Aggregate capital and reserves of UAE-based banks increased by around Dh63 billion year on year
business2 hours ago
A couple in Shanghai have beaten Covid lockdowns and bureaucracy to tie the knot, celebrating their marriage in the car park of their housing compound after a ceremony officiated via Zoom from the United States.
With the “Bridal Chorus” on speaker, a smattering of socially distanced friends and an immaculate white dress complete with blue surgical mask, bride Janelle Nuyts walked down the aisle followed by an official in a hazmat suit who disinfected the ground around her.
Shanghai’s weeks-long lockdown has brought the business hub of 25 million people to a halt as China sticks with its zero-Covid policy.
But an easing of the rules in recent weeks has allowed some residents out of their homes, although mostly within the confines of their housing developments.
Groom Matthew Mitchener, 35, said he initially had doubts about a lockdown wedding but they melted away Saturday when he caught sight of his bride in a figure-hugging wedding dress highlighting her five-month baby bump.
“It was all a little surreal,” the Australian said, beaming, as neighbours threw rice around for good luck and cheered.
After a month stuck at home, the couple had their wedding officiated online by a US celebrant, with friends and family as witnesses, before they headed to the car park of their compound for a small celebration.
A ban on marriage between foreigners in China in place since 2019 prevented the pair from using a Chinese official, and the option to tie the knot at one of their embassies was not available.
The car park celebration had only been decided on a day before, when the couple’s neighbours suggested they hold a reception party there after an easing of restrictions made it possible.
“It kind of snowballed,” said Mitchener. “The next thing we knew, we had a wedding dress arrive from our friend, and a wedding cake, a bouquet of flowers.”
ALSO READ:
“Once I put the dress on, everything changed,” the 33-year-old Nuyts added.
The pair decided in March to have their wedding officiated online after discovering they were expecting a baby.
“It was beyond our expectations,” said Nuyts of the big day.
“We didn’t really expect it was going to be so romantic.”
Aggregate capital and reserves of UAE-based banks increased by around Dh63 billion year on year
business2 hours ago
Earlier, RTA had also expanded the 'Bus on Demand' service to Business Bay
uae2 hours ago
Sustainability, investor allocation, and innovation are key themes in investor conference
business2 hours ago
Volker Turk says the towns supposed to receive those displaced from Rafah had already been "reduced to rubble"
mena2 hours ago
Five-time champions Chennai restricted Rajasthan to 141-5, a total they overhauled with five wickets and 10 balls to spare
cricket2 hours ago
The second phase of restoration focuses on the preservation of 35 sites and buildings dating from the 1960s to the 1990s
uae2 hours ago
This is a time when female Nile Crocodiles lay their eggs in specially designated nesting areas within the park
uae2 hours ago
Israeli tanks strike Jabalia, the biggest of Gaza's eight historic refugee camps and home to more than 100,000 people
mena3 hours ago