How Carol Found Her Perfect Match: A Love Story of Hope and Surprise
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Today, I want to share a good Love Story with you.
My client Carol’s journey from dating disappointments to finding true love is a heartwarming tale of patience, personal growth, and unexpected joy.
Carol met a guy who, at first glance, seemed like just another forgettable encounter—one more “dud” in the dating world.
As they spent more time together, Carol began to notice wonderful qualities in him that she hadn’t initially seen—his genuine kindness, delightful sense of humor, and an unassuming depth of deep character.
Their relationship blossomed in the most surprising ways, proving that sometimes the best connections are hidden beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered.
Fast forward to today where Carol and her partner are now joyfully planning their wedding, ready to embark on a new chapter of their lives together.
Carol’s story is a good reminder that love often finds us when we least expect it, and that the right person can transform an unordinary date into a lifetime of happiness and companionship.
It’s a testament to the power of giving nice guys a chance, keeping an open heart, and embracing the magic that can unfold when we look beyond first impressions.
If you’re ready to find your own unexpected journey to happiness, I’d love to help. Click here to begin your path to finding true love.
Believing in You!
Your Next Steps to Love after 50. . . .
💞 Feeling like you are on a merry-go-round of mismatched dates? Lets press pause and talk about how we can write a new love story for you. Click here to start our conversation. Tell me your story – I am here to listen and guide you towards meeting someone truly special.
If you are still gearing up for that step, I have plenty of insights and inspiration for you:
1. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for heartfelt dating wisdom and uplifting success stories from women who have been just where you are. They found love, and so can you. Click here to watch and learn.
2. Discover a new chapter in your dating life with my book, “The Winning Dating Formula.” It is more than a book; it is your journey to love mapped out. And it is just a click away on Amazon. Click here and start attracting the love you deserve.
3. Join our Finding Love after 50 Facebook group to find camaraderie and connection. It is a warm and welcoming space to share your journey and receive support every step of the way. Click here to become part of our community.
4. On the lookout for a dating site that resonates with you? Browse through my personal selection of the best dating sites tailor-made for fabulous over 50s. Click here and say goodbye to guesswork.
Let these resources be your steppingstones to a love life filled with promise and joy. When you are ready, I am here to take that journey with you. Together, lets find your Mr. Right! 🌹
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Oh, Olivia Culpo. How I wanted to pore over your wedding content in the deepest of green envy. You had it all: the hot football player husband, the equally It-Girl sisters, the star attendees. You could’ve had a Sofia Richie moment, and instead we’re here.
On June 29, 2024, Miss Universe and model Olivia Culpo and star running back for the San Francisco 49ers Christian McCaffrey invited their A-List friends to Watch Hill, Rhode Island for what was supposed to be the most spectacular wedding of the year.
As pictures slowly leaked – and with Vogue onsite for full access – the Culpo-McCaffrey union had potential to be the Pinterest wedding of your dreams. Everyone wanted to see the bride. Olivia Culpo has become a true style icon for her throngs of followers – regularly posting TikToks getting ready for McCaffrey’s games throwing on “cool girl” outfits.
So when her army of umbrellas fell and the world saw her first wedding dress…everyone was left with the same reaction: that’s it???!!!
Surely, this must’ve been a ruse. No way would the Olivia Culpo be dressed in a full-coverage, long-sleeve, high-neck Dolce & Gabbana wedding gown. No, there had to be something else and the public wasn’t allowed to take a glimpse yet.
But, actually, that dress was chosen by Culpo as the dress of her dreams. And although she had three dresses in total (yes, all equally tacky or underwhelming for different reasons), social media full-on exploded. And Culpo and McCaffrey have made things exponentially worse.
Well, there isn’t just one issue at hand. The first is the dress itself: are we serious? Dolce & Gabbana is not the luxury brand I’d turn to for modern conservatism.
First and foremost, Dolce & Gabbana isn’t exactly free of controversy. If you want the people to take you seriously, maybe don’t choose the brand that Elton John called to be canceled in 2015 for making comments against gay parenting.
It’s the middle of summer. If I’m getting married on the East Coast at the end of June, I’m going to be in something strapless. You bet your bottom dollar I’m showing a bit of clavicle. Because it’s hot and I don’t want to be miserable.
But for Culpo, that was the whole point. And misery loves company it seems. You see, Olivia Culpo defended the dress by saying she didn’t want to “exude sex in any way, shape, or form.” She believes your wedding dress should be “serious” enough to match your “commitment.”
“When I think about Christian and what he loves and the moments that he thinks that I’m most beautiful, it’s absolutely in something like this: timeless, covered, and elegant.
And isn’t there something so Handmaid’s Tale about wanting to be covered for your husband? I genuinely thought we were past this point in life. But hey, back to the 1950s we go!
Even more ironic is that, for the reception, Culpo changes into (essentially) a bodysuit with a mesh bubble wrapped around her waist. When stylist Kennedy Bingham made a viral TikTok response to Culpo’s fashion choices, Culpo got angry. And so did McCaffrey.
From Culpo: “Wow what an absolutely evil person you are. I hope no one ever tears you apart in this way because it’s extremely hurtful. I love this dress and it was everything I wanted and more.”
From McCaffrey: “What an evil thing to post online. I hope you can find joy and peace in the world, the way my beautiful wife does.”
I think “evil” may be two public figures name-calling a content creator for speaking the truth about the public’s opinion…but hey! Who am I to judge? (I say seething with judgment.)
The Drama Continues
But Kennedy Bingham ruffled one too many feathers for Culpo and her court, it seems. Not only does Culpo berate Bingham for her evil acts, but she goes on to say that millions of people wear Dolce…she’s not the only one!
And while that may be a redeeming quality for Dolce in Culpo’s eyes, Bingham was quick to point out otherwise:
“They are not just a designer to you, they are a coworker … I’m also not saying YOU’RE anything. I’m saying that your actions allude to a certain mindset that you aren’t doing anything to contradict.”
And one more solid point that Bingham presents Culpo’s emphasis on her natural makeup look. Yes, she makes the brave move of skipping out on mascara (but is wearing a full set of lashes) and ditches the lip liner (a dose of filler will do instead) for a more “natural” look.
I will hold for stifled laughter and eye rolls. Yes, the former Miss Universe who is no stranger to Botox and filler wanted you to focus on natural beauty. And look, I’m not saying she’s ugly by any means or needs any further work done…but when you’re preaching natural beauty and realness, please save it.
If you want Botox, get Botox. If you want to wear a parka to your wedding in the middle of the summer, do it. If you want to wear a full beat to your wedding, do it. If you want to wear a bikini, wear a bikini.
But don’t sell false beauty standards and harp on conserving your sexuality for your groom and then make it our problem when people disagree.
The weekend was planned over three months, with Anant’s mother, Nita, recruiting Indian designer Manish Malhotra to be the affair’s creative director.
Before the weekend, a nine-page dress code for the various events was reportedly shared with guests, including guidance for a “jungle fever” look for one event involving the animal rescue the Ambanis founded, with invitees instructed to don their finest animal prints and comfortable shoes. To help attendees look their best, hair and makeup artists were on site, as well as Indian drapists. A cocktail party on the first night, for example, had an “evening in everland” theme. The fashion was as high as the spirits: Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, were reportedly quite taken with a $1 million Richard Mille watch sported by Anant one night, and among Radhika’s looks was a custom Versace gown.
A few days before guests arrived, the families provided meals to their community, feeding 51,000 people and spreading their wealth to their neighbors. During the celebration, guests enjoyed 500 different dishes created by 100 chefs throughout the three days. One memorable venue included a glass palace built for the occasion, meant to evoke the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Palm House, complete with a mini train that guests could ride. Following Rihanna’s performance, the couple stayed out until 7 a.m., Radhika said.
“I wanted to be fun, free, and young,” she told Vogue. “An Indian wedding is incomplete without a lot of dancing.”
The Ambani patriarch is no stranger to throwing a party: In 2018, when daughter Isha got married, he threw another star-studded pre-wedding bash, this one with a performance by Beyoncé. In 2019, for Akash’s pre-wedding in Switzerland, The Chainsmokers and Coldplay’s Chris Martin were among the performers at the celebrations.
And what’s this I’m hearing about a second pre-wedding celebration?
But wait, there’s more! In late May, the couple and around 1,200 of their friends, family, and coworkers—including stylist Law Roach, who recently styled Isha for a Vogue India cover—boarded a cruise ship in Palermo, Italy, for a four-day trip, making stops throughout the Mediterranean.
“It was a retreat for the people that have contributed to our life in different ways,” Radhika told Vogue. “We had people from the ages of six months going up to 90 years.”
The former Miss Universe and the San Francisco 49ers running back exchanged vows in a quiet yet stunning ceremony in Rhode Island over the weekend. Their choice of venue — a chapel in the coastal neighbourhood of Watch Hill — was a nod to McCaffrey’s desire for a traditional church wedding, Culpo shared with Vogue.
For her big day, Culpo rocked a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown that was all about timeless elegance. “I wanted something that felt as serious as that commitment”, she said about her choice, describing the dress as a long-sleeved crepe masterpiece with a crew neck, a full skirt, and a stunning lace veil that stretched nearly five metres.
“I didn’t want it to be overly sexy,” Culpo explained, opting for a natural look with minimal makeup. “It was about feeling effortless and letting the dress speak for itself.”
She added: “I wanted it to feel effortless and as if it’s complimenting me, not overpowering me. There’s so much beauty and simplicity.”
The process of designing the gown was straightforward. The first sketch from the Dolce & Gabbana atelier was nearly identical to the final product. “It was exactly the same as the original sketch,” Culpo said, adding, “This is the first, last and only wedding dress I tried on.”
Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey’s Relationship Timeline
Culpo and McCaffrey, who first sparked dating rumours in May 2019, announced their engagement via a joint Instagram post in April 2023. They shared photos from the romantic proposal during a getaway in Utah, including the moment McCaffrey got down on one knee. Another picture showcased Culpo’s stunning ring, featuring a large oval diamond and epaulette side stones.
“We tried to keep this quiet for as long as possible, but apparently word travels fast,” Culpo wrote on her Instagram Story at the time. “I’m marrying my best friend, I love you so much, fiancé.”
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We recently had the chance to speak with director/writer of one of the most visually stunning projects we’ve seen recently, The Young Wife, along with the film’s star Kiersey Clemons. Poe is known for her work on Selah and the Spades and “The Twilight Zone.”
Source: Courtesy / Republic Pictures
The film is about a young couple who take a unique approach to their wedding day. The film finds Clemons’ character Celestina preparing for her unconventional wedding with her soulmate River. With a storm threatening to unleash around them, Celestina awaits River’s arrival while doing her best to survive the chaos and expectations of their family and friends as all the elements come together to intensify her spiraling panic.
The film also stars Leon Bridges, Kelly Marie Tran, Michaela Watkins with Sheryl Lee Ralph and Judith Light.
“I love love,” Tayarisha Poe told BOSSIP. “I just love watching people be in love together. I don’t like that now, it’s like there’s a pressure to make every wedding like a three day long experience, as opposed to just like — I love this new thing of like ‘Let’s have a brunch wedding and then go home. Like let me go about my day!’ I love a backyard wedding. I just love ceremony.”
“I like when you’re celebrating the two people but not making up for the fact that the bride wasn’t the homecoming queen,” Kiersey Clemons interjected.
“I think a lot of people who got had to have gone through the process of getting married have expressed that to me and when I went through one, I found that weddings are very much for other people, more so than just for the people getting married, which is honestly like totally chill when you go into it with that mindset,” Poe continued. “I also think that when you when you approach it with that mindset there’s something really potentially powerful that can come out of it and this idea of weddings being about a community marrying another community as opposed to two individuals being like narcissists and in love with themselves.”
Source: Courtesy / Republic Pictures
One of the film’s most impactful scenes occurs between Clemons’ Celestina and Judith Light’s character Cookie, who is River’s grandmother. Cookie tells Celly that marriage is when a woman has to kind of break herself into bite sized pieces. We asked Tayarisha Poe about how the message reflects the reality of marriage for many women.
“As a woman I find that it feels like there’s not even freedom within freedom to really choose what you want to do,” Poe told Bossip. “In choosing to get married to a man it feels like, ‘Oh my God am I really gonna like get married to a man? And then like that’s what I’m gonna do? I’m gonna like be at home with my child?’ I do those things because I love those people and those are the people in my life and it makes me happy and it brings me joy and it feels contrary to the ideas of freedom that I thought would feel free. I think that maybe I’m just pushing back against people telling us what to do and maybe freedom for us as women means being able to choose what we want without the pressure of society saying that you choosing that means you have to now do XY and Z.”
Source: Courtesy / Republic Pictures
“I was just blown away when I read the script and I remember my agent talking about it, and she’s like, ‘There’s this movie! There’s this movie! I’m so excited about this movie! You gotta do this!’” Clemons recalled. “I was reading the script understanding why. This story that can feel really melancholy and has this like misty kind of coldness. I get why it would make someone like her feel excited and happy. I obviously saw the lookbook, the deck or whatever before I read the script and I was already a fan of Tayarisha and I was just so excited to seeing all of the the colors and it just reminded me of like the ocean and jellyfish and then to take that feeling and those visuals into reading the words, it was exciting and I cried and I laughed and I really felt like I was Celestina and like I was on the precipice of being this tornado that was going to destroy everything in my path.”
LOCASH’s Preston Brust gearing up to celebrate Jana Kramer’s upcoming nuptials to Allan Russell in Scotland — and he’s already picked out the perfect outfit.
“I actually ordered [a kilt]. It’s camo — I ordered a cam kilt, ” Brust exclusively told Us Weekly at CMA Fest on Saturday, June 8. He is set to attend the July nuptials without the other half of LOCASH, Chris Lucas. “I actually told Chris he should come and bring his wife and we should sing ‘Hometown Home’ at the wedding, and Jana was all about it. And he was like, ‘I’m not going to Scotland.’”
While Lucas said he “never got that invite,” Brust assured his musical partner that it may not be too late to make the performance a reality. “I could get the two of us to sing ‘Hometown Home at the wedding if you agree to it right now,” he told Lucas, who replied, “I’m gonna check my schedule.”
Kramer, 40, and Russell, 43, got engaged in May 2023 after six months of dating. Kramer went on to welcome their first child, son Roman, that November. (She also shares kids Jolie, 8, and Jace, 5, with her ex-husband Mike Caussin.)
Jana Kramer’s relationship with soccer coach Allan Russell started out slow, but the pair’s connection was hard to deny for long. “I don’t know if this is my forever person. … But, like, I’m not going to push away love just because I’ve been hurt before. I’m going to embrace it,” the One Tree Hill […]
In addition to teasing that there are “gonna be so many” country stars at the couple’s nuptials, Preston told Us he and his wife, Kristen Brust, are turning the wedding weekend into a mini vacation. (Kramer cohosts her “Whine Down” podcast with Kristen and Kathryn Woodard.)
“We’re gonna go over a couple days early. We’ve never done anything like this since we’ve been married, really,” he explained. “We got to go to The Bahamas one time for, like, a weekend.”
Preston Brust, Jana Kramer.Getty Images(2)
Lucas hilariously butted in, reminding his fellow LOCASH member that they and their wives “went to Paris” together. “We went to London. We played London, great place, and we had one day off,” he shared. “And we’re like, ‘You know what? Let’s take the girls to Paris.’ They had never been to Paris. And we went, took a train ride there, saw the Eiffel Tower, had a blast in Paris. One of the best days of my life.”
Just as Brust is getting ready to travel across the pond for Kramer’s big day, she is putting the final touches on her wedding preparations. Earlier this month, Kramer exclusively told Us that she has said “yes” to her wedding dress and revealed the roles her kids will take on for the “very small” ceremony.
Jana Kramer and Mike Caussin are still making every moment count with their daughter, Jolie, and son Jace despite their split. The former couple welcomed Jolie one year after tying the knot in 2015, followed by Jace in 2018. In September 2019, Kramer exclusively told Us Weekly that Jace’s birth helped improve her relationship with […]
“Jolie’s going to be the flower girl. Jace is the ring bearer,” she shared. “And Roman’s just going to be the little pumpkin with his little kilt.”
Kramer went on to tell Us that she’s “gotten it wrong a few times” when it comes to love, having previously been married three times, but knows she’s found her perfect partner in Russell. “I do believe in love and I’m not ashamed of it because of where I am now,” she added. “I’m grateful to be with Allan and this family, so how could I regret the past?”
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In addition to a trip to Scotland, LOCASH will be traveling to join Kane Brown for a handful of his “In The Air” tour dates. “It’s gonna be a great tour. We did the arenas with him last year, and then he moved us up to the stadiums this year, Preston teased. “So, it’s our first time playing stadiums and we’re pretty pumped up about that.”
Lucas added: “Stadium’s gonna be a little different. And they’re all baseball stadiums too, and [we’re] huge baseball fans. So, we’re playing Fenway [Park], which is awesome, and Arlington [Texas], Coors [Field].”
It’s official – “Stranger Things” star Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi have tied the knot. Bongiovi’s father, rocker Jon Bon Jovi, confirmed the two wed last weekend in an interview with CBS News partner BBC.
Rumors have been swirling in recent days that Brown and Bongiovi had officially married, and when Bon Jovi went onto the BBC’s The One Show on Tuesday, he shed some light on the situation.
“They’re great, they’re absolutely fantastic,” the “Livin’ On a Prayer” singer said. “It was a very small family wedding and the bride looked gorgeous and Jake is as happy as can be. And yeah, it’s true.”
Brown, 20, and Bongiovi, 22, were engaged last year and have been together since 2021. The couple has yet to confirm the wedding themselves.
A source told the tabloid The Sun that parents for both of the newlyweds were in attendance and that they are planning to have a bigger ceremony later in the year. Photos obtained by People Magazine show the couple out shopping in the Hamptons on May 24, seemingly with wedding bands on. Brown had previously said that she wouldn’t want a highly-publicized ceremony.
“There are only so many moments in life that you get only once,” she told WWD last August. “And to have everyone’s opinions and eyes looking at that just feels unnatural to me.”
Li Cohen is a senior social media producer at CBS News. She previously wrote for amNewYork and The Seminole Tribune. She mainly covers climate, environmental and weather news.
When planning a wedding, there’s a lot to think about, from the dress to the venue to the seating plan—and you’ve helped your teen every step of the way. Let us help take one thing off your plate with this guide to the very best wedding thank you gifts to thank anyone who has given some extra support for the big day (you included!). We’ve scoured the internet, queried our friends, and pulled from our own gift-giving expertise to put together our list of the most thoughtful, unique, and creative keepsakes to buy for bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring bearers, flower girls, and just about everyone else who pitches in on the big day.
You won’t find the same old engraved cutting boards or customized cufflinks on this list, either: These are the kinds of wedding thank you gifts that family and friends will truly love getting and will use for years to come.
Note: We are a reader-supported site and may receive compensation from purchases made through these links.
Who doesn’t love a chic pair of pajamas? One of the few traditional bridesmaid gifts we can actually get behind, a customized PJ set is useful on the wedding day and beyond. After all, friends don’t let their capable adult friends go to bed in some ratty old college T-shirt and a pair of yoga pants.
Help the bridesmaids step up their nighttime game up with something personalized, like this Birdy Grey Jonny Pajama Set, which ranges from XS to 3X and comes in over 15 colors, including muted pink, black, deep red, and a rich emerald green. Get them plain for $44, or fork over the extra $6 to put their name (or nickname) on the back, creating a keepsake that they’ll appreciate every time they drift off to dreamland.
Weddings are, in some ways, a celebration of growing up. They’re taking a big step in adult life, and doing it while surrounded by longtime best friends. Why not help the groomsmen down the path toward adulthood themselves with a smart, grown-up wallet?
These days, there’s really no need to carry anything bulky or that can be stuffed full of receipts, so we recommend the Smythson Flat Card Holder, which is made of soft, timeless leather, has five card pockets, and comes in five smart colors, including a bright red. While it’s lovely as is, for a wedding thank you gift, we recommend going the extra mile and having it personalized with their initials, their zodiac sign, or even a little drawing of a cat or dog.
While the flower girl and ring bearer might be the youngest members of any given wedding party, it can be nice to show them a slightly more “grown up” amount of respect when it comes to their thank you gift. For a flower girl, for instance, we love the idea of a matching jewelry set, plus a card that thanks them sincerely for their help and makes clear their importance to both your ceremony and your life.
This Green Peridot set of daisy-themed jewelry comes atop a nice message that both thanks the flower girl and lets her know that she’s “amazing and very, very special.” Customize the set based on the flower girl’s age and whether she has pierced ears or not.
Give the ring bearer something to do after the ceremony with their own kid-friendly digital camera. This Kidamento Digital Camcorder takes photos and videos, comes in two cute animal-friendly styles, and is wrapped in a soft silicone casing. With six hours of battery life, the camera should be ready to rock and roll right out of the box, meaning the ring bearer can start capturing memories at the reception—something that might also be a present to his parents, given that it means he’ll have something to do.
Just make sure to ask for a link to the pics he takes: While some are sure to be blurry thumb snaps, there just might be some candid gems in there that they’ll want to add to their wedding album.
Being a wedding planner is a lot of hard work, so don’t overlook them on your wedding thank you gift list. Thank them for all their time and trouble with a box of 12 Milk Bar cookies, which come individually wrapped so they can either keep all the goodness to themselves or spread it around their staff. The reusable windowed tin is packed with four of Milk Bar’s best-selling flavors, including the Compost, Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow, Confetti, and Chocolate Confetti Cookies—all of which are both delicious and a little bit decadent.
Weddings can be hard on moms (if you’ve been there before, you know). A good many of them have been waiting for and dreaming of this day, but the ceremony also means that, in some sense, their little baby is even more grown up. Remind mom that she’ll always be number one with a beautifully bound customized layflat photo album from Artifact Uprising. Available in six different sizes and three different page counts, this book can be filled with photos from all the best days with Mom, from the day she gave birth to her first Mother’s Day to college graduation. Tuck a couple of selfies in the back from the run-up to the wedding to let her know that she’s always at the top of her mind.
If there’s a fact universally acknowledged about weddings, it’s that the bride or groom’s dad will probably cry. Sure, that kind of weepiness is often attributed to moms, but more than a few dads have been known to shed a tear or two—especially when they’re walking their formerly little girls down the aisle. Why not tuck a crisp white handkerchief into a sleeve or pocket and present it when the time arises? Amazon has plenty of fun embroidered options, from ones that say “father of the bride” to ones that remind the holder to “keep [their] stuff together!”
These days, everyone’s trying to drink more water. That’s especially true the morning after a long night of boozy wedding revelry. Help everyone hydrate with a customized Yeti Rambler, which comes in eight great colors and holds up to 42 ounces of life-giving ice-cold water. This dishwasher-safe mug is cup-holder compatible for the ride home and has a reusable straw for when even tilting a cup back to drink is too much work for a tired, danced-out body. Take this wedding thank you gift to the next level by personalizing the cup with a set of initials, a monogram, or even a piece of clip art or a custom design for a creative touch.
It’s not uncommon at modern weddings for a bride to have men in her wedding party or a groom to have women in his. If a bridesman is on the wedding thank you gift shopping list, opt for a fancy, long-burning Boy Smells candle. We’re partial to Cedar Stack, which is woodsy and mysterious while also kind of neutral. This is the kind of luxury item that a lot of men (and, let’s face it, women) might not buy for themselves on the regular but that they’ll really appreciate.
While it’s possible a groomswoman would like the same customized card holder we suggested gifting above, for something a little different—but still entirely personalized—we suggest the Mark & Graham Small Jewelry Travel Case. Available in an array of colors and patterns, these square, zip-up cases are made of pebbled vegan leather with a soft linen lining, and there are multiple compartments inside for holding earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets. There’s even a little mirror. To up the luxury ante even more, these can be monogrammed, which makes a very fun and necessary travel addition feel a little more luxurious.
Whether the ceremony is officiated by a priest or a pal, it’s a nice gesture to slip them a little thank you gift, like these Papier personalized notecards. Custom stationery is the kind of thing that most people probably won’t ever buy themselves, but once they get it, they’ll never want to be without it again. There are a ton of different designs to choose from, including frolicking foxes, delicate bows, and plain old black and white, so there’s sure to be something that will fit the officiant just right.
Wedding bells ringing soon? Capture every laugh, twirl, and cake-splattering moment with our wedding hashtag ideas! Imagine your big day exploding online: Friends tagging themselves in hilarious cake-feeding selfies and romantic first dance moves. Every candid picture, every joy, shared with so many more people — all thanks to your great idea of a wedding hashtag.
A wedding hashtag is a fun way to create excitement around your big day, both online and offline. It helps organize and personalize your wedding photos. Years down the line, searching this hashtag will instantly transport you back to that special day, the laughter, the tears, and the pure joy of being surrounded by your loved ones.
So, whether you are looking for unique wedding hashtag ideas or some witty wedding hashtags to impress your loved ones, we’ve got you covered. Check out our 100 best personalized wedding hashtags and find the one that is made just for your engagement day. Let’s make your wedding the most talked-about event in the city!
How To Create A Catchy Wedding Hashtag
So, your “I dos” are just around the corner, and you’re knee-deep in wedding planning. From picking the perfect dress to deciding between buttercream or fondant, there’s a million things to tick off your list. But hey, don’t forget — You need to pick some phrases for wedding hashtags to make the happy news spread like fire. After all, it is one of the most special days of your entire life.
Getting married in December? Then Christmas wedding hashtags can help you infuse wholesome vibes to the beloved season. Or maybe you’d want to go with a selection of Halloween wedding hashtags to make ‘em laugh or … fear you? As you can see by now, a personalized wedding hashtag is just what you need and here is how you can create one:
Keep thinking of questions and answer them. Take the help of your entire wedding gang: What makes your wedding unique? What are some inside jokes, common interests or passions, or details that define your relationship? Start throwing ideas around. Bonus points for using a whiteboard or funky sticky notes — Great hashtags for weddings are all about the vibes!
2. Use a little wordplay
“I want cute hashtags for wedding day. And I need them by tomorrow!” declared a friend two years ago as she set us to work. “I don’t want to hold back at all. I want drama, I want emotions.”
I’ve learnt since then that while creating hashtags for wedding couples, especially someone as demanding as my friend, one should go for puns and rhymes. Get cheesy, get punny, just make sure it fits your style. You can also go with catchy alliterations like “MrAndMrsMillerMakeItOfficial.” Acronyms and abbreviations are great too. Brainstorming is key when it comes to choosing wedding hashtags for Instagram.
3. Keep it short and sweet
Phrases for wedding hashtags should be 3–5 words long, easy to spell, and pronounceable. The goal is to make it easier for people to remember and spread the buzz. And, of course, add a personal touch that reflects your love story.
Before you set your heart on a few unique wedding hashtags, do a quick social media search to see if they’ve already been taken. Your personalized hashtag is a way to celebrate your love, share your joy, and create lasting memories with the people who matter most. Happy wedding planning!
Keep your hashtag short and cute so people start catching on faster
Should Use a Wedding Hashtag Generator
Now, coming up with witty wedding hashtags for your big day can be just as tricky as writing your wedding vows. That is exactly what a wedding hashtag generator is for. Something as small as a hashtag can make a big impact and you need to find the perfect one for your event.
Want something sweet and romantic? No problem. Maybe you are looking for something funny with puns? You got it.
Here are some awesome online tools you can use to generate wedding hashtags for Instagram, especially if you are planning a themed wedding. These tools can instantly generate what you need: Christmas wedding hashtags that make your family go “awww” to horror-themed Halloween wedding hashtags that make your friends laugh.
They have a team of professional writers to craft personalized and witty hashtags for weddings. This service is fee-based, and it typically takes one business day for them to create wedding hashtags and for you to receive the results.
2. Shutterfly
Shutterfly provides a quick and easy-to-use free wedding hashtag service. Simply input your wedding details, and the website generates a great idea tailored to you and your partner’s preferences. You can also check if your desired hashtag has already been claimed by another couple. If you are getting married in February, leap year wedding hashtags can overlap with each other, for example, due to the rarity of the day. So, be careful.
3. Happily Ever Hashtagged
Despite being a paid service, it enjoys high popularity, leading to a waitlist for couples interested in a wide selection of cute hashtags for weddings. The appeal lies in their commitment to personal touch and unique wedding hashtag ideas, setting them apart from online generators.
4. EWedding
For more people leaning toward a free service, eWedding is a convenient option for themed wedding hashtags. With minimal information required, this website promptly supplies you with numerous hashtag ideas tailored to your preferences.
WeddingWire, another free service, is both simple and fast to use. While its wedding hashtag examples may not be as customized as paid options, it provides a diverse range of excellent and catchy wedding hashtags for you to choose from.
Generating your own personalized hashtag with a free online tool can be a great idea. It’s a simple way to add a fun, personal touch to your big day. Remember, your friends and family will be using it to engage with each other on social media, capturing all those candid moments from the ceremony to the dance floor. This is why hiring a professional is always a better choice. Plus, they’ll handle the pesky task of ensuring your catchy wedding hashtags are truly available on the big day.
100 Best Wedding Hashtag Ideas
With your big day close by, it’s time to start brainstorming and create cute wedding hashtags and catchy wedding captions for your Instagram to capture all the love and wedding details in a single hashtag.
Here is a list of our 100 hashtag ideas to make weddings shine online! Feel free to get inspired, replace the hashtags with your and your partner’s initials, and personalize them in every other way. Remember, the best phrases are personal, fun, and easy to remember. Check out these versatile wedding hashtag ideas:
Cute hashtags for newlyweds
Wedding hashtags are all about embracing the sweetness and warmth of your love. They’re perfect for couples who want to showcase their affection in a heartwarming and adorable way. Let’s tell the world your love story in just a few words. Check out these wedding hashtag examples:
If you and your partner share a playful sense of humor, then these funny wedding hashtags are for you. They bring a touch of laughter and lightheartedness to the celebration, showing the world that you know how to have fun and don’t take yourselves too seriously. Keeping all of that in mind, you can create wedding hashtags like these:
These hashtags are tailor-made to reflect your unique love story. They often incorporate your names, special days, or inside jokes that only you and your closest friends and family will understand. These wedding tags for Instagram are a way to make your partner feel truly special on your big day.
These wedding hashtag examples are the trailblazers, the ones that stand out from the crowd and make a statement. You can incorporate pop culture references or choose a theme that’s close to your hearts.
So, make your love for the series Young Royals a permanent fact online or talk about how a common crush brought you together. It’s your story. In your words. Let’s showcase your creativity and individuality with this great selection of trending wedding hashtags:
This is just the beginning of trending wedding hashtags! Let your love story inspire your choice, and watch your friends mark their laughter and memories with the cute wedding hashtags you create.
P.S. Don’t be afraid to get silly with inside jokes while creating funny wedding hashtags, and don’t hesitate to incorporate common interests. They add a unique touch to your ‘save the dates’ and make your wedding planning process even more special.
Why Do You Need A Wedding Hashtag?
Your dress is ready, picked up a chic, modern wedding suit for your guy, the cake has been finalized, but there’s a detail that you completely overlooked or rather did not pay attention to at all: You forgot to create wedding hashtags. Sure, it might seem like a frivolous thing compared to the wedding venue but trust me, a creative wedding hashtag is going to make your memories even more perfect.
We all crave connection. Social media thrives on that. And this is exactly why a moving or a funny wedding hashtag is the perfect way to capture the magic of your big day. It’s about creating a shared experience.
Here are three reasons that you need wedding tags for Instagram and other social media platforms:
From strangers to family
This day is all about celebrating with loved ones. And a wedding hashtag can bridge the gap between both sets of families. Sharing photos and experiences under common yet unique wedding hashtags creates a sense of community and encourages conversation
Wedding photos are wonderful, but the best wedding hashtags capture the essence of your day. Years later, you can revisit those funny social media posts and relive the joy, laughter, and heartfelt moments in a way static photos just can’t replicate
Breaking the ice
Weddings can sometimes feel a bit formal, especially for those who are less familiar with each other on the guest list. A fun and lighthearted hashtag can be a conversation starter, helping guests mingle and create new connections
Bonus Tip: Feeling extra fancy? Print your wedding tags for Instagram on cocktail napkins or tissue papers
Key Pointers
Great hashtags for weddings can keep the weddings alive in the online world, spark excitement, and help guests relive the magic even after the day is over
Tell your love story in a few words with a unique hashtag that reflects your inside jokes, passions, or moving details. This connects you and your guests through shared memories
Innocent flirty texts for him, risky texts to send him and witty text messages to send to a guy can be great ways to let someone know you like them
Consider free online generators for inspiration, but remember that a professional touch can create truly unforgettable and unique hashtags for wedding couples
Inspiration and ideas can come from the most unexpected places. Depending on the festivity and the wedding season, you can come up with anything — from Christmas wedding hashtags to the once-in-a-four-year phenomenon of leap year wedding hashtags. Any day-to-day activity can help you come up with the perfect hashtag for your big day. It could be that unforgettable first kiss, a quirky habit that defines your relationship, a favorite song lyric, or even the name of your favorite place. So, grab your partner, pop the cork, and start brainstorming!
It’s wedding season again and that means your young adult child may have gotten or will soon be getting an invitation to a friend’s or colleague’s wedding celebration. Maybe they’ve been to a number of weddings before, but those have been family events, where they’ve been under your watchful eye or surrounded by extended family members.
As the parent, you probably responded for the family and bought the gift, and maybe even picked out what they were going to wear. Now that they are about to, or have already flown the nest and are attending the wedding of someone you don’t know well or at all, it’s all on them.
As your young adult begins to attend weddings on their own, here are some things they should know. (Photo credit: Marybeth Bock)
6 important things your young adult wedding guest should know
1. RSVP on time, and with no add-ons
The concept and adherence of the RSVP has gotten a little lax over the last few decades. Many young people today mistakenly think that you only need to respond to an RSVP if you’re planning to attend an event. This is not true, especially when it comes to a wedding, which is why most invitations include a stamped return envelope for the RSVP card. (Even if there’s not one, they need to click on the link of an evite or email back as soon as they know their plans, and definitely before the deadline. And even if they’ve verbally told their friend they are coming.)
Also, your young adult may think it’s not a huge deal to just bring along a plus-one because “what’s one more person at a huge party?” Have a chat with them about the expenses of a wedding and how seating and food are precisely planned and uninvited guests are not a fun surprise for those footing the bill. If the couple didn’t extend a plus-one invite, explain to your young adult that there’s a good reason, like budget constraint, venue capacity, or the couple’s desire for a more intimate event.
2. Use the couple’s gift registry
Your young adult may not realize that a lot of thought and time went into creating the gift registry – so they should use it. Couples now usually have gifts listed and priced for all budgets and have normalized options for gifting cash for all kinds of needed things like their honeymoon travel, lodging, and activities, and even for house downpayments.
Your young adults should not feel bad if they can only make a small contribution. People understand that many younger guests don’t have as much disposable income. Encourage them to give what is comfortable for them (and/or go in with some friends) and that every amount is genuinely appreciated.
3. Lean into the couple’s wishes
Wedding norms and traditions, like everything else, change with the times. And as social media has become such a huge part of young people’s lives, it has affected how brides and grooms want their weddings to look and feel. Does the invitation “highly encourage” a particular vibe (like “floral frenzy”) color scheme (like “monochromatic”) or state a classic dress code? Go along with it! (Borrow or thrift an outfit if necessary.)
Are there assigned tables to sit at? Sit there – you’ll have plenty of time to socialize with your besties after the meal, and maybe chatting up the groom’s uncle or cousin will end up being a great networking opportunity.
4. Don’t make the event about you
Perhaps your young adult is disappointed that they weren’t asked to be in the wedding party. Maybe they will get seated with a family who has a temper-tantruming toddler in tow, or their assigned table is way in the back of the reception hall.
Maybe there won’t be an entrée that meets their specific dietary preference. These things don’t happen because someone is trying to slight them or thinks they’re not important. Talk to your young adult about the stress that a wedding can cause and that those who have planned it are just doing their best during a pretty hectic time. Guests need to be flexible and understanding. It’s all about the wedding couple and their big day – not you.
5. Be respectful during the ceremony and behave appropriately at the reception
Encourage your young adult to plan ahead and allow time for parking, chatting, and getting seated so that they arrive on time, or a few minutes early, for the ceremony. Many couples today want their guests to be fully present and in the moment, so they kindly ask for an unplugged ceremony, with all phones put away. This applies to everyone, so be sure your young adult knows to respect this wish and leaves it to the professionals to get the photos and videos of the ceremony.
An open bar is not an invitation for guests to get obnoxiously drunk, monopolize a microphone and tell an embarrassing story or strange inside joke, or to dance inappropriately. Save the wild antics for an after-party and be mindful of reading the room. There’s a way to be an enthusiastic guest and participate in the festive traditions, yet still keep it classy.
6. Show your appreciation
Make sure your young adult takes the time to congratulate the happy couple and to express a sincere word of congratulations to show their appreciation for being invited to share in their special day. It’s also nice to take a moment to greet at least one of the parents of the bride or the groom that your young adult knows the best.
When it comes to weddings and pre-wedding events like bachelor/bachelorette trips these days, I love the advice for young (and older wedding guests alike) from event planner Julia Turley at Less Stress Events
Just like the couple can do whatever they want for their wedding day, you also have the choice to do what is best for YOU. If they are allowed to set boundaries, then so are you. If you can’t afford an outfit within their dress code, or to hire a babysitter, or the travel expenses to get to their destination – that’s fine. Don’t go! It’s much better than complaining to the happy couple and causing a fuss for everyone.
Julia Turley, Event planner Less stress events
By sharing these helpful tips, your young adult can be a gracious and respectful wedding guest who contributes to the joy and celebration of any couple’s wedding day.
Attending your young adult’s wedding is a momentous occasion, undoubtedly one of life’s most important and sentimental events. And with months of pre-wedding planning—engagement parties, sending invitations, securing vendors, and creating the ever-important seating charts—one question remains: What will you wear? As the Mother of the Bride, you will be front and center on your daughter’s special day, and you want to look just right.
Our picks for the 20 best mother-of-the-bride dresses have options for every style, look, and silhouette. Whether you prefer a simple, chic dress or want to go all out with colors and patterns, we’ve found plenty of options to suit every kind of style.
Note: We are a reader-supported site and may receive compensation from purchases made through these links.
This Papell Studio gown has a subtle art deco design, a flattering flutter sleeve, and eye-catching beadwork. The neutral hue will compliment a variety of wedding colors, and the floor-length hem and flowy silhouette are chic yet comfortable.
Go for a bold, off-the-shoulder look with this R & M Richards lace gown with a sweetheart neckline. You won’t have to worry about pulling up the dress all night since it has thin straps to keep everything in place. The fit-and-flare design is flattering on a variety of body shapes, and it comes in a wide range of colors.
This sparkling fit-and-flare gown from R & M Richards comes in two colors: blue and pink. An intricate sequin pattern will have you shimmering and shining through the ceremony and beyond. Plus, the belted sash is removable so you can decide on adding that finishing touch.
Metallics are huge right now — especially gold. Betsy & Adam’s navy and gold halter features an A-line design that will look stunning on the big day. A thigh-length slit adds drama, especially when paired with black strappy sandals or chunky heels.
Talk about variety: This sleeveless cocktail dress comes in 18 colors, so you’re sure to find the right shade. An added plus? It’s machine washable so you don’t have to pay for dry cleaning. No need for a necklace, as the draped mock neckline provides a stylish focal point.
A twist front paired with a cape overlay creates a romantic look that is sure to turn heads. The stretch-infused fabric has a metallic finish that adds a bit of shine to the whole look. The dress comes in three colors—black, cream, and gold—but we’re partial to the black version because it’s a classic option that won’t overshadow the bride.
Chiffon is a common wedding material for a reason: it’s silky, soft, and exudes elegance. Combined with a lace-capped sleeve, this XSCAPE dress hugs in all the right places thanks to side ruching, plus it comes in three classic colors.
Look closely, and you’ll see some details that really make this dress pop. A cascading ruffle goes down from waist to knee on one side of the dress, and the ruching is topped off with a faux diamond-encrusted jewel. These accents only add to this classic mermaid-style dress, that’s flattering on a variety of body types.
This Nightway gown has a classic silhouette paired with subtle sequins and topped with a mesh overlay. Together, they create a chic, wedding-ready look. According to the reviews, some customers found that the dress runs large, so you may want to order two sizes and return the one that doesn’t fit.
Usually, longer dresses are the first choice for wedding attire, but consider a short option if the wedding is less formal. This Kiyonna cocktail dress features an empire waist and lace detail, and it comes in a variety of rich colors. We like that it covers your upper arms but doesn’t look matronly.
This mid-priced Aqua dress features a flattering racerback and ruffled hem. It’s fitted at the bust, waist, and hips but flares at the knees. This dress will make a statement—especially if you opt for the Barbie pink color.
Adrianna Papell’s sage green dress is the perfect plus-size Mother-of-the-Bride dress for a wedding during any season. This floor-sweeping look features a faux wrap bodice and gathered sleeves, and size options range from 0 to 30.
A one-shouldered dress is a bold choice, but it’s just so chic that it’s hard to resist. This Eliza J dress is fitted through the waist and hips but is made from a slightly stretchy (and forgiving) fabric. But the real winner here is the shoulder flower with chiffon cape detailing. It just makes the whole look extra special.
Who said you have to wear a dress? In today’s world, a dressy pantsuit is totally acceptable. This suit is affordable and comes in a wide range of colors, and the off-the-shoulder top paired with a wide-leg pant serves a sophisticated look.
This faux two-piece cocktail dress is a comfortable, no-fuss choice. It creates the illusion of a two-piece look with a lace and sequin top and a flowy chiffon bottom, and it comes in a wide variety of colors. We love that it’s available in petite sizes, too.
Size range: 6 to 18 and 6P to 16P
Credit: Nordstrom
If your daughter’s wedding is a black tie affair, this trumpet gown from Mac Duggal is a fantastic choice. The cut is flattering to a wide range of body shapes, and the delicate lace flower appliqués have crystal centers to give just the right amount of sparkle.
Credit: Nordstrom
A cocktail dress strikes the perfect balance between a look that’s fancy but not black tie formal. This JS Collections lace dress features a bateau neckline that’s ideal for covering up a sun damaged upper chest, but the plunging back keeps it from feeling matronly.
Credit: Nordstrom
A floral dress is the perfect choice for a spring or summer wedding, especially when it’s this whimsical embroidered midi dress. The soft green color just screams “garden wedding,” as do the delicate embroidered roses. Flutter sleeves cover the shoulders and just enough of the upper arms, and the not-too-formal look means you’ll be able to wear this long after the wedding is over.
Credit: Nordstrom
If you’re worried about being chilly, or just want to cover your upper arms, a dress and jacket combination is just what you need. This plus size Mother-of-the-Bride dress features a sleeveless dress with a beaded scoop neckline, and an open-front jacket with a beaded collar. It’s chic, simple, and gives you two looks for the price of one.
Credit: Nordstrom
There’s no better reason to splurge on a special dress than when your child is getting married! This gorgeous sequined gown features feathered cap sleeves for just a little bit of drama, and the A-line cut is universally flattering. It does run long, however, so plan ahead if you think you’ll need to have it shortened—or just spring for a pair of high heels instead.
When Abby Hensel married Josh Bowling in 2021, her conjoined twin, Brittany Hensel, was not listed as a witness.
The couple’s marriage certificate, obtained by TMZ on Wednesday, April 3, named Abby and Brittany’s sister, Morgan Hensel, as one witness. The other person listed on the certificate was Cosmo Naut, per the publication.
The document also revealed that Abby and Bowling officially tied the knot on November 13, 2021, at the Jerome Event Center in Delano, Minnesota, and named the reverend who officiated the ceremony. According to the paperwork, Abby changed her last name from Hensel to Bowling.
When news of Abby and Bowling’s wedding first broke in March, social media users unearthed photos and videos of the ceremony that were shared via Facebook. In one now-viral clip, the happy couple shared their first dance to “Lose Control” by Matt Simons.
Conjoined twins Abby Hensel and Brittany Hensel have been making headlines years after their original rise to fame in the mid-1990s. Abby’s wedding to Josh Bowling has been the main catalyst for their resurgence. Abby married Bowling in a low-key wedding ceremony that took place in 2021, but news of their nuptials didn’t break until […]
Some trolls have raised criticisms about the marriage online, leading Abby and Brittany to clap back via TikTok.
“The internet is extra LOUD today,” they captioned one video on March 28. “We have always been around.”
Courtesy of @abbyandbrittanyhensel/TikTok
Abby and Brittany are dicephalic conjoined twins, sharing all organs below the waist. The sisters became famous after making their first talk show appearance in the 1990s. Since then, they’ve appeared in various documentaries including Joined for Life and Joined at Birth, released in 2002 and 2003, respectively. They later appeared in the 2006 documentary Joined for Life: Abby & Brittany Turn 16. Years later, the siblings starred in one season of the Abby & Brittany reality show, which aired via TLC in 2012.
Since the height of their fame, Abby and Brittany have kept a pretty low-key life, becoming teachers in their home state of Minnesota.
Josh and Annica were married for nine years before their April 2019 split, and welcomed one daughter together, Isabella, who was featured in Josh’s wedding to Abby. Us confirmed that Annica welcomed a second child in 2020, who appears to be the focus of the aforementioned paternity suit.
The filing requested that Josh and a man named Gavin Vatnsdal submit their DNA for the test. Us has since confirmed that there was a “genetic test report” and a “confidential information form” filed last month. Results have not been revealed.
A 26-year-old woman facing homicide charges in a South Carolina crash last year that killed a bride on her wedding night has been released on bail.
Jamie Lee Komoroski was released Friday after posting $150,000 bond, according to Charleston County Sheriff’s Office inmate records. She had been jailed since April 2023 on one count of reckless homicide and three felony counts drunken driving resulting in great bodily injury.
CBS affiliate WCSC reports that, according to court records, Komoroski will be placed on house arrest and will only be allowed to leave her home for medical emergencies or court orders. She will also be required to wear an alcohol monitoring device.
On the night of April 28, 2023, authorities said Komoroski was behind the wheel of a rental car that rear-ended a golf cart carrying newlyweds Samantha Miller and Aric Hutchinson in Folly Beach, a city located on Folly Island southeast of Charleston. They had been married just hours earlier, and Miller was still in her wedding dress.
Miller died in the crash and Hutchinson suffered a brain injury and numerous broken bones. Two other family members riding in the golf cart were also injured.
Komoroski had a blood alcohol level about three times the state’s legal limit, according to a toxicology report released by the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division. Investigators said she was driving the car at about 65 miles per hour when she struck the golf cart.
Last October, Hutchinson reached a settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit brought against two bars which he accused of overserving Komoroski before the crash.
— Emily Mae Czachor and Cara Tabachnick contributed to this report.
Faris Tanyos is a news editor for CBSNews.com, where he writes and edits stories and tracks breaking news. He previously worked as a digital news producer at several local news stations up and down the West Coast.
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If your grown up son or daughter has recently announced that they’re engaged, you may be wondering what else you can do other than offer a heartfelt “congratulations!” How about giving them a thoughtful engagement gift as well? We’ve put together a list of the best engagement gifts that are meaningful, practical, and the perfect way to show your child and their future spouse just how happy you are for them.
There’s no need to break the bank in order to give the best engagement gift—you’ll have plenty of opportunity to do that when it comes to the wedding—that’s why we’ve filled this gift guide with a wide range of options that they’ll be able to use throughout their engagement. Whether you’re looking for something little or big to help a newly engaged couple ring in their impending nuptials, these are the best engagement gifts to give to your newly betrothed offspring.
Getting engaged means combining your lives. This Jot & Mark recipe box will help them corral treasured recipes from both of their families into one charming box. It also comes with recipe cards and dividers to keep things organized. Available in patterns like lemon zest and pink peonies, it’ll make a nice addition to any couple’s new life.
This ring dish provides a resting spot for new bling — and can be personalized with the wearer’s first (or last) initial. This will prove especially handy if they aren’t used to wearing a lot of jewelry, as it provides a safe place to put their ring when they’re cooking, bathing, working out, or doing any other non-ring-friendly activity. (And don’t worry if you aren’t the only one to give a ring dish — it’s useful to have several around the house.)
There’s no question that the best way to celebrate a newly-engaged couple is with a bottle of nice champagne. But what if they don’t have any appropriate glasses to drink it from or to toast with? Rectify that with these classic, understated Zweisel champagne flutes made from chip- and crack-resistant glass. Stick with a pair of glasses for now, as the couple may want to add a full set to their registry. In the meantime, though, they’ll appreciate these high-quality, toast-ready flutes.
Planning a wedding is not what most people would call a “relaxing” activity, so these plush, luxurious robes can help them take full advantage of those brief moments of calm leading up to the big day. They’ll also add comfort to late nights spent hashing out invites and seating arrangements. If you want, you can personalize the robes with monograms to give them a bit more pizzazz.
If they have a new house to go with their engagement, a scented candle is a great gift for them and their new home. The Homesick Let’s Toast candle has a burn time of 60 to 80 hours and is scented with mandarin and grapefruit. It adds a delicate note of celebration to any home and is a thoughtful and budget-friendly gift for any engaged couple.
Weddings are all about logistics. (And love, of course. But also logistics.) Help them work out the details in style with this agenda that’s specifically designed for planning a wedding. Complete with slots to collect samples, sections dedicated to sorting vendors, and a registry checklist, it contains everything they’ll need to lay the groundwork for their big day.
Once they’ve set a date, help them keep track of how long they have until the big day with this set of wedding-oriented countdown blocks. Starting a year out, it lets them adjust the blocks by the day and is perfect to keep on a desk or mantle—plus it’s great for social media posts!
An engagement gift that they’ll continue to use long after the wedding is over, the Rabbit Champagne Preserver keeps an open bottle of bubbly from going flat. The stainless steel device holds tight to the lip of the bottle, reducing the amount of air that goes in and ensuring its bubbles stay bubbly.
Getting engaged usually means they’ll have lots of opportunities to host family holidays or other get-togethers. A gorgeous charcuterie board is a thoughtful and useful gift that they’ll use before and after the wedding. Available in three sizes — 6.25 x 16, 11 x 18, and 9 x 26 inches — you can also add a monogram so it’s personalized to their new joint last name.
Between the event invites and thank you notes, weddings tend to involve a great deal of paper correspondence. Make the process easier with this self-inking return address stamp. You can customize the font, size, and color to ensure it fits the couple’s style. Give them one with their individual last names to use during their engagement, and one with their married last name for all those wedding gift thank you notes they’ll have to write post-nuptials
This is an easy but incredibly thoughtful gift. Pick one of your favorite photos from their earliest days as a couple, print it out, and stick it in the 4-inch x 6-inch frame. It’s a sweet reminder of how it all started — and the floating glitter hearts add a touch of whimsy.
Planning to throw them an engagement party that involves cake cutting? They’ll need a special cake knife and server for that! The set can be used for their wedding, too, so they won’t have to worry about registering for one.
A proposal spot instantly becomes the stuff of family lore for a newly engaged couple. A custom engagement map is a romantic gift that they’ll cherish for years to come. The gorgeous watercolor prints are customized with the place, a specific color, and a type of frame so you can gift them something that reflects their tastes and honors their commitment to one another.
For many, wedding planning calls for caffeine — and lots of it. These matching, nuptial-planning-centric mugs provide a charming vessel to hold java, and the included covers ensure that coffee doesn’t grow cold. In the product’s ratings, reviewers note that the cups are high quality and the packaging is surprisingly luxe, making them a perfect gift.
Whether they’re seasoned cooks or just learning their way around the kitchen, they’ll appreciate this cookbook written just for newlyweds. The recipes are simple and portioned to make just the right amount of food for two people. The cookbook also contains valuable information about safe food storage, repurposing leftovers, setting up a pantry, planning a dinner party, and establishing new family traditions.
If they aren’t sure where to begin with their wedding planning, The Little Book of Wedding Checklists is an engagement gift that will set them on the right path. As the title implies, it’s filled with checklists of things a couple should consider or look into as they’re getting married, including budgets, invitations, and information to tell guests. It can also be repurposed for different styles of weddings, from casual backyard parties to big, lavish affairs.
Nothing says love and celebration like chocolate. Be the star (or the heart) of any engagement party with this heart-shaped “chocuterie” board. Filled with chocolate-dipped strawberries, raspberry-filled bonbons, and a variety of dried fruit, it’s a sweet way to instill romance (and chocolate) into the air. Plus, they can reuse the heart-shaped board once they’ve polished off the sweet stuff.
If they prefer something on the savory side, they’ll love receiving this classy caviar cocktail set as an engagement gift. With caviar, creme fraîche, cocktail blinis, and mother-of-pearl serving spoons all in a reusable cooler, it’ll elevate any engagement party—plus they’ll have the pearl spoons to use for caviar service after they’re married.
Don’t just hand them a bottle of champagne as an engagement gift without putting it in a cute gift bag! This cheekily titled bag is sure to elicit a chuckle from the engaged couple, plus they can reuse it later whenever friends get engaged.
The Skylight digital photo frame cycles through photos they can select in advance — perfect for all the pictures they’ll amass throughout their engagement. Family members and friends can also send photos to their frame, so they’ll have an incredible library of amazing shots once the wedding is over. It also makes for a fun centerpiece at an engagement party, shower, or rehearsal dinner, and would be a big hit if you fill it with some embarrassing photos from their childhoods.
Suddenly having new, fancy hardware like an engagement ring leads to lots of questions. Like “Should I insure this thing?” (probably) and “Wait, how do I even clean it?” This pen-sized diamond cleaner helps keep brand-new bling shiny so that it’s sure to elicit plenty of “oohs” and “ahs”. It’s especially effective at cleaning those hard-to-reach spots on intricate engagement rings.
I have never been in a bridal line-up before. So, it was with great excitement that I received an appeal from my best friend to be her maid of honor. Here’s the challenge, though. I don’t quite know what the duties of maid of honor are. I know that it seems to be the most glamorous task, seeing that I will be the right-hand woman to the bride at this important event.
So, I set out to find out what a maid of honor duties and responsibilities are. But that’s not all, I wanted to know what accepting maid of honor role meant, the rules to being a maid of honor, as well as the maid of honor duties for bachelorette party and the wedding ceremony. Honestly, my search for knowledge uncovered a lot.
Who Is The Maid Of Honor?
The first thing I did was to get clarity on who the maid of honor actually was. In some places, she goes by the name head bridesmaid or chief bridesmaid. Other acceptable titles are right-hand woman or honor attendant. Oftentimes, the honored role goes to a close female friend or a relative that the bride chooses. Most importantly, whoever the bride-to-be chooses must be someone she trusts and feels close to. In this case, I guess I fit the bill. However, there was still one question the answer to which eluded me: what is the maid of honor supposed to do?
I was dead set on finding the answer because it held the key to figuring out how to be a good maid of honor. After all, my best friend had bestowed this honor on me and I wasn’t going to disappoint her by not rising to the occasion or missing out on certain key responsibilities of the maid of honor. So, I dove head-first into researching about the role of maid of honor.
I learned that the maid of honor is a key component in a wedding ceremony and the bridal party. I would be in charge of various important maid of honor duties, including but not restricted to:
Organize events like the bridal shower, bachelorette festivities, and rehearsal dinner — the coveted maid of honor role in the bridal shower and bachelorette party is the stuff of movies
Assist with the bridal party and weddingdress shopping
Make the ribbon bouquet and any other accessories the bride will need
Give the maidofhonor speechor toaston the wedding day — one of the most important duties of a maid of honor on the wedding day
Hold thebridal bouquet during the wedding ceremony
Adjust the bride’s veil if necessary
Be an emotional support to my friend as she goes through the stress of planning for the wedding and even afterward as she survives the first year of marriage, which is the hardest
The thought of being the head bridesmaid is a bit intimidating, but something I looked forward to with great excitement. Quite clearly, the maid of honor responsibilities are many and some are not the most glamorous tasks. “Do bridesmaids have similar tasks, too?” a friend witnessing my research asked me. This got me thinking about the maid of honor vs. bridesmaids duties and responsibilities.
What Is The Difference Between A Maid of Honor And Bridesmaids?
The bridal party provides support to the bride
Maid of honor vs. bridesmaids — Is there a difference? Well, it turns out there is. Bridesmaids are also typically chosen by the bride and may comprise friends or family members. As part of the bridal party, bridesmaid duties include:
Assist in organizing pre-wedding events like the bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, and bachelorette party
Holding the bridal bouquet
Assist with the bride’s train on the wedding day
Help the bride and bridal party where necessary
To summarize the maid of honor vs. bridesmaids debate, this is what it comes down to. Though the bridesmaids are an integral part of the wedding ceremony, the duties of a maid of honor on the wedding day as well as in the run-up to the big day carry more weight since they are very specific. Please allow me to preen for a second. Bridesmaids can be as many as the bride desires. But there is, typically, only one exclusive maid of honor. She is the go-to resource for the wedding planner and other wedding vendors concerned with the pre-wedding logistics; she could even suggest the best month to get married.
The maid of honor responsibilities make her the right-hand woman who fully represents the bride. Indeed, the bride depends on her to give the wedding guests something to talk about for a long time afterward. She must also ensure the bridesmaid duties are carried out well. Also, as a maid of honor, my dress may differ slightly from what the other bridesmaids will wear. Although, admittedly, this is up to my friend on whether she wants a different style, color, or embellishment for me. She’ll take my comfort into account, of course.
What Are The Maid Of Honor Duties Before The Wedding
Once hand-picked for this task, one may spend a lot of time wondering, “What to do as a maid of honor?” So, first things first, let’s see if the maid of honor position is as glamorous as it seems to be. Well, this Reddit user had a horrible experience. According to her, “The bride’s mom was terrible to me. I did not know the itinerary and had to cater for expenses I couldn’t afford. While everyone went on holiday, I had to stay behind picking out decorations for the wedding ceremony.”
Clearly, while she may have given a lot of thought to how to be a good maid of honor, the bride-to-be and her family did not return that favor. Unfortunately, due to the experience, her friendship with the bride did not survive. The lesson I learned from her story is to clearly communicate with the bride-to-be so that everyone is on the same page as far as expectations and requirements are concerned.
Speaking of requirements, the maid of honor duties timeline in the wedding planning process can range from six months or even a year. Indeed it comes down to the bride’s preference, the maid of honor’s availability, and length of engagement. I am under no illusion of the fact that the honor of being a maid of honor does come with a significant time investment. I went ahead and put this into perspective by creating an honor duties checklist to see what would be required of me in the coming days.
Maid of honor duties and responsibilities — A few months before the wedding
The role of maid of honor required me to be present a few months before the wedding. There were tons of pre-wedding events to see to. And, of course, I had to get the best bridal shower gift of lace lingerie to spice up the wedding night. My friend depended on me to:
Assist with the wedding planning process by selecting the wedding day theme and colors, and creating the wedding timeline
Assist, if necessary, with getting relevant licenses and permits
Send out the wedding guests’ invitations
Help the bride and bridal party with wedding dress shopping or selection
Together with all the bridesmaids, organize and host the bridal shower and bachelorette party. The maid of honor duties for bachelorette party include ensuring everything is well-planned and that the bride has the time of her life. To be honest, nothing would make me happier than suggesting naughty games to play at the bachelorette party
Attend dress fittings and, of course, provide useful feedback
Shop for the perfect maid of honor present for bride
I needed to set aside sufficient time well in advance to fulfill my role as the chief bridesmaid. But hey, I have never been one to back down from a good challenge. I also liked this tip from a Reddit user on the bachelorette party and put it to good use. She says, “Customize things to what the bride wants. Make it personalized so that she has a good time. Don’t be pressured into doing what a family member of the other bridesmaids want.”
Maid of honor duties checklist — A few weeks before the wedding
Here’s what I’m beginning to realize in my journey of embracing the role of maid of honor: as you begin to get a hang of what to do as a maid of honor, time begins to run out. The stress of the wedding planning will be getting to the bride-to-be and the future groom. At this point, I must remember to share with them my favorite list of hobbies for couples to strengthen their bond. I am sure she will appreciate the gesture as long as she knows that everything is running well. At this stage, my duties in the role of maid of honor entailed the following:
Double-check with wedding vendors that the wedding day planning is going as it should (Imagine the wedding cake not being ready on time!)
Assist with any relevant pre-wedding tasks, even if it means some DIYs, to see that the day is a resounding success
Ensure all the bridesmaids have everything they need, including dresses, schedules, etc.
Help the bride-to-be create her wedding vows. Knowing my friend, she is pretty witty and very loving, so this part will be a lot of fun
Put together an emergency kit with basic essentials like safety pins, makeup, tissues, etc. The wedding emergency kit can come in handy at the most opportune moment, like if the bride’s makeup starts to run due to the emotions she will be experiencing. And you never know when those safety pins or fashion tape can come in handy
This was the time to start tying up any loose ends. As we got closer to the wedding day, things needed to fall into place. Making sure that they do is one of the biggest responsibilities of the maid of honor.
Maid of honor responsibilities — A week before the wedding
We were now getting to the homestretch. There was plenty of excitement for the big day. But at the same time, there was a lot of stress and worry for everyone involved. That’s why I knew I needed to invest, in advance, in some relaxation gifts to relieve stress. Not only for myself but for the bride-to-be as well. The maid of honor has the following roles and responsibilities a week before the wedding:
Participate in the wedding rehearsals
Coordinate the pre-wedding festivities such as the rehearsal dinner
Ensure the safety of important bridal items like the dress and accessories
Lock down the bridal suite and organize all the necessities that the wedding party will need
Ensure the bride-to-be has all the emotional support she needs. If she is a ball of nerves six months to the wedding day, I know that it will only get worse
Maid of honor responsibilities — On the wedding day!
The D-day arrived, and all the hard work was put to the test. Even before the ceremony began, tensions were likely to run high, and I needed all the ideas to get my girlfriend to cheer up and smile. There were still so many things to do as the duties of a maid of honor on the wedding day include the following:
Ensure the bridal suite has everything the bride and her bridal party will need
Help with getting my friend and the bridal party ready
The maid of honor duties in church include holding the bridal bouquet too
Become my friend’s assistant during the wedding ceremony, catering to her every need
Keep an eye on important details like how she looks, or any last-minute preparations
Give the maid of honor speech at the reception. This part has me sweating buckets because public speaking is not my thing. I’m planning to write down a funny wedding toast to get everyone laughing
Ensure that the important wedding guests like the groom’s and bride’s mom, father, and family are taken care of — This is an essential part of the duties of maid of honor too
Forget about enjoying the wedding like all the other guests. But seeing a smile on my friend’s face was worth the running around. I felt I had lived up to the responsibilities of the maid of honor.
Maid of honor duties in the church
Maid of honor duty is also to give a wedding speech
Unless it’s a non-religious wedding, the church ceremony is an integral part of the event. The maid of honor has the important role of ensuring everything goes well for the bride. So what are the duties of a maid of honor in church? Here’s what to do as a maid of honor to make sure the ceremony goes as flawlessly as possibly:
Holding the bride’s bouquet
Helping the bride put on the wedding gown and all the relevant accessories
As part of the processional, walking down the aisle with the bridesmaids
Standing by the bride during the vow ceremony
Assisting with the bride’s train and veil
Witnessing the signing of the documents
Coordinating the movement of the ring bearer who carries the bride’s and the groom’s rings
Assisting with post-wedding photographs, etc.
Can the maid of honor be the ring bearer? In most cases, that job goes to the best man who is tasked with holding the wedding rings and presenting them at the right time. But if the bride wants the maid of honor to do the job, then she can.
And when can the maid of honor leave the wedding? I learned that it depends on the event planning and whether my friend needed me throughout the event. To make sure I could be by her side, I had to ensure all my responsibilities were fulfilled and stayed by her side until the formal wedding ceremony was over. That’s the crux of how to be a good maid of honor — it all comes down to dependability.
What Are The Maid Of Honor Duties After The Wedding
I am starting to realize why the bride entrusts this duty to someone she truly trusts. Marriage means a lot of things to a woman and she wouldn’t give the task to just anyone. The maid of honor responsibilities do not end with the wedding day. Nope, I will not put up my feet and rest because the bride will be counting on me to tidy things up after the guests have left. The maid of honor responsibilities immediately after the wedding are numerous, such as:
Ensure any personal items belonging to my newly married friend are removed from the bridal suite and the wedding party venue and put in a safe place
Help the bride get out of her wedding dress. After this, I need to ensure safe storage and cleaning of the dress
Ensure all the gifts are taken care of and transported to the bride’s new home
Maid of honor duties and responsibilities continue for days or weeks after the wedding day. Things get less hectic by then. For instance, my friend is already on her honeymoon now. By the time she returns, she may even have learned some harsh truths about marriage and will need my support. Now is the time for the last stage of the maid of honor responsibilities:
Assist in sending ‘thank you’ notes to guests
Coordinate the return of any rented/borrowed items used during the wedding party
Help my best friend collect and preserve memories from the wedding day, e.g., photos and gifts, or other keepsakes like the wedding invitations
Assist with managing all financial obligations
Offer ongoing support to my friend if she needs me
The tasks may seem daunting laid out like this and make it look like it isn’t the most glamorous task. But I loved being in the thick of things. I realized there was nothing I wouldn’t do to make my friend’s wedding party a resounding success.
Key Pointers
Rules to being a maid of honor include clear communication with the bride-to-be in order to be on the same page. Also, it’s important to understand the bride’s personality to avoid clashing with her. Other rules are offering emotional support and being present before, during, and after the event
When can the maid of honor leave the wedding? She can leave once all her maid of honor duties are complete, or if there are more specific reasons like personal commitments. Of course, it’s important to keep the bride in the loop through clear communication
The maid of honor duties for bachelorette parties include creating the invitation list, choosing the venue, dates, naughty games/activities, and managing finances
The maid of honor duties timeline depends on the length of the engagement and bride’s preference. Be ready to spend anywhere from a few months to a year when carrying out your maid of honor duties and responsibilities
It’s only fair to say that I was the right-hand woman to the bride as I took on the maid of honor responsibilities. I was, basically, her eyes and ears for anything related to the wedding and the events around it. These included coordinating the bridal party, logistics, bridal shower, bachelorette party, and more. I hope that gives you a clear answer to what is the maid of honor supposed to do.
Creating an honor duties checklist really helped give me a realistic picture of what the bride expected from me. I also know now that clear communication is critical to ensure that the maid of honor and the bride-to-be are on the same page about their wishes, concerns, needs, and limitations. But you know what? I gave my 110% to the wedding party preparation because I know the day my wedding day rolls around, my best friend will do the same for me.
FAQs
1. What is the point of having a maid of honor?
The duties of maid of honor include offering support to the bride. As the right-hand woman to the bride-to-be, she takes on many roles, including bridal party coordination, choosing the wedding gown, assisting with pre-wedding tasks, and managing the wedding logistics. After the wedding, her duties continue. She takes on the post-wedding support duty of ensuring everything wraps up neatly. The maid of honor is, aside from the groom and bride’s mother, one of the most important people at the wedding party.
2. Can a married woman be a maid of honor?
Absolutely, a married woman can take on the maid of honor responsibilities. However, traditionally, the title was given to unmarried women. For married women, you may find them being referred to as ‘matron of honor.’ Please note the role of maid of honor is based on the relationship between the bride and whoever the bride decides to give the role to. One’s marital status doesn’t matter, so both married and unmarried women can perform the above tasks successfully.
3. What does a maid of honor pay for?
Before accepting maid of honor responsibilities, get to know what you may need to pay for. This depends on the bride’s expectations, cultural practices, and your friendship. So what does a maid of honor pay for? She may need to cover costs such as her dress, accessories, hair, and makeup. She might even chip in for pre-wedding events like the bridal shower or the bachelorette party, travel and accommodation for a destination wedding, and getting a maid of honor present for bride or the couple.
It’s important to be honest about the financial considerations before accepting maid of honor responsibilities. Clear communication is critical to ensuring that everyone’s expectations and limitations are respected.
Welcome to Who What Wear Weddings, the destination for style-minded weddings. Expect insightful tips straight from the newlyweds, shoppable elements, and plenty of must-save imagery as we share the nuptials of our favorite fashion people getting married. For upcoming features, share your submissions here.
It was a Friendsgiving dinner in Venice Beach, California, that brought Kendall and Benjamin Knox together. The two were seated next to one another and spent the evening locked in conversation, but it was the handwritten notes that followed the evening that led to their first date. “I happened to write gratitude cards to everyone in attendance, conveying what about them I was grateful for. It seemed to leave a lasting impression on him,” Kendall shares. “Shortly following Thanksgiving, we went to see James Blake with friends.” Kendall reminisces about how the night ended with a kiss in her driveway, adding, “From that night on, we were together.”
Benjamin proposed five years later in Sydney, Australia. Kendall says, “Ben proposed to me after a walk on the beach and lunch at one of our favorite venues, The Boathouse in Rose Bay. It had been a rainy weekend, and just as we sat to eat, the clouds parted a little, and the sunshine poked through—it was a very special moment.” Soon after, the couple began making plans for their wedding and decided on a tranquil countryside villa in the Australian wine region of Hunter Valley. “We wanted to choose a place that represented the two of us in a meaningful way. Australia is my home and Ben’s borrowed home, but it was important the venue represented us as a couple,” shares Kendall.
The venue was also the perfect setting to integrate special pieces from Olive Ateliers, a brand co-founded by the couple that sources one-of-a-kind objects from around the globe. “We worked to curate and ship over an assortment of our vessels to use as part of the tablescape and styling on our special day,” Kendall shares. Vintage vases and pottery added a personal touch to the sprawling tables where guests dined for the reception. Scroll on to read more about the wedding weekend with words from the bride and see more details from the beautiful Australian celebration.
“The morning of the wedding was honestly really calm. We drank coffee and sang ‘Going to the Chapel.’ I got ready with my three bridesmaids, and my mum joined us toward the end of the morning.”
“I roamed around in my beautiful Stone Cold Fox robe, gifted by my dear friend Cydney.”
“I was lucky enough to collaborate with Shona Joy to design custom bridesmaid dresses for my girls. I wanted to blend a ’50s vintage look with a ’90s slip dress in a silhouette that complemented the unique and beautiful body of each of my bridesmaids. We added a hint of lace to each dress as a nod to my own wedding dress and opted for ivory silk to make sure they could shine like the angels they are.”
“I was the last to receive glam. I opted for a very natural makeup look—I wanted to make sure I looked like myself, that my skin was clear, and I didn’t feel overdone. My hair and makeup artist Serena Wyllie and I decided that a classic French twist was exactly what my look needed, and boy, we were right.”
WWW Weddings tip: “Leverage the power of Instagram to find your hair and makeup artist. Instagram is a digital portfolio for the work of these artists, so scroll ’til you find the one, and book the artist of your dreams well in advance to make sure you trust who you’re working with on the big day.”
“Ben donned a classic black tuxedo. I wanted to make sure we both looked timeless and that when we looked back on our wedding photos, nothing felt dated or trend-driven. He even agreed to grow his hair out, which, in my opinion, is his most handsome state. He treated himself to a vintage Rolex, the perfect accessory for our big day.”
“Before we knew it, it was time for the first look with my dad, an Australian tradition.”
“Landing on a look was easier than I thought. I followed all the advice from all the brides before me. Try everything on. Don’t assume you know what you’ll like—bridal dresses are a whole other ball game! Have fun! I did all three. I explored vintage options, designer couture, and somehow, magically, early on, I landed on the beautiful, timeless Netta BenShabu Elsa dress—a strapless gown with a beautiful scalloped train, which I extended by an extra 1.5 feet because I knew I had a long aisle ahead. Once I chose my dress, I refused to look at another. I knew if I kept looking, I’d change my mind. I paired my look with a scalloped, lace-trimmed cathedral veil, which I wore over my face until I reached the groom.”
“[For the wedding venue, we decided on] Redleaf Wollombi, a hidden Tuscan villa nestled in the Hunter Valley with sprawling European-inspired gardens.”
“The ceremony felt heaven-sent. My entrance was made clutching tight to dad and trying not to tumble down an incredible (incredibly long) tree-lined aisle. An anecdote: I did happen to get caught on a rose bush or two en route down the aisle, but dad did his job well, detaching me from the foliage swiftly. We had a giggle, and so did the guests.”
The bridal party arriving at the ceremony.
“Olive leaves were tossed as we left the altar and entered our chapter as Mr. and Mrs. Knox. It was a really special, happy tear–filled ceremony.”
The couple with family and friends on their wedding day.
“We kept the ceremony relatively short and sweet [with] a meaningful bible reading from a family member and handwritten vows.”
“A snippet of my vows: And just as we love filling our home with objects with old souls and our closets with secondhand clothes, I can’t wait to antique our marriage together. Wear that sucker in, patina the pages, see our story tatter slightly at the edges, but inevitably become better, stronger, and more rich with age.“
WWW Weddings tip: “Don’t forget to factor in the bridal dress tailoring costs. Mine came in at almost a third the cost of the dress, and let’s just say it was not something I had budgeted for, so beware.”
“The moment I saw the venue, I knew it had to be a Tuscan-inspired alfresco dining experience—shared family-style food, a dance floor, and a bar nearby so we could dance and laugh under the stars. We opted for two long tables, and Ben and I looked out at all our guests the entire time.”
“We wanted a theme of romance, abundance, and nostalgia. We opted for a family-style Italian feast, with shared pastas and sides. Both visually and metaphorically, we loved the concept of sharing a beautiful, delicious, messy meal with those we love. Our grazing table was abundant with locally sourced ingredients, and we hosted an opulent oyster bar because who doesn’t love an Aussie oyster?”
“The architecture and ambiance of the venue spoke to us immediately and complemented our brand Olive Ateliers, which sources and sells one-of-a-kind décor, pottery, and home furnishings from Europe, India, Indonesia, and other corners of the globe.”
WWW Weddings tip: “An editorial wedding photographer and videographer is everything. We were blessed to secure Lucy Blake and The Love Lens, who so very beautifully and effortlessly capture special moments. I told both ladies that I wanted to spend as little time as possible posing for photos but that I trusted them to capture us in motion, interacting with one another and our guests and enjoying the day. Lucy and Katie did just that. I think all up we spent 40 minutes away from our guests on photos. They never made us pose in an inorganic way. We didn’t have a laundry list of a shot list to abide by. They let us do our thing, and the memories we now have are truly perfect.”
“We worked with our florist, The Flower Drum, to ensure our florals complemented the venue and our vintage vessels. We kept to flowy greens and whites, with a sprinkle of Aussie natives. I partnered with Little Lane Events to bring my vision to life by styling florals alongside locally sourced provisions to reiterate the theme of abundance.”
“We all had so much fun, laughing, sharing pasta dishes, and drinking good wine. But gosh, the absolute highlight had to be the speeches. I know I might be biased, but they were the most heartfelt, funny, inclusive speeches of all time.”
“We shared our first dance to ‘Godspeed’ by James Blake, and I snuck off the change into my second look before the five-piece band hit the stage.”
“My second look was a Kim Kassas corseted minidress embroidered with pearls. A dream, if you will. I left the dance floor shortly after my first dance with Ben and slipped into my mini and let my hair down, quite literally. I entered the dance floor to Beyonce’s ‘Crazy in Love,’ followed by a very fun bouquet toss to all the single ladies.
“We danced into the night, and everyone left with an Australian sausage roll in one hand and an Olive Ateliers gift in the other. Best night of our lives. The moment the party ended, the skies opened up, and the rain poured for days and days. We couldn’t have timed it better.”
Valdrin Sahiti is a celebrity designer behind the stunning styles worn by Taraji P. Henson, Beyoncé, Halle Bailey, and more. However, the 37-year-old is now being accused of scamming several Black women out of thousands of dollars.
According to The Shade Room’sJustin Carter, the women allege Sahiti ghosted them after they paid hefty deposits for custom wedding gowns.
Now, on this episode of ‘TSR Investigates,’ Carter is getting to the bottom of it all.
More Details Regarding The Allegations Against Valdrin Sahiti
According to Carter, one particular Instagram post of Sahiti’s caught the eye of Tatiana French. French is a soon-to-be bride who will be walking down the aisle this spring.
The woman, based in Texas, says she was instructed to send her “first deposit” in September 2023. Then, she needed to complete professional measurements, and within 6-8 weeks, her custom gown, made in Kosovo, South Europe, would be ready.
“Midway between the 6-8 weeks, they said [I] would have a video showing with the dress on a model of similar measurements,” French told Carter.
According to the soon-to-be bride, she and Sahiti’s company agreed on a gown with a price tag of $2,500. French paid a security deposit of $1,331.
“Then, they’ll do the final touches or whatever that may be, and then they’ll get it shipped out to [me], and shipping would take 24-48 hours through DHL,” French explained.
At the end of the eight-week process, however, French said she hadn’t “heard anything.”
In November, French reached out to the company via WhatsApp. However, according to Carter, she “got the run around for days.”
Frustrated, French booked her flight to Kosovo, determined to bring back her gown “by any means necessary.”
What Happened To The Bride’s $2,000 Wedding Gown?
Sahiti’s company begged the soon-to-be bride to “be patient,” as they had “no intention” of keeping her gown from her. French never made her trip to Kosovo. However, she remained persistent.
On January 3, Sahiti’s company requested French to send the remainder of her payment with an additional $500 for shipping.
“It was just a Western Union link, and it says, ‘Send money to this person,’ and then the email confirmation was supposed to go to them, but I’m supposed to be paying DHL,” French said. “Another $500 is crazy — after I’ve already sent you this money, and you’re not even communicating with me effectively.”
However, French wasn’t the only Black woman who experienced the run-around with the celebrity designer. Scroll above to watch as more Black women share their experiences with Valdrin Sahiti, how the company has responded, and whether or not these soon-to-be brides received their thousand-dollar gowns.
If you’ve been a bride or bridesmaid over the last several years, chances are you’re familiar with the wedding registry site Zola. Shan-Lyn Ma, the co-founder and co-CEO of Zola, founded the site with one mission in mind: to make wedding planning easy. Together with Nobu Nakaguchi, Ma built a platform that would redefine the wedding registry experience. Since its inception, Zola has helped over 2 million couples plan their dream weddings, providing them with a streamlined, modern, and user-friendly solution.
Like many successful companies, Ma and Nakaguchi recognized a problem in the wedding industry and sought to provide a solution to make a greater impact. Recently, Zola expanded its services to include baby registries, further cementing its position as a game-changer in the industry with Ma at the helm.
From a young age, Ma harbored dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. She vividly remembers adorning her childhood bedroom with a poster of her idol, Jerry Yang, co-founder of Yahoo. This early fascination with entrepreneurial legends set the stage for her future endeavors. Armed with ambition and a strong educational foundation, Ma pursued an MBA from Stanford University, and after graduating, she wasted no time in making her mark in the tech world. Her journey began at Yahoo, where she started as an intern before transitioning into product marketing, ultimately honing her skills and igniting her passion for the world of technology and the digital marketplace.
In 2008, Ma joined the e-commerce giant Gilt Groupe as its first Product Lead. She became the youngest executive on the team and quickly made her mark. During her time at Gilt, she established her own business unit, Gilt Taste, a venture that would prove pivotal in her future endeavors. It was at Gilt Groupe that Ma crossed paths with her future Zola co-founder, Nakaguchi. While Ma’s career continued to soar, she and Nakaguchi were simultaneously percolating on a groundbreaking idea: As Ma attended countless weddings, she couldn’t help but notice registry sites’ cumbersome and outdated nature. Her frustration reached a tipping point, and she confided in Nakaguchi, who shared her sentiment as he planned his own wedding.
Together, they recognized the need for disruption in the wedding planning industry. Listen to the latest episode of Second Life to hear how Ma’s past career experiences led her to shape modern wedding culture for the better.
Juliet and Callie return in the New Year with a Golden Wedding to discuss! The two recap and share their reactions to the production that was Gerry and Theresa’s wedding, starting with their first impressions (3:33), Mindy Weiss’s incredible work as the wedding planner (5:16), the red carpet and viral moments from the wedding (8:25), the Amazon sponsorship (14:04), who from Bachelor Nation was there (21:28), Brayden’s proposal (23:13), the ceremony (28:48), and much, much more!
