We’re taking things to the east with some Indian bridal inspo! Feast your eyes on these gorgeously detailed outfits from some of our favourite international designers.
Images: instagram.com
It seems like an easy option to hire a professional to take care of all the stressful wedding planning while you sit back and supervise, but is it really worth it? There a quite a few advantages and disadvantages to hiring a wedding planner, so we’re here to help you navigate what will be best for you.
THE PROS
1. Your wedding will have the magical touch of an expert giving it that extra flair for beauty and glamour.
2. Planners often know the local market, and already have a contact list of reliable vendors lining up to make your big day amazing. It may be more challenging to do this on your own without prior knowledge or contacts.
3. Everything down to the last detail will be taken care of, with your input of course. This is a big help when you are short on time.
THE CONS
1. Wedding planners’ services can be extremely costly, and if you choose to go for a cheaper option, you may just end up sacrificing quality as well.
2. You won’t be in full control. This can be especially difficult to handle when you have a certain vision in mind, but try to remember that the wedding planner also wants you to have the perfect day.
3. The experience of planning a wedding is a special one, and to allow someone else to take charge can often leave you feeling distanced and uninvolved in the process. This can be disappointing, especially if you feel that your day lacks a personal touch.
Ultimately the choice to (or not to) hire a wedding planner is all yours. If you feel that you may be keen to use a wedding planner for your special day, book consultations with well-known and reliable agencies. But if it’s not for you, try to get others involved in helping you make your dream a reality, as it can become quite overwhelming to do everything yourself.
Image credit: @parisalacarte (Instagram)
Picture this. It’s your big day in a few months time and you feel completely torn between whether you want to stick to tradition or scrap it all and reinvent a whole new wedding style. Not to worry, we’re breaking down the standard options to provide alternatives to wedding traditions to leave behind and give a variety of options and creative ways to celebrate with your loved ones.
THE WHITE DRESS
While regarded as a symbol of purity, the traditional white wedding dress only became popular after Queen Victoria opposed the norm by wearing a white lace and satin gown for her wedding with Prince Albert in 1840. It is still a popular option for many brides today, but definitely has room for change. If you want to be daring and different, opt for colours like red, black or gold. Pastels of blue, pink, cream and grey have also become stunning options that break tradition.
Image: @gracephilipsbridal
THE BOUQUET
Some believe that bridal bouquets were used to mask the stench of the brides, who only showered once or twice a year before running water was a norm. But brides would also carry herbs and spices to protect themselves from evil spirits. While it may seem odd to walk down the aisle empty-handed, there are plenty alternatives to holding a bunch of flowers. Make a glamorous entrance carrying a matching clutch purse, or be unique with themed balloons or coloured ribbon. Having an outdoor wedding? Carry a stunning custom umbrella to match your dress.
Image: @philipjamesphotography
GIVEN AWAY
A standard norm for weddings is for the bride to be walked down the aisle by her father to be ‘given away’ to her future husband. In older times, this was a symbol of transferring ownership of the bride from her current family to her new family. While still a common practice, modern times have seen brides walk down the aisle alone, with both parents, or a close loved one.
Image: @event.life.entertainment
BRIDESMAIDS
Way back in the day, bridesmaids would dress similarly to the bride to confuse evil spirits and anyone trying to harm the bride. Nowadays, they are a group of women hand-picked by the bride-to-be to offer support and perform certain bridal duties. Even if you aren’t too keen on this tradition, it’s a great idea to have a group of close friends by your side to offer support assistance in planning your big day, and their outfits can be unique too!
Image: @ranch_505
BOUQUET & GARTER TOSS
This interesting tradition began (supposedly) as a way to distract the wedding guests while the happy couple engaged in the consummation of their marriage. Strange, right? Nowadays the throwing of the bouquet and garter are meant to bring luck and love to whoever catches them. While this can be a fun treat, it can also be slightly embarrassing for all the singletons taking part. Wedding games that include everyone are fun and creative. Have the bride and groom participate in a ‘How Much Do You Know About Your S/O’ for some light-hearted entertainment during the evening.
Image: @sofiakatherinephotography
Traditions are always changing, as do their meanings in our lives. Whether you choose to follow tradition or not, it shouldn’t be an issue for your big day. Whatever a practice means to you, it should only be a part of your day because you want it to be. Don’t feel pressured to follow the norms if you don’t agree with them or value them in your own life. Your wedding day is all about you and the celebration of love!
Header image: @lovemydress
Photography: instagram.com
It’s 2018, and we’re moving into a time where people and fashion are letting go of the norms and setting new trends by unapologetically being themselves. Whether you completely reject gender stereotypes or don’t prescribe to the binary, we’re here to provide you with some gender-free fashion inspo for your wedding wardrobe.
Take a look at some of our favourite androgynous fashion choices this season.
You can never go wrong with a classic suit and chic prints.
All-black is always a winner.
Mix up touches of femininity and masculinity for a balanced look that will leave everyone gushing.
Be unique and incorporate alternative and modern styles for your big day.
Statement pieces paired with classic styles elevate your wardrobe in amazing ways.
Header image: @nicotortorella
Photography: instagram.com
You’re getting married and you feel on top of the world. The last thing you need is to glance in the mirror to find an unappealing spot staring back at you. It creates immediately panic! But don’t despair, we’ve got some last minute tips to get rid of pimples before your big day.
1. HOT WATER
Take a clean towel and immerse it in hot water. Then place it directly over your pimple. This immediately opens up your pores, allowing a mild cleanser to do a proper job immediately afterwards. Wait 30 minutes, and you should see a massive difference.
2. ICE CUBES
Take an ice cube and place it on your pimple for 5-10 minutes. Once the time is up, you will notice that the swelling and redness has been reduced. If you are still unhappy with the results the next day, a good concealer and foundation will get the job done once the swelling is taken care of.
3. TOOTHPASTE
Another age-old trick is applying toothpaste to the affected area. Take a pea-sized amount and apply it over a pimple. Leave it on overnight and wash your face with cold water the next morning.
4. GARLIC
Garlic (a natural antibiotic) will get rid of pesky spots overnight. Grab a clove and make slits in it to release the juice. Rub it all over your pimple and the surrounding area, and voila!
Photography: pinterest.com
Something that is (slowly) becoming a trend, but still offers a unique impression for your guests, is your very own tailor-made wedding website. It is a platform which would showcase your engagement photos and story, the wedding date, time, location and any other need-to-know information. You can also include cute quirks like a wedding day countdown or a short biography of you and your SO. Whatever it is you want, you can make it happen – with the help of a few local experts.
There is an increasing number of companies which specifically cater to wedding website packages. Creating yours is an extremely fun and interesting task, and is also a great way to spend some quality time with your other half.
Shift events in Cape Town offers three different packages (Standard, Advanced and Bespoke), each including a set of services and quirks your website could offer. You can even organise to send your invitations online, have guests RSVP, and even allow your guests to book their accommodation.
This is an affordable online wedding invitation site which also offers multiple packages for you to create the perfect wedding couple’s website. With many features and custom designs to choose from, and a communication system that sends out SMS alerts, you are sure to have everyone gushing over your big day.
Stunning creations come to life with The Wedding Website, a business dedicated to creating timeless and elegant web pages for brides and grooms to showcase their special day. You will have the opportunity to showcase your engagement, bridal party, add details about your gift registry, and to share all your hopes and dreams with those you love through a unique website.
If you are looking for something simple, My Big Event offers a standard package with add-ons so that can pick and choose all the stunning features you want to include on your website. Besides the staple RSVP option, images and wedding information, they also offer adorable free printables for guest lists, save-the-date cards and mini wedding planners.
OR YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF
If you’re not in the market for something too extravagant, and if you have the time and are feeling creative, you can create a website yourself through free options like WordPress or WIX (which has wedding website templates on hand). It will be a challenge, but a great opportunity to learn a new skill and to save some bucks while still adding vision to your site.
Photography: @shiftevents_za on Instagram
Can’t decide on a shoe for your big day? We have some tips to help you choose the perfect pair of shoes for your wedding that will make the decision that much easier.
1. TAKE YOUR DRESS INTO CONSIDERATION
Stumbled upon your dream wedding shoes but haven’t bought your dress yet? We recommend wait a little before snatching them up because you want your shoes to complement the dress. If the length of your dress is shorter, then your shoes need to make a statement – go for a pop of colour or a shoe with some glitz and glam. If your dress length is on the longer side wear shoes that are comfortable and simple.
2. KNOW YOUR VENUE
Much like checking the weather before you step outside in the correct pair, the venue you’re having your wedding at should influence the type of heel and heel height you wear. Trust us, you don’t want to find yourself wearing pencil-thin stilettos anywhere near grass, rough paving or lots of stairs.
4. COMFORT FIRST
Always prioritise comfort. Always. If your shoes are hurting you and all you can think about is taking them off, then is having them really worth it? Go for a lower heel or a block heel so there’s less pressure on the balls of your feet. Choosing this option also means you will be able to stand a lot longer and be able to dance the night away with ease! And if you really must have that dream pair, shop a fancy pair of flats as well, in case you need backup halfway through the event.
4. THE REAL TEST COMES AFTER YOU BUY THEM
If your shoes can be returned, a good way to test whether they’re a good fit is to wear them – standing – for at least an hour (indoors, ideally on a clean surface). Take them grocery shopping or cook your dinner in them one night. If you find it too difficult, they may not be the shoes for you.
A bold suit, bright shirts and graphic accessories combine for wedding attire that’s anything but boring.
Shirt, Zara; jacket, CSquared; tie, Topman; tie pin, Robert Daniel
Shirt and trousers, both CSquared; jacket with lapel pin, River Island
Shirt, Robert Daniel; jacket and trousers, both CSquared; boutonnière, Fabulous Flowers; shoes, stylist’s own
Leo wears: Shirt, River Island; jacket, H&M; shorts, Zara; bow tie, Robert Daniel; lapel pin, CSquared; shoes, Call it Spring
Samuel wears: Shirt and shorts, both Zara; jacket, H&M; bow tie, River Island; lapel pin, CSquared; shoes, Tread+Miller
Leo wears: Shirt, H&M; jacket, CSquared; trousers, Topman; tie, River Island
Samuel wears: Shirt and trousers, both Topman, vest, CSquared; jacket, River Island; tie, stylist’s own; pocket square, Robert Daniel
Trousers, Zara; shoes, Tread+Miller
Fashion: Kim Mitha-Coe
Photography: Gareth van Nelson
*Products subject to availability
Do you know which scent you want to wear on your big day? No? Choose a wedding fragrance that’s as fun, flirtatious or sensual as you are. Here are some of our favourites.
1. Jimmy Choo Illicit EDP (100 ml) – A provocative juice with seductive notes of bitter orange, sambac jasmine and honey amber.
2. Azzaro Pour Elle Extrême EDP (75 ml) – Warm, sensual and deeply enveloping, this elegant scent is an evening delight.
3. Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Rosé EDP (100 ml) – For something that’s simply sparkling, this fruity floral is fun and just a little flirtatious.
4. Repetto Eau Florale EDT (80 ml) – A pretty pink juice with feminine notes of grapefruit, plum blossom and rose.
5. Oscar de la Renta Oscar Velvet Noir EDP (100 ml) – Classic and sexy with beautiful notes of osmanthus, ginger and warm amber.
6. Dunhill Icon Absolute EDP (100 ml) – A modern-day ode to all things woody and spicy for the discerning and stylish groom.
7. Giorgio Armani Armani Code Profumo Pour Homme (60 ml) – Perfect for the classic gentleman, a scent with a decidedly rich and sophisticated air.
SA Weddings and Alexa Lily have teamed up to create the ultimate wedding planner for brides-to-be! Your Bridal Edit contains all the necessities a bride will need to plan her big day. It is also the first planner to hit the South African Market.
‘We are incredibly happy that we could partner with a company such as Alexa Lily and create such a magical product for brides-to-be. We’ve seen a gap in the market and we know that this planner will go a long way in helping a bride plan her dream wedding with little stress and so much enjoyment – as it should be,’ says Katherine Ballantyne from SA Weddings
This incredible planner will help any bride plan her special day in the most simplified way. Think of it as one book that will capture all your to-do lists as well as any other essential planning information.
So what can you expect from Your Bridal Edit?
1. Invaluable advice from top wedding industry professionals
2. An undated calendar year planner (so you can start using Your Bridal Edit anytime of year – right when you get engaged!)
3. Monthly wedding to-do check-ins
4. A large space on every weekly spread to write your wedding related notes and to-dos
5. An incredible MY WEDDING divider with all the content, checklists, and things to remember that you might need to plan your wedding (think space to write down your bridal party names and measurements, your service providers’ details, a two page spread to plan your wedding budget, helpful advice on putting together your seating arrangements, space to write down your important wedding songs, and many many checklists that you never knew you needed)
Shop it here!