Anita Froneman, Author at Wedding ETC

In Advice

5 easy ways to make your wedding stand out

October 22, 2019 No Comments

Your wedding day is the biggest, happiest day of your life. You want it to be extra special and leave a lasting impression. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to do anything bizarre or expensive to make your day beautiful. These clever and unique ideas with pieces from FF Decor expertly set up by Spectacular Occasions will make yours a wedding to remember. Here are some things to try.

1. Fairy light dome

Fairy lights are nothing new, but the way you set it up makes all the difference. If you have an outdoor wedding, draping the lights in a dome or rectangular hallway structure will create an enchanted forest-atmosphere.

2. Shaped menu

The menu is important so guests know what they’re being served, but sometimes the tables are already so full, you don’t want anything extra to crowd the space. Why not cut the menu in a perfect circle to fit inside the plate? Problem solved.

3. Extended table decor

The table decor make a big contribution towards the overall theme and setting. It should enhance the aesthetics and there’s no reason why it can’t continue when the table ends. If you have floor space, use it for your table decorations as well and let the magic continue.

4. Block colours

Having one colour at your wedding is so last season. But beware of getting trigger happy (unless crazy colours are all you. In that case, go for it!). If you have one or two colours or tones you are going with, but you feel like it just needs that little something, add one block colour (the colour opposite your main colour on the colour wheel). This will have an eye catching and interesting effect.

5. Elevated cake

To top it all off, the cake is always the cherry on top. There are numerous ways to make this even more spectacular by using decor pieces. How about this suspended cake? The wooden plank adds an earthy touch and places this marvellous artwork up high for all to see.

Don’t settle for anything less than the perfect decor. The sky is the limit.

Vendors used in images:

Location: Toadbury Hall
Photographer: Leigh Benson
Make up: Amy Sprawson
Hair: Rhode Truter
Décor: Spectacular Occasions
Lighting: Draping designs by FF Decor
Flowers: The Bloom Room
Dress 1: Fynbos Bridal Boutique
Dress 2: Johan Botha Fashion Design
Cake: Kelly Jane Cakes
Stationery: Trendy Settings Paperworks

Pictures: Supplied

In Weddings

Maid of honour tries to stop wedding

October 22, 2019 No Comments

Your maid of honour is usually your best fried and you trust her with everything regarding your big day. She is the one who’s got your back. This maid of honour fulfilled her role perfectly, but some might say she didn’t exactly approach it in the best way. She noticed that her friend’s new boyfriend acted suspiciously when they first started dating. The first red flag was when she realised he lied to her friend about the price of the ring.

On the night, the groom-to-be decided to pop the question with a ring that still had the price tag of $599 (R8 870) on it. Fortunately, the best friend stopped him and they took the price tag off before the bride-to-be saw it, however, the best friend later found out that he had told his then-fiancée that he had bought the ring for $12,000 (R177 798).

In a Reddit thread, the maid of honour explains how the groom then started telling outrageous stories about his life, which, according to her, seemed too outlandish to be true. He also did some suspicious things and had a history that raised red flags. For instance, he told the maid of honour and her partner that he was a millionaire but lost everything when he got divorced. He also said he used drugs with his ex-wife to try and bring her back from her addiction. The ex-wife, he said, abused him.

Then, the maid of honour was becoming more suspicious and ran a background check on him and found that he kept changing his last name. He had been married three times before and took his ex-wives’ last names. To top that, he had an active aggravated domestic violence case, and a restraining order against him which was granted right before he met the bride.

When the best friend told the bride-to-be about her findings and concerns, she said she knew about his previous marriages but dismissed all the other concerns saying: “It’s not like that, he had a hard life and he loves me.”

The maid of honour decided not to be part of the wedding as she didn’t approve of the marriage and knew that her friend was landing herself in a compromising position with this man.

But shortly before the wedding, the bride phoned her and begged her to be there. The maid of honour, wanting to protect her friend, then decided to attend the wedding with a sign that read: “As your best friend, I OBJECT! You deserve better! Done with love xoxoxox,” taped to the back of her shirt.

However, despite all the maid of honour’s efforts, the wedding went ahead. Regretting nothing about her objection, the maid of honour is no longer on speaking terms with her best friend. She said that even though she was sad, she has moved on.

If you do disagree with your best friend’s choice to marry a person, the right thing to do is to gently warn her like this maid of honour did. Make sure you have your facts straight, though.

Picture: Pexels

In News

Couple shoots wedding pictures at dumping site

October 21, 2019 No Comments

A couple in Russia had their wedding pictures taken in gas masks at an illegal chemical waste dump as an attempt to create awareness about toxic waste.

The activists, Victoria Menshikova and Oleg Kabanov, say they do not belong to any specific organisation or group, but feel strongly that environmental pollution affects everyone, according to W24. The couple wanted to show people that if we are not more conscious about the way we treat waste, soon everywhere will just be one big landfill.

According to the groom, a chemical waste landfill on the outskirts of Ryazan appeared around 10 years ago and has continued to operate despite a court ordering the site’s closure in 2011.

In August, a fire even started at the site, proving that these toxic sites are posing a threat to nature and humans. As reported by The Moscow Times, there are almost 11,000 landfills and 40,000 garbage dumps in urban areas, protected forests and rural regions in Russia. The country’s landfills are in fact reportedly at risk of a “catastrophic overflow.”

In light of this, many view the couple’s decision as heroic and an important step towards a greener future.

Pictures: W24

In News

Everything you want to know about Jennifer Lawrence’s wedding

October 21, 2019 No Comments

Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence married art dealer Cooke Maroney on Saturday at a celeb studded ceremony on Rhode Island in New York. According to People, the beaming bride’s gorgeous gown was designed by Dior, her favourite fashion house.

She kept it simple yet stunning in this soft peach coloured satin dress with floral detail on the skirt. The actress is yet to release more wedding pictures but it’s obvious that she was striking. Not laden with heavy jewellery or a prim updo, she looked natural and absolutely radiant.

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Jennifer Lawrence and Cooke Maroney Tie the Knot in Rhode Island Wedding #jenniferlawrence #cookemaroney #wedding #celebritywedding #rhodeisland

A post shared by Sandra Esinam (@efamevents) on Oct 20, 2019 at 10:44pm PDT

Cameron Diaz, Sienna Miller and Adele were among the guests at this glamorous affair. The Belcourt at Newport is a mansion, loved by many for it’s classic feel and beauty.

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A post shared by @archi_ologie on Sep 22, 2014 at 7:09am PDT

Jennifer called Cooke “the greatest human being I’ve ever met” earlier this year on Catt Sadler’s podcast Naked with Catt Sadler. “I don’t know, I started with the basics,” the actress continued, when asked why she chose to marry him. “‘How do I feel? Is he nice? Is he kind?’ It’s just — this is the one, I know that sounds really stupid but he’s just, he’s — you know. He’s the greatest person I’ve ever met, so I feel very honoured to become a Maroney.”

The two lovebirds have been in a relationship since 2018 and got engaged in February of this year.

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I’m officially breaking my theme to post this adorable (and pap photo sorry) of Jen and Cooke, who are now rumored/ confirmed to be engaged! Jennifer’s rep confirmed to E News as well as many other sites that they had in fact got engaged recently and that they have celebrated and Jen is extremely happy to have a Fiancé. At first I wasn’t sure what to feel, amongst surprise and unsureness I found happiness, and I am now over the moon for the two of them! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Cooke and my baby Jen. I love you. #jenniferlawrence #cookemaroney #jennifercooke #jenniferandcooke #jlaw #jenlaw #jenniferlawrenceengaged #engagementring #marriage #cookifer #couple #celebritycouple #celebrityengagement #jlawengaged #jlawmarried #jenniferlawrencemarried #jenniferlawrencecookemaroney #twocuties #baby #ring #wedding #loml #goodluck #congratulations @cookemaroney @lauragram

A post shared by Jennifer Lawrence- JLaw (@jenniferlawrence_) on Feb 6, 2019 at 12:08am PST

According to Metro, the day’s menu was sublime and we expected nothing less. The canapes that were served up included cod beignet, sweet potato flat cakes, brussels sprouts with cured egg yolk and smoked pork belly with pickled apple. The main course was just as fancy with wood-roasted fish with herbs and lemon-infused butter and five-week-aged leg of beef with foragers sauce on the menu. And, of course, there was dessert with fire-baked sourdough bread pudding with chocolate, salted caramel and fresh apple, cauldron fritters with bourbon cream and cinnamon sugar and homemade s’mores for dessert. Sounds like a party to us.

Picture: BBC

In Advice

What do weddings in SA cost?

October 18, 2019 No Comments

Now, as with any other event, you can go super small, low key and toned down, or splurge and go way over the top for your wedding. It really is up to you (and your bank account).

Wedding costs vary greatly, from one couple who tied the knot for a mere R6 000 to the infamous Gupta wedding at Sun City, topping the charts with an elaborate wedding of R30 million. Where that money came from is another story altogether. Let’s not dwell on it.

Those are two extreme cases, and most South African couples end up dishing out something between R70 000 and R80 000, according to IOL. There are a number of things to budget for, with the venue, dress and photography being among the most expensive.

Catering does not come cheap, either. Some couples are wonderfully happy with a small get together, maybe at their own or a friend’s home. A savvy aunt might pitch in to make the dress, and the mother-in-law knows someone who bakes. What matters to them is being together, celebrating their choice to journey on together, surrounded by laughter and sunshine.

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A post shared by Emma Davidson Photographer (@emmadavidsonphoto) on Oct 10, 2019 at 10:04am PDT

However, some will raise an amused eyebrow at the picture painted above. If the bride or groom is rolling in cash, they might have a completely different take on weddings. Think landing in helicopters and photoshoots with tame leopards. Entertainment for guests including classical ballerinas and acrobats. One such lavish wedding took place at Polo Estate, Val de Vie.

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A post shared by Cape Town Wedding Photographer (@zarazoophotography) on Sep 12, 2018 at 11:05pm PDT

Remember, though, that spending crazy amounts of money on one event could lead to haunting debt for you and your loved one. Rather be realistic about your budget, get creative (and eco-friendly) so you can focus on the other person more than on the material things. There are countless ways of saving money and still have a gorgeous wedding you will remember for the rest of your life.

Picture: Will Cadena Photography

In News

Couple gets surprised with their own wedding

October 18, 2019 No Comments

A Pretoria couple couldn’t believe their luck when their friends and family got together and arranged a surprise wedding for them.

Nompumelelo Somdaka-Ndesi (28) and Nkosiphendulo Ndesi (32) got engaged in 2018.

“When she said ‘yes’ I was over the moon. We had built a solid friendship over the years. We were able to sit down and talk about real-life issues and I would have done anything to be with her. But the challenge is that I was broke at the time,” Nkosiphendulo told W24.

The church they both regularly attended decided to take matters in their own hands. This is how it all went down:

One morning after the church service, Nompumelelo went to her friend’s place for a visit.

“When I got there, I was surprised to see a wedding dress, shoes, a wig and a make-artist. I was shocked when my friend told me that it was all for me and the church had been planning the surprise wedding for a while. Everything fit and the wig was beautiful,” exclaimed Nompumelelo.

Meanwhile, Nkosiphendulo was surprised by another fellow church member with a suit and shoes. They were asked for their sizes separately before the day and had not picked up any hints at the time. The couple was then driven back to church separately and arrived to find a beautifully decorated church hall.

Poor Nkosiphendulo’s first thought was wondering how he was ever going to pay for it all.

Nompumelelo, in turn, was afraid of how her family would react to the suprise. “But, when they saw me in that white dress, I could see happiness in their faces.” Both the couple’s parents were invited.

The couple said that they had the time of their life, and are forever thankful to their church community who made this dream come true for them.

Picture: W24

In Venues

Go green with this sustainable SA venue

October 18, 2019 No Comments

Sustainability is the next big thing, and rightly so. There are many ways to make sure your wedding is kind to the earth. One particular South African wedding venue, Cederkloof Botanical Retreat, helps you do this easily.

This farm is located just outside Citrusdal, a quiet and tranquil space set in a beautiful valley. Part of the landscape is still wild and opens to numerous views with beautiful rock formations from where you can watch stunning moon rises and have the stars put on a show just for you.

Their vision for a more sustainable village is varied and they are concentrating on the hard and soft elements of sustainability, covering aspects of social, environmental and financial health for a kinder, gentler, restorative and resilient future.

To learn more about all their current projects, take a look here.

Here’s how they will make your wedding sustainable:

– All flowers and green decorations are recycled on-site.

– Flowers, greens, fillers and other decorations are picked from the gardens and the surrounding areas.

– Couples plant trees or sponsor a ceder tree planting as part of their ceremony.

– The outdoor wedding ceremonies and the natural setting gives the couple and the guests the opportunity to spend the entire weekend immersed in nature.

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– Natural, organic and no-waste confetti are made from plants from the gardens.

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– The accommodation, venue and ceremony spaces are close together, so there is no driving once on the retreat.

– All glass is recycled on-site.

– All organic waste from the kitchens are recycled on-site.

If you want to have an environmentally friendly wedding, there are a number of things you can do. Other ways of reducing your carbon footprint include making sure there are no single use items, especially regarding place indicators and table numbers. Use materials that can be recycled and donate decor items and food that is left over afterwards. You can also rent all the decor and catering ware, instead of buying them.

It is important to remember that eco-friendliness doesn’t start and stop at the wedding. Participate in ethical ring shopping (do research on companies who can prove that they don’t engage in “blood diamonds”) and incorporate green tourism in your honeymoon.

Try to find a wedding gown to hire, instead of buying one or letting a new one be made. If you do end up having one made, try to make sure the designer is eco-friendly and uses sustainable production methods.

Picture: Pixabay

In Bridal Party

Bride chooses her grannies as flower girls

October 17, 2019 No Comments

The bridal procession do not often get more attention than the bride, but this wedding’s flower girls were exceptional and truly attention-worthy. Lyndsey Raby and her new husband, Tanner, felt so privileged to have their grandmothers present at their Tennesee wedding ceremony that they went a step further and asked them to be the flower girls.

“I knew as soon as I was engaged, I wanted to involve my grandmothers,” Lyndsey told the Huffington Post.

The beaming bunch included Tanner’s gran Joyce Raby (70), Lyndsey’s two grandmothers, Betty Brown (72) and Wanda Grant (76), and even her great-grandmother 90-year-old Kathleen Brown.

“I do believe they were more excited than my bridesmaids,” Lyndsey added.

These matriarchs are an integral part of both Lyndsey and Tanner’s families and have a great influence on their lives. Lyndsey said that she felt honoured to have them at the wedding and encourages other couples to do the same. “I felt so blessed to have them all here so I wanted them to be involved.”

Traditionally, the flower girls at the wedding are the cousins or nieces of the couple, and mostly they are little children. Of course, there’s no reason why the bride can’t skip a few generations! What a special moment.

Picture: Natalie Caho Photography

In Do's And Don'ts

How to keep calm on your wedding day

October 16, 2019 No Comments

The days leading up to your wedding can be super stressful and the day itself quite emotional. Don’t let the best day of your life be spoiled by feelings of anxiety or exhaustion. Here are some helpful tips on how to keep the joyful experience this special day is meant to be.

– The week before, take a few minutes each day and write down things you are grateful for. Journaling can be very therapeutic and serve as a reminder of how blessed you are for the people around you. Whether it be the one you’re marrying, the friends and family that support you or this exciting new adventure that lies ahead, jot it down and reflect on it.

– There’s a saying that goes: “Don’t sweat the petty stuff and don’t pet the sweaty stuff.” That’s about as perfect a saying you can get for a wedding. Remember the reason you are getting married: You have found the person you love with all your heart and you want to share it with people that are close to you. So when those little emergencies come, and they will, take a deep breath, smile and let the bridesmaids handle it.

– Get enough sleep the week before. Make sure you sleep well. Essential oils like lavender and jasmine might help you drift off to dreamland with a smile on your face. You will be quite busy those last few days, but you will want to feel rested and energetic at the wedding.

– Water is life. Taking a long, tranquil bath or shower the morning of your wedding will let the world’s worries flow away. Light some scented candles and make it your me-time where no one may bother you. Relax and focus on your breathing while soaking in the bubbles.

– It might sound like a good time to get hammered at the party but in truth, you will regret getting crazy drunk on your wedding and especially being hungover on your honeymoon. Having a good time at this joyous celebration is important, but overdoing it might lead you to make a mess of things. You want to remember your special day with grace for the rest of your life.

Image: Unsplash

In Venues

5 Amazing SA wedding venues

October 16, 2019 No Comments

Where you get married is an integral part of the big day. You want your surroundings to be absolutely stunning and the photos to be a beautiful reminder of the day. We found these spectacular, slightly off-the-beaten-track venues to keep in mind as you go on the search of the perfect space.

Granny Mouse Country House

Considered one of the most romantic venues in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands, the Granny Mouse is a sight to see. The chapel has panoramic views over the Caversham Valley and is the perfect combination of countryside and luxury. It has an old time charm to it, and is far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life.

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Lord Milner Hotel

This venue is in a somewhat obscure place of the country, but trust us, you want to go there. On the fringe of the Karoo, the hotel is one of those rare places that takes you back in time and makes you feel like you’re not even in this century. Named after Lord Alfred Milner, the hotel is also a heritage site and was completed in 1899, and shortly thereafter served as the Headquarters of the Cape Western Command.

Forest Hall Estate

If you want a fairy tale inspired venue, this place is for you. Situated outside of Plettenberg Bay along the Garden Route, the venue is one with nature and has an enchanted forest look. Almost no need for expensive decor, as nature is your backdrop!

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Oranje Gasteplaas

It’s not news that Clarens in the Eastern Free State is arguably the view-mecca of the inland. Nestled in the Maluti mountains, you get the veld atmosphere without having to sacrifice class. Think open green fields, cattle grazing and mountainous peaks popping up all around.

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Flycatcher Castle

This awe inspiring structure is on the outskirts of Graskop towards God’s Window in Mpumalanga. Set in the style of a 17th century Italian castle, the venue is an experience in itself. The castle was constructed using hand picked relics and works of art to create a magnificent masterpiece set in one of the most beautiful areas of the country.

Picture: Matjiesfontein.com