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    A wedding is an exciting day, one that you’ll (hopefully) want to remember forever. This newly married couple made their wedding photoshoot even more memorable with a thrilling location and heart-racing idea.

    Adventure-seeking Arkansas couple Ryan (30) and Skye Myers (28) were forced to downsize their wedding amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Having sacrificed a lot on their big day, they wanted something bold for their wedding photoshoot.

    “We wanted a big wedding, but had minimal time to plan it because Skye started nursing school, and with the pandemic regulations we were having difficulties deciding on how to proceed with a wedding,” Ryan told The Daily Mail.

    “That’s when we started looking at gorgeous iconic spots for an outside ceremony, so that it would be magical and memorable.”

    The pair travelled to the popular Hawksbill Crag Cliff on the Whitaker Point hiking trail after their union. Captured by photographer Mason Gardner, they posed for some daring images at the cliff’s edge. In one image, Skye leans dangerously over the edge. In another, it was revealed she was wearing a safety harness underneath her gown.

    Posted by Mason Gardner on Tuesday, 18 August 2020

    Posted by Mason Gardner on Tuesday, 18 August 2020

    Posted by Mason Gardner on Tuesday, 18 August 2020

    According to Ryan, everyone present for the shoot was well-trained in climbing.

    He told The Daily Mail: ‘Our crew was made up of myself, my best man Gage, Skye and her sister Summer, one rappelling expert and our photographer, who was amazing!’

    Picture: Unsplash

    We’ve all got some extra mirrors laying around somewhere in the house. This easily accessible and affordable item works wonders as DIY wedding decor, all you need is a sharp eye for detail.

    Mirrors can be repurposed as wedding decor in a number of ways. Use a large mirror as a seating chart by writing your table information in permanent marker, or use smaller mirrors as escort cards.

    They can also be used as table numbers and table decor, or even as a table runner! Depending on the size and shape, its uses are endless.

    Here are some magical ways to give old mirrors new life:

    Credit: Pinterest
    Credit: Pinterest
    Credit: Pinterest
    Credit: Pinterest
    Credit: Pinterest
    Credit: Pinterest
    Credit: Pinterest
    Credit: Pinterest
    Credit: Pinterest

    Feature image: Unsplash

    Michelle and Barack Obama are a powerhouse. The former President of the United States and former First Lady have always leaned on each other throughout their marriage, and rise to power – Michelle has opened up about the difficulties they faced along the way.

    In an Instagram post, the former First Lady shared a brand new image from their 1992 wedding, along with a few wise words on marriage.

    “Last week on The #MichelleObamaPodcast, Conan and I reflected on our marriages. This relationship can be one of the most foundational pieces of our identities—bringing us so much joy, meaning, and support every single day,” she wrote.

    “But one thing is for sure: It also takes a lot of work; a lot of honesty with ourselves and our partners. That’s one thing I’ve learned.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CEzXzc_g32K/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    The Obama’s tied the knot on October 3, 1992 at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Almost three decades later, the pair have built an incredible empire and expanded their family with daughters Malia (22) and Sacha (19).

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5YrxQQABk6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Speaking on the podcast, Michelle explains that their marriage has not always been easy.

    “There were times that I wanted to push Barack out of the window. And I say that because it’s like, you’ve got to know the feelings will be intense. But that doesn’t mean you quit. And these periods can last a long time. They can last years,” she said.

    “Young couples, they face these challenges and they’re ready to give up because they think they’re broken. And I just want to say, look, if that breaks a marriage, then Barack and I have been broken off and on, throughout our marriage, but we have a very strong marriage.

    “And if I had given up on it, if I had walked away from it, in those tough times, then I would’ve missed all the beauty that was there as well.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3KPC49gbqM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Feature image: Instagram / Michelle Obama

    The Constitutional court of South Africa will meet later in September to discuss the legislative issue related to marriages between black couples that took place before 1988 in which they married out of community of property.

    In the late 1980s, Apartheid was still formally in effect and this legislation on marriage fell under the Black Administration Act (BAA). This legislative anomaly goes against South African law that stipulates couples automatically enter into a marriage contract in community of property, unless another option is chosen.

    The Legal Resources Centre (LRC) is bringing this issue to Concourt on behalf of 72-year-old Agnes Sithole, a housewife in Kwazulu-Natal. Sithole is in a dire situation and faces a major financial loss.

    Sithole married in 1972, and only discovered their marriage contract was out of community of property in 2018, reports IOL. Her husband is now threatening to sell their family home, and the law is technically on his side because of their marriage contract.

    The LRC is taking the matter to court to have the legislation struck down for being unfairly discriminatory towards women, specifically women of colour. They also want all marriages entered into under the BAA to be declared in community of property. Those who want to remain out of community of property should be given the opportunity to opt out.

    For many who married out of community of property under the BAA, the women were adversely affected. The LRC argues that black women in particular were unfairly discriminated against in comparison with other women through this.

    “The BAA unfairly discriminated against black women compared with other women,” said the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) in papers it filed at the apex court for the matter.

    “Under Section 22(6), the default position for black couples was marriage out of community of property. By contrast, the law regulating civil marriages between couples of all other races provided that the default position was marriage in community of property,” they wrote in court papers filed on the matter.

    “The BAA had the result that black women were afforded less protection than other women.”

    They estimate that 400 000 other African women married before 1988 could be in a similar situation to Sithole.

    “The amendments have failed to bring real, effective or meaningful relief to black women married subject to Section 22(6) of the BAA,” the LRC said.

    Picture: Unsplash

    South Africans intending to tie the knot automatically enter into marriage in community of property when they say ‘I do’.

    This marriage contract is all about sharing, with ‘what’s mine is yours’ as the motto. If the marriage end in divorce, all assets are split 50/50. Couples in this marriage contract also assume their partner’s debt.

    While this is the most popular marriage contract in the country, many experts advise against it. If, for some reason you decide you no longer want to be married in community of property, you’re in luck.  Couples may change their marital regime after they are married, although it is a costly process that should be avoided if possible.

    Under Section 21(1) of the Matrimonial Property Act, spouses may apply to the court for leave to change the marital property system if:

    – There is sound reason for the change

    The best reason to give is that you were unaware that marriage in community of property is the default, and you had not intended to enter into this contract.

    – All creditors of the spouse are given sufficient notice of the proposed change

    All creditors must be notified by certified post, and notice must be given to the Registrar of Deeds, must be published in the Government Gazette and two local newspapers at least two weeks before your application is heard in court.

    – The court is satisfied that no other person will be disadvantaged by the proposed change

    The court will decide if the change may occur, and will consider your assets and liabilities to determine whether the rights of any creditors will be affected by the change.

    If all these requirements have been met, the Court may authorise the change.

    Feature image: Pexels

    Actor Neil Patrick Harris and his partner David Burtka recently celebrated six years of marriage.

    The loved-up couple took to Instagram to write sweet messages of devotion to one another on their special day.

    “Six years ago. Perhaps the happiest day of my life. Since then, thousands of memories. No regrets. Thank you, David, for both creating and rocking my world. I am forever #grateful,” wrote Harris.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CE0PmvFjbMt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Burtka brought the love with his own sweet words: “Six years ago today @nph and I got hitched. Thanks for dancing into my heart. I can’t believe you stuck around after all these years of me annoying you. ? You have made my heart complete. Thank you for the best times of my life.”

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

    The pair met in 2004 and quickly became friends. Burtka eventually called it quits with his long-distance partner and the pair went on their first date to see Taking Lives starring Angelina Jolie. Thereafter, they quickly became inseparable.

    Burtka proposed to Harris in 2007 on the street corner where they met for the first time. “We were on our way to an event at an Indian casino 45 minutes out of town in a limousine, and David wanted to stop for some reason that I didn’t quite get … And then he got on one knee and proposed, and I was so freaked out by it that I said, ‘Yes,’ but I didn’t know what it meant. Then I got the ring and loved it,” Harris told Out Magazine.

    Since they hadn’t yet married, Harris proposed to Burtka the next year on Valentines Day. After two years of being engaged, the pair welcomed their twins, son Gideon Scott and daughter Harper Grace.

    They finally tied the knot in a wedding ceremony in Perugia, Italy in 2014. Elton John performed, and both grooms wore looked amazing in Tom Ford tuxedos.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BnZQILmB0oo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Feature image: Instagram / Neil Patrick Harris

    The California wildfires left devastation as it burned through various parts of the state. In San Francisco, a couple and their children lost everything when flames taller than trees engulfed their home in August. However all was not lost, as they recently discovered their engagement rings survived the fire.

    Jason and Chloe Caroll were forced to evacuate their Vacaville home with their two young sons as the LNU Lightning Complex fires ravaged the area. In their haste, they left their wedding rings behind in a basket in their bathroom. When they returned to retrieve the rings two days later, they found their home had burnt down to the ground.

    They thought they lost all their possessions but while sifting through the rubble, Chloe’s aunt Denise discovered their rings exactly where the bathroom once stood.

    “I didn’t imagine something can be discovered, and I believed if it was discovered, it would be melted to nothing,” Jason told LadBible.

    “I thought for sure they’d be gone. I thought they’d be melted,” added Chloe. “I acquired one thing that I believed was utterly gone. It offers you a bit of ‘we can do this’. It offers you a bit of hope.”

    Picture: Unsplash

    Not all couples want to have a classic white wedding. Some prefer to show their true colours, and one of the options for music lovers is to have a punk-themed wedding to reflect their anarchist tastes.

    Punk is defined by the DIY zeitgeist, and materials associated with this include denim, leather and tartan. Think brides in Doc martins, visible tattoos and piercings, brightly-coloured hair and grooms in leather jackets. There is also a laizé faire attitude with those who love the punk lifestyle, so don’t expect the reception to be a prim and proper event.

    See below for some certified punk wedding inspiration:

    All pictures: Pinterest

    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

    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

     

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    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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    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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    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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    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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    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 

     

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    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