Wedding ETC, Author at Wedding ETC

In Beauty

4 trendy nail ideas for the modern bride

November 20, 2017 No Comments

Having your nails done for your wedding day doesn’t mean your go-to choice has to be a French manicure. We know that it’s a timeless classic, but there are alternative trends that can definitely up your game. So we’ve put together these amazing nail ideas for the modern bride.

1. EMBELLISHED CUTICLES

This detailed look will immediately draw the eye to the cuticle, so first thing’s first, make sure they are in tip-top condition. Once that’s done, a neutral base in nudes, sorbet hues or even grey is key in making sure the detailing around your cuticle stands out. Apply your embellishment either to where the white crescents of your nails are or around your nail bed. You can use anything from silver glitter and gold polish to little gems. Just make sure it’s minimal and neat.

2. A GRAPHIC FRENCH MANI

Taking inspiration from the classic French, this graphic version incorporates colours and alternative designs for a modern revamp. Keep the length of your nails shorts and try to stick to only one or two colours in addition to your base coat. We love the idea of ivory with rose gold tips (to match your jewellery) as a perfect bridal look.

3. LADYLIkE NEUTRALS

Nothing screams ‘lady’ quite like a solid polish in a beautiful neutral shade. File your nails to an almond or oval shape, for an elongating effect, and coat them neatly with a rosy nude, a crisp white, a purply grey or a warm beige. This is soft and feminine and won’t take away from any of the other striking details in your overall look.

4. MODERN METALLICS

This creates an elegant and fun style that you can play with and alter according to how much bling you can handle. Try a solid coat in a pearlescent hue with a single vertical metallic stripe for a modest look, or go for a full-on gold foil over your base coat.

Photography: pinterest.com

In Fashion And Grooming

6 tips on how to pick a suit off the rack

November 15, 2017 No Comments

Guys, want to look like a million bucks in an off-the-rack suit? Theo Ngobeni, the founder of Mr Slimfit, a styling service that caters to some of SA’s biggest stars, gives his six top tips on how to pick a suit off the rack and ensure it’s tailored to your exact specifications.

1. The suit jacket should always fit well on your shoulders as it is very difficult for a tailor to alter this part.

2. There are three kinds of hems you could opt for. The first is the no-break, where your trousers end just under the ankle bone. The second is the half-break, which is usually a half-inch hem. The full-break is an inch hem. If you’ve got a slim-fit suit, opt for the no- or half-break.

3. Most stylish guys want their jackets to have that flattering ‘V’ shape. A common mistake tailors make in trying to create this is to take in the jacket at the middle seam at the back. Instead, ask your tailor to take in the seams that run above the vents of a double-vent jacket.

4. The length of your jacket is critical. If it’s too long, the shape of the jacket can be compromised if it’s shortened. If it’s too short, it can look altered if it’s extended. To get this right, stand up with your arms stretched out at your sides and make a fist. Your jacket should end at the base of your fist.

5. If your jacket is slim-fit, your trousers need to be too. Ask your tailor to taper them using the inside seam.

6. Make sure the trousers fit well at the waist. If the waist fits comfortably but the trousers are too tight around your thighs, rather choose a waist size up. It’s much easier for a tailor to bring in the waist than to give you more breathing room around your thighs.

Fashion & styling: Kim Coe
Photography: Gareth van Nelson/hsmimages.co.za

In Decor

Up, up and away! DIY balloon wedding arch

November 14, 2017 No Comments

Say your I-dos under this fresh, fun balloon wedding arch. Prepare the wire structure and balloons the day before, then just add greenery in the morning.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

6 m chicken wire
Florist’s wire
Wooden rods or fishing line
Florist’s foam
Balloons
Flowers and leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1

Roll your chicken wire lengthways into a tube and bend in the centre to create an arch. Keep the arch together by tying florist’s wire at intervals along it.

Step 2

If the arch is going outside, use sturdy wooden rods or poles to stand it upright. Insert one end of each rod into the ground at least 20 cm deep. Place the bottom ends of the arch over the rods and secure with florist’s wire. If the arch will be placed indoors, suspend it from the ceiling with fishing line.

Step 3

Insert bits of damp florist’s foam into the arch, ensuring they are hidden.

Step 4

Blow up as many balloons as you like (we used 150) and attach to the arch using florist’s wire.

Step 5

Insert your flowers and leaves into the foam, using florist’s wire to hold them in place.

Step 6

Cover any exposed florist’s foam with balloons or flowers.

In Advice

5 clever ways to cut costs on your wedding

November 9, 2017 No Comments

Love may not cost a thing – but a wedding usually does! Take the financial sting out of your big day with our 5 clever ways to cut costs.

By Jessica Baxter

1. GO OFF PEAK

Venues and service providers are usually more expensive in peak wedding season, so consider an off-peak wedding to cut costs. Alternatively, if you’ve always dreamt of a summer soirée, make it a mid-week affair, which may bring down the price substantially.

2. FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Catering can eat into your budget. Do your research on the cost of a buffet versus a plated meal. Another way to trim the fat is to limit the choices on the menu.

3. SCALE DOWN THE PHOTO SHOOT

Photographers tend to charge by the hour, so ask a friend or bridesmaid to take photos of you getting ready and hire the professional for the main event only.

4. THE DRESS

If you’ve had your eye on a designer gown that costs more than your car, consider hiring a dress or buying one on sale. You can also cast your net wider and browse regular stores for evening dresses.

5. BUDGET BLOOMS

Do you have a friend or neighbour with a beautiful garden? Ask them what’s in season when you get married and you may be able to forage flowers and foliage from their garden to use in your table arrangements. If you’re using a florist, specify seasonal flowers to keep the price down.

FIVE EXTRA WAYS TO STRETCH YOUR RANDS EVEN FURTHER

1. Keep the numbers small. Invite only close family and friends – the ones you know will be celebrating your 10-year wedding anniversary with you.
2. Choose e-vites instead of regular invitations – no postage, no printing costs.
3. Cut the entourage. Instead of having a bevvy of bridesmaids, choose one or two and ask other close friends to be involved by doing a reading or handing out the order of service.
4. Limit the bar. Offer only beer, cider and wine instead of a full bar service.
5. Choose a DJ instead of a band and ask them to play at both the ceremony and reception to get the most bang for your buck.

In Decor

10 paper craft ideas for your wedding

November 7, 2017 No Comments

Soft and tousled, straight-cut, crinkled or dyed, let these paper craft ideas in their myriad forms be a part of your wedding story.

1. A message notebook as a striking centrepiece

Paper flowers, Love Paper Sew

2. Add paper flowers to your stationery

Menu, invitation with envelope and RSVP card, table number, name tags, and paper flowers, all Chrystalace Wedding Stationery

3. Paper cones with confetti

4. Sweet treats adorned with paper flowers

Nougat, MaMère Confections; paper flower, Chrystalace Wedding Stationery

5. A paper bouquet

Paper flowers, Love Paper Sew; laser-cut leaves, stylist’s own

6. A paper garland

Paper garland, stylist’s own; paper flowers, Love Paper Sew

7. Cupcakes with windmills

Cupcakes each, Florentines Cakes; paper windmills, stylist’s own

8. Chinese lanterns

Paper Chinese lanterns, The In Thing

9. A paper cake topper

Cake, Florentines Cakes; cake topper, Chrystalace Wedding Stationery

10. Hand-written thank you notes for your guests

Thank-you tag, Chrystalace Wedding Stationery; pencil crayons, The Deckle Edge; lined napkin, stylist’s own

Decor: Rochelle Malherbe
Photography: Gareth van Nelson/hsmimages.co.za

In Music

4 ways to up your wedding entertainment

November 3, 2017 No Comments

In the market for something a little less ordinary for your wedding entertainment? Read on…

1. BELLY DANCER

Q. How can I make sure the belly dancer I hire will put on an age-appropriate performance, keeping in mind there will be grandparents and children in attendance?
A. Do your research before booking anyone. Look at their website for photos to make sure you approve of their costumes, and if you have access to any videos of their performances, watch those for an idea of what to expect.

Q. Will I pay more for a group performance?
A. The cost of a performance depends entirely on the company, but don’t expect a discount rate for group bookings.

Q. Is it better to hire more than one dancer?
A. For a wedding, especially a large celebration, you’ll make more impact hiring a group of belly dancers. More dancers mean more interaction with guests, as they can spread out and encourage audience participation.

Q. How long is a belly dancing show?
A. You can expect a belly dancer to perform for around 20–30 minutes.

2. FIRE JUGGLER

Q. Can I request a specially choreographed show for my wedding?
A. Every company is different, but most will offer you the choice of booking a group performance or a solo act, with the option of tailoring the show to suit your event.

Q. Do companies take care of insurance in the event something goes wrong or is it my responsibility?
A. Most companies should have insurance, but always check when booking, as you don’t want to have to pay for any damage to a venue should the unexpected happen.

Q. Do I need to get clearance from my wedding venue to hire a fire juggler?
A. It is advisable to check if the venue is happy to accommodate fire performers and if there are any restrictions on where they can perform

Q. Should I book the performance for the end of the night or during cocktail hour?
A. A fire show is a great way to end an evening, finishing the night’s celebrations with a bang. Keep in mind where the performance will take place, though. If you need more space or are required by the venue to be outdoors for the show, you may prefer to do it during the pre-reception drinks, rather than asking guests to leave the reception hall to watch the performance.

3. CARICATURIST

Q. How many guests can a caricature artist draw in an hour?
A. An experienced caricaturist may be able to draw as many as 20 guests in an hour.

Q. Where is the best place for the artist to work?
A. Most caricaturists are accustomed to drawing almost anywhere, but keep in mind that they will need good lighting. Seat them somewhere quiet so they can concentrate better.

Q. Do I need to provide the supplies?
A. Caricaturists will bring their own supplies, which will be included in their costing. For a little extra, you can ask them to personalise the paper.

Q. Can the caricature artist draw groups too?
A. Absolutely! In fact, it may be more fun drawing groups of people than individuals, plus it’s a nice way for guests to mingle with each other.

PHOTO BOOTH

Q. Do I provide the props?
A. Props are normally included in the price of the photo booth, but you can always bring a few of your own if you have something unique in mind.

Q. Do I pay by the hour or for the number of photos taken?
A. Most companies will offer different packages, and the price is often based on both the number of hours and the number of photos printed.

Q. Will there be dedicated staff manning the booth or do I need to provide someone?
A. There should be a staff member managing the photo booth, so you don’t have to worry about props going missing or packing up at the end of the evening.

Q. Do photo booths require electricity?
A. Yes, they do, so discuss with your venue prior to the wedding and arrange an appropriate position to set it up.

In Decor

DIY thank you shortbread biscuits

October 31, 2017 No Comments

Your guests will make short work of these scrumptious thank you shortbread biscuits. We love the idea of adding a personal touch to your wedding, and this is one of the easiest ways to do this.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED
250g butter, at room temperature
½ cup caster sugar, plus extra to dust
1 vanilla pod, seeds only
2 cups flour
½ cup cornflour
Custom-made rubber stamps
Biscuit cutters

METHOD
1. Have your rubber stamps made with the greetings of your choice (you can order stamps from rubberstampsa.co.za).
2. Preheat oven to 160°C and grease a 20 cm baking tray.
3. Beat the butter until soft, then beat in the caster sugar and vanilla seeds until light and fluffy. Mix in the rest of the ingredients to form a stiff dough.
4. Roll the dough out on the baking tray so you don’t have to move it afterwards and cut them with your cookie cutters. Stamp each one with your rubber stamp.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden. Remove from the oven and immediately dust with caster sugar.
6. Carefully remove the shortbread fingers from the tray and transfer to a wire rack to cool before serving.
7. Once they’ve cooled completely, you can put your biscuits in gift boxes or tie them up with cellophane and a pretty ribbon.

In Decor

Inspiration: A night sky themed wedding

October 17, 2017 No Comments

Celebrate in the warm glow of candlelight and seal your love with a kiss beneath a star-studded sky by taking inspiration from our night sky themed wedding.

THE STATIONERY

Rose-gold plate to hire, Plush Props; card and laser-cut engraved envelope, Secret Diary

Laser-cut engraved envelopes and silver perspex place cards, all Secret Diary; flowers, Fleur le Cordeur

ON THE TABLE

Flowers, Fleur le Cordeur; copper goblet, stylist’s own; purple goblet, glass carafe and copper votive holder, all to hire, Check My China; whisky glass and vintage gold underplate, both to hire, Exclusive Hire; rose-gold plate, crystal wine glass, rose-gold side plate, jug and rose-gold bowl, all to hire, Plush Props

Flowers, Fleur le Cordeur; Champagne glasses to hire, Plush Props and Exclusive Hire; brass mirror tray to hire, Check My China

Floral arrangement, Fleur le Cordeur; gold cutlery to hire and purple napkin, all Check My China; navy speckled plates to hire, Plush Props; silver perspex place card, Secret Diary; glasses from to hire, Exclusive Hire and Check My China

Purple goblet to hire, Check My China; crystal wine glass to hire, Plush Props; copper goblet, stylist’s own; black plate and navy embossed saucer both to hire, Plush Props; gold spoon to hire, Check My China; crystal sugar bowl, Exclusive Hire; cherry sorbet, Sorbetière

LIGHTING

Hanging flowers, Fleur le Cordeur; LED strings, The In Thing; bulbs, all Hoi P’loy; glass pendants, Weylandt

THE CAKE

Cake, Roxanne Floquet Cake Design; cake stand, supplier’s own; flowers, Fleur le Cordeu

FLOWERS

Floral arrangement, Fleur le Cordeur; chair, @home

Fashion: Rochelle Malherbe
Photography: Gareth Van Nelson/HSMimages.co.za

*Extracted from Wedding Album 2016-1; Products are subject to change

In Decor

DIY candle table runner

October 3, 2017 No Comments

Create a striking focal point with an elegant DIY candle table runner. From there you can soften the candle base with a spray of greenery.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED
4 cm × 4 cm pine strips, cut to the desired length
Drill with 10 mm drill bit
Whitewash
Paintbrush
Dinner candles
Glue gun

METHOD
1. Drill holes 2 cm deep and 7 cm apart along the length of each piece of wood.
2. Whitewash the wood (or leave natural if preferred).
3. Insert the candles and secure with a glue gun.

In Flowers

How to choose your wedding roses

September 26, 2017 No Comments

The perennially classic rose will always have a place in wedding florals. But with more than a hundred species of locally grown and imported blooms available, how do you know which ones to choose? Read on to find out how to choose your wedding roses.

By Jessica Baxter

COLOUR, SIZE AND FRAGRANCE

Perhaps the easiest way to narrow your search is to decide on your colour scheme, says Heike le Cordeur from Fleur le Cordeur Floral Designs in Cape Town. ‘Identify different shades of a colour that you love and use different types of roses within that colour scheme,’ she advises. ‘Once you have chosen a colour scheme, you can then look at the flower itself,’ says Heike, suggesting you focus on size and fragrance. ‘As far as possible, I work with fragrant varieties, as very little beats walking into a venue and smelling the flowers.’

Locally, the summer months see the blooming of beautifully fragrant garden roses, but these tend not to be sold commercially and are therefore more difficult to get hold of. This is a better option for those looking to use fewer flowers, as you’re rarely able to order large quantities of these. If you want to fill your venue with roses, then Heike recommends looking at the varieties imported from neighbouring African countries. ‘Kenya, Zimbabwe and Nigeria all grow the most incredible large-head roses.’ And size does matter. A smaller, more open flower head will lend an arrangement a softer, more romantic feel, while a larger bloom is a modern choice.

VARIETY SHOW

While you can rely on your florist to suggest which roses are best to use, familiarising yourself with a few of the popular wedding varieties will make the process that much easier. Some names to add to your list are the iceberg, a pristine white rose that flowers most of the year in South Africa; hybrid tea roses, which are easily recognised by their large, structured blooms; and the Royal Baccara, known for their deep red hue.

DON’T SKIMP ON QUALITY

Whichever variety you choose, always pay more for quality – you don’t want your roses wilting after a few hours. High-quality roses are reliable in hotter venues, where the florist may not have control over the temperature,’ says Heike.

GOOD TO KNOW

1. For the table arrangements, combine roses with other fragrant flowers, such as hyacinths, to give your guests a rich sensory experience.
2. If you decide on a traditional rose bouquet, play with different hues to add interest.
3. If you’re using rose petals instead of confetti after the ceremony, go for fragrant varieties and let their perfume fill the air.
4. Choose bigger blooms for the altarpieces and aisle arrangements, as they make more of a visual impact, especially if you have a large space to fill.