Weddings Archives | Page 68 of 188

In Planning

Never doubt the naked wedding cake

July 2, 2020 No Comments

Buttercream, fondant, and frosting are great, but a naked wedding cake is just as good. As we all know, its what’s on the inside that counts.

The naked wedding cake trend grew in popularity around 2013. It’s rustic look, creating a refined and elegant vibe on confection tables around the world is what drew people to it.

Not only is it visually pleasing, the naked cake comes with other advantages too. Since they dry out quicker than cakes with frosting or fondant, they are often made as close to the time of the celebration as possible. This means you’ll have the freshest cake for your wedding. It also is often significantly cheaper, as intricate frosting details cost much more since they’re labour intensive.

For those who are less of a sweet-tooth type, the naked cake also provides the perfect balance between fillings and spongy cake.

Whether you’re looking for a twist on the common wedding cake, or you’re just not into the sweetness, the naked wedding cake is perfect for any wedding theme. Find your inspiration from these cakes that bare it all:

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Feature image: Unsplash

In Celebs

The most expensive royal weddings ever

July 2, 2020 No Comments

They say you can’t put a price on happiness, but some think differently. Royal weddings are known to be lavish and larger-than-life.

Over the decades, royals across the world have spared no expense to make sure their big day was picture perfect. Here are some of the most expensive royal weddings that have dazzled crowds over the years.

Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah and Pengiran Haji Muhammad Ruzaini

The Sultan of Brunei’s daughter Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah married non-royal Pengiran Haji back in 2012. The pair wed at the monarch’s 1 700-room palace, and their guest list included 3000 people, which probably greatly contributed to the $20 million cost (R338 718 000) of their big day.

Prince Felipe and Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano

Spanish Crown Prince married journalist Letizia Ortiz in 2004, before they became King and Queen. The couple had over 1200 guests witness their big day, and was the first Spanish royal wedding in almost a century so they had to do it big.

The bride wore a stunning Manuel Pertegaz gown with gold details and a 14-foot (4.27 metre) train. The wedding reception featured a 7-foot (2.13 metre) high cake and over 1000 bottles of champagne. The government and the Royal House shared the estimated bill of between $25-30 million (R423 397 500 – R508 077 0000).

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Prince Harry and Megan Markle

The fairytale 2018 wedding had a pretty frightening bill at the end of it. The wedding is estimated to have cost about $45 million (R762 115 500), of which $30 million alone was dropped on security to keep the Royal family safe during the day.

Interestingly, the royals paid for the majority of the wedding themselves instead of having the state foot the bill. “As was the case with the wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Royal Family will pay for the core aspects of the wedding, such as the church service, the associated music, flowers, decorations, and the reception afterwards,” read a statement from the Royal Family.

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Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock Wedding

Many tuned in to witness South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock become royalty when she said ‘I do’ to Monaco’s Prince Albert II in 2011. The wedding festivities lasted three days.

Wittstock’s Giorgio Armani wedding gown was made of silk, embellished with pearls and 40 000 swarovski crystals. The 450 guest wedding cost the Crown about $65 million (R1 100 833 500).

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Princess Diana and Prince Charles

The marriage of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles was considered the wedding of the century, and of course it had the price tag to match.

Being such high-profile figures, the royal family shelled out an estimated $600 000 on security and crowd control alone. Princess Diana’s dress cost around $13,000. All together, the wedding is believed to have cost the modern day equivalent of $70 million (R1 185 513 000).

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Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Princess Salama

The prince and Princess of Abu Dhabi hold the record for the most expensive modern royal wedding. They tied the knot back in 1981 in a 20 000 seat stadium they had specially built to accommodate the week-long wedding celebrations. The royals dropped a casual $100 000 (R1 693 590 000) on their big day, of which very few public photos exist.

Feature image: Instagram / The Royal Family

In Advice

Ways to up-cycle your wedding dress

July 2, 2020 No Comments

For the eco-friendly bride, sustainability is of extreme importance. However, wedding dresses, in their most traditional sense, are not very sustainable. They take a lot of resources to make, and you only end up wearing it once.

An up-cycled wedding dress is a perfect solution to all your eco-issues, in this regard. You can up-cycle an old dress into a new one for yourself, you could use pre-owned/used materials to make a new wedding dress, or you could up-cycle your wedding dress into new items. This way, nothing goes to waste and tons of resources are saved.

Here are some ways you could up-cycle your wedding dress:

– Up-cycling old dresses into a new one for yourself:

Many eco-friendly brides have opted for this. They use their mothers’ wedding gowns, or purchase vintage, second-hand dresses and turn them into a new and improved dress. Some turn them into chic two-pieces, like a skirt and top, and others opt to have the dress made into a suit.

Others still go for the dying option, turning an old school dress into something modern and contemporary. Whatever you decide, all you’ll need is a few alterations.

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– Upcycling other materials into a wedding dress:

If you have some material laying around, or some old sheets you don’t want to go to waste, why not use it to make your wedding dress? The right dressmaker is all you need.

Decide on your preferred style, keeping in mind the texture and type of material and whether it would be good for the style you want. No-fuss and nothing wasted. What more could you ask for?

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– Up-cycling your wedding dress into other garments or items:

A few snips here and there, and some store-bought dye, and your wedding dress could be transformed into an everyday clothing item. If you’d prefer not to make more clothes out of it, however, you could opt for some decorative pillows, a bag, or soft toys for your (future) kids. The options are endless.

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Image: Unsplash

In Fashion

The history of the the groom’s wedding suit

July 2, 2020 No Comments

The groom’s attire often seems much less important than the brides look for the day. However, the suit is an indispensable part of the wedding.

While we all know the suit is a key element, its history is much less documented than the wedding dress. However, there is a short story of where it all began.

According to the TM Lewin blog, back in the 1650s, men’s wedding attire was all about tight-fitting breeches and frock coats. This trend, however, quickly made its way out.

When King George IV married Princess Caroline of Brunswick in 1795, the trends of the time required that groom’s dress just as extravagantly as brides. He wore silks, velvet, and pearls to the wedding, and even sported some stockings. It was not uncommon for grooms to wear furs, silvers and golds, and even precious gems. Of course, not everybody could afford this, so those who couldn’t dressed very simply, wearing their everyday clothes. This continued until around the early 1800s.

Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha married Queen Victoria in 1840. This moment marked a massive change in groom’s attire. The prince donned his Field Marshall’s uniform, and this is a tradition that persists until today in royal weddings. Prince Albert also wore a morning suit on the day. The suit takes inspiration for its cut and tails from the Field Marshal uniform, which meant more clean lines and precision.

Morning suits then took off and became very popular. From 1850 onwards, the tailcoat was only worn on special occasions.

In the 1920s the Stresemann style suit was created, and it became a popular alternative for grooms.

According to M. Muller & Sohn, it was around the 1930s when the tuxedo came onto the scene. The British creation was, at first, only worn by men who attended men’s clubs. This quickly grew in popularity and became the picture of presentability.

From here, different shapes, cuts and colours were incorporated. In the 1940s grooms preferred wide-peaked lapels and in the 1960s bell-bottomed trousers were all the rage. The double-breasted suit became popular 20 years later, in the 80s.

Today, the options are endless and the style of the suit depends, mostly, on the theme of the wedding.

Feature image: Unsplash

In Weddings

The evolution of the rice toss tradition

July 2, 2020 No Comments

The wedding exit is a special moment as newlyweds step out for the first time as a married couple. Traditionally, excited guests line the steps and hurl handfuls of uncooked rice at the couple on their way.

The rice toss tradition is an interesting yet strange one that can be dated back to the Ancient Romans. Here’s how it started and evolved over time.

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The origin:

In Ancient Roman times, marriage was symbolic of expansion, both in terms of starting a family and growing one’s assets. Because of its affordability and easy availability, rice was used to usher newlyweds into their marriage and encourage both fertility and prosperity. The rice is meant to resemble rain, which is also a positive symbol on a wedding day. Romans also used wheat and oats as alternatives.

The tradition began losing popularity after a rumour grew that birds would eat the rice once the wedding was over and their stomachs would explode from it. In the US, state legislation banned the tradition entirely in 1985 to protect unsuspecting birds. However, this theory has since been proven false, the rice doesn’t actually expand in a bird’s stomach and cause them to explode.

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Modern times:

Nowadays, the rice toss doesn’t hold the same weight it once did as modern couples are more conscious of their surroundings. Eco-friendly, alternative options are more commonly used for the perfect exit moment.

If you’d still like to have a rice toss but in a way that’s kinder on the environment, consider using items like dried petals, fresh leaves, or eco-friendly confetti made of growing paper.

Feature image: Pexels

In Legal

More South Africans applying for divorce amid lockdown

July 2, 2020 No Comments

There has been a reported increase in divorce applications and interest since lockdown came into effect in South Africa. The reasons behind the choice, however, are varied.

New stats reveal that South Africa is ranked at number 83 out of 154 countries in the world for its divorce rates. Local law firm DIY Legal says they have seen a 20% increase in divorce applications since level 4 lockdown was instated as the courts reopened for the service. The firm took a deeper look at these concerning stats to understand the reason behind it.

According to DIY Legal, there are many reasons South Africans cite as the basis for wanting a divorce. 16% of respondents said their choice was down to a lack of love, respect or affection from their partner.

Brendan McNulty, founder of DIY Legal, explains additional stressors like unemployment, financial strain and being stuck at home all day also contribute to these statistics.

It is important to note that an increase in divorce rate is currently being experienced worldwide, South Africa is not unique in this regard. There are various reports relaying a surge in divorce applications in China. National media has reported that marriage registration offices in some districts in Xi’an, capital of Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, have experienced unprecedented divorce appointments since their reopening on March 1.

“As a result of the epidemic, many couples have been bound with each other at home for over a month, which evoked the underlying conflicts, adding that the office had been closed for a month, therefore the office has seen an acutely increasing divorce appointment,” an official from the registration office told reporters. “Usually the office would see a wave of divorcement after Spring Festival and the college entrance examination.”

Saudia Arabia has seen a 30% increase in divorce applications, and in Britain the divorce rate increased by 42% between late March and mid-May.

Feature image: Unsplash

In News

Couple swept away by wave during wedding photoshoot

July 2, 2020 No Comments

A wedding photoshoot should be magical, as you capture yourselves looking your best, feeling your best, and deeply in love on your most special day. An unexpected dip in the ocean, however, may turn things upside down a bit.

A newly-wed couple took to Laguna’s Treasure Island Beach in California for their wedding photoshoot. Things were going well, until they were unexpectedly hit by a wave and pulled out into the water.

Luckily, an onlooker witnessed the entire incident from a lookout close to a hotel by the beach, and alerted authorities, who rushed out to help the couple. Several lifeguards made their way into the water, and rescued the bride and groom.

According to abc7, both the bride and groom had no serious injuries.

In a video captured by an onlooker, the couple can be seen going about their business until a wave hits them. Thereafter, the video cuts to the couple being rescued from the ocean.

See it happen here:

Image: Screenshot from video

In Advice

5 ideas for the perfect at-home proposal

July 2, 2020 No Comments

Since the nationwide lockdown is not yet over, and many romantic spots remain unsafe to visit, your big proposal plans may feel ruined. However, they don’t have to be. Proposing at home can be just as amazing.

An at-home proposal comes with an added feeling of intimacy and closeness. You and your partner can cherish the beautiful moment, in each other’s company, without any external disturbances. It could be truly magical.

So whether you’re planning an at-home proposal due to the lockdown, or if you’re just home-bodies, you need not worry. It will still be the most special experience.

For those looking for ways to pop the big question at home, here are some ideas:

– Dream Holiday At Home

Since the shops are mostly open, you’ll be able to go out and get a few decorations. Think of a holiday you’ve always wanted to take with your partner, then recreate it at home. Maybe make a cardboard cutout of the Eiffel Tower or create mini hot air balloons like to reflect the ones that float around in Cappadocia.

Try to incorporate the theme into your food choices too. It’ll make the entire occasion feel extremely well planned out.

Once it’s all set up and you’re having a great time, find the perfect moment and pop the question!

– Memory Movie

Collect all your favourite photos, videos, Instagrams, and Facebook posts, and put them all together in a slideshow. Choose a romantic song to play in the background, and your movie is sorted!

Lay out some blankets, light a few candles, and take a stroll down memory lane together. Once you’re done reliving your love story thus far, you’ll be ready to begin the next chapter by asking your partner to marry you.

– Games Night

If you and your partner are the types of people who love a good games night (who isn’t, right?), then this is the perfect idea for you.

Suggest to your significant other that you’d like to have a two-person games night, and play games like trivia, Pictionary, or any other game where your partner would have to guess your actions, or drawings.

Once you’re both into the flow of the game, sneak in “will you marry me?” as one of the questions. It’ll be a pleasant and unexpected surprise.

– Breakfast in Bed

If you’d like to keep it simple, try this. While your partner is still asleep, get up and prepare the perfect breakfast. We’re talking eggs, toast, pancakes, strawberries, the works. Add the ring somewhere on the tray, and your plan is complete!

If you’re feeling confident, you could take a slightly different route. Before they wake up, slip the ring on their finger. Wake them up to the most perfect breakfast in bed, and calmly ask “what’s that on your finger?” as you point to the ring. Once they look at their hand, you can get down on one knee and take it from there.

– Special Scavenger Hunt

Leave the very first clue somewhere obvious, where your partner goes often, perhaps next to the kettle in the kitchen, or on their laptop keyboard. Say something like “go to the place where you told me not to leave a mess”, make it something silly and personal.

Each clue should draw your partner closer and closer to where you’ve hidden the ring. Once they find it, be behind them on one knee.

Image: Unsplash

In News

Groom dies, 113 infected after wedding starts COVID-19 chain in India

July 1, 2020 No Comments

Weddings have largely been banned across the world in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. However, some countries have loosened restrictions and some citizens have not followed restrictions regarding weddings. In India, this has proven to be a mistake.

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.

The wedding took place on June 15. At the time, the 30-year-old groom had a high fever. Two days later, on June 17, he passed away and was cremated without receiving a COVID-19 test.

Subsequently, more than 360 people from surrounding towns were tested as part of contact-tracing efforts, and testers were still trying to get a hold of additional possible carriers of the virus, according to Health Department officials in the area. The bride, however, had not tested positive.

Some of the groom’s relatives were infected at the wedding, and fifteen of these guests are believed to have spread the virus to others who were not in attendance. According to the Indian Express, most of those who tested positive were asymptomatic and were admitted to isolation centres.

The entire region where the wedding took place (Paliganj sub-division of Patna) was then declared a containment zone and sealed. A special camp was also set up at the village from June 24 – 26 so that people could easily be tested. At the camp, 86 more people tested positive, according to Hindustan Times.

According to a relative of the groom, the wedding was not cancelled for fear of monetary loss, despite the fact that the grom knew he was not well. “Even though he was feeling unwell by June 14 and wanted the wedding deferred, family heads from both sides advised against it, citing huge financial losses if the arrangements had to be cancelled,” said the relative.

Apparently, nobody had considered that the man was a COVID-19 patient since rural areas had been mostly safe from the virus .” As rural areas are almost Covid-free, we were relaxed,” said the same relative.

NDTV reported that the restrictions in the state say that no more than 50 people are allowed to be in attendance of a wedding. At this particular wedding, there were approximately 350 guests. Thus, the district magistrate ordered an investigation into those attending the wedding in violation of COVID-19 restrictions.

Image: Unsplash

In Celebs

Celebs who married in secret

July 1, 2020 No Comments

After having most of their lives in the spotlight, it’s understandable that some celebrities would choose to keep an intimate occasion like their wedding a secret. Although it’s frustrating for us, their fans, because we want to know all the details, not having paparazzi around makes for a much calmer atmosphere on the big day.

Here are just some celebrity couples who kept their nuptials hush-hush.

Benji Madden and Cameron Diaz

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A post shared by María Gregoria Romero (@marigreromero) on Jan 6, 2015 at 9:00am PST

Everything about these two has been kept on the down-low. First, their private wedding ceremony held at Cameron’s home in Beverly Hills in 2015 and then their baby, who most of the world only found out about when she was born this year.

Margot Robbie and Tom Ackerley

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A post shared by Tom Ackerley (@tomackerleyy) on Feb 11, 2019 at 9:09am PST

Many fans might not even know that Margot Robbie is married so this might even be a surprise in itself. The actress married Tom Ackerley in a very secret ceremony in Australia in 2015. Only 50 guests were invited and weren’t even told the location of the wedding before the event.

Beyonce and Jay-Z

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A post shared by Wedding Photography & Design (@tropicaweddings) on Sep 4, 2015 at 2:20pm PDT

Despite being possibly the most famous and beloved couple (except for that short moment where Jay was hated by the Beyhive after Lemonade was released), these two have always been very private and not showy about their relationship. The two got married in a secret ceremony in New York in 2008, with footage only being released slowly over the years since then (including in the above mentioned visual album).

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher

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A post shared by Ashton Kutcher (@aplusk) on Apr 12, 2019 at 2:50pm PDT

This one might be the best kept secret wedding in Hollywood history as there aren’t any details about it even after the fact. The That 70s show co-stars got married without so much as an anniversary Instagram picture to show it happened. The world only found out when Mila wore her wedding ring too when she appeared on The Late Late Show With James Corden.

Leighton Meester and Adam Brody

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A post shared by Leighton Meester (@itsmeleighton) on Aug 21, 2019 at 12:05pm PDT

Another couple on the list you might be shocked to find out are even together. These two teen drama stars got married in 2014 in a secret ceremony.

Ellen Page and Emma Portner

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A post shared by @ellenpage on Jun 19, 2019 at 2:43pm PDT

The world only found out about this marriage after the fact when Ellen posted about her new wife on Instagram. The details are still unknown.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

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A post shared by Blake Lively (@blakelively) on Oct 23, 2019 at 3:37pm PDT

Besides the fact that they were married in 2012 and in South Carolina, there is little information on the marriage of possibly the two most beautiful people currently married in Hollywood. This might be disappointing but at least we get to see their pranks and hear these two lovebirds gush about each other in interviews.

Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem

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A post shared by Javier Bardem – Penélope Cruz (@javierbardem.penelopecruz) on May 17, 2020 at 6:26am PDT

These two have been together for ages but very little is known about their relationship at all and especially about their secret 2010 wedding in the Bahamas.

Alexis Bledel and Vincent Kartheiser

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A post shared by VincentKartheiserGreekFanpage (@vincentkartheiserdaily) on Jun 11, 2020 at 7:41am PDT

Another couple you might not have even known were together. The Gilmore Girls star married the Mad Men actor in 2014 after a year-long engagement but little else is known about the ceremony.

Amanda Seyfried and Thomas Sadowski

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A post shared by Amanda Seyfried? (@mingey) on Mar 27, 2020 at 6:11pm PDT

There is just something about the Late Late Show with James Corden which makes even the most secretive celebrities want to spill the beans. Amanda and Thomas got married in an incredibly private ceremony, with just themselves and their dog in 2016. Thomas revealed the marriage on the show in 2017, saying the couple eloped.

Image: MargotRobbie/Instagram