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    In Celebs

    Working with royals: Meghan Markle’s dress designer speaks

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    Clare Waight Keller, Meghan Markle’s wedding dress designer, took to Instagram to talk about her experience working with the royal. She also detailed the days as they approached the iconic ceremony.

    Keller, a British stylist, fashion designer and the current Artistic director of Givenchy, was – as could be expected – over the moon to be a part of the royal wedding two years ago. After the special wedding day, she showed her excitement and gratitude on Instagram. She detailed what she did at at each moment, and gushed over the experience.

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    Now, two years later, Keller has taken to Instagram again to share more insights on how the famous wedding dress came to be.

    “Two years ago today I was in the final fittings for a very secret dress. So many emotions were running through me during those months leading up to the big day,” she wrote. “A wedding dress is one of the most exquisite and beautiful moments for a designer, but also personally as a woman artist, creator there is a lot of sensitivity that flows through the process from the knowledge and understanding of the feelings that you have as a bride.”

    She said that in order to ensure that Markle’s dream dress was made a reality, she had to put herself in Markle’s shoes. “Learning to let go of my emotions and embrace the feelings of someone you are designing for brings about an incredibly beautiful relationship of trust and intimacy. Through hours of conversation, meetings together, and research, slowly all the pieces of that story came together,” she said.

    According to Keller, the guiding principles given to her were “purity and simplicity”.  About the design, she also said that she weaved “a narrative of nature through the 53 florals of the Commonwealth to bring the world into the journey of the ceremony and subtlety bringing the lines of Givenchy and the history of the Maison to capture the classical timeless beauty I knew she wanted to achieve”.

    Keller thought the wedding was a very special day, and she was in awe. “It was obvious the significance of this occasion was more than any other, it would be a very personal ceremony with so many choices that would reflect both the bride and grooms heritage and their unique way of being incredibly inclusive, genuine and generous,” she wrote.

    Image: Facebook / Mamamia

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    In Celebs

    Idris and Sabrina Elba celebrate 1-year wedding anniversary

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    It’s been 365 days since Idris and Sabrina Elba tied the knot, and the pair seem as loved up as ever.

    The couple married on April 26, 2019 in a lavish three-day Moroccan ceremony at the Ksar Char Bagh hotel in Marrakesh.

    Taking to Instagram, Sabrina shared a new video from their nuptials capturing the meaningful moment she walked down the aisle.

    “Words can’t describe what I felt in this moment. Walking down the aisle and seeing the man of my dreams, my best friend, standing in front of me ready to make a bond that lasts forever,” Sabrina captioned the image.

    “You have changed my life, you have changed my world, you have changed my spirit. I thank you for the happiness you give me every day and the love you show me and my family. I can’t believe it’s been a year. All the memories we’ve make it feel like a lifetime. Let’s celebrate today for our future and be thankful for the health and happiness we have. I love you Idris and I forever will. Happy anniversary ❤️ @idriselba”

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    Feature image: Instagram / Sabrina Elba

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    In Gifts

    Brides with postponed weddings purchase each other gifts

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    Weddings around the world are at a standstill as the coronavirus pandemic continues. With everything in limbo, it can be tough to feel positive. A group of brides have decided to lift each other’s spirits during this crazy time.

    Brides are feeling lost, confused and heartbroken over the current state of affairs. In an effort to brighten each others days, they’ve decided to gift each other presents from their wedding registries.

    The idea stemmed from a Zola community chat. Zola, a free online wedding platform, hosts a myriad of community chats where engaged people can talk about their wedding plans.

    To help support each other through these trying times and also lend a financial hand, brides are leaving links to their online registries in the community chat. They then purchase a gift for someone else from their registry.

    “This is a really tough time for a lot of brides who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. I thought it would be a great idea if we came together to brighten each other’s days a little,” read the original post.”If you’d like to participate, leave the link to your registry in the comments. Then go to someone else’s registry and purchase something for them! Once you’ve purchased an item off a registry, leave a heart for them.”

    According to Business Insider, over 1500 brides are participating in the exchange, helping them all feel a little less alone.

    “For many of us, the celebrations have been put on hold, and you’re always told, ‘No one cares about your wedding as much as you,’ but it turns out that hundreds of strangers care just as much as you do, too,” bride Adrith told Business Insider.

    “The registry exchange has been an opportunity to shower other couples with love in a time that’s full of chaos and sadness, and it’s a way to remind each other that we truly aren’t alone or forgotten.”

    Feature image: Unsplash

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    In Engagements

    Love, laughs, and lockdown: The funniest tweets about marriage

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    Quarantine and social distancing has brought out the creatives and comedians in everyone. With little to no chance of going outside, many turn to Twitter for social interaction and some laughs.

    Married couples seem to be a bit stir-crazy, as they’re getting absolutely no time apart. Of course, the love remains stronger than ever but everyone needs some breathing room every now and then.

    As a result, many comical situations are taking place in the households of married couples spending more time than ever together as they’re stuck inside.

    Here are some of our favourite tweets, documenting the silly situations:

     

     

     

    Image: Unsplash

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    In News

    Bridal designers are joining the fight against coronavirus

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    As the coronavirus pandemic worsens across the globe, more and more brands are jumping in to do their part. Many bridal brands are now offering their skills to make a positive difference in any way they can.

    Sewing surgical masks

    Many bridal designers have joined the fight against coronavirus by repurposing their workshops to produce non-surgical face masks that they will donate to hospitals in need. High-fashion designers like Naeem Khan, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Prada, Chanel and Christian Siriano are just a few of the big names who have joined the call. Smaller bridal companies are also participating.

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    Bridal retailer Davids Bridal and popular craft store JOANN have paired up to produce non-surgical masks for hospital systems and senior living facilities across the USA. They plan to donate 50 000 masks every week.

    “It’s such a privilege to support frontline medical personnel who are so selflessly fighting this pandemic. David’s Bridal is actively committed to protecting these heroic individuals and we are deeply grateful for the partnership with JOANN to make this happen,” said Jim Marcum, David’s Bridal CEO.

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    Honouring healthcare workers

    To celebrate and honour all the hard work healthcare workers do, Pronovias is offering engaged healthcare workers the world over the chance to wear a Pronovias gown, free of charge. Any hospital-employed bride-to-be, from doctor to nurse to janitor, is eligible. This forms part of their Heroes Collection, which is dedicated to all the healthcare workers.

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    Lady Gaga’s favourite designer, Brandon Maxwell is working with milliner Gigi Burris, jewelry designer Eva Fehren, celebrity stylist Micaela Erlanger and shoe brand Margaux to donate complete wedding outfits to three brides whose weddings have been affected by the coronavirus.

    “As a company who has been fortunate to play a small part in so many women’s special days, we realise the current crisis and the economic repercussions from it may have already deeply affected you,” Maxwell wrote on Instagram. “In times of darkness we must look to the light, and we believe an optimistic moment to look forward to is important.”

    Feature image: Instagram / Louis Vuitton

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    In News

    Couple celebrates their ‘not wedding day’

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    As the coronavirus pandemic continues to turn wedding ceremonies across the world upside down, some couples are having fun with the circumstances and doing the best they can to lighten up the situation. This Falkrik based couple decided to celebrate their “not wedding day”.

    Laura McKinlay and Ruaridh Macmillan were set to be wed on Saturday. Of course, their plans fell through as a result of a national lockdown. Instead of letting the uncontrollable circumstances get them down, the pair celebrated what should have been their wedding day by holding a mock wedding.

    To keep things light, they called it their “not wedding day” and wore silly outfits for the ceremony. McKinlay sported a bed sheet for a veil while Macmillin strutted his stuff in his pyjamas. Like many other couples these days, they hosted on online ceremony for their loved ones to join in on their celebration.

    “So…yesterday should have been mine and @rua2 wedding day. But #covid19 had other ideas. However, thanks to the immense skill, generosity, kindness and love from everyone in our lives, we had the most amazing NOT Wedding yesterday, hosted online”, wrote McKinlay in a post on Instagram.

    “We wore formal casual – Pjs and bedsheets for a veil! We set up a make-shift altar in the living room with our Christmas tree lights round it, I carried an orchid in a jar from @marksandspencer as my flowers,” she added.

    McKinlay said they spent the rest of the evening having a drink with their neighbours through the fence, and were spoiled with some Chinese takeway from their neighbours too!

    “True it wasn’t the original day we had planned, but it will stick in our memories as one of the happiest days we’ve ever had. Stay safe people, this isn’t forever,” wrote McKinlay.

    Of course, a day like this deserved a breakfast for champions! Macmillian posted a picture of their “not wedding day” breakfast to Instagram.

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    Images: Facebook / Laura McKinlay – Violinist

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    In Celebs

    Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriquez plan multiple wedding variations

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    Amid the coronavirus pandemic, people the world over are being forced to change their plans. A number of celebrities like Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom, Princess Beatrice and fiance Edoardo, and Emma Stone and fiance Dave McCary have had to either postpone or cancel their big day.

    While Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriquez have always been vague about their wedding since they got engaged in March 2019, they have announced that they are re-evaluating their plans. With the uncertainty of the current time, the couple has planned out various scenarios of how their big day can go forward.

    “We had a meeting on Zoom with our core group of people,” Rodriguez told Entertainment Tonight. “Kind of just going over what the next 12 months look like and we have three or four different variations of how that can look. It’s such a fluid world. Usually when you underwrite a year – whether in terms of scheduling or financially – you never think that it’s going to just stop like this. So, we’re having to be very fluid, think on our feet and just think very proactively.

    “At the same time, I think the most important thing for everybody is to practice great discipline and stay at home. We have to do this together and every person counts. The way we’re going to beat this thing is together,” he added.

    Feature image: Instagram / Jennifer Lopez

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    In Decor

    Create enchanting table decor with roses

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    Flowers are always a good idea, as they bring colour, texture and smell lovely too! With all the incredibly beautiful flowers out there, it’s hard to choose the right ones for your wedding tables.

    While roses have been used for ages, we never get tired of looking at them. In season during South Africa’s summer months, they are readily available in most parts of the country and are available in so many different kinds and colours that you are spoiled for choice.

    Think romantic, playful and sensual. We take a look at modern trends on how to make your tables pop with roses:

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    Image: Pexels

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    In Celebs

    Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s love story

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    Queen Elizabeth turned 94 yesterday, 21 April. Traditionally, her birthday is officially celebrated in June every year. The magnificent celebration, referred to as the ‘Trooping the Colour’, is an enormous feast and was due to take place on 13 June this year. This year, however, Buckingham Palace have announced that the event will not go ahead due to the coronavirus outbreak.

    In honour of the royal icon’s birthday, we take a look at her and her husband, Prince Philp’s remarkable love story.

    The two got married on 20 November, 1947 at Westminster Abbey, meaning this year they will celebrate their 73rd wedding anniversary!

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    They met at a royal wedding when Queen Elizabeth was just eight years old. They fell in love after a second encounter when she was 13 and he 18, and began exchanging letters. In 1946, Philip asked King George VI for his daughter’s hand in marriage. The rest, as they say, is history.

    The wedding did not go without incident, however. Elizabeth’s tiara snapped on the morning of the wedding, and Philip was stopped for speeding through central London on the day of the rehearsal dinner (19 November). He reportedly said at the time: “I’m sorry officer, but I’ve got an appointment with the Archbishop of Canterbury.”

    When she was just 25, Elizabeth’s ascended the throne on 2 June 1953 after her father’s death. Prince Philip was the first to swear allegiance to the new queen, describing himself as her “liege man of life and limb”.

    The two have been by each other’s side for many years now, and are a beautiful example of a strong and steadfast marriage. “He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years,” said Queen Elizabeth II as she described her husband on their golden anniversary in 1997.

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    Their marriage is the longest of any British rulers ever, and we wish them many more happy years to come and the Queen a happy birthday.

    Source: History Extra

    Image: Instagram

     

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    In Beauty

    Beginner’s guide to cruelty-free makeup

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    As time goes on, people are becoming much more aware of the products they use and its impact on the world. The call for more ethical practices in the fashion and beauty industry is one that is quickly gaining momentum.

    If you’re on a journey of lessening your harmful impact on the world, an easy way to start is with the makeup products you use.

    What is cruelty-free makeup?

    Cruelty-free makeup brands don’t test on animals at any stage of their development. They also don’t contract other parties to test on their behalf and, in most cases, don’t sell their products in countries that require animal testing. If a brand is sold in China, for example, its most likely not cruelty-free because of the country’s policies.

    Cruelty-free products are tested through a variety of alternative methods like using human and animal cell cultures that have been grown in laboratories, human tissue that has been donated to science, or through computer modelling.

    You can easily spot if a makeup brand is cruelty free. The makeup components will typically have a logo of a bunny printed on it somewhere close to the ingredients list.

    If the brand is vegan, that means there are no animal products included in the items either. A brand can thus be cruelty-free but not vegan. If you’re vegan, look out for non-vegan ingredients like lanolin, beeswax, glycerin, elastin and squalene to find out its status.

    Where can I find it?

    In South Africa, there are a number of popular brands that are also cruelty-free, like Wet n Wild, Urban Decay, NYX, Catrice, Smashbox, Essence, LA Girl, Oh so Heavenly and Physicians Formula.

    Brands that still employ animal testing or employ third parties to test on animals include Maybelline, Benefit, Clinique, MAC and L’Oreal.

    Feature image: Pexels

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