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    Wedding pictures are a way to capture the essence of the day. Couples usually hire a professional photographer with the intention of having a special posed photoshoot. Besides looking for the perfect spot, have you thought about the timing? When is the best time to take your wedding pictures?

    Golden Hour

    This is a term commonly used in photography. Golden Hour is the period of time just after a sunrise or before a sunset. At this time, the sun is not as harsh and direct in photos. The light is softer and has a redder effect. The photos have a ‘romantic’ feel to them.

     

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    When it’s the middle of the day, the sun is overhead and very strong. The brightness can cause a lot of strong shadows and highlights which in effect may result in overexposure. The heat can also cause you and your partner to appear red and flustered.

     

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    Most couples tend to have their wedding photoshoot after the ceremony and before the reception. This option is the easiest especially if you have a picturesque venue. However, you should consider the time of day this would be.

     

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    Obviously the Golden Hour is the ideal time to take your wedding photos, but it may not be possible in terms of timing unless you decide to allocate time out of your reception (assuming it’s late afternoon and early evening).

     

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    It’s important to remember that if you and your partner are not able to make your wedding photos ‘golden’ it’s not an issue! Your photographer should make use of a fill flash to balance out any harsh and unwanted lighting. You won’t be able to get that authentic soft and red look though.

     

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    Feature image: Unsplash

    It’s your last few days as a single man, but you’re not up for a wild evening out with the boys. You want to be feeling fresh and ready for you big day ahead instead of hungover and rough. If crazy parties are not your thing, there are a number of fun and different ways to celebrate your last days of singleness with your best boys. Here are 5 unique ideas for a bachelor party.

    1. Rent a beach house

    It might be a bit more costly than your average bachelor party, but who can say no to a weekend away along the coast? Pack in your swimming shorts, some meat to braai, and a six-pack of cold ones. You and your boys will appreciate that weekend away of pure quality time when you fondly reminisce of the ‘good ole days’

    2. Do the escape room challenge

    Put your friendship to the test and see how well you and your boys fair against riddles and confined spaces. These escape rooms put critical thinking and teamwork to the test. If you’re looking for more than just a crazy night out partying, this idea for a bachelor party might be right up your alley.

    3. Take a road trip

    Few things are as exhilarating as the open road. Take a road trip along the Garden Route and make sure you stop at every small town along the way to get that authentic road trip experience. Who knows when you’ll get to experience a boys trip again.

    4. Play paintball or laser tag

    A very popular choice for group functions, paintballing might be the perfect idea for a bachelor party. You get to experience survival of the fittest gaming action in reality and show off your skills to your mates. For those who want the fun without the pain, laser tag is a great alternative option.

    5. Go camping

    Being outdoors in nature always seems to provide the perfect setting for some reflection on your journey and friendship together. Bond over a campfire and some beers while you tell embarrassing stories about each other. Most campsites also include allocated fishing areas for some extra fun!

    By Aadilah Hallam

    Feature image: Unsplash

    One size fits all? No! Not when it comes to your body shape.

    Women come in all shapes and sizes and it’s so important to know your body type and shape to dress accordingly and accentuate your best features. There are many different body shapes and types, and each one is unique. To avoid your dress shopping experience being a stressful, it’s important to know and stick to what works for your body.

    It’s also important to remember that very few women fall into only one category as we can have different features from various body types. Why? Because we’re beautifully unique!

    In this upcoming series, we’ll be looking at all the different body shapes and some gorgeous weddings gowns that will accentuate YOU perfectly.

    First up, is the pear shape.

    A pear shape, also known as the ‘triangle’, is the most common body shape, where the hipline is wider than your shoulders. Flattering a pear-shaped body is all about highlighting the natural waistline and your more slender upper torso to balance your silhouette.

    The classic A-line dress is a great starting point – with some embellishment details on the bodice to act as a focal point, it will naturally accentuate your waist. To balance your shape, consider cap sleeves, and off-the-shoulder cut or a fuller skirt that adds some movement. With that, you want to cinch in your waistline and create an hourglass silhouette.

    If you are feeling a bit more regal, look at Meghan Markle inspired gowns and add a plunging neckline for a modern update, while necklines like the sweetheart cut will leave you looking femininely soft and romantic.

    Steer clear of mermaid gowns or tight fit-and-flare silhouettes as it will draw more attention to your widest area which will, in essence, make the area look wider than it is.

    Get your inspiration here:

     

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    By Amy-lee Steenkamp

    Feature image: Unsplash

    Sarah Hyland’s wedding to Bachelor star Wells Adams is inching closer and closer and the actress is getting her entourage ready for her wedding. Sarah recently invited a few of her gal pals over for brunch, and it’s here where she asked them to be her bridesmaids.

    Sarah chose a cute gift box to ask her friends. On the inside of the lid to the boxes, it read, ‘Will you be my bridesmaid? Love, Sarah’, which included her maid of honour as well.

    Earlier in October, Hyland asked her longtime friend and fellow actress, Vanessa Hudgens, to be one of her bridesmaids by sending Hudgens a sweet gift box. Hudgens shared the surprise with her followers on her Instagram stories. It consisted of a beautiful wooden box engraved with Hudgens’s first name and adorned with a white ribbon and decorative green and gold leaves.

    If you are preparing to ask your chosen friends/family to be your bridesmaids, but are feeling a bit uninspired, take a look at how actress Sarah Hyland popped the question:

     

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    By Larissa Vermeulen

    Feature image: Instagram / Sarah Hyland

    Traditionally significant, a delicious way to end your wedding, and utterly critical for all those with a sweet tooth, the cake selection is not to be trifled with.

    Take a look at some of these gorgeous, and equally delicious, wedding cake trends:

    Monochromatic Purple

    If you’re planning a wedding packed with sweet-loving people and serving the cake for dessert, then this trend is your dream. It’s simple: a stunning monochrome cake with fresh fruit and sweet treats spilling off the top.

    Cake by Just Baked – [email protected]

    Asymmetrical

    For anyone who likes to be a little different, here’s your wedding cake! Slightly less traditional, this is offset, which puts the attention on your wedding cake straight away. The flavours are 2019’s favourite combo: coconut and pineapple.

    Cake by Carmen Eksteen Patisserie – [email protected]

    Rectangular Floral

    Rectangle cakes are the new ‘it’ cake. This flamboyant beauty is covered in colourful, fluffy Swiss buttercream and studded with vibrant fresh flowers. The best part about this? It’s easy to cut and the slices look simply gorgeous.

    Cake by Sweet Lionheart / www.sweetlionheart.com

    Black Cylinder

    If you’re saving your money for an unforgettable honeymoon, think about an elegant and petite option – you can still stick to tradition without having to pay for a large, expensive cake. A dark, dramatic cylinder one such as this is the ultimate statement too.

    Cake by Shake ‘N Bake – [email protected]

    As seen in Wedding Album Magazine 1/2019 issue. Out now!

    Styling by Chiara Turilli
    Photography by Samantha Pinto
    Photography assistant: Sean Dollery

    Celebrations are best enjoyed with a glass of bubbly…or in this case, a black salt pineapple cocktail or a citrus whisky tonic. We’re here to help you reinvent your wedding cocktails, so our Wedding Etc food team is sharing their original cocktail recipes.

    Oh yes, let the party begin!

    Vodka & Pineapple Cocktail With Black Salt Rim

    Makes: 6 cocktails
    Difficulty: Easy

    Tropical flavours are such a popular trend right now – we’ve glammed this up with the dark and mysterious black salt. The pineapple, paired with the mineral undertones of the black salt, creates a deliciously refreshing drink.

    INGREDIENTS
    6 cups pineapple juice
    300ml Anestasia Vodka
    12 blocks ice
    12 tsp black salt
    1 pinch salt
    To serve
    6 large slices of pineapple
    6 pineapple leaves from the crown

    METHOD
    1. Combine the pineapple juice, vodka and ice in a cocktail shaker or in a large jug. Stir and allow to chill while you prepare the glasses.
    2. Dip the rim of the glass in a small saucer filled with some pineapple juice, coating the rim.
    3. Pour the black salt into another saucer, and roll the rim of the glass in the salt, allowing it to stick to the pineapple juice
    4. Once the glasses are ready, pour the cocktail into the glass and add a pinch of black sea salt to each glass.
    5. Serve the cocktail with a large slice of pineapple and garnish with one of the leaves from the crown.

    Spumanté & Pomegranate Cocktail

    Makes: 6
    Difficulty: Easy

    What is Spumanté, you’re wondering? It is a lovely, slightly sweet wine, with a fruity and floral undertone – and a lively sparkle! Paired with the sharp flavour of the pomegranate juice, this is a balanced and invigorating cocktail.

    INGREDIENTS
    1 bottle Ovation Spumanté, chilled
    6 tsp honey
    2 pomegranates, thinly sliced
    ½ cup pomegranate juice

    METHOD
    1. Divide the Spumanté between the glasses, and add 1 tsp of honey per glass. Stir to combine.
    2. Garnish the edge of the glass with a thin slice of the pomegranate
    3. Just before serving, pour a small amount of pomegranate juice into each drink.
    4. Serve chilled.

    Citrus Whiskey Tonic

    Makes: 6 cocktails
    Difficulty: Easy

    Use any citrus juice you fancy for this drink – it really depends on how sweet or sour you like it. For a sparkling and glamorous finish, add a small pinch of edible gold glitter to the glasses.

    INGREDIENTS
    24 blocks ice
    300ml American Barrels Bourbon whiskey
    4 cups tonic
    1 tbsp citrus juice (orange, grapefruit or lemon juice)
    To serve
    6 small pinches of edible gold glitter

    METHOD
    1. Divide the ice between 6 glasses, and top up with a double shot of bourbon in each glass.
    2. Finish the cocktail by filling the glass with the tonic, and stir in a tablespoon of the citrus juice.
    3. Serve immediately.

    Gin, Berry & Lime With Cashew Snack Bucket

    Serves/Makes: 4
    Difficulty: Easy

    The small snack bucket in the cocktail is a fun way to keep your guests satisfied while the couple is getting their photos taken. You can add any snacks you like!

    INGREDIENTS
    300ml Flowstone Bushwillow Gin
    4 cups strawberry juice
    To serve
    6 cups crushed ice
    1 ½ cups fresh raspberries
    3 limes, halved and flesh removed
    1 ½ cup raw cashews

    METHOD
    1. Combine the Flowstone Bushwillow Gin and the strawberry juice together, stirring thoroughly.
    2. To serve, fill 6 glasses with the crushed ice and place a few fresh raspberries into each glass.
    3. Pour the cocktail over the crushed ice.
    4. To garnish, settle the halved lime into the crushed ice and fill with a quarter cup of cashews.
    5. Serve immediately.

    Honey Bubbles

    Serves/Makes: 5 glasses
    Difficulty: Easy

    This trend is new to SA, but really ancient. Mead is a wine made from fermented honey, creating a distinct flavour like nothing you know.

    INGREDIENTS
    1 Bottle of Melaurea Mead Methode Traditionelle, chilled
    To serve
    6 small pieces of honeycomb

    METHOD
    1. Divide the Melaurea Mead between 5 glasses.
    2. Garnish the side of each glass with a small piece of honeycomb.

    As seen in Wedding Album Magazine 1/2019 issue. Out now!

    Photographer: Andreas Eiselen
    Photographer’s assistant: Sean Dollery
    Stylist: Chiara Turilli
    Stylist assistant: Brad Botha, Kate Turner and Elizabeth Mackenzie

    We all need a little help sometimes, especially when it comes to planning your wedding and everything that goes along with it. Thanks to digital apps and tools, it is now easier than ever to get the help you need and stay organised. Have a look at 10 of our favourite wedding planning apps and tools:

    1. Joy – Wedding App & Website

    Are you looking for an app that will save you time, money, and efficiently get things done? Joy wedding app and website is your one-stop-shop for a personalised wedding planning experience. You can manage guest lists and create a checklist of all the things that need to be done before your big day. In addition to the impressive features this app offers, you also have the option to create a wedding website directly from the app.

    2. Google Calendar

    Time management is often overlooked when planning an event but is an important factor in ensuring that things go as planned. With your big day fast approaching, you want to alleviate all the pressure that comes with leaving things to the last minute. With Google Calendar you can plan all your meetings and customise your reminders. This way, you never forget anything and you’re always on time.

    3. From9AM Beauty

    From9am is your one-stop online shop for all things health and beauty in South Africa.  Quality products made locally and imported are available for online purchase, this includes makeup, eye, Lip, face, hair, body and feet products catering for all types of consumers! Shop the From9am.com beauty destination for makeup brush sets, blush and powder brushes, beauty blenders, makeup bags, tweezers, foundation, eyeshadows, palettes, eye makeup, lashes, concealers, contours, highlighters, bronzers, primers, setting sprays, face, body and feet products + so much more!

    4. My Wedding Table Planner

    Seating arrangements can prove to be one of the more challenging tasks when planning a wedding. You need to consider all the family drama that comes with it and keep everyone happy at the same time. With Table Planner, you can easily add as many guests as you like and shift them around to accommodate your venue size. This way, you have a broad view of what the seating arrangement will look like in your venue. You also have the option of allowing the app to create a generic seating plan and track RSVPs.

    5. Happy Couple

    Months leading up to the wedding, you and your partner may experience an overload of stress that can lead to a build-up of tension between you two. Happy Couple is an app that promotes relationship strengthening through quizzes and friendly gaming. You and your partner will get to know each other better and reassure your compatibility for years to come.

    6. GoodBudget – Budget Planner

    Without a proper budgeting plan, your big day might leave you in a financial pickle. Goodbudget is a user-friendly app that allows you to allocate expenses for everything that you need. Once you have a budget set in place you can shift expenses around to ensure that you are not overspending in certain areas and neglecting others, maintaining a balance is key to success.

    7. A wedding registry

    This fairly new concept amongst young couples has made gift buying so much easier. Not only do you save your friends and family from spending hours in the mall looking for a suitable gift, but drawing up a registry also guarantees that you will get the gifts you want and need. Several stores offer the option of creating an online registry. Yuppiechef, Mrp Home and Woolworths also have online stores to make things easier. Your guests can visit their website, enter your registry details and shop without having to leave the comfort of their homes.

    8. Google Drive

    Planning a wedding takes an army. Instead of the constant back and forth with different vendors and planners, centralise all the information with Google drive. As things progress, you have the option of adding notes and comments to keep everyone updated.  Easily share your wedding planner folder and everyone will have access to it. Simple yet effective.

    9. Airbnb

    With so much to do before your wedding, you’ve barely given your honeymoon a second thought. But once the excitement dies down after your big day, we are almost certain that you and your partner will need some time away to rest and enjoy each other’s company. Airbnb offers unique experiences and accommodations for every type of budget and occasion. The app also allows direct contact with the host of the venue you will be staying at to ensure that your stay goes as smooth as possible.

    10. Facebook

    It might sound crazy, but Facebook has become the modern-day yellow pages. There is almost nothing you can’t find on there. From dressmakers to wedding venues, Facebook is a central place for vendors and ideas. Your friends can share recommendations with you and you can get their opinions of things as well.  Embrace the age of digital planning.

    By Aadilah Hallam

    Image: Unsplash

    Fruit and vegetables as decor have been trending for a while now, but a few new takes on the trend have surfaced more recently. We take a look at some wonderful ways you can incorporate food into your decor:

    Why not add beautiful kumquats, oranges or grapes into your table arrangements to give them added intrigue and beauty? It’s a wonderful addition to a bouquet as well, especially in an outdoor wedding setting.

     

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    Fruit and vegetables can also add lovely pops of colour and freshness to your table runner and are also a great way to dress a harvest table. What better way to complement your wedding venue than by featuring grapes in your decor if your wedding is located on a vineyard, citrus and stone-fruit in an orchard setting, or even tomatoes for an Italian location wedding.

     

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    A new trend we have recently come across is the statement fruit sculptures designed by Slippery Spoon Kitchen, which offer a super fun design element to a tropical-themed wedding. It’s a great way to complement any other bold colours and design ideas you may want to feature at your wedding.

     

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    Hanging dried fruit installations are a cool and unique alternative to floral installations, and provide an instant visual impact to your wedding reception. If you want to reserve some space on your tables, hang your floral or fruit decor from the ceiling.

     

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    By Elizabeth Mackenzie

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    Guys won’t admit it, but we are pretty sure they spend just as much time on grooming their beard as a woman would spend doing their make-up. We’re not here to judge, after all, self-care is crucial! Instead, we’re here to offer a few tips and tricks to aid in growing and maintaining that luscious facial hair.

     

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    Patience is a virtue

    Just like a fine wine, growing your beard takes time, and the longer you wait, the better it will be for you to work with. Avoid unnecessary trims, shaves and being fidgety – patience is the number one thing that is needed to make it grow. This should take about 4 – 6 weeks, depending on how fast or slow your hair grows.

    Necessary tools

    A good beard starts with the basic tools. Beard oils to soften the hairs and to avoid irritated skin, a beard brush to comb the oils through and keep your beard tangled-free, and lastly, a set of trimming scissors to cut those stray hairs and keep them in check with the rest of your beard.

    TRY: Red Dane Two-Phase Nourishing Oil

    Mug wash

    A beard is not only about the hair, but the skin underneath as well. Within the early stages of your beard growth plan, wash and condition your beard daily. This means washing it properly with your face wash and then working in that aforementioned oil from root to tip. Also, be sure to include an exfoliant weekly that can help remove the dead skin cells and avoid that awful itchy beard sensation.

    TRY: Cowshed Bullocks Refining Facial Scrub

    Vitamins & proteins

    Yes, seems like a weird tip to include in the list, however, your beard hair relies on the necessary B vitamins which include B5, B3 & B9. A good diet will not only do your health wonders, but your beard too.

    Beard-in-training

    Regular combing and maintenance are a way of helping the beard hairs stay in place and grow in the direction you need them to. Combing them will ensure the hairs are straightened to some degree, and using a beard wax or oil daily will also ensure the hairs are tamed. Before you know it, your beard will grow exactly how it needs to.

    TRY: Hairy Eye Average Joe Beard Balm

    By Yashna Balwanth

    Feature image: Unsplash

    Make-up is a great way to enhance your natural beauty but having great skin is the first step to achieve that undeniable glow. Attaining a natural glow may seem like just a dream but rest assured, it’s more real than you think. Have a look at these juices that will give you that wedding glow.

    What should be in your glowing juices?

    Carrots

    This vegetable contains vitamins C and A, which reduces skin inflammation and helps reduce pigmentation, uneven skin tone and blemishes.

     

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    Beetroot 

    As with carrots, beetroot also contains high levels of vitamin C, which helps to brighten skin and reduce inflammation and angry skin.

     

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    Tomato 

    This superfood is very high in antioxidants. Because of this, it helps to combat free radicals and the harmful effects of the sun.

     

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    Pomegranate 

    This fruit boosts the production of collagen and elastin, which nourishes the skin and in return makes the skin glow. It also contains those famous antioxidants.

     

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    Spinach 

    The leafy greens contain high amounts of iron and vitamin C which means, you guessed it, an antioxidant boost of note.

     

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    Ginger

    This root helps rejuvenate the skin. It reduces inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.

     

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    Apples 

    Besides keeping the doctor away, this fruit is known to calm the skin and provide a lot of nutrients. They also contain ample amounts of vitamin A and C.

     

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    Water
    It goes without saying, but water helps to hydrate your skin from within. Optimal hydration means fresh, bouncy skin that replenishes tissue quicker than drier skin.
    What’s the take? 

    Fruits and vegetables are a great way to achieve a natural glow on your wedding day. Make sure they’re high in antioxidants and you’ll be glowing in no time. Just remember to start at least a week before the wedding for any juice to be effective. The sooner you start, the better the results!

    Feature image: Unsplash