Weddings Archives | Page 5 of 17

In Advice

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

July 6, 2020 No Comments

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

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

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

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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 & Administration

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

The origin of Mr and Mrs

May 28, 2020 No Comments

Mr and Mrs seem like given titles for those that choose to walk down the aisle and say ‘I do’. Have you ever wondered where these titles come from? The origin might surprise you.

The titles originally had nothing to do with marital status. Cambridge University historian Dr. Amy Erickson explains that ‘Mrs’ and ‘Miss’ derived from the word ‘mistress’ while ‘Mr’ comes from ‘master’.

“Few people realise that ‘Mistress’ is the root word of both of the abbreviations ‘Mrs,’ and ‘Miss,’ just as Mr is an abbreviation of ‘Master.’ The ways that words derived from Mistress have developed their own meanings is quite fascinating and shifts in these meanings can tell us a lot about the changing status of women in society, at home and in the workplace,” she said

According to author Samuel Johnson, a mistress could be defined as “1. A woman who governs; correlative to subject or servant; 2. A woman skilled in anything; 3. A woman teacher; 4. A woman beloved and courted; 5. A term of contemptuous address; 6. A whore or concubine.”

Back in the mid-18th century, ‘mistress’ didn’t have quite the negative connotations it has today. In those days, a mistress typically referred to a woman of high economic or social capital, rather than a married woman. A woman referred to as Mrs in the 18th century was thus not necessarily married.

Those on the lower scales of society were simply referred to by their names. For example, the lady of the house might have been Mrs Abernathy, while the scullery maid would simply be Anna Black.

Mr and Mrs were on equal standing, and Erickson argues those that held these titles were more like businessmen and women as they governed servants or apprentices, and were quite literally the masters and mistresses of their trades.

It was only in the late 18th century that the use of Mrs became attached to marital status. The title Miss, which was originally a title for young girls, started to be used as a term to refer to an unmarried woman of a high social status, who was often a teacher. These young, socially ambitious single women wanted their own title that would mark their social class but not lump them into a group with the older businesswomen and heads of households that typically held the title of Mrs.

This new term thus shifted the meaning of Mrs to signify a married woman and create a distinction between young and older.

Why the pronunciation of mistress turned to ‘missus’ is unclear. In A Critical Pronouncing Dictionary, and Expositor of the English Language from 1828, author John Walker suggests its a result of colloquialism.

“The same haste and necessity of dispatch, which has corrupted Master into Mister, has, when a title of civility only, contracted Mistress into Missis,” he wrote.

Feature image: Unsplash

In Decor

Create enchanting table decor with roses

April 23, 2020 No Comments

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

In Celebs

John Legend, Chrissy Tiegen host stuffed animal wedding for daughter

April 1, 2020 No Comments

Self-isolating has gotten to us all, even celebrities. While at home, John Legend and Chrissy Tiegen are finding inventive ways to keep their two children entertained. They hosted a wedding for daughter Luna’s stuffed animals, Chloe and Nosh.

Chloe and Nosh said ‘I do’ in a beautiful beachside ceremony. Luna walked the pair down the aisle and naturally, Tiegen officiated the ceremony. Luckily for us, the wedding was livestreamed on Instagram Live so we could all virtually attend.

“Thank you for gathering here today on this very special day,” Teigen said as she officiated the ceremony. “It’s a beautiful day. Well deserved in what has become 26 weeks of an incredible relationship.”

“It was unexpected at first, as there were many different animals in the house,” she continued. “But who knew that Chloe and Nosh would get along so well. They’ve loved each other since the first second they laid eyes one another and they’ve never spent a night apart.”

John Legend serenaded the newlyweds during their first dance with Selena Gomez’s “Hands to Myself”.

Watch the heartwaming ceremony here:

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Feature image: Instagram / Chrissy Tiegen

In Bridal Shower

Dramatic wedding entrances you won’t believe

March 27, 2020 No Comments

Simply walking down the aisle on your wedding day is so expected. Some brides and grooms feel the need to really set themselves apart on their big day, and opt for grand entrances.

From a skydiving groom to a flying bride, here are a few OTT moments you need to see.

A bride and her balloons

Ballerina beauties

Let the sky fall

Light ’em up

The greatest show

Feature image: Screenshot

In Advice

‘Something blue’-inspired wedding decor

February 13, 2020 No Comments

‘Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’. The age old Victorian era saying still holds weight today with many couples who opt to incorporate it into their big day.

Representing the sky and the ocean, blue is symbolic of freedom, imagination, inspiration, and sensitivity. Its a gentle hue that offers calming properties. ‘Cool blue’ is also the Pantone colour of the year, and its already popping up everywhere. Stay on trend by incorporating this colour into your wedding decor. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

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Also read: The meaning behind ‘something old, new, borrowed and blue’

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

How weddings have changed over the years

February 6, 2020 No Comments

Weddings come with tons of customs and traditions, the history of which is always quite interesting. Many couples are eager to incorporate age-old practices into their weddings. Over the years, however, the practices have changed and transformed.

For those who want tradition and modernity, or who would prefer to customise their wedding to be more original, perhaps insight into how wedding traditions have changed over the years will help to find a middle ground.

– Asking for permission

In years gone by, it was often considered respectful to ask a woman’s father for her hand in marriage. Today, women have much more agency and are no longer considered to be “passed on” to their husbands. Many still follow this custom as a sign of respect. However, others have completely done away with the tradition.

– Veils

Originally, the wedding veil was a way to protect the bride from evil spirits on her wedding day. In 1849, however, Queen Victoria donned a veil as fashion for the first time ever. Since then, many brides have decided to go without a veil or have replaced it with other accessories such as flower crowns.

– Not seeing each other before the ceremony

In the past, it was considered to be very bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding. This tradition started at a time when arranged marriages were more common, and was a way to ensure that a groom did not have a change of heart before the ceremony.

Today, many couples have “first look” shoots. They have a private moment together before their nuptials to capture the first moment they see each other in their wedding attire.

– Receptions

Today, we have large receptions that take months of preparation and planning. We offer full meals and often have a constant flow of food and drink for our guests. Previously, a wedding reception was merely some cake and tea at the home of the brides parents.

– The classic vows

The classic wedding vows, which can be traced back to 1549, say that the bride promises to “love, honour, keep, obey, and serve” her husband to be. The last two words are often dropped, these days.

– Rice throwing

Traditionally, newly-weds were sent off from their weddings by having rice tossed at them. Today, bubbles, eco-friendly glitter, or sparklers, amongst other things are often used instead.

Image: Unsplash

In Celebs

Inside Grace Kelly’s 1956 wedding of the century

February 5, 2020 No Comments

A film star turned royal, Grace Kelly is a Hollywood icon that will always be remembered for her style and class. The award-winning actress became real royalty when she married Prince Rainier of Monaco on April 19, 1956. This wedding has since gone on to inspire many brides on their own big day. Let’s take a look into this glamorous affair.

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Kelly and Rainier met at the Cannes Film Festival in 1955, and were married within a year at Monaco’s Saint Nicholas Cathedral.

The highly anticipated marriage of the A-list movie star and Prince of Monaco drew much attention from the public. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the production company Kelly worked for, broadcast the entire ceremony to 30 million viewers in Europe. There were two parts to the celebrations held on consecutive days: the civil ceremony and then the church marriage. It was a star-studded event, with old-school film icons like Cary Grant, Ava Gardner, and Gloria Swanson, as well as society notables Aristotle Onassis and Conrad Hilton in attendance among the 700 guests.

Kelly chose close friend and double Academy winning designer, Helen Rose, to create her perfect wedding dresses. For the civil ceremony, Kelly wore a pink floral embroidered suit, topped off with a Juliet cap. Her church ceremony dress was a gift from the MGM production house, as Kelly had starred in many of their films. Rose was the costume designer on four of Kelly’s films with MGM.

The Victorian-inspired gown was made of 125-year-old Brussels lace, taffeta, and thousands of hand-sewn pearls. The skirt was made of ivory faille and featured three petticoats: a smoothing petticoat, a ruffled petticoat and a foundation petticoat. Underneath the dress was the skirt support, the under bodice and the lace bodice with a slip. The gown itself was made of 100 yards (91 metres) of silk net, and the veil was 90 yards (82 metres). To keep the veil in place, Kelly opted for a Juliet cap decorated with lace, orange blossoms and seed pearls instead of a tiara. 30 seamstresses worked for 6 weeks to complete the look.

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Keeping with tradition of the time, Kelly carried a bible instead of a bridal bouquet, although it was decorated with a small bouquet of lilies-of-the-valley. The bible was a gift from MGM.

The groom wore a military uniform he designed himself.

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For their reception, guests feasted on a six-tier white wedding cake, out of which a pair of live turtledoves flew when the newlyweds cut into the cake with a sword.

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Following the wedding, the pair honeymooned with a seven-week cruise on the yacht, Deo Juvante II, a wedding gift from Onassis.

Feature image: Instagram