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Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- 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cities like Toronto, Sirimanna says, the strict 'no ring, no bring' rule is becoming less popular and is often seen as outdated or too rigid; some couples, however, still use the dictum to keep their guest list manageable and stay within budget, especially if space is limited.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.'
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'I just screamed"- Dwyane Wade admits he screamed at TV star Bellamy Young in rare fanboy moment
'I just screamed"- Dwyane Wade admits he screamed at TV star Bellamy Young in rare fanboy moment (Image Source: Getty Images) Even famous athletes get starstruck sometimes. In a surprising and funny reveal, former NBA player Dwyane Wade opened up about a moment when he totally lost his cool. The retired star, known for staying calm under pressure, recently shared the one time he couldn't hold back his excitement - and it had nothing to do with basketball. Dwyane Wade recalls shouting at Bellamy Young at a 2013 Hollywood event On July 8, Dwyane Wade shared a fun story during his appearance on Today with Jenna & Friends. He told host Jenna Bush Hager about an unexpected celebrity moment that happened back in 2013 at a Hollywood event in Los Angeles. Jenna Bush Hager and Dwyane Wade on 'Today with Jenna & Friends' (Image Source: Instagram) At the time, Wade was attending the event with his wife, actress Gabrielle Union . He remembered being tired and ready to go home. His shoes were uncomfortable, and he was done for the night. But then he looked across the room and saw Bellamy Young, the actress who played Mellie Grant on the TV show Scandal. Bellamy Young as Mellie Grant and Tony Goldwyn as Fitzgerald Grant on 'Scandal.'.Eric (Image Source: Getty Images) Wade, 43, said he instantly yelled 'Millie!' - the name of Young's character on the show. He didn't plan to say anything. It just came out. 'I just screamed it. I didn't even know that was in me,' Wade said, laughing. To his surprise, Bellamy Young heard him. She turned around, smiled, and walked over to chat. Union was ready to leave, but Wade wasn't. He was too excited to meet one of his favorite characters. He explained that he's more into characters than celebrities. 'When you're watching shows and connecting with characters, it feels personal,' he said. Gabrielle Union joins photo as Dwyane Wade meets his favorite Scandal character That fun night ended with a photo of Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, and Bellamy Young together. Union shared the moment on Instagram in 2013, writing, 'We were about to leave when suddenly @dwyanewade literally screams 'MILLIE!!!!' #gladiatorsstandup so awesome meeting @BellamyYoung.' Bellamy Young, Gabrielle Union, and Dwyane Wade meet in 2013.(Image Source: Instagram) Wade joked that he wasn't thrilled Union jumped into the photo. 'That was my moment!' he said. Gabrielle Union also once tried out for the lead role of Olivia Pope on Scandal, which later went to Kerry Washington. 'I didn't get Scandal, but I got something better, which is my own show,' Union said in an earlier interview with The Associated Press, referring to her role on Being Mary Jane. Also Read: Angel Reese slaps clipboard in heated sideline moment before Chicago Sky's narrow loss to Washington Myst The full interview clip from Today with Jenna & Friends aired on July 8 and can be watched on NBC's official channels. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
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.'
Miami Herald
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Willie Geist compares daughter leaving for college to driving car with 3 wheels
Willie Geist is excited for his daughter's latest milestone — despite the terror involved. The 50-year-old host of 'Sunday Today' took to a TODAY Father's Day celebration on June 13 to open up about the mixed emotions he's feeling as his 18-year-old daughter, Lucie Joy, graduates high school. And that, of course, means getting used to being a family of three at home, rather than a family of four. 'We just had a high school graduation a few days ago for Lucie Geist,' Geist said to a panel of Today colleagues that included Craig Melvin, Al Roker, Carson Daly and Peter Alexander. 'All the best stuff is still coming,' Geist added. Geist goes on to admit that he and his wife, Christina, have 'done the best we can' with their daughter and are thrilled for her as she embarks on this next chapter of her life. 'It's a strange mix of genuine excitement for her because you know what's ahead, and then moments where you're driving around and the bottom drops out of your stomach,' he explained. 'And you go, 'I can't believe that we've gotten her to this point,' he added. Of course, Lucie leaving the nest comes at a price for Geist — like driving a car with three wheels. 'We're a family of four. Somebody's taken a tire off the car and you've got to figure out how to drive the car on three wheels, you know?' he told his colleagues. Peter Alexander was quick to offer some perspective on how special of a time this can be for his second child, who will be getting much more attention once Lucie leaves. 'I don't know how he feels about that, but we're excited about it,' Geist joked of George. Willie and Christina Geist first met in 6th grade and have been married since 2003. Geist shared the couple's origin story in an Instagram tribute for his wife's 50th birthday. 'She was 11 when she caught my eye on the first day of Mr. Kaplan's 6th Grade homeroom class. A gawky boy in Jams and Chuck Taylors can dream… but not this big,' he wrote. Now more than two decades later, the couple share two kids — daughter Lucie, born in 2007, and son George, born in 2009. While talking about his daughter's recent graduation, Geist clarified that Lucie will be moving several hours away when she goes off to college. Some parents might use that as a reason to track their child's location remotely — but not Geist. In fact, Geist admitted that he and his wife will be doing away with location-tracking software — despite currently using it — once their daughter leaves. Geist argued that tracking his daughter's location would cause more trouble than reassurance. His comments came just a few days after he first opened up about his daughter graduating while co-hosting 'Today with Jenna & Friends' with Jenna Bush Hager. 'As any parent who has been through this — or maybe you're going through it right now — knows, the excitement at times becomes terror,' he said on June 10. Geist admitted that the week leading up to her graduation was so full of activities that her big milestone didn't hit him until he saw her walking across the stage. 'She was on stage speaking, which was an amazing thrill, and I think that's when it really hit me and Christina,' Geist shared. 'All of a sudden, she's ready to go,' he added. 'And you hope you've instilled in her all the values and the habits and the things she'll need to go out in the world.'
