More and more bridal couples are looking to cut their spending. Whether it’s purchasing affordable wedding dresses on SHEIN or throwing an intimate ceremony for friends and family, “cheap” is the new word on the wedding streets.
The latest wedding trends seem to reflect this as brides and grooms-to-be look to splurge on items and memories that are closest to their hearts (like a honeymoon for instance), and it’s all thanks to our post-pandemic world.
So, just what are these wedding trends?
The bar revamped:
Alcohol can add quite a hefty sum to your wedding budget and appears modern bridal couples are unwilling to pay the price. They’re opting out of offering guests a bar tab but are choosing to switch this with a variety of non-alcoholic beverages.
Winter weddings are a whole lot cosier as hot beverage stations are available throughout the event. From spiced rooibos to non-alcoholic sparkling wines, bridal are looking to switch things up in the best way possible.
The intimate wedding
One of the best things to come out of the pandemic is the trend of the intimate wedding. Brides and grooms are ditching the big wedding day affair in favour of smoothing smaller.
After all, this is a time to connect with loved ones and celebrate something loving and special. The guest list has gotten smaller and so have the locations, and this bodes well for couples looking to keep things simple and affordable.
Stepping outside the box
Tradition has been thrown out the window when it comes to wedding attire. Gone are the days of brides walking down the aisle in a white or wedding dress as more trends looking towards colour. Think untraditional colours such as black, red, pink – anything the bride fancies. Cosplay outfits are also fast becoming a “thing” for couples looking to indulge their adventures selves.
Supporting small businesses
Many small businesses suffered under the intense lockdown restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led many individuals, including brides and grooms, to favour small business owners – a trend we hope will continue.
Aspiring home cooks and food vendors getting on their feet are now the go-to as the new wedding trend looks to skip “traditional” wedding vendors in favour of small businesses.
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We all know how stressful planning a wedding can be, making wedding planning burnout a very real possibility. Whether you’re trying not to pull out your hair as…
You don’t have to sit on a hill and meditate to de-stress. Although that’s exactly what you’ll want to do after haggling with wedding vendors and explaining to your uncle (second-removed) why he isn’t sitting at the main family table.
Whether you’re planning your wedding or meandering through life, making sure that you indulge in self-care is oh-so-important. But with so many things happening in the background, it’s pretty easy to let things slip through the cracks.
To keep you on track and remind you to incorporate self-care tasks – no matter how small – into your routine as you go about your wedding planning, here are a few things we hope you won’t let take a backseat:
Eat Up
For some reason, brides feel the need to go on crazy fad diets in order to lose weight to fit into their wedding dress, but no bride wants to look like a completely different person when looking back at their wedding photos. And no one wants to feel hungry all the time. Nutrition is such a major component when it comes to self-care and is the key to our mental and physical well-being. Skip the fads and stick to a balanced diet that hit those targeted food groups – veggies, proteins, and all the wholesome goodness.
It’s all mental
When our cortisol levels are constantly elevated (thanks, stress) our mental health tends to take a backseat. While there’s a certain level of stress and anxiety that comes with wedding planning, if you feel that it’s affecting your mood and it’s gone beyond just “a bad day,” do not ignore such a big sign. Take advantage of the resources available to you, whether that be meditation apps, breathwork retreats, talk therapy or a break away from wedding planning. Follow your intuition.
Get your heart pumping
Now, we understand that your Significant Other is more than enough when it comes to getting your heart pumping and skipping beats, but sometimes you need a little more. Exercise is an excellent way to de-stress, so make sure that you get sweating. Take it easy with yoga or pilates, or really push things to the limit with some incredible workouts like CrossFit.
If you feel yourself checking your schedule and watch, why not keep things simple by going for post-dinner walks. This is also a great way to get those endorphins going and connect with your partner as the big day approaches.
It’s okay to relax
When you’re juggling work, a social life and wedding planning, it can be difficult to find the time to let go and relax. Release your grip on the reins and indulge in activities that will allow your stress to melt away. Think; movie nights, coffee dates (minus wedding talk), Netflix binges, naps and luxurious baths with tons of candles. Throw in a massage or two in for good measure!
Don’t forget those around you
During the hustle and bustle that is wedding planning, you can sometimes forget about those closest to you. Decompress by spending some quality time with friends and family, doing things that are completely unrelated to your wedding. Sunday dinners with family and Saturday brunches with friends – now that’s magic!
ALSO SEE: Relaxing bachelorette party ideas for the chilled bride
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Summer celebrations — from weddings to honeymoons — are all about sunshine, good company, and a glass in hand. And while it’s easy to just open a bottle…
You will most likely be stressing about numerous things before your wedding – your skin doesn’t have to be one of them. Here is what not to do to your skin before the big day.
1. Spend too much time in the sun
Don’t try to get the tan of your life right before your big day. You could get burnt and you and your skin will be dehydrated, and it will show. On that note, stay away from tanning beds as well; they can just as much – if not more – damage your skin.
Take a look in the mirror and think about whether you actually need a tan. If you do, rather try a subtle self-tanning product for a few weeks leading up to the big day. Start toning it down a week before.
And remember to wear sunscreen every single day, even on your wedding day, to ensure you stay sun safe.
2. Pick at blemishes
This doesn’t only apply to your pre-wedding preparations but it’s great advice for every time you are tempted to pick. Picking, squeezing or scratching a spot on your face will cause scarring. We know it’s incredibly hard not to pop that pimple as soon as it arises, but it’s important to leave it alone. The bacteria underneath your nails can penetrate this vulnerable area, causing swelling and redness.
Instead, apply a spot treatment that contains benzoyl peroxide (not toothpaste!) to the area twice a day after cleansing, and try to leave it alone.
If you are struggling with a painful, cystic spot right before the big day, visit your dermatologist and have a cortisone shot in the affected area. This will help considerably more than any topical treatment.
3. Change your routine
Every bride wants her skin to be perfect. Stick to what you know works for you and don’t try to switch up your routine a month before. Your skin WILL freak out.
A few months before your wedding, introduce your skin to a brightening treatment (containing malic acid or vitamin C) paired with a moisturiser that contains hyaluronic acid. Cell turnover takes approximately 30 days, so any new treatment you use will only begin to show its effects after a month.
Pro tip: Don’t use an acne treatment if you do not have problem skin as a preventative measure. It will only dry out your skin and you won’t glow as much when you say ‘I do.’
4. Get a peel too soon before your wedding day
Getting a harsh chemical peel a few days before your wedding won’t be beneficial in the least. A peel of any kind requires some downtime, and your skin needs to chill out for a week or more.
A peel literally removes a layer of skin, cleansing deep down into your pores, and revealing smooth and glowing skin. It helps in the disappearance of ance, scars, wrinkles and a rough texture, but it will not give you perfect skin overnight.
Try a peel way in advance to see how it works for you, and then go for another (more gentle, if necessary) session at least two months before your wedding. They are one of the greatest things you can do for perfect wedding skin, but always be sure to chat to your therapist to make sure your timing and choice of treatment is spot on.
5. Get too stressed out
Don’t forget to make time for yourself, meditate and breathe. All the stress of planning and making sure every detail is perfect will take a massive toll on your skin. Try listening to soothing music before bed, take a long bath, and breathe long and deep breaths to calm down your nervous system. And remember to hydrate!
ALSO SEE: Keep your hair healthy on your summer honeymoon
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Summer honeymoons are all about salt-sprayed skin, sun-drenched days, and endless swims, but they can also be the season your hair fears most. Between ocean dips, pool lounging,…
Not one for the club scene? That’s perfectly acceptable. With all the stress of wedding planning, a nice relaxing weekend with your best girls is a great way to calm your nerves.
Low-key brides wanting to do something a little different to the traditional bachelorette rager can opt for more serene experiences designed to soothe those frazzled nerves and get you ready for your big day. Here are a few fun activities to consider.
Spa Day:
Who doesn’t love a spa day? A fresh set of nails, a massage and a facial can do wonders, especially when you’re feeling tense from wedding planning.
You can arrange for a group spa day at a local beauty salon or wellness centre, or you could even have them come to you. Allow your guests to pick from an assortment of treatments, and throw in some delicious light snacks and infused water to complete the vibe.
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Yoga:
Feeling tense? Maybe you need to work out those muscles! Yoga is a great way to ease stress and get your body moving in a low impact workout that will leave you feeling calm.
You can have a yoga instructor come to you to host a yoga class, complete with breathing exercises, and guided meditation. If you want to add a unique element, you could even try goat yoga!
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Staycation:
Live the life of luxury without even leaving your city. There are so many incredibly Airbnb listings across South Africa, allowing people to book out entire villas overlooking mesmerising views.
All your guests can pool together to book a place with enough space for everyone in a central area. You can spend the weekend chilling poolside, cooking up meals with your besties, and bonding.
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Wine tasting:
Wine tasting is a national sport in the Western Cape. With so many wineries to choose from, locals are truly spoilt for choice.
For a safe experience, we suggest taking a trip on the Franschhoek wine tram, a hop-on-hop-off service connecting you to six wine estates in the Franschhoek Valley.
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Yacht life:
What’s more luxurious than lounging on a luxury yacht? Spend the day cruising away with 360° views and sunshine warming you up.
You don’t need a specific destination, a local cruise is perfect. Most boats are equipped with sound systems so you can DJ the day while you work on your tan, and menu and bar options are typically available as well.
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Times have changed and so have traditions. If you’re getting married but don’t feel you need to have both a bachelorette and a kitchen tea, there are several…
If you’ve had waking nightmares about sneezing our way down the aisle, then don’t worry! While flowers smell and look beautiful, for some, pollen allergies will force you to look at nature’s beauty with an evil eye.
Whether you’re thinking about your allergy-prone guests or you’re a pollen-sensitive bride or groom, there’s good news! There is a range of mesmerising wedding florals that are the perfect addition to any wedding, enabling you to breathe.
Here are five hypoallergenic wedding florals to add to your bridal bouquet or wedding ceremony:
Peonies
The queen of all the wedding flowers. You’ll be happy to know that peonies are not only the perfect addition to your ‘big day’ but it’s also hypoallergenic. Add them to your centrepieces or make them the star of the show when it comes to your bouquet, no matter what, you won’t be stuffed up while booging the night away.
Cacti, Succulents and Airplants
Succulents are having a bit of a moment right now. Not only are they allergy-friendly, but they’re affordable and quite easy to look after. Sage green, dusty blue and pale pink are all beautiful neutral colours for bridal couples searching for an understated look to add to their already fabulous wedding!
Hydrangeas
Did you know that hydrangeas are a pollen-sensitive individual’s best friend? Their sticky pollen ensures that it’s not released into the air, and is a perfect addition to an allergy sensitive’s wedding. Gorgeous and understated, hydrangeas can offer an elegant and flowy look, filling up quite a bit of space in the process.
Roses
Ah, the rose. This famous flower has often been associated with love, so you’ll be happy to know that roses are the perfect choice for those with pollen allergies. Along with adding an enchanting smell to your wedding, roses offer a look that’s classic, a wonderful addition to your wedding florals and bouquet.
Orchids
There’s something mesmerising about orchids. Along with being an incredibly elegant and beautiful flower, it’s also allergy-friendly, available in a plethora of colours and sizes, and is great for those tropical-themed weddings.
ALSO SEE: Flower Availability by Season and Locality: Plan Your Wedding Blooms Wisely
Flower Availability by Season and Locality: Plan Your Wedding Blooms Wisely
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