Latest news with #Shriver
Hamilton Spectator
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Modern wedding rules are out of control, from ‘no ring, no bring' dates to pay for a plate
Recently, Maria Shriver appeared on 'Today with Jenna & Friends' and discussed her son Patrick Schwarzenegger 's upcoming wedding to model Abby Champion. Host Jenna Bush Hager weighed in on the guest list situation, recommending the 'no ring, no bring' date rule because, she said, 'otherwise, you could be with people that you never see again.' Shriver said she herself had suffered the consequences of that rule in the past; she remembered being forbidden from bringing then boyfriend Arnold Schwarzenegger to her close friend's wedding due to their not being married yet. Shriver's guest list conundrum is a common dilemma these days as nuptial norms shift and change in the modern era. Etiquette and lifestyle coach Nuwan Sirimanna of the Oakville-based Etiquette Matters Institute of Etiquette finds that people today are more relaxed about traditional wedding rules . 'Many old-school customs, like formal dress codes, strict gift lists and printed invitations, have been replaced with more modern, flexible choices,' he says. 'Couples now often make their weddings more personal by mixing cultures, skipping big traditions or even planning non-traditional events like backyard or brunch weddings.' Toronto has its own unique challenges in terms of wedding etiquette as well, Sirimanna says. Our status as a big multicultural city means no two weddings are the same, so it can be tough to know what the rules are. The cost of living here is very high, making it harder for both hosts and guests to meet expectations. And our innate Canadian politeness means we may have trouble saying no, whether it's enforcing ceremony rules or turning down destination wedding invites. So where do locals land in terms of some of the most common wedding etiquette issues these days? We polled Torontonians online, and they chimed in on some of the most pressing issues, including the 'no ring, no bring' rule, the child-free wedding trend and where we're at with paying for your plate. In many circles, especially in diverse cities like Toronto, Sirimanna says, the strict 'no ring, no bring' rule is becoming less popular and is often seen as outdated or too rigid; some couples, however, still use the dictum to keep their guest list manageable and stay within budget, especially if space is limited. Julia Marrocco's rule? If she's never met you or her fiancé has never met you, you're not invited to their wedding. 'This is due to the intimate nature of our wedding of about 80ish people and also, quite frankly, cost. Weddings are expensive: I mean, $30,000 is a cheap wedding in this city,' she said. Marla Malcromoni comes from a big family, so she set up her own rule: Plus-ones had to be together for a year or longer. 'We didn't want randos attending, anyway,' she said. For her wedding, Gaby Ventura allowed plus-ones for people who didn't know anyone but the bride and groom; if people knew others at the wedding already, they didn't get a plus-one. There are many people today who don't ever intend on getting married and have perfectly valid reasons for it, according to Jamie Seguin-Law. 'I'm not going to punish my friends or family in long-term relationships just because they aren't intending to spend a stupid amount of money to make it legal,' she said. Other people are keen to open up the guest list to whoever the guest feels most comfortable bringing, even if that's just a friend. Many of Alexis Danielle's closest people don't have partners, and she said she wouldn't want them feeling left out. 'Platonic love needs to be celebrated and recognized in our society more.' Sirimanna says asking for a child-free wedding is entirely acceptable in today's etiquette — and it's becoming more common, especially in North America and Europe. 'I definitely stand by the no-children rule. I have seen weddings ruined by crying infants, and what's worse, the parents don't do anything about it. That's what babysitters are for. I requested this at my own wedding,' Margo Walton said. 'And I like children. Everyone assumes if you don't want children at a wedding, you dislike kids. It's the couple's day and they are the star.' One commenter mentioned that if they had invited everyone's children, 50 per cent of their wedding would have been kids. While some find that stance repugnant: If Jessica Arseneau was invited to a wedding and asked not to bring her children, she said she would not attend. 'Don't care if they are family or friends. To me, that is the biggest insult.' Mehetoi S. is, however, very supportive of the no-kid wedding. 'Just get a babysitter or don't come; it was your choice to have kids, not mine,' she said. 'Kids would be bored and disruptive at a wedding anyway: Why are you going to subject them to that?' Marrocco feels just as strongly that kids can be an integral part of a wedding: She refuses to abide by the popular no-kids rule, she said. 'We have at least 13 young children in our family and friend group, and it seems especially cruel to not include them in on our day,' she said. 'Besides my personal belief that children are a gift and should be treated with respect and care, I also think it's ridiculous to ask friends and family to seek out babysitters to come to our wedding. Especially when most of their top-choice babysitters — like parents, grandparents and siblings — won't be able to babysit because they'll be at the wedding.' Some cite the lack of consistency in kid-free rules as the most galling of all. People have complained about being told 'no kids' and leaving their kids at home, only to see little ones at the wedding. 'No-kids rules don't bother me, but if you're going to make it a rule, then be consistent!' said Stephanie Radcliffe. The typical range for a wedding gift in Canada is between $100 and $200 per person, according to Sirimanna. For close friends or family, it's common to give $200 or more. 'Some guests aim to match the estimated cost of their meal at the wedding, which can range from $100 to $150 per person, depending on the formality of the event and the venue,' he said. If you're attending as a couple, Sirimanna suggests doubling the amount, or at least increasing it, and if you're bringing a plus-one, it's common to add 50 per cent to 75 per cent to your gift, especially if it's a formal event. For children, a smaller additional amount is polite, but it's not expected to match the full adult rate. Regardless of this standard, many chafe at the transactional vibe of covering your food and entertainment costs. As Kame A. put it, 'weddings aren't restaurants — guests shouldn't be expected to pay for their plate.' Zachary S.'s close family member is getting married this year at an expensive venue, and it's already been implied everyone should cover the cost of the plate — and it's causing them great stress. '$170 to $200 a plate seems excessive for anyone to commit to; I mean, unless you want to,' they say. 'I personally would never make that decision and am struggling with that expectation on top of hotel, clothing, commute, time off work, babysitters. At that point, I would rather just take a vacation.'
Hamilton Spectator
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
From bans on kids to plus-one snubs, what modern wedding rules make you mad?
Maria Shriver appeared on 'Today with Jenna & Friends' recently where she discussed her son Patrick Schwarzenegger 's upcoming nuptials to model Abby Champion. Host Jenna Bush Hager weighed in on the guest list situation, and recommended the 'no ring, no bring' rule because, she said, 'otherwise, you could be with people that you never see again.' Shriver herself had suffered the consequences of that rule in the past; she remembered being forbidden from bringing then boyfriend Arnold Schwarzenegger to her close friend's wedding due to their not being married yet. Shriver's guest list conundrum is a common dilemma these days as nuptial norms shift and change in our modern era. Etiquette and lifestyle coach Nuwan Sirimanna of the Oakville-based Etiquette Matters Institute of Etiquette finds that people today are more relaxed about traditional wedding rules . 'Many old-school customs, like formal dress codes, strict gift lists and printed invitations, have been replaced with more modern, flexible choices,' he says. 'Couples now often make their weddings more personal by mixing cultures, skipping big traditions or even planning non-traditional events like backyard or brunch weddings.' Toronto has its own unique challenges in terms of wedding etiquette as well, Sirimanna says. Our status as a big multicultural city means no two weddings are the same, so it can be tough to know what the rules are. The cost of living here is very high, making it harder for both hosts and guests to meet expectations. And our innate Canadian politeness means we may have trouble saying no, whether it's enforcing ceremony rules or turning down destination wedding invites. So where do locals land in terms of some of the most common wedding etiquette issues these days? We polled Torontonians online, and they chimed in on some of the most pressing issues, including the 'no ring, no bring' rule, the child-free wedding trend and where we're at with paying for your plate. In many circles, especially in diverse cities like Toronto, Sirimanna says, the strict 'no ring, no bring' rule is becoming less popular and is often seen as outdated or too rigid; some couples, however, still use the dictum to keep their guest list manageable and stay within budget, especially if space is limited. Julia Marrocco's rule? If she's never met you or her fiancé has never met you, you're not invited to their wedding. 'This is due to the intimate nature of our wedding of about 80ish people and also, quite frankly, cost. Weddings are expensive: I mean, $30,000 is a cheap wedding in this city,' she said. Marla Malcromoni comes from a big family, so she set up her own rule: Plus-ones had to be together for a year or longer. 'We didn't want randos attending, anyway,' she said. For her wedding, Gaby Ventura allowed plus-ones for people who didn't know anyone but the bride and groom; if people knew others at the wedding already, they didn't get a plus-one. There are many people today who don't ever intend on getting married and have perfectly valid reasons for it, according to Jamie Seguin-Law. 'I'm not going to punish my friends or family in long-term relationships just because they aren't intending to spend a stupid amount of money to make it legal,' she said. Other people are keen to open up the guest list to whoever the guest feels most comfortable bringing, even if that's just a friend. Many of Alexis Danielle's closest people don't have partners, and she said she wouldn't want them feeling left out. 'Platonic love needs to be celebrated and recognized in our society more.' Sirimanna says asking for a child-free wedding is entirely acceptable in today's etiquette — and it's becoming more common, especially in North America and Europe. 'I definitely stand by the no-children rule. I have seen weddings ruined by crying infants, and what's worse, the parents don't do anything about it. That's what babysitters are for. I requested this at my own wedding,' Margo Walton said. 'And I like children. Everyone assumes if you don't want children at a wedding, you dislike kids. It's the couple's day and they are the star.' One commenter mentioned that if they had invited everyone's children, 50 per cent of their wedding would have been kids. While some find that stance repugnant: If Jessica Arseneau was invited to a wedding and asked not to bring her children, she said she would not attend. 'Don't care if they are family or friends. To me, that is the biggest insult.' Mehetoi S. is, however, very supportive of the no-kid wedding. 'Just get a babysitter or don't come; it was your choice to have kids, not mine,' she said. 'Kids would be bored and disruptive at a wedding anyway: Why are you going to subject them to that?' Marrocco feels just as strongly that kids can be an integral part of a wedding: She refuses to abide by the popular no-kids rule, she said. 'We have at least 13 young children in our family and friend group, and it seems especially cruel to not include them in on our day,' she said. 'Besides my personal belief that children are a gift and should be treated with respect and care, I also think it's ridiculous to ask friends and family to seek out babysitters to come to our wedding. Especially when most of their top-choice babysitters — like parents, grandparents and siblings — won't be able to babysit because they'll be at the wedding.' Some cite the lack of consistency in kid-free rules as the most galling of all. People have complained about being told 'no kids' and leaving their kids at home, only to see little ones at the wedding. 'No-kids rules don't bother me, but if you're going to make it a rule, then be consistent!' said Stephanie Radcliffe. The typical range for a wedding gift in Canada is between $100 and $200 per person, according to Sirimanna. For close friends or family, it's common to give $200 or more. 'Some guests aim to match the estimated cost of their meal at the wedding, which can range from $100 to $150 per person, depending on the formality of the event and the venue,' he said. If you're attending as a couple, Sirimanna suggests doubling the amount, or at least increasing it, and if you're bringing a plus-one, it's common to add 50 per cent to 75 per cent to your gift, especially if it's a formal event. For children, a smaller additional amount is polite, but it's not expected to match the full adult rate. Regardless of this standard, many chafe at the transactional vibe of covering your food and entertainment costs. As Kame A. put it, 'weddings aren't restaurants — guests shouldn't be expected to pay for their plate.' Zachary S.'s close family member is getting married this year at an expensive venue, and it's already been implied everyone should cover the cost of the plate — and it's causing them great stress. '$170 to $200 a plate seems excessive for anyone to commit to; I mean, unless you want to,' they say. 'I personally would never make that decision and am struggling with that expectation on top of hotel, clothing, commute, time off work, babysitters. At that point, I would rather just take a vacation.'
Toronto Star
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
From bans on kids to plus-one snubs, what modern wedding rules make you mad?
Maria Shriver appeared on 'Today with Jenna & Friends' recently where she discussed her son Patrick Schwarzenegger 's upcoming nuptials to model Abby Champion. Host Jenna Bush Hager weighed in on the guest list situation, and recommended the 'no ring, no bring' rule because, she said, 'otherwise, you could be with people that you never see again.' Shriver herself had suffered the consequences of that rule in the past; she remembered being forbidden from bringing then boyfriend Arnold Schwarzenegger to her close friend's wedding due to their not being married yet. Shriver's guest list conundrum is a common dilemma these days as nuptial norms shift and change in our modern era. Etiquette and lifestyle coach Nuwan Sirimanna of the Oakville-based Etiquette Matters Institute of Etiquette finds that people today are more relaxed about traditional wedding rules. 'Many old-school customs, like formal dress codes, strict gift lists and printed invitations, have been replaced with more modern, flexible choices,' he says. 'Couples now often make their weddings more personal by mixing cultures, skipping big traditions or even planning non-traditional events like backyard or brunch weddings.'
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Maria Shriver Says She's ‘Interested in Any Great Love Experience' After Spending Her 60s Single
Maria Shriver opened up to Jenna Bush Hager about her attitude toward dating in her 70s Arnold Schwarzenegger's ex-wife discussed spending her 60s "happily single" Shriver finalized her divorce from Schwarzenegger in 2021 — a decade after their splitMaria Shriver is open to love in her 70s. As the philanthropist prepares to turn 70 in November, she opened up about the past decade of her life while guest co-hosting Today with Jenna & Friends on Friday, June 27. 'Your 60s are fantastic, and I was single in my 60s,' Shriver said. 'I have been single my whole 60s. And now I'm ending my 60s. I loved being single, but other people had a big problem with it.' The mother of four noted that while she'd describe herself as 'happily single,' she's found that other people seem to want to pair her up with a partner. 'I think other people are like, 'You don't have a boyfriend yet? What do you think that's about?' or 'What's wrong? What do you think you're doing? Are you not open?' ' Shriver shared. 'I also think people want you to be happy and they want you to have love and they want you to be in a couple.' When co-host Jenna Bush Hager asked Shriver if she was 'interested in dating' these days, she replied, 'I'm interested in any great love experience.' Bush Hager further pressed, saying she thought that meant 'yes.' 'That's a yes. I'm kind of trying to be open and yes to life in all its forms,' Shriver said. 'How about that? I just made that all up.' She also noted, 'I think if a great man comes along, that's great, at any age, by the way.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Shriver's most famous relationship was with ex-husband Arnold Schwarzenegger, whom she married in 1986. The former couple is parents to Katherine Schwarzenegger, 35, Christina Schwarzenegger, 33, Patrick Schwarzenegger, 31, and Christopher Schwarzenegger, 27. Shriver served as the First Lady of California when Arnold was governor from 2003 to 2011. In 2011, Shriver and Arnold announced they were separating after 25 years of marriage after news broke that the Terminator star had fathered a child with the family's housekeeper during a secret affair. They didn't finalize their divorce until 2021, and in the years since, Shriver has not publicly dated. 'I'm a frustrated matchmaker myself, and I'm a big believer in relationships and love,' Shriver shared on the Jamie Kern Lima Show earlier this month. 'I've just kind of gotten to the place now where I'm thinking, I don't know, maybe, but my life is really full. I'm not looking, but I'm open to whatever God sends my way.' Shriver said that her kids have urged her to search for love the modern way. 'My kids have kidded around going, 'We should make you a dating app [profile],' " she added. 'I'm like 'Absolutely not!' " Read the original article on People
Pink Villa
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Pink Villa
Pam Shriver pens emotional note after ‘challenging' year and split with Donna Vekic: ‘I need to lean even more…'
Pam Shriver, International Tennis Hall of Famer and 22-time Grand Slam doubles champion, announced she is leaving her role as coaching consultant to World No. 22 Donna Vekić. Shriver, who joined Vekić's camp in late 2022, cited a punishing season off court in Los Angeles as the catalyst for her decision. This includes having had to evacuate her home during the devastating wildfires and the temporary loss of her prized trophies. 'It's been a challenging year,' Shriver wrote on X. 'I need to lean even more into my community & my family's wellbeing.' From San Diego to Wimbledon: How the coach-player duo started Their partnership began at the San Diego Open, where Shriver offered courtside insights after spotting Vekić's standout performance in qualifying. Impressed, Vekić brought Shriver on as an advisor alongside coach Nikola Horvat, and later with Sascha Bajin. The results followed swiftly. In just five months, Vekić climbed from world No. 77 to No. 20 in the WTA rankings, as per Sportskeeda. Under Shriver's guidance, she reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at Wimbledon, though she lost to Jasmine Paolini in what was perhaps the longest semifinal in the tournament's history. That momentum carried into the summer, where Vekić secured a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, beating Coco Gauff before falling to Zheng Qinwen. Shriver's personal loss forces a choice Pam Shriver's Los Angeles life was upended in early 2025 when wildfires forced her from her Brentwood home, as reported by WTA. While evacuating, her car, which was packed with 11 of her Grand Slam doubles trophies, was stolen from a hotel parking lot. 'Really sad on so many levels,' she later admitted, after the trophies were recovered. Despite continuing to mentor Vekić remotely through the Australian Open, the ordeal took its toll. In her X post, Shriver called her stint with Vekić 'one of the greatest experiences' she has had in her 50-plus years in tennis, but made clear her priorities have shifted back to family and community. What's next for Donna Vekić? As Shriver departs, Donna Vekić enters the middle of the grass-court season without her veteran adviser. With this official exit, the Croatian will now be working with Sascha Bajin as her main coach this year. Coming off a lean patch in 2025—including early losses at Queen's Club—Vekić will now look to her remaining coaches to sustain the momentum built during her breakthrough seasons.
