Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist tied the knot in a live televised wedding ceremony on Thursday, January 4, and there was not a dry eye in the house as the couple shared their vows.
Gerry and Theresa, 70, had an immediate connection when they met on The Golden Bachelor, which premiered in September 2023. As the first-ever season came to an end, it was obvious that the couple had found true love. During the After the Final Rose special in November 2023, show’s host Jesse Palmer announced that the couple would get married in a live TV special to kick off the new year.
Not only were Gerry and Theresa’s family and close friends present for the ceremony, but over 50 Bachelor Nation alums — including Ben Higgins, Wells Adams,Kaitlyn Bristowe, Tayshia Adams, Charity Lawson and more — stepped out for the event.
Ahead of The Golden Wedding, eight Bachelor Nation couples have tied the knot in a televised ceremony — with a 62.5 percent success rate. Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter were the first Bachelor Nation couple to exchange vows in December 2003, with a reported 17 million viewers tuning in to watch the OG Bachelorette marry […]
Keep scrolling to relive the sweetest moments from The Golden Wedding:
Gerry and Theresa’s Family Spend the Holidays Together
The Golden Wedding special kicked off with an inside look at how the couple spent the holiday season, and they brought blended families to a new level.
“Today is an exciting day because it’s the first of many holidays where I get to bring my daughters Jenny and Angie, my granddaughters Payton and Charlee,” Gerry said. “I get to bring Theresa’s family together, Jen, Matt, and Amanda and Tommy, and all the boys get to share some of our traditions, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Ever since Bachelor Nation first met Theresa Nist on season 1 of the Golden Bachelor, she’s been vocal about how important family is to her. Following her engagement to Gerry Turner in November 2023, Theresa shared that the pair had plans to start their life together “just outside” of Charleston, South Carolina, to be closer […]
Trista and Ryan Sutter Reminisce on 20th Wedding Anniversary
Trista and Ryan Sutter, the first ever Bachelor Nation couple to get married in a televised special, recalled celebrating their 20th anniversary in December 2023. Trista also revealed that she and Ryan have a special connection to Gerry and Theresa.
“I do have to say, we actually had our first date here at La Quinta,” Trista said, referring to Gerry and Theresa’s wedding location at La Quinta Resort & Club in Palm Springs.
Kathy Swarts Helping Theresa ‘Zip It’ During Wedding Dress Fitting
Disney/Eric McCandless
When Theresa went to Badgley Mischka for a wedding gown, she recruited fellow Golden Bachelor stars Kathy Swarts and Susan Noles to join. Theresa had trouble getting into one of the gowns, and asked Kathy to help “zip it.” The joke was a sweet moment between the two women who had a bit of friction during their time on the Golden Bachelor and Kathy often told Theresa to “zip it” when talking about Gerry.
Brayden Bowers Proposes to Christina Mandrell
Bachelor in Paradise alum Brayden Bowers got down on one knee and proposed to girlfriend and Bachelor alum Christina Mandrell.
“For the first time in my life, I feel like I found someone that I can be myself with unapologetically,” Brayden said when getting down on one knee. “And I have no doubts that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Theresa and Gerry’s Kids Speak During the Ceremony
Gerry’s daughters, Jenny and Angie, made a sweet speech during the wedding ceremony.
The Golden Bachelor’s debut season has brought out every emotion in Bachelor Nation — including relief that Gerry Turner will find love. Fans watched leading man Gerry begin his journey to find love after loss when the show premiered in September 2023. He kicked things off by opening up about his 43-year marriage to his late […]
“We are here for you. It was terrifying for us to send our dad on this ride, wondering if he would have his heart broken,” Angie said. “Little did we know, we had absolutely nothing to worry about because you were there with him the whole time.”
Theresa’s daughter, Jen, also spoke before the couple shared their vows.
“We are beyond thrilled that you have brought us together as a family,” she said. “Gerry, take good care of my best friend since birth. And mom, put him first.”
Gerry and Theresa Share Their Vows
Disney/John & Joseph Photography
So many tears were shed when Gerry and Theresa shared their vows. Theresa went first, promising to be Gerry’s “calm in a storm” for the “rest of the time” they have together.
Gerry, for his part, called Theresa “the woman I can’t live without” when it was his turn to speak.
“I learned that you make me calm with the touch of your hand. I’ve learned you make me laugh with the easy comfort of a long-lost friend,” he said. “I’ve learned you are a strong and independent woman, and your strength gives me joy. I’ve learned that you make me a better person, a better man because of your sensitivity and soft voice. Theresa, I now know I have found a full partner to share the experiences life will throw at us.”
For the past three decades, it seemed there was only one cake worth having at your graduation, birthday, bridal shower or wedding. The cake sitting on top of the pedestal in the middle of the celebration table, the one being shoved into newlyweds’ faces and ushered out in neat slices to waiting partygoers, was the triple berry cake from Sweet Lady Jane.
The bakery, which had six locations in Los Angeles — West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Encino, Calabasas and San Fernando — closed all of its bakeries on Sunday.
The company announced the closures in a statement posted to social media.
“After 35 years we are closing our doors,” read the statement. “Our last day of business was December 31, 2023.”
The shop celebrated its 35th anniversary in June, recently remodeled multiple stores and had plans to open new shops in Larchmont and Marina del Rey.
“We did not come to this decision lightly nor quickly,” read the statement. “While the support and loyalty of our customers has been strong, sales are not enough to continue doing business in the state of California, allowing us to service our lease obligations and pay our treasured employees a living wage without passing those costs directly on to you.”
A representative for Sweet Lady Jane did not immediately respond to The Times’ request for comment.
“This business is brutal,” Erin McKenna’s Bakery commented on the Instagram post about the sudden closure. The vegan and gluten-free bakery has a location on Larchmont Boulevard in Windsor Square as well as bakeries in Florida and New York City. “I am so, so sorry. I know this wasn’t easy.“
The news comes at a time fraught with uncertainty for the Los Angeles restaurant industry, with dozens of notable closures announced in 2023.
Founder Jane Lockhart opened the first Sweet Lady Jane bakery on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood in 1988. The triple berry cake wasn’t on Lockhart’s opening menu, but it was a hit from the moment she introduced it a few months later. The cake accounted for more than half of the bakery’s sales.
It was a simple take on a strawberry shortcake, with rich yellow butter cake layered with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. The whipped cream was improbably light and just a tad sweet. Each fruit had its own devoted layer so that when you sliced into the cake, you could easily pick out your favorite.
It was instantly recognizable at parties. The tall, pristine white cake was neatly piped with green buttercream leaves along the sides and decorated with fresh fruit on top.
I’ve probably eaten at least a hundred slices over the years. Growing up in Los Angeles, I watched as the cake became a status symbol of sorts. In addition to the right handbag, car and social circle, this was the cake you needed at your party. At the time of closing, a 9-inch cake was $100.
People made sure the cake was included in photographs from any party. They nodded approvingly when it was brought to the table.
Fans of the bakery, and the triple berry cake in particular, flooded the comments on the Instagram post announcing the closure.
“The berry cake is a part of my childhood and my memories forever,” wrote Lauren Ireland. “My own wedding, friend’s weddings, celebratory days and when you just wanted to make someone’s day happier.”
“This is truly an end of an era,” wrote Scotty Cunha.
“Oh no, this is so sad. Thank you for all the memories. The triple berry cake will live on in legend…,” wrote food writer Esther Tseng.
Many copycats have sprung up over the years, including the berry chantilly cake from Whole Foods, which features a vanilla cake with chantilly icing and berries. But there’s only one triple berry.
What will be the next “it” cake for Los Angeles? I suggest the chocolate with salted caramel from République, the Blum’s Coffee Crunch cake from Valerie Confections or any of Hannah Ziskin’s cakes at Quarter Sheets.
Times staff writer Sarah Mosqueda contributed to this report.
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.
Octavia Zamagias and Mathew Joanou met the old-fashioned way—at a bar on the dancefloor. During a night out in Venice, California, the two locked eyes, exchanged numbers, and have been together ever since. “From [that point on], it always felt like he was my person and I was his,” shares Zamagias. Joanou is the CEO and Co-Founder of Stakeholder Labs and Zamagias is the jewelry designer and founder of Octavia Elizabeth which makes the story of their proposal quite untraditional. Jonaou proposed in Malibu, California with a ring designed by Zamagias herself, “but I stayed true to something I tell all couples or grooms,” she explains—”the moment you get engaged should be a surprise, the ring should not!”
After contemplating whether or not to plan their wedding in California where they both live, the two ultimately landed on Bermuda, a place that has sentimental value to the couple. “My family has been going to the island for over four decades and we’ve spent our summers there since I was a little girl. Over the last seven years, Matt has also fallen in love with the island and it became clear that it would be the perfect place for us to have our wedding as summer is particularly beautiful,” shares Zamagias. And so the planning commenced.
The wedding weekend was filled with an array of events including a boat day, a welcome party, and of course, the wedding itself. “I am that person that never wants a party to end. I stay to the end. So a destination wedding was really special in that it encouraged us to have multiple events and evenings to celebrate and be with our friends,” explains Zamagias. “It was all about us, but at the same time, it wasn’t. I mean that in a beautiful way. It relaxed us to know we had multiple days and evenings to spend time with each one of our guests and friends.” Scroll through to read more about the wedding weekend with words from the bride herself and to explore the details of this stunning Bermuda celebration.
“We kicked off the wedding celebrations with our bridesmaids and groomsmen on board a 77-foot catamaran.”
“The boat sailed around the beautiful island of Bermuda and stopped for lunch, cliff jumping, and snorkeling.”
“Lunch was catered by our favorite casual spot on Bermuda, Devil’s Isle. I surprised Matt with his favorite chocolate chip cookies for dessert.”
“Before we planned any of the evenings and actually before we even had booked our planner, I knew I wanted to start the wedding weekend off with a sail around the island. The Zara was such a beautiful part of the whole weekend and I booked it as soon as I could!”
“By the afternoon, the rest of the guests arrived on the island and began to take over the Coral Beach Club, a private members-only club and hotel dating back to 1948. Once we decided on Bermuda, we immediately confirmed the Coral Beach Club for our wedding festivities. My family has been going there for years and we felt there was no better representation of the island than the CBC with its quant Bermudian traditions coupled with its relaxed island feel.
The entire club was occupied with our family and friends throughout the wedding weekend. Guests were welcomed to the club with afternoon tea, a long-standing and daily tradition on the island of tea, crumpets, and sandwiches.”
“Thursday’s dinner was a classic Bermudian seafood feast on the Coral Beach Club’s Longtail Terrace. Guests were encouraged to wear Bermuda formal attire and the men donned their traditional Bermuda shorts and long socks, which were given to guests in their welcome baskets.”
“It was surreal to see the lobby and beach chairs filled with our friends and family. We felt so loved. Walking down the beach on the first day was hilarious. It truly took me an hour to cover what is usually a five-minute walk because I got to stop and hug and see everyone.”
“After an open day spent by the beach or in Bermuda’s charming town of Hamilton, guests gathered on the CBC’s South Shore beach where Matthew’s family hosted a traditional Bermudian pig roast and fresh catch dinner on the beach. The evening included live music with guests dressed in ‘beachy chic’ attire. Bare feet were mandatory!”
“Walking down the stairs of the CBC to the beach was such a memorable moment. The combination of the band playing, our closest friends and family waiting for us, and the noise from the crashing waves made this moment one of our favorites of the weekend.”
“I wore a one-of-a-kind bracelet, The Front Street Bracelet, which was inspired by Hamilton’s Front Street which features iconic pastel-colored buildings. Casa Mestansa used the bracelet in the design to clip up the train of the dress. It fastened into my train.”
“We wanted Friday evening to feel relaxed and unrushed. Growing up, we would go to dinner once a week in Bermuda at an old inn called Horizons and Cottages. They would have live music, a pig roast, and dancing. It was very casual and felt very Bermudian. Horizons and Cottages has long since closed, but I had told Matt about how memorable those evenings were. I wanted to recreate this for our guests. We had live music playing throughout the night with one long table that seated our 150 guests on the beach. My other favorite design detail from this evening was the copper tiki torches that lined the beach.”
The bride and dress designer, Carlota Salvadores Calero of Casa Mestansa.
“I worked with Indigo by Boutin owner, Antonia, on the custom 250-foot tablecloth. She is a fabulous textile designer. My planner in Bermuda recommended her and then by chance after I reached out I found out she was based in Venice, CA! Antonia got to come to my office in Brentwood and I just felt the proximity was kismet. I think we will have the tablecloth made into curtains for our baby’s room one day because I don’t know when I will ever use that length again!”
WWW Weddings tip: “If you do a destination wedding, I highly recommend doing a pre-wedding trip there to iron out the details. I loved meeting all of the vendors on the island and met such talented people.”
“I got ready with my mother, sisters, and the designer of my wedding dress and dear friend, Carlota. Matt got ready on his own. He felt like that was the best way for him to stay calm and present.”
“I opted to keep my beauty look really simple, clean, and natural. The dress was so classic and romantic, I wanted there to be minimal fuss with my hair. I created moodboards for each day and I reviewed them with Helen Hening before we got to the island. I’ve worked with Helen for years and she is also a friend so I didn’t feel the need to do multiple tests or trials, but we did do one before we left for Bermuda. Helen brought along Ardree Merriweather (hairstylist) and Keri Kemper (assistant makeup) to help me, my sisters, mother, and mother-in-law all get ready.”
WWW Weddings tip: “For hair and makeup, if you have a great team, let them know ahead of time how important efficiency is to you. Ardree, Helen, and Keri were amazing because they truly got that I wanted to be on the beach and swimming with friends until the very last moment. Come with a mood board and clear reference photos. If you provide that and have the right creatives working with you, they will be able to execute it efficiently. Don’t overcomplicate it.”
“I am an extrovert so I loved having my sisters and family all around me for the entire wedding day. One of my favorite moments amongst the business of getting ready was when my younger sister, Gabrielle, gave me a handwritten letter from Matthew. It was so thoughtful of him and allowed me to take a moment of calm before the ceremony.”
“Six years ago, I made the engagement ring for the designer behind Casa Mestansa, Carlota Salvadores Calero. It was in the early years of Octavia Elizabeth, and the couple, Christopher Nolte and Carlota entrusted me to make their significant piece. Fast forward several years, Carlota and I worked together to create my dream wedding dress.
I wanted something one-of-a-kind and bespoke, something old-world and feminine yet functional. I knew I wanted to dance. After a few conversations with Casa Mestansa, Carlota came up with three amazing concepts (of which I chose one). It was not easy, all of them were genuinely iconic. Like my jewelry, the materials, fabrication, and finishes were so important. I love texture and originally I was envisioning a linen texture, but with wrinkles that just was not going to work. We ended up sourcing a few different dupioni silks which have a lovely texture and choosing one of them. To bring texture into the gown, Carlota had the dressmaker hand tear the silk for a raw edge. All of the buttons on the dress (over 100 of them) were fully functioning—to me, details like that are so important.”
“Matt was less specific about his outfit. After trying on a few different suits on his own, we decided to spend a day in Beverly Hills trying on different options. After lunch at South Beverly Grill, we made a few stops nearby and ended up at Ralph Lauren. The team there was great and super accommodating. While we weren’t planning on doing green or a tux, we saw a beautiful green tuxedo and I knew it would perfectly compliment the Unfinished Cathedral.”
WWW Weddings tip: “Have your partner try on their suit or tuxedo before they take it home with them after their final fitting. Matt and I shopped and went to his fittings together—it became a fun ritual. It was on a final fitting day that we had planned to just swing by and pick up his tux—it was 4 days before we left for Bermuda. We ran into the shop and I insisted he try it on one final time. I am so happy he did because the alterations had not been made and the pins were still in the tuxedo. Ralph Lauren ended up doing the tailoring while we went to lunch and all was well, but I truly cannot imagine what we would have done if we had not noticed this until we got to Bermuda.”
“We personalized the veil with a small heart with our initials. It was so small that unless you really looked, you wouldn’t see it. I hope my daughters will wear it one day and add in their own initials.”
“The dress transformed from highly formal (worn down the aisle and shown here) to a mid-length (worn while dancing with my dad).”
“The house I got ready in is historic. The property served as the official Bermuda residence of the United States Consul General for 30 years.”
“With most wedding festivities at the Coral Beach Club and all of our guests staying there, we knew we’d want our ceremony to be slightly removed and we fell in love with the Unfinished Church the moment we visited the open-air space. We visited the ruins in the UNESCO World Heritage town of St. George on the island. Funny enough, it was not really on our radar. I was in Bermuda a year before with just my parents and my dad and I went to check it out. He started tearing up and I knew it was it.”
“The church itself is iconic and the ruins are stunning on their own. I didn’t want to work against that with something hyper-modern or sleek so instead, with the help of Helen Sawden, we worked to create a lush and overgrown landscape. Something that felt natural. Give me a beautiful space to work with, with amazing bones and historical significance and I’m a happy bride.
From day one, I was deadset on not bringing stuff onto the island. I wanted to use what was there. That goes for everything from tableware to florals. I had to get a little more flexible as time went on, but I am so proud that 80% of the plants and flowers from the church were ‘living’ meaning the florals and trees were re-plantable and thus re-usable. I wanted to limit waste and use on-island plants and florals whenever possible. Helen Sawden was amazing and coached me on what was possible and what wasn’t.”
“We didn’t have a bridal party or groomsmen so the walk down the aisle was brief.”
“I walked down the aisle to ‘Unchained Melody’ played by Stephen Crawford, a local Bermudian musician. I will never forget when I saw Matty. We locked eyes and throughout the entire ceremony it truly felt like it was just us.”
“Upon arrival at the church, guests were welcomed and offered water and icey, cool towels. Straw fans were laid on each seat to combat the August sun.”
“Matt keeps a book of poetry, The Prophet by Kahill Gabran, on his bedside table, and for years every once in a while we read from it together.We knew we wanted traditional vows with readings from that same poetry book. Matty and I had a family friend as our celebrant, followed by two readings of our favorite poems by our childhood friends, Meredith and Taylor—’Love without Possession’ by Charlie Child and ‘On Marriage’ by Kahill Gabran.”
“I felt like my dress told a story. The foundation of the dress was a luxurious Dupioni silk that had a beautiful texture to it. Casa Mestansa shirred the edges of the dress which I thought mirrored our invitation which were torn edge and I felt that played so well with the Unfinished Church.”
WWW Weddings tip: “Make a conscious effort to be present. Prior to our wedding weekend, Matt and I had a thoughtful discussion about this. Both he and I knew that throughout the weekend, we were going to be pulling each other aside and saying out loud how special the feeling or moment was. You can actually see this in a lot of our photos, where it is just the two of us. Some of the key moments I will never forget are from when we both just whispered to each other to take this in or feel the moment.”
“We tried to keep the ceremony short, but meaningful. I’d say it was about 25 minutes in total and guests were then whisked back to the club for the cocktail reception!”
WWW Weddings tip: “Matt and I both have our own companies so hiring a great planner was a must, but you still have to do a lot of the work and have a clear vision. For Matt and I working on our wedding after a long day of work was not realistic, we started to block off whole Saturdays once a month and it worked so well for us.”
“Our cocktail reception was hosted on a beautiful lawn overlooking the entire club and ocean.”
“My actual wedding dress transformed throughout the night. So much so that guests thought I was changing each time! In reality, I was simply shedding a layer to reveal a new silhouette.”
“Our wedding to me was all about beautiful ‘moments.’ Bringing two people and two worlds together. Matt and I have many friends that have never met from various chapters of our lives. He has always worked in the tech industry and many of his friends come from when he lived in San Francisco, most of my friends are in the creative world, and I met a lot of them through my college community of friends in L.A. It was so fun for us to see everyone meeting and bonding throughout the different events. Not so surprisingly as they’re all wonderful humans, many new friendships were formed. It’s been beautiful to see how even after the wedding the two groups have become one.”
“The dinner was hosted on the iconic Longtail Terrace. Once our guests were seated for dinner, Matt and I were announced and we danced through swinging doors onto the veranda and down the stairs to the reception. We wound through all of the tables and ended up on the dance floor.”
“For dinner, it was the Club’s signature tuna tartar to start followed by Bermuda’s fresh catch and fillet. I didn’t want anything too heavy that would impair our guest’s ability to dance all night. Dancing and music were a priority to me.”
“Matt and I worked with an amazing dance teacher before our wedding day. We didn’t want to have a choreographed first dance, but we wanted to give our guests some sort of show! The dance lessons we took were some of our favorite moments leading up to the wedding. It was scheduled time for Matt and I to be together.”
“For the after-party, I did a proper outfit change and a last-minute impulse buy, to be honest. I switched into a Zimmerman dress. I was shopping for my honeymoon when I saw this dress that felt very inspired by the coral reef and the intricacies of marine life. I paired it with sky-high Valentino sandals which I swear were more comfortable than my Dior kitten heels I wore down the aisle. My hair was taken down and let loose. Helen and Ardree know me well so I had them stick to a 15-minute turnaround time because I didn’t want to miss anything more. And of course, the jewelry changed too!
The after-party to me was a top priority. When Matt and I decided on Bermuda we met with five of the top planners on the island. We ended up going with Nikki Beg because she just got it and was able to verbalize what I was envisioning for the afterparty in particular. The Club has these iconic winding stairs that lead to the beach. I wanted the band to play their final song and then for there to be party music playing in the distance. I wanted guests to kind of meander to the DJ and get so excited for more dancing. That’s what happened and guests were greeted by espresso martinis and sliders of all sorts once they made it down the stairs.”
“We danced and partied until about 1 AM and then without any announcement everyone just kind of was like it’s time to get in the ocean! We all ended up skinny dipping and swimming. I can’t stress how amazing the Club was. As about 70 of us emerged from the ocean, the Club had warmed towels for each of us. We were all laughing and just so grateful for that.”
WWW Weddings tip: “Give your photographers and videographers a dossier of the ‘most beloved’ guests. Not in a cringey ‘whose-who’ way, but in the way that you would really hate it if you didn’t see these people in your albums after the wedding. Since Matt and I didn’t have bridal/groom parties, the dossier saved our photography. It meant for us that we got so many photos of our best friends and family and fewer of our parent’s guests etc.”
“Even before we designed the dress, I had the design for my earrings. I knew I wanted seafoam emeralds and South Sea pearls. The King Palm Emerald and Pearl Earrings were hand-carved in wax before being cast in 18K Yellow Gold. Each stone is unique. We continued the design into the wedding dress using 10 of the emeralds as buttons on the back of it.”
“The back of my dress had emerald buttons we made especially for this detail. All of the buttons on the entire dress were fully functioning meaning they all had to be closed by hand. Today, most dresses are zip-up or superficial buttons. To me, the beauty in the dress is in the details.”
“So here is how a jewelry designer gets engaged! I was having a coffee with one of my favorite diamond suppliers, Gil Katz. He always has some amazing unique diamonds. We were looking at stones for my clients and as he often does, he asked me if I wanted to see a really special stone. As I always answer yes to these questions, he pulled out a stunning 5-carat fancy yellow diamond. It was nothing that I thought I wanted. It was an elongated cushion cut. I always wanted an emerald cut. It was a fancy yellow. I always wanted a white diamond. But right when I saw that diamond I knew it was the one. I had never done this before, but I called Matty and asked him if he could jet down to my office to see a stone. He didn’t even question who it was for. He came right away and he adored it, but whispered, ‘You know it’s yellow right?’ It was such a happy day.
I designed the ring and used my mother’s white diamond side stones to create what is now a classic we call ‘The Octavia.’ It’s an untraditional three-stone engagement ring that could not be more perfect for me. I entrusted Matt and Hayley (VP of Marketing and Sales of Octavia Elizabeth, as well as a friend) to make the ring. It took over 6 months, but it was well worth the wait.”
“My latest collection for Octavia Elizabeth was called ‘Coral Beach.’ It was inspired by the island that I love so much with many of the pieces influenced by native plants, places, and beaches on the island. All of my family and my non-traditional bridal party all wore pieces from the collection. Hayley who is VP of Marketing and Sales at Octavia Elizabethwas both a guest and stylist that weekend—helping my crew of women find the perfect jewels for their outfits.”
The bride’s friends donning Octavia Elizabeth jewelry.
Man, I do love a wedding. I love the pomp and the circumstance, the happy tears, the gorgeous dresses, the melding of two families… I love it all! As an aging millennial and former bridesmaid, the past few years have been a flurry of RSVPs. This is to say my wedding experience is vast and, as someone who walked down the aisle last year, quite intimate.
Here’s the thing about that aforementioned melding of the families: One day, you and your dearly beloved will look at your calendars and realize that you both have relatives getting married sometime during that time warp between Thanksgiving and Christmas on two different continents—yikes. Even though we’re nuptial veterans, traveling this extensively so close to the holidays felt daunting.
In the spirit of true partnership, we decided to divide and conquer. My husband took on the task of navigating our travel itineraries (musts: Tim Tams, koalas, beachfront cocktails) while I began the mental gymnastics of packing for two very different climates and cultures ahead of the Punjabi-Australian and Jewish-Colombian celebrations.
I was recently chosen to give a toast at my best friend’s wedding. Since she’s all for fun and games, her instructions were clear: “No crying; only funny wedding toasts at my wedding!” I did my research. And here I am, putting it to good use.
Did you know that the tradition of wedding toasts dates back to ancient Rome when the practice of clinking glasses together was thought to ward off evil spirits? Over time, toasts evolved to include good wishes for the couple’s happiness and fertility. Today, they’ve become an elaborate affair.
Though brides or grooms giving toasts is not unusual, the overworked couple usually decides on someone cherished to deliver funny toasts on their big day. Have you, too, been chosen like I was? Let me end your search for funny wedding toast ideas with my all-rounder list made specifically for you. There are tips for writing the perfect toast in the end as well!
Funny Wedding Toast One-Liners
So, who can give a toast at a wedding party? It could be the couple’s closest family members or, specifically, the father or mother of the bride/groom. It’s common for best friends, the maid of honor, or the best man to do the honors as well.
Anyone who’s seen Hollywood movies knows that using a hilarious one-liner for opening the toast is popular in a lot of funny wedding speeches that maid of honor or the best man give. To give you and your loved ones that perfect Hollywood scene, I scoured the depths of the internet to bring you the best wedding toast one-liners that will have everyone roaring with laughter:
1. “A good friend just told me that the key to a successful marriage was to argue naked.” — LeAnn Rimes
2. “True love does not come from finding the perfect person. So, luckily for you both…”
3. “If you’re wrong and you shut up, you’re wise. If you’re right and you shut up, you’re married.”
4. “If at first you don’t succeed, try doing it the way your wife told you.”
5. “To the bride. May she share everything with her husband, especially the housework!”
6. “I drink to your health when I’m with you, I drink to your health when I’m alone, I drink to your health so often, I’m starting to worry about my own!”
7. “A good marriage is one where each partner secretly suspects they got the better deal.”
8. “Marriage is not just spiritual relationship of two souls. It is also remembering to take out the trash.”
9. “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”
10. “I have one final piece of advice for you two lovebirds: Never stop laughing with each other, even though you both can’t crack a single joke properly.”
Funny Wedding Toast Closing Lines
Funny wedding toasts can lift the atmosphere of the wedding to an all time-high. You can include inspirations from funny Irish wedding toasts or even go for a dirty wedding toast in the right setting. Let’s take a look at how a happy marriage has been famously described by a few, and other funny anecdotes that make for great closing lines:
11. A Reddit user shares their successful funny wedding toast: “I got up to do a best man speech and I made everyone stand to make a quick toast ‘to some really important people whom I’m sure you will all meet throughout the evening. Without them none of this would be possible.’ Then I toasted the bartenders. The place went crazy and it set a great tone for the rest of the wedding speech.”
12. “As Dr Seuss once said: We are all a little weird, and life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness and call it love. So. Good luck, you weirdos!”
13. Awesome wedding toasts examples can be appropriately rude to the couple as well, like: “My dear friends, they’re the best friends. They are loyal, trustworthy, and able. But now it’s time for what we truly came here for: Drinks! So lift all of your glasses off the table!”
14. “So finally, a toast to the happy couple. Thank you for buying us all dinner today, so kind of you.”
15. “Love is a lot like a backache. It doesn’t show up on X-rays, but you know it’s there.” — George Burns
16. “For marriage to be a success, every woman and every man should have her and his own bathroom. The end.” — Catherine Zeta-Jones
17. “A successful marriage is all about finding that one special person to wake up to for the rest of your life. And if they snooze their alarm, well, you can always nudge them gently … with a brick.”
18. “To keep your marriage brimming with love in the loving cup, whenever you’re wrong, admit it; whenever you’re right, shut up.” — Ogden Nash
19. “The secret to a happy marriage remains a secret.” — Henny Youngman
20. “May your love be as strong as your coffee and as forgiving as the elastic on your Thanksgiving PJs!” — An inspirational wedding wish indeed
Hilarious Marriage Advice As Wedding Toasts
Deciding on funny wedding toasts or serious ones can be difficult. Nowadays, many couples decide to go with light-hearted wedding toasts for their big day. Some do mix in touching sentiments with short and funny toasts to keep the atmosphere light for the ceremony. These nuggets of advice are sure to add laughter and levity to the wedding celebration. Just be sure to know your audience and keep the humor in good taste. Here are 11 funny wedding toast examples of how to leave the couple with some ‘good’ advice:
21. “Before getting married to a person, you should first make them use a computer with slow internet to see who they really are.” — Will Ferrell
22. “Marriage is like a deck of cards. At the start, all you need is two hearts and a diamond. By the end, you’re looking for a club and a spade.”
23. “Marriage is all about finding that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. Cheers to a lifetime of joyful irritation!”
24. Are you the kind of maid of honor or best man who’s into corny but sweet one-liners? Here’s what a Reddit user says, “It’s been an emotional day … even the cake is in tiers.”
25. “To a happy marriage: May you never have to compromise … unless it’s the thermostat.”
26. “The best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly who you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, what have you. The right person is still going to think the sun shines out of your ass. That’s the kind of person that’s worth sticking with.” — Mac MacGuff in the movie Juno
27. “In marriage, if you want to be happy, be sure you’re right. If you want to be even happier, be wrong!”
28. “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times – always with the same person.” — Mignon McLaughlin
29. “Don’t go to bed mad. Stay up and plot your revenge.” — Now that’s some funny marriage advice.
30. A user on Reddit recalls one of the most awesome wedding toast examples, “I was best man at my friend’s wedding. When it came time for my speech I pulled a paper out of my pocket and began reading about what a wonderful husband he was going to be, how he was loyal, handsome, kind, how he was loved by everyone, etc. Then, I squinted at the paper, stumbled a little over the words – turned to him, handed him the paper and announced, ‘I can’t read your handwriting.’ Brought the house down.”
31. “Spend a few minutes a day really listening to your spouse. No matter how stupid [their] problems sound to you.” — Megan Mullally
32. “Before we raise a glass to the newlyweds, I’d like to share a Pauline Thomason quote with you: ‘Love is blind — Marriage is the eye opener.’ To the happy couple!”
Wedding Toast Quotes That Will Leave Everyone In Splits
We saved the best for the last so if the ideas above didn’t make the cut, you’ll definitely add a few words to your shortlist from the ones below:
33. “Remember, love is grand, but divorce is at least 10 grand.”
34. “The most important four words for a successful marriage somehow end up being: ‘I’ll do the dishes.’”
35. A Reddit user remembers her hilarious wedding toast, “My husband gave all the groomsmen leathermans for a groomsman gift. So one of the groomsmen gets up for his wedding speech saying how my husband was very much like this leatherman, useful, helpful, handy in many situations, dependable, and (unfolds leatherman) ‘9 1/2 inches fully extended.’ The whole place erupted.”
36. In another post, a user on Reddit recalls an incident on his own wedding day involving the best man and how he saved the day: “My best man managed to forget our rings in the car before the ceremony. It was cool. He managed to wrangle two rings so we could play it off during the ceremony and we had a good laugh about it and, during the reception, told a lot of people what had happened.
“When it came time for his best man speech, he went to the center of the room, cleared his throat, started patting at his coat pockets, and then announced that he had left his speech in the car.”
37. Short funny wedding toasts can look like this: “Marry someone your own age because as your beauty fades, so will their eyesight.”
38. “[Insert bride/groom name] was incomplete before they got married. Now that they’re finally married, they’re finished.”
39. “You know you’re killing it at the whole marriage malarkey when you ask your partner to pass you ‘the thingamajig’ and they know exactly what you mean.”
40. “Marriage is the point at which two people become one. The trouble starts when they try to decide which one.”
41. “May your children treat life like they are blessed with rich parents!”
Tips For Writing And Delivering Funny Wedding Toasts
To craft a memorable wedding toast, start with a warm greeting, personalize your message with anecdotes about the happy couple, and balance humor and heartfelt sentiments. Keep it positive, avoid controversial topics, and offer wishes for their future. Practice and timing are crucial, and it’s wise to be mindful of your audience’s preferences. Speaking from the heart is key to delivering a meaningful and enjoyable toast. Here are 5 tips for a smashing wedding toast:
1. Always keep the audience in mind
If you’re doing wedding speeches for best friend or sibling, you need to take it as a personal project. Understanding your audience is important to the success of a toast. Some things may not be suitable for a wedding gathering with conservative elders. The dirty wedding toasts you may have come up with – you’ll need to use them on a different occasion. So, tailor your toast to your audience, and when uncertain, it’s best to exercise caution.
2. Be respectful of the couple
Have an open communication with the to-be-married pair while you’re preparing the speech. Here are a few reasons why:
Generally, toasts don’t need to get ‘approved’ before the wedding, but it’s always better to confirm beforehand
Ask them if they’d want you to add or remove something from your wedding toast
Avoid embarrassing your hosts on their very special day in front of all their loved ones
For example, don’t talk about their exes or their couple conflicts or vulnerable childhood moments
3. Remember to thank the couple for the opportunity
Funny wedding speeches by a maid of honor, one of the bridesmaids, or the best man always include paying respects to the members of the gathering — So, open with a general greeting. Also, remember to thank the happy couple for putting their trust in you to be an integral part of their wedding ceremony. As the best man, remember that clean jokes guarantee belly laughs. Also, mind the drinks at the free bar before your speech. Drunk people are sure to find you funny … *wink wink*
4. Keep it short but engaging
Include a lesser-known story about the happy couple (it could be something you all did together), and tie it up with a moving angle. Include humor to keep the audience engaged, but also express genuine care and emotions, such as love, wishes, and happiness for the couple. A good mix of both creates well-rounded funny wedding toasts.
5. Practice makes perfect
Rehearse your toast to ensure it flows smoothly. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Your toast should be within a reasonable time frame
Keep it concise and to the point. Long, rambling toasts can lose the audience’s interest
Don’t pressure yourself into creating an unforgettable speech
It’s okay if the final words that you utter are different from the ones you wrote on paper
Key Pointers
Avoid making the toast too long or too short; find the perfect balance of storytelling, sincerity, and humor
Get your funny wedding toasts approved by the happy couple and try not to cross their boundaries or accidentally disrespect elders at the wedding party
Practice as much as you can to avoid forgetting the piece but even if you do, make the best out of the situation and have fun during your heartfelt storytelling
Keep the opening of your toast as engaging or funny as possible. For example, start with something that goes “I would like to reintroduce the most important people here tonight. We know them, we love them, and it’s probably why we’re all here … the bartenders.”
Having to prepare the perfectly sincere and short funny wedding toast can make you a bit nervous. We hope our collection of tidbits from funny Irish wedding toasts to celebrity one-liners help you write your own speech. Be sure to toast the newlyweds a happy marriage and a new beginning with respect, humor, and a dash of whiskey.
It’s no secret that plus-size folks have a much harder time finding quality clothing than their straight-size counterparts. That struggle becomes exponentially difficult when it comes to shopping for formalwear. Bridesmaids dresses are no exception. As a plus-size editor and recent bridesmaid, I’ve dug through the corners of the internet to find some decent plus-size bridesmaid dress options. Ahead shop the plus-size formal dress I landed on and other lovely contenders.
You can expect various dress selections from a variety of retailers in different cuts and fabrications. From gorgeous silhouettes to colorful hues, a wide range of formal dress styles are included. Keep scrolling to uncover some seriously pretty plus-size bridesmaid dresses.
Former Bachelor Ben Flajnik revealed that he secretly got married in October.
“Last month, in an intimate ceremony surrounded by family I married my best friend and it was the most incredible day of my life,” Flajnik, 41, shared via Instagram on Saturday, November 25. “Tears and laughs were had and I’ve never felt so present with another person in my life. I’m so grateful to do life with you and thank you for your unwavering love and support.”
He shared the news alongside a wedding photo from Mission San Francisco Solano, which is located in Sonoma State Historic Park in Sonoma, California. The groom wore black suit with a white shirt and silver tie. The bride, whose name was not revealed, wore a classic off-the-shoulder gown with an embroidered veil.
Several members of Bachelor Nation shared well wishes. “Congrats!!!” J.P. Rosenbaum commented while Ashley Iaconetti wrote, “Congratulations!!! 🍾.”
While some roses stand the test of time, others wilt before the Neil Lane engagement ring can be resized. The Bachelor premiered on ABC in March 2002 with Alex Michel dubbed the world’s most eligible Bachelor. More than 20 women competed for his heart and one of the most successful reality TV franchises was born. […]
Flajnik started his search for love in 2011 on season 7 of The Bachelorette. Ashley Hebert ultimately chose Rosenbaum while Flajnik was the runner-up. He was then chosen to lead season 16 of The Bachelor, which aired in 2012. Though he ended the season by proposing to Courtney Robertson, they ultimately announced their breakup in October 2012. (For her part, Robertson married Humberto Preciado in 2020 and is currently pregnant with their third child.)
The founder of Ion Wines later dated Stephanie Winn from 2014 to 2017 after matching on Tinder. In 2021, Flajnik exclusively told Us Weekly that he was back on the apps.
“I sporadically go on Hinge every once in a while, so yeah, I suppose I’m on the apps,” Ben told Us at the time. “I live in Sonoma now, which is a fairly small town and that makes dating fairly difficult. … If I go on a bunch of first dates in the town of Sonoma then everyone probably just assumes I’m back being the Bachelor, which is not the case.”
Believe it or not, not everyone who competes on The Bachelor ditches their regular ol’ life to sell SugarBearHair gummies. Some contestants — gasp! — actually end up going back to their real jobs. Since appearing on TV, fan favorites from The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise, The Bachelor Winter Games and even Bachelor […]
Though Flajnik was exploring the dating apps, he knew that he wouldn’t find love on TV. He turned down Bachelor in Paradise repeatedly.
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“They’ve asked me to do it, like, five times,” he told Us, noting it would take “a lot” for him to return to the Bachelor franchise. “My handler at the time, Adam Mansfield, is now working on that show, so he always reaches out and I’m just too busy. I have too many projects and companies and I’m too old.”
Clearly, he didn’t need to go to paradise to meet his soul mate.
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.
“As soon as I saw Brad, I was in love,” shares Hannah Anderson as she reminisces on the beginning of her relationship with her now husband, Bradley Mackeson. A group road trip to Joshua Tree prompted the couple’s initial meeting in addition to a little scheming from mutual friends and a shared career in music. “I lived in Texas at the time,” recalls Anderson. “Our mutual friend Tyler kept telling me about Brad and all the cool work that Brad was doing. We’re all musicians, so that was our common thread. Tyler, Brad, a few friends, and I took a road trip to Joshua Tree. Brad only had one seat in his truck, so of course, I jumped into the seat as fast as I could. On the three-hour road trip, there was never a moment of awkward silence. We flowed.” After a couple of months of visits between Texas and L.A., moving in together, and a proposal, the rest is history.
Mackeson proposed six years later near a natural spring on Makalawena Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii. “It was an impromptu proposal with some cute little rings I had found at a vintage shop in Hilo a few days earlier,” shares Mackeson. “I kept the rings on my person knowing a time would present itself, which it did!” Although the couple had been together for quite some time, Mackeson recalls that the two of them hadn’t extensively discussed the idea of getting engaged, “so there was some real suspense there.” Anderson adds, “I think we both went into shock, and after I said yes, we just stood there holding hands and shaking.”
The two decided to get married in Mackeson’s parents’ backyard in Troutdale, Oregon—a property that backs up to the gorgeous river where the ceremony was held. The day was filled with the true personality of the couple, hands-on support from their community, and tons of creative details that really set this wedding apart. Scroll down to read more about the day from the perspective of both the bride and groom, including the antique plates, outfit details, and more.
“The night before, we had an intimate rehearsal dinner with just immediate family and whoever was in the ceremony.”
“We did a walk-through of the ceremony, and then Brad’s parents provided dinner for us.”
“I wore a Hill House dress, and my shoes were from Hereu. I wanted to keep it really simple and easy! [My friend] Anica gifted me the bow at my bridal shower, so I thought that would be fun to wear for the rehearsal. [She] also helped me coordinate the day of the wedding [and] threw a beautiful bridal shower for me the week prior to the wedding for the L.A. girls. It was perfect! One of her best friends, Alana Jones-Mann, made a vintage-style wedding cake that said ‘Mrs. Mackeson’ on it. I wept when I saw it.”
WWW Weddings tip: “Go with the flow!”
“I got ready with a few of my girlfriends. We didn’t have a bridal party or groomsmen, but I at least wanted the experience of getting ready with my girls! My friends Caileigh, Carly, Emma, and Anica all helped me prep tablescapes and décor and then stayed to get ready with me. It was so much fun!”
“I wore a vintage yellow slip dress that I thrifted. It was so chic and delicate! Unplanned, a few of the other girls wore vintage slips too! It was meant to be.”
“I wanted the beauty to feel kind of ’60s mod but didn’t want to feel like I was in a costume. I did my own makeup and hair and felt really good. I felt the most me I have ever felt.”
WWW Weddings tip: “There is a lot of pressure when it comes to planning your wedding. Choose your battles! Find things that you’re willing to be more relaxed with, and find the things that are the most important to you and stick with them. For me, that was my dress and my guest list!”
“Being that the wedding was going to be outside, I wanted something shorter. I have been obsessed with ShuShu/Tong for a while and started scouring the internet for a white piece from them and ended up finding this piece on Ssense. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was the one.”
“Since the dress was cropped, I almost went with an extra-long veil until I saw this cropped veil on Etsy and loved it.”
“My outfit came together so perfectly—it was meant to be. I had tried on more traditional gowns, but they didn’t feel like me.”
“The shoes I got online at Pêche. The floral, the jacquard—what more could you need? I paired the shoe with a sheer white knee-high sock. I made my earrings! My pearl mini purse is vintage. I thrifted it in Palm Beach the week after my Miami bachelorette trip this summer.”
“How we dress and our fashion choices are a form of nonverbal communication to the exterior world,” says Mackeson as he shares the details of his look. “It’s a way we can subtly communicate our values to others. As an artist and person, I’m especially inspired by the people and art of the mid-’60s the early ’70s. Peace, love, freedom, and open-mindedness. I also love the sophistication and clean lines of late ’50s and ’60s mod.”
“Another defining aspect of my person is a resilient ‘never say die’ independent attitude and gusto, so I knew I wanted to get a little Western grit in the mix. I’m all about peace and love, but I still want people to take me seriously. You know what I mean? A distinguished gentleman who likes his LSD and isn’t afraid to rough it when he has to.
“With that in mind, I went to work browsing used vintage suits on Etsy and eBay. I knew I wanted something a little big for me so I could tailor it to my needs. After much searching, I ran across an ivory ’90s zoot suit that had a mod vibe to it! After taking a considerable amount of length off the jacket (if you’ve seen a zoot suit, you know what I’m talking about), I had the tailor add a subtle flare to the pants. Not enough to be the focal, but enough to let you know. I also knew this would pair well with my boots and link the Western aspects of the look.”
“My favorite part of the look, other than the snakeskin boots, is the vintage Western ribbon tie. I found both the ribbon tie and boots on Etsy. In 2020, my wife and I founded our record label SlickPony Records as a place to release our music. The tie has a hand-stitched mirrored image of two horses. For me, this represents the duality of our feminine and masculine energy coming together and joining in union.”
“Our venue was Brad’s parents’ backyard. They live on a river, and it felt like the perfect setting.”
“Brad’s parents, Dean and Shireen, did a lot of work to prepare the property. Shireen planted this wonderland garden that bloomed perfectly for the wedding.”
“We had gone between doing a Joshua Tree wedding (where we first connected) to a Hawaii wedding (where we got engaged) and ended up landing on the river.”
Hannah and Brad at the venue.
“Because we didn’t use a venue, we had to source everything from tables to kitchen gear for our chef to tables and chairs. Brad’s mom sourced all of our vintage dishware from estate sales, Facebook Marketplace, and thrift shops.”
WWW Weddings tip: “I didn’t hire a planner for my wedding and think it would’ve actually been amazing to have a third-party mediator for details, seating, etc. Tensions may get high during planning, so whatever you can do to alleviate those tensions I highly recommend.”
WWW Weddings tip (from the groom): “Weddings can be very overwhelming—not only for you but also your parents and family. At some points, it may not even feel worth it. My advice to you is that it is worth it. Once the ceremony starts, it’s all love. Stay present and enjoy the beautiful moment with your loved ones.”
“Although we both grew up in religious families, we aren’t religious in any way now. We have done things quite differently from our families, and in planning the wedding, my friend Emma sent me this quote from Bert Hellinger called ‘The Black Sheep.’ When I read it, I wept. Brad and I both agreed this would be the theme of our wedding, which is why we put the black sheep illustration on the invitation.
“‘The black sheep, those who do not adapt, those who cry rebelliously, play a basic role within each family system. They repair, pick up, and create new and unfold branches in the family tree. Thanks to these members, our trees renew their roots. Its rebellion is fertile soil. Its madness is water that nourishes. Its stubbornness is new air. Its passion is fire that reignites the light of the heart of the ancestors.’”
“Jonpaul, who officiated, also wanted to photograph throughout the night. He asked if he could shoot photos during the ceremony. It was so sweet and playful.”
The couple celebrating post-ceremony.
“My nephews were the ring bearers, and I had three flower girls. The boys wore matching baby-blue plaid vests and trousers with little patent black-and-white schoolboy oxford shoes. The girls wore white puffy dresses with knee-high navy socks that I embroidered baby-blue flowers on.”
The bride’s and groom’s families.
“The overall vision was an end-of-summer garden party. I knew the garden and outdoor scenery would really make the night, so apart from that, I didn’t want to have too much additional décor.”
“Everyone got an embroidered napkin for dinner. This was the take-home keepsake from the evening. I spent weeks and weeks embroidering these! Thankfully, a friend let me borrow her embroidery machine so I didn’t have to do each one by hand.”
“I made paper flowers and paper-mache vases to put throughout the dinner tables. I realized at the last minute that I didn’t buy sign holders for the table numbers, so we propped up the numbers with river rocks. It ended up being a nice natural touch.”
“I hand-painted the entry sign and the seating chart with watercolor.”
“I also made this paper-mache angel that I hung at the entrance. He was the guardian angel of the night.”
WWW Weddings tip: “Remember why you’re doing this when it gets stressful! There’s a lot to plan, so many details, so many things to juggle. Just remember that this is about you and your partner and about sharing the love you have for each other with the most important people in your life. So special!”
“For us, this whole wedding felt like a time and opportunity to showcase everything we are about—love, creativity, and community.”
“For our first dance, we danced to ‘Out the Blue’ by John Lennon. Our dog, Rufio, danced with us the entire time!”
“[Something] that was really important for us was a family-style meal. Our friend Natalia Pereira of Woodspoon came to cook for us. We created a makeshift kitchen in Brad’s dad’s barn for her. My friends, Julie and Lori, and a couple of Natalia’s friends all rallied to make it possible for us. We had salmon, lamb, seasonal vegetables, Natalia’s signature potato salad, rice and beans with crispy pork, Asian pear salad, yucca fries, and more. It was phenomenal.”
“For our cake, we had a GF chocolate cake with a whipped coconut cream icing and loaded with seasonal, local fruits. I made the cake! We got all of the produce from Burns Farm in Troutdale. They grow some produce and work with local farmers to supply other meat and produce. It’s the cutest place ever.”
“The main vision I had for the reception was the dance party of the century, and I think we pulled that off.”
Guests dancing at the reception.
“I kept the same look on through the night—I just removed my veil and added my little grill. I had it custom-made for a video earlier this year and always love wearing it for parties! Brad’s mom had given me this antique floral crown that I had revamped and added gingham bows to, but I forgot to put it on!”
“Me and a few of the ladies ended the night with an icy river dip.”
About the brand: If you consider yourself a part of the in-the-know fashion crowd, then you’re no stranger to Anifa Mvuemba. Since she launched her namesake label, Hanifa, she’s distinguished the brand from the luxury industry from the jump by championing a size-inclusive offering that reimagines staples through deconstruction, color, and texture. Her unique, distinctive take on ready-to-wear has translated into a desire to design bridalwear, which debuted just last month.
For those who are unfamiliar with your work, how did you come to work in fashion? What drew you to the design aspect of the industry?
I was drawn to fashion at a young age. As a child, I remember watching my mom get dressed for work in the mornings and waiting to raid her closet. She was my introduction to style, and I took inspiration from her well-tailored suits that later inspired some Hanifa pieces. Although I never went to design school, I embraced the fashion all around me and started working through my passion to build a brand that reflects that.
You founded Hanifa in 2012—what compelled you to start a brand? How do you feel the brand has evolved over the years?
While working in retail and learning the business of fashion, I was compelled to start my brand for what I felt was missing at the time—bold, sophisticated silhouettes for women of all sizes. Naturally, we’ve evolved as I evolve. When I started Hanifa, I was in my 20s and in need of a birthday dress. Today, I’m a mom, a fiancé, a creative director, and a CEO. It’s fitting that Hanifa Bridal launched while I am a bride-to-be myself. Over the years, I’ve challenged myself to reach for more while embracing the ongoing life changes. I’m always thinking about new ways to connect with the Hanifa woman by first connecting with myself.
Speaking of evolution, you decided to make a foray into the bridal space earlier this year—what compelled you to launch a bridal collection? What do you feel the brand brings to the space that might have been missing before?
Launching Hanifa Bridal has truly been a full-circle moment. My brand began by taking custom orders and making some bridal looks for clients, and I have been looking forward to the moment when I could produce an entire collection. This collection represents the culmination of my years of experience in curation, attention to detail, and exploration of the theme of love. I feel that Hanifa Bridal brings self-love to the space, emphasizing the importance of self-worth before marriage and drawing inspiration from the bride of Christ as a symbol of devotion and grace.
We’ve seen the largest cultural shift around how weddings are perceived and planned in the past few years—what do you feel has contributed to that change? How, if at all, do you feel the brand is helping contribute to that change?
I feel that this generation of brides doesn’t want to be boxed in within any facet of their lives. They want their day to truly be “their” day in the purest form of what makes them feel beautiful and serene. As a brand that encourages our customers to envision their highest, most authentic selves, I like to think that we’re leaders in the space of helping women to feel seen. I also think that’s the reason for the shift—women valuing themselves above all.
I just got engaged (!!!). While I am thrilled to be in love and entering such a special time in my life, I have no shame in admitting I’m also just as excited for an excuse to finally participate in the world of bridal fashion. Like any true fashion editor, I’ve saved hundreds of photos to inspire my ultimate wedding vision from the venue to the ceremony dress, but today’s shopping goal was to find everything but.
I went on a deep dive to locate the most gorgeous bridal finds from shoes to bags to feather boas. These are the pieces that a bride might not necessarily need, but that would be the dream to have. Including second look options, rehearsal dresses, and investment bridal accessories you can wear for a lifetime (i.e. the Prada bag I’ve been dreaming about), please enjoy my current list of bridal pieces I am hyper-fixating on.
In case you haven’t noticed, we’re big on weddings here at Who What Wear. Although folks mainly tend to focus on the big day (including details like the dress, venue, shoes, and makeup), there’s one small element that often gets overlooked. I’ve heard plenty of horror stories from engaged friends that they received a proposal when they least expected it—AKA their nails were far from done and they wanted to wait until they were to post about it.
It may seem like a small, trivial thing, but I’m someone who takes this to heart—I like to be 100% prepared. I know I can’t be the only one, so I made it my mission to help out future me and you (you can thank me later). If you even *suspect* that a proposal might be coming your way, I’ve asked nail artists to share a few ideas on what to get ahead of time. “It’s really about personal preference but, for a traditional look, if don’t want to take away from the diamond, I would always suggest a nude,” says celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein. “You can also add a gold glitter, which is a great complimentary detail. The glitter could be done with a polka dot, simple line, or a tip that wouldn’t be too distracting from the diamond.”
Diamonds are forever, but when it comes to engagement ring trends, the mileage may vary. That’s why I reached out to a diamond expert to help me rank 10 popular engagement ring shapes from the most timeless to the least. While there’s no right or wrong answer, it’s important to weigh your options when making such an expensive decision. A timeless engagement ring is a safe choice, but a trendier ring can be a beautiful reminder of the era in which you became engaged.
When Victoria Beckham got engaged to David Beckham, she opted for a more trend-driven, marquise-cut diamond (and then later upgraded to a collection of over 10 engagement rings). Actress Sarah Hyland, on the other hand, went for a massive and timeless oval option when she said yes in 2020.
Scroll ahead for a refresher on the basics of engagement rings. Then get the full ranking of diamond shapes from the most timeless to the least, according to Josh Marion, a diamond expert who has over 20 years of experience in the industry and has worked at luxury jewelers such as Ritani and Blue Nile.
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.
“Me and Ben met the old-fashioned way, at a bar,” explains model and actress Sadie Newman as she thinks back to the birthday party when she met her now husband Ben Berger, an L.A.-based songwriter and producer. Newman mentions that they were both fresh out of relationships and dating wasn’t on their minds, but something instantly clicked when they they met. “The moment we started talking we couldn’t stop,” Newman says. “Hours passed and I didn’t want it to end and I still don’t want it to.”
It was at the same bar where Berger later proposed. Seated in the exact booth where they first met, he asked Newman to marry him in a room illuminated by glowing candlelight and the sound of the couple’s songs filling the air. “I was then whisked away to our favorite spot, Jones Hollywood, where we first said I love you. I walked into the back room and was surprised by all my friends and family for an engagement dinner followed by a night at Sunset Tower. Truly perfect,” Newman shares. “It’s always been difficult for me to articulate how much I love Ben, but I really was just so certain he was supposed to be my husband from the moment I met him.”
The couple’s wedding took place at Cornwell Manor in the Cotwolds, a destination just three hours from Devon where Newman grew up. The wedding incorporated their love of fashion, the charm and whimsy of the English countryside, and their own spin on family traditions. Scroll on to read more about how the wedding unfolded with words from the bride, including everything from the custom ’90s-inspired dress to all of the details behind the destination nuptials.
“I’ve known Savannah Miller for basically my entire modeling career from when I started at 15. We always knew that the moment I got engaged she would be the one to make me my dress. So, I sat down with her and her lovely team and we came up with inspiration together, it was so special to actually create something that would make me feel the most beautiful and unique.”
“Savannah and her team designed a bias-cut custom made wedding gown through their bespoke service which evolved from being a classic slip dress to something that embodied’ 90s styling. The gown was based on a mainline style, ‘Lordes’, within the collection as a starting point. [I researched] vintage Dior couture silhouettes, Geoffrey Beene, and the iconic style of Kate Moss during that time to create my final design.”
“I wanted a ’90s-inspired shape with structure but also ease, and after flying to London from L.A. a few times for my fittings at the beautiful Four Seasons in the Hyde Park Suite we absolutely nailed it, and I shed a tear when I first saw it in person.”
The bride at her the fitting for her custom Savannah Miller dress.
“The dress was made from a gorgeous heavy crepe satin featuring a fitted bustier that was integral to the bodice which was cut away at the sides and the entire back held together by two straps so there was an element of reveal when I turned around. The straps were adorned with pearls that detailed at the edge alternately.”
“The dress was finished with a hand-draped swathe of silk that crossed over the bust and shoulder and cascaded into a full-length streamer at the back.”
“We invited everyone to the rehearsal dinner on Friday evening since people travelled so far. We set it up in a different part of the manor and had some of the best food ever thanks to Ross and Ross catering.”
“I wore a SIR The Label cream and black silky dress with Jimmy Choo flats and Ben wore a cream and black pinstriped suit.”
“My engagement ring Ben designed all on his own. He knew I loved a two stoned ring- and pear-shaped diamonds so he took it to a jewelry designer and worked with them. Our wedding bands were actually designed together with our good friend David Perry, it felt special to do it with a friend and we kept the designs simple—Ben a gold cigar band, mine a cigar band with a small pear-shaped diamond in it to match the engagement ring and both rings have an inscription on the inside just for us.”
Guests at the rehearsal dinner.
Table decor was inspired by the English countryside.
“I got ready with my mum, mother-in-law, my sisters-in-law and my brother’s girlfriend. My whole goal was to just look like an elevated version of myself. I’ve truly never felt more beautiful than on that day, I think for the first time I really believed it and it radiated from within.”
“The day was super chilled and relaxed. My wonderful makeup team, Kelly Dawn and Nick Rose, mentioned they’ve never had such a relaxed preparation morning. I was glowy with a slightly bronzy eye and some extra eye lashes. On hair I did a half-up, half-down look with pieces coming down in the front, [which] was perfect for my veil to sit in, too.”
Details of the bride’s wedding dress.
The groom and bride’s wedding shoes.
“Ben’s suit was a beautiful custom tuxedo from High Society on 3rd Street in Los Angeles. It was so thoughtfully made and such a timeless piece.”
“I’m from the English countryside, three hours south of the Cotswolds in a county called Devon, but the feeling is very much the same. Cornwell Manor popped up and instantly [became our wedding venue]. We knew we wanted to get married outside surrounded by greenery, but the charming decor of the manor was also a cherry on top. We had a group of our closest friends and family stay there with us and it was so much fun.”
“Our close friends Ryan and Kyly officiated our wedding and it was the most special. To stand in such a beautiful place with all your closest friends and family is truly a feeling I will never forget. My brother walked me down the aisle which meant the world to me, and I started crying immediately. I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold it together. Beautiful flowers lined the seating, and we stood under the most stunning flower archway. We didn’t have bridesmaids or groomsmen, so our families walked before us and we kept it very simple.“
“We both broke a glass in a slight modification of the Jewish tradition and we both read personal vows to really get the tears flowing.”
“Our invitations were produced by Grey and Cake and they were a perfect representation of our wedding colors and theme. Simple, fresh but chic, and elegant. The colors felt English countryside like with some texture added for dimension.”
The couple on their wedding day.
The setting at Cornwell Manor in the Cotswolds.
“The set up through the row of hedges was something from a movie.”
“Millie Richardson went for seasonal British flowers starting from a neutral color palette and combining it with the abundance of greenery already on site and pops of color to tie it together.”
The couple inside Cornwell Manor.
“As cliche as it sounds, it really was the happiest weekend of our lives.”
“Smith + James along with Millie Richardson, who designed the most stunning flowers I’ve ever seen, really created such a chic, beautiful, intimate, and inviting environment in the tent. The walk from the cocktail hour to the tent had the backdrop of a painting, the most quintessential English countryside sight to see.”
“Our first dance was to Donny Hathaway’s Song For You.”
Guests celebrating at the wedding reception.
We did the Horah along with our mums and it was so much fun. That really kicked the party off because everyone was so into it. My friend Sara Sampaio gave me the perfect after party dress! It was a sassy little Cult Gaia number that is reflective white fringe. Such a cute halter mini dress. I didn’t put it on until the very last hour though! I wanted to stay in my wedding dress for as long as possible.”
Proposals hold a profound emotional and philosophical significance in relationships. Asking yourself, “Should I propose before or after dinner?” or “Is this ring good enough?” before popping the question is a personal agony but also fairly common. You might also often wonder, “Is everything exactly according to the plan?” Well, we are here to help you determine the best possible choice to make this important moment easier.
A study published in 2017 showed that 45% of proposals are public. Choosing to go for a public or private proposal is something you should think about in more detail before moving on to ironing out the details for the rest of the unforgettable proposal.
A good thing about going with dinner proposal ideas is that it gives you the option of keeping it public or private. It can be a bit abrupt to think that one meal means so much and can make a difference to a life-long commitment, but that’s what we’re here to help you with. Let’s do a deep dive into understanding the plethora of options and finding out exactly how you should pop the question!
Proposing Before The Dinner
When you ask yourself, Should I propose before or after dinner, consider this advice from a Reddit user, “If you’re thinking of proposing at the perfect restaurant, DO IT BEFORE THE MAIN COURSE!”
Proposing before the dinner can be a very good idea for you. Read why.
Here are a few reasons behind proposing before the meal:
If you propose before the dinner, it turns into that one special meal you will never forget. Make your memory a long-lasting one, which both of you will enjoy and celebrate
You can have more flattering pictures taken before you start eating
A momentous occasion such as this befits a bottle of champagne when your partner says ‘yes’. Champagne is almost always delicious, but much better at the start of a meal rather than later
It’s less likely to go south if you both start off in a joyful, celebratory mood. Plus, if they say ‘no’ to the proposal, you can just leave. We’re sure the entire restaurant will understand
Let’s say something goes wrong during the meal and you argue. It will probably not end the relationship but will certainly ruin the perfect moment for your special night. So, you might decide to postpone your perfect dinner proposal, leaving you with a huge expense and a less-than-perfect proposal
If you’re sure your to-be new fiancé is a dessert person, proposing right after your delicious meal and before the sweet dishes are served may be the best move to make. Here are a few proposal ideas to consider if you’re waiting to propose until you’re done with your dinner:
Proposing after you eat dinner can be a romantic and unexpected way to conclude a lovely evening. It can create a memorable finale to an already special occasion
After dinner, the restaurant may have fewer patrons, offering a more private and intimate setting for the surprise dinner proposal, allowing for a quieter and more personal special moment. The pressure that can come with a public surprise proposal during dinner may be reduced when you propose after dinner, as the focus shifts to just the two of you
You can choose to propose inside the restaurant or take the moment outside to a more private location when you’re proposing after dinner. Any quiet place, such as a garden or a scenic spot, depending on the restaurant’s surroundings, may be apt
Pop the question after the dinner to end the evening on the most enchanting note.
Should You Propose During The Dinner?
This can become a roller coaster of emotions and go many ways. Generally, when someone decides to propose in a fancy place, they either opt for a before- or after-dinner proposal. But there are certain things that make proposing during dinner a good option too. For instance:
Proposing during the dinner can be an option if you want to wait and see how the evening progresses, to check if everything is falling into place nicely
Waiting till the next course is served, hiding the ring in the dessert, or dropping the ring in the champagne are great ways to set up your surprise proposal
Though these are good points to ponder on, nothing can beat a ‘pros and cons’ list to ensure you’ve got all your facts straight before making the decision. So, let’s get out those notepads and get to work. The answer to your question “Should I propose during or after dinner?” might be almost certain after going through the list below:
Scenario
Pros
Cons
Before The Dinner
1. There are many benefits, such as the entire dinner after a successful proposal becoming celebratory as well as the drinks and desserts 2. You get great pictures without dishes or glasses when proposing before dinner 3. There is less chance of the proposal getting postponed and less nervousness, and it sets the mood for the rest of the night
1. Though less likely, if your partner finds out about your plans to propose, they might stand you up for the dinner or give the ‘wrong answer’ publicly 2. If the weather and location during your pre- dinner proposal is compromised in any way, it can ruin the whole plan 3. If you pop the question without having discussed the chances of getting married, it can ruin the rest of the whole evening
During The Dinner
1. You can hide the ring in your partner’s favorite dish or drink 2. You can ease up to the momentous occasion after getting both of you a few drinks 3. The desserts that follow become celebratory and, in many cases, complimentary
1. If you give the ring to the wait staff, they might end up losing it accidentally or sending it to another table by mistake 2. You might risk your partner choking on food or drinks, leading to a medical emergency 3. It can be especially expensive if you decide to hide the ring inside a glass of champagne or some pricey dessert and you might end up paying so much for nothing
After The Dinner
1. It can be a romantic and unexpected way to conclude a lovely evening if everything goes right 2. You can get a more private setting if it’s a little later than usual, when most guests have left the restaurant 3. You can have more control over the timing and the execution of the memorable proposal after you’ve assessed your partner’s mood during the whole meal
1. You can both become too tired by the time the desserts are over, and you may already have decided to postpone the after-dinner proposal 2.Waiting too long to propose can result in the restaurant staff cleaning up and closing down as you get on one knee and may end up ruining the moment 3. There is a risk of getting your photos ruined by the used glasses and dirty dishes if you propose after the dinner is over
Table on how to time your proposal
Besides the pros and cons of when to pop the question, there are about a dozen things that you need to think about. Let’s get into the extra tidbits that you need to have figured out on the day of your proposal.
Things To Consider When Proposing During A Dinner Date
Proposing can be a nerve wracking and emotional moment, but careful planning can help ensure that it goes smoothly and is the best moment of your life. Here are some important considerations for romantic dinner proposal ideas, including where to keep the ring, managing nervousness, and choosing the right restaurant:
1. Choosing the ring
Set a budget and determine the gem and band options for the perfect engagement ring
Pay close attention to your partner’s jewelry preferences and style. Or take help from close friends of your partner to determine exactly what kind of ring they would like the most
Explore options other than a diamond engagement ring if it’s out of your budget or if your partner isn’t set on a particular style
A few tips for getting the ring right are researching different ring settings, visiting jewelry stores, and considering customization options to find or create the perfect ring. Or you can buy the jewelry online. Don’t forget to research your partner’s ring size and skin allergies/reactiveness to certain metals
Stick with the classic ‘ring box in your pocket’, as it’s always a great idea. When you buy an engagement ring, you mostly get a beautiful ring box to house it. You can keep the ring safely in the box until it’s time to propose. Make sure it’s secure and easily accessible when you need it
If you prefer not to carry a bulky ring box, consider asking the restaurant management for some help. We highly suggest going with a reputed restaurant (with trusted staff) ahead of time for this. They will help ensure it’s in a secure location and not easily misplaced
If not the restaurant staff, consider asking trusted friends and family members. If you’re worried about accidentally revealing the ring or losing it, you could ask a close friend or family member to hold onto it until the proposal moment. You can ask them to come to the restaurant after you and your partner are already seated and ready for the evening and wait for your signal to bring the ring your way. A bonus of asking friends/family members is that they can also help with clicking pictures of the moment
You can also hide the ring box in a bouquet, a hollowed-out copy of a book your partner wanted, a gaming box/CD case, or anything more personal to both of you
3. Managing nervousness
Practice what you want to say and do before the proposal dinner. This can help reduce anxiety and ensure that you feel more confident during the moment. You can try doing this in front of a mirror and when you’re sure you have your routine down pat. You can also ask a friend or family member to help you practice before the big day
Deep-breathing exercises can help calm nerves when the question “Should I propose before or after dinner?” rattles you and you’re too nervous to decide. You can excuse yourself to go to the washroom at the restaurant for a quick deep-breathing exercise and ground yourself
Focus on your partner and what made you want to consider proposing. Concentrate on the connection you share with your partner and the fact that you are deeply in love with them rather than dwelling on your nerves
Choose a fancy restaurant or an upscale place with a comfortable setting and six-course meal options. Select a location where you feel comfortable and at ease. A familiar or meaningful place can help reduce anxiety. Avoid trying to make a swift exit after proposing and try to savor the moment and the environment you’re in
4. Choosing a good restaurant
To choose a nice restaurant for proposal, consider your partner and your shared favorite foods and drinks. Think about your partner’s favorite cuisine or type of restaurant. Choose a place that reflects a combination of both of your preferences. You might even consider your partner’s favorite restaurant or fine-dining place
Look for a restaurant with a romantic ambience, dim lighting, and a cozy atmosphere to set the mood for the marriage proposal
Consider the location of the restaurant. Is it conveniently located for both of you? Is it in a safe area? Also, remember to look up reviews of the restaurant’s food and staff in general to avoid disappointments on your big day
Make sure to get a reservation well in advance to ensure you have a table at the desired time. You can also make a request for a specific table for the restaurant proposal
Mention any special requests for the proposal plan to the restaurant staff, so they can assist you. Additionally, you can inquire if they would agree to personalize the menu if there are any dietary restrictions. This is important to make your romantic marriage proposal ideas more successful
In case your partner wants a low-key celebration of your engagement then opt for asking restaurant staff for help and request them to keep their involvement to a minimum in your routine
Slyly, find out if your partner would prefer the proposal to be videographed and photographed. After that, consider arranging for a photographer or videographer to discreetly document the proposal. Or simply ask a friend to help capture your priceless precious moments.
Having photographs and videos that you can cherish together for a lifetime is an absolute treasure.
6. Considering low-key settings
Consider arranging a proposal dinner at home if your partner is not a big fan of public proposals. This also makes the dilemma of ‘should I propose before or after dinner’ easier to handle
Plan an at-home candlelit dinner proposal or choose the spot of your first date or a place of great significance to your relationship if that’s more suited to your partner’s wishes. Go in with the acceptance that there is no right or wrong answer to a proposal dinner at home or in public, and no matter what you choose, it will all work out because you and your partner love each other
Key Pointers
Only plan on proposing if you’ve talked about getting married to your partner beforehand and they are on board with the idea. Avoid making a public proposal if it is something your partner doesn’t seem too excited about
Remember to pay attention to the seemingly less important stuff, such as proper light, music, ambience, and the overall atmosphere of the place you decide to propose in
Don’t hesitate to ask friends and family to help you out with executing your plan to propose to your partner
Research your partner’s jewelry style, ring size, skin allergies, and gem preferences, and take the help of a trusted friend/family member who might know more about it
Remind yourself of the pros and cons of every scenario (before, during, and after dinner) and make the choice best suited for both of you to pop the question
To conclude, be especially sure that your partner will be thrilled to get proposed to in public. Otherwise, it might make them feel trapped and coerced into saying yes to avoid coming off as rude or ungrateful to onlookers. Remember that the most important aspect of the proposal is the love and commitment you’re expressing to your partner. You are saying I love you in the best possible way. Plan in a way that feels authentic to your relationship, and don’t be afraid to seek assistance from friends, family, or the restaurant staff to help give the moment special meaning. It’s a unique and personal experience that should reflect your bond and your partner’s preferences. Now that you’re ready, we wish you good luck. Break a leg!
An engagement ring is one of the most personal pieces of jewelry one will ever own. Beyond the sentiment, an engagement ring will also probably be one of the biggest pieces of investment jewelry you’ll acquire. While there is certainly a lot that goes into choosing the engagement ring that is right for you, we want to make one thing clear: You don’t have to spend more than your means to get a ring that looks elevated and, well, expensive.
I spoke to some of the most talented jewelers in the industry, and they educated me on a list of qualities that, no matter the price, carat size, or cut, will make a ring look cheap. From what to pay attention to that you might have otherwise overlooked to remembering to stay true to your personal style, the fine jewelers ahead are here to fill you in on all the ways to make your engagement ring look as expensive as possible, no matter what your budget is.
Engagement ring shopping can be overwhelming, especially when you’re not quite sure which style you want. There are so many different cuts to choose from, from princess to Asscher to oval to pear; a handful of metals to pick, including rose gold, gold, and silver; and, of course, the all-important step of finalizing the overall style. Do you want a timeless sparkler that’s dainty? Would you prefer one that’s a bit more vintage-inspired? Or do you want to forgo tradition altogether and opt for a blue sapphire à la Kate Middleton?
Luckily there’s one way to make your quest a bit more manageable, and that’s honing in on a few of the best engagement ring brands out there. By keeping your focus on a select few, you have fewer baubles to look through and can more quickly find one that speaks to you. Ahead, we’ve highlighted 15 brands with the best sparklers on the market. Brides-to-be, you’ll find in all in our selection, from vintage-inspired ones to wallet-friendly styles. See them below, plus shop our favorite picks from each.
On Thursday, Princess Eugenie celebrated her fifth anniversary with Jack Brooksbank with a video that featured a few never-before-seen shots from their 2018 wedding. It’s soundtracked by the song “You’ve Got the Love” by Florence and the Machine, and tucked at the end of the video was the first photo showing Jack and Eugenie with their two sons, two-year-old August and four-month-old Ernest.
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Eugenie and Jack were married at St. George Chapel in Windsor, and the video Eugenie posted to social media shows the couple kissing on the steps along with a clip of royal standard flying above, which indicated that Eugenie’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth was among the ceremony’s attendees. It also shows a few never-before-seen details from the day, like the finishing touches on Eugenie’s Ralph Lauren dress, Jack preparing for the big day with friends, and a disco ball that was hung from the tree. Also spotted in the video are Eugenie’s mother, Sarah Ferguson, and sister, Princess Beatrice, but there is no footage of her father, Prince Andrew.
The couple was recently in the news after Portuguese tabloid Nova Gente reported that Eugenie’s cousin Prince Harry brought his wife Meghan Markle to visit them in Lisbon. The family is currently splitting their time between London and Portugal due to Jack’s role in marketing with a local resort, though he used to work for George Clooney–founded tequila company Casamigos. In the final photo, taken in front of a blue sea, Eugenie is wearing a hat that features the brand’s distinctive turquoise starburst logo.
In June, Eugenie used her Instagram account to announce the arrival of Ernest, sharing that his name was inspired by a family member. It took a few weeks for her mother to clarify that it was taken from the middle name of Eugenie’s great-great-great grandfather George V.
The healthier your hair is, the better it will look on the big day. Kimble says she always talks about haircare in her consultations. “Six months out is a great time to start planning for that,” she says. “I recommend conditioning treatments so your hair is shiny and looking healthy.”
If you’re closer than six months away from your wedding, don’t panic. As Kimble puts it, “It depends on how much damage you have. I recommend good haircare anyway, getting married or not. Do something nice for your hair at least once and month. If you start at three months out? Great. You can get some really nice results in that time.”
Incorporate products like hair masks, serums, and oils into your haircare routine—anything that will boost moisture and shine. “I have an amazing shampoo and conditioner,” Kimble says. “It’s definitely hydrating, especially if you have textured hair. It helps keep your hair in great condition.”
Oh, and don’t do anything drastic right before the wedding. “If you’re going to get your hair colored, plan to do it two to three weeks before so your hair oxidizes,” Kimble says. “Even with cuts, you want your hair lived in. I wouldn’t do anything drastic right before the wedding.”
A fire tore through a wedding venue in northern Iraq on Wednesday, killing at least 93 people and leaving 100 more injured, according to Interior Ministry spokesman Saad Maan.
The fire struck a wedding venue in the predominantly Christian town of Hamdaniya, just outside the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, about 205 miles northwest of the capital, Baghdad.
According to emergency services and witnesses at the scene, fireworks inside the venue sparked the deadly blaze.
People gather at the site following a fatal fire at a wedding celebration, in the district of Hamdaniya, in Iraq’s Nineveh province, Sept. 27, 2023.
KHALID AL-MOUSILY/REUTERS
“The speed of the fire, due to highly flammable building materials and highly flammable decorations and curtains covering the ceiling and the walls, took everyone by surprise,” the emergency rescue service in Nineveh province told reporters.
Video livestreamed on social media showed how suddenly the fire spread panic among the dancing guests in the ballroom, sending people running for safety, including the bride and groom.
The roughly 700 people who were inside the building found themselves trapped as the flames had erupted near the primary entrance.
“Soon after the fire started, it was a blackout, and smoke and screaming caused chaos. People were suffocating, falling and stampeding over each other,” one witness told reporters. “Soon after that, part of the ceiling collapsed, causing more deaths and injuries.”
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an investigation into the blaze and asked the country’s interior and health ministries to provide assistance, his office said in a statement posted online.
People gather at the site following a fatal fire at a wedding celebration, in the district of Hamdaniya, in Iraq’s Nineveh province, Sept. 27, 2023.
KHALID AL-MOUSILY/REUTERS
A source with the provincial government in Nineveh told CBS News an investigation would be carried out to determine not only how the fire started, but also “how and whether this venue had a license, considering the poor safety conditions.”
The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as they did not have permission to speak to media about the incident, said the owner of the venue had gone into “hiding,” and the hope was that the individual would be found to face an “investigation into the legality of operating such an unsafe venue.”
Iraq has faced similar tragedies in the recent past, blamed on poor building materials and insufficient safety standards, including two major fires in hospital wards for COVID-19 patients in Baghdad and Nasiriyah that killed dozens of people.
The woman accused of drunkenly plowing her vehicle into a golf cart, killing a newly-wed bride and injuring the man she’d married just hours earlier, has been indicted by a grand jury in South Carolina.
Jamie Komoroski was charged in Charleston County with reckless homicide, felony DUI resulting in death and two counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury, according to court documents obtained by WSCS. Police said her blood alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit the night of the deadly crash, which unfolded on April 28 on Folly Beach, near Charleston.
Just hours earlier, Samantha and Aric had exchanged vows by the water during a romantic wedding ceremony. They were in a golf cart carrying them away from their wedding reception when they were hit by Komoroski, who was traveling 65 mph in a 25 mph zone.
Charleston County Sheriff’s Office
Jamie Komoroski (Charleston County Sheriff’s Office)
The 34-year-old bride was pronounced dead on the scene. Her husband sustained a brain injury and broken bones, according to a statement his family posted to a GoFundMe page. He has since filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Komoroski as well as the bars that served her in the hours leading up to the deadly collision: Snapper Jacks, The Drop-In Bar and Deli, The Crab Shack, Taco Boy, El Gallo Bar and Grill, and Bottle Cap Holdings, LLC.
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Komoroski told investigators she’d only had a beer and a tequila drink before the crash, but Hutchinson’s lawsuit alleges she enjoyed a “booze-filled” bar-hop across Folly Beach.
Last month, Komorski’s request for bond was denied by Judge Michael Nettles who set the condition that the case be tried by March 2024.
