eveningstandard--2019-07-03--Victoria and David Beckham wedding anniversary Best parts of the 1999 nuptials 20 years on

Victoria and David Beckham wedding anniversary: Best parts of the 1999 nuptials 20 years on

It might be the fourth of July in America but it's also David and Victoria Beckham's 20th wedding anniversary. The Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer and the former footballer have officially been bending it together for two decades.  Their style might be a little more understated now, but back in 1999 they sealed the deal with a remarkably lavish wedding, complete with thrones and an iconic purple outfit change that was peak ‘90s (when Charli XCX sang “I just wanna go back to 1999” this must have been what she was talking about.)  Even David has since admitted on Radio 4 that their wedding was just a little bit over the top.  "We did throw a lot at [the first wedding] because it was the thing to do around that time" he said, "We have renewed our vows since then, and it was a lot more private, there were about six people there in our house."  Four kids and a cool billion dollar fortune later, David and Victoria Beckham are still going strong - but not just because they're Brand Beckham. "Do we stay together because it is a brand? Of course not. We stay together because we love each other and because we have four amazing children," Becks added.  To celebrate their anniversary, let's go back to 1999 and remember their wedding extravaganza, complete with purple ensembles, Game of Thrones-worthy crowns and rustic, Robin Hood glamour.  The wedding reportedly cost a whopping $800,000. Today, it would cost $1.2 million. The couple ended up selling the photos from the big day exclusively to OK! Magazine, so it's entirely possible that they made at least some of the money (if not all of it) back.  Lots of ladies dream that one day their wedding will be a Disney fairytale. According to wedding planner Peregrine Armstrong-Jones, the Beckhams chose a Robin Hood theme for their big day, complete with dark, leafy green decor.  The popstar and her new husband celebrated at the historic Luttrellstown Castle just outside Dublin. If you're interested in visiting the venue, it's now a popular golf destination.  Victoria opted for the ultimate wedding gown designer, choosing a strapless champagne floor length satin Vera Wang gown that cost an estimated $100,000. Victoria says she still has the wedding dress in her closet since she's saving it for her daughter, Harper.  The bouquet was equally memorable. Victoria opted against flowers and went for berries, twigs and brambles, making a Pinterest chic move before Pinterest was ever a thing.  Becks did not disappoint with his flashy ensemble, looking like the most handsome member of a 1990s boy band. He opted for a crisp white suit and matching cravat. But the piece de resistance was his hairdo, which featured brand new highlights.  Manchester United teammate Gary Neville was Beckham's best man. They're still best friends today. “He would come into training every day like a little schoolboy," Neville famously said in his wedding speech about Beckham's early days dating Posh, "You’d go a long way to find two people more in love."  Unfortunately, Victoria's bridesmaids did not consist of the entirety of the Spice Girls - or any for that matter. Instead, her sister Louise, Louise’s 13-month-old daughter and David’s niece made up her bridal party. Louise didn't have to wear a hideous bridesmaid dress she would never take out of her closet again. Instead, she wore a Chloe dress, as Victoria's friend Stella McCartney was heading up the label at the time.  Back in ‘99, nothing said elegance quite like white satin outfits. Just look at Limited Too satin pajamas for definitive proof. Victoria paired her satin moment with a straight face, cementing her place as the Spice Girl with the best RBF. Long before Kim Kardashian perfected the act of showing no emotion to avoid smile lines, Victoria taught the world - and the Kardashian - how it was done.  Elton John was set to perform but sadly suffered a heart attack the night before. He later played at one of their children's christenings, instead.  The wedding was a family affair. The couple's 4-month-old son, Brooklyn Beckham, was famously in attendance. If they ever have another wedding party, he could now be the official photographer.  Because the satin outfits weren’t quite regal enough, halfway through the ceremony Posh and Becks opted for a quick outfit change - much like an episode of My Super Sweet Sixteen - swapping their satin for bright purple matching looks designed by Antonio Berardi. It seems like Victoria might have liked this ensemble more than the white gown, as she grinned while wearing her regal dress.  It could have just been that they wore those outfits to cut the cake - and the three-tiered creation complete with apples and greenery that matched her earlier bridal bouquet certainly looked delicious.  Becks looks back at his outfit change with regret. "That was pretty bold. Victoria’s [reception outfit by Antonio Berardi] was pretty nice. Mine, I’m like what was I thinking? I look like the guys out of Dumb & Dumber when they went to that party and wore those ridiculous outfits. I even had a top hat in purple. Unbelievable. What was I thinking?” Becks asked in an interview with BBC’s Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs,  In a Game of Thrones twist, there were crowns involved. The gold and diamond 'East of Paris' tiara Victoria wore was exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum as part of its '100 Tiaras, Past And Present' show. It was also on sale at Bonhams in 2013 and valued between £18,000 to £25,000.  Unsurprisingly, pre-epic wedding, the couple had an equally ornate engagement, complete with a marquise cut engagement ring. While it seemed like a serious bit of bling at the time, Becks has reportedly upgraded Posh’s jewelry collection over the years, giving her with a grand total of 14 different engagement rings.  The over-the-top wedding surprisingly had an intimate guest list, but there was still room for the rest of the Spice Girls. There were only 29 guests present when they exchanged their vows in a small chapel near the castle. But to celebrate the Spice Girls, an orchestra played their hit ‘Goodbye.’


eveningstandard--2019-07-25--Leona Lewis set aposto marryapos Dennis Juanch in aposfairytale Italian weddingapos

Leona Lewis set 'to marry' Dennis Juanch in 'fairytale Italian wedding'

Leona Lewis will be tying the knot with her long-term partner Dennis Jauch in a 'fairytale Italian wedding'.  The 2006 X Factor winner has been in a relationship with Juach for nine years and the lovebirds have decided to fly across from their home in California for a wedding in Italy.  As they prep for the ceremony this weekend, a source told The Sun that "madly in love" Leona is "so excited to get hitched this weekend."  It is said that the wedding will be a "no expense spared" day and Lewis has "flown their nearest and dearest out to Italy for the ceremony."  The insider continued: "Because they live in the States, their friends and family don’t all get to meet up much, so it’s going to be a really special day.”  Their romance blossomed when in 2010, when Juach was performing as a back-up dancer to the singer. He has since launched a career as a choreographer.  After eight years of dating, Juach finally popped the question while he was on a couple’s trip with Lewis in Puerto Rico last summer.  Meanwhile, Lewis is said to be going back to where it all began for her with fellow winners Shayne Ward and Alexandra Burke for The X Factor All Stars, according to former judge Louis Walsh.  The three former winners are said to have signed up for the highly-anticipated celebrity edition of the ITV show which is due to air this autumn.  “It’s going to be great, and then we do the “best of” all in one week, all the winners are coming back,” the judge, 66, told The Mirror.  The Standard has contacted Leona Lewis’ reps for comment.


eveningstandard--2019-07-26--Princess Stephanie of Monacoaposs son Louis Ducruetaposs royal wedding Who is his bride to be M

Princess Stephanie of Monaco's son Louis Ducruet's royal wedding: Who is his bride to be Marie Chevallier?

Monaco is famous for its iconic royal weddings. Just look at Grace Kelly’s wedding to Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956, when the Hollywood star became Princess Grace of Monaco. 2,000 journalists and photographers captured the nuptials, which were also filmed by MGM and broadcast live in Europe.  Unfortunately, the upcoming wedding will more than likely not be televised - but it should still be a glamorous affair.  Princess Stéphanie of Monaco's son, Louis Ducruet, is marrying his college sweetheart, Marie Chevalier.  According to People, the couple announced their engagement in February 2018, after meeting at a Cannes nightclub in 2011.  The 26-year-old is 15th in line to the throne, although he doesn’t currently have a title. He’s Prince Albert II’s nephew. His father is Daniel Ducruet, the royal bodyguard who was Princess Stéphanie’s first husband.  He and his wife-to-be ventured to college in America, where they attended Western Carolina University in North Carolina. While there he studied sports management.  He currently works as a recruiter for Monaco’s soccer team, AS Monaco. He was previously an intern there.  He told Hello Monaco that his sister, fashion designer Pauline Ducruet, is designing Marie’s dress. She recently launched Alter Designs, a unisex brand. And keeping with the family connection, his sister Camille Gottleib (who looks just like grandmother Grace Kelly) will also be a bridesmaid.  While it was love at first sight for him and Chevalier, his sister Pauline didn’t feel the same way about her future sister-in-law.  “We’ve only 14 months of age difference, and we’re really close to each other. [Pauline] was very protective of me and a little bit distant with Marie in the beginning. But finally she liked her and she even designed the wedding dress that Marie will wear for the ceremony in the cathedral,” he told Hello.  She grew up in Nice. While at school in North Carolina, she was a French tutor.  She now works as a project manager for Monte-Carlo Casinos, according to her LinkedIn.  She’s an avid Instagram user, where her bio reads, “Bride to be, Mother of Pancake, Travel Lover.” Pancake is their shared pup and the star of her Instagram page.  The couple is having a religious ceremony on Saturday morning at the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate. They will be the first royals to wed their since Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier married there.  He works for AS Monaco CEO President Oleg Petrov, who’s likely to attend.  His uncle, Prince Albert, will most likely be there with his wife, Princess Charlene. Fellow Monegasque royals Princess Caroline and her husband Prince Ernst August of Hanover will most likely make an appearance. And his mother and sisters will all be present. It’s not likely that Queen Elizabeth will be available for the festivities, as she’s enjoying her summer vacation in Balmoral.


eveningstandard--2019-10-08--Kate Ferdinand shares stunning new photos from wedding to Rio

Kate Ferdinand said she will “never forget” the moment her husband Rio’s sons walked her down the aisle during their Turkish wedding ceremony.  The former TOWIE star, 28, shared a photo of the special memory on Instagram, showing her making her way towards the former footballer, 40, accompanied by his sons Lorenz, 11, and Tate, nine.  “There were so many special moments at our wedding… but this is one I will never forget #proud #myboys,” she wrote alongside the snap.  The beautiful shot showed her embellished Berta gown and long veil from a different angle, after the couple shared their first wedding smap with OK! magazine last week.  Rio’s daughter Tia, eight, also played a part in the wedding celebrations, acting as Kate’s maid of honour.  Kate also posted a series of candid snaps of her and Rio sharing a “private joke” during their extended wedding celebrations, while a saxophonist played in the background.  A third post showed the couple posing with family and friends against a white balloon backdrop, with the bride wearing a simpler white gown.  “Reminiscing on the best brunch with our family & friends,” she wrote alongside it.  Discussing the wedding in an interview with OK! last week, Rio admitted that he “cried as soon as the day started” after seeing his daughter walk up the aisle before the bride.  “There was no going back on the emotion, that’s why I had to keep my shades on!” he said. “Seeing Tate and Lorenz walk Kate down the aisle was particularly poignant and we wouldn’t have wanted to do it any other way.  “They were so proud and they couldn’t wait to do that, they felt important.”  He added: “We decided the children would have major roles at the wedding, it was so important to us. Kate was adamant she wanted the kids involved and that is a true reflection of how she is.”  Rio’s three children are from his first marriage to Rebecca Ellison, who died of breast cancer in 2015.


eveningstandard--2019-11-20--Prince William and Kate Middleton lead wedding anniversary tributes for Queen Elizabeth and Prince P

Prince William and Kate Middleton lead wedding anniversary tributes for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's 72nd year of marriage

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are celebrating their 72nd wedding anniversary today, following a seven decade marriage that spans four children, numerous grandchildren and retellings of their romance in projects including Netflix’s The Crown.  Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge have led tributes to the monarchs on social media, who reportedly first met at a wedding when Queen Elizabeth was just eight years old.  The official Twitter account for Kensington Palace, which represents the couple, tweeted, “Wishing Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh a very happy 72nd Wedding Anniversary!”  It was accompanied by two pictures of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth in their youth, as well as a more recent shot of the pair.  Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also posted on their Instagram account @sussexroyal, sharing a black and white picture of the pair.  Their message read, "Happy anniversary to Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh! On this day, seventy-two years ago, they were married at Westminster Abbey. Many congratulations!"  The Clarence House Twitter account, which represents Queen Elizabeth’s son Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles, also shared a tribute.  Retweeting a post from the Royal Family’s account, the message read, “Happy 72nd Wedding Anniversary to The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, who were married on this day in Westminster Abbey. #HappyAnniversary”  A photo of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on their wedding day waving from a balcony was also shared, alongside a picture of them in 2017 (the same year as their platinum 70th anniversary).  According to the official royal website, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip first met in 1934 at the wedding of Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark and the Duke of Kent. At the time, the distantly related pair first met when the Queen was eight years old and Prince Philip was 13.  The pair reportedly began falling in love after meeting again in 1939, according to royal biographer Sir John Wheeler-Bennett. Queen Elizabeth joined her family at a tour of the Dartmouth Royal Naval College, where Prince Philip was introduced to her and entertained the then-13 year old princess by reportedly leaping over tennis nets.  According to Queen Elizabeth’s governess Marion Crawford, Prince Philip “showed off a good deal”. She continued, “[Queen Elizabeth] never took her eyes off him the whole time.”  Following their reunion at the naval college, they began to exchange letters and became closer until they were eventually engaged in 1947. Prince Philip told biographer Basil Boothroyd that back in 1939, he had no idea he would go on to marry the royal.  They were wed on November 20, 1947 at Westminster Abbey and Queen Elizabeth’s sister Princess Margaret was one of her bridesmaids.  Prince Philip told Boothroyd, “Well, we’d met at Dartmouth, and as far as I was concerned it was a very amusing experience, going on board the yacht and meeting [the royal family], and that sort of thing, and that was that.”  The pair have four children: their eldest Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. They also have a number of grand- and great-grandchildren, ranging from the Duke of Cambridge through to Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, the newest addition to the family.


eveningstandard--2019-11-20--The Queen and Prince Philip's 72nd wedding anniversary: 17 things you didn't know about th

The Queen and Prince Philip's 72nd wedding anniversary: 17 things you didn't know about the royal couple

While she may be the UK’s longest-reigning monarch, the Queen and her husband Prince Philip have always been notoriously private.  Today, the pair will mark their 72nd wedding anniversary – an incredible feat – but it’s the early years of their relationship that has taken the spotlight again after Netflix released season three of The Crown this past Sunday.  Despite this fictional insight, the pair's courtship and subsequent marriage is steeped in mystery – only allowing the public to see what they want them to see.  Below is 17 things you might not know about the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.  1. Prince Philip gave up smoking the morning of their wedding  According to his valet, John Dean, Philip stopped smoking the morning of their wedding ‘suddenly and apparently without difficulty’ as he knew how much the Queen hated it.  2. The Queen is believed to have met more people than anyone else  When it’s your job to meet people and you’ve been doing this job your entire life, it’s no wonder the Queen has met so many people.  3. They both do not vote in elections  This is so they do not influence public opinion.  4. There are specific rules when the Queen is on the Royal Train  When the Queen is travelling on the Royal Train, it is not allowed to go over bumpy tracks at 7:30am as this is when she has her bath.  He was born on the kitchen table of the Greek royals' summer home in Corfu at villa Mon Repos.  6. While Prince Charles was being born, Philip was playing squash  Of his baby son he said: "He looks like a plum pudding!"  7. The Queen is given breakfast in Tupperware containers  Every morning, her breakfast table is laid with porridge oats and cornflakes in Tupperware containers, yoghurt and two types of marmalade.  8. The Queen was ahead of the times  She sent her first email in 1976 from an army base.  9. Prince Philip was the first member of the Royal Family to do a TV interview  He was interviewed by Richard Dimbleby in 1961 about his involvement in Commonwealth Technical Training Week.  10. They are both great-great-grandchildren of Queen Victoria  Yes, this means they are fourth cousins.  11. Prince Philip has pet names for the Queen  They are said to be ‘cabbage’ and ‘mon petit chou’.  12. The Queen’s wedding ring is made from Welsh gold  The nugget of gold used for the ring comes from Clogau St David’s mine near Dolgellau.  13. The couple are thought to have had a public spat  During the 1954 tour of Australia, the pair reportedly had a heated row where the Queen threw a shoe at Philip. The footage was apparently caught on camera but was given to the Queen and never aired.  14. For their fifth wedding anniversary, the Duke designed a bracelet  The gold, diamond, sapphire and ruby bracelet included interlocking links of Es and Ps.  15. The Queen does her own washing up  Former Prime Minister Tony Blair said: “You sit there having eaten, the Queen asks if you’ve finished, she stacks the plates up and goes off to the sink.”  16. The Queen does not have a passport  She is also the only person in the country who can drive without a licence or registration plates.  17. Prince Philip wrote a letter to the Queen’s mother before their wedding  In it he said how he had ‘fallen in love completely and unreservedly’ with Elizabeth.  He added: “The only thing in this world which is absolutely real to me, and my ambition, is to weld the two of us into a new combined existence that will not only be able to withstand the shocks directed at us but will also have a positive existence for the good.”


eveningstandard--2019-11-22--Inside James Haskell and wife Chloe Madeley's relationship: From how they met to attending Megh

Inside James Haskell and wife Chloe Madeley's relationship: From how they met to attending Meghan and Harry's wedding

Former England rugby player James Haskell, 34, has won over viewers since entering the jungle on ITV's I'm A Celeb, with his upbeat personality and squeamish reactions to Bushtucker Trials.  Shortly after landing in Brisbane, the now-MMA fighter started opening up about wife Chloe Madeley, 32.  But who is she, how did they meet, and do they have any kids together?  Here's the lowdown on their relationship so far...  Rugby player-turned-MMA-fighter James Haskell has been married to journalist and model Chloe Madeley since 2018.  As well as being a fitness fanatic, Chloe is the daughter of daytime TV legends, Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan.  She has also published three healthy recipe books, modelled and dabbled in TV presenting and journalism over the years.  You may have also heard Chloe's fitness podcast, entitled Bodcast, which features interviews with fellow fitness enthusiasts.  Since James entered the jungle, Chloe has been sharing sweet snaps of her and her husband with her 198k Instagram followers.  Before his I'm A Celeb debut, she wrote: “When you go through a lot with someone you end up somewhere remarkable. I couldn’t be prouder of you @jameshask.”  How did James Haskell and Chloe Madeley meet?  The loved-up pair reportedly met through social media back in 2014, and dated for four years before tying the knot.  Chloe revealed to Hello that James got down on one knee and proposed to her in Paris, saying: "He kissed me on the forehead and said, 'You do know how much I love you, don't you? The last three and a half years have been the best years of my life.'  "I just thought he was being romantic because we were in Paris, so I replied: 'Oh babe, that's so sweet.'  "But then he added: 'And you do know I want to marry you?' and started to get down on one knee."  She added: "At first I thought he was joking. I was speechless and stared at him in disbelief."  Where did they get married?  The couple got hitched at the All Saints church in Berkshire on December 15, 2018.  According to Chloe, they were inspired to have a traditional ceremony after attending the Royal Wedding that year.  She wore a gorgeous V-neck gown by Pronovias, with an embellished white lace top and elegant satin skirt and teamed the look with loose curls.  Do they have any children?  While the couple do not currently have any kids, they have spoken about their plans to start a family in the near future.  Discussing their change of heart with Hello magazine, Chloe said: "We've gone from one end of the spectrum, where we didn't want children, to the other end where we thought, 'yes, let's try it'."  She added: "Now we're in the middle, contemplating it as a reality. James is made to be a father. He'll be a brilliant dad."  How do James and Chloe know Meghan Markle and Prince Harry?  In May last year, the couple attended the wedding of the year - that of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.  Chloe and James stepped out in sunny Windsor in a nude summer dress with a gold tassel belt and a smart navy suit respectively.  It is well-known that Prince Harry is an avid rugby fan, as well as a patron for the Rugby Football Union, and has met James on many occasions through the sport.  The sports star was due to play with his team the Wasps that day, but decided to attend the Royal Wedding instead.  The decision to desert his teammates angered some, with BT Sports pundit Lawrence Dallaglio commenting: “It would be poor form really, wouldn’t it? He should be here with his teammates. I’m sure Harry wouldn’t mind, he loves his rugby anyway.”


newyorkpost--2019-03-11--Chance the Rapper ties the knot in star-studded wedding

Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)  Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)  Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)  Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)  Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)  Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)  A post shared by Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) on Mar 11, 2019 at 6:50am PDT  The Chicago-based lyricist tied the knot with his longtime partner Kirsten Corley in a glitzy wedding in Newport Beach, California on Saturday.  The pair exchanged vows before 150 guests, including family and celebrity friends Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Dave Chappelle.  E! News reports that a string quartet played as the bride and groom walked down the aisle.  The 25-year-old rapper wore a classic white tuxedo with a black bowtie while Corley stunned in a white strapless gown. Giant bouquets of white flowers that lined the aisle and alter as well.  On Monday, Chance posted a reception picture with several close friends including West, Chappelle and gospel star Kirk Franklin. He captioned the picture, “Me and the men who mentored me.”  Chance popped the question at a fourth of July BBQ in 2018 and then the couple held their engagement party back in October.  However, it seems they couldn’t wait to be husband and wife, and quietly made it official on December 27, 2018, in a civil ceremony in Chicago, reports The Chicago Tribune.


pinknewsuk--2019-12-04--Woman refuses to invite her brother’s boyfriend to her wedding, asks him to pretend to be straight

The woman said her brother attending her wedding with his partner would "cause a scene" with her religious inlaws. (Envato)  A gay man’s sister refused to invite his partner of five years to her wedding because her soon-to-be husband comes from a religious family, and the internet has thoughts.  The man posted on the subreddit “Am I the A**hole”, a community on the social media platform Reddit which describes itself as: “A catharsis for the frustrated moral philosopher in all of us, and a place to finally find out if you were wrong in an argument that’s been bothering you.”  In the post, which has since been removed, he wanted to know if he would be “the a**hole” for cutting ties with his sister after her awful behaviour.  He wrote: “I’m one of six siblings. My oldest sister is getting married in the summer and has been making plans for a while now, including the guest list.  “I found out this week that all of the other siblings – including the ones who don’t have partners – have been given a plus one. Apart from me.  “This was especially confusing as I’ve been with my partner for five years, which is longer than any of the other siblings have been with theirs, and she knows him better than she knows anybody else’s partners and has stated before she considers him a friend.”  He said he assumed there had been a mistake, but it turned out to be intentional.  His future brother-in-law comes from a “very religious” (and homophobic) family, and his sister was concerned that they would be upset and “cause a scene”.  Already insisting he come alone, she added that she wanted him to pretend to be straight if anyone asked if he had a partner.  He continued: “I was pretty hurt by this. To me, this is her saying that appeasing bigots is more important to her than her own brother and her own friend.  “I said as much and she told me that actually, in the long run, they do matter more.”  The man told his sister that he would not attend the wedding because he did not want “to be around gross homophobes in any capacity”.  “She’s accusing me of pot stirring and causing unnecessary drama and saying she’ll be really really angry if I don’t go,” he said.  “I’m just kind of disgusted by all of this and I’m genuinely considering cutting contact with her. [Would I be the a**hole] if I did?”  Unsurprisingly, not a single one of the 385 commenters believed the gay man to be “the a**hole”.  One wrote: “She went above and beyond to make you feel like sh*t: not inviting your partner *and* telling you to ‘act straight’.  “Condoning that kind of hatred is the same as feeling it. You have every right to cut her out and not look back.”  Many others called for the man’s other four siblings to “boycott the wedding in solidarity”, and pointed out that if he was excluded from the wedding, he was likely to be excluded from other future events.  Lots of commenters encouraged the original poster to retaliate to the unabashed hate by being “the gayest gay you can be” and causing “mayhem” at the wedding.  “Turn up dressed camper than Christmas at Butlin’s and cause absolute mayhem,” wrote one.  Another said: “Crash the wedding with your partner dressed as Elton John in pride flag capes and be the gayest gay you can be. Fuck those a**holes.”


slate--2019-08-24--Help I Think My Sister Gave Me a Pity Invite to Her Daughters Wedding Should I Go

Help! I Think My Sister Gave Me a Pity Invite to Her Daughter’s Wedding. Should I Go?

To get advice from Prudie, send questions for publication to prudence@slate.com. (Questions may be edited.) Join the live chat every Monday at noon. Submit your questions and comments here before or during the live discussion. Or call the Dear Prudence podcast voicemail at 401-371-DEAR (3327) to hear your question answered on a future episode of the show.  Dear Prudence,   My sister’s daughter is getting married, and I’ve been invited. However, I sense that the invite was somewhat disingenuous. It is far away and would be an expensive trip. On the other hand, it might be fun, and there are other guests I’d like to see as well. Another relative mentioned that my sister is afraid I won’t dress well. I’m not sure what prompted that. I’m not as rich as her, but I don’t recall ever showing up at a formal event dressed inappropriately, or too sexily, or casually. I can’t ask her about it, because she’d likely be mad at the person who told me this. To complicate matters, the parents of the groom are very wealthy, and it will be a very upscale event. But I think there’s more to all this than her fears that I will show up looking like Ma Kettle.  It’s hard for me to pinpoint why we do not get on well. We have different personalities, worldviews, and interests, but that shouldn’t really be a deal breaker—my own friends vary from farmers to Ph.D.s. Communication is always prickly, whether over email or face to face. In person, my sister has an odd habit of asking me a question and not even waiting to hear the answer before she starts talking to someone else in the room. (My own daughter has noticed it, too.) She disagrees with any comment or observation I make. When I ask her if she’s mad at me, she denies it, even though her tone clearly indicates otherwise.  In recent years I’ve felt she has been looking for excuses to end our relationship, but that she needs it to be my fault so that she can walk away without guilt. She’s very religious, and I think it’s important to her to feel like a “good person.” Honestly, I’d say she simply doesn’t like me very much, I’m not her cup of tea, or I don’t meet her standards. That happens in life, to other siblings, I’m sure, besides us. But I feel simultaneously rejected by her and blamed for her rejection of me at the same time. Is there any point in going to this event, or will it likely just irritate her even more?   —Accept Insincere Invitation?  I think you should go, have a lovely time chatting with old friends and relatives who enjoy your company (maybe not the one who planted that little seed of poison in your ear about how your sister doesn’t like your clothes), and spend as little time as possible talking to your sister. Speak with her just long enough to not seem rude, tell her it was a lovely ceremony, congratulate the groom and offer your best wishes to the bride, and then focus on the people you really enjoy talking to. Or, if you decide that it’s just too great an expense, send a gift and a nice note, then take yourself out that night to do something you find especially relaxing or fun. I think your read of the situation is accurate, that your sister does have a problem with you but isn’t willing to admit it either to you or to herself, that she probably spends at least some time gossiping about your fashion sense or financial situation or whatever else with your other relatives, and that she’s a thoroughly unpleasant person to be around. Worry less about irritating her, as she seems pretty determined to be irritated as often as possible. Don’t waste your time trying to court her favor or get a straight answer out of her. Just prioritize the family members and friends you know like you, and let her enjoy her own company.  Dear Prudence,   I recently moved to a new city and was very graciously folded in the mix of a new friend group. At first, I felt bad for one girl who it seemed would text the group and no one would respond. She seems to have self-esteem issues around dating and will often complain about her dating life while we’re out. This might be normal, but she gets really obsessive about it. Like sharing every detail of stalking the social media of a crush … including sending screenshots. Or asking if she should go out with someone, then saying why she can’t, etc.  I find myself sympathizing with the people who simply don’t respond to her texts. In the past, I have felt like an outsider or like groups didn’t accept me, and it’s hard to see her get blown off by everyone (including me), but she just doesn’t pick up the social cues. People have even tried to gently give her good advice or to tell her to move on with the conversation, but she just doesn’t. Is it OK to ignore her? She’s clearly struggling, but she doesn’t ask about other people’s experiences, and she talks about herself at length and ignores the input of others, which makes conversations difficult. She could probably use a friend, but I can also see why she doesn’t have any.   —Group Chat Etiquette  Yes, you’re allowed to ignore mass text messages about when or how or if she should go on a second date with someone you don’t know, especially if you two aren’t particularly close. You might also excuse yourself from the group chat entirely if you’d rather stay in touch individually with just a few members than get constant updates throughout the day. You can just say something like “I’ve got to hop out of the chat for now. I can’t keep up with all these messages, but I’m looking forward to seeing you soon,” then leave the chat (most smartphones have a pretty-easy-to-find “Leave Conversation” button). You can also set this boundary in person if she keeps monopolizing the conversation with her dating woes and doesn’t pick up on gentle hints or attempts to offer advice: “I’m sorry this is so hard! I don’t have any suggestions, but I hope you’re able to figure out what you want from this situation,” then change the subject or ask someone else in the group a question about how they’re doing.  Catch up on this week’s Prudie.  I’m a hetero woman in her early 30s. I started seeing a new guy after a bad breakup. I expected it to be a fling, but I’m starting to get real feelings for him. The best thing about this is also my problem: The sex is incredible. Specifically, he is incredible at sex. I very rarely come from oral sex with new guys but I did with him the first time, in minutes. He knows exactly how to touch me and where, he is very responsive to my body—he’s just really skilled. So much so that I almost feel shy having sex with him! I am pretty experienced and confident in my body, but when we have sex I feel lazy, like I’m doing less than he’s doing. How do I get over this?


slate--2019-10-18--Dear Prudence Podcast: Help! My Future Mother-in-Law Is Trying to Upstage My Wedding.

Prudence is joined this week by Molly Priddy, a writer and editor living in Minnesota. She likes Diet Coke, her dog, and talking about feelings because feelings are the worst.  Prudie and Priddy tackle letters about what to do when you and your brother are fighting over your family’s heirloom ring, and how to handle a mother-in-law who is stealing the thunder from her own daughter’s wedding day.  Access all of Prudie’s podcasts and columns here.  Got a question for Prudie? Send it to prudence@slate.com or leave a voicemail message at 401-371-DEAR (3327), and you may hear your question answered on a future episode of the show.


sputnik--2019-02-12--Our Gift is Your Vote Indian Couple Urge Wedding Guests to Back PM Modi

'Our Gift is Your Vote': Indian Couple Urge Wedding Guests to Back PM Modi

The wedding card cover, which has gone viral on social media, reads "Our Gift is your Vote for Modi in 2019 Lok Sabha Elections." The groom, Yande, a die-hard Modi supporter, said he had a tough time convincing his family and bride to print the appeal on their wedding card.  "I have high regard for Modi as he is a good leader. He is working hard for our nation and I think this is the way I can garner support for him in the coming general election," Yande Mukesh Rao told Sputnik.  "My father was a freedom fighter. So we always support and cherish national pride. I like BJP since the days of Vajpayee. Now I support Modi as I like his style of working," Subhash Rao Yande, the groom's father, told Sputnik.  27-year-old Yande Mukesh Rao from Shamshabad in Hyderabad will be getting married on 21 February. He works as an assistant engineer at Telangana State Power Generation Corporation.


sputnik--2019-03-12--Priyanka Chopra Cheers for Son of Top Indian Businessman on His Wedding Day

New Delhi (Sputnik): Tinseltown celebrity of global acclaim Priyanka Chopra took no time to congratulate the newly-weds Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta from arguably "the first business family" of India, cheering them on for a new life of togetherness.  Taking to Instagram, PeeCee, as Priyanka Chopra is popularly known, said, "So happy for these two amazing people coming together for life..  @aambani1  and @shloka11 here's to a lifetime of togetherness.. and @_iiishmagish you're the best twin ever! We killed it at the baraat.., big love, always!"  Nick Jonas' Touching Women's Day Wish to Priyanka Chopra Is Doing the Rounds Mukesh Ambani, the father of the bridegroom, is the richest living Indian and among the Forbes' list of richest billionaires in the world.  Mukesh's son, Akash, took his wedding vows along with his bride, Shloka, on Saturday at Jio Gardens in Mumbai, the financial capital of India.  Priyanka is quite close to the Ambani family. She witnessed the wedding along with her mother, Madhu Chopra, and brother, Siddharth Chopra.  Bollywood actress of Hollywood fame, Priyanka, herself tied the wedding knot to American singer and songwriter Nick Jonas in a multi-location ceremony three months ago, in December 2018.


thedailycaller--2019-08-22--Justin And Hailey Bieber Set Sept 30 Date For Wedding Celebration

Justin And Hailey Bieber Set Sept. 30 Date For Wedding Celebration

Justin and Hailey Bieber have finally set a date and sent out invitations for their long-overdue wedding celebration.  The 25-year-old singer and his supermodel wife Hailey have sent out comic book-style save the date invites for Sept. 30 in South Carolina, per TMZ in a piece published Thursday. (RELATED: Report: Justin Bieber, Hailey Baldwin Tied Knot After 2-Month Engagement)  “We are honored to have you on this special day,” a message on the card read. (RELATED: Report: Selena Gomez Takes Break From Spotlight Following Justin Bieber Breakup)  The “Baby” hitmaker and supermodel plan to say their “I Do’s” this time around surrounded by family and friends at a ceremony and party compared to last time when they tied the knot at a secret ceremony at a New York City courthouse on Sept. 13, 2018.  The two were spotted recently in around Palmetto Bluff roasting s’mores.  It all comes following reports earlier this week that the celebration is finally happening after putting things on hold reportedly because of Justin’s mental health issues, per People magazine.  “Hailey keeps supporting him. They will still have a wedding when they feel they are ready,” a source shared at the time. “The most important thing for them is that Justin is mentally healthy.”  “It seems his treatment has helped him a lot,” the source added. “It has changed the way he thinks. He is much more focused on taking one day at a time. It’s when he starts thinking too far ahead that he gets stressed out and feels pressure.”


thedailyrecord--2019-01-05--Young dad with terminal cancer marries pregnant partner of 10 years in dream Rangers wedding

A young dad diagnosed with terminal cancer has married his partner of ten years in a dream ceremony at Ibrox.  Rangers-mad Scott Lewis, who was given the devastating news his illness is untreatable in November, married pregnant partner Sara Murray yesterday.  Kind-hearted strangers and celebrities rallied round after the couple appealed for help to make Scott’s dream for a wedding at the stadium come true.  Brave dad-of-four Scott has vowed he will stay alive long enough to meet his new baby who is due in May.  The 33-year-old said his vows to Sara, 27, in front of family and friends at the stadium in a ceremony officiated by the clubs’ Minister, Reverend Stuart McQuarrie.  Rangers legend Derek Johnstone also attended the wedding on behalf of the Glasgow club.  The wedding party then moved onto a swish wedding breakfast and reception at the luxury Carnbooth hotel in Glasgow’s southside.  And award-winning comedian Gary Little performed a free set at the reception after reading about their plight in the Record.  The couple’s young daughter’s Ellie, 7, Amy, 3 and eight-month-old Khloe were flower girls.  Fundraiser Linda Croker, who set up an appeal to raise cash for the family, said: “A great day and it couldn’t have gone better. Many thanks to Derek Johnstone for representing Rangers Football Club and also thanks to the members of public and businesses who have helped make this day happen.”  We told last month how Scott, who works for the disabled workforce at North Lanarkshire Council, was given the devastating diagnosis that his cancer was too advanced for treatment.  He said: “I want to make memories with my three girls, see my new baby and marry Sara. I need to make sure my girls are looked after once I’m gone.”  At the moment he is receiving palliative chemotherapy in the hope it will give him a little longer with his family.  Scott, who lives in Wishaw, also has on his bucket list salmon fishing with his brother, his voice recorded into teddy bears for his children and leaving birthday cards for each child until they’re 21.  The couple, who’ve been together for ten years, said they are touched and overwhelmed.  Sara said: “We just want to thank everyone for everything.”


thedailyrecord--2019-01-07--Loved up West Lothian couple who started dating as teenagers celebrate diamond wedding

A loved-up West Lothian couple who started dating as young teenagers have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.  George and Pat Pirrie from East Calder were married 60 years ago in East Calder Church on December 6.  The couple began dating as young teenagers after George was friends with Pat’s older brother at school.  The couple went on to have two daughters and a son, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild, with another on the way.  George said: “We’re still in love as much as ever. We’ve had a good life and a lovely family so we’re quite lucky.”  Pat worked in the infirmary and was also a founding member of East Calder Playgroup where she worked for 26 years.  George was a social worker helping adults with additional support needs and said they both really enjoyed their work.  The couple celebrated their 60th anniversary by having a party at the same hotel in Uphall where they held their wedding reception.  George said: “We invited friends and family so we really enjoyed it. The family treated us well.”


thedailyrecord--2019-01-09--Wedding of the Week Ashleigh Shaw and Fraser Hamilton

Wedding of the Week: Ashleigh Shaw and Fraser Hamilton

The couple Bride Ashleigh, from Motherwell, works as an HR administrator with North Lanarkshire Council.  Groom Fraser, also from Motherwell, is a ceiling fixer with DV McColl Ltd.  Where they met Ashleigh and Fraser met at Dalziel High School, Motherwell, in 2003 but didn’t become a couple until after they left in 2009.  The wedding The ceremony and reception was held at the AlonA Hotel, Motherwell on August 24, 2018.  Their reception was attended by 160 family and friends.  Attire The bride wore a gown by Ronald Joyce from Bijoux Bridal Hamilton, while Fraser wore a kilt from MacKenzie Menswear, Hillington.  Best man was Calum Wallace and ushers were Craig Shaw, Jim Gibbons and Greg Russell.  Honeymoon The newlyweds travelled to Riviera Maya, Mexico for their honeymoon.  Thanks Fraser and Ashleigh wish to thank their families and bridal party for their help and support on the lead up to and throughout the wedding day, all their friends and family for joining them in celebrating their marriage and for all the generous gifts, kind wishes and love shown on their special day.  Also, a special thank you to SoundSational Choir for singing during the ceremony and entertaining the guests at the drinks reception, and the band Fiore for performing during the evening reception and keeping the dancefloor full all night long.  How to take part It’s free and easy to feature as our Wedding of the Week. Email news@hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk for more details.


thedailyrecord--2019-01-10--Loving Rutherglen couple celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary

Loving Rutherglen couple John and Jean Armstrong, who last week celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, could never be accused of ‘rushing into things.’  John and Jean met as primary school pupils and members of the Boys’ and Girls’ Brigades in Newton in the early 1940s - nearly 80 years ago.  But it wasn’t until their paths crossed again nearly two decades later that they fell in love and tied the knot.  Now, they have marked 60 years together in a sparkling celebration, surrounded by family and friends.  After leaving school, a young John undertook his national service from 1953 to 1955 and embarked on a career with Redpath Dorman Long in Westburn, where he remained for 35 years before moving to UIE as a crane driver.  John finished his working life with Munn Funeral Directors before beginning a well-earned retirement in 2010.  Meanwhile, Jean worked with Curry’s Bakery and McFarlane Lang Biscuit Factory, before leaving the world of paid employment in 1957, shorlty before the couple’s wedding at Newton Parish Church on December 27, 1958.  They have three children, Jacqueline, Ian and Janean, five grandchildren and one great granddaughter.  South Lanarkshire Provost Ian McAllan visited the couple at their Rutherglen home on Monday to present them with gifts and congratulate them on their long life together.  He said: “It is remarkable to think that John and Jean first met each other nearly 80 years ago as war raged across Europe and the world.  “Together, they have lived through and witnessed a remarkable period in world history and I am delighted to have been able to be a part of their own personal history by celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.”  Deputy Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Mary Hernon joined the Provost at the Armstrongs’ home for the celebrations.


thedailyrecord--2019-01-23--Wedding of the Week Lauren McKinlay and Brian Brown

Wedding of the Week: Lauren McKinlay and Brian Brown

The couple Lauren, from Hamilton works as a section co-ordinator with M&S. Groom Brian, from Glasgow is a security guard with Securitas.  Where they met Lauren and Brian met at M&S in 2013.  The wedding The ceremony was held at The Radstone on May 11, 2018. Their reception, at The Radstone, was attended by family and friends.  Attire The bride wore Ronald Joyce by Bijoux while Brian wore Grey Spirit kilt from Guilt Edged.  Bridal party Maid of Honour was Lauren’s sister Elena with their daughter Carys as flower girl. Pageboys were Ruadhan, Cian, Fraser and their son Jack. Best man was William, Brian’s brother, with ushers Callum and Nicky.  HAMILTON ADVERTISER: All the top news as it happens  Honeymoon The couple have yet to have a honeymoon as they have two young children.  FACEBOOK: Join in the chat with thousands of our followers  Thanks Lauren and Brian wish to thank all of their family and friends for making it such a wonderful day.  How to take part It’s free and easy to feature as our Wedding of the Week. Email news@hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk for more details and we’ll get back to you.


thedailyrecord--2019-02-06--Wedding of the Week Kirsty Mackie and Steven Hardie

Wedding of the Week: Kirsty Mackie and Steven Hardie

The couple Kirsty, from Hamilton, works as hairdresser and groom Steven, also from Hamilton, works for the Scottish Prison Service.  The wedding The ceremony and reception were held at The Avonbridge Hotel on April 7, 2018.  Attire The bride wore a Justin Alexander dress from Bijoux, while groom wore Highland sky tartan from Slaters.  Bridal party Bridesmaids were Kirsty’s sisters Nicola Mackie and Joanne Adam and Steven’s sister Samantha Simpson. Best man was Steven’s cousin Gary Hamilton and ushers were Ryan Gilluley and Jason Simpson.  Honeymoon The newlyweds travelled to Montego Bay in Jamaica for their honeymoon.  Thanks Kirsty and Steven wish to thank Joanne Hood from St John’s Parrish Church in Hamilton for conducting the service, and all their friends and family for their well wishes and generosity.  How to take part It’s free and easy to feature as our Wedding of the Week. Just email news@hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk for more details and we’ll get back to you with more details.


thedailyrecord--2019-02-07--Diamond couple from Hamilton celebrate 60th wedding anniversary

Peter and Sheila Daly will spend time with their close family to mark their diamond day.  The couple married on February 7, 1959, in Our Lady and St Anne’s Church, Hamilton, after meeting in Our Lady and St Anne’s Parochial Hall back in 1951.  They went on to have a son, Peter, and daughter, Margaret, and raised their family in Whitehill before settling in Hall Street, where they have remained for the last 45 years.  And Peter, who formerly worked in the Burnbank steel works, and Sheila, an ex-dinner lady, say the secret to their long and happy marriage is that they have always been best friends and can depend on each other through thick and thin. As well as their son and daughter, the couple are family to Peter junior’s partner Janet, three grandchildren Daniel (27), Megan (23) and Joseph (18) and Margaret’s partner Stephen.  A huge congratulations to them from everyone at the Advertiser.


thedailyrecord--2019-03-20--Wedding of the Week Graeme Downie and Laura McKeating

Wedding of the Week: Graeme Downie and Laura McKeating

The couple Graeme, from New Stevenston, is the director of Ignite Performance , while Laura, of Bellshill, is a social media manager for Holiday Inn. They now live in Motherwell.  The wedding The pair were married on September 22, 2018. A total of 180 guests attended a humanist ceremony, followed by an evening reception. Both were held at West Brewery in Glasgow.  Attire Laura wore a Morilee dress from Bijoux in Hamilton, and Graeme wore a Moss Bros suit.  Bridal party Laura and Graeme’s daughters, Anna and Thea, were flower girls. Graeme’s brother, John Downie, was his best man.  HAMILTON ADVERTISER: All the top news as it happens  Thanks Laura and Graeme would like to thank their parents, family and friends for all their help and support. A special thanks go to humanist Sandy Geddes for conducting the service, all their suppliers and the team at West Brewery for turning their dream into reality.  How to take part It’s free and easy to feature as our Wedding of the Week. Just email news@hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk for more details and we’ll get back to you about how you can share your big day in the Hamilton Advertiser.  For more information, please contact Paul@nicholasmcdonald.co.uk


thedailyrecord--2019-03-30--Hamilton Advertisers Wedding of the Week Alan Edgar and Sharlene Struthers

Hamilton Advertiser's Wedding of the Week: Alan Edgar and Sharlene Struthers

The couple: Sharlene Struthers works as a self-employed hairdresser from Larkhall. Alan Edgar is an electrical buyer from Airdrie.  The wedding: The wedding was held at The Radstone Hotel, Larkhall, on October 6, 2018.  Attire: Sharlene wore a beautiful Sharlene-Sophia Tolli dress from Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo Boutique in East Kilbride. Alan was kitted out in the Eternal Thistle tartan from Kilts 4U, Hillington.  Bridal party: Bridesmaids were Siobhan Murray and Kelly Frame; flower girls were the couple’s nieces Ivy Struthers and Rebecca Frame; with page boy, their son, Jackson Edgar. Best man was Jamie Rice with usher William Struthers.  Thanks: The couple would like to thank their family and friends for sharing their special day and for all the generous gifts.  How to take part  It’s free and easy to feature as our Wedding of the Week.  Just email news@hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk for more details and we’ll get back to you.


thedailyrecord--2019-04-15--West Lothian couple celebrate diamond wedding anniversary

Archie Pratt, 84, and Jean Pratt, 79, marked 60 years of marriage with family, friends, residents and staff at the Crofthead Care Home on March 28.  They were also honoured with special visitors bearing flowers and cards, Lord Lieutentant for West Lothian Moira Niven, and Provost Tom Kerr - and they received their card from the Queen.  The room at Crofthead Care Home - where Archie is a resident - was decorated by their daughters with family photographs, bunting, fairy lights and balloons.  The family arranged a buffet, drinks, a celebration cake, and an accordion band made up of past colleagues of Archie - who all once worked together at the RCA MOT garage based in Stoneyburn, where Archie and Jean lived.  The happy couple put the success of their marriage down to simply loving each other and loving their children.  Jean thanked everyone who came together to make the day such a memorable event - particularly their daughers, Elizabeth and Catherine, and the Crofthead Carehome activities co-ordinators, Davina and Linda.  Davina, one of the activities co-ordinators, said: “We are genuinely delighted to be part of our residents special occasions.  “It’s an honour and a privilege to be part of their lives.  “We have a fabulous team here at Crofthead, and every single staff member contributes to create these memorable days.”  Archie and Jean have four children - Catherine, Elizabeth, Jim and John, and five grandchildren - all of which attended the celebration.


thedailyrecord--2019-04-24--Wedding of the Week Kirsty Stevenson and John Dierikx

Wedding of the Week: Kirsty Stevenson and John Dierikx

The couple Kirsty, from Hamilton, and John met in Ashton Lane, Glasgow.  The wedding The wedding was held at The Strathaven Hotel on December 29, 2018.  Attire Kirsty wore a beautiful gown from Sloan’s and groom John was kitted out with the Isle of Skye tartan kilts.  Bridal party Bridesmaids were Kara, with the couple’s daughter Demi and their nieces Millie and Connie. Best man was the groom’s best friend Dermot, while the ushers were the groom’s son Marcus and friend Craig.  FACEBOOK: Join in the chat with thousands of our followers  Thanks Thanks to the Strathaven Hotel for their excellent service and looking after us.  Also thanks goes to our parents and extended family and friends for all their love and support.  How to take part It’s free and easy to feature as our Wedding of the Week.  Just email news@hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk for more details and we’ll get back to you.


thedailyrecord--2019-05-02--Wishaw couple mark silver wedding celebrations by shedding the pounds

Those who diet together, stay together, is the secret to a Pather couple’s happy marriage.  Tommy and Senga Wishart are getting ready to mark their silver wedding anniversary six stones lighter, after following a weight loss plan to get in shape for the special celebration.  Tommy joined a Slimming World class at South Wishaw Parish Church in June last year and shed a whopping 63 pounds in 40 weeks.  The 58-year-old tipped the scales at 15 stones on his first weigh in and is now down to 10 stones, seven pounds.  He said: “I’m feeling so much better about myself now. I didn’t realise just how big I had become until I looked at old photos of myself. I was in shock at how I looked and knew I needed to do something about it.  “When my daughter Chloe said she was thinking of joining Slimming World I decided I’d go along to support her. It was the best decision I made.”  Senga didn’t initially join with Tommy and Chloe as she was recovering from heart surgery, however after seeing how well they were doing and enjoying the homemade meals they were making, she decided to go along when she was feeling up to it a few months later.  Senga, 58, who has lost 21 pounds since September, said: “Witnessing how good Tommy and Chloe were doing was definitely inspiration for me. I’m so proud of how they’ve both down and how they’ve stuck at it.  “Another incentive I had to lose weight was our upcoming silver anniversary.  “My family are throwing us a celebration at the Dalziel Park and I want to look and feel my best for it.  “It’s lovely to be able to mark 25 years of marriage feeling healthier and more confident together.”  Tommy, Senga and Chloe, who has also lost two stones, said they have thoroughly enjoyed changing their eating habits and lifestyle.  Senga added: “Prior to starting Slimming World we didn’t eat great. We ate takeaways and junk food regularly and I definitely ate too much chocolate and cakes.  “Now we try to make all our meals from scratch and make better choices.  “Myself and Tommy even go out walking together when we have time.”  Slimming World consultant Nikki Musgrave said: “I am so proud of what they have achieved. They are a huge inspiration to the other members and I’m honoured to be there consultant and to have been part of their journey.  For information on all Slimming World group times visit slimmingworld.co.uk.


thedailyrecord--2019-05-28--Sparkling couple celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary

Nancy and Bert Thommeny from Bents, Stoneyburn, marked their 60th wedding anniversary on May 9 with family and friends, and receiving a visit from Depute Provost Dave King and Lord Lieutenant for West Lothian Moira Niven.  Nancy and Bert were married in Whitburn in 1959 and have a son called Derek who lives in Malta with his partner Natalie.  Asked about the secret to a long and successful marriage, Nancy said: “The secret is perseverance and to keep smiling.”  Recounting their first meeting, Nancy said: “I worked at an office in Edinburgh, and as I left one day to catch a bus I bumped into Bert and we just started talking and it all took off from there - it’s a little embarrassing to recall, but he was actually there as he was supposed to take another girl to the cinema.”  The couple received a congratulatory telegram from the Queen for the significant anniversary.


thedailyrecord--2019-06-26--Hamilton Advertisers Wedding of the Week Victoria Gebbie and Alan Moore

Hamilton Advertiser's Wedding of the Week: Victoria Gebbie and Alan Moore

Victoria Gebbie, from Hamilton, works as an events manager. Groom Alan Moore, from Bothwell, is an admin officer with South Lanarkshire Council. They met at a bar in Hamilton in February 2016.  The ceremony was held at Dalduff Farm in Maybole, Ayrshire on Saturday, April 20.  The wedding was attended by 90 of Alan and Victoria’s closest friends and family.  The bride Victoria wore Stella York from Bijoux Bridal Hamilton, while the groom Alan wore a kilt in Arran Mist tartan from MacGregor and MacDuff in Glasgow.  Best man was Alan’s brother Gordon Moore with groomsmen William Cumming, Bryan McNally and Richard Paterson, who also walked Victoria down the aisle.  The newlyweds travelled to Rhodes for their honeymoon.  Alan and Victoria wish to thank their mums, Jean Moore and Ann Laughlan, along with both sets of families for all their help and support on the lead up to the big day.  They would like to give an extra special thanks to Victoria’s aunts, Clare Paterson and May Feechan.  Love and appreciation goes to everyone who helped with the wedding set-up at Dalduff, especially Rhona and Susan.  And finally, big thanks to Jane Henderson and Joe Gallacher for entertainment on the day.  The new Mr and Mrs Moore thank everyone who came to share the most amazing day of their lives with them, and said they were so lucky to be surrounded by love and laughter all day long.  How to take part  It’s free and easy to feature as our Wedding of the Week. Just email news@hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk for details.

reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk (Leona  Greenan)


thedailyrecord--2019-07-03--Hamilton Advertisers Wedding of the Week Lynsey Plenderleith and David Jaap

Hamilton Advertiser's Wedding of the Week: Lynsey Plenderleith and David Jaap

Lynsey from Stonehouse, works as a sales assistant with Asda. Groom David from Larkhall, is an HGV driver with Shreadall.  They knew each other from high school but didn’t start going out until they met at a friend’s party in 2010.  The ceremony was held at Dalziel Park on February 23, 2019. Their reception, also at Dalziel Park, was attended by 250 family and friends.  The newlyweds travelled to Tenerife for their honeymoon  Bridesmaids were Laura (Lynsey’s sister), Hazel and Beth (Lynsey’s cousins); flower girls were Holly and Elena; pageboy was Lewis; best man was Arron; and ushers were Mark and Greig (David’s brothers). Aaron, Piotr and Ryan.  The bride wore Special Day by Ederra Bridal while David wore the Ancient Saltire Kilt from Kilt Centre Hamilton.  Lynsey and David wish to thank all their family and friends for all their help leading up to the wedding.  Also to all the guests who attended their special day and for the gifts they received.  How to take part  It’s free and easy to feature as our Wedding of the Week.  Just email news@hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk for more details and we’ll get back to you.


thedailyrecord--2019-07-23--Sisters share wedding day because they didnt want to upstage each other

Sisters share wedding day because they didn't want to upstage each other

Selfless sisters decided not to upstage each other at their joint wedding – and even bought their brides’ dresses together.  Charly Mckevitt, 28, had been engaged to her partner and IT worker Marcin Jerwan, 36, for five years.  Her younger sister Ella, 23, was desperate to see the couple tie the knot – and joked that she should marry her boyfriend Chase Pretorius, 28, on the same day.  The siblings, from Sauchie, Clackmannanshire, decided to go ahead with the plan and said they “wouldn’t change it for the world”.  But although they bought their dresses on the same day, the sisters wore totally different styles – with Ella wearing Converse trainers matching her husband’s and a lace dress, while Charly wore heels with a strapless gown.  The idea started off as a joke, with younger sister Ella teasing her sibling about how long she had been engaged for.  Ella said: “I had just recently got engaged and Charly had been engaged for five years. She hadn’t married yet and we started joking about getting married at the same time.  “But then as we spoke more about it we said, ‘Why don’t we just do it?’”  The two couples got married, one after the other, in the sun-soaked grounds of the Gartmore Village Hall on June 22, before sharing their reception inside.  They cut their specially-made wedding cake together and even shared their first dance – dancing to the aptly named Better Together by Jack Johnson.  Ella said: “We got prepared together upstairs and then our dad and step-dad walked us down the aisle.  “I went first then Charly came downstairs. I did a speech for my sister and she did one for me.  “We also opted for a hand-tying ceremony for both of us and our husbands. We walked back into the village hall one after the other after the ceremony . It was stunning weather for us.  "It couldn’t have been better and we also got a little sunburnt.”  Bank worker Ella said they kept a “family vibe” with about 130 guests made up of close family and friends.  Ten guests attended from Chase’s homeland, South Africa, and Marcin had six guests from his native Poland.  Ella said: “It was nice and not too busy.  “All of the guests were there for the full day and we had a caterer come.  “It’s Polish tradition that we provided all of the booze so everyone got a fair drink.”  Despite the trickiness of coordinating two weddings on the same day, Ella said she “wouldn’t change it for the world” and would recommend it to others.  She said: “It’s definitely not easier, you’ve got so many more people and ideas so it’s trickier in that sense.  “We both wanted the best for each other on the day and bought our wedding dresses together.  “I’d recommend it. It was amazing.  “But it’s definitely not for everyone.”  Ella, soon to move to Cape Town with her husband, added: “I wouldn’t change it for the world.  “Charly and I looked at each other afterwards and both said we were glad we did it. It was a perfect day, no regrets.”


thedailyrecord--2019-07-31--Wedding of the Week Ryan Smith and Siobhan ONeill

Wedding of the Week: Ryan Smith and Siobhan O'Neill

The couple Siobhan, from Carluke works as a teacher. Groom, Ryan, from Motherwell, is a bus driver with First.  When they met Siobhan and Ryan met at school in Wishaw.  The wedding The ceremony was held at St Mary’s, Lanark, on July 18. Their reception at Dalziel Park was attended by family and friends.  Bridal party Bridesmaids were Mhairi, Caitlin, Suzi and Courtney. Best man was Danny, and ushers were Paul, Liam and Shea.  Honeymoon The newlyweds travelled to New York and Cancun for their honeymoon.  Thanks Siobhan and Ryan wish to thank everyone who made their day special.  How to take part It’s free and easy to feature as our Wedding of the Week. Just email news@hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk for more details and we will let you know what details are required.


thedailyrecord--2019-08-31--Wedding of the Week St Leonards couple Erynn Gray and Ryan Muldoon

Wedding of the Week: St Leonards couple Erynn Gray and Ryan Muldoon

The couple : Erynn, from Chapleton, is a care assistant at Forefaulds Care Home in East Kilbride and Ryan, from Ireland, is a self-employed bricklayer. The happy couple now live together in St Leonards.  Where they met : Outside a nightclub in Glasgow in April 2008, just after Ryan had arrived in Scotland for work.  The wedding: The ceremony and reception was in held in the Brisbane House Hotel in Largs on May 26, 2019 and was attended by family and friends from as far afield as Australia.  Bridal party: The bride wore the Ronald Joyce ‘Jodie’ dress from Brides of Scotland in East Kilbride and the Groom wore Eternal Thistle from Kilts 4 U in Kilmarnock.  Hair and makeup : LA Make Up and Hair Design, and the bride’s sister-in-law, Lorna  Thanks: Ryan and Erynn want to thank both their mums Audrey and Katherine for their help in the run up to the wedding, and all their family and friends who helped make their day so special. After 11 years, it was worth the wait!


thedailyrecord--2019-09-08--Wedding of the Week Lindsayfield couple Nicola Bryce and Steven Inglis

Wedding of the Week: Lindsayfield couple Nicola Bryce and Steven Inglis

The couple: Steven, from Eaglesham, works as a training manager and Nicola, from Lindsayfield, owns NB Dance School. They now live together in Lindsayfield.  Where they met: The pair met working at Webhelp UK when Nicola returned from living in Spain four years ago. Steven was her trainer, but they didn’t begin dating until six months later.  The wedding: The ceremony was held at Cameo Island, Zakynthos, Greece, and reception at Utopia Restaurant in Argassi on July 11, 2019.  Attire: The bride wore a gown from Wed2b in Glasgow, whilst the groom wore a Ted Baker suit.  Bridal party: Maid of honour was Alix and bridesmaids were Samantha, Shannon and Claire and flower girl was Sophie. Best men were Webster and Breed and groomsmen were Doogle and Dahmzy with page boy Jason.  Hair and makeup: By Linzi arranged through Zante Weddings, Tsilivi Travel  Band, dancers, DJ, cake and flowers: The couple were given a huge amount of assistance by Frances at Zante Weddings, Tsilivi Travel through Perfect Wedding Abroad, who helped with all of these.  Honeymoon: The newlyweds spent two weeks in Zakynthos.  Thanks: Nicola and Steven wish to thank their parents Janine and Ricky and Carol and Billy for all their help and support and thank all their family and friends for making their day so special.


thedailyrecord--2019-09-10--Wedding of the Week Plains man marries dream girl 15 years after they met

Wedding of the Week: Plains man marries dream girl 15 years after they met

Colin Hunter, from Plains, works as a forklift driver and warehouse operator for a local firm; and Kimberley Brown, of Bellshill, is a stay-at-home mum due to her ill health.  Colin and Kimberley met at a house party in Airdrie more than 15 years ago and had their first date in the Horseshoe Bar, Coatdyke; they have been inseparable ever since.  The ceremony was conducted by Pastor Graeme Paterson in the Dalmeny Park House Hotel, Glasgow, on July 11, with the reception in the same venue, attended by 100 members of their friends and family to celebrate and dance the night away.  Kimberley wore a beautiful gown, veil and tiara designed by CK Bridal in Falkirk, while Colin wore his family’s Hunter tartan from McGregor McDuff in Glasgow; and his best men and ushers wore the Flower of Scotland tartan.  The newlyweds spent their “familymoon” with their two sons, Leo and Calvin, on the North Coast 500 pods luxury glamping holiday resort at Achmelvich Beach, Lochinver.  Kimberley’s maid of honour was best friend Yvonne Brophy and bridesmaids were her sisters Nicola and Amy, and friends Vicky Hunter and Nancy Anderson, with her niece Kacie O’Clery acting as the flower girl. Colin’s best men were brother Ian and nephew Shaun; his groomsman was Kimberley’s brother Alastair; ushers were Colin and Kimberley’s sons Leo and Calvin; and the page boy was Colin’s nephew Lochlan Watson.  All Dolled Up, Coatbridge. Kimberley said: “Thanks to Kayleigh, Kirsty and Amy for working wonders and making us all look stunning.”  Kimberley said: “I would like to thank all our families and friends for joining us in a once in a lifetime event; and our photographer, Ian Emmot, for doing our pictures and helping out with touches on the morning of the wedding. A massive thank you also goes to my friend Yvonne who helped me sort things and went oaboveand beyond; I’d be lost without her.  “And a huge thank you to Alan Thomson, our piper, who blew us away; Graeme Paterson who we have known for a long time and made it all perfect; and Paige at Dalmeny Park who waited on me and made sure I was comfortable and helped us with everything.”  How to take part  It’s free and easy to feature as our wedding of the week. Just email news@airdrieandcoatbridgeadvertiser.co.uk for more details.

reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk (Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser)


thedailyrecord--2019-09-11--Wedding of the Week Lee Kane and Danielle McGuire

Wedding of the Week: Lee Kane and Danielle McGuire

The couple Danielle, from Uddingston, works as a residential child care worker.  When they met Danielle and Lee met on Tinder, their first date was dinner and drinks in Glasgow.  The wedding The ceremony was held at Playa Pesquero in Cuba on the beach on Wednesday, August 10.  Their reception, at the Hilcroft Hotel, will be attended by the new Mr & Mrs Kane’s family and friends.  Honeymoon The newlyweds will travel to Tunisia for their honeymoon.  Bridal party Bridesmaids were Amy, Claire and Stephanie; best men were Graeme and Stewart; and usher and master of ceremony was Gary.  Photographer Photographer from within the resort in Cuba.  Cars The couple had a horse and cart.  Attire The bride wore an Allure Bridal dress from Bibbiddi Bobbidi Boo with a veil made by the bride’s nana, while the groom wore tartan trews and braces.  Hair Stylist from within the resort.  Thanks Danielle and Lee wish to thank all their family and friends who attended the wedding in Cuba and everyone who will attend the reception.  How to take part  It’s free and easy to feature as our Wedding of the Week. Just email news@hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk for more.


thedailyrecord--2019-10-01--Wedding of the Week Airdrie couple Jane Mcleod and Ross Cummings

Wedding of the Week: Airdrie couple Jane Mcleod and Ross Cummings

Jane Mcleod works as a customer assistant at Subway in Airdrie and Ross Cummings is an ink technician in Newhouse; both are from Airdrie.  Jane and Ross met as students at high school and went on to become friends. They began dating after Ross left school; they have been together for more than 13 years and inseparable ever since.  The ceremony and reception took place in the Three Kings in Falkirk on February 23 and was attended by 60 members of the couple’s family and friends, with a further 140 guests joining them in the evening to celebrate and dance the night away.  Jane wore a beautiful strapless gown and veil designed by Wedding Wise, Glasgow, while Ross and his best man Alan McBride wore the Brachindu tartan from JH Kilts in Grangemouth.  The newlyweds spent an idyllic honeymoon with their son Kyle at the Hotel Orquida in Gran Canaria.  Jane’s maid of honour was best friend Lorna Fleming and her bridesmaids were friend Natalie Kennedy and the groom’s sister Rebekka Ramsay, with their baby daughter Keira acting as flower girl. Ross’ best man was best friend Alan McBride and page boy was the couple’s son Kyle.  Jane and Ross would like to thank everyone who came along to celebrate their big day, with special thanks to their parents Yvonne Hunter and Alan Mcleod and Sharon Ramsay and Ian Cummings. Jane said: “We were overwhelmed with love; it’s a day we will both cherish forever, to have the most important people in our life stand by our side.”  How to take part:  It’s free and easy to feature as our wedding of the week. Just email news@airdrieandcoatbridgeadvertiser.co.uk for more details.


thedailyrecord--2019-10-08--Wedding of the week: Kirsty Mooney and Cameron Somerville

Kirsty Mooney, from Calderbank, works as a senior support worker for Mears Supported Living and Cameron Somerville, of Drumpellier, is a civil servant.  Kirsty and Cameron got together in 2013 after initially “liking” each other’s photos on Facebook and Instagram. Following an “accidental” call to Kirsty from Cameron’s phone, the couple finally met and they have been inseparable ever since.  The ceremony was conducted by Father Vincent Lochart at Corpus Christi Parish Church in Calderbank on August 10, followed by a reception in the Dalziel Park Hotel, Motherwell, attended by 126 members of their friends and family, with a further 150 guests joining them in the evening.  Kirsty wore a beautiful Kenneth Winston gown designed by Bijoux Bridal in Hamilton, while Cameron and his best man and ushers wore Dove tartan kilts from Mackenzie Menswear, Hillington.  The newlyweds spent their honeymoon in the Dream Catcher Cabins at Gartmore.  Kirsty’s maid of honour was her sister Claire and her bridesmaids were best friends Megan Birt and Danielle Simeon and cousin and best friend Moya Harper. Cameron’s best man was best friend Marc Balmer; his ushers were friend William Gilchrist, brother-in-law William Murphy and Kirsty’s cousin Andrew Toner; and page boys were his nephews Joey and Rory, godson Christopher and little cousin Noah.  Kirsty said: “We would like to thank both our parents, Paul and Pauline Mooney and Alex and Julie Somerville, for all their love and support; and all our friends and family who attended the wedding and those who travelled from both near and far, including relatives from New Zealand and Canada.”  How to take part  It’s free and easy to feature as our wedding of the week. Just email news@airdrieandcoatbridgeadvertiser.co.uk for more details.

reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk (Ian  Bunting)


thedailyrecord--2019-10-10--Golden Wedding Anniversary for West Lothian couple

A husband and wife from West Lothian celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Monday surrounded by family and friends.  Doreen and Alstair McCrae from Blackburn celebrated with their four daughters and eighteen grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Doreen moved to Blackburn from England as a child with her parents and then met the interloper, Alstair, from Stranraer, in her teenage years and it was love at first sight for the young couple. Marriage soon followed, as did the births of their daughters, and they settled down and lived in Blackburn for the rest of their lives.  Alstair began working for the council but soon moved onto Fosters Dairy in Blackburn where he spent most of his working days before he spent his latter years with Highlander Crisps.  Speaking to the Courier their daughter, Lorna Thomson, said: “We are all so proud. They love each other today every bit as much as they did when they first met, they are both just fabulous.”


thedailyrecord--2019-11-12--Wedding of the Week: Coatbridge woman marries at Loch Lomond

Lacey Smith, from Kirkwood in Coatbridge, and Ricky Spence, of East Kilbride, both work as store managers for Next.  Lacey met Ricky via a dating site and after spending the night chatting, they met the following day under the clock at Central Station in Glasgow; they have been together for more than two-and-a-half years and inseparable ever since.  The ceremony was conducted by a registrar at Duck Bay Marina in Loch Lomond on May 23, attended by 50 members of their family and friends, followed with an intimate reception in the same venue where their guests celebrated with them and danced the night away.  Lacey wore a beautiful Robyn gown designed by Ronald Joyce from J’taime Bridal Wear, Stevenston, while Ricky wore the Arran navy tweed from MacGregor McDuff Kilt Hire, Glasgow.  The newlyweds travelled to the idyllic island of Barbados, followed with a seven-night cruise around the Caribbean.  Lacey’s maid of honour was her sister Paige and bridesmaids were best friend Heather Morrison and cousin Devon. Ricky’s best woman was best friend, and the bride’s sister-in-law, Linsey Craig; his groomsmen were Ricky’s dad Lex and brother Paul and Lacey’s uncle Jamie, while the page boys were Ricky’s nephew Cole and Lacey’s cousin Ashton.  Lacey said: “We wish to thank our parents, Monica Smith and Lex and Irene Spence, who helped us to organise events and run us around to appointments; Paige and Linsey for keeping us calm and organising the hen and stag nights; and everyone who was able to celebrate with us.”  How to take part  It’s free and easy to feature as our wedding of the week. Just email news@airdrieandcoatbridgeadvertiser.co.uk for more details.


thedailyrecord--2019-11-13--Wedding of the week: Iain McHolm and Joanne McNeill

The couple Iain works as an electrician with Ross-shire Engineering. Joanne works in customer services with South Lanarkshire Council. The couple live in Stonehouse.  When they met Iain and Joanne met at Overton Farm Point to Point in March 2007.  The wedding The ceremony was held at Dalserf Parish Church on Saturday, July 13. Their reception, at The Popinjay Hotel, was attended by 150 family and friends.  Honeymoon The newlyweds travelled around Scotland for two weeks after the wedding with the groom’s Canadian relatives. They are planning to honeymoon in 2020 with a couple of stops in America, before heading to Mexico.  Bridal party Bridesmaids were Kate Henderson and Lorna Stevenson, best man Iain Whitelaw, and ushers Michael McNeill and Scott Loecker.  Attire The bride wore a Hilary Morgan gown from Reeta’s Fashions while Iain wore Silver Highlander from Kilts 4u.  Thanks Iain and Joanne wish to thank all their family and friends who shared their special day, along with all those who gave cards and passed on their good wishes.  A special thanks for those who travelled from Indianapolis (USA), Coldwater, Meaford and Kitchener (Canada), Southampton, Bristol and Northern Ireland.  How to take part It’s free and easy to feature as our Wedding of the Week. Just email news@hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk for details.


thedailyrecord--2019-12-04--Wedding of the Week: Margaret McCartney and William Boyd

The couple Margaret, from Hamilton, works as a dry cleaner with Sew Clean. William, also from Hamilton, works as a taxi driver with South Lanarkshire Council.  When they met Margaret and William met at the Barley Bree (now Carrigan’s) in Eddlewood.  The wedding The ceremony was held at the Parkville Hotel in Blantyre on October 12, 2019. Their reception was also held in the Parkville and was attended by 150 family and friends.  Honeymoon The newlyweds are going to Spain on honeymoon.  Bridal party Bridesmaids were Caroline Grant (sister), Amanda Boyd (daughter) and Samantha Boyd (granddaughter). Best man was Elijah Crossan and ushers were Stuart Boyd (son) and William Boyd (grandson).  Attire The bride wore Martina Liana designer gown from Eleganza Sposa in Glasgow, while the groom wore a suit by the Kilt & Suit Company in Hamilton.  Thanks Margaret and William wish to thank all their family and friends for such an amazing day. Special thanks to Georgina Baxendale who performed the ceremony and special thanks also go to the Parkville Hotel for all their hard work in making the day so perfect.  How to take part It’s free and easy to feature as our Wedding of the Week. Just email news@hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk for details and we’ll get back in touch with what we need.


thedailyrecord--2019-12-11--Wedding of the Week: Geraldine Mitchell and Mitchell Fleming

Geraldine, from Hamilton, works as a self-employed alternative beauty therapist. Groom Mitchell, also from Hamilton, is a welder with Vital, Morson Rail, Bellshill.  The couple met on September 8, 2010, when they were introduced by Geraldine’s friend Karen.  The ceremony and reception were held at The Strathaven Hotel on October 17, 2019. It was attended by 20 of their closest family members including their two children.  Flower girl was their daughter Seren with son Lewis the pageboy. Best man was the groom’s brother Ross.  The bride wore a Callista-style wedding gown by Choose Your Dress UK, while the groom wore the grey thistle kilt from The Kilt Centre, Hamilton.  The couple would like to thank their family for making the day so special, and also their extended family and friends for all the well wishes and gifts.  How to take part  It’s free and easy to feature as our Wedding of the Week. Just email news@hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk for details and one of the team will get back in touch with all of the details that we need from you.


thedenverpost--2019-03-17--Ask Amy In-laws tag along to wedding weekend

Ask Amy: In-laws tag along to wedding weekend

Dear Amy: Our older son and his wife are bringing her parents to our younger son’s out-of-town wedding to babysit their 1-year-old.  This babysitting doesn’t feel necessary to anyone except the young parents. The marrying couple don’t mind if the young parents bring their baby to the wedding and have told them it is fine. The in-law babysitters are not invited to the wedding.  It is creating an awkward family dynamic. Should the out-of-town babysitting couple be invited to the wedding? Would it be more appropriate to include the babysitting adults in the events before and after the wedding?  The engaged couple are already not inviting some of their friends in order to keep the cost down.  Dear Confusion: It sounds like your son and daughter-in-law included her parents as babysitters in this out-of-town wedding because they don’t want to go to a wedding with a 1-year-old. I’ve gone to weddings with 1-year-olds — more than once — and I can testify that it’s not always a rollicking good time.  Your family now feels some pressure to invite these in-laws to the wedding, in which case the two young parents would now be attending the wedding with a baby and her parents. This might not be at all what they had in mind when they started the ball rolling.  Is your son (the dad) pressuring his brother (the groom) to include his in-laws in the wedding? You don’t say.  Yes, it would be kind to invite the older couple to ancillary events, like the next-day brunch. As the mother of the groom and peer in-law to this older couple, you should encourage the marrying couple to extend an invitation. You should not pressure them to issue an invitation. This is their wedding and your two sons are responsible for their choices, as well as whatever awkwardness arises from them.  We love the little kiddos in our lives but sometimes forget to give them the basic dignity that comes with growing up when they’re not babies anymore.  Dear Amy: I am responding to a recent question in your column from “Vicariously Misunderstood in Denver.” The question concerned a 9-year-old boy who did not want to be hugged by family members — and yet they persisted in hugging him.  I spent many years and early childhood caregiving. I am also the spouse of a minister and have worked in and out of children’s ministry for over two decades. At one of the seminars for early childhood education, my colleagues and I learned about children who do not like to be hugged, but the greater theme was teaching them about consent and authority over their own bodies.  We were taught a technique for greeting children as they entered our classroom in the morning that I have adopted since: Greet them by name with any brief pleasantries and then ask them if they would like a high five, a hug or a wave today?  The letter writer should share this technique with their relatives. You would be surprised to know that when you are respectful like this and give the power to these little humans, over time even the ones that don’t like hugs will occasionally pick the hug option.  Dear MeanMsM: I enjoyed watching a “viral” video shared several months ago of an elementary school teacher who greeted each of her students offering the “hug, high five or wave” option. This array of simple choices is ideal. As I pointed out in my answer to “Vicariously Misunderstood” — and as you illustrate through your experience — this is all about respect and consent. This message of consent applies to boys as urgently as it applies to girls.  Many years ago, I offered my own very shy daughter another option: I called it “the silent hello.” It involved making eye contact and smiling when an adult greeted her. Getting even to a verbal “hello” took some time, and practice.  Dear Amy: “Frustrated in a Toxic Workplace” noted that employees in her new company seemed to resent her, “mostly because I ask for services (such as cleaning of my office), and for appropriate equipment to do my work.”  I’ve worked at one of the largest corporations in the country for quite some time, and they had no housekeeping staff. Everyone was expected to clean their own office space — management included.  It worked really well.  Dear Anon: Well, that is refreshing — and revealing.


theindependent--2019-01-27--Liam Hemsworth discusses aposwonderfulapos marriage to Miley Cyrus as pair make first public app

Liam Hemsworth discusses 'wonderful' marriage to Miley Cyrus as pair make first public appearance since wedding

Liam Hemsworth has opened up about his marriage to Miley Cyrus, describing their December wedding as a “really nice, beautiful day”.  The actor spoke about their relationship while attending the G’Day USA Gala in California, an event honouring prominent Australian individuals from the worlds of entertainment, sports and culture.  The occasion marked Hemsworth and Cyrus’ first joint public appearance since tying the knot.  While being interviewed on the red carpet, Hemsworth described the intimacy of their wedding, having only invited a selection of close relatives and friends to witness their nuptials.  “It was great. It was just a really nice, beautiful day with our immediate family and a couple of close friends,” the Australian actor said.  “It’s wonderful. We’ve been together for the better part of 10 years,” he added.  “It doesn’t feel like a lot’s changed, on one hand, but on the other hand it does. It’s all great, I’m loving it.”  Hemsworth and Cyrus first met on the set of the 2010 Nicholas Sparks film The Last Song, in which they play each other’s love interests.  The couple have since faced much media scrutiny with regards to the state of their relationship.  The pair eventually married in secret in Cyrus’ hometown of Nashville in 2018, two days before Christmas.  The singer revealed she and Hemsworth had married with a series of black and white photographs on Instagram.  Cyrus wore a stunning off-the-shoulder Vivienne Westwood gown for the occasion, while Hemsworth opted for a classic black suit and tie.  At the G’Day USA gala, which took place in Los Angeles, Hemsworth was honoured with the Excellence in Film award, following in the footsteps of his older brother and fellow actor Chris Hemsworth.  Some of Liam Hemsworth’s best known acting credentials include his portrayal of Gale Hawthorne in The Hunger Games film series, his role in 2015 film The Dressmaker opposite Kate Winslet and his parts in Australian soap operas Neighbours and Home and Away.  “I feel extremely lucky and very privileged to be in the position I’m in,” he said at the G’Day USA gala.  “Getting an award for doing something I already feel so privileged to do and so lucky to do, it just feels weird,” he added.  “But at the same time it’s a huge honour and I’m very thankful for it.”  The Independent's Millennial Love group is the best place to discuss to the highs and lows of modern dating and relationships. Join the conversation here.


theindependent--2019-06-30--Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas celebrate second wedding in France

Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas have reportedly celebrated their second wedding in France.  The couple got married last month in a small ceremony in Las Vegas, but threw a formal event for friends and family on Saturday, People magazine reports.  The wedding took place at a chateau amid record-breaking temperatures, following a rehearsal dinner in Provence the previous evening.  Wedding guests included Turner’s maid of honour and fellow Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams, Jonas’s sister-in-law and bridesmaid Priyanka Chopra and model Ashley Graham.  Turner and Jonas revealed they were dating in January 2017, after they were spotted kissing at a Kings of Leon concert in the Netherlands.  They announced their engagement on Instagram in October that year.  Although they wanted a European wedding, they had to make it official in the US first, so married on 1 May in a surprise Las Vegas ceremony officiated by an Elvis impersonator after the Billboard Music Awards.  “We had to do a legal marriage before we did a real big one,“ Jonas told Harper's Bazaar.  ”It was either the courthouse or our version, and I preferred our version: friends, Elvis and Ring Pops.”  The wedding was supposed to be a secret, but DJ Diplo live streamed the ceremony on Instagram to his 5 million followers.  Jonas, 29, recently released a Jonas Brothers reunion album, “Happiness Begins”, while 23-year-old Turner has just wrapped up the final season of Game of Thrones, in which she played Sansa Stark.