Wedding ETC, Author at Wedding ETC

In Advice

Top 10 bridesmaid dress trends of 2019

December 13, 2018 No Comments

The 2019 trends are here, and we are so excited to see what the new year has in store! When it comes to bridesmaid dress styles, modern themes are taking over with new and fresh looks that will give your bridal party a total make-over.

1. ONE SHOULDER

We’ve seen the return of this trend in everyday wear, and can’t help but swoon over the sophisticated style it brings in a bridesmaid gown.

2. TWO PIECES

Stunning two-piece sets allow your bridesmaids to mix and match their looks to your theme. This choice adds a playful side to your bridal party and is suited to a summer wedding.

3. DRAMATIC SLEEVES

Tie, cap and flared sleeves are all taking the wedding fashion scene by storm with their cute and playful appearances. Whether it’s dramatic flair or a statement you’re after, you are sure to find a creative sleeve style to suit your theme and bridal party look.

4. VELVET

Velvet fabric creates a subtle sultry aesthtic that, when paired with jewel tones, lets your bridal party flourish like royalty.

5. ROYAL SHADES

The royal weddings of 2018 have set the standard for wedding trends this 2019. Rich and textured shades of emerald green, mustard yellow and ruby red are major statements this season.

6. MESH

Sheer overlays flowing to the floor give your bridesmaid dresses an air of romance and grace that is both feminine and flattering.

7. WRAP DRESSES

Classic and elegant, the wrap dress is a suitable option for all of your bridesmaids. If you’re planning your wedding for the spring of 2019, this look will fit your bridal party perfectly.

8. SHORT DRESSES

Short and tea-length dresses detailed with tulle and pleated skirts create a fun and playful look that is also chic and reminiscent of ’50s styles.

9. EMBROIDERY

The reincorporation of various textures into fashion has led to styles like embroidery being brought back in new and creative ways. Let this age-old method take over your bridal party look in a gorgeous update that is modern and elegant.

10. JUMPSUITS

Some bridesmaids will be skipping the dresses altogether in favour of sophisticated and modern jumpsuit styles. They’re comfortable, fashion-savvy and your bridal party can wear them past your wedding day.

Images: Pinterest

In Advice

Which one of these DIY seating charts is perfect for you?

December 13, 2018 No Comments

The RSVPs are in and you’ve finally figured out where everyone is going to sit, now it’s time to come up with a creative way to relay the information to your guests. Equipped with one of these DIY seating charts, you’ll be good to go!

1. THE SEATING CHART/WEDDING FAVOUR COMBO

Combining your seating chart with your wedding favours is an amazing way to save both time and money.

Cacti, Stodels

2. STAY ON TREND WITH COPPER CREATIVITY

If you particularly like the metallic trend, this is totally up your alley. Use copper piping to assemble a sturdy frame. Hang string or ribbon from the frame, and then attach the seating cards for each table. Decorate with some greenery and place in a prominent position.

Copper pipe, Builders; greenery, Fabulous Flowers; stationery, Lezanne’s Designs

3. MOTIF MAGIC

Group your tables to correspond with your theme. Print cards with the different categories and pin to a gorgeous board outside the venue.

Stationery, The Pink Collection

Styling: Francoise Jeanne de Villers
Photography: Gareth van Nelson

*All products subject to availability

In Advice

5 ways to avoid a family takeover at your wedding

December 12, 2018 No Comments

Letting your family help out with all the wedding planning can be fun, exciting, and a relief. But they can often become too involved and start taking over, causing unnecessary drama and stress before the big day. It’s important to set some boundaries while still letting your loved ones know that their help is appreciated, which is why we’ve come up with simple solutions to getting everyone involved without it turning into a family takeover,

1. KEEP IT SPECIFIC

Assign your family members certain tasks to complete, making sure they keep you informed with their progress. This can be anything from making invitations to table decorations, leaving you to sort out the bigger decisions.

2. COMMUNICATION

Keep in contact with your family about your decisions and the progress of the wedding planning. This will allow them to feel like they are a part of it all, and that you value their opinion. It’s also important to speak up when you are unhappy, but approach it in a calm and gentle way.

3. COMPROMISE

If your parents are footing some of the bill, they’ll want to have a say in some of the arrangements. Welcome their ideas, but also explain your and your fiancée’s vision for your wedding before you get started.

4. GET YOUR WEDDING PLANNER INVOLVED

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with pressure from all sides, get your wedding planner to step in and act as a buffer between you and your family. This will also give them the opportunity to update everyone on the wedding progress and what plans are in place to achieve your vision.

5. OFF LIMITS

Keep certain aspects of the wedding planning decisions off limits. This doesn’t mean you can’t involve your family or keep them in the loop, but be strictly clear that it is for you to decide. This can be about your guest list, the dress, or wedding cake. To counter any protests, give your family something they are passionate about, such as the catering or wedding stationery.

Image: Unsplash

In Fashion

Lookbook: Dresses perfect for a tropical wedding

December 12, 2018 No Comments

Step into the jungle for a style transformation of eye-catching colours, feathers, exaggerated skirts and fringes, and deluxe detailing, perfect for a tropical wedding.

Dress, Elbeth Gillis; earrings and ring, both Jangi

Dress, Anna Georgina; shawl, Kobus Dippenaar; earrings, Pichulik

Dress, Stefania Morland; ring, Jangi

Top, Janita Toerien; skirt, Ilse Roux Bridal Wear; necklace, Jangi

Bodysuit, Anna Georgina; skirt, Gavin Rajah

Top, Stefania Morland; skirt, Janita Toerien; earrings; Jangi; heels, Aldo

Dress, Elbeth Gillis; cape, Gavin Rajah; necklace, Jangi; arm cuff, Call it Spring

Dress, Gavin Rajah; rings, Jangi

Header image: Top, Zara; skirt, Elbeth Gillis; bracelet, Jangi

Fashion: Jodi Cohen
Photography: Gareth van Nelson
*All products subject to availability

In Advice

My pre-wedding skincare routine: A celeb guest blog by Zakeeya Patel

December 10, 2018 No Comments

These days it’s not just their bodies that brides are getting into shape before the big day. Twelve months before my big day I consulted with several aesthetic doctors for a pre-wedding skincare routine and I absolutely fell in love with Dr Reddy from Medisculpt.

She wasn’t gung-ho to fill or botox me to ‘perfection’ which is why I adored her approach. Instead she analysed my skin and worked out a programme for the year ahead. Yes, I started my skincare routine a year before my wedding (one of the only things I did in advance) and the focus was on my pores and pigmentation.

For the first 6 months I alternated between gentle chemical peels and oxygen facials. In the last 6 months we started the famous Vampire facials, which we did every 8 weeks and the results were spectacular.

The week before my wedding I did an L.O.L facial. This was my absolute favourite! The results are immediate. A L.O.L facial is a Lift, Oxygen and Lights facial. Throughout my whole wedding weekend everyone kept saying, ‘You’re literally glowing you’re so happy’. Honestly, most of that glow was thanks to the L.O.L facial. In truth I was stressed out of my wit, barely eating and definitely not sleeping – all the worst demons for one’s skin.

No matter how good your make-up artist is, you cannot really cover bad skin and no matter how badly I was neglecting my body before the wedding, my skin remained flawless from the work we had done throughout the year.

In Decor

4 important things to think about when choosing wedding flowers

December 4, 2018 No Comments

Romantic, symbolic and a key part of any wedding, take your time when you are choosing wedding flowers and consider these 4 important factors.

1. THE FLORAL FORECAST

The time of year you choose to wed will play a role in your flower selection, but keeping an eye on the trends is equally important. According to Tangerine Moolman from Pink Energy Floral Design in Joburg, brides are taking their cue from nature, opting for more foliage. ‘A big trend on the rise is the use of lush greenery and plants, combined with either neutral colours or bright pops of colour.’

Josie van Aswegen from Fabulous Flowers in Cape Town agrees. ‘Brides are now opting for more ethereal arrangements in soft colours that create a botanical look, which is particularly beautiful for summer weddings,’ she says.

And don’t be afraid to buck tradition. While pastels and brighter colours have always been go-tos, there is a refreshing move towards cooler colours, with shades of blue making an impact – a great choice for seaside celebrations.

2. ARRANGED!

Once you have decided on your flowers for the day, pay attention to the design. Centrepieces are no longer the primary focus, with brides opting for more low-key table arrangements in favour of lavish bouquets.

Speaking of bouquets: Don’t think that yours needs to match the rest of the flowers on the day. In fact, bouquets are very personal and should reflect the spirit of the bride, says Josie. ‘The bride should carry the bouquet that she wants to carry on the day – without having to worry too much about the theme, as this can be worked into the bridesmaids’ bouquets.’

Tangerine agrees that the bride’s bouquet should be special, but cautions against making it too different. ‘While the bridal bouquet needs to stand out, it shouldn’t look like it belongs to another wedding,’ she says. An easy way to differentiate your bouquet from the rest of the flowers is in design, not necessarily colour.

If you want to make a statement with your bouquet, keep the floral arrangements and centrepieces at the ceremony and reception simpler. For those whose flowers are a big part of the decor, opt for understated, smaller bouquets or single stems.

3. BLOOMS ON A BUDGET

Choosing flowers that are in season is always a cost-saving solution. ‘Flowers that come in a great variety of colours and are available year-round include chrysanthemums, carnations, gerbera daisies, spray roses (usually smaller than a standard rose) and standard roses (not speciality roses),’ says Tangerine.

If you have your heart set on more exotic (and therefore more expensive) blooms, you can still stick to your budget with smart design choices. For instance, opt for bigger flowers such as orchids as opposed to peonies – it will take fewer of them to fill your space.

With greenery being a popular trend, consider incorporating more of it into your centrepieces and even bridal bouquet.

As a pocket-friendly centrepiece idea, Josie suggests using fewer stems in glass bottles interspersed with an abundance of greenery.

4. WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

As with most things wedding-related, it’s best to order more flowers so that you don’t come up short on the day. You may find yourself with an abundance of blooms left over, but they needn’t go to waste. ‘A nice idea is to put stickers underneath certain guests’ seats, and anyone with a sticker gets to take home a bunch of flowers,’ suggests Josie.

And bridesmaids’ bouquets are often forgotten about and left at the venue, so Tangerine recommends having a few vases placed near the head table where the bridesmaids can leave their bouquets, and hopefully remember to take them at the end of the evening. Find a way to make sure the flowers will be enjoyed the next day.

In Advice

Our top 8 wedding budget tips

November 30, 2018 No Comments

It’s no secret that weddings are a pricey affair – but our top 8 wedding budget tips will ensure yours doesn’t drain your funds.

1. A STITCH IN TIME

Believe us when we say that the months leading up to your big day will fly by, even quicker when you haven’t factored in as much planning as you’d expected. So while time may not be a tangible currency for exchange, it will save you plenty of stress and may even afford you reduced rates here and there if you book things such as the venue, entertainment, catering and honeymoon far enough in advance. You’ll thank us.

2. ALL IN

You’ll be surprised by how much you can save by selecting a venue with catering, drinks and equipment included, as opposed to booking these all through different providers. If the venue is catering, but charging a hefty price for the desserts, bring your own. ‘Bring your own desserts or sweets table,’ says Mikaila Beretta, a Cape Town events coordinator, ‘and take your venue’s menu option without the dessert. It’s more cost-effective and more fun for your guests.’ Ask about special rates during off-season to cut costs even further. Keeping the guest list short also means less work and expense.

3. IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Is your friend’s house just begging to be done up for a relaxed yet sophisticated reception? Does Uncle Richard have MasterChef skills he’s willing to offer for an unforgettable post-ceremony meal? Plenty of couples opt to get their loved ones involved in lieu of some type of a wedding gift – after all, if you’re saving money and getting the gift of a beautiful wedding, you can spend on items you really like for your new life as a married couple.

4. GO GREEN

‘The decor is usually expensive and can take up a lot of your budget if you aren’t aware of DIY options, which your planner should also be able to include and manage without the maximum cost,’ says Mikaila. Flowers often form a pretty large chunk of this expense. Luckily, there’s a super-stylish way to get around this budget nemesis: greenery like leaves, branches and creepers. Pinterest is your go-to resource, as it’s bursting with ideas of how to incorporate everything from delicious monster and banana leaves to olive branches into your decor and bridal-party bouquets. If you opt for a plant with smaller leaves, you can even use these as confetti.

5. YOU ARE (STYLISHLY) INVITED

Your parents may have had professionally printed card invitations with a patterned border and gold foiling, but that doesn’t mean you need to squeeze this (rather hefty) expense into your budget. Spend some time browsing the beautiful templates available online, then stock your home printer with good quality paper and you’re in business! Want to go eco-friendly? Digital invitations are the answer. For a small fee, you can customise your own invitations to be sent out via email, and track the RSVPs online AS an added perk!

6. FAVOUR FOR LESS

You’ll easily add extra expenses and another item to your to-do list when you start thinking about favours for your wedding retinue and guests. Keep things simple, especially if you have a large guest list, by tying sweets in pretty gauze bags, for example. Easy-peasy!

7. KEEP IT SIMPLE

Have your eye on a costly aisle runner? What about a scattering of pretty flower petals instead? Trying to fit design and printing costs for your programmes into the budget? The cost of 50-plus programmes, of which four will be taken home by the guests and the rest left on the floor to be trodden on? Probably not worth it.

8. SNAP HAPPY

The photography quality is one service you don’t want to skimp on. You want someone who will capture the true essence of your special day. Shop around before settling on a photographer – and you may be surprised by the reasonable prices you find along the way.

The way to get around forking out a big chunk of your wedding budget for this service? Keep the number of hours of service down to one or two.

In Weddings

Real wedding: The simple life with Kristin & Nicky

November 27, 2018 No Comments

Kristin Breytenbach and Nicky Rossouw roped in their families for a modest-meets-rustic wedding in the heart of the Cape Winelands.

THE VENUE

Winery Road Forest was a dream come true – unpretentious yet lovely and enchanting. I’d always wanted to get married in a forest and Winery’s Morne and Lize made our day special and easy.

THE THEME

There was no theme, but the venue and day were filled with things we love in a sort of mismatched rustic and enchanted way.

THE DRESS

Sharon Burrows is highly creative and worked tirelessly to accommodate all the features I envisioned for my bridal look.

THE DECOR

This was definitely a family effort. We hired a few props, such aschalkboards to write quotes on, from My Pretty Vintage, but the whole family pitched in, as did our friends. Sewing 560 bunting flags was no joke.

THE FOOD

Chef Martin De Cock of Diemersdal Farm Eatery was amazingly imaginative with our budget and informal tapas-style menu. He and his team created small fine-dining magic.

THE DETAILS

We roped everyone in on other small details of the day too: I loved making my own crown, Nicky’s mom made my earrings and bracelet and, together with his aunt, created my wild bouquet too. One of my bridesmaids even sewed my garter that morning (one of the ‘small’ things I almost forgot on the day).

THE FIRST DANCE

For King And Country has long been one of my musically talented husband’s favourite bands – and when we heard ‘This Is Love’, we just knew!

LITTLE BLACK BOOK

Venue & coordination: Winery Road Forest
Photography: Nikki van Diermen Photography
Dress: Sharon Burrows at Still White
Hair & make-up: Donna Taylor at Make-up Madonna
Rings: Prins & Prins
Groom’s suit: Zara
Lighting: The In Thing
Catering: Diemersdal Farm Eatery
DJ & sound: The Party Technician
Videography: Triplane Film Company
Hiring: My Pretty Vintage

In Advice

10 quirky wedding ideas perfect for summer

November 27, 2018 No Comments

Make your big day a fun and festive affair with exciting and thoughtful quirky wedding ideas perfect for a beautiful summer’s day!

1. A FLOWER WALL

A flower wall can create a stunning fixture for your guests to take photographs. Make sure to use bright summer blooms to suit your theme.

2. OUTDOOR GAMES

Let your guests bring out their inner child with fun outdoor games during the wedding reception. See our favourites here.

3. DRINK INFUSIONS

There’s nothing like fresh fruit infusions to quench your thirst under the hot sun. Set up a station with fresh and summery drink infusions where guests can fill up a glass every now and then.

4. FESTIVAL VIBES

Go full carnival for your big day with mini rides, food stalls and games your guests can take part in.

5. LANTERNS

Decorate the interior or exterior of your venue with paper lanterns for a stunning whimsical effect. You can even give your guests wish lanterns and send them off altogether in a beautiful display.

6. PICNIC TIME

If you plan on having an outdoor wedding, set up picnic blankets and pillows for guests to relax on the lawns.

7. BONFIRE BRAAI

Following the picnic theme, light a bonfire or braai as the evening gets cooler for your loved ones to socialise around, marshmallows included!

8. SCENTED CANDLES

Decorate your tables with scented candles with fragrant floral scents that act as both a sweet display and keep the bugs away.

9. ICE CREAM STATION

Spoil your guests with yummy frozen scoops of ice cream at an ice cream station to keep cool during your big day.

10. FIREWORKS

Celebrate your nuptials with an extravagant display of fireworks over your venue that will both enchant and excite your guests.

Images: Pinterest

In Advice

Should you serve a buffet or plated meal at your reception?

November 26, 2018 No Comments

One of the most difficult parts of planning your wedding food is deciding whether you want a buffet or plated meal. We’ve laid out the pros and cons so you can easily decide what’s best for you.

A PLATED MEAL

The facts

A plated meal is the more traditional meal option, where your guests are each served three courses, plus canapés before the reception. Caterers will usually give guests an option of two to three main meals (with a vegetarian option as one of them).

The pros

All of your guests get their food at the same time. Since you know what everyone is eating, caterers will only buy for that amount of people, which makes it a more cost-effective option. You can also plan the entertainment – dancing, speeches and any surprises –
in-between each course.

The cons

It needs more waitstaff, which can get expensive (if your wedding package includes servers, however, this won’t be a concern). And more than likely, you and your partner will choose options based on what you love to eat, which may not appeal to everyone.

A BUFFET

The facts

Self-serve stations are set up. You can also hire servers to stand behind each warmer and dish up for the guests, which tends to be more hygienic and controlled. It is the non-traditional, more casual catering option.

The pros

Fewer servers will be needed and you can cut catering costs. You will also be able to serve more food options – which is a good idea, considering all the allergies, diets and intolerances guests may have. It encourages guests to mingle and chat, creating a relaxing atmosphere before party time.

The cons

Whether tables take turns heading up to the buffet or a long line forms, your guests will have to queue and wait for their food. If the buffet is not included in your catering package, you will have to rent the tables, linen, serving platters and warmers, which can be costly. People will always dish up more if they serve themselves, and caterers know this – the extra food purchased will beef up your catering bill. Guests milling around carrying plates laden with food may not bring the sense of elegance to the occasion that most couples would like.

Image: Unsplash