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In Celebs

Katherine McPhee and David Foster celebrate first wedding anniversary

June 29, 2020 No Comments

Congratulations are in order for Katherine McPhee and David Foster, who recently celebrated one year of marriage.

The actress and singer and her music executive husband both took to social media to express their love for each other on their special day.

“A year ago today I married the love of my life. Thank you for always loving me and inspiring me in all aspects of my life. I love you. Here’s to the future! (Oh and happy anniversary to the other love of my life – this dreamy dress! ?? thank you @ZacPosen!!)” McPhee wrote on Instagram.

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Foster was a little more short and sweet with his message, simple writing “happy anniversary to the love of my life!! Last summer at the beautiful Miramar!!”

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The couple met in 2006 on the set of American Idol, when McPhee was a contestant and Foster was a mentor. They only began dating in 2017 and got engaged a year later.

They married in 2019 at the Church of Saint Yeghiche in South Kensington, London. It was the second marriage for McPhee and fifth for Foster, who was previously married to Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star and mother to Gigi and Bella Hadid, Holanda Hadid. He was also married to singer Linda Thompson, the first ex-wife of Caitlin Jenner.

The couple, who have a 35-year age gap, had planned to return to London to celebrate their anniversary, but scrapped those plans amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, they had a small celebration with friends and family.

Feature image: Instagram / Katherine Foster

In News

Cape couple hold drive-by wedding

June 26, 2020 No Comments

The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed the world, but it won’t stop love. A Cape Town couple proved just that when they tied the knot this past weekend amid the nationwide lockdown, by having a ‘drive-by wedding’.

Tanweer and Aqeelah Regal from Surrey Estate met about 6-7 years ago through relatives. Tanweer wanted a relationship but Aqeelah was focused on her sports and academics, so they remained friends until 2016.

The couple then dated for four years and became engaged in November 2019. Originally, they had planned to marry on June 21 and book a hall that could host their guest list of 750 people. Aqeelah tells Wedding ETC that the lockdown caused her quite a bit of stress.

“I had about 10 girls to be bridesmaids and flower girls etc, we had family coming down from Dubai to be a part of our day. Once we heard lockdown was happening, I panicked because things were halfway sorted for the 21st already.”

The couple are Muslim, and their religion states that weddings may be brought forward but cannot be postponed. As such, they kept their original date but massively scaled back. The 10 flower girls were reduced to one, there were no bridesmaids, and they cancelled the hall.

They had originally planned to just have their parents and siblings in attendance, but friends and family were not happy that they would only witness the wedding through pictures.

“Family and friends started messaging us saying they wouldn’t settle for pictures, that’s where the drive-by wedding idea came in. They wanted to see us, so my husband suggested okay let’d do the drive-by and when they pass by we will give them a punnet of food, as a thank you.”

This is exactly what they did. Hundreds of cars slowly drove by their home on June 21, as their family and friends hooted and cheered in celebration of the couple’s big day. The couple took many measures to ensure a safe day, such as screening and sanitising their guests.

Aqeelah tells Wedding ETC that her favourite part of their wedding day was when they had the nikkah. “It was hearing my husband recite his prayer of becoming my husband and then seeing him for the first time after a week. It’s like we fell in love all over again,” she said.

In Celebs

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban celebrate 14th anniversary

June 26, 2020 No Comments

Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman and her Australian singer, songwriter husband Keith Urban celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary on Thursday, June 25. To celebrate their milestone, they each posted sweet tributes to their marriage on Instagram.

Urban posted a playful photo of the two jumping hand-in-hand on a beach. “Happy Anniversary Baby!!!!! 14 years…. and i feel like your boyfriend in ALL the right ways!!!!” he said.

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Kidman kept it simple with a black and white image of the two in an embrace, captioned, “Us ❤️ #HappyAnniversary“.

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The pair first met at the 2005 G’Day USA gala. At the time, Kidman didn’t think that her now-husband liked her. In 2013, she told Ellen DeGeneres that she once told her husband “You didn’t love me at first sight, you didn’t notice me”, to which he replied, “Yes, I did but I just didn’t let on”.

It was a long four months after their first meeting when Urban finally called her. Thereafter, the pair began a low-key relationship, according to People. After spending time together in Nashville and then New York while Urban was on tour, the pair quickly fell in love.

Kidman told the Wall Street Journal that her husband stole her heart when we took her on a ride on his Harley Davidson through Woodstock, New York, after which they had a romantic picnic in the woods.

“I was a goner – I mean, c’mon,” she said. According to Southern Living, Kidman knew he was the one after just one month of dating.

In 2006, they tied the knot in a candlelit ceremony at Cardinal Cerretti Memorial Chapel on St. Patrick’s Estate at Manly in Sydney, Australia. They honeymooned in French Polynesia, where they also spent time getting to know each other more deeply.

“I kind of like getting married and then getting to know each other; I know that it sounds incredibly strange, but to me, it’s a more natural process,” Kidman told Elle.

In an interview with CBS News, Urban said that marrying Kidman felt like the beginning of his life. “Meeting her and getting married wasn’t life-changing, it was life-beginning. It was literally, like, ‘OK, life starts,” he said.

The pair have two daughters together, Sunday and Faith, and Kidman also has two kids, Conner and Isabella, with her ex-husband Tom Cruise.

Image: Instagram / Keith Urban

In Weddings

The history of interracial marriage in South Africa

June 25, 2020 No Comments

Today, South Africa prefers to be known as the Rainbow Nation, a country with wide diversity, who is accepting of everyone. Anyone can marry whoever they’d like to. However, this was not always the case.

Under Apartheid, marriage between people of certain races was prohibited. After the National Party (NP) came into power in 1948, they promulgated various racist laws. One of these was the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, Act No 55 of 1949. It was one of the first pieces of legislation they enacted after gaining power, according to Thought Co.

The act banned marriages between “Europeans and non-Europeans”. In plain English, this meant that white people could not marry anyone who was not considered to be white. In addition, the law made it a criminal offense for a marriage officer to perform a ceremony between a white person and a person of colour.

According to SA History, the new law also rendered interracial marriages that took place outside of South Africa to be null and void. Many were arrested for breaking the provisions set out by the new laws.

The law was justified as the government claimed to want to “protect the purity” of the white race and to ensure that people of colour do not “infiltrate” the “dominant” race. To really ensure that this didn’t happen, the Apartheid government also passed the Immorality Act No. 23 of 1957 (which repealed the 1927 act) to prohibit sexual intercourse or “immoral or indecent acts” between white people and people of colour.

To clarify, the law did not prevent mixed marriages between people of colour (for example if a black citizen wanted to marry a coloured citizen).

Thought Co reported that even without the law that had been put in place, mixed marriages between white people and people of colour were already rare. They averaged under 100 per year, between ’43 and ’46.

Many opposed the Prohibition of Marriage Act. However, in most cases it was not because whites wanted to have mixed marriages, but rather because they felt insulted at the thought that they would intend to. They thought the law was not necessary.

Years later, actual opposition to the laws built up. In 1976, approximately 260 people were convicted for violating the law, according to Thought Co. The next year, 1977, the opposition became so strong that it divided the cabinet.

On June 19 1985, the laws were repealed by the Immorality and Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Amendment Act, according to SA History. This Act allowed interracial marriages and relationships.

According to the BBC, South Africa’s first interracial marriage (supposedly the first legal one, since there were cases of people being convicted for contravening the laws prior to the legalisation), was between a white woman named Suzanne Leclerc and a black man named Protas Madlala.

Today, of course, thousands of interracial marriages exist in the country. Mixed couples creating beautiful families are easily found and widely celebrated.

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

Ways to add childlike wonder to your big day

June 25, 2020 No Comments

If you still feel like a child at heart, a stuffy wedding just won’t do. There are so many fun ways to bring the excitement of childhood into your big day, without it seeming like a massive playground.

Here are some fun ideas to bring childhood nostalgia into your wedding in a (mostly) mature way.

Get married in a treehouse:

Remember the childhood excitement of playing in a treehouse? The adventures and possibilities were endless. If you’re a nature-lover, a treehouse might just be the perfect wedding venue for you. This brings together the beauty of the outdoors and the whimsical nostalgia of yesteryear.

Also read:Treehouse wedding venues from around the world

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Simplify your wedding menu:

Take a trip down memory lane by incorporating childhood favourites into your wedding menu. Rather than stuffy hors d’oeuvres your guests can barely identify, serve what you love. Today’s couples are creating unique twists on old faithfuls like grilled cheese, sliders and fries. You could even rent a food truck to serve up some delicious foods all night long for that carnival feel.

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Bring the playground to you:

Just because you’re a grown-up, does not mean you can’t have some silly fun! Get inspired by childhood birthday parties and hire a jumping castle, a blow up slide or even a mechanical bull for your big day. We promise this will put a massive smile on your guests’ faces.

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Play lawn games:

Wedding games are slowly growing in popularity, and understandably so. There is no better way to get the giggles going than with some simple games that will bring out the child in everyone. The key is to offer quick-round games that will have many involved and captivated at once. Think Jenga, Limbo, Noughts and Crosses and Ring Toss.

Also read:Outdoor wedding games

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9tcwR2HLhX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Get creative with your photo station:

One of the best ways to commemorate your wedding day is through capturing tons of photos. Many couples have taken to setting up photo stations to allow guests to make some fun memories. Add some fun decor and quirky props to take your images to the next level.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB1uL7_DDxt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Feature image: Pexels

In Decor

Get fresh with graceful green wedding decor

June 25, 2020 No Comments

Earthy wedding decor will give your special day a fresh feel. We love green for its endless potential, as it can pair beautifully with almost any other colour, or be gorgeous on its own.

Remember not to mix and match too many different tones of green. Choose one or two varieties for a sophisticated yet fun look. Green can be whatever you want it: Vibrant and bright or calm and tranquil.

Take a look at these stunning green pieces to get inspired:

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Image: Unsplash

In Accessories

Marvelously modern wedding arches

June 25, 2020 No Comments

The moment you exchange your vows with your partner is a special one you’ll want to remember forever. Say ‘I do’ in style under a stunningly modern wedding arch to fit with the times.

It’s easy to decorate your arch with flowers and call it a day, but that’s also expected. If you love a modern design that highlights unique shapes, show that off with your arch.

Here are some arches that have absolutely bowled us over:

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Feature image: Unsplash

In Celebs

Our favourite LGBT celebrity couples

June 25, 2020 No Comments

Whether they are international movie stars or local heroes, these LGBTQIA+ couples make us believe in true love.

Caster Semenya and Violet Raseboya

View this post on Instagram

#CASVIO, #3rdanniversary, Today Makes lt 3 Years Since We Said Yes And It Has Been A Blessing, Thank you @ledile_violet_s for Being You For Me, May God Bless Us. Plus It Is My Birthday. ❤❤❤

A post shared by Caster Semenya (@castersemenya800m) on Jan 7, 2020 at 3:10am PST

Semenya and Rawboya married in 2015 but have been together for years before this. They support each other and show us what it really means to be there for the great and hard times. If Caster’s social media hints are anything to go by, they couple are expecting their first child soon!

Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor

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A post shared by Sarah Paulson (@mssarahcatharinepaulson) on Dec 31, 2018 at 9:18pm PST

These two amazing actresses officially announced their relationship in 2015 and everyone immediately fell in love with them. They met in 2005, but only began dating a decade later in 2015 after Taylor slid into Paulson’s Twitter DMs. Their 32-year age difference caused a media stir but the couple are still going strong and love gushing about each other.

Wanda and Alex Sykes

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A post shared by WS (@iamwandasykes) on Jan 12, 2020 at 2:43pm PST

Wanda and Alex’s story is right out of a rom-com. Wanda first saw Alex on a ferry and then later was introduced to her by a friend. The two married in 2006, a month before Wanda officially came out and Alex gave birth to their twins, Olivia and Lucas, in 2009.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita

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A post shared by Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@jessetyler) on Jun 10, 2020 at 8:34am PDT

The Modern Family star tied the knot with his lawyer husband in 2013, after two years of dating. The two are expecting the birth of their first child in July 2020.

Samira Wiley and Lauren Morelli

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A post shared by Samira Wiley (@whododatlikedat) on Mar 25, 2020 at 11:11am PDT

It was love before first sight. Wiley said she was enamoured with her now wife when she first read the script Morelli wrote for the show Orange is the New Black, which Wiley starred in. The two grew their romantic love from a deep friendship and married in 2017.

Somizi Mhlongo and Mohale Motaung

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A post shared by Somizi (@somizi) on Jan 20, 2020 at 4:54am PST

Idols SA judge Somizi Mhlongo and partner Mohale Motaung met in 2017 and got engaged a year later.These two love each other so much and are so extravagant that they planned and had multiple weddings. Their first was a traditional wedding extravaganza of epic proportions, followed by a lavish white wedding. They had planned a third wedding in Italy, but cancelled it due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

George and Brad Takei

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A post shared by George Takei (@georgehtakei) on Apr 28, 2020 at 9:10am PDT

George and Brad did not just get married but made sure that they represent their community as the first same-sex couple to apply for a marriage license in West Hollywood. They got hitched in 2008 at the Democracy Forum of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.

Tan and Rob France

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A post shared by T A N . F R A N C E (@tanfrance) on Jul 7, 2019 at 11:38am PDT

The Queer Eye fashion guru has revealed snippets of his relationship on the show. Audiences were captivated by the story their nonchalant engagement, where they just decided to get married without any fuss. The two have been married ten years and are ever the well put together pair.

Marc Lottering and Anwar McKay

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A post shared by Marc Lottering (@marc_lottering) on Apr 24, 2020 at 8:08am PDT

The comedian and his husband celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary this year, though they had been together for 12 years before they officially took their vows. There is nothing more inspiring than those who have already made the long haul and show no signs of slowing down.

Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka

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A post shared by Neil Patrick Harris (@nph) on Feb 14, 2020 at 12:39pm PST

Neil and David might be the most famous same-sex couple in Hollywood, or at least the best on social media. The two have been together since 2004. David first proposed to Neil in 2007 and Neil proposed right back a year later. However, the two only announced their engagement in 2011 after already having their two adorable twins. They eventually walked down the aisle in 2014.

Image: Sarah Paulson/Instagram

In Celebs

Jamie Oliver prepares sweet picnic for wife on 20th anniversary

June 25, 2020 No Comments

Being married to one of the world’s most famous chefs definitely comes with its perks. Jamie Oliver proved just that, when he prepared a sweet picnic for his wife Juliette Norton (better known as Jools) on their 20th wedding anniversary on June 24.

First, Oliver shared a touching video on his Instagram page, showing pictures from their wedding album.

He captioned the video, “Today is my 20th wedding anniversary!! I had a great day today with my best mate @joolsoliver celebrating 20 years of marriage!! Where has that time gone it’s crazy! What a ride! Anyway here’s some precious memories from that private day what a joy it was ….. here’s to another 20 jools love you. X x. X x”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB1N3D-j50V/

Jools did the same, posting a touching tribute to their marriage in the form of a video on her Instagram page.

“20 years married Today !!❤️❤️20 exciting, happy, fun wonderful years married to my best friend ❤️ we were due to renew our wedding vows this summer but that can wait! 20 years married but together 27 years my first true love ❤️ Yes I drive you Bonkers and you probably deserve a medal etc..but being with you feels like home (and you know much I love to be at home)!!” she said.

“I treasure the daily texts you send, you are romantic and constantly positive funny and a dedicated brilliant dad ❤️ we have created 5 wonderful children and lost our 5 little stars in the sky. Thank you for loving me the way you do ❤️ we did it, on to the next chapter x Was devastated to have lost out real wedding video in one of our house moves so this is cobbled together from home videos. Truly the happiest day with the most wonderful memories. Still 20 years later my dance moves need updating ? better sort that out for our next wedding ?? xxx,” she added.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB0HnZnpvKh/

Later in the day, Oliver surprised his wife with a specially prepared picnic.

He carefully planned the menu, as is to be expected from a top chef, and wrote it up with a “JJ” letterhead. It featured a hand-drawn picnic basket full of food between their initials.

The menu sounded delicious, and included items such as Italian summer fruit, chocolate mousse and crème fraiche, and a blackcurrant leaf cordial.

According to Hello Magazine, the special anniversary surprise came just after the pair were forced to cancel their vow renewal.

This clearly didn’t get them down, as they seem to have made the best of it. They even received flowers for their special day.

Pictures: Instagram / Jamie Oliver

In uncategorized

How bridesmaids dresses have evolved through the years

June 24, 2020 No Comments

The perfect bridesmaids’ dresses are usually tough to nail down. You’ve got a group of people with differing personalities and styles, and you have to cater to all of them, while still going for a style you like personally.

These days, pretty much anything goes for the bridesmaids’ dresses. Over the years, the styles have evolved a lot. Many suggest that the idea of a bridal party stems from Ancient Roman times when 10 witnesses were needed to make a marriage legal. As you may imagine, the “bridesmaids” in Ancient Rome probably were dressed much differently to bridesmaids of today.

According to Elle, in the 15th century, the bridal party would dress exactly like the bride and groom. The purpose of this was to confuse evil spirits about who the newlyweds really were, thus protecting the couple and their marriage. This means that the bridesmaids would all dress the same as the bride.

Later on, in the 17th-century bridesmaids were dressed according to their age. Those in their teens would wear green, those in their 20s would wear brown, and older bridesmaids would be dressed in black.

In the 20th century, the attire for bridesmaids went through multiple changes, according to Canadian Living. From 1901 to 1910, bridesmaids wore dresses with long sleeves, high necklines, full skirts, and also wore plumed hats.

Thereafter, in the 1930s and 1940s during World War II, a more simple style was preferred. The simple design was brought on as a way to save money since it required less material. The 50s and 60s brought a more experimental feeling with it, giving bridesmaids hoop skirts, cocktail looks, and colours galore.

From the 70s to the 90s, the identical bridesmaid trend set in. Every bridesmaid wore a dress of the same colour and style and the dresses were often made using unflattering subjects. Kleinfeld Hudson’s Bay’s Jessica Mulrony told Canadian Living that bridesmaids dresses during this time were purposefully made unflattering.

“I think it was always such a big fear that the bride should never be upstaged by her bridesmaids,” says Mulroney, “so everything had to be very plain and in a million different colours.”

Luckily for bridesmaids across the world, things have changed since then. Today, we don’t stick to a one size fits all idea, nor do we want our bridesmaids to look unappealing. Styles vary quite widely these days. Instead of one defining trend, brides and their bridesmaids incorporate different colours, patterns, and styles to fit their preferences best.

Image: Unsplash