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In Weddings

5 Commonly practised Cape Malay wedding traditions

July 16, 2020 No Comments

Cape Town, South Africa is filled with different cultures and creeds. For weddings, this means that many you attend will be different from the traditional “white wedding” introduced by the West.

One demographic with a variety of wedding traditions that differ from the “norm” is the Cape Malay culture. There are several parts, including pre-wedding ceremonies, events on the wedding day, and more.

Given the large community of Cape Malay people in the city, it’s likely that you will eventually be invited to a wedding which requires you to know a bit about the traditions. Instead of showing up to the wedding and feeling confused about some of the customs being practiced, it’s best to get clued up prior to the ceremony. The more you know the better!

Here are some Cape Malay wedding traditions to get you started:

Marriage Intentions:

After a couple decided they are ready for marriage, the parents of the man approach the parents of the women to ask for their daughter’s hand. This takes place across two separate meetings of the families. The second meeting is where the man’s family receives consent from the woman’s family so that the couple can marry. At this meeting, together they decide on a date for both the engagement ceremony and the Nikkah (marriage).

‘Bruidskamer’:

Once the wedding planning begins, the groom-to-be has the task of setting up the ‘Bruidskamer’ (bridal chamber i.e. the house they will live in together after they marry, since in this culture people do not move out of their family homes until they get married).

Families are filled with excitement during this time in the lead up to the wedding. Everyone including aunts, uncles, and cousins are involved in the organizing of the new home and other wedding preparations.

Getting Packed in:

The bride is not allowed to see the ‘bruidskamer’ until after the wedding, therefore her family spends a few nights prior to the wedding packing her personal belongings in to the new home.

Nikkah:

The formal wedding ceremony is called the Nikkah, and it usually happens at a mosque on the morning of the wedding prior to the reception.

The Nikkah is essentially a ceremony in which the groom accepts a proposal from the bride’s father to marry her. There are certain words that have to be uttered by the groom and the bride’s father in order to make things official. Specifically, the groom has to accept the dowry amount that he has to pay.

The Imam (or leader of prayer) at the mosque will then recite a sermon, after which he will have the groom recite a few words in Arabic. He will say: “Qabil-tu nikah haha linafsi biethaalik”, which translates to “I have accepted her marriage to myself for that dowry”. The marriage is then formalized.

Thereafter, the groom makes his way to the bride who awaits nearby. He will remove her veil and place the wedding ring on her finger.

The reception:

After the Nikkah, the couple will have a reception where guests are treated to a variety of foods and favorites. At the end of the reception, the bride is collected by women from the groom’s family called the “Hadjies”. They will speak to the bride’s parents, and then escort her to the ‘bruidskamer’.

In a heartwarming moment as she leaves the wedding venue with her groom’s aunts, the bride hugs all of her family members as wedding guests recite the “Salawaat,” which is melodious praise for the Prophet.

The groom leaves the venue before, in order to be waiting for his wife when she arrives at their new home.

Image: Unsplash

In Celebs

Nick and Vanessa Lachey celebrate 9th anniversary

July 16, 2020 No Comments

Nick and Vanessa Lachey celebrated their ninth year of marriage on July 15. To commemorate the event the pair each posted loving messages to one another on Instagram.

The former member of popular boyband 98 Degrees posted a sweet photo of the pair on a beach at dusk. Embracing each other (and the island vibes), they seem to be living in a romantic movie.

“Nine years and counting!! I feel incredibly lucky to have found my soulmate and ultimate partner in life and love,” he said in his caption.

“V, you mean everything to me. No matter what we face, we face it together. Whatever blessing we enjoy, we enjoy it together. With our love and commitment to each other, I know there is nothing we can’t get through…..together. I love you V with all that I am. I always will! Happy Anniversary.”

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Vanessa, a filipino-American television personality, beauty queen, fashion model, television host and actress, had a similar idea. She shared a throwback photo from their 2011 wedding, which was seemingly captured while the coupled danced.

“14 years ago today, you said “I Love You”. 9 years ago today, we said “I Do”. Today, I say “Thank You”. Thank You for this Beautiful Life & Marriage. Thank You for the unconditional Love you give to me and our 3 crazy kids. Thank You for the hard work you put into Us and yourself daily. Thank YOU for keeping all your vows we shared on this day nine years ago. Thank you for it ALL. Happy Anniversary, My Love! I Love You!!! ❤️,” she wrote.

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Nick first met Vanessa when he went on TRL, a show hosted by Vanessa, with his then-wife Jessica Simpson. In 2005, Simpson and Lachey’s relationship began to fracture, and in 2006 he started a relationship with Vanessa. The new couple faced scrutiny due to Nick and Simpson’s story.

They first made their relationship official in the public eye when they kissed during MTV’s New Year’s Eve broadcast.

Around June 2009, the pair split up, but it didn’t last long and by August of the same year the were back together.

In November 2010, Nick proposed with a $125,000 Asscher cut diamond ring, at the Montage hotel in Orange County. The next year, the married on Richard Branson’s 74-acre private island in the British Virgin Islands.

The couple now share three children, Camden John Lachey, 7, Brooklyn Elisabeth, 5, and Phoenix Robert, 3, and are as happy as ever.

Image: Instagram / Nick Lachey

In Celebs

Peace, Love and Happiness: John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s wedding

July 16, 2020 No Comments

The story of John Lennon and Yoko Ono has captured the attention of many over time. Their relationship was hotly debated since they began their courtship while The Beatles star was still wed to another woman. Nevertheless, their marriage is an enduring image of 20th-century popular culture. We take a look back at their nuptials.

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Most Beatles fans know a bit about the story of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s wedding. After all, Lennon sang of it in his song “The Ballad of John and Yoko”, which he recorded with fellow Beatle, Paul McCartney, on April 14, 1969.

The lyrics go like this:

“Finally made the plane into Paris
Honeymooning down by the Seine
Peter Brown called to say
You can make it OK
You can get married in Gibraltar near Spain”

Ono met Lennon in November 1966, as she prepared to open her art exhibit called Unfinished Paintings and Objects, which was held at the Indica Gallery, in the basement of the Indica Bookshop in London. According to Lennon, they fell in love on that day.

After their initial meeting, they kept in touch for months, and eventually became an inseparable couple and a force to be reckoned with. However, when Lennon and Ono began their courtship, the singer was still married to his first wife, Cynthia Lennon. Cynthia filed for divorce in August 1968, and by March 20, 1969 Lennon would be remarried to Ono.

Initially, the pair wanted to marry in the most romantic way they could think of – on a train to Paris.

“We wanted to get married on a cross-channel ferry. That was the romantic part,” Lennon said in The Beatles’ Anthology documentary. “We went to Southampton and then we couldn’t get on because she wasn’t English, and she couldn’t get the day visa to go across. They said, ‘Anyway, you can’t get married. The captain’s not allowed to do it any more.'”

After that plan failed, they tried many others, and eventually settled on Gibraltar, a location suggested by their friend Peter Brown.

“We chose Gibraltar because it is quiet, British and friendly. We tried everywhere else first. I set out to get married on the car ferry and we would have arrived in France married, but they wouldn’t do it. We were no more successful with cruise ships. We tried embassies, but three weeks’ residence in Germany or two weeks’ in France were required,” Lennon once explained.

The pair chartered a plane to Gibraltar and married on March 20, 1969 (about a week after bandmate Paul McCartney wedded Linda Eastman), in a 10-minute ceremony at the British Consulate Office.

The bride wore a white, tiered miniskirt and top, small floppy hat, knee-high socks, plimsolls, and round, black sunglasses, and the groom donned a white high-neck top, a blazer, and jacket.

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After the wedding, came the honeymoon, which has gone down in history as one of the most famous honeymoons of all time.

For their honeymoon, the pair planned a “bed-in” for peace for the week of March 25 – 31, at the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel. The event was covered by a variety of international media outlets.

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“We decided that if we were going to do anything like get married that we would dedicate it to peace,” Lennon told Rolling Stone in 1971. “And during that period, because we are what we are, it evolved that somehow we ended up being responsible to produce peace.”

“I was very aware that we were ruining each other’s careers and I was hated and John was hated because of me. We did everything together and we did everything publicly together. The Bed-In was our work for peace but we weren’t liked for it,” Ono shared with The Telegraph.

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Seven months after their wedding, the pair released their album titled “Wedding Album”, and it was quite odd. The first side, called “John and Yoko” features a 22-minute long recording in which they pair say each others names, against the backtrack of a beating heart. They purr, wail, and coo, saying each others names in silly ways.

Image: Instagram / riley_and_john

In Accessories

Stylish hats for the groom

July 16, 2020 No Comments

Some grooms dress to impress. If your hubby is a fashion guru, he might want to don a hat. It’s important to choose the specific look you’re going to make a strong statement. Once the rest of the outfit is compiled, a hat will top it off perfectly.

Take a look at these memorable men’s hats for inspiration.

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Image: Unsplash

In Engagements

8 Ravishing ring settings for the avant-garde bride

July 15, 2020 No Comments

Sometimes, “plain and simple” just won’t do. The bold bride should have her ring reflect her fearless attitude and unique personality. There’s more out there than the rings you see lined up in mainstream jewellery stores. You might be on the hunt for something different, but you need options.

If you are looking for a ring style that’s off the beaten path, take a look at these gorgeous designs.

1. Jacquie Aiche Teardrop Diamond Crown Ring

This ring has an elongated teardrop shape that is repeated. Set with smaller diamonds, and no one will be able to keep their eyes off you.

2. Jade Trau “Rae” Wrap Ring

We love the openess and flowing design that will comfort your finger like a hug, while giving a daring look.

3. Bliss Lau “Mirage” Ring

This design absolutely screams “look at me!” We love that the first impression is dramatic, yet the ring has intricate detail.

4. Azlee “Glow” Diamond Ring

Playing with geometric shapes never looked so stylish. Stand out from the crowd with this triangle-shaped setting.

5. Opalescent kite with diamond sunburst

This modern-meets-vintage masterpiece is unique with its kite-shaped form that is accentuated by small diamonds on the edge.

6. Garden-inspired Montauk ring

Flower children, this one is for you. This delicate piece is light and fine with a romantic finish.

7. Cushion cut natural French

This design will accentuate your hands and give you a sleek look. We love that it’s not afraid to shine!

8. Swati Dhanak “Feature Shards” Ring

This stellar piece reminds of antarctic glaciers, or perhaps the pieces of a puzzle, fitting perfectly together. Take your pick.

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

The sweet life: Wedding dessert bars to treat your guests

July 15, 2020 No Comments

The quintessential wedding dessert is, of course, the big cake. Everyone loves the moment newlyweds slice into the cake, their first action carried out as a married couple.

Unfortunately, not everyone likes cake. Many modern couples have opted for alternative cakes like cheesecakes, pancake stacks and even watermelon cakes. While these are great, they can also be polarising.

A good option would be to have a dessert bar where a number of individual-sized desserts are available. This way, you can appeal to different taste palates and get creative with your bars to offer another unique wedding feature.

Here are some treats to make your wedding day even sweeter:

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Feature image: Pexels

In News

Woman rewears wedding dress for a year to raise money for charity

July 15, 2020 No Comments

Many think you can’t rewear a wedding dress after your wedding day, but this Dawn Winfield-Hunt begs to differ. She made the decision to rewear her wedding dress for a year to raise money for very special causes.

It all began when Winfield-Hunt was dared to wear her wedding dress while paddle-boarding.

“I was dared to wear it paddle boarding and I said OK..and I’ll wear it to Tesco too,” she tells Wedding ETC. “Someone photographed me whilst I was paddle boarding and I posted on an isle of Wight photography site to see if I could find the person and from there it spiraled.”

She has worn her dress in unique places like Buckingham Palace, while boxing and even swam in it on Boxing Day. She says people are always fascinated by her getup, and it’s a great conversation starter. She started a Facebook page called ‘The life and times of a wedding dress’ to document her dress’s journey and raise awareness for the charities she supports.

Meeting donkeys. Credit: Dawn Winfield-Hunt

Boxing day festivities. Credit: Dawn Winfield-Hunt

Getting some fitness in. Credit: Dawn Winfield-Hunt

From here, she decided to put her wedding dress, named Bella, to good use and raise money for three charities: Mountbatten Cancer Trust, Friend’s of The Animals and The Food Bank. She had even planned to put on a charity wedding dress ball but with the COVID-19 pandemic, has had to change her plans.

Out for a swim. Credit: Dawn Winfield-Hunt

Doing some renovations.Credit: Dawn Winfield-Hunt

Winfield-Hunt plans to have a little beach party in her dress to raise money, and also to say goodbye to her wedding dress.

Check out her Just Giving page if you would like to donate to the charities.

Picture/s: Dawn Winfield-Hunt / The life and times of a wedding dress

In Advice

How to host a drive-by wedding

July 15, 2020 No Comments

The regulations for social gatherings still in place, not much can be done about the hope of a traditional wedding. However, many have taken to new, creative ways of hosting weddings, as their nuptials are too important to put off any longer.

Some opt for virtual ceremonies, while others go for a courthouse wedding with no guests other than the court officials. These are options to consider.

Another option is a drive-by wedding. Your loved ones can attend your wedding from the safety of their cars, ensuring that all safety precautions are met while still giving you the feeling of their presence at your special celebration.

If this sounds good to you, then you’re probably keen to get started on the planning. Here’s how to host a drive-by wedding:

Location:

When choosing the location of the drive-by, ensure that it is a wide-open, public space. This will mean that everyone driving by will be able to clearly see you. You could even do it in your front yard, if you have space and don’t have walls.

Set up a spot to show yourselves off, for example you can decorate fancy chairs as thrones for you to sit on as your parade drives by.

Invitations:

Send out invitation (digital of course) as early as possible. It’s a bit difficult for people to get around under lockdown restrictions so ensure that you give your guests enough time to plan.

Logistics:

It may be difficult to co-ordinate a lot of people in this way, but you have to try! Included in the invitation, set a meeting spot such as a parking lot for your guests to gather at.

Assign a close relative or friend the role of head driver. This ensures that there is somebody leading the cars to your location, and allows for some sort of order for the drive-by.

Also, include times for when they should meet up, and when they should begin driving to arrive on time.

Stations for gifts and treats:

Since it’s not a full-blown wedding, you shouldn’t cater as though it is. If you really want to provide treats, get cupcakes and seal them in individual boxes, and set them up on a table close to where you will be. As your guests drive by, they can pick up a cupcake! Be sure to have a bottle of sanitizer on the table!

You can also set up a station for your guests to drop their wedding gifts if you’d like.

More than one way to do it:

For a drive-by wedding, there are two ways you can do it. However, the second option is riskier.

The first is as described above. All your guests simply drive passed you in a sort of parade fashion, to get a glimpse of you and your partner as newly weds. They have a few minutes to stop and get a treat, drop off a gift, and say some kind words. You could have this drive-by immediately after you’ve said your vows in a church or at the courthouse, or you could do it on a different day to avoid rushing.

The second option is to have a sort of drive-in, like a movie screening would be set up. All your guests sit in their cars and watch you say your vows, at an outside location. Only you, your partner, and the marriage officer would be outside, standing together. All other arrangements would stay the same. This may be a bit risky as it can still be considered as a gathering.

Image: Unsplash

In News

Russian influencer marries stepson after divorcing his father

July 15, 2020 No Comments

If 2020 has proven anything, it’s that anything can happen, no matter how out of the ordinary it may seem. A 35-year-old Russian influencer has proven just that after she married her ex-husband’s 20-year-old son.

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Instagram influencer Marina Balmasheva announced her plans to marry Vladimir ‘Voya’ Shavyrin, the son of her ex-husband Alexey Shavyrin (40), earlier this year.

Balmasheva, who is from the western Russian region of Krasnodar Krai, resided with Alexey Shavyrin for more than a decade before they decided to go their separate ways. Their relationship ended in divorce.

Since she was with Alexey for so long, Balmasheva had a hand in raising her stepson Vladimir, and was in his life for around 13 years. Despite this, they have fallen in love.

Last week, the influencer shared a video on Instagram showing their low-key nuptials.

Translated from Russian, her caption says that the couple accepts well wishes and congratulations. She explained that they drove to the registry together, and she hadn’t even brushed her hair for the occasion. However, they ensured the wedding rings were in the car.

“There was a good mood and a little embarrassment,” she added.

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The couple’s relationship has caused an uproar, as they are also expecting a child together. They announced the pregnancy in June, and on July 11 said that the baby looks like a boy in the ultrasound.

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Many claim their relationship is immoral. The Mirror UK reported that it was a massive scandal in their homeland, and that ex-husband Alexey had caught wind of their affair while he was still married to Balmasheva.

There was uproar when Balmasheva posted a comparison photo, showing her standing next to a 7-year-old Voya next to another picture of the pair cuddled up as a couple.

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Balmasheva has gained thousands of followers after going public with her relationship with Voya. The pair remain adamant that the public are behind their relationship.

Image: Instagram / @marina_balmasheva

In Celebs

Bianca and Mick Jagger’s rock ‘n roll wedding

July 14, 2020 No Comments

One of the most iconic brides in history has to be Bianca Jagger. The Nicaraguan-born actress and activist stunned crowds in a unique and incredibly chic bridal suit when she married rocker, Mick Jagger. Her wedding look still inspires brides today.

The unique pair tied the knot during a shotgun wedding on May 12, 1971, in St. Tropez. While their marriage ended a few years later, it remains one of the most stylish celebrity weddings to date. We take a look at their big day.

Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger met Bianca Perez-Mora Macias at an after party in Paris in late 1970. At the time, she was studying political science at the Paris Institute of Political Studies. The Rolling Stones were in Paris after reportedly fleeing England to escape tax debt. The pair immediately hit it off, so much so that they found out they were expecting a child together within a few months of dating.

Only one day before their wedding, the unpredictable couple informed their guests of their plans to marry. Their wedding had a 75-person guest list and featured household names like Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Brigitte Bardot and Keith Richards to name a few.

There were quite a few uninvited guests too, as hundreds of paparazzi descended on their day to capture the festivities. In fact, the commotion was so bad that the Jagger’s arrived at their ceremony an hour-and-a-half late to try to avoid the crowds.

When they did arrive, they looked absolutely amazing. Mick wore an olive green suit with a floral shirt and coloured sneakers, and Bianca stunned in an impeccably tailored, white Yves Saint Laurent smoking jacket with nothing underneath. She paired it with a matching calf-length skirt and large veiled sun hat. This outfit started the courthouse wedding chic trend.

The pair tied the knot during a civil ceremony at the town hall, then had a traditional Roman Catholic ceremony at St. Anne’s chapel, with the soundtrack of Love Story playing in the background.

After their ceremony, they made their way to their 200-person reception held at Café des Arts where the party truly began. Guests enjoyed impromptu jam sessions and partied till the early hours of the morning.

Unfortunately, the marriage did not last. The couple divorced in 1979 following Mick’s affair with American supermodel Jerry Hall. Bianca famously told the New York Times in 1986 that “My marriage was over on the wedding day.”

Today, Bianca is a dedicated human rights advocate. She serves as a Council of Europe goodwill ambassador, is the founder and chair of the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation, member of the Executive Director’s Leadership Council of Amnesty International USA, and a trustee of the Amazon Charitable Trust.

Mick is one of the most influential frontmen in rock n roll history, with a career that has spanned five decades. He has eight children with five women.

Feature image: Pinterest