Tag: wedding

‘It’s been insane how much we’ve been quoted’: Chicago woman tours 6 wedding venues. Then she realizes just how ‘predatory’ the industry is

[ad_1]

Are you and your significant other planning to get married any time soon? Best of luck to your bank account.

Married couples-to-be already have a ton of headaches on their plates. From managing difficult family members to the possibility of marriage not even working out in the end. Arguably, the number one stressor, however, is the exorbitant price tag attached to most weddings.

Enter TikToker Cece (@celeford). She’s going viral for her absolutely exhausting efforts to not break the bank for her wedding. Her video on the subject, first posted on Feb. 11, has gotten over 2 million views.

The wedding industry

“OK, so we all know that the wedding industry is very predatory, but I didn’t realize how predatory,” Cece begins. “Until I went to a venue that, like, genuinely wants you to use their venue and, like, actually wants you to get married and have a great wedding and is in it for the love of weddings.”

Cece’s disillusionment isn’t coming out of nowhere. She goes on to share that she and her fiancé have toured seven wedding venues. These venues quoted them a truly diabolical amount of money. Cece says she didn’t even realize “how predatory and insane” the wedding industry has become until she finally experienced a singular normal venue tour.

Cece says that as soon as this new tour guide mentioned a coat check, Cece automatically assumed this would—like her previous experiences—result in extra charges.

“I was like, ‘OK, how much extra is the coat check?”” Cece recounts. “‘Didn’t see that in the pamphlet you sent me.’ She’s like, ‘Why would we charge extra for a coat check? You’re getting married in January … are other people charging for a coat check?’”

Cece confirms “every single venue” she and her fiancé have toured did, in fact, charge extra for a coat check.

This conversation is repeated multiple times. A shell-shocked Cece also assumed the venue would charge extra for use of the bridal suite, event decorations, access to areas of the venue like the patio, and more. The poor tour guide was baffled, assuring Cece that “the venue price is the venue price” with no “extra add-ons.”

Meanwhile, the next venue Cece toured charged “$20,000 more” for the exact same date and similar amenities. This was even though the location was less desirable.

“While driving home from that venue, I emailed the one venue and I was like, ‘Secure the date,’” Cece says. “I don’t care how much [expletive] money you want from me up front. Take all of my money. I’m getting married with you guys, because you are the only reasonable, logical wedding venue … Like, every price they gave was justified. It was insane. It was so refreshing.”

She continued, “It was like they actually wanted us to get married there … and it was the cheapest quote we have gotten.”

What is the average cost for weddings?

While only world leaders, royals, and billionaires can truly claim the most expensive weddings in the world, the weddings of everyday Americans are still notoriously pricey. According to CNBC, “the average cost of a wedding in 2024 [was] $33,000, up from $29,000 in 2023.”

A Virginia couple told the Guardian they dropped over $90,000 on their wedding, with almost half being the venue. So why are American weddings so expensive, exactly?

Where does that money go?

@celeford Only took 8 months but I guess I have a date? #wedding #engagement #weddingvenue #savethedate ♬ original sound – Cece

For starters, there’s the “wedding tax“—the phenomenon in which service providers like venues, photographers, and caterers often charge much more for weddings than for any other kind of event. This isn’t out of sheer greed, but rather because weddings are simply a different ballgame—the stakes are often higher.

But mostly, things have gotten so pricey because an American wedding is not only an event, but often a full-blown show. Interfaith church American Marriage Ministries (AMM) addresses the recently “skyrocketed” costs of American weddings on its website.

“That increase might make sense when you consider how many moving parts are involved in putting on a large wedding,” AMM writes. “Venue, chairs and set up, insurance, photographers, planners, catering, invitations, attire, the officiant to pronounce you married, and even your marriage license. Weddings are a production, and every piece has a price tag attached.”

The Mary Sue has reached out to Cece via TikTok comment and DM.

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

[ad_2]

Sophia Paslidis

Source link

February 19, 2026
Why Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are missing the 2026 Grammys

[ad_1]

Taylor Swift doesn’t have any Grammy nominations this year, so it’s unsurprising that the star is spending the evening out of the public eye. ELLE understands Swift will not be at tonight’s ceremony. Her fiancé, Travis Kelce, isn’t expected, either.While Swift released one of the buzziest albums of 2025, “The Life of a Showgirl,” it came out in October—after the 2026 eligibility period (Aug. 31, 2024 to Aug. 30, 2025). She can be nominated for it at the 2027 ceremony.Ahead of tonight’s show, Grammys executive producer Ben Winston addressed rumors of Swift’s attendance in an interview with Hits. “The only reason people think Taylor might be performing or coming is because Hits decided to print it this week and put it in their Hits List, and it was picked up globally,” he said. “But Hits just totally made that up. And now I am getting asked about it by you, as if it’s a real thing, when it was made up in your office! That really is a full-circle rumor!”The star attended last year’s Grammys as a presenter. She wore a glittery red Vivienne Westwood minidress that teased her upcoming “The Life of a Showgirl” era. Since releasing her “The End of an Era” docuseries in December, Swift has kept a low profile. She was photographed with Travis Kelce getting dinner in Beverly Hills on the Monday after the Golden Globes, but the couple wasn’t seen at the ceremony or any of its after-parties.On December 16, a source told “Us Weekly” that Swift “always has ideas percolating” for her music career but isn’t “locked into” doing a tour for “The Life of a Showgirl.” “There have been ideas floated, but right now she is enjoying her break.”An industry source echoed that sentiment, saying they weren’t “aware of any Showgirl tour plans,” either. “The Eras Tour was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so she’s not going to put pressure on herself to make everything that big and ambitious,” the insider added. “She’ll make sure the next one is special in its own right, but she’s also realistic about it.”Swift and Kelce are also planning their wedding together. “Taylor thinks it’s cute , and it’s something they have been bonding over,” the first source said.The singer confirmed herself that she isn’t planning to tour right now during her press tour for “The Life of a Showgirl.” She told BBC Radio 1’s Greg James that she doesn’t have the itch to go back out on the road. “I am going to be really honest with you,” she said. “I am so tired when I think about doing it again because I’d want to do it really well again.”Days later, she quickly shut down speculation that after getting married, she’d stop making music during her interview with BBC Radio 2’s Scott Mills. “That’s a shockingly offensive thing to say. It’s not why people get married, so that they can quit their jobs,” she said.She added that Kelce is extremely supportive of her career: “I love the person that I am with because he loves what I do, and he loves how much I am fulfilled by making art and making music. That’s the coolest thing about Trav: He is so passionate about what he does that me being passionate about what I do, it connects us. There’s no point in time where he’s going to be like, ‘I’m really upset that you’re still making music, the music thing that I signed up for, that I knew you loved, I thought you were going to stop doing that.’”

Taylor Swift doesn’t have any Grammy nominations this year, so it’s unsurprising that the star is spending the evening out of the public eye.

ELLE understands Swift will not be at tonight’s ceremony. Her fiancé, Travis Kelce, isn’t expected, either.

While Swift released one of the buzziest albums of 2025, “The Life of a Showgirl,” it came out in October—after the 2026 eligibility period (Aug. 31, 2024 to Aug. 30, 2025). She can be nominated for it at the 2027 ceremony.

Ahead of tonight’s show, Grammys executive producer Ben Winston addressed rumors of Swift’s attendance in an interview with Hits. “The only reason people think Taylor might be performing or coming is because Hits decided to print it this week and put it in their Hits List, and it was picked up globally,” he said. “But Hits just totally made that up. And now I am getting asked about it by you, as if it’s a real thing, when it was made up in your office! That really is a full-circle rumor!”

The star attended last year’s Grammys as a presenter. She wore a glittery red Vivienne Westwood minidress that teased her upcoming “The Life of a Showgirl” era.

Since releasing her “The End of an Era” docuseries in December, Swift has kept a low profile. She was photographed with Travis Kelce getting dinner in Beverly Hills on the Monday after the Golden Globes, but the couple wasn’t seen at the ceremony or any of its after-parties.

On December 16, a source told “Us Weekly” that Swift “always has ideas percolating” for her music career but isn’t “locked into” doing a tour for “The Life of a Showgirl.” “There have been ideas floated, but right now she is enjoying her break.”

An industry source echoed that sentiment, saying they weren’t “aware of any Showgirl tour plans,” either. “The Eras Tour was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so she’s not going to put pressure on herself to make everything that big and ambitious,” the insider added. “She’ll make sure the next one is special in its own right, but she’s also realistic about it.”

Swift and Kelce are also planning their wedding together. “Taylor thinks it’s cute [he’s involved], and it’s something they have been bonding over,” the first source said.

The singer confirmed herself that she isn’t planning to tour right now during her press tour for “The Life of a Showgirl.” She told BBC Radio 1’s Greg James that she doesn’t have the itch to go back out on the road. “I am going to be really honest with you,” she said. “I am so tired when I think about doing it again because I’d want to do it really well again.”

Days later, she quickly shut down speculation that after getting married, she’d stop making music during her interview with BBC Radio 2’s Scott Mills. “That’s a shockingly offensive thing to say. It’s not why people get married, so that they can quit their jobs,” she said.

She added that Kelce is extremely supportive of her career: “I love the person that I am with because he loves what I do, and he loves how much I am fulfilled by making art and making music. That’s the coolest thing about Trav: He is so passionate about what he does that me being passionate about what I do, it connects us. There’s no point in time where he’s going to be like, ‘I’m really upset that you’re still making music, the music thing that I signed up for, that I knew you loved, I thought you were going to stop doing that.’”

[ad_2]

Source link

February 1, 2026
Olympic snowboarder accused of running drug cartel pleads not guilty in L.A. hearing

[ad_1]

Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder who allegedly became the head of a billion-dollar drug trafficking organization, pleaded not guilty to multiple charges against him Monday and was ordered detained as his case proceeds.

Wedding, who authorities say was in hiding for more than a decade and on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list, was arrested last week. He faces 17 felonies in two separate indictments.

During the court hearing at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse in Santa Ana, Wedding, who wore a beige jail uniform and black Crocs, scanned the gallery and occasionally smirked. Hulking and tattooed, the 6-foot-3 Wedding towered over his attorney and the deputy marshals standing guard in the courtroom.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Early ordered Wedding jailed without bond and set the next hearing for Feb. 11.

The judge set a tentative trial date in March, although Wedding’s attorney, Anthony Colombo, said it would likely take more time for the case to unfold.

Colombo did not argue for his client’s release on Monday afternoon, later citing “the whirlwind” Wedding had experienced since his apprehension.

“It takes time to put the sureties in place, to have the information for the court to establish that there’s a condition or combination of conditions that could secure his release,” Colombo told reporters. “We were not in the position today to do that and we anticipate addressing that at a later date.”

Colombo said he first met with his client several days ago, after his arrival in the U.S., and described him as being “in good spirits.” Colombo disputed claims from federal authorities that Wedding had been in hiding out in Mexico.

“Hiding out and living somewhere are two different things,” Colombo said. “I would characterize him as living, the government can characterize it their way.”

Colombo added that his client was arrested and “he did not surrender.”

Wedding, who was known by many aliases, including “El Jefe” and “Public Enemy,” is accused of becoming a major trafficker of cocaine into Canada and the United States and a ruthless leader who ordered killings, including one of a witness in a 2024 federal narcotics case against him. The alleged order resulted in the victim being shot to death in a restaurant in Medellín, Colombia, in January 2025, prosecutors said.

The former Olympic snowboarder was charged in a 2024 indictment with running a continuing criminal enterprise, assorted drug trafficking charges and directing the murders of two members of a family in Canada in retaliation for a stolen drug shipment.

“Just to tell you how bad of a guy Ryan Wedding is, he went from an Olympic snowboarder to the largest narco trafficker in modern times,” Patel said in a news conference Friday announcing the arrest. “He is a modern-day El Chapo, he is a modern-day Pablo Escobar. And he thought he could evade justice.”

When questioned about authorities likening his client to El Chapo and Pablo Escobar, Colombo said, “I think it’s overstated, that’s their spin.”

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said last week that Wedding’s alleged global drug trafficking organization “used Los Angeles as its primary point of distribution.”

Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the Los Angeles FBI field office, said after Wedding’s capture that his alleged organization shipped approximately 60 metric tons of cocaine through Southern California on its way to Canada.

Authorities have arrested 36 people in connection with their role in the transnational organization and the U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned 19 people, including Wedding, according to Davis.

Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi previously said Wedding’s operation was responsible for generating more than $1 billion a year in illegal drug proceeds.

Wedding competed for his home country, Canada, in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

An experienced attorney, Colombo previously represented Rubén Oseguera González, also known as “El Menchito,” the son of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

Oseguera González was sentenced last year to a term of life in prison plus 30 years to run consecutively for his role in a major drug trafficking conspiracy.

[ad_2]

Brittny Mejia

Source link

January 26, 2026
Australian prime minister Albanese becomes the first ever to marry in office

[ad_1]

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese married his partner Jodie Haydon in a secretive and intimate ceremony on Saturday at his official residence in the national capital, Canberra.Albanese is the first prime minister to marry while in office in the 124-year history of the Australian federal government.The couple were married by a civil celebrant before around 60 guests, including several cabinet ministers, in an afternoon ceremony on the grounds of The Lodge. There was no media reporting of the event until after it had occurred.“We are absolutely delighted to share our love and commitment to spending our future lives together, in front of our family and closest friends,” the couple said in a statement.The pair wrote their own vows and their dog Toto was the ring bearer. Haydon’s 5-year-old niece, Ella, was the flower girl, the statement said.Albanese, 62, who is divorced with an adult son, proposed to Haydon, 46, at The Lodge on Valentine’s Day last year. They initially planned a larger-scale wedding before the last election was scheduled to be held in May this year. Albanese had told a Sydney radio program he was considering inviting former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he considered a personal friend.But the ruling center-left Labor Party strategists feared a lavish wedding during a cost of living crisis could hurt the government’s chances of being re-elected for a second three-year term.A decision was made to delay the wedding until after the election. Albanese had said the wedding would take place in 2025, but did not reveal a date.The wedding came two days after Parliament ended for the year on Thursday.Haydon, who works in finance, met Albanese at a business dinner in Melbourne in 2020.

MELBOURNE, Australia —

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese married his partner Jodie Haydon in a secretive and intimate ceremony on Saturday at his official residence in the national capital, Canberra.

Albanese is the first prime minister to marry while in office in the 124-year history of the Australian federal government.

The couple were married by a civil celebrant before around 60 guests, including several cabinet ministers, in an afternoon ceremony on the grounds of The Lodge. There was no media reporting of the event until after it had occurred.

“We are absolutely delighted to share our love and commitment to spending our future lives together, in front of our family and closest friends,” the couple said in a statement.

The pair wrote their own vows and their dog Toto was the ring bearer. Haydon’s 5-year-old niece, Ella, was the flower girl, the statement said.

Albanese, 62, who is divorced with an adult son, proposed to Haydon, 46, at The Lodge on Valentine’s Day last year. They initially planned a larger-scale wedding before the last election was scheduled to be held in May this year. Albanese had told a Sydney radio program he was considering inviting former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he considered a personal friend.

But the ruling center-left Labor Party strategists feared a lavish wedding during a cost of living crisis could hurt the government’s chances of being re-elected for a second three-year term.

A decision was made to delay the wedding until after the election. Albanese had said the wedding would take place in 2025, but did not reveal a date.

The wedding came two days after Parliament ended for the year on Thursday.

Haydon, who works in finance, met Albanese at a business dinner in Melbourne in 2020.

[ad_2]

Source link

November 29, 2025
Couple that met in the hospital after waking up from comas as teens get engaged

[ad_1]

In 2018, Zach Zarembinski and Isabelle Richard each survived life-threatening injuries and met after they woke up from a coma. Now, as Lana Zak shares, they’re getting married.

[ad_2]

Source link

November 20, 2025
Daughter’s wish comes true as couple gets special wedding, trip to Disney

[ad_1]

An Ohio couple tied the knot in Covington during a special ceremony in front of a special guest.This wedding centered on their 3-year-old daughter, who was born with serious health complications. The new Mr. and Mrs. Wise exchanged vows surrounded by their sweet children. The magical night was also a miracle night because their little girl was there.Doctors told the couple that the odds were stacked against baby Oakleigh.“They told us that, you know, she may not be here for this. So it is definitely very emotional,” said dad Mike.Mike and Samantha spent years making wishes in hospital waiting rooms and years wishing for more moments with their little girl.Wednesday, when it came time to kiss the bride, Oakleigh was by her parents’ side.The couple says Kenton County Magistrate Stephen Hoffman made their wish come true.Hoffman was touched by their story. He says he wanted to surprise the couple with something special, so he planned the ceremony.”I just wish that they have the best of life and everything they can do for their whole family,” says Hoffman.This special occasion is proof that love conquers all.”Have faith in your heart, because things can always turn around, and I think we’re proof of that,” said Mike.Next week, the Wise family is getting another wish granted thanks to Make-A-Wish. The foundation is sending them to Florida for a Disney World vacation.

An Ohio couple tied the knot in Covington during a special ceremony in front of a special guest.

This wedding centered on their 3-year-old daughter, who was born with serious health complications.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Wise exchanged vows surrounded by their sweet children. The magical night was also a miracle night because their little girl was there.

Doctors told the couple that the odds were stacked against baby Oakleigh.

“They told us that, you know, she may not be here for this. So it is definitely very emotional,” said dad Mike.

Mike and Samantha spent years making wishes in hospital waiting rooms and years wishing for more moments with their little girl.

Wednesday, when it came time to kiss the bride, Oakleigh was by her parents’ side.

The couple says Kenton County Magistrate Stephen Hoffman made their wish come true.

Hoffman was touched by their story. He says he wanted to surprise the couple with something special, so he planned the ceremony.

“I just wish that they have the best of life and everything they can do for their whole family,” says Hoffman.

This special occasion is proof that love conquers all.

“Have faith in your heart, because things can always turn around, and I think we’re proof of that,” said Mike.

Next week, the Wise family is getting another wish granted thanks to Make-A-Wish. The foundation is sending them to Florida for a Disney World vacation.

[ad_2]

Source link

November 8, 2025
Congrats! ‘1,000-Lb. Sisters’ Star Amy Slaton Ties The Knot In Kentucky (PHOTOS + VIDEO)

[ad_1]

Congratulations are in order for ‘1,000-Lb. Sisters’ star, Amy Slaton, who has married Brian Lovvorn in a wedding ceremony in Kentucky.

RELATED: Michael Halterman Files For Divorce From ‘1000-Lb. Sisters’ Star Amy Slaton

‘1,000-Lb. Sisters’ Star Amy Slaton Marries Brian Lovvorn In Kentucky Wedding Ceremony

On October 31, PEOPLE published an exclusive report asserting that Slaton and Lovvorn wed in a “spooky wedding celebration” on that same date. Furthermore, their wedding reportedly took place at the Talbot Tavern in Bardstown, Kentucky. Per the outlet, the venue is rumored to be haunted.

“My wedding is a dream finally coming true,” Slaton reportedly told the outlet. “I’m getting my happily ever after!”

PEOPLE adds that the theme of the couple’s wedding was “Victorian meets light gray meets dusty blue and white.” Furthermore, for the special occasion, Slaton dyed her hair pink, per her now-husband’s request, and she donned a “Victorian style updo.” Additionally, her gown featured flower and vine beading details.

“Getting married means that I’m no longer lonely because I’ve discovered my soulmate, Brian, is my happy place! Once you get to know him, you’ll find him to be the sweetest, most caring person you’ll ever have the pleasure of knowing! Not only did he capture my heart, but he also won over my boys, and not many men out there will accept a single mom with two energetic boys!” she told the outlet. “I adore how he inspires me to be a better version of myself! How he prioritizes my well-being and that of my boys, selflessly putting our needs before his own! He is always enthusiastic about exploring new horizons with us or simply enjoying quality time indoors, playing games with the boys!”

To note, Slaton shares two sons, Gage, 4, and Glenn, 3, with her ex-husband, Michael Halterman.

Social Media Reacts

Social media users reacted to Amy Slaton tying the knot with Brian Lovvorn in TSR’s comment section.

Instagram user @mz_sashi wrote, “She keep a man. Amy gotta teach me the bedrooms tricks 😂”

While Instagram user @jetsetbrowngirl added, “Congratulations to them because I can’t even get a text back 😢”

Instagram user @baebeeface_haja wrote, “My day one ppl who watched this show. Ya’ll know they both have come such a long way‼️‼️‼️‼️So happy for Amy ❣️❣️❣️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 and proud of Tammy👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾. Go ahead ladies 😍😍😍😍😍.”

While Instagram user @iamm.nessaa added, “good cs michael won’t worth a damn👏🏽”

Instagram user @_lovekaliyah wrote, “One thing about Tammy and Amy they will keep them a man 😂❤️”

While Instagram user @lala_camilla added, “And I can’t even pass a 1 month talking stage with a 🥷🏾 😭”

Instagram user @mslondoncross wrote, “Awwww love this . Mannn I’ve been watching them for YEARSSSS”

While Instagram user @iam_godblessed_ added, “Congratulations to them 👏love is out there for all of us”

Instagram user @lala_camilla wrote, “Lawd everyone finding a husband but me 😭”

Before Getting Married, Here’s What Was Going Down With ‘1,000-Lb. Sisters’ Star Amy Slaton

As The Shade Room previously reported, in March 2023, Michael Halterman filed for divorce from Amy Slaton. At the time, the pair had been married for about four years. Then, in September 2024, Slaton and Brian Lovvorn were visiting a zoo, apparently with children, when a camel bite left the pair facing possession and child endangerment charges.

By the winter of that year, Lovvorn reportedly proposed to Slaton — keeping with their haunted theme and getting down on one knee inside of a haunted house, per PEOPLE.

“Our engagement life may be short, but our marriage will last an eternity!” she reportedly said at the time.

RELATED: Social Media Users React To ‘1000-Lb. Sisters’ Star Tammy Slaton’s NEW LOOK Following Skin Removal Surgery (PHOTO)

What Do You Think Roomies?

[ad_2]

Jadriena Solomon

Source link

November 5, 2025
Internet-famous judge turns every wedding into a party

[ad_1]

When couples come before Dallas Judge Adam Swartz to say “I do,” it’s more than a legal ceremony — it’s a bonafide bash. Janet Shamlian has more.

[ad_2]

Source link

November 3, 2025
Students, staff put on surprise wedding for beloved principal at her New York school

[ad_1]

Buffalo, New York — When Brianna Lanoye and her fiancé Zach Klapp started planning their wedding, they had a hard time whittling down the guest list, Lanoye especially.

She is the principal of the Buffalo Academy of Science, a K-12 charter school in Buffalo, New York, and she kept telling people she wanted to invite the whole school.

“I definitely mentioned it multiple times,” Lanoye told CBS News.

This wasn’t just lip service. She really did want them there. But since that would be impractical, the staff and students got together, in secret, to create the next best thing.

Earlier this month, just a few days before her actual wedding, the staff dressed Lanoye in a makeshift wedding dress and led her into the school courtyard.

“When I exited the building and saw all the students gathered there, I was blown away,” Lanoye said.

The couple in white stood before more than 400 students and staff. The students saw Lanoye and Klapp exchange vows and candy ring pops. And a student officiated the proceedings.

No one in the audience objected to the union, but a few of the students joked with CBS News that

Klapp is not Lanoye’s one, true love.

“She couldn’t stop smiling…She loves the kids more than her husband,” student Sabahat Uddin said.

When CBS News asked Lanoye to confirm or deny the allegations, she just laughed and said the ceremony was everything she could have wanted.

“I love my students more than anything,” Lanoye said. “And I just hope that our students feel as loved as I felt in that moment.”

[ad_2]

Source link

October 24, 2025
Students throw surprise wedding for their beloved principal

[ad_1]

When a principal wished she could invite all her students to her wedding, they made it happen — with a surprise ceremony at school. Steve Hartman has the story in “On the Road.”

[ad_2]

Source link

October 24, 2025
Minnesota couple searching for stolen wedding memento

[ad_1]

Six days after their Oct. 4 wedding at Grand View Lodge, Brianne Wilbury and her husband stopped at Sociable Cider Werks, a favorite date spot. Their car still had “Just Married” on the back window.

“I look over and see a car that says ‘just married,’” Wilbury said. “I thought, oh good for them. Then I realized, that’s my car.”

Wilbury said someone pulled a white car behind theirs, broke the driver’s-side lock, removed the panel by the ignition and started the vehicle with a USB cable.

“It took them about 30 seconds, and then my car was gone,” she said.

The car was later found in the Dinkytown/Marcy-Holmes area, Wilbury said. Several items were missing, including a wood-burned wedding sign her father made and keepsakes the couple collected while living in Colorado.

“I’m happy they found the car, but you only get one of them,” Wilbury said. “My dad could make another, but it wasn’t there. It didn’t see the ceremony.”

Wilbury lost her mother when she was 10. She said the sign mattered because, “it’s not like I can ask my mom to make me a wedding present,” adding, “this was really important — to have something my dad touched and worked on.”

Wilbury says staff and patrons at the cidery tried to help.

“People were already on their phones, ready to call, and the bartender gave us a free round,” Wilbury said.

One person followed the car to try to get a license plate number, she said.

Wilbury isn’t focused on arrests; she wants the sign back.

“If someone does have it, I’d really like it back,” she said. “Even if it’s broken in two pieces — there’s always wood glue.”

“Even if they take my car, they cannot take my marriage,” she said.

[ad_2]

Nick Lunemann

Source link

October 21, 2025
Taylor Swift NOT Bringing Travis Kelce To Selena Gomez’s Wedding: SOURCE – Perez Hilton

[ad_1]

Hold on to your flower crowns, Swifties and Selenators, because wedding bells are ringing — but not for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. Not yet, at least!

While Taylor’s longtime pal Selena Gomez is saying “I do” to Benny Blanco this weekend just outside Santa Barbara in what’s shaping up to be one of the most A-list-packed events of the year, a key plus-one won’t be making the cut. And no, it’s not by choice. Not according to one key insider, that is.

Related: Swift Fans React To NFL Star Getting Cut From Team After Nasty Comments About Her & Travis!

Word on the Montecito mansion grapevine is that Swift will be attending Selena’s wedding solo — despite her recent engagement to NFL hunk Kelce. That’s right. Swift, queen of the girl squad and unofficial maid of honor at every celebrity event, will be rolling up to bestie Selena’s ultra-exclusive, security-cloaked nuptials without her Super Bowl champion fiancé.

But why?? Well, blame it on the fall football schedule! An insider told DailyMail.com:

“Taylor is planning to attend but she’ll probably be going solo as Travis has a game in Kansas the next day. That’s all still under discussion.”

Unless Travis Kelce plans to teleport from Santa Barbara to Arrowhead Stadium overnight (spoiler: he won’t!), he’s sitting this one out. He’s got business to attend to in KC this weekend against the Baltimore Ravens! And some might say he really needs to buckle down on the gridiron this time around.

Meanwhile, Selena is playing it cool and classic, opting for a private estate in Montecito and locking things down tighter than the vault at Taylor’s recording sessions. With Mindy Weiss (the same event planner behind Kardashian extravaganzas) at the helm, this wedding is peak Hollywood hush-hush. Even the caterers are being kept in the dark until go-time. No, seriously. The insider explained:

“Even caterers won’t be told until Saturday. They will be preparing food elsewhere then bring it in last minute. All other deliveries will be on the same schedule as the caterers.”

Wow!

As you’ll no doubt recall, Selena and the 37-year-old got engaged back in December, and now they are reportedly sparing no expense when it comes to getting hitched. Guests will be partying at a tented compound in Montecito, with accommodations at the ritzy El Encanto resort, where rooms start at $1,000 per night.

The guest list is something, too. Paris Hilton has been invited. And Meryl Streep was originally “planning to attend but told Selena she now won’t be able to,” according to a source in that DM report. But don’t worry! The 33-year-old’s Only Murders In The Building besties Martin Short and Steve Martin are in. As for the afterparty? Snoop Dogg will be on hand to keep the vibes rolling. Yes, really. Loves it!!

Click HERE for more A-list guest deets from our previous reporting.

What do U make of Travis likely skipping out on the event?! Share your reactions in the comments (below)…

[Image via Selena Gomez/Instagram/WENN]

[ad_2]

Perez Hilton

Source link

September 26, 2025
This Couple Got Married in the Alps…and Brought Their Sisters Along | Cup of Jo

[ad_1]

After getting engaged, Kelsey Row and Ali Reed felt reluctant about hosting a big wedding, so when they stumbled across a photographer who specialized in Alpine elopements, they jumped at the chance. The couple packed wedding outfits and hiking boots, invited their sisters, and set off for a weekend in the mountains…

DAY BEFORE WEDDING

Ali (left) and Kelsey

Kelsey: The day before our wedding ceremony, we took a long hike to three different alpine lakes. Our photographer Cat helped coordinate our elopement — she asked us what we envisioned, recommended hikes, and found a great bakery. It was nice to be working with someone who knew the terrain so well.

Kelsey: We thought, Why not get married with our sisters by our sides? The four of us are around the same age, quite similar in many ways, and very close. It felt really special.

Kelsey: I felt a lot of hesitancy to get in the glacial lake. It was freezing but super fun.

Ali: Then we had lunch at a restaurant on the mountain and kept hiking.

Ali: Before we came to Austria, we figured there was no way it could be as beautiful as it is in pictures. But it was even more beautiful in person.

WEDDING DAY

Kelsey: We stayed in an apartment in the city of Innsbruck, Austria. One of my favorite parts of the day was getting ready together. We are not morning people, so we slept until nine, did each other’s hair and makeup, and had mimosas with our sisters. It was nice not to have a tight schedule and worry about a lot of guests.

Ali: We finished getting ready separately, so we could do a proper first look.

Ali: I found a jumpsuit with a cape for $98 and joked that I was yielding the rest of our dress budget to Kelsey. She had me guess beforehand what I thought her dress would look like, and I was totally wrong. I was thinking lacy and boho, and she had silk goddess vibes. It felt awesome to turn around and see her.

Kelsey: After our first look, we met up with our sisters and hiked to a lake for the wedding ceremony and a picnic.

Ali: Since our parents weren’t physically there with us, we asked both sets to write something, and then our sisters read their letters aloud. We laughed, then cried, and then laughed at the fact that we were crying.

Kelsey: Then Ali and I said our vows.
Ali: We took a few long pauses to just soak in the moment. It felt like the whole world stood still.

Kelsey: Hilariously, I forgot to bring water when packing for the picnic, so we only had Champagne to drink.

Kelsey: Ali and I covered our sister’s expenses, and then, after the wedding, we all took trains together around Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. Two weeks with four people in Europe — a once-in-a-lifetime trip — was still much cheaper than the quotes we were getting for larger weddings in the U.S.

Ali: Getting legally married in Austria was complicated, so we signed our marriage certificate with Kelsey’s sister at a random airport bar before we flew abroad. Now, whenever we’re at the airport, we’ll pass the bar and be like, ‘That’s where we officially got married!’

P.S. A wedding at home, and how would you make your wedding feel true to you?

(Wedding photography and planning by Wild Connections Photography.)

31 COMMENTS

[ad_2]

Alex Ronan

Source link

September 24, 2025
Charli XCX and George Daniel Had A Huge Wedding Celebration In Sicily

[ad_1]

For the second time this year, singer Charli xcx and The 1975 drummer George Daniel have walked down the aisle. The pair, who have been together for three years, were married in an official ceremony in July held at London’s Hackney Town Hall, an intimate event attended by Daniel’s bandmates (save Matty Healy) and a few other close friends. (A follow-up party, held at a nearby bar, made headlines for offering “trays of cigs,” and a no social media policy.)

George Daniel and Charli XCX.

JMEnternational/Getty Images

Since then, it’s been rumored that a second, bigger bash was in the cards, and a Friday Instagram post from Charli xcx that depicted the couple and various friends gathering in Sicily sent expectations of a destination wedding into overdrive.

Charli XCX and George Daniel

CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

The ceremony was reportedly held at Tonnara Di Scopello, a small hotel in the coastal village of Scopello, Sicily. The bride wore a form-fitting, sheer white gown, while the groom donned a tan, double-breasted suit. The pair walked down the aisle to Enrique Iglesias‘s 2001 hit “Hero,” according to reports. (Vanity Fair has reached out to Charli xcx’s representatives for additional details of the ceremony.)

A spokesperson confirms that the bride wore a custom gown by New York designer Danielle Frankel, a bias-cut chiffon slip dress with spaghetti straps and an elongated train, made with ivory silk. Its internal bustier was overlaid with transparent chiffon and layers of bias-cut ribbons; its train featured hand embroidered organza micro petals and baroque pearls.

The duo were spotted walking arm in arm to the venue, reports The Sun, which characterized Daniel as “visibly emotional” as he read his vows. An afterparty for the couple was reportedly packed with champagne—and, based on their last party, we can likely assume that there were also cigarettes aplenty.

[ad_2]

Eve Batey

Source link

September 14, 2025
Why a Cincinnati bride’s landlord walked her down the aisle: “Like a wound had been healed in my heart”

[ad_1]

Cincinnati, Ohio — If Shacole Fox’s wedding processional last month in Cincinnati, Ohio, had been typical, the man walking her down the aisle would have been her father, a close relative, or even a good friend. Not Fox’s landlord.

“Right? I wouldn’t have thought in a million years,” Fox told CBS News of her decision to have her landlord, 79-year-old Gil Pulliam, do the honor.

Gil Pulliam walks Shacole Fox down the aisle at her wedding in Cincinnati, Ohio. August 2025.

YH Photography

Fox works as a makeup artist with a studio space in Cincinnati that is owned by Pulliam, a no-nonsense man.

And yet, he can also be incredibly tender-hearted.

Fox never knew her father. She thought she didn’t care and wouldn’t miss something she never felt she had. But as her wedding day approached, Fox says she started to feel a void.

“When I thought about who would walk me down the aisle, trying to figure out what that looks like, the thought of it was like…surprisingly painful,” said an emotional Fox.

Of course, Fox never told her landlord that. But he knew her family situation and had a gut feeling.

“So I went back up to ask Shacole if I could escort her down the aisle,” Pulliam said. “And she said, ‘Yes, yes, yes!’ And on and on and on.”

Gil Pulliam walks Shacole Fox down the aisle at her wedding in Cincinnati, Ohio. August 2025.

YH Photography

“The music is playing — and I’m getting ready to walk down the aisle — and he grabbed my hand so tight,” Fox said. “And it was a really good feeling…Yeah, it still is. Like a wound had been healed in my heart.”

Fox now has a husband, Victor. But she says she also added another family member on her wedding day, Pulliam, the father-figure who stepped up and stood beside her like all good fathers do.

More from CBS News

Steve Hartman

Steve Hartman is a CBS News correspondent. He brings viewers moving stories from the unique people he meets in his weekly award-winning feature segment “On the Road.”

[ad_2]

Source link

September 12, 2025
Orlando Bloom Opens Up About Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Wedding

[ad_1]

Orlando Bloom addressed what it was like to attend Amazon chairman Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s star-studded wedding over the summer.

Speaking to London’s The Times in an interview published on Friday, September 5, Bloom, 48, admitted it was “wild” to be part of the couple’s three days of wedding festivities in Venice, Italy, in June. While attending the highly-publicized nuptials, Bloom partied with Leonardo DiCaprio, Kris Jenner and the Kardashians, Tom Brady, Sydney Sweeney and Eva Longoria, among many other high-profile public figures.

The actor mentioned that he had a preexisting relationship with Bezos, as Amazon produced his streaming projects, Carnival Row and Deep Cover.

“When you’re in a position like that, people want to have multiple opinions and actually I just take people on face value,” he said of Bezos.. “The person that I know [Bezos] is remarkably gracious and cool and wise and fun to be around.”

Related: Orlando Bloom Steps Out in Venice After Jeff Bezos’ Wedding

Orlando Bloom is taking in the sights of Venice after attending Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s Italian nuptials. Bloom, 48, sported an oversized black T-shirt and a coordinating pair of short shorts as he went for a walk on Saturday, June 28. He completed his look with a matching baseball cap and a pair of […]

The two men also share a link through Bloom’s former fiancée Katy Perry, who took part in the Bezos-funded Blue Origin space flight with Sánchez in April.

Asked whether he’d ever take part in one of Bezos’ Blue Origin flights, Bloom laughed and told the U.K. outlet, “I don’t know about that.”

Us Weekly exclusively reported that Bloom was one of many notable guests to attend Bezos and Sánchez’s pajama-themed, post-wedding bash on a small island outside of Venice. The night included music from DJ Cassidy performing with a full orchestra and a headlining concert from Usher.

In between the music sets, guests relaxed on velvet couches and lounge chairs to match the P.J. theme and dined on a lavish Italian buffet with various pastas and cannolis. A source confirmed to Us that Bloom “didn’t leave the dance floor for hours” during the celebration.

“[Bloom] was in full party mood,” an insider recalled.

Orlando Bloom ahead of the Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez wedding. Luigi Iorio/GC Images

Perry was not in attendance for the wedding weekend, though Sánchez reached out to Perry via Instagram prior to the event to say she’d “miss” her at the festivities.

The Venice wedding occurred two days after Us Weekly reported on June 25 that Perry and Bloom ended their engagement after nearly 10 years together. (Bloom proposed to Perry in 2019 and their daughter, Daisy, arrived in August 2020.)

“Orlando and Katy have been shifting their relationship over the past many months to focus on coparenting,” the former couple told Us in a joint statement on July 3. “They will continue to be seen together as a family, as their shared priority is — and always will be — raising their daughter with love, stability and mutual respect.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

The Pirates of the Caribbean actor broke his silence about splitting from Perry during an interview on NBC’s Today on Friday, September 5, where he assured anchor Craig Melvin that he and Perry were in a good place.

Related: Relive Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom’s Relationship Timeline Pre-Split

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom’s relationship included a nude paddleboarding session, a meeting with the pope and just about everything in between before they split in June 2025. The singer and the actor dated from January 2016 to March 2017 before briefly calling it quits. They were officially back together by February 2018, and one […]

“I’m great, man. I’m so grateful. We have the most beautiful daughter,” he told Melvin. “You know, when you leave everything on the field, like I did in [new movie The Cut], I feel grateful for all of it. … We’re great [and] we’re going to be great. It’s nothing but love.”

Bloom also used his appearance on Today to shut down speculation that he used the weight loss drug Ozempic to shed 52 pounds before playing a boxer in The Cut. He stars in the Sean Ellis-direct sports drama — which is now playing in theaters — as a boxer undergoing grueling training in order to challenge for a championship.

[ad_2]

Justin Harp

Source link

September 6, 2025
The Motor Enclave Announces Race to the Altar Essay Contest, Gifting a Wedding to One Deserving Couple
[ad_1]
TAMPA, Fla., February 14, 2025 (Newswire.com)
–
The Motor Enclave announced its Race to the Altar: Ultimate Wedding Experience Essay Contest to give one deserving couple an all-expenses-paid wedding in the next 90 days at The Motor Enclave Tampa.

The Contest, in partnership with local vendors, is set to provide the ultimate wedding experience valued at over $50,000 including everything from the venue to flowers, photography, catering, and more.

Couples are invited to enter the Contest by submitting an essay describing their love story, why they deserve the ultimate race-to-the-altar-style wedding, and how they envision their big day at the most unique wedding venue in Tampa. The Contest is open now through Feb. 28, 2025, 5 p.m. ET.

How to Enter: Entries will be accepted online only at www.themotorenclave.com.To enter, visit the Contest website during the Contest Period by logging on to www.themotorenclave.com/weddings. Follow the on-screen instructions and complete the entry form by providing all of the information and required materials for entry into the Contest. Each Contestant’s entry must include an entry form that includes the couple’s full names, city of residence, contact information, and an essay that tells us your love story and why you should be the lucky couple selected to receive an all-inclusive wedding for up to 100 people at The Motor Enclave in Tampa, FL, as indicated in the entry submission.

What’s Included:

The winning couple will receive:
- A beautiful venue at The Motor Enclave for the ceremony and reception with thrill rides for 100 guests.
- A wedding dress complimentary of David’s Bridal, catering for up to 100 guests complimentary of Puff ‘n Stuff, hair and make-up from Bella Balanced Brides, $1,000 credit towards wedding bands at International Diamond Center, florals complimentary of Posey Exchange, a Hardrock Hotel Stay and Couples Massage at the Rock Spa, a wedding cake from Alessi’s bakery, a wedding package from Mooi Social, and full photo & video coverage.
- Full coordination and planning services to ensure the day runs smoothly. And much more!
The wedding must take place within 60 days of the announcement of the winning couple, ensuring the couple’s dream wedding is realized in a short and exciting time frame.

“We are excited to offer this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a couple to start their journey together at The Motor Enclave,” said Brad Oleshansky, founder and CEO of The Motor Enclave. “Our community of passionate wedding vendors is thrilled to collaborate to make this wedding unforgettable, and we can’t wait to read all the amazing stories from couples who are ready to celebrate their love.”

“With our 40-year history in Florida, we have been committed to serving our community, local charities, schools and organizations in various ways,” said Lauren Balden, Director of Sales of Puff ‘n Stuff. “In partnership with The Motor Enclave, we are committed to bringing a ray of sunshine to those who have endured the devastating impact of the hurricane. We are proud to offer our service to support those in need, turning their dreams into reality and providing a moment of joy and celebration amid the challenges they have faced. Together, we can rebuild hope, one beautiful wedding at a time.”

Deadline for Entries: All Entries must be submitted by Feb. 28, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET. Essays will be judged based on four criteria including uniqueness, creativity, effectiveness, literary style, grammar and spelling. Contest Judges will independently evaluate and judge all eligible entries received and select a winning couple on or about March 3, 2025.

For more information and to submit an entry, please visit The Motor Enclave’s website.

About The Motor Enclave:

The Motor Enclave is the premier developer of experiential motorsports venues in North America. Our 200-acre development in Tampa, Florida, includes a 1.72-mile Hermann Tilke-designed Driving Circuit, a two-acre Vehicle Dynamics Pad, a 100-acre Off-Road experience with miles of purpose-built trails, a 37,000-square-foot corporate Event Center and the largest Private Garage Community in the World. Every adrenaline-filled detail has been designed and engineered around delivering memorable experiences to our owners/members, corporate clients and the general public.

Source: The Motor Enclave
[ad_2]

Source link
February 14, 2025
7 Business Lessons I Learned While Planning My Daughter’s Wedding | Entrepreneur

[ad_1]

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

My 26-year-old daughter recently got married. I’ve been to dozens of weddings and have enjoyed them, but this was the first time I was involved in putting a wedding together. In the months of planning for this week with my wife, I learned seven valuable lessons that can relate to business.

We thought about having a traditional wedding, so we searched for a wedding venue to hold the reception. However, we ran into a problem. Our guest list included about 500 of our closest friends — most of them were my daughter’s network of fans, friends, students and others.

Paying $50-$150 per plate for a reception venue was out of our budget for that many people. We had a choice: We could whittle down the list or put the wedding together ourselves. We did both.

We got the guest list down to 300 people, and to still save as much money as we could, we did the wedding ourselves. My wife was the wedding coordinator, and I was her assistant.

What does a DIY wedding look like? Well, we bought custom stickers and placed 400 stickers of the bride and groom on 400 water bottles. We borrowed vases from friends and had many of our own from previous events. One of our friends is a design hobbyist, so she made dozens of table settings and bouquets from real flowers and fake flowers. I could go on.

However, what was MOST important about planning this wedding were the lessons I learned in doing it:

Related: 8 Important Lessons From Leading Entrepreneurs

1. Communication is essential

We had several WhatsApp groups to facilitate communication. We had regular meetings for status updates and planning various elements of the wedding. My wife and I were in constant communication. We went to the venue, our church, many times to prepare and plan.

Poor communication is one of the biggest barriers to success. Miscommunication and misunderstanding will sink your business.

Maybe my wife asked me to “put vases on the table,” but I didn’t ask which vases. This can result in the wrong vases being on the wrong tables.

Your business is the same. Communicate clearly — in fact, when the task is highly important, you should over-communicate.

2. Be clear on the goals you’re trying to accomplish

As we went through the weeks leading up to the wedding, we kept in mind the key goals we needed to accomplish. We knew the bride and groom had to get married — that was most important. Other goals we had were good food and a fun environment, among other things.

Your business is the same.

Be clear on what goals you want to accomplish in your business, including the various projects and tasks that are a part of your business. If you’re not clear on your goals, it’s going to be very hard to know what success looks like and how to even be successful.

3. Get help

While my wife shouldered the bulk of responsibilities for the planning of the wedding with my support, we could not have done the wedding by ourselves. We had friends and family helping us at various stages of the wedding.

One couple helped us for weeks leading up to the wedding. Other friends also offered assistance on the day of and in the weeks before the wedding.

Running your business is the same. It’s very difficult to serve your customers and grow your business if it’s just you. Seek help by building a team, and seek help from friends, mentors and even your family. You’ll need help in different ways from different people.

Help could take the form of paying a lawyer to help you draft a legal agreement the right way. Help could take the form of a good business friend giving you advice on a new hire.

Don’t be afraid to get help in starting and growing your business.

4. Who you partner with is important to your success (or failure)

My wife and I were partners in ensuring a successful wedding. We trust each other and do our best to work together. It’s the same in business.

In order for a partnership to be successful, you must understand what’s important to your partner. Understand how they communicate and their styles of working.

A partner can be a POWERFUL asset to your business as they can help offload the thinking and actual work that needs to be done in order to grow a business. However, the wrong partner can be detrimental to your business.

Related: 25 Lessons Business School Won’t Ever Teach You

5. Prioritization is essential — Don’t major on the minors, and don’t minor on the majors

Prioritization is important, especially as the complexity of your projects increases. There’s only so much you can get done in a given day. Time is finite. Hence, being able to prioritize is essential. In preparing for the wedding, we had to constantly prioritize. For example, today, we’re going to set up tables. Tomorrow, we’ll set up vases. As we got closer to the wedding, we had to “let go” of some things and scale back on other things.

You’ll need to do this in your business as well.

What needs to be done TODAY? What can wait until later? What MUST be done this quarter, and what can be held off to another day?

As you work with others, also understand that YOUR priority might not be their priority. Hence, having shared goals and an understanding of what’s important to you, your partner and/or your team is important.

6. Who are the stakeholders?

For the wedding, we knew there were several important people or groups of people we had to consider. The bride and groom were the most important. The groom’s parents were also important, so we had to consider their needs and concerns. We also had to think about our church ministry and their concerns and needs for the wedding.

Your business is the same. You’re NEVER solo in your business. There’s you, your employees (or team members), your customers, possibly government agencies, vendors and others.

Consider the stakeholders who are important to the success of your business, and think about their needs and concerns.

Related: 5 Lessons From The Most Successful Entrepreneurs

7. Get advice from others

Critical to the wedding’s success was our wedding coordination team. This team was made up of my sister, my daughter’s best friend, my wife, my daughter, my daughter’s fiance and me!

We had regular meetings with this team to get their input and their help with much of the planning for the wedding — cake, clothes, housing and so much more.

You also need advisors in your business. You can get advice from peers who are fellow business owners. You can get advice from books and podcasts. You can join a mentorship community. You can also hire a consultant to guide you with certain aspects of your business.

My daughter’s wedding was a success, and now you know why. A wedding is a one-day event. However, your business can take years to grow and be successful. You can’t build a successful business alone — it takes guidance, purposeful planning and a bit of luck.

[ad_2]

Ramon Ray

Source link

October 16, 2024
Couple marries for a second time following hospital wedding

[ad_1]

One North Carolina couple didn’t say ‘I do’ to each other just once, but twice within the last few months.After a medical emergency this past May, Megan and Aiden Nault ended up unconventionally tying the knot in the hospital.That’s when our sister station WXII 12 first met the couple.Last month, the two finally got the wedding they dreamt of and deserved.”It feels surreal kind of,” Megan said. “Obviously, you don’t expect to marry the same man twice in a row like that.”Their adventure to the altar began in May. On the eve of their wedding, Megan had been experiencing excruciating abdominal pain that required emergency surgery.”We definitely got the sickness and health part down,” Aiden said. “Yeah,” Megan added. “The first was our sickness wedding, this was our health wedding.” Originally, the two got married on the night of their rehearsal dinner during Megan’s hospital stay. While the wedding was lovely, Megan knew she still wanted that fairytale ending.So, on July 20, they both got the wedding they had always dreamt of. “Everyone asks if it was as special as the first time,” Megan said. “And I’d say yes, 100 percent. Knowing everything we went through and getting to the venue. in the moment, in the dress. It was the perfect moment. I got emotional just being outside getting to do this– it was just great.”A true testament to ‘in sickness and in health,’ that this couple will remember forever.”It was beautiful,” Aiden said. “That we finally got the perfect ending we wanted.”The couple plans to go on an official honeymoon sometime next year to somewhere tropical.

WILKES COUNTY, N.C. —

One North Carolina couple didn’t say ‘I do’ to each other just once, but twice within the last few months.

After a medical emergency this past May, Megan and Aiden Nault ended up unconventionally tying the knot in the hospital.

That’s when our sister station WXII 12 first met the couple.

Last month, the two finally got the wedding they dreamt of and deserved.

“It feels surreal kind of,” Megan said. “Obviously, you don’t expect to marry the same man twice in a row like that.”

Their adventure to the altar began in May. On the eve of their wedding, Megan had been experiencing excruciating abdominal pain that required emergency surgery.

“We definitely got the sickness and health part down,” Aiden said.

“Yeah,” Megan added. “The first was our sickness wedding, this was our health wedding.”

Originally, the two got married on the night of their rehearsal dinner during Megan’s hospital stay.

While the wedding was lovely, Megan knew she still wanted that fairytale ending.

So, on July 20, they both got the wedding they had always dreamt of.

“Everyone asks if it was as special as the first time,” Megan said. “And I’d say yes, 100 percent. Knowing everything we went through and getting to the venue. in the moment, in the dress. It was the perfect moment. I got emotional just being outside getting to do this– it was just great.”

A true testament to ‘in sickness and in health,’ that this couple will remember forever.

“It was beautiful,” Aiden said. “That we finally got the perfect ending we wanted.”

The couple plans to go on an official honeymoon sometime next year to somewhere tropical.

[ad_2]

Source link

August 11, 2024
Spend Your Vacation With Noué Kirwan’s Frequent Fliers

[ad_1]

The adult romances this summer have been checking all our boxes! We at THP love to explore rich stories and characters, and today’s no different. We’re excited to review Noué Kirwan’s latest novel, Frequent Fliers.

Frequent Fliers by Noué Kirwan follows Melanie “Lanie” Turner, a woman who somehow becomes the best mate/maid of honor at her cousin Gemma’s wedding. Oh, and Gemma’s marrying Lanie’s lifelong crush Jonah. As Lanie travels between New York City and London to plan the wedding, she repeatedly runs into a handsome, no-nonsense seatmate named Dr. Ridley Aronsen.

Can Lanie make things work with Ridley? Or will they just barely miss the right timing? We won’t keep you waiting too long. Here are three things we love about Frequent Fliers by Noué Kirwan!

Image Source: HarperCollins Publishers

Book Overview: Frequent Fliers

Content Warnings: parental abandonment, parental neglect, anxiety, and panic attacks, mention of partner death, mention of terminal disease, divorce, mention of cheating

Summary: Lanie Turner has some loose ends:
– A nearly complete PhD.
– A job she basically enjoys.
– And a lifelong crush…that she’s almost gotten over.

On a trip to reunite with her family in England—and said crush, Jonah—Lanie intends to take care of one of those items. Her favorite cousin, Gemma, is engaged…to Jonah. And they want Lanie to be both their maid of honor and best “mate” at the wedding. It’s the perfect opportunity to prove the pitying gazes wrong: she’s over Jonah. Really.

As Lanie travels between New York City and London to help with wedding prep, she befriends her handsome seatmate. Dr. Ridley Aronsen—a widower and single father—is prickly at first, but feisty Lanie reminds him of a more carefree time in his life. And after a steamy layover in Iceland, the pair take a direct flight from seatmates to lovers. Ridley even agrees to be her plus-one for the wedding. For once, everything seems to be falling into place.

But Lanie’s used to getting hurt, and Ridley finds opening up difficult. How will a long-distance relationship even work once Lanie’s back in NYC permanently? It’s easy enough to let one more loose thread unravel…after all, life’s problems seem tiny from thirty-five thousand feet in the air.

Tough Conversations

We absolutely love Frequent Fliers for the way it addresses finding love after loss. It’s been almost three years since Ridley lost his wife, Thyra. Then, when he meets Lanie, he hesitates to open up about his family and reveal the truth about his late wife and 14-year-old daughter, Beatrix. But Ridley starts to care for and love Lanie faster than he can tell Bea. And the reality is this: introducing a new partner to his daughter takes a lot more difficult conversations, parenting, and breakdowns than he could’ve expected.

Lanie’s Development

The main character’s development is our next reason for loving Noué Kirwan’s Frequent Fliers. Lanie’s past relationships have taught her not to expect the good in people. She’s gotten used to people finding any reason not to be with her anymore. But Lanie learns that she needs to love and value herself and be the most important person in her life before committing to someone else. Lanie’s romance with Ridley shows that someone loves her enough to stay and find her no matter where she goes.

The Wedding

Are we suckers for big wedding celebrations in books? Yes, and we have no shame in admitting that! Gemma and Jonah’s wedding in Frequent Fliers comes and goes with minimal issues, thanks to Lanie being at the helm. But the whole time, she’s anxiously awaiting Ridley’s response after she confessed her love in a drunken voicemail. We love that the author didn’t skip to the end immediately after the wedding and actually took more time to develop Lanie and Ridley’s relationship and find its true happy ending.

Noué Kirwan’s Frequent Fliers offers us a unique, emotional, and relatable story about showing up for loved ones and finding love after loss.

Frequent Fliers by Noué Kirwan is out August 13th, and you can preorder a copy of it here!

What do you think about Noué Kirwan’s Frequent Fliers? Do you have it on your TBR? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NOUÉ KIRWAN:
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE

Like this:

Like Loading…

[ad_2]

Julie Dam

Source link

August 5, 2024