From terrible tragedy, this couple found love. One of the most terrifying mass shootings in the US became a turning point for Austin Monfort and Chantal Melanson.
Austin Monfort and Chantal Melanson first met at a Las Vegas country bar in September 2017. Monfort made enough of an impression on Melanson that she invited him to hang out with her at the Route 91 Harvest music festival outside the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Vegas.
It was at this festival that gunman Stephen Paddock opened fire on 22 000 unsuspecting partygoers. The Las Vegas mass shooting has since become the deadliest of its kind in modern US history. 58 people were killed and more than 850 injured.
Monfort instinctively felt the need to protect Melanson when the gunfire began.
“I felt a sense of responsibility for Chantal,” he told People. “She was with me and not her friends. I felt like not only did I have to get myself out, but also her. Keeping her calm and getting her out kept me calm, and didn’t allow me to panic.” He helped guide her to safety, much to Melanson’s appreciation.
“I remember laying on the ground just looking into Austin’s eyes, trying to make sense of everything,” she said. “Next thing I knew, Austin was holding my hand and we were running through the entire grounds trying to make it to safety.”
“I felt safe with him — I didn’t want to leave his side,” Melanson said. “In many ways, he did save my life.”
This tragic, frightening night bonded the two together. They stayed in contact over the following months, eventually falling in love. They became engaged in March 2019, and have since married at a San Diego, California, courthouse.
Their traditional ceremony was planned for May 8 of this year in Vegas. However, amid the coronavirus pandemic, the pair have postponed their big nuptials.
These days, wedding photography is a tremendously creative business to be in. Couples want extravagant photoshoots, photographs edited to a T, and perfectly put together albums. Wedding photography has come a long way from its humble beginnings.
The story of wedding photography begins in the early 1840s, when photography had little to no commercial use. Of course, people did have the idea of saving their memories though.
During this time paper photographs, multiple photographs and wedding albums were non-existant. According to iQ photo, a wedding photography studio based in San Francisco, the only option available was a “daguerreotype portrait on a tiny copper sheet”. (A daguerreotype is a small metal sheet.)
Due to the size and weight of photography equipment at the time, couples were also restricted to a studio. There were no photoshoots in the forest or in the streets of a bustling city, you only had the one option. On top of that, many didn’t even have the option. Wedding photography was a practice of the wealthy.
In fact, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were one of the first couples to smile for the camera in 1854, 14 years after their actual wedding. This was one of the influences for couples to pose for wedding pictures, however they would not be captured in their wedding attire.
It wasn’t until the 1880s, when some advances (including roll film by Kodak) were made in the industry and photography become more accessible, that couples actually took photos on their wedding day. Still, photos on the day were limited since film was expensive. Couples managed to take a few snap shots with their nearest and dearest, as well as some images from throughout the day. It was at this point in time that the wedding album came to be.
In the early to mid 1900s, colour film was introduced. Thereafter, the colour film, in combination with the creation of portable cameras with flashes and a wedding boom which was a result of World War II, sparked the true beginning of the wedding industry.
For a while after this, it was the styles of wedding photography which grew and changed rather than the technology. It went from a traditional real-life or still-life style, to a more photojournalism style in which photographers aimed for a fly-on-the-wall vibe.
Once digital photography came to be, the industry changed drastically. Uninhibited by film (or lack thereof) photographers could go wild with their ideas. According to Dreamtime Images, digital cameras could allow deeper coverage of the event, which adds to the freedom of creativity in the field.
Now, people have out-of-this-world ideas for wedding photoshoots, with intricate details and in a combination of photography styles. In fact, one may call it art more than anything else. From candids and portraits to family shots and creative shots, you can get anything your heart desires.
Sebastian Cina and Jaclyn Hockenjos have had to postpone the day they’ve been planning for months, like many other couples across the world.
The two were supposed to say ‘I do’ tomorrow, May 16 in New Jersey. Instead of grumbling about the misfortune, this power couple instead launched a fundraising campaign called #WithThisRingYoullBeFed and are inviting friends, family and supporters to make donations. The campaign is partnered with a local food bank and will feed families in need.
“We were devastated when we found out we had to postpone our wedding,” said Jaclyn, a first-grade teacher. “Then we thought about it and realized we could use it as a platform to help people in our community, and that’s exactly what we intend on doing.”
More than that, they have even encouraged other couples who postponed their weddings to start their own campaigns.
If you’ve spent most of your life with your nose buried in a book, a library is the perfect place to tie the knot. This way, you can honour your love of reading without making it a wedding theme that you may deem tacky in a few decades.
There are beautiful libraries across the globe that also double as wedding venues. Here are a few of our favourites.
Centre for the Book – Cape Town
The Centre for the Book in Cape Town city centre has a mission is to promote a culture of reading, writing and publishing in local languages. The library is dedicated to providing book publishing information and advice as well as advocating for, and promoting the culture of, reading, writing and publishing in South Africa.
The building has a stunning domes strium for the central reading room, and a hall that is perfect for receptions.
Credit: Instagram
George Peabody Library – Baltimore
Opened in 1878, this library is widely recognised as one of the most beautiful library spaces in the world. It was designed by Baltimore architect Edmund G. Lind, in collaboration with the Peabody Institute’s first provost, Dr. Nathaniel H. Morison.
Six tiers of stately cast-iron columns and ornate railings embellished with gold leaf encircle the Reading Room, creating an ambiance that is both enchanting and scholarly. Filled with over 300,000 volumes of books, the Library creates a stunning backdrop for ceremonies and receptions, providing each with a timeless and storied setting to create your personal memories.
The New York Public Library – New York
Founded in 1895, the New York Public Library is an historic institution and highly sought-after wedding venue. It was even featured in the Sex and the City movie as the place where Carrie got stood up on her wedding day.
The Library’s landmark Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is a quintessential New York City icon. Located in the heart of Manhattan, this magnificent Beaux-Arts building caters to intimate gatherings and lavish extravaganzas, lending a sense of grandeur and distinction to any occasion.
Credit: Instagram
Chawton House Library – Hampshire
This stunning restored Elizabethan library located just outside of London was once owned by Jane Austen’s brother. The famous author would often visit the location, and would refer to it as the ‘Great House’ in her letters.
Licensed for civil ceremonies, Chawton House is one of the most unique wedding venues in the UK. As you sweep up the imposing drive, Chawton House welcomes you into an era of elegance, grace and wit. Follow in Jane Austen’s footsteps by dining in the Oak Room, dancing in the Great Hall or strolling across the South Lawn to a classic marquee with your own Mr Darcy or Miss Bennet.
Credit: Instagram
The Signet Library – Edinburgh, Scotland
The Signet Library, situated in the very heart of Edinburgh, Scotland and just a stone’s throw from St Giles Cathedral, is the unique wedding venue of choice for brides and grooms who are searching for a magical combination of breathtaking setting, gorgeous design and details.
There are several rooms to accommodate nuptials of any scale. The Lower Library is perfect for a drinks and canapés reception. The Upper Library can accommodate 50-220 guests for any type of reception from a wedding breakfast to an evening affair.
Credit: Instagram
The Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, Missouri
What makes this venue truly unique is its giant display of books outside the library, which makes for the perfect backdrop for book-lovers.
The Central Library offers Kansas City’s smartest wedding venue that will make your day truly special. Simply choose from one of their unique space options that will wow and energise all of your guests. Ceremony rentals include the space, setup/teardown, furniture, bridal/groomsmen dressing rooms, and a rehearsal time.
Credit: Instagram
West Dean College – West Sussex
With award-winning gardens and a gorgeous backdrop, West Dean College and Gardens in West Sussex is the perfect venue for a wedding reception. The unique historic character and beautiful surroundings create a perfect venue set in the picturesque South Downs countryside.
Be wined and dined in the Old Library, Music Room or Old Dining Room or, for larger celebrations, all three rooms are interconnecting. Dinners can be arranged for 10-90 guests. Glittering chandeliers and walls graced with original artwork provide a warm and elegant space with sense of occasion.
Credit: Pinterest
The Last Bookstore, Los Angeles
California’s largest new and used book and record store was featured in Flavorwire’s list of The 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores In The World, so it must be something special. It features tunnels of books and tons of open space. This venue is perfect for intimate wedding ceremonies and receptions.
Wearing white may be tradition, but it’s not a rule. Over the decades, many celebrity brides have decided against the expected, instead donning colourful gowns that truly made a statement.
From blush pinks to marigold yellow and even vivid purple, these famous brides have laid a serious case for colourful wedding dresses. Here are some celebrity brides that didn’t wear white on their wedding days
Elizabeth Taylor:
Screen icon Elizabeth Taylor went for bold colour for many of her eight weddings. She wore emerald green for her 1959 wedding to Eddie Fisher, yellow for her 1964 wedding to Richard Burton and a rainbow gown to wed Burton again in 1975.
Not only did she wear a colour-tinted dress, actress Kiera Knightley chose a knee-length dress she already owned. She paired her pale-pink Chanel minidress with sunglasses and a cardigan for her big day, and has since reworn the dress on the red carpet.
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Kaley Cuoco:
The Big Bang Theory actress Kaley Cuoco married former professional tennis player Ryan Sweeting in 2014 wearing a bright pink custom Vera Wang gown.
Credit: Pinterest
Mandy Moore:
Mandy Moore wed musician Taylor Goldsmith in a lacy, tiered pink gown by Rodarte that perfectly complimented her pink wedding colour scheme.
Credit: Pinterest
Julianne Moore:
Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore went against tradition for her big day in 2003. Instead of white, she donned a lilac Prada dress featuring a deep v-neckline to marry director Bart Freundlich, who matched witha purple tie and striped shirt.
Credit: Pinterest
Sarah Jessica Parker:
The Sex and the City star went polar opposite tradition, opting for a black gown she purchased off-the-rack to say I do to Matthew Broderick back in 1997.
Credit: Pinterest
Kristen Bell:
Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard tied the knot at a courthouse back in 2013. For their big day, Bell wore a simple black dress.
Credit: Instagram / Kristen Bell
Anne Hathaway:
Anne Hathawy looked every inch of a princess on her big day. In 2012, she married actor and producer Adam Shulman in a custom-made pink Valentino gown that she accessorised with a beautiful Flapper-inspired headpiece.
Credit: Pinterest
Gwen Stefani:
‘Hollaback Girl’ Gwen Stefani had the best of both world’s for her wedding dress. When she married musician Gavin Rossdale in 2002, she did so in a pink dip-dyed gown by John Galliano for Christian Dior.
Credit: Pinterest
Dita von Teese:
Living up to their unconventional relationship, burlesque performer Dita von Teese donned a Victorian-inspired violet gown custom designed by Vivienne Westwood when she married metal performer Marilyn Manson.
Credit: Pinterest
Jessica Biel:
Jessic Biel wore a stunning cotton-candy pink couture Giambatista Valli gown to marry longtime love Justin Timberlake. The custom stapless dress featured layers of delicate tulle.
Credit: Pinterest
Amber Tamblyn:
Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants actress Amber Tamblyn went bright for her wedding dress. She opted for a marigold-yellow gown to say ‘I do’ to actor David Cross in a low-key ceremony back in 2012.
Credit: Instagram / Questlove
Shenae Grimes:
90210 actress Shenae Grimes went for black dress from Vera Wang’s Fall 2012 bridal line to marry musician Josh Beech in 2013.
Dancing brings people together. Whether you’re a professional or you have two left feet, it’s always fun. At weddings, especially the westernized ones, everyone awaits the newlyweds’ first dance and as it happens they watch in awe.
In other countries around the world, however, there are other dances that are equally – if not more – important. Wedding dance traditions are more diverse and varying than you could ever imagine.
Here are 5 wedding dance traditions from around the world:
Halay
One of the most common folk dances for Turkish weddings, halay is a dance done to a song which is a cycle of the same melody which starts off slow and increases in speed. People hold hands or are intertwined in some way, and dance (commonly in a line).
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The Tsamiko, The Zeibekiko, and the Sirtaki
Traditional Greek wedding dances centre around guests holding hands and dancing in a circle.
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A Sword Dance
Scottish weddings come with a few traditions around dance. At the reception the first dance is the bride and groom dancing a traditional reel. Thereafter, the bride dances with a guest who has “the highest rank among the guests”.
The very last dance is the Sword Dance. As it is performed guests form a circle and sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’, a traditional song.
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Ceilidh dance
This is the traditional dance at Irish weddings. It is to be performed with a ceilidh band.
Some ceilidh dances are named after locations, for example “Seige of Ennis”. Many newly-weds opt for songs which pay homage to the heritage of their family or to their ancestors.
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The “Horah”
This is a Middle Eastern/Israeli style of dance usually played as a second dance set.
Dancing is a big part of Jewish weddings. Often, it is the tradition that guests at the wedding entertain the newly wedded couple through dance, rather than the couple being centre stage.
The “Horah” is only one Jewish wedding dance traditions. Others include The Krenzl, The Mizinke, and The Mitzvah tantz.
The last connection one would make with neon is wedding decor, right? The world is a strange place at the moment so why not throw caution to the wind? Neon wedding decor is a very underrated trend that is worth shedding light on.
We’re not talking paint on the ceilings, glow sticks and lava lamps, so don’t worry.
Contrarily, neon can be incorporated in subtle ways. From a cascading colour palette to subtle decorations, neon can really make your wedding decor pop.
If you’re feeling extra or brave, kick the neon up a gear and really draw attention to your decor. Keep to a colour theme though, don’t go full 90s neon.
Most, if not all, mothers dream of the day their daughters will walk down the aisle. Often, they also imagine that their little girls will be happy to wear their wedding dresses from decades passed.
While this is an easy ‘yes’ for some brides-to-be, others may be a bit on the fence. Don’t feel bad about it! There is nothing wrong with wanting to be completely original on your special day.
A practice of tradition for some and sentiment for others, wearing your mothers wedding dress can have a lot of meaning behind it. However, you may (like many others) be willing to give up this custom in favour of individuality and self-expression.
To help you weigh up your options, here are some pros and cons of wearing your mother’s wedding dress:
Pros:
– Your mom will be over the moon
This is a beautiful way to honour your mother, and it will definitely make her happier than words can explain. A mother loves to see herself in her daughter.
– Money and time saved
Finding a wedding dress takes a lot of time. It includes several trips to various bridal stores and many fittings too. All of this will vanish if you use your mother’s wedding dress.
You know what else will disappear? The hole in your pocket in the shape of a gown. The money directed towards your dress will dramatically decrease.
– Possibility of alterations
You could alter the dress to keep the pieces of your moms dress that you love, and include parts of a dress that you’d love personally. You could get the best of both worlds.
Cons:
– Less exciting
While shopping may be a big task, it is very exciting. Your girls and your mom, all the special ladies in your life, accompany you to find the dress of your dreams. You may miss out on that experience.
– May make you feel overly cautious
Of course all brides are careful when it comes to their wedding dresses. However, when it’s an heirloom passed down to you, you may feel extra-stiff on your wedding day as you don’t want to spill anything on it or damage it in any way. This could make you a bit uncomfortable on your special day.
– Lack of individuality and orginality
You may feel a bit like it’s not your dress. This will be unpleasant and can put a damper on the day.
She is a screen icon, a legend and a mystery. Decades after her death, Marilyn Monroe is still much-loved and revered by many. Considering her legendary sex-symbol status, it seems fitting to take a look into her relationships.
The blonde bombshell had been married three times in her short life. Let’s take a walk down memory lane…
Husband 1: Jim Dougherty (1942)
A then-unknown 15-year-old Norma Jean Baker began dating Jim Dougherty, her 20-year-old neighbour in 1941. At the time, Monroe was living with Grace Goddard, a friend of her mother, Gladys, who was in and out of psychiatric facilities.
“They wanted to move back to [West] Virginia, and they couldn’t take Norma Jean,” Dougherty said in an interview. “She would have gone back to an orphanage or another foster home, so her foster mother suggested I marry her.
The pair married a few days after Monroe’s 16th birthday in 1942. Monroe wore a floor-length A-line dress with sheer long sleeves and a ruffled neckline. A few months into their marriage, Monroe was discovered while working at Radioplane Co when a photographer used her as a subject in a project of women working as part of the war effort.
She quickly became an in-demand model, causing a strain on her marriage as her career ambitions rose. The pair divorced in 1946.
Husband 2: Joe DiMaggio
Her career quickly escalating, Monroe met world-class baseball player Joe DiMaggio in 1952. DiMaggio had seen a photo of the actress and asked the photographer to set them up on a date.
They tied the knot on 14 January, 1954 in an informal wedding ceremony at the San Francisco courthouse. For their nuptials, Monroe wore a dark brown skirt suit with a white fur collar and carried a small bunch of orchids. Upon her death, the suit was auctioned off in 1998, fetching a price of $33,350.
This relatively short marriage was also a turbulent one. Monroe had to cut their honeymoon in Japan short to perform for troops in Korea. DiMaggio became controlling of Monroe’s career, becoming a part of all her contract negotiations and restricting the roles she may accept. The pair divorced a mere 274 days after saying I do. Monroe cited “mental cruelty” as the reason for the divorce.
Husband 3: Arthur Miller
Her third and final marriage was to famous playwright Arthur Miller, who she had met on set of the 1951 movie As Young As You Feel. Monroe wrote about the encounter in her diary, saying “Met a man tonight … It was, bam! It was like running into a tree. You know, like a cool drink when you’ve had a fever.” Monroe went on to marry DiMaggio, however, but they began a scandalous affair years later, while both were still finalising their divorces. At the time, the playwright was also under much scrutiny by the FBI under Joseph McCarthy for being an alleged communist sympathiser.
The pair wed on 29 June, 1956 at Westchester County Court in New York. They followed this up with a traditional Jewish ceremony on 1 July at the home of Millers’ Hollywood agent, Kay Brown, in which Monroe also converted to Judaism. Monroe wore a mid-length figure-hugging gown with ruched sleeves for the occasion.
Their marriage was one filled with ups and downs. Both were in the media for having highly publicised affairs, and Monroe suffered many miscarriages that took a toll on her physical and mental health. The pair quickly divorced after filming wrapped on The Misfits, the short story Miller wrote for Monroe.
Monroe passed away in 1962 at the young age of 36. She’s left behind an iconic legacy that will never be forgotten.
Same-sex marriage hasn’t been legal worldwide for very long. Many partners lived together and held ceremonies but as the world has changed more and more countries strive for marriage equality.
Here are some of the first couples to marry in their country once they were allowed. These are the first legal marriages, people had been living together, in civil unions and holding unofficial ceremonies for years.
Netherlands, 2000
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The Netherlands was the first country to legalise same-sex marriage. The law was signed in December and four couples simultaneously became the first to be legally married.
According to BBC, the four couples responded to an advert in Gay Krant, the magazine that led the campaign for equal marriage in the company.
They were married the moment the law came into effect, cementing them as the first.
Canada, 2003
@GCNmag
In Canada, same-sex marriage was legalised in different provinces at different times but was made universal in 2005. In Ontario, it has became legal in 2003.
Michael Stark and Michael Leshner became the first couple to be married in June 2003 after the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld a lower court ruling to legally allow such marriages.
Spain, 2005
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Spain has a documented same-sex marriage from 1901, and it was legal. This was only because one of the women pretended to be her partners male cousin.
Marcela Gracia Ibeas and Elisa Sánchez Loriga, were married in A Coruña (Galicia, Spain). Elisa took on the false name and male identity Mario Sánchez, which was listed on the marriage certificate.
However, the first legal marriage after a change in the laws was between Emilio Menendez and Carlos Baturin. The two had been together for thirty years before they got hitched.
According to Business Insider, Menendez’s 88-year-old mother Marina was so happy about the wedding she paid for their honeymoon.
South Africa, 2006
South Africa Travel Online
Despite having it in the constitution that South Africans can’t be discriminated against on the basis of their sexuality, same-sex marriage was only legalised in 2006.
The first couple to marry under this new law were Vernon Gibbs and Tony Halls who exchanged vows at the Home Affairs in George, Western Cape.
The occasion was joyous, despite the two death threats the couple received before the wedding.
Argentina, 2010
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Alex Freyre and José María Di Bello were not only the first to be married but were actually legally married before same-sex marriage became legal across the country.
Their marriage sparked much debate as they were originally given permission to marry by a judge in Buenos Aires gave them permission to marry on November 20 2009, but that decision was overturned by a national judge on November 23. This was then again overturned by the Buenos Aires judge the next day.
Eventually they were given permission by the governor of Ushuaia.
The next year in 2010, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner officially signed equal gay marriage rights into law for the entire country.
England and Wales, 2014
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England and Wales legalised same-sex marriage in March 2014.
Sarah Keith and Emma Powell were among the first couples to take advantage of this change and get married. They had been together for 11 years after meeting at university in 2003.
United States, 2015
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The different states in the United States legalised same-sex marriage at different times.
The first legal same-sex marriage happened in 2004 in Massachusetts after the state’s Supreme Court overturned its ban. Marcia Kadish and Tanya McCloskey married a year after this ban was overturned.
However, it was only in 2015 that same-sex marriage was legalised across the country after a landmark legal case.
Many took the opportunity across the country to get married on the same day as the ruling passed.
Germany, 2017
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Germany legalised same-sex marriage in 2017, with the first same-sex wedding took place in the same month.
Karl Kreile and Bodo Mende, who had been together for 38 years, got married in the town hall of Schöneberg, Berlin.
Australia, 2017
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Australia legalised same-sex marriage in 2017 after a voluntary postal survey of all Australians resulted in 61.6% of respondents supporting legalisation of same-sex marriage.
The first same-sex wedding was held on 15 December 2017 when Jill Kindt and Jo Grant tied the knot. Sadly, they were only married for 48 days as Jo had been terminally ill with cancer and died in January 2018. The two had been together eight years before their wedding.
Taiwan, 2019
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In 2019, Taiwan became the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage. Hundreds of couples got married a week after parliament passed the new law but Marc Yuan and Shane Lin were the ones to sign the first wedding certificate.
