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    If you’re planning on getting married this year and, for whatever reason, you haven’t set a date yet then you’ve come to the right place! Zola, a company who have modernised the wedding industry with their free suite of wedding tools, have released its list of the most popular wedding dates for 2020.

    Zola’s Editorial Manager, Lindsay Dolak said “We’ve  actually heard of a lot of couples who had longer engagements so they could get married in 2020”.

    Their list of the most popular wedding dates is as follows:

    1. Saturday, May 16, 2020
    2. Saturday, May 30, 2020
    3. Saturday, June 6, 2020
    4. Saturday, June 20, 2020
    5. Saturday, September 12, 2020
    6.  Saturday, September 19, 2020
    7.  Saturday, September 26, 2020
    8. Saturday, October 3, 2020
    9. Saturday, October 10, 2020
    10. Saturday, October 17, 2020

    “Choosing a date with a special pattern means your partner has literally no excuse to forget your anniversary,” said Dolak. The top five are dates which are patterned and easy to remember include, 10/10/2020, 9/19/2020, and 6/6/2020.

    Saturdays are clearly the winners, with every date falling on this day of the week. Presumably, this is because it’s the most convenient day for both the couple and those attending the wedding.

    Previously, September was the most popular month to get married. However, it has been surpassed by October for 2020.

    If you’re wondering what day Zola found to be the least popular,  that would be Tuesday, November 3. This is election day in the US.

    No matter what the research says, you should choose the best wedding day for you. Don’t be pressured by the numbers!

    Image: Unsplash 

     

    The bachelorette party is about letting loose and having a good time with your girls. You’ve got long lists of things to do and organise for your wedding day and you’re feeling very overwhelmed. This party is meant to be a time away from all the hustle and bustle.

    But, it can get a little complicated if you don’t prepare. It can also get a bit messy if you haven’t thought the event through before hand.

    Here are some do’s and don’ts to ensure you have the best, most relaxing time.

    For Brides 

    Do:

    – Say what you want and be clear about it. Let your bridesmaids know what you expect and what you’re comfortable with. If you want something quiet and low key, say so. If you don’t want a stripper, say so. This is the best way to avoid disappointment and an event that makes you super uncomfortable.

    – Respect your partner’s comfort level. If they are not comfortable with you being around exotic dancers, that is something that you should take into consideration. It’s not worth a fight.

    – Allow the bridesmaids some freedom. Let them get creative with the information you’ve provided and don’t try to control everything! You’ve given them your guest list, told them what you want and don’t want, so let them run with it. They are your nearest and dearest after all!

    Don’t:

    – Stay glued to your phone all night. You can check in with your soon-to-be once or twice, but avoid texting all night.  Your friends will be annoyed, you’ll come across as ungrateful, and in the end you’ll regret it as you won’t have enjoyed your night.

    – Feel obligated to invite every woman you know. This is an intimate event. Only your closest friends should be there.

    – Let the “last chance” talk get the best of you. Most will be encouraging and excited about your upcoming big day. But at your bachelorette party, there may be a few chats about this being your last chance to partake in some questionable activities. Don’t fall into this trap. It’ll be nothing but trouble ahead if you do.

    For bridesmaids 

    Do: 

    – Respect the brides wishes. If she said no strippers, then do not hire strippers. You’ll ruin her night if you do.

    – Plan the event well in advance. You want everybody to make it, so planning in advance ensures that the date is saved and arrangements can be made. Included in the planning is what you’ll do on the evening. Make the bookings necessary and plan the games. This allows you to have a stress free night.

    – Take photos and make memories. This is something you’ll all never want to forget.  Don’t forget to put somebody in charge of photography.

    Don’t: 

    – Invite mothers or mothers-in-law. I guarantee you, it will be awkward.

    – Force the bride into things she’s uncomfortable with. If you’ve planned a silly outfit for her, but she refuses to wear it then let it be.  Forcing it will cause unnecessary tension and the bride, the most important person at the event, won’t enjoy it.

    – Get post happy. Before you share anything online, check with the bride. She might not want people seeing pictures of this intimate, private event.

    – Be clear about costs for all attendees. If somebody can’t afford it, but they show up because they were unaware of the costs it will be quite uncomfortable for that person. Try to be considerate of everyone, in any way you can.

    Image: Unsplash 

    The rise of the buddymoon (instead of a honeymoon) has taken the world by storm. It has quickly become a popular trend, particularly with younger couples.

    Those couples who have already lived together for a while don’t feel the need for a honeymoon either. In the years gone by, honeymoons were important because it generally was the first time couples would get to be alone together. Today, this is not really the case so couples have become creative with celebrating.

    The result of this creativity is buddymoons. Celebrities have joined in on the fun too. Alicia Keys and Swizz Beats brought some extra company along for their honeymoon, and so did Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert.

    Here are 5 other celebrity couples who have had buddymoons:

    Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux 

    The Friends actress, Aniston, and hubby Theroux had quite a star-studded buddymoon. The former lovebirds were accompanied by Courtney Cox, Chelsea Handler, Jason Bateman, Jimmy Kimmel and Tobey Maguire at the Four Seasons in Bora Bora.

    About the Buddymoon, Theroux said, “We had thought about it; we could just do a normal honeymoon or we could go with friends, keep the party going, relax and have fun.” Speaking to Extra, he said “It was a fantastic honeymoon. It was really special, it was really beautiful.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BXbjAnHlbx3/

    Heidi Klum and Tom Kaulitz 

    After their wedding in Capri the couple continued the festivities on a smaller yacht. Their honeymoon was a week long and they ensured their family and friends were by their sides.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8POpsToUAc/

    Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright 

    After their real honeymoon in the Maldives, Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan and her husband Mark Wright took a trip to Dubai with their parents and Wrights brother and his girlfriend.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7yPWv8AE3h/

    Meghan Trainor and Daryl Sabara 

    All about that bass singer Meghan Trainor wed Spy Kids star Sabara in their home in Los Angelas. Thereafter, they headed to Bora Bora for some exciting activities with friends and family. They spent their time going on boat trips, skydiving and water biking.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5X-V7qnhCW/

    Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth 

    Miley and Liam opted for a ski trip honeymoon, after their small and private wedding at home. Hemsworths brothers, Chris and Luke, and their wives joined the newly-weds in Montana.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BuTmRsNhpyb/

    Image: Instagram / Justin Theroux 

    The stereotype may suggest that all women love shopping, but that’s not really the case. For some, shopping can be an annoying or stressful experience. These women usually opt for the online shopping route.

    Wedding dress shopping is even more taxing a task. Online shopping may seem like a good way to relieve some of the stress. It could give you more time to deal with other wedding organisation to-do’s, it saves you from endless interactions with consultants in bridal stores, and may even be more affordable. But we all know it comes with some risks.

    This bride decided to take the chance. If the outcome of her online shopping escapades was not so funny it would be tragic.

    The bride-to-be ordered what she thought would be a stunning lace dress with a cascading skirt. What she got, however, was much more comical. The dress, while it did somewhat resemble the picture’s lace and a cascading skirt, came with defining boob-cupholders.

    Taking to instagram to share her misfortune, she wrote “Online order fail. Don’t worry though a new better dress has been purchased”.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BySx8VWpI89/?utm_source=ig_embed

    The image she shared had her followers in stitches.

    “Omg no way!!!! So funny, how could someone even ship that lol,” said @lizard17 in the comments. “Look on the bright side…you got yourself a Halloween costume now. Make the boob pads seashells and paint the dress green and boom you’re Ariel! Glad you were able to get a laugh out of this. Weddings can be stressful!,” said another follower, @dodgeret.

    We can confirm that the bride replaced her dress with something much more fitting for the occasion:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BzFnAOzpe8E/

    Congrats to the bride! And for those of you brides-to-be considering online dress shopping, let this be a lesson in the risks involved.

    Image: Instagram / sup_clover 

    Child-free weddings are the best option for some. But if you’re somebody with lots of kids in your life, like little nieces and nephews, then you probably want to have them around on your special day.

    There are a couple of things you need to consider if you’re having a kid-friendly wedding. First, weddings can be long and overwhelming for kids. In all likelihood, there will be a few tantrums. Second, you want the parents to enjoy the occasion and not be running after their kids all day.

    In order to minimise tantrums and keep the kids occupied, you should provide some sort of entertainment. Here are some fun ways to keep them busy:

    – Kids tables 

    Let them keep each other company! The kids can make new friends and play together as the adults catch-up and enjoy the festivities. You’d be surprised how well this works, it’s like a day-long play date.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8HM8MfhjV1/

    – Games galore 

    If you’re having a summer wedding, or if the winter weather allows, ensure that you have lots of outdoor games. Running around in the fresh air, playing games in the sun will keep the kids busy and might even tire them out.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8wDrbrncc5/

    – Napping area 

    Once they’ve participated in the various activities, and maybe had a snack or two, they may want a nap. Set up a cozy sleeping corner and they’ll be off to dreamland! A mid-wedding nap decreases the likelihood of tantrums, so this one is important.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Yk5H_AUbh/

    – Kid friendly drinks 

    Make them feel as though they’re part of the festivities. They’ll see all the adults with drinks in hand, and if they’re given their own little drinks station, they’ll feel included and welcome.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Hnq9KlxSz/

    – Kid friendly snacks 

    Kids are not intrested in fancy starters and several course meals. They don’t even want your decadent desserts. It’s best to provide some familiar snacks for the little ones. It may even be cool to set up a buffet table just for them.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8PXT50DuUp/

    – Hire entertainers 

    When in doubt, hire a professional. There are baby-sitters and entertainers who specialise in taking care of kids at weddings. They’ll bring games, costumes for entertainment, and much more. You won’t have to worry about a thing.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8q3NMJB9a_/

    Also read: Should you invite kids to your wedding? 

    Image: Unsplash 

    Conventionally, men are the ones who pop the big question. But on leap day (February 29) which only comes once every four years, women take control. For those who no longer want to wait for the man in their lives to get up his nerve, you’re in luck. It’s a leap year!

    The tradition of women proposing on a leap day is believed to date back to the 5th century. Legend has it that St Bridget, an Irish nun, was frustrated that women had to wait for long periods of time for their suitors to propose.

    She then lodged this complaint with St Patrick (the primary patron saint of Ireland). Eventually, the two came to an agreement. St Patrick decreed that women were allowed to propose on this one specific day, leap day. For the time period, this was quite a liberal decision on St Patrick’s part.

    As part of the deal, St Patrick added in some terms and conditions. The ladies who were ready to get down on one knee had a rule to follow.  Women were required to wear either a scarlet petticoat or breeches to pop the question.

    It is said that this was added to the agreement to help the men out. It serves as an early-warning system for men who are afraid of the ultimate commitment, apparently.

    Interestingly, the story stipulates that those men who reject the proposal are required to give the woman a kiss and a silk dress. This is because St Bridget is said to have proposed to St Patrick, who declined and offered these as a consolation. Historians, however, suggest that St Bridget was only 9 or 10 years old when St Patrick died and there isn’t much evidence to support this story. However, the legend lives on and the tradition is still going strong.

    Leap day seems to have a lot of lore about marriage surrounding it. In Greece, Ukraine and Finland, it is believed that a leap day wedding is bad luck.

    Nevertheless, a leap day is something special! It only comes around once every four years. It could be fun to make it even more special by proposing to your man.

    But remember, you’ve got to follow the one rule.

    Image: Instagram / grouponuk

    Renewing your vows may possibly be better (for you) than saying them for the first time. You’re likely to be a hundred times less nervous, which means your day will feel much smoother. You also may have started a little family to celebrate alongside you in the years after your vows were first uttered.

    There are many more up-sides to having your vows renewed. One of these being that there are less expectations, norms and rules to follow for vow renewals. Your parents won’t require you to invite that one aunt you’ve never really clicked with, for instance.

    Weddings are steeped in tradition and thus come with many do’s and don’ts. But with vow renewals, you can let your imagination run free.

    If you’re worried about updating paper work, there’s no need! A vow renewal ceremony is not a legal one and thus requires no registered officiates or trips to Home Affairs. This ceremony is more about romance, celebration, commemoration and for some, spirituality.

    Some couples renew their vows on a big anniversary, while others use it as a way to celebrate making it through a tough time together. But in all honesty, you don’t need a reason. Maybe you just lacked the funds for a big celebration the first time around and now have the means to throw a fancy party. That is reason enough to celebrate your love again.

    So if you’re planning on a big day 2.0 here are some quick tips:

    – Get creative

    Since you have free reign you should go wild with your ideas. Choose a loved one to officiate, have your kids walk you down the aisle, pick that venue that you’re worried will be too much. Just go for it!

    – Vows 

    Since it is a renewal, you’ll want to update your vows to be more relevant to your life together as it is now, not as it was back then.

    – Wedding party and registry 

    These two things are usually left out of the renewal ceremony. But if you want to have them, you definitely can.

    – Photographer 

    Be sure to book a photographer to capture all the memories! An occasion as special as this should always be documented.

    Here are some real life vow renewals to inspire you:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8u6iH6BwgW/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8sorEcBqLn/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8svXP8FVJG/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8ucBBPDdsi/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8tn3K6jKVj/

    Image: Unsplash 

    While it seems like a minor detail, the bridal bouquet is no small task. Flowers seem more simple than they truly are, and picking the perfect set of blooms becomes complicated.

    You have to ensure that it matches and suits your wedding gown, it should fit the atomosphere in general, and all of this needs to be done on a budget. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, worry not. You’re not alone!

    Here are some tips to help you pick your bridal bouquet:

    – Dress first

    Since your flowers need to match your dress, having a picture of the dress before you begin your flower shopping will ensure the best possible results. The dress will affect what size, shape and type of bouquet a florist will suggest. Picking your dress first makes this a much easier task. Additionally, you wouldn’t want to be stuck choosing your dress based on the flowers you chose!

    – Think about size and shape 

    If your dress is small, a big bouquet with large blossoms will drown out your dress and may even make it look disproportionate. Ensure that you’re opting for the correct size and shape! If you aren’t certain about what the right dimensions are, don’t be afraid to ask your florist, they are happy to assist.

    – Research 

    Add some images to your Pinterest board, find out the names of the flowers you like the most, and read up on which flowers are in season. If you approach a florist with all of this information, they’ll have a much better idea of what you want and what options are on the table.  They can make suggestions based on the information you have provided.

    – Consider your wedding itself 

    You want to ensure that the bouquet fits the occasion. It may look a bit confusing if your wedding is very formal and black-tie, but you’ve opted for a more boho-style bouquet.

    – Budget

    Before you go anywhere or talk to any florists, set your budget. A budget helps you narrow down the list of options, and also ensures you don’t get attached to something you actually can’t have.

    – Comfort

    This one is important and many often forget to take it into consideration. You’ll be carrying the bouquet all day long. Don’t choose flowers that may be awkward to carry.

    Image: Unsplash 

    Havana offers more than just the average romantic getaway activities. A trip to Cuba’s capital is like taking a journey through time. It’s architecture and experiences offer a glimpse into the past, while providing a healthy number of modern offerings too.

    Cheap lobster dinners, dancing in the streets,  history oozing out of every crevice and more is what you’ll get from this tropical city.

    If you’re looking for glamour and grit, look no further.

    Here are some activities you should try with your special someone in the city of Havana:

    – Experience the old days in a classic car 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8sPzL0A0WC/

    Havana has maintained some of the elements of their heyday. Among these elements are cars and architecture from the 50’s, a time when Cuba was known as the most glamorous of places.

    You can ride in one of these vintage cars, through the streets of Old Havana. Tours are available too. A tour will take you to some of the most important spots in the city, with opportunities to eat, shop and have some classic Cuban cocktails while the wind blows through your hair.

    – Enjoy the street music 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B6WO0OkB_ZT/

    You are undoubtedly in for a festive feeling when roaming the streets of Havana. Throughout the city you’ll find a variety of street musicians bringing the party to you. As you explore Havana, ensure that you stop and have a listen… and maybe an impromptu dance on the streets.

    – Stroll along the Malecón

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Clzgvprvx/

    A good view of the sunset always makes for the perfect backdrop on a relaxing stroll. The Havana Malecón is known for its beautiful sunsets.

    The boardwalk and seawall was constructed in 1902. At the historical Malecón, you’ll find tourists and locals alike, and may even catch some performers livening up the mood. Take a stroll and take in the Havana vibes.

    – Visit the Viñales Valley

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8dyWM2nsVg/

    About 147km west of Havana is the Viñales Valley. A two and a half hour drive will get you there, so it’s recommended that you make a day out of the trip.

    At the valley, you’ll experience a full day of activities including roaming the tobacco and sugar cane fields (and trying out the products), visiting caves, horse riding, and seeing some amazing views of mountains and lush greenery.

    If you and your partner are lovers of nature,  there are many more experiences like this throughout Cuba. In fact, there are two natural World Heritage sites – Alejandro de Humboldt and Desembarco de Granma national parks.

    – Indulge in the Cuban cuisine 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv-pwiOBs-F/

    The best way to experience a city is through it’s food! Try one or two of the restaurants and go for local favourites.

    –  Visit the Museo de la Revolucion

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BmtREVBAtaL/

    The Museum of the Revolution is in Old Havana. It was previously the presidential palace of presidents of Cuba through the years. At its completion in 1920, the buildings interior was decorated by Tiffany’s of New York, so you can be sure its stunning.

    Inside you’ll find the Room of Mirros, which is a replica of the Room of Mirros in Versailles. You’ll also see some artifacts and exhibits featuring items from Castro’s regime.

    Image: Pexels 

    If you’re looking for a break from the usual, this one’s for you. Bridesmaids in jumpsuits is a trend predicted to flourish in 2020.

    The trend slowly began to rise in 2019, and more designers have opted to add jumpsuits to their collections. Not only is the jumpsuit very trendy, but it is also more dance floor-friendly!

    In addition, if some of your bridesmaids are not comfortable in dresses, the jumpsuit makes for a great alternative. Jumpsuits can be tailored to mimic the look of a dress, while providing the safety and security of a pants.

    This could also be a perfect option for those having winter weddings. You could ensure your bridesmaids stay warm through the day, while still remaining on trend.

    Have a look at these bridesmaids in jumpsuits for some inspiration:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B76rfIiDmhU/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4dpR4pHNAe/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BbO-v6qlBm8/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B6tghB4A9T-/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3wE_lcApGV/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B0gS138nWj-/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg4Y7qbBzCs/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Beowj0wFmdn/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2fEuJxFoE1/

    Image: Instagram / sj.fromthesmithsphotog