Wedding ETC, Author at Wedding ETC

How to choose a men’s wedding band

March 21, 2017 No Comments

Considering that your wedding band should last a lifetime, it’s no easy task finding your perfect fit – especially if you’re a guy, or shopping for your beau’s ring. Here, our best advice to ensure you buy a ring to cherish forever.

1 It’s all about lifestyle and personality…

Before you even step into a store, ask yourself:
• Does your husband-to-be wear jewellery?
• What type of career does he have – is he a creative or a nine-to-five businessman?
• Is he flashy or does he prefer to stay under the radar?
The answers to these questions will help you determine the type of ring you should choose. If your guy frequents an office every day, chances are he already owns a number of other jewellery items so you can easily suss out his style, while if he works with his hands a lot, he might not want something that feels bulky on his hand or that looks overly complicated.

2 and value

So we all know that when it comes to a woman’s engagement ring and wedding band, no expense is spared. From the simple band bearing only a diamond to the ornately carved band encrusted with stones, the value can reach crazy heights. But for a men’s band, it’s all about practicality – something that’s durable and easy to wear – such as these three metals:
• Gold – the lower the karat, the more durable a gold band is. It seems so wrong but it’s actually true.
• Silver – the most common metal for grooms’ bands, silver looks masculine but isn’t as durable as gold.
• Titanium – Affordable and durable, titanium offers the best of both worlds and looks great too.

A special day deserves a special memento and his wedding band should tell a ton about who he is. If you’re still unsure, head to a high-end retailer or jeweller who can show you options depending on your guy’s personality and preferences.

TRY, main image: 9ct hand-made organic wedding band R12 000 (for white-gold), R11 000 (for rose gold), R11 500 (for yellow gold), all Afrogem; second image: 9ct white- and rose-gold Hand-hammered set with 0.10ct diamond R 27 900, Afrogem

Text Kim Mitha-Coe
Photography Afrogem

In Advice

3 Truths about eloping

March 14, 2017 No Comments

If you’re not one for lavish affairs, the thought of escaping to a far-off land to secretly tie the knot with your Prince Charming, sounds like an utterly surreal and thrilling adventure. However, eloping isn’t just about running off into the sunset without a care in the world. There are a few factors to consider and we’ve sussed out all of them to help you decide if this is really the route you and your man want to take.

1 The legal schtick

As a South African couple looking to get married abroad, you need to find out whether your country of choice allows South Africans, if any foreigners at all, to wed on their turf. In certain cases, you may need to have physical tests (such as a blood test) done or fill in specialised forms. The embassy of the country you want to get hitched in will be able to tell you the exact requirements for your nuptials.

Regardless of where you take the plunge, a certain matrimonial property regime will govern your marriage. Read more about South Africa’s regimes here. The country’s common law stipulates that the regime in the husband’s country of permanent residence, also called a domicile, at the time of marriage, will apply. The default regime in South Africa is ‘in community of property’. So, if your groom permanently lives in Port Elizabeth, you’ll be married in community of property. If you prefer to be married out of community of property, you need to sign an antenuptial contract in South Africa before you jet off.

To register your marriage when you get back home, you won’t have to pay a fee. Nevertheless, you’ll need to write a letter to the Department of Home Affairs containing your contact details, including your address, mobile numbers and email addresses. The Department also requires a certified copy of your passport, ID or birth certificate and a copy of your foreign marriage certificate. If the certificate is not in English, it must be submitted with an English translation by a sworn translator.

2 Money matters

A major plus of eloping is that you spare yourself a substantial amount of dough. Without a group of guests attending, you’ll place drastically less strain on your bank account because of the reduced cost of your venue, catering and transport, amongst other items.

Even so, that doesn’t mean there are no expenses involved. No matter where you decide to tie the knot, you will require a roof over your head. There are plenty of wedding venues that offer elopement packages that include lodging, a space to hold your ceremony and a tasteful meal at one of their eateries. If you’re lucky, they may even throw in a wedding cake and bottle of bubbly!

To bask in that wedding day feeling, treat yourself to a gorgeous gown, even if it’s not the usual wedding fare, and have your hair and makeup done. Your man deserves to be decked out in a dashing suit too, and you can even indulge in some pre-wedding couples’ pampering at a spa.

Regardless of who’ll be – or not be – at your ceremony, you’ll want the day to be etched in your memory forever, so don’t forget to hire a photographer. Chat to them about possibly reducing their rates as there’ll be less activity to document.

If you really want to pull out all the stops to make your wedding as opulent as possible – minus the guest list drama, of course – consider a ‘luxury elopement’. This typically entails having exquisite decor, an elaborate wedding dress and a videographer, in addition to anything else that may be on your dream wedding wishlist.

3 Elopement etiquette

Some of your family and friends may suffer bruised egos when they discover that your nuptials didn’t include them. It’s best to let them know about your plans to elope before or immediately after your marriage has been made official. When it comes to announcing your nuptials to the rest of the world (i.e. your friends, colleagues and everyone on Facebook), first make a list of the people you’re most close to then give them a call to share the good news before updating your ‘Relationship Status’ on social media. If your extended family and friends would still like to celebrate with you, why not invite them over for a small celebratory gathering?

Keep in mind that since you’ll be eloping, it would be unfair to ask family and friends to purchase a gift. Also, consider your relationship with certain family members and friends who may want to be witness to your big day, and the cultural or religious traditions that they may want you to honour.

Photography freestocks.org, Zivile & Arunas /Unsplash, Pixabay

In Decor

5 Easy ideas for an eco-friendly wedding

February 14, 2017 No Comments

Weddings cost a great deal. From money and time to energy and emotions, you’ll be spending more than you thought when he popped the question. But there are certain ways you can turn your nuptials into a less costly affair, specifically in environmental terms. Cut down your financial expenditure and your carbon footprint, as well as avoid unnecessary waste, by taking these five eco-friendly ideas into consideration.

1 Electronic invites

Wedding invitation are always special. They’re usually fancy and detailed, and mark the start of a new chapter in the happy couple’s lives. That being said, creating, ordering and sending them costs time, effort and a great deal of paper. And while many might say using recycled paper for your invites is a good way to help the environment, we say there’s an even better one – email! It gets the job done quickly and ensures that nothing’s been lost in the mail. Plus, designing your invitations digitally is relatively simple nowadays so there’s absolutely no reason to use a shred of paper when telling your loved ones to ‘SAVE THE DATE’.

2 Alternative lighting

There are so many ways of adding light to your wedding without using too much energy. You can hold the event outdoors during the daytime, as long as you’ve ensured the weather will be fine. Or if your reception will continue well into the night, try some eco-friendly lighting options (there really is a wide range of them). Candles create a romantic ambience, of course, but can be extinguished quickly. The solution? Rechargeable candles or lanterns that use batteries or solar power. You’ll be able to keep these outside during the ceremony then bring them into the reception venue later on. If you’re not too big on candles or a plethora of lamps, power-saving light bulbs are always a popular and energy-efficient alternative to ordinary lighting.

3 Uncooked, locally sourced, and vegan and vegetarian food options

Offering your guests a buffet of uncooked foodstuffs is a great means of being eco-friendly and catering to those on healthy and organic diets. If yours is a summer wedding, there are a few options to choose from – think cured meats, a variety of salads, fruit and cheese boards, and even bread and crackers served with spreads and preserves. You can also source your food from local vendors, which lessens the amount of transportation emissions, while serving up only vegan or vegetarian dishes is a commendable decision and won’t limit you in terms of food (in spite of what some snarky commentators might say).

4 Sustainable décor and wedding favours

People tend to overuse wedding decorations that ultimately go to waste after the big day (think of those cut flowers and paper and plastic lanterns your cousin has stored in her garage – and she got married nearly three years ago!). So while place cards might be unavoidable, you can still choose materials that last and are reusable. Cloth napkins don’t need to be thrown away after the first use and stones make elegant, versatile and practical additions to any setting. You can even place a colourful pebble on each napkin to keep it put then tie or stick a place card on the top. When it comes to flowers, orchids are a beautiful choice and endure if maintained properly. Succulents work well too and can also double as wedding favours. On that note, favours made from durable materials such as wood, cork, stoneware and glass are far more eco-friendly than those made of paper or plastic.

5 Donations and recycling

You’ll be left with a lot to clean up at the end of your wedding but a vast majority of it can be put to good use. If you foresee leftover food, make a plan early on to donate it to a food bank or any other organisation. If you’ve used cut flowers as decorations, you can also donate these. As for all those disposable items, like paper napkins, designate a space for each type to be thrown away and recycle those made of glass, tin and hard plastic. What’s more, bottles and cans may be reused on other occasions. In fact, if you’ve already got items like these (wine bottles, jars and tins), use them at the wedding as candleholders, flower vases or storage for wedding favours.

Photography pixabay.com, pexels.com, Archives

In Bridal Shower

6 Runway-inspired flower girl dresses

February 1, 2017 1 Comment

Not sure how your flower girl will fit in with the rest of your retinue? We’ve rounded up some of 2017’s biggest bridal trends to help you dress the little ones on your big day.

1 3D appliqués

Adding a 3D element is a great way of taking the traditional to the next level – while still keeping that timeless elegance.

Oscar de la Renta

2 The bow-back

Incorporate a girly bow on the back of your flower girl’s frock – it combines a cute girly touch with a sophisticated wedding theme.

The Ladybug Collection

3 Prints

Add a splash of colour without going too bright by opting for a print (florals are especially chic).

Oscar de la Renta

4 Ombré

If you want to take a coloured dress a step further, why not go with a two-toned option? It adds an element of fun in a way that’s both sophisticated and feminine.

Joan Calabrese for Mon Cheri

5 Babydoll

Although its beauty lies in its simplicity, a light and airy babydoll dress is the ideal garment for fussy little ones and can be dressed up with hair accessories, garlands and beads.

David’s Bridal

6 Glitter

Everyone loves a little sparkle – especially if they’re under the age of eight! Your little one will feel like a princess in an enchanting dress of glitter or metallics.

Seahorse by Watters

Text Sharné Cupido

Photography pinterest.com/weddingalbumsa

In Fashion And Grooming

Groom’s guide: How to fold a pocket square

January 9, 2017 No Comments

Old-world glamour never goes out of style – in fact, it’s called classic for a reason! Have your groomsmen add pocket squares to their suits to complement your bridesmaids’ dresses or even the decor! Use our handy little infographic to get that perfect fold.

Illustration Ryan Sedeman/HSMimages.com

Photography Olu Eletu/Unsplash

In Diy

6 DIY thank-you gifts that won’t break the bank

January 6, 2017 No Comments

Getting the perfect thank-you gift for your wedding guest can be tricky. You want something that shows your appreciation but gifting a lot of people can end up being very costly. The best solution? Personalised DIY gifts that you can prepare months in advance!

1 Infused oil

Infuse cooking oil (olive oil is a favourite) with chillies or your favourite herbs for a yummy, flavourful salad dressing or base.

2 Spice mix

Mix various spices and place it in a jar to create your own flavoured rub or spice mixture that goes with your wedding’s theme.

3 Plant a tree

Give your guests the gift of nature with your favourite tree or plant seeds. This is a great way of helping the environment while showering your guests with a gift they can cherish.

4 Personalised fortune cookies

Buy ready-made fortune cookies from your closest Chinese wholesaler and fill it with personalised messages for your guests.

5 Sugar scrub

Add colouring and scented oils like peppermint to sugar. Allow it to soak and dry, then place it in a jar for an amazing sugar body scrub that tastes delicious too.

6 Jam jar

Preserve your favourite fruits to create a tasty jam – your guests will remember you with every bite.

Text Sharne Cupido
Photography Pinterest, Olia Gozha/Unsplashed, Kristina Balic/Unsplashed

In Cake

Sweet Cakes wedding cakes

July 7, 2014 No Comments

Wilna van der Westhuizen, owner of well known and much loved Sweet Cakes is a qualified chef and baker creating intricate, one-of-a-kind wedding cakes. With clients such as Oprah Winfrey, Charlize Theron, the Presidency of South Africa and foreign dignitaries under her belt, you know you’re in good hands.

Sweet Cakes creates wedding day masterpieces that reflect your style and taste. ‘I’m passionate about everything I do, focussing on tiny details – like a pretty broach or lace from a bride’s dress that she wants to incorporate,’ she says when WA chatted to her. ‘When I meet my clients for the first time and we discuss their wedding cake, it’s as if I’m designing a masterpiece of true form, the ideas just keep flowing.’

Based in the Western Cape, Wilna willingly travels to meet with clients and to deliver wedding cakes at various venues. Having been in the industry for 10 years, she remains inspired and passionate, gaining inspiration from anything from a pretty piece of fabric to a bracelet or ribbon (while Pinterest remains a great bearer of ideas).

For a Sweet Cakes masterpiece, contact Wilna on [email protected]. Visit the website at sweetcakes.co.za.

Photographs: Courtesy Wilna van der Westhuizen

In Our DIY

Fresh as a daisy

June 27, 2014 No Comments

How to make a chair posy.

What you’ll need

• Fresh flowers and foliage

• Floral tape

• Floral wire

• Ribbon

• Pins

Directions

1. In this case, we used wild olive tree leaves (Olea africana), a rose (Rosaceae), rosemary (Rosemaryinus officinalis) and trailing amaranth (Amaranthus). If you wish to use more flowers, just make sure you use odd numbers, such as one, three or five flowers, in your posy.

2. Gather your flowers and wrap them together with floral tape.

3. Add your greens (olive leaves, rosemary and amaranth) or whatever filler you have chosen. These can be placed between the flowers or underneath the flowers.

4. Wrap it all together with floral tape and trim the stems if needed. Wrap the ribbon and secure the whole posy with a pin.

TIP: Use the floral wire to support the flower heads if they are drooping

Chair posy made by Floral Affairs. Contact them on [email protected] or visit floralaffairs.co.za.