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    Stunning vineyard wedding venues in South Africa

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    South Africa has an abundance of extraordinary wedding venues to choose from. From hotels to vineyards, the country is anything but lacking.

    Vineyards are some of the best venues as they can add an extra fairy-tale feel to your special day. Most have amazing indoor and outdoor facilities and come with special wedding packages. If you’re looking to go the vineyard route for your venue, you’re spoilt for choice.

    Here are some of our favourite vineyard wedding venues in South Africa:

    – The Conservatory, Franschhoek 

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    The Conservatory is surrounded by vineyards and ancient oaks. The venue is largely made of glass, which means you’ll get some great lighting if you opt for an indoor ceremony or reception. You have the option to have your festivities outside in the vineyards too.

    On their website, The Conservatory says “Our philosophy is simple yet stylish, inspiring but versatile, catering to all who require a blank canvas to create a unique event that transforms a space into a true reflection of themselves.”

    – Zorgvliet Wine Estate, Stellenbosch 

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    In the Banghoek Valley near Stellenbosch, at Zorgvliet wines, you’ll have the stunning Simonsberg Mountains as the backdrop for your wedding. The estate offers several different facilities for your special day. The Oak room is the venue for receptions, but they also have a chapel and a room for pre-reception drinks.

    – Highberry Farm, Somerset West 

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    This relatively new venue was completed in 2018. If you’re looking for a venue that hasn’t been seen hundreds of times, then this is the one for you. Views of vineyards, dams, the surrounding mountain range and horse paddocks will be the backdrop of your special day.

    The venue sits 120 people, includes a dance floor and comes with facilities including a fully equipped kitchen, a licensed bar, as well as a spacious lawn on which a marquee could be erected or canapés and live music can be held. It also contains a more intimate utility area upstairs that may be used as a chapel.

    – Leipzig Country House, Worcester 

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    At the Leipzig Country House you’ll be sure to have your fairytale dreams come true. For your ceremony’s venue you can choose from the century-old brandy cellar overlooking the vineyards or a tranquil garden with towering oaks. The wedding reception will be held in the wine cellar which seats 130 guests.

    “The endless vistas, surrounding vineyards, rolling lawns of the amphitheater and rural charm of the historic buildings provide a stunning canvas to capture lasting memories,” says the Leipzig Country House.

    – Marlenique Estate, Simondium area of the Winelands district

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    The venue is central to Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. It can hold 350 guests with dancing and 400 without a dance floor. With mountains and orchards as your backdrop, you’re sure to have a dreamy day.

    Open air weddings on the lawns beside the fruit orchards or on their private stretch of the Berg River are an option.

    – Bakenhof Winelands Venue, Wellington 

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    About an hour away from Cape Town, the venue is situated on a hill of a private grape farm. The incredible views are out of this world and are sure to make you day even more special than it already is.

    Bakenhof says, “We focus on a unique, personalised and unhurried experience. Our philosophy is that your day is as important to us as it is to you, with our mission to exceed your expectations – be it day or night, formal or informal, summer or winter, sunshine or rain.”

    Image: Instagram /Bakenhof Winelands Venue

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    In cake

    The interesting origin of the wedding cake

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    You probably think wedding cakes have always been about indulging in something sweet on your special day. It’s an easy assumption to make. Of course, nothing in life is that simple. The wedding cake has a centuries long history and started as a tradition that was said to ensure fertility.

    In Ancient Rome, weddings would end with the bride and groom having a wheat or barley cake broken over their heads. Yes, really. This practice is said to have been to ensure prosperity and fertility in the couples future. The guests would try to secure some of these blessings for themselves by scrambling for a few crumbs which had fallen from the broken bread.

    The tradition made its way to England, and was eventually altered quite a bit. In medieval England – as the English acquired more spices – the wheat and barley cake shifted to something tastier. Instead of simple bread, they would use spiced buns, scones, and cookies.

    Another alteration that the English made to the tradition was to forget the breaking of the bread. The ‘confections’ were stacked into a tower as high as possible. At a wedding, the newly-wed couple would be required to kiss over the tower of treats. If they managed to kiss without toppling the tower, it was said they they were guaranteed some good fortune.

    From there things took an odd turn. Instead of wedding cakes, wedding pies were more popular. Again, eating the pie was meant to ensure the couple had a happy life together. The pie also contained a ring, which single ladies would try to find. Finding the ring meant that they would be the next to get married (kind of like the bouquet toss that we do today). This may sound pleasant, but it most definitely was not. The first recorded wedding pie recipe, from 1685, contained oysters, lamb testicles, throat, and pine kernels.

    Luckily, things began to change for the better from there when cakes replaced pies. As sugar became more available in England, white icing became the cake topping of choice. Queen Victoria had a wedding cake covered with white icing.

    Tiered cakes took off in the 18th century. The story goes that a trainee of a baker in London fell in love with his bosses daughter. In an effort to dazzle her, and get her to love him back, he baked her an elaborate, tiered cake.

    Image: Pexels 

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    In Advice

    Romantic things to do in Costa Rica

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    Costa Rica offers some amazing activities to make your romantic getaway an unforgettable one. Perfect for romantic relaxation and activity filled adventures, the country will have you falling in love all over again. The rainforest country offers the best of mother nature in the form of jungles and beaches. It also offers culture, good food and much more.

    Here are some suggestions for romantic things to do in Costa Rica:

    – Soak in the Hot Springs 

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    Head to La Fortuna, a small town in Costa Rica. There you’ll find some of the most exquisite hot springs. Relax your body, mind and soul with your significant other by your side as you grab a cocktail and sink into the natural hot waters.

    – Ziplining or Bungee Jumping

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    For those couples who enjoy a good adrenaline rush, Costa Rica has got you covered. The Selvatura Park in Monteverde offers tree-top ziplining. You’ll see some amazing views of the heavily forested area. While you’re there you should also check out the hanging bridges!

    If you want some more adrenaline then you’d be happy to know that Monteverde is also home to the highest (143m) bungee jump in Central America.

    – Take a dip in one of the Waterfalls

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    Go for a morning hike in the jungle and end it off with a dip in one of Costa Rica’s stunning waterfalls. There are many to choose from including Nauyaca Waterfalls, Catarata La Cangreja and the Jaco Waterfalls.

    – Visit a volcano 

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    Since the country is known for its volcanos, it wouldn’t be right to skip this activity. The Arenal, the youngest volcano in the nation, is one of the ten most active in the world. It’s possible for you to see an eruption if you’re there at the right time.

    – Sample some chocolate 

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    The Chocolate Forest Experience is great as it offers history, exploration, chocolate, wine, and views! What more could you ask for? The experience takes you on a tour through the area, teaches the history of cocao in the area, and, at the end of it all, gives you a professional chocolate tasting with some organic wine!

    – Swim in the sea 

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    Costa Rica, with its coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific, has some amazing beaches. Be sure to check some of them out! Depending on where you go, there are activities such as snorkelling and surfing available too.

    – Check out the local markets 

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    Immerse yourselves in the culture, meet some locals, and stroll the streets! Make sure you pop by some of the markets too. You’ll get everything from fresh fruit and swimwear to souvenirs.

    Image: Unsplash

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    In Advice

    Saving money on wedding flowers: tips and tricks

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    Flowers have always been an important part of wedding décor, and we assume they will continue as such. From bouquets and boutonnières to centrepieces and decorations, the wedding flowers play a big role in creating an atmosphere.

    The only problem is that flowers are quite pricey; they can extensively push up your expenses list. This is the opposite of the goal…right? We all want to save some money and bring that wedding expenses down as low as possible.

    Here are a few ways you can save money on your wedding flowers:

    – Keep it local and seasonal 

    Avoiding importing your flowers will save you big bucks. A local option is definitely the better choice for your budget. A similar principle applies to in-season blossoms. While you probably could find your desired out-of-season flower somewhere, it’ll be way more pricey than picking something in-season. The flowers will be fresher too!

    – Go for greens 

    Adding some lush leaves and greenery can do wonders for your budget and your floral arrangements. They add a whimsical feel to your decor  and fill up your arrangements in a stylish way, saving you from purchasing large quantities of flowers.

    – Bigger blooms 

    This one is simple. The bigger the flower, the less you have to buy. Save yourself some cash and opt for a larger or statement bloom.

    – Limit yourself to three flowers 

    In most cases, a florist will order the flowers in bulk, even if you don’t need too many of a specific one. If you keep the flower variations to three or less, it’ll save you some money because a bulk purchase will be necessary and none will go to waste.

    – Mix and match decor elements 

    Add tea lights, fairy lights and candles or whatever trimming your heart desires to your venue. Opting for some different decor elements will cut your flower expenses drastically.

    – Leave flowers out where you can 

    Perhaps you could skip the boutonnieres and corsages. While some people might want to keep them for tradition, they are not a necessity and can be replaced with alternatives if need be.

    – Forget a February wedding 

    Valentine’s Day pushes up the price of flowers! You’re likely to pay much more than usual for whatever flower you want in February. Best avoid this month to keep the costs down.

    Image: Pexels

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    In Fashion

    Dubai designer unveils 3-metre long wedding gown

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    Dubai based designer, Michael Cinco, took to Instagram on Monday to show off his latest creation. The dress, which is embedded with crystals from top to bottom and has a three-metre long train, is the picture of extravagance.

    “The bride specifically asked me to create her dream wedding a 50’s inspired Dior gown… So I made her dream wedding gown with a couture M5 touch on it,” Cinco said,

    The train is designed with intricate petal layers and holds about 200 000 Swarovski crystals. The Filipino designer said the out-of-this-world dress “takes a village to transport”. The dress is said to be for a bride in Abu Dhabi.

    Cinco has dressed several celebrities including Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, and more. Just a quick scroll through his Instagram shows that he isn’t afraid to be bold and make risky fashion choices. His designs are truly something to behold. He definitely was the correct designer to approach for the task of a three-metre long train!

    Have a look at the Swarovski covered wedding dress here:

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    Image: Instagram / khaleejiweddings 

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    In Celebs

    Sweetest celebrity proposal stories

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    Everyone loves a good proposal story! This might be even more true when it’s a celebrity proposal. When it comes to the stars, we just can’t get enough. Here are some of our favourite celebrity proposal stories.

    – George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin 

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    On April 28, 2014, long-term bachelor George Clooney asked human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin to marry him after six months of dating. He popped the question in their home after she returned from a trip to London.

    Clooney had prepared dinner, but Alamuddin suggested they not dress up or do anything fancy since she was exhausted from her travels. Clooney then put on a playlist of love songs and waited for the song “Why shouldn’t I?” to play.

    He then wanted to light some candles and asked Alamuddin to find a lighter. During her search, she happened to find the ring. First, she thought it was a ring that a guest had left behind, then she realised what was really happening.

    Clooney said to Ellen DeGeneres on her day-time talk show, “I got down on my knee and said, ‘I couldn’t imagine spending the rest of my life without you.’ And she kept looking at the ring, and she was looking at me, and she was like, ‘Oh, my God.’ ”

    Apparently Clooney spent roughly 25 minutes on his knee waiting for his soon-to-be wife to respond, because she was so shocked.

    – Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade 

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    Union and Wade first met in 2007. The couple went through many ups and downs and even split us briefly before their love brought them back together. In December 2013, Wade proposed with the help of his three sons.

    The boys held up a sign with the words “will you marry us?” on it. There was no way she could say no!

    – David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris

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    This one is extra special because they both proposed! When Burtka proposed, the pair were on their way to an event. He had the limousine stop on the street corner where they first met. Haris told Out Magazine that he didn’t understand why Burtka wanted to stop so badly. “I thought he wanted to get some booze or something”, he said.

    Eventually, Burtka proposed and Harris said yes. Harris wore the ring for a year and on Valentine’s day he proposed to Burtka.

    – John Stamos & Caitlin McHugh

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    To propose to his Disney-loving girlfriend, Caitlin McHugh, Full House star John Stamos made arrangements with the production company itself.

    Stamos told PEOPLE that Disney’s CEO helped him put together a movie of the most romantic moments in Disney animation. Stamos showed the film to McHugh while they were at Disneyland. The film ended with a Little Mermaid section, which prompted Stamos to “just ask the girl”.

    – Kim Kardashian and Kanye West 

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    As we know, Kanye West loves to go big. For his proposal to Kim Kardashian, he booked a baseball stadium and had a 50-piece orchestra greet the couple as they arrived.

    The words “Pleeease Marry Meee!!!” lit up the jumbotron. After she said yes, Kardashians family and friends came out of hiding to congratulate the couple.

    – Samira Wiley and Lauren Morelli

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    The couple met in 2012, on the set of Orange Is the New Black and in 2016, Morelli asked Wiley for her hand in marriage.

    The two were meant to leave for a weekend away, and Morelli had mentioned that she wanted to leave early but she was slow to get ready, Wiley told Out Magazine.

    Morelli requested that Wiley take a seat on the couch and she pulled out the ring. Wiley said, “Lauren has been married before, so I wanted her to tell me she was ready, [for] her to be the one to propose.”

    “I didn’t know she was as ready as she was. I was completely shocked. I was crying uncontrollably and kept backing away from her. I asked her after, ‘Who knows about this?’ And she said, ‘Oh, everyone. Your parents know.’ We didn’t tell anyone else for a few days. That was really important to us–to have some time where it was just ours”, she added.

    Image: Instagram / Kim Kardashian 

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    In Advice

    Games to play at your bridal shower

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    Bridal showers are a way for all the women in the bride’s life to come together, get to know each other, and celebrate the bride-to-be. Games at a bridal party keeps things light and ensure that there are no awkward silences.

    Another reason to offer games at a bridal shower is to prevent the occasion from centering around gift-receiving. A common problem, however, is that the old-school, traditional bridal shower games are a bit played out.

    Here are five fun bridal shower games we know you’ll want to try:

    1. The Gossip Game 

    The bride and the host team up to write a light-hearted, gossipy question about each attendee on little pieces of paper, fold them up, and put them in a bowl. Questions can include things like “who was Sarah’s first kiss?” or “When last has the bride’s mom bought lingerie?”.

    As the guests come in, have them take a question out of the bowl. They then have to play detective, and in the process mingle and get to know each other to find out the answer to the question.

    The rules are that they are not allowed to ask the question directly and there should be a set time limit of about 30 minutes to investigate.

    2. Achieve the Look 

    This one is simple and it’s relevant. The bride probably knows exactly what she wants her bridal make-up to look like. But it’s always good to have some options… right?

    Print out multiple copies of a photo of the bride with no makeup. Each player should receive a copy of the photo and a cheap set of makeup. Have them fill in the brides makeup on the photo.

    For an added twist, you could blindfold the players too. This is sure to have you cry-laughing at the end results.

    3. Creating Cocktails 

    Provide guests with various cocktail ingredients, set a time limit, and have them create a signature drink for the bride. Let the bride be the judge of the competition.

    This one is sure to have everyone feeling merry, and the bride will have her own signature mixture to remember her bridal party by!

    4. Dream Date 

    Each guest should write down her dream celebrity date. On the other side of the page, they should write their nightmare date.

    The bride should draw each one, one at a time, and as a group the guests should try to figure out which card belongs to who. To make it trickier, have the guests guess which side is the dream date and which is the nightmare.

    5. Cold feet 

    Fill a bucket with ice and place toy rings at the bottom. Each player needs to retrieve as many rings as possible in 1 minute…with their toes!

    Also read: Top 10 summer bridal shower ideas

    Image: Pexels 

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    In Weddings

    Tying the knot: The origin of the phrase

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    You’ve surely heard the phrase “tie the knot” many times in reference to marriage. The saying is quite common globally. In fact, “tie the knot” is so common a phrase that nobody really questions what knots really have to do with marriage at all.

    Many claim that the expression’s etymology is unknown and that the theories that do exist are not rooted in facts. That being said, there is one theory that stands out and is very commonly cited as the true genesis of the saying.

    The theory suggests that the phrase “tying the knot” comes from a centuries old wedding tradition called the “handfasting ceremony”. Handfasting is an ancient Celtic practice that can be traced back to the medieval era (the 5th to the 15th century).

    Essentially, a couple who was to be engaged would have their hands tied together with cloth effectively binding them together and making them one. The handfasting’s purpose was to strengthen the bond between the couple before the official wedding. The ceremony would take place “a year and a day” before the official marriage, where a second handfasting would take place.

    Some have understood the practice as a betrothal or an engagement ceremony while others have conceptualised it as a “trial period”. Those who prefer the “trial period” version argue that the second handfasting would only take place if the couple got along in the “year and a day” since their first handfasting.

    While the Celtics of Scotland are often touted as the originators of the practice, the ancient Mayans and the Hindu Vedic community have also been linked to similar ceremonies.

    In fact, tied knots are symbolic of marriages and love in many cultures and places. In the Roman times, a bride would wear a belt tied in a “Hercules knot”. The knot was said to indicate the binding character of the marriage oath.

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    In England, France and Denmark, the “True-love’s knot” represents love and fidelity. Ribbons tied in a true-love’s knot were distributed as party favours at weddings or, in France specifically, were tied around the arm.

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    In the Philipines, a rope is placed on the shoulders of the couple to show fidelity and in Hindi weddings a part of the bride’s outfit is tied to her groom’s scarf to represent an everlasting bond.

    The handfasting ceremony has not disappeared over time. According to BBC, “before 1939 handfastings which took place in lieu of a church wedding were legally recognised as weddings resulting in marriage”. Today, in Scotland, handfastings are purely ceremonial but they may take place on the same day, or even at the same time as the official nuptials.

    The practice is by no-means limited to people of Scottish descent, anyone is free to have a handfasting ceremony. So if you’re looking for something interesting and unusual to incorporate into your special day, why not consider a symbolic handfasting ceremony? You could even hold on to the resulting knot as a keepsake from your wedding day!

    Here are some examples of handfasting today:

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    Image: Unsplash 

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    How to WOW with Red Dot Cosmetics
    In Accessories

    How to WOW with Red Dot Cosmetics

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    It’s your big day, and you’ll want to be the star of the show. Obviously. We show you how to achieve a flawless face, whatever your style, with the newest from red dot cosmetics.

    FIRST OFF, YOUR FOUNDATION

    RED DOT introduces the Mix & Fix Colour Drops which you can use in a variety of fun ways. Use the ‘Green’ option to reduce and hide any redness, and the ‘Dark’ option if your spray-tan is golden, but your face is still pale. Simply add a drop to your liquid foundation or creamy concealer and mix until the desired shade is reached. Add more if necessary.

    NEXT UP, WINDOWS TO THE SOUL

    Make sure your lashes get maximum volume without looking clumpy. Start off with a base coat of Fake It! Lash Primer in Grey which will fill, lift and help separate the lashes, while nourishing and protecting each one. Finish up with a few swipes of Catchy Eyes Waterproof Mascara to add gorgeous curves and a cat-eye definition that won’t smudge or weigh lashes down.

    ARE YOU A RED LIP KINDA LADY?

    You’ll no doubt want to take that along with you on the day. Rock a red that won’t budge, slip or fade. The Ultimate Lipliner – With A Twist in The Red will get you started with a perfectly primed, matte surface and rich colour payoff, lasting for up to 6 hours come rain or Champagne. Finish the lip off with a layer of Velvet Touch Lipstick – Matt in the same shade (The Red) for a creamy and flawless finish, ensuring your lippie lasts the entire night.

    SHOPPING

    Mix & Fix Colour Drops in Green

    Mix & Fix Colour Drops in Dark

    Fake It! Lash Primer in Grey

    Catchy Eyes Waterproof Mascara

    The Ultimate Lipliner – With A Twist in The Red

    Velvet Touch Lipstick – Matt in The Red

     

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    In Advice

    Creative ways to announce your engagement

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    After you’ve basked in the blissful happiness of saying “yes”, you’re probably dying to announce your news. We’re sure you want to shout it from the rooftops! In the age of social-media and technology, these types of announcements are relatively low-effort tasks. There is also more room for creativity!

    No need to settle for an announcement over a phone call. There are tons of ways to make your engagement announcement memorable not only for you, but for everyone receiving the news. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

    Show off your ring

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    Encircle yourselves with love 

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    Have a friend (or a professional) secretly snap some photos to use later

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    Incorporate hobbies, interests or activities 

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     Lay your ring next to a quote 

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    Bring your pets into the fun

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    Add some humour

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    Write it big and bold 

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    Show off the location/scenery 

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    Keep it natural 

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    Involve your kids 

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    Make it a part of your daily life 

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    Feature image: Unsplash

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