It all depends on the overall aesthetic you desire.

    Pastel does not have to be childish. It’s all about how you use the colours. Here are some unique ideas to inspire you:

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    Feature image: Pixabay

    Lockdown won’t stop love. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Arsenal star Bernd Leno was committed to marrying long-term girlfriend Sophie Christin.

    The pair, who have been together for 5 years, tied the knot in Sophie’s hometown of Dusseldorf, Germany. They had a simple civil ceremony and can be seen grinning from ear to ear in their wedding photos.

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    Many of their famous friends took to social media to congratulate the pair, including fellow Arsenal sportstar Rob Holding. Other Bundesliga stars like Julian Brandt, Kevin Volland and Omer Toprak also sent their well wishes for the couple.

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    The German shot-stopper and Instagram influencer Christin began dating in 2015. They got engaged in June 2019.

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    Feature image: Instagram/Bernd Leno

    The bride wanting to show off her décolletage area will stun in a low-cut gown. This cut is incredibly flattering on a number of body shapes, and compliments a variety of dress styles. While it is often considerd sexy or risqué, it’s all about how you do it. 

    Whether you’re going for soft and elegant or va-va-voom, a plunging neckline does it all. A simple satin number gives a classic finish, while a full tulle skirt and floral appliqué paired with a low cut neckline is more whimsical. If you’re going for the glamorous look, incorporate intricate beading and luxurious fabrics. The options are truly endless.
    There are so many ways to pull of this look, here are a few of our favourites:

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    Image: Unsplash

    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.

    Feature image: screenshot from video

    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.’”

    Picture: Instagram / Lisa Lafferty

    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.

    Here are some two-sided cakes, to inspire you:

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    Image: Unsplash

    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.

    Feature image: Unsplash