Wedding ETC, Author at Wedding ETC

In Advice

Romantic things for couples to do in Vietnam

January 15, 2020 No Comments

With the Rand being stronger than the Vietnamese Dong, Vietnam is a smart choice for South African honeymooners. While the destination is easy on the pocket, there are many other offerings that make Vietnam a good option. The country has amazing beaches, stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine. Everything you need for a romantic getaway.

Here are some of the most romantic things for couples to do in Vietnam.

– Visit the Valley of Love

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The Valley of Love…very appropriate for a romantic getaway. This valley contains many love-themed monuments for you and your partner to get some great pictures with. Stroll through the lush gardens and take in the beauty of the scenery.

– Relax in the mineral hot springs of Bing Chau

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An adventure and a day spent relaxing rolled into one activity. This is one of the most popular hot springs in Vietnam. You can enjoy hot pools and get out of your comfort zone with a mudbath too!

– Walk the ‘Golden Bridge’

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This bridge, held up by two hands known as “God’s hands”, provides a stunning view of the Ba Nang Hills, where it is located. You can enjoy a 20-minute cable car ride and make some fantastic memories. Be sure to snap a picture or two, this bridge is truly something to marvel at!

– Dinner and cruise on Saigon River

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Watch the sunset and see the city from a cruise ship. What could be more romantic? An evening dinner on this famous river is something you’ll never forget.

– Go to the Con Dao Islands

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This group of islands is very popular with couples. It offers beautiful beaches, interesting sea creatures, and coral reefs that make the area truly unique. There are thick forests and mountains in-land too. These islands are perfect for a couple looking for some alone time. Walk on the beach, take a dip in the ocean, and feel like you’re the only two people on the planet.

– Stroll through the magical Hoi An

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The lanterns hanging along the Hoai River create a wonderfully romantic ambience. The old town is filled with bright colours and interesting things to see. Walk hand-in-hand along the cobble stone roads or take a boat ride on the river to view the lights from a different perspective.

– Hike up the Heaven’s gate of Sapa

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With views of lush mountain ranges and breathtaking landscapes, this is one you won’t want to miss. Climb to the top (which peaks at 2000m above sea level) and see the rice fields, the waterfall, and the mountain range.

– Activities at Mui Nu: The Desert by the Sea

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Mui Ne has white sand hills extending as far as the eye can see and beautiful beaches to match. The combination of water and sand make for very interesting experiences (and photographs). You can also walk along the sand dunes, swim in the water or participate in the many water sports on offer such as kitesurfing, scuba diving, or canoeing.

Image: Pexels

In Celebs

Celebrities who got married at City Hall

January 15, 2020 No Comments

When it comes to celebrity weddings, it’s likely that you always picture elaborate, out-of-this-world events. This may be the case in most instances. But some celebrities prefer to keep it small.

They live their lives in the spotlight and perhaps this ignites a desire to keep things small and private on their special day. Over the years, a few celebrities have kept it very small…courthouse ceremony small.

Dax Shepard and Kirsten Bell wed in the Beverly Hills County Clerk’s Office, Amber Rose and Wiz Khalifa married in a Los Angeles Courthouse, and John Legend and Chrissy Teigen made it official in a New York City courthouse. But these aren’t the only ones!

City Hall is a common destination for private nuptials. The most popular City Hall venue is the one residing in New York City. But celebs have been seen tying the knot in Paris’ City Hall too!

Here are some celebs who went the intimate route:

Ellen Pompeo and Chris Ivery

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The Grey’s Anatomy actress married record producer Chris Ivery in NYC at a secret City Hall ceremony, in November 2007. They kept things as quiet as possible, even using underground tunnels to sneak into the building.

Emily Ratajkowski and Sebastian Bear-McClard

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Supermodel Emily Ratajkowski wed her producer and actor husband at City Hall in February 2018, mere weeks after meeting him.

Michael C. Hall and Morgan Macgregor

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The Dexter star went small for his third wedding. He and his bride Morgan Macgregor wed in the NYC City Hall in 2016.

Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber

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In September 2018, Baldwin and Bieber tied the knot in the NYC City Hall. According to PEOPLE, the pair did so even though they were advised not to. A year later they celebrated their nuptials again in more traditional fashion with a star-studded reception in South Carolina.

Matt Damon And Luciana Barroso

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The actor met his wife in 2002 and they wed in 2005. Instead of having a big ceremony, they kept it very simple with a City Hall wedding. In 2013, they renewed their vows with a much fancier event at a resort with lots of well-known celebrities in attendance.

Salma Hayek and Francios Pinault

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The pair made it official on Valentines Day 2009 in Paris’ City Hall. Not long after, they had a ceremony and reception in Venice, Italy.

Eva Longoria and Tony Parker

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The couple had a small ceremony in a Paris City Hall before celebrating at a 250-person wedding after! Unfortunately, the pair split in 2011.

Christina Perri and Paul Costabile

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The songstress kept it extra casual, wearing black combat boots, as she wed her entertainment reporter husband at NYC’s City Hall in 2017.

Image: Instagram / Justin Bieber

In Fashion

Top 6 over-the-top wedding dresses from around the world

January 14, 2020 No Comments

Your wedding should be just as you want it, and that includes the wedding dress. Every person has their own unique style. What works for one person may not work for somebody else. Similarly, what looks amazing to one person, may not look good at all to another.

That being said, there are times when personal style takes a turn for the peculiar. These women took their visions and truly ran with it…they ran like the wind.

Have a look at these over the top wedding dresses:

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwY-eZ-ndVz/

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/6wyQOIvIMA/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuENLZwns1h/

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

Image: Pexels

In Advice

Registry mistakes you might be making

January 13, 2020 No Comments

A wedding registry seems like one of the easiest tasks in preparation for a wedding. You go to a store, pick the items you think you need (or want) and have the store create a list with your name on it. It may, however, not be as simple as you think.

There are a few common mistakes that couples make when it comes to the registry. These slip-ups could have your guests criticising and will have you cringing! Ensure that you steer clear of any awkward situations by avoiding these common registry mistakes.

– Waiting too long to register

Once you get engaged, putting together a wedding registry should be on the top of your list of things to do! Ensure that you have this done within a month of your engagement. You’ll be receiving engagement gifts soon, and the registry will help people to get you a gift for the engagement too. Don’t worry about looking greedy, the registry is simply to help your guests, not to demand things from them.

– Including the registry on the wedding invitation

This could make it seem as though you’re demanding a gift. After all, it isn’t compulsory for guests to give gifts.

When you put the registry on the invitation it feels like you’re asking for a gift in exchange for entrance into the wedding. Many people will find it rude that you’ve added it.

Instead, you could direct people to the registry via your wedding website or the save the date.

– Only registering in one place

While registering at only one store is probably the easiest option for you, it probably will be inconvenient for your guests. Some guests will want to buy gifts at real stores instead of online and some may be too far away from the one physical store you’ve chosen.

Be sure to have one or two online stores and one or two physical stores with your registry. Limit the amount of stores to three or four. Too many stores could also be a bad idea, as this may make you look greedy or self-indulgent.

– Asking directly for cash

Here, it’s more about tact than anything else. These days it’s okay to ask for money if you do it in the right way. You shouldn’t directly say that you want money. However, you can indicate that you will be happy to receive contributions to a down payment on your new home or to your dream honeymoon.

The trick is to choose your words wisely and ensure that you’re showing people that their money will go to good use.

– Not varying the prices of gifts

Putting only expensive, dream items on your list may be a bit presumptuous. Remember that some people may not be within the means to buy you an expensive gift, and some simply may not want to. A colleague, for example, wouldn’t want to splurge on a wedding gift for you.

Similarly, don’t assume that nobody will buy you one of those dream items on your list. Add a few! Maybe a few people will come together and get one big gift, or maybe your siblings are so happy for you that they decide to go all out.

Add a good variety of gifts to the registry, with prices from very low to quite high.

– Not writing thank you notes

While this is not registry related, it is gift related and failing to send out thank you notes is a big no-no!

Keep track of who gives you what, to make the thank you note process easier. After the wedding, you have no more than three months to get your thank you notes sent out. Don’t put it off!

Also read: Wedding gifts for every budget

Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

Preserving the top tier of a wedding cake: Tips and tricks

January 13, 2020 No Comments

One of the wedding traditions that have stood the test of time is the preservation of the top tier of a wedding cake. Couples save the top tier of their wedding cakes and eat it on their one-year anniversary. It may sound impractical, but we’re here to show you how to do it!

Before we get to the tips for preserving your wedding cake, perhaps a little background on the tradition is necessary. These days, saving your cake for a year is understood as an omen for good luck. But where does the tradition come from?

The story of cake preservation has two short parts. The first is that having a child in the first year of marriage was much more common in years gone by. For this reason, a couple would prefer to save a part of the wedding cake for the celebration of the birth of their child instead of getting a new cake.

The second part of its story goes back to the 19th century and follows the actions of Queen Elizabeth II (or Princess Elizabeth at the time). When the Princess married Prince Philip in 1947, they had a three-tier cake. Each tier had a designated purpose – the bottom tier was to be cut at the wedding, the middle was to be sent off as a gift, and the top tier was to be saved for a future occasion. The future occasion here was the presumed upcoming birth of a child.

Now, instead of saving it for the birth of the first child, the couple saves it for the first anniversary which is usually much closer in time to the wedding. The tradition seems to have stuck as a symbol of bringing the past into the present and of celebration.

So, how do you preserve your top tier? Here are a few tips:

– Decide on preserving it in advance

To ensure that the top tier doesn’t get cut on your wedding day, let your caterer know that you’ll be preserving it well before the ceremony. Deciding on preserving the cake early also helps you decide on fillings which may be longer lasting than others or decorations and designs that are able to withstand a year in the freezer.

– Remove ornaments and flowers (real or sugar)

When you wrap the cake, it needs to be airtight. The extra decorations will prevent the cake from being wrapped airtight.

– Chill the cake

As soon as you get a chance, pop the cake in the freezer. This allows the cake to harden and preserve the icing properly. Ensure that there are no soft bits around the cake before you take it out of the freezer.

– Double wrap it

First, wrap the cake with plastic. Push the plastic onto the cake so that there are no air bubbles. Then cover it again with foil. This ensures that nothing can get in. It also helps to ensure that other things in the freezer don’t pass their smells or tastes onto your cake.

– Freeze

Once the cake is tightly wrapped, label it (to ensure it doesn’t get mistaken for something else) and pop it in the freezer!

– Eat later

Once your first anniversary comes, you’ll defrost the cake. Take the cake out of the freezer the day before your anniversary and keep in the fridge overnight. Then take it out of the fridge and leave it at room temperature for about 5 hours. Thereafter, it’ll be ready to eat!

Many couples want to participate in this tradition but, for whatever reason, prefer not to save the cake. If you don’t see yourself saving the cake, but still want the sentiment and symbolism that comes with this tradition on your first anniversary, chat to your caterer and let her know that in a year you’ll be ordering an identical top tier. You may end up receiving a special deal or a totally free top tier!

Image: Pexels

In Advice

Pros and cons of changing your name

January 8, 2020 No Comments

Historically, women were required by law to take their husband’s surname. This is because women had no independent legal identity – they needed to be linked to a man. At birth they would be given their fathers surname and when they were married, their surname would change to that of their spouse automatically.

As time passed and women contested the laws regarding their rights, the rules changed. Now, changing your name is completely optional. The number of women who prefer to retain their maiden name is fast-growing world-wide.

There is, however, a certain feeling of romance and permanence that comes with changing your name as you get married. And of course, there is nothing wrong with wanting to change it!

The decision can be difficult to make. It is a very personal decision; one that only you can make for yourself. But to assist you in making the decision, here is a list of pros and cons of changing your name.

Pros

– You will have the same surname as your kids

If you decide to have children, they will most likely be given their father’s surname as lineage is typically tracked through male family members. If you opt to keep your maiden name, you’ll be the only one in your family with a different surname. This may cause you to feel a bit isolated. There may also come a time where you have to prove that you are your child’s mother – this is less likely if you have the same surname.

– It feels like a formal beginning of a new chapter

As you start this new chapter of your life, a change may feel necessary. While there are certainly many changes that come with marriage such as your living space and your daily routine, the change of a name is the only one that is bound by law. Changing your name can feel like you’re solidifying the new chapter of your life.

– You will spend less time explaining yourself

If you don’t change your name, you’ll be inundated with questions from your older family members who expect you to change your name and follow tradition. Other people might assume you’re not married, and when they realise you’ll likely be asked to explain why you have a different surname to your partner. Your kids in their younger years might also struggle to understand why their parents have different surnames.

While it is easy to answer all of the questions above and while you don’t owe anybody an explanation for your decisions, changing your name allows you to avoid all the fuss.

– You will feel more connected to your partner

There is a sense of unity that comes with sharing a surname with your partner. It also makes it easier to do things on behalf of your partner, especially if the law is involved.

Cons

– Paperwork and admin

The effort you have to put in to legally change your name is enough to put anyone off. The documents are complex and lengthy. You have to remember, you’re not just changing your ID. You’re also changing your passport, drivers licence, insurance, bank cards, and your store accounts or memberships.

The government issued documents are sure to take a while to process. As we know, a trip to Home Affairs is a full-day standing-in-line experience.

– May affect your career

If you’re at a point in your life where you have built a solid professional identity, you may be giving that up by changing your name. Your professional acquaintances may have trouble finding you. People may not vouch for you and your outstanding work when asked about you as they may not know your name has changed and thus won’t know who they are being asked about.

– Separation from your family

You will no longer share a surname with your parents and siblings. This may cause you to feel distanced from them and from your roots. Your individual identity may also be affected as a result.

– You will struggle to access old legal documents

If you need to access legal documents or financial documents from years gone by, it will be much more difficult with a new surname.

– Could feel like you’re opposing your personal politics

If you’re anti-patriarchy and pro-feminism, you may consider the history of the name change off-putting. If you change your name, it could feel as though you’re giving in to the system.

Of course, there are other options than changing or keeping your name. You could hyphenate your old and new surname or even get creative by combining a part of your surname with your partners to create a new one that you can share.

If you’re struggling to make the decision, why not flip a coin? That’s exactly what this couple did.

Regardless of your choice, it is one you have to make for yourself. Any decision is the right decision if it feels true to you.

Image: Pexels

In Advice

Romantic things for couples to do in Rio de Janeiro

January 8, 2020 No Comments

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most perfect places for a couple to take a vacation. It boasts warm, tropical weather and a vibrance that is unmatched. The festive feeling never leaves you while you’re roaming the streets.

Whether you’re taking your honeymoon or planning a spontaneous romantic getaway, Rio de Janeiro will be everything you want and more. There are tons of activities to make your getaway unforgettable.

With Rio being one of the most affordable travel destinations, many South Africans couples are booking their trips! Here are some romantic activities that are not to be missed:

Visit Parque Lage

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This 1840s, English-style 128-acre garden has a lot for couples to see. With fountains, walking paths and endless greenery you’re sure to get some great photos. Parque Lage also has a 19-century mansion which is home to an art school. To make the visit perfect, there is also a cafe and a restaurant where you can have a relaxed, pool-side meal.

Hike up Pedra Bonita

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The name Pedra Bonita means Pretty Rock; the name alone makes it a good place for a romantic activity. If you’re worried about your fitness level, there is no need! The hike is one of the easiest in Rio, it only takes about 40 minutes to reach summit.

Its level of difficulty, however, says nothing about its worthiness; the view from the top is one you won’t want to miss! If you’re looking for something to get your adrenaline pumping, there is also paragliding and hang-gliding on offer at the summit.

Explore Santa Teresa

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Let your inner tourist out in the hills of Santa Teresa. Cobbled streets, vintage stores, pubs, and welcoming locals are what you’ll find in Santa Teresa. Spend a few hours walking the streets and viewing the colourful buildings. You can catch some amazing views of the city if you pick the right restaurant.

Take a cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain

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The cable car starts at Praia Vermelha Beach, stops at Morro da Urca (halfway to the summit) and then makes its way to the top of Sugarloaf mountain. This is sure to be one of the most unforgettable experiences, with views you couldn’t imagine. To add an extra splash of romance, take the trip at sunset!

Visit Christ the Redeemer

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You can’t visit Rio de Janeiro without visiting Christ the Redeemer. It is one of Rio’s top attractions and is one of the seven modern wonders of the world.

Watch the Samba bands in Pedra do Sal

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Pedra do Sal is the birthplace of Samba! Every Monday you’ll find Samba bands and locals enjoying the music until 2am. Join in the fun for no cost at all.

Take a dip at Cachoeira do Horto

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While Rio is popular for its beaches, this waterfall offers a more relaxed, secluded swimming opportunity. If you want to escape the crowds, this is a good option. Surrounded by tall trees and vegetation, Cacheoira do Horto has three rock pools in which you can cool off. To get there, you’ll have to take a short, 15-minute hike from Tijuca National Park.

A day trip to Ilha Grande

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Only a 30-minute boat trip out away from Rio lies the Ilha Grande. The island is car free, giving it an untouched feel. It boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Rio and also has a variety of hikes for you to choose from. When you get hungry, make your way to one of the beach-side bars, or have a romantic dinner on the beach. Spend a day there and make the most of it!

Visit the Jardim Botanico do Rio de Janeiro

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Stretching across 338 acres, this is one of Rio’s largest parks. There are more than 6500 plant species to look at, along with animals such as monkeys, birds, and reptiles. This is a great place to get some couple photos and take a romantic stroll.

Swim in the world famous Copacabana Beach

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A dip in the ocean is another one of those things you must do in Rio. Copacabana is easily one of, if not the most, popular beaches in Rio. It is world famous, we’re sure you know the song! Even if you’d prefer to avoid big crowds, you should still swing by this beach. It’s a must-do for the ultimate Rio experience.

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

Rehearsal Dinners: What they are and how they started

January 3, 2020 No Comments

Rehearsal dinners are by no means compulsory and, of course, are not the main event. However, I’m sure we can all agree that they are part of the fun of wedding celebrations. In fact, they set the tone for the beginning of the festivities.

The event commonly comes after a run-through of the wedding ceremony. While the rehearsal dinner is centred around fun, food, family and friends, it also serves some important purposes.

Often, the rehearsal dinner is the first time that all friends and family of both the bride and groom are under one roof. Many guests will be meeting for the first time. This is important as it allows all the guests and important attendees to get to know each other; it ensures that, on the special day, everyone is getting along and comfortably able to have fun with each other.

Another important function of the rehearsal dinner is the speeches. Most people prefer to keep the speeches on the wedding day to a minimum, with only the parents of the couple, the maid-of-honour and best-man saying a few words. Obviously, there are more people who might want to celebrate the happy couple with a word or two; maybe some friends, siblings, or other close family members. The rehearsal dinner is the time for all of these speeches. It allows for everyone to say what they want and feel as if they are a part of the wedding, without extending the duration of wedding speeches unecessarily.

But what is the origin of the rehearsal dinner, you ask?

Wedding historian Susan Waggoner notes that “Hundreds of years ago, attending a wedding could mean days of travel. The night before the event would find the tent, hut, castle, or manor house jammed to the rafters with friends, relatives, and emissaries, all of whom had to be fed.” Essentially, the tradition was created as a result of necessity. The couple would invite guests from far and wide and because traveling back then was not as easy as it is now, the visitors were often hungry on arrival.

After this, however, the tradition evolved to something a bit more fantastical. The rehearsal dinner, while still serving as a mass-feeding of arriving visitors, also became an opportunity to chase evil spitits away. It was believed that if attendees of the event were loud and rumbustious then evil spirits who wanted to ruin the couple’s chances of having a happy life together would be scared away. So, the idea was to gather all the guests for a dinner before the big day, and have everyone be as noisy as possible.

Today, the event remains useful in many ways and is sure to be a good idea.

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

Wedding guest etiquette

January 3, 2020 No Comments

Wedding season is exciting! Maybe a dear friend is tying the knot or a close family member is planning on saying “I do”. Perhaps a colleague or neighbour has invited you to their nuptials. These are all great opportunities to celebrate the people in your life, and are definitely events to look forward to. Most people agree that weddings are a lot of fun. However, you may be a bit worried about what is expected of you as a wedding guest.

Sure, even the most seasoned wedding guest can mistakenly break the rules every now and then. But, the last thing you want is to embarrass yourself in front of all the other guests or be an inconvenience. If you want to ensure that your wedding-attendance-reputation is top quality and that you’re the best wedding guest you can be, then follow these simple tips.

– RSVP as soon as you can
Whether or not you’re planning on attending, you should RSVP as soon as you can. If you don’t, it’ll be a huge inconvenience to the couple, especially if you still show up to the wedding. Often, the couple needs to communicate a final head-count to vendors such as caterers. While you may think putting off the RSVP is minor, you could be unnecessarily adding to the couples wedding stress. Don’t do it!

– Don’t bring a guest if you weren’t given a plus one
If the wedding invite doesn’t clearly state that you can bring a guest, then don’t. It’s also probably a good idea not to assume that you can bring your kids either. If the invite doesn’t say anything, then find out first.

Weddings are expensive. If you didn’t get a plus one, then the couple wasn’t planning on catering for your plus one. Additionally, most venues have a maximum capacity. It will be mighty awkward if you bring a guest and there is no seat for them.

We know it can be uncomfortable to attend a wedding alone, but it’s better than causing an inconvenience on the couple’s special day.

– Dress appropriately
Take the season and the time of day into account, then dress appropriately for those factors. Be sure to check if there are any dress code specifications on the invitation. If there are, then follow them. Do not take any artistic liberty.

Additionally, avoid wearing white at all costs. Wearing white is considered to be extremely rude – you’ll be wearing the bride’s colour on her special day.

– Arrive on time
This is not the time to arrive fashionably late. If you arrive late you may disrupt the ceremony or proceedings. You’ll be considered rude and inconsiderate.

– Put your phone on silent
This is another way you may mistakenly disrupt the ceremony. If you get some notifications or a phone call during the ceremony, it is quite distracting. The attention should be on the couple, do not take it away from them.

In fact, you should try to keep texting and social media to a minimum during the wedding, lest you come across as uninterested or bored.

– Don’t abuse the open bar
You don’t need to take full advantage of the free drinks. A wedding is a classy event, so behave as such. A story about you passing out at the wedding is sure to get you uninvited from future weddings very quickly.

– Mingle with the other guests
If you’re at a table with strangers, be sure to introduce yourself and make some conversation. When it’s appropriate, get up and talk to other people too. This simply makes you a pleasant guest to have in attendance. You should, however, avoid sitting in a different seat because you know people at a table that isn’t the one you were assigned. You’ll be messing with months’ worth of planning.

– Don’t compare the wedding to others you’ve attended
It may seem as though you’re being judgemental or criticizing the wedding. The couple has spent a great amount of time planning this, and to them it’s perfect. Keep your opinions to yourself. Nobody wants to be seated next to a Negative Nancy.

– Unless you’re the actual photographer, keep the pic snapping to a minimum
Hovering around the couple all day to take pictures can be quite annoying. It can also be quite distracting. Refrain from this. One or two pictures are fine, but don’t over-do it.

Another thing that you should remember is to avoid using your flash. Your flash may ruin the official photographer’s photos or simply just distract the couple and other guests.

– Don’t leave early
Unless it is really necessary, it’s best not to leave early. Wait at least until the cake is cut. It’s simply good manners. You wouldn’t want to make the couple feel bad on their special day, would you?

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

Romantic things for couples to do in Turkey

January 3, 2020 No Comments

Travelling to unfamiliar countries is super exciting but may be overwhelming. If you’re feeling frantic as you arrive, you may miss some amazing experiences. That’s why it is better to pre-plan, or at least do some research on what activities you would like to do before you start your trip. This is especially true if you’re going to a place like Turkey.

Turkey is known for its exotic atmosphere, rich history and culture, and its natural and architectural beauty. The country, with its reputation for being romantic, draws in couples from the world over. The list of romantic things to do is quite long and you’ll be spoilt for choice.

To ensure you don’t feel bombarded by all the amazing options, here is a list of some of the most romantic things to do in Turkey.

– Take a tour of the Sultanahmet District in Istanbul

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The Sultanahmet District is easily the most popular destination for tourists in Istanbul, Turkey. It serves as a sort of hub of tourist attractions. The district is bordered by three bodies of water including the Golden Horn, Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara, all of which are tourist attractions in their own right. The district also encapsulates the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque which are two other popular attractions known for their architectural beauty. Seeing the sights of a city with your partner can be quite romantic and exploring makes for great memories.

– Take a trip to the Prince Islands

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Off the coast of Istanbul is this string of Islands. While you’re there you can enjoy the stunning beaches and beautiful scenery. What makes these islands extra special, and what is sure to make your visit unforgettable, is that the only mode of transport on the islands is a horse and cart. You can go sightseeing on the traditional horse-drawn carriage, called a feyton, and see everything that the islands have to offer.

– Go to Cappadocia

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Cappadocia is widely known for its incredible landscapes. If you decide to visit the region, you should take an early morning hot-air balloon ride and catch the sunrise and a birds-eye-view of the ancient rock dwellings (or fairy chimneys).

– Have a couple’s Turkish Bath

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This is highly ranked on the list of popular activities for couples in Turkey. The spa treatments you’ll receive are centuries old. Take in the beautiful interiors while relaxing luxuriously in one of many spas across Turkey.

– Go on a date at a teahouse

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For locals, Turkish tea is one of the best daily pleasures. It is a good way to relax and unwind. There is no shortage of tea houses and many of them come with amazing views too. Make sure you put this on your to-do list, or consider it as a daily end of day activity, to make the experience even more authentic.

– Watch the sunset at the Golden Horn

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What is a romantic getaway without an evening spent watching the sunset? The Golden Horn Park is one of the best places to be to catch the sunset in Istanbul.

– Take a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait

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An evening dinner cruise is another classic romantic getaway activity. The Bosphorus straight runs throughout the city and from the cruise ship you’ll be able to see some of the sights such as the Blue Mosque from a different angle.

– Visit the Bazaars

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Here you’ll take some great pictures and find some cool souvenirs. This is a great way to eat, shop, and experience the culture all at once!

Image: Unsplash