Weddings Archives | Page 67 of 188

In News

Nigerian wedding industry deeply affected by COVID-19 pandemic

July 7, 2020 No Comments

The Nigerian wedding industry is massive. Couples typically spend big bucks to make sure their special day is perfect. However, the COVID-19 pandemic could cause a loss of millions, and leave small businesses with no way to support themselves.

Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy in terms of nominal GDP, and the wedding industry contributes greatly to this. Using statistics from 2017, a report from TNS Global suggests that the industry could be worth as much as $17 million.

“The Nigerian events industry is estimated to be among the most extravagant in the world. According to TNS Global, 17 million dollars was spent on parties in Lagos over a five months period in 2013. Statistics have it that an average Nigerian company or middle-class family spends over 15,000 dollars per event,” said Professor Okoli Fidelis Chukwuma.

View this post on Instagram

All boo’d up ❤! AhoufeBride @m0cha_17 Makeup: @stmmagicalcreations Hair: @c.c_hairways Dress: @ladybeellionaire Bouquet : @rentadress_nostress Photography : @lexisweddings Videographer: @grandepicfilms Planner: @stmmagicalcreations Decor: @alexeventss Cake: @elsies.bakehouse Cocktail and chops: @koksy_foods #ahoufebridal #BlackDadsMatter #buytheblock #blackwallstreet #blacklove #blackcommunity #blackings #blackqueens #blackinfluencers #blackculture #blackwealth #blackhealth #blackunity #blackmen #weddingday #bellanaijaweddings #melanin #bridalinspiration #NigerianWedding #protectourblackmen #raisingkings #blackfamily #blackmagic #blackexcellence #allblackeverythang #allblackeverything #usorelse #blacklivesmatter #weddingsonpoint #LuxuryWeddings

A post shared by Ahoufe Bridal ® (@ahoufebridal) on Jun 23, 2020 at 8:37pm PDT

According to Nairametrics, weddings can cost anywhere between half a million Naira (R22 263) to over 100 million Naira (R4 452 766) depending on the financial background of each couple. These events are typically massive, with hundreds of guests in attendance.

View this post on Instagram

Dami & Izoyare #lavida20 ? Planner – @sculptorsevents. Photography- @ejikemanny #NigerianWedding #YorubaWedding

A post shared by NIGERIAN WEDDING (@nigerianwedding) on Jul 6, 2020 at 11:54am PDT

With the COVID-19 pandemic, however, this industry has essentially been halted. Large public gatherings are currently not allowed, forcing many couples to tie the knot online through video conferencing platforms.

Those who do continue with in-person weddings have minimised their big days considerably. CEO of event management firm Unik Ushering Agency, Aderonke Adebamibola told Naiametrics that business has slowed down as a result.

“Now, we even have to convince them to use one or two ushers for their events because they believe they don’t need ushers for 20 or 30 guests. Caterers cannot even cook a half bag of rice now because of the number of guests. This means that they are also paid less for their services, even if they expend the same energy and time” said Adebamibola to Nairametrics.

Nigeria has 29 286 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 11 828 recovered and 654 deaths.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of the wedding industry, and many will struggle to fit the new normal.

Feature image: Unsplash

In Celebs

The royal touch: Queen Letizia’s $8 million wedding dress

July 7, 2020 No Comments

When we think of royal weddings, very specific images come to mind. We think of Princess Diana’s extravagant gown with its never-ending train or Megan Markle’s classic bateau Givenchy dream. A dress less known but even more dramatic is that of Queen Letizia of Spain.

This royal, who was a successful news anchor before she became queen, has gone down in history for having the most expensive wedding dress in history. She walked down the aisle to marry then heir to the throne Prince Felipe on May 22, 2004, in a gown that cost an estimated $8 million (R135 881 600). The pair married in the Almudena Cathedral at the Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain, and became king and queen in 2014.

The off-white dress was designed by Royal couturier Manuel Pertegaz, and featured long sleeves, a unique structured open collar and a four and-a-half metre train. There were floral motifs embroidered onto the silk gown in silver and gold thread.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCTL6c1FgjF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/3DSiPRzaGS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

She adorned her tresses with a lace veil and the Prussian Tiara, which had also been worn by her mother-in-law, Queen Sofia, on her wedding day in 1962.

https://www.instagram.com/p/3DTiNDzaH7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Feature images: Instagram / Queen Letizia

In Celebs

Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson celebrate sixth anniversary

July 7, 2020 No Comments

Jessica Simpson and her husband, former NFL player Eric Johnson, celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary on Sunday [July 5]. Simpson wrote a heartfelt message to her husband on Instagram in celebration of the occasion.

The singer posted a photo of the two of them holding a crystal butterfly, which was an anniversary gift from Johnson.

“Eric Johnson, my Husband, I love you. 6yrs ago today I married my perfect soulmate. Our unity was written in God’s sky of colliding stars. Together we manifest dreams, nurture desire, and hold space. Destined, it always has been and always will be, forevermore. Also, anyone who knows me at all knows that this crystal butterfly is my dream gift ?, wrote Simpson, adding the quote “Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCSdqitDTPW/?utm_source=ig_embed

They met in May 2010 through friends. At the time Johnson’s divorce was not yet finalized however he had been separated from his wife at the time since October 2009.

By November 2010, they were engaged. According to E! News Johnson proposed on November 11, at 11:11am, with “Since I’ve Been Loving You” by Led Zeppelin playing in the background and rose petals scattered on the ground.

The pair got married in a glamorous $1.4 million wedding ceremony in July 5, 2014 that took place at the San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, California.

They are now parents to three children, Maxwell Drew (8), Ace Knut (7), and Birdie Mae (1).

Image: Instagram / Jessica Simpson

In Celebs

Risky business: The marriage of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes

July 6, 2020 No Comments

Remember the time when Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were Hollywood’s ‘it couple’? If you can’t we don’t blame you. It seems like decades ago that this strange pairing entered the celebrity lexicon and caused many theories on the validity of their relationship to emerge.

We take a trip down memory lane to remember this unique celebrity couple.

The beginning

Before the couple began dating, in 2004 Kate Holmes said in an interview that she had always dreamed of marrying Tom Cruise. At the time, she was engaged to fellow actor Chris Klein. A month after their split, she stepped out in public with none other than Tom Cruise in April, 2005. The pair were pictured in Rome, where Cruise was being honoured with the David di Donatello Award for lifetime achievement.

Their love must have developed very quickly. In May, Cruise made his iconic couch-jumping proclamation of love for Holmes during an interview on the Oprah Winfrey show.

“I’m in love. I’m in love and it’s one of those things where you want to be cool, like, ‘Yeah I like her’ … that’s not how I feel. I wanted to meet this person and I met her and she’s extraordinary,” he told the legendary daytime talk show host.

Love, marriage and a baby carriage:

Things continued to move fast for the couple. In October 2005, they announced that they were expecting their first child together. Their daughter Suri Cruise was born in April 2006. Cruise already has two adopted children with ex-wife Nicole Kidman.

Cruise and Holmes married in November 2006 in an extravagant three-day wedding at the 15th-century Odescalchi Castle in Bracciano, Italy. During the ceremony, the couple made the traditional Scientology pledge, which reportedly included the strange vow,”Girls need clothes and food, tender happiness and frills, a pan, a comb, a cat.”

Giorgio Armani designed Holmes’s stunning off-the-shoulder gown as well as Cruise’s wedding suit and little Suri’s ivory silk tulle dress to match her mother. It took 350 hours to cover the gown with Swarovski crystals, and another 70 hours for the veil to be made. Armani also designed a peach silk organza reception dress and an ivory silk honeymoon ensemble for the actress.

It was a star-studded affair, naturally. The guest list included famed faces like Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Jim Carrey, John Travolta and Jenny McCarthy.

This was the first and only marriage thus far for Holmes, and the third for Cruise, who had previously been hitched to actresses Nicole Kidman and Mimi Rogers.

The couple and daughter Suri honeymooned in the Maldives.

For the first few years of their marriage, the pair continued to share their love with the world. In May 2012, Cruise told Playboy that Holmes is an extraordinary person who has made him very happy.

War of the Worlds:

Within the last year of their marriage, rumours circulated about Cruise’s controlling behaviour. He reportedly insisted on being on set whenever she filmed a movie, and did not want her to shoot any sexual or nude scenes. As a result, Holmes had little acting work during their marriage.

In June 2012, Holmes shockingly filed for divorce after five years of marriage.

“Kate has filed for divorce and Tom is deeply saddened and is concentrating on his three children. Please allow them their privacy,” said a rep for Cruise.

Holmes received primary custody of Suri, and Tom was granted visitation rights.

Scientology scares:

For the majority of their relationship, many believed that Cruise had worked with the church of Scientology, which he is a member of, to find the perfect wife. A Vanity Fair article reports that Shelly Miscavige, wife of Scientology chief David Miscavige headed a top-secret mission to find Cruise a girlfriend back in 2004. They reportedly auditioned actresses who were already scientologists to fit the part. After failed relationships, Cruise settled on Holmes, who was not a scientologist, soon after she made that comment about wanting to marry Tom Cruise.

A few years after their divorce, Holmes reportedly began dating fellow actor Jamie Foxx. The couple went public in 2017 after years of rumours, as a clause in her divorce agreement said that Holmes was not allowed to publicly date anyone for five years following divorce.

Feature image: Pinterest

In Advice

How to have an out-of-this-world Star Wars wedding

July 6, 2020 No Comments

If your love is out of this world, a Star Wars wedding theme may be perfect for you. Lovers of the iconic franchise can easily incorporate elements of it into their big day in both over-the-top and subtle ways.

Depending on your style and preference, you can go big or small. You could have Darth Vader officiate your wedding, or have your bridesmaids carry lightsabers instead of bouquets. Or, you could be more demure and simply have references to the film added to your seating chart or wedding cake.

Here are some ideas to include this theme into your decor in a variety of ways.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Nzujug9cW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7gs5XvBq9l/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCJ8a5yAJY5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCG9ziIgbrW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-5N-PADKfk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_xdxVJDir5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6UUJwrlVbT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB_WXuTgk1Z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB_AME-DW-u/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_x4titB2s0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_w3WoMAvMb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_V07vIhqIl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Feature image: Unsplash

In Celebs

Julia Roberts and Danny Moder reach 18-year milestone

July 6, 2020 No Comments

Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts and her cinematographer husband Danny Moder have officially been married for 18 years. The typically private couple took to Instagram to celebrate their anniversary.

Roberts posted a sweet photo of the couple to honour their big day, simply captioning it “18 years #heckyes”.

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

The actress and the cinematographer met on the set of The Mexican, for which Moder was a cameraman and Roberts was starring in. They fell in love and married two years later in a surprise wedding at Roberts’ ranch in Taos, New Mexico on July 4, 2002.

Roberts wore a pale pink cotton halter dress with pearl and antique beading, and hand-painted floral detail for the low-key nuptials. Moder wore a red ruffled shirt and tan pants.

The pair are still going strong and share three children: son Henry Daniel and twins Hazel Oatricia and Phinnaeus Walter.

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

Feature image: Instagram / Julia Roberts

In cake

Absolutely amazing abstract wedding cakes

July 3, 2020 No Comments

Art-lovers will find a new favourite in abstract-inspired wedding cakes. These cakes display the visual language of abstract art, which does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of a visual reality but instead use shapes, colours, forms and gestural marks to achieve its effect.

Abstract art is about bold, unregulated design. Much like love, it cannot be controlled and cannot be easily defined because it is all about perspective.

For those who live in the grey area of life, this aesthetic is perfect. You can let your imagination run free with unique strokes, shapes and colours.

Here are some stunning abstract cakes to inspire you:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3rL1WbAFOY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1wENbenATy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9rMsbYHzlT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0reiErAZYt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCLA8OOASqc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCDd4NdpLyX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9TbKu9F3GQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Feature image: Unsplash

In uncategorized

Magical Maori wedding traditions

July 3, 2020 No Comments

There is a story in Maori folklore that tells of a great love that had been planted by the ancestors, Hinemoa and Tutanekai, on the Island of Mokoia. Their endless, amazing love is accepted as one of the greatest love stories ever told, and the tale is passed down from one generation to the next.

Today, this love is evidenced in their traditional weddings, which they are performed with a blessing from a priest (Maori Tohunga) and their sacred ancestry Takitimu Canoe.

It is interesting to note that before they were colonised, the Maori people did not have a marriage ceremony for low-ranking tribe members. However, hapū (clan) and whānau (extended family) were required to approve unions. Maori marriage became legally recognised in 1909.

Despite its history, Maori weddings have quite a few traditions. Here are some of them:

The Welcome Call (Te Karanga)

Just before the couple enters the Maori Village or the wedding location, a traditional welcome call echoes across the courtyard. Its purpose is to invite the bride and groom onto the sacred land.

There are only a few locations where Maori weddings are allowed to take place, traditionally. Included in the list of locations is Mokoia Island, Tamaki Village, Pohutu Geyser, Aorangi Peak, Four Canoes, and Fairy Springs, according to Weddings Guide.

Song and Dance (Te Powhiri)

Once they enter the location, a local tribe will perform a traditional song and dance for the bridal party.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3y5t14pc3a/

This is followed by a practice called the Hongi, or the touching of the nose. It is a gesture that indicates goodwill and friendship between parties, according to Maori Weddings.

https://www.instagram.com/p/zVp-CQiaEr/

Wedding ceremony and Vows (Te Marena)

There are two different ways the ceremony and vows are reported to take place.

In the first instance, the priest commences the ceremony and the couple exchange vows, after which they are serenaded with a love song called “Pokarekare ana”.

In the second instance, the ceremony (called the Korowai Ceremony) is performed, and it is followed by a romantic gesture in which the husband places a Korowai (cloak of love) around his new wife. This is said to symbolise how his love will surround her for the rest of their lives.

View this post on Instagram

Loves capturing the most important moments of this whanau a special day #wedding #maori #maoriwedding #maoriweddingsnz #nzmaoriwedding#photography #aroha #proudtobemaori

A post shared by dearne wano (@real_and_raw_98) on Jan 27, 2020 at 10:13pm PST

Priest Blessing (Te Manaakitanga)

Thereafter, a priest blesses the couple, and people give Toanga (gifts) to the couple. Finally, the ceremony is closed with Hongi.

According to Weddings Guide, the Maori people believe that when God created humans, he breathed life into their nostrils. When Maori couples perform Hongi they unite their breaths of life as one.

Departure (Te Haere Atu)

The bridal party are sent off with a traditional song and dance.

Feast and Celebrations (Te Hakari)

In celebration of the special day, they organise a night of food and entertainment. They have a Hangi feast (a traditional Māori meal is essentially a feast cooked in an earth oven for several hours) and the Maori tribe honours the bride and groom. Festivities continue until late into the night.

Read the story of Hinemoa and Tutanekai here.

Image: Pixabay

In Fashion

Sailor Moon wedding collection to launch in August

July 3, 2020 No Comments

If you’re a Sailor Moon fangirl or boy, you’re in luck. A new wedding line is bringing the magic of the anime to real life, allowing brides and grooms to dress up like their favourite characters on their big day.

The Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon wedding collection is inspired by the popular Japanese shōjo manga series which has been adapted into an anime series much-loved across the globe.

The collection is created by Japanese fashion line Mariarosa and was completed under the supervision of Professor Naoko Takeuchi. It features six wedding dresses and two tuxedos, and will be available to rent or purchase from August 2020.

Credit: Mariarosa / Sailor Moon Collection

“The lineup is rich in variations, including princess serenity dresses and wedding dresses that Usagi-chan wore in the final episode, including those that reproduce the dresses that appeared in the work, as well as image dresses inspired by the work. ..” says the website.

Check out more on the Mariarosa website HERE.

Feature image: Mariarosa / Sailor Moon Collection

In Celebs

Alec and Hilaria Baldwin celebrate eighth anniversary

July 3, 2020 No Comments

Actor Alec Baldwin and wife Hilaria celebrated their eighth wedding anniversary on July 1. The happy couple honoured the occasion with some sweet Instagram posts.

Baldwin shared two images of himself and his wife making their way down the aisle on their wedding day. “Eight years ago today. Luckiest day of my life,” he captioned one of the images.

Being the funny-man that he is, he captioned the second photo: “I knew my marriage was solid because Steve Higgins was there to bless it”, as he can be seen shaking his fellow comedian’s hand in the image.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCEP-S3Dkds/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCEiZomDyRa/?utm_source=ig_embed

His wife kept her tributes more simple, posting a picture from their wedding day captioned “Happy 8 years”. Hilaria also posted some candid images of the pair on the beach, wearing their protective masks. “8 years later,” she said.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCEMwE1jXSa/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCEa0aRj5Fy/

Their anniversary comes soon after their announcement in April that they are expecting their fifth child together.

“Sound up … I’ll let the baby do the talking because I don’t have the words to express how this sound makes us feel,” she captioned a video of her showing off her belly, as the baby’s heartbeat played in the background.

“Just got the great news that all is well and all is healthy with this little munchkin. I wanted to share this with you? Here we go again ?,” she added.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-pt8e_noPE/

The new baby will join several siblings, Carmen Gabriela (6), Romeo Alejandro David (almost 2), Leonardo Ángel Charles (3), and Rafeal Thomas (4). Alec also has a 24-year-old daughter, Ireland, with his previous wife Kim Basinger.

Alec and Hilaria met in 2011. Baldwin once said: “I wandered into Pure Food and Wine on Irving Place, on an unseasonably warm February evening. My friend, @bocartist and I sat down and as I turned to my left I saw a woman who would change my life. Entirely.”

Hilaria, speaking to the New York Times, said that Baldwin had a great opening line. “I was standing near the door with my friends when he walked up and took my hand and said, ‘I must know you’,” she recalled. “You must know me?’,” she replied, after which “he gave me his card,” she said.

Thereafter, they had what Baldwin has called, “a whirlwind romance”.

They tied the knot on June 29, 2012, at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in New York City.

Image: Instagram / Alec Baldwin