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 wedding costs skyrocket or you’re obsessing over every little detail to ensure that everything goes the way you’ve pictured it, feeling overwhelmed is guaranteed to happen if you’re not careful.
Thankfully, this isn’t something new and there are endless resources to help the modern bridal couple looking to keep costs and anxiety low.
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A key element of any traditional wedding, your bridal bouquet styles should not only be one that you love, but should also effortlessly match your colour palette, your decor style and your dress.
1. Nosegay – A compact cluster of flowers wrapped tight and cut to one uniform length
2. Pompander – A flower-covered ball shape, tied with a ribbon (a great option for flower girls)
3. Posy – One of the more popular options, it’s a small, round bouquet tied with ribbon
4. Hand-tied – A classic choice, it’s simply a dense bunch of flowers loosely tied together
5. Composite – Made up of different petals or buds wired together on a single stem
6. Pageant – Similar to the cascade, but more compact and pulled together
7. Cascade – A waterfall-like spill of blooms, either anchored in a holder or hand-tied
8. Round – The more buttoned-up version of a hand-tied bouquet, tied with ribbon
ALSO SEE: How to save money on wedding flowers without sacrificing style
How to save money on wedding flowers without sacrificing style
Illustrations: Robyn-Lee Baatjie
Feature image: James Bold/Unsplash
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When deciding on an MC for a wedding, many opt for their closest and loudest friends to lead the day. However, being the Master of ceremonies is a top job, and not everyone is cut out for it.
If you’ve been asked to MC but you’re a bit nervous, fear not. All you need is some pre-planning and a lot of courage. Here are some tips to make sure you are on top of your game come wedding day.
Fewer laughs, more sentimentality
Weddings are all about sentimentality, so why not lean into it? Of course, you want to get guests laughing but humour is subjective, and some jokes will likely fail. This is why its best to be sincere and focus on the love of the bridal couple.
Get the names right
The most crucial rule with MCing is to get your facts right. There are many people involved in a wedding, and it’s easy to get things wrong if you’re not careful. Make sure you know how to pronounce the names and surnames of everyone giving a toast – you don’t want to offend your bestie’s new father-in-law!
Custom-build your speech
Don’t just turn to Google to write your speech and recycle the same tired jokes people have come to expect from weddings. Instead, spend some time thinking about what you’re going to say and get creative. It will help if you focus on the couple. Identify what is unique about them and their relationship, and then create something special based on that.
Keep an eye on the programme
It’s always better to have a plan or programme of events written down to guide you on the day. Even if you know everything you need to say off by heart, having it written down will help to reassure you when your task begins. The running order and timing are extremely important. It is your job as MC to ensure that the guests are never left waiting for something, or that the food does not come out 20 minutes before it should be served. Know your schedule and keep to it.
Be interactive
Read through your speech as often as you can before you take the stage. This will ensure that you don’t spend the entire time looking down at a script. It will give you a chance to interact with the audience and make sure you use that shining personality that the bride and groom love about you! Remember, however, that you don’t have to stick strictly to your speech.
Most importantly, no matter what happens, try to relax and enjoy the day. Just because you’re working the day, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun!
ALSO SEE: Your guide to the perfect wedding seating plan
Feature image: Pexels
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