Wedding ETC, Author at Wedding ETC

In Advice

What to consider when attending a virtual wedding

October 16, 2020 No Comments

When the president announced a complete lockdown in March, everything was shut down, plans were on hold and people had to make do with the “new normal”.

Couples that had planned to get married had to think of alternative ways to tie the knot as the different levels of lockdown were introduced.

Like everything else, weddings were also starting to be virtual. That did/does not give wedding guests the reason or right to look sloppy, as it is still an important day, and pictures will be most likely taken too.

Here are some different options for what you can wear to a virtual wedding.

What to wear

Attending a virtual wedding will naturally feel relaxed because you are in the comfort of your own house, but this does not give you the right to not dress up. You don’t have to wear a floor-length gown or a tuxedo and dancing shoes, but please don’t wear an oversized sleeping t-shirt with undone hair. Most people associate Zoom meetings with working from home, but a virtual wedding is not the place to wear your office attire.

Dress up. Chances are that the couple has a theme, so honour that. Otherwise, a dressy blouse, a dress with some detail at the top, or a button-down shirt and tie will work. Make sure that your hair is neat and tidy as well.

Set the scene

Mind your background. Make sure it’s well lit so that your face can be seen clearly in the live stream.

Create a wedding feel in your home, you don’t have to go all out and decorate but avoid the bedroom to attend the wedding. Look for a location with lots of natural light and try to face the light source. Make sure you’re fully visible to other guests. Make sure you tidy up your space a bit!

Be on time

On the day of the wedding, make sure you set up and you are early to avoid technical difficulties. Mute yourself quickly after signing in so you don’t delay the start of the ceremony. The couple should not have to stress about timekeeping.

Gifts are still important

Monitory gifts are convenient for virtual weddings. You can send gifts prior to the wedding so they can be part of the ceremony. There is still a wedding registry for a reason.

Pictures: Unsplash

In Accessories

What to consider when sending out thank you notes after the wedding

October 16, 2020 No Comments

Post-wedding thank you notes can be such a daunting task, but it is important to send them out to show your guests that you appreciate them for attending your special day.

When you’ve wrapped up your celebrating and are getting used to your new normal, you realise you have this one last thing to do as newlyweds. Here is the proper etiquette to consider.

Be on time

Normally, a wedding thank you card should be mailed on time, as sending them a year later will look like you have forgotten about your guests.

A window of one to three months is acceptable, and it gives you enough time to return from honeymoon. Don’t forget to split the “work” with your partner, too!

Double-check details

Mail errors do happen, so make sure you double-check that your guests have received them. Also double-check the wedding list so you do not miss or skip anyone.

Be personal

Take time and write the notes, and add a personal touch to each note according to how you know each person. It is recommended that you acknowledge their specific gift and presence while writing your notes.

Make sure to keep a detailed record of all gifts received and who gave them. Give your guests and gift-givers something special. If you are sending your thank you note via post, include a little gift if you can.

Pictures: Unsplash

In Advice

Should you have a live band or a DJ at your wedding?

October 13, 2020 No Comments

Music is one of the important parts of your wedding reception, because people come together on the dance floor. It’s the music that truly has the power to make or break the wedding reception so choosing what should be played at your wedding is a big decision to make.

At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference and costs, so here’s a look at the pros and cons of a live wedding band or DJ.

A live band

In South Africa, a live band at a private function like a wedding costs roughly R 12 000 to R30 000. Prices vary based on your location and other factors, like the size of the band.

Pros

– Live song requests – people and the couple can ask the band to play their favourite songs

– It is more personal than a DJ

– It appeals to younger and older guests

– You and your guests will experience the pleasure of a live performance

Cons

– The big disadvantage of hiring a band is that they tend to be a tad expensive

– Bands also take up more space than a DJ

– The travelling cost and accommodation might be your responsibility if the band is not local

– A band might have one genre of music throughout

A DJ

Private function DJs can cost anywhere between R6500 to R12 000, while celebrity DJ prices range from R20 000 to R45 000. Plenty of couples hire a wedding DJ and prefer the diversity of music over a live band.

Pros

– A DJ can play different genres of music to appeal to a larger crowd

– They don’t require much space to set up

– They are usually local unless you want a celeb DJ

Cons

– Your wedding reception lives and dies depending on the DJ

– Since DJ equipment is usually a bit more “techy” it comes with a lot of wires – and sometimes it can look a little messy

– The equipment could crash and that would be the end of music and the vibe it brings

Some people prefer to have both, a DJ and a live band, to cater to everyone. The band is usually reserved for the romantic first dance. If this is the kind of vibe you want, then you should look into the cost of it all.

Pictures: Unsplash

In Engagements

5 fun games to play at your engagement party

October 12, 2020 No Comments

Engagement parties are among the most exciting celebrations before the wedding day. Throwing an engagement party gives the guests of honor and the couple a lovely way to remember the moment.

With these five fun, fool-proof engagement party games, everyone will share a laugh with each other and the bride and groom-to-be!

Two Truths And A Lie

This game is mostly used as an ice breaker to make everyone comfortable, and is a fun way for guests to get to know each other.

First, gather everyone into a group. Going around in a circle, each person will make three statements about himself or herself, two of which are true and one of which is false. The rest of the group votes on what they think is truth or lie, and then the big reveal.

Battle Of The Sexes

This game is almost like 30 seconds, but it is gender-related questions. This is also readily available for purchase if you do not want the admin of compiling the questions.

You need to compile two lists of things you expect most men to know, and one of the information most women would likely know. The teams take turns asking the opposite sex questions.

Ring Toss

Is there any lawn game that’s better named for an engagement party? Gather friends and family around for a few games of ring toss, the family favourite that involves landing hoops on stakes to score points. Make this even more engagement-themed by decorating your hoops with a DIY diamond.

Message in a bottle

Set out a beautiful glass bottle and create a station with pens and slips of paper where guests can write a note to the couple. The couple can take turns and guess who message is from, every time they get it wrong they take a shot or eat something bitter.

Wedding Relay Race

Liven up your engagement party with a few rounds of a wedding-themed relay race. It works perfectly for guests of all ages and is a lot of fun if you have kids at your party. Gather outdoors or make some space indoors for an amusing relay race using props like garters, rings, or bouquets. The team that can reach the finish line first without dropping their prop is the winner.

Picture: Unsplash

In Advice

5 things to consider when planning your wedding registry

October 8, 2020 No Comments

It is very frustrating to receive three of the same thing from different people as a wedding gift. This is because people think in similar ways and they normally don’t know what to get you and so they resort to common gifting. As the bride, you can avoid this and the admin that comes with it. Here’s how:

Don’t wait until the last minute

Start planning and send out your registry ahead of time, you want your wedding registry to be one of the things you do at the beginning of your wedding planning.

Making and setting up a registry takes more time than you might expect it and deserves your attention because you won’t have time to redo it.

Be realistic and practical

In your wedding registry, you should already be thinking ‘home’ and because of that, your gifts should be practical items that will make the transition of starting a new life easy.

Make a list of things you want in your house but won’t be able to get soon, these should be the gifts your friends and family get you.

Also be mindful of the people buying, you don’t want to make them pay exorbitant amounts but you don’t want cheap gifts, so get a few quotations on each item.

Share your registry

Once you’ve created your wedding registry, make sure you share it with your guests.

This includes coming up with easy ways to access your registry. It could be online where a person can click and get it or share a link with your guests.

Make sure to have a checklist option available for you and the people buying gifts, this makes it easy to see what has been bought and what is left.

Make it a joint project

Put aside some quality couple time to contemplate your future life together and think about what kinds of gifts would make you happy.Your partner must have input on the registry because this is the beginning of your life together, you don’t want anyone feeling left out.

Look for great deals

Before choosing where to register, find out what kinds of perks and discounts you might get.Approach your desired shops for a registry, they usually give discounts for bulk registry purchases.This option helps get expert advice from someone who’s knowledgeable.

Picture: Unsplash

In Accessories

Match your flower arrangement with the season

October 7, 2020 No Comments

Flowers play a very important role on the wedding day, so it is important to match them to the season. Like fruit, flowers are seasonal, and getting the ones you love will sometimes be expensive if they are out of season.

Summer

Having a summer wedding is the easiest season because you are guaranteed the best weather, most flowers have bloomed and available and you can have an outdoor wedding. These flowers thrive best in summer:

Roses

Roses can be dressed up or down in a bouquet for any type of wedding. You are never limited to colours with these flowers. Shades range from red, yellow, pink, and orange to purple and white. Be careful though, each colour has its own symbolism!

Chrysanthemum

These flowers are perfect for a summer vintage wedding theme. They are available in hues such as yellow, orange, white, red, purple, and pink.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers were made for summer with their bright, happy hues and appearance. They’re the perfect bloom for a rustic wedding. They are mostly yellow but you can find orange and red varieties.

Winter

Winter weddings are popular for thsoe that love the season, and tend to be more intimate and indoors. The weather is mostly gloomy but your decor doesn’t have to be, here are flowers to help.

Camellias

Camellias are one of winter’s most-loved flowers Their petals are layered, which adds plenty of texture and you can pair them with thorny green. Their peak blooming season allows them to be readily available and easy to use.

Carnations

These cuties continue to bloom and thrive during winter’s cold months, and they are also available in a variety of colours like shades of red, purple, pink, and white. They make a room come alive with their flexibility.

Ranunculus

Ranunculus are great to use if you are going for the all-white soft florals theme. They are perfect for the bouquet and the groom’s pocket flower.

Spring

Spring is the season of hope. During this time everything is bright and beautiful, the sun is out but not too harsh and you want to look like a blooming flower. Your wedding should represent that vibe with these options:

Tulips

Tulips are great flowers and they look vibrant. You will find them in every colour except for black, blue, and green.

Peony

It’s one of the most loved flowers of the wedding season and it’s easy to see why the peony is an all-time favourite. It is the perfect mix of softness and texture, the flower also has a secret meaning – ‘a happy marriage’. It is available in white, cream, burgundy, soft pink, crimson, rose pink, and deep pink

Lilac

These beautiful flowers have a great beautiful soft scent. They are available in pure white, pale lilac, deep lilac, and pale pink.

Autumn

This is a season of natural colours. Everything is wilting and is mostly windy, it is hard to imagine that there are flowers that bloom when trees fall. Here are flowers you can find in autumn to make your wedding a day to remember:

Dahlias

These flowers are a nice balance between organic and refined. They are commonly mixed with greens to make a grounding look on your decor. You can find them in pink, white, and a quiet orange.

Zinnias

The Zinnias have an ombre effect. They have a calming effect and can be a great use for a barn-themed wedding. You will find them in various shades, from deep burgundy to the palest blush.

Protea

South Africa’s national flower is fitting for a wedding day. It is symbolic of change and transformation across cultures.

Pictures: Unsplash

In Celebs

Looking back Romeo and Basetsana Kumalo’s 18th anniversary

October 6, 2020 No Comments

Entrepreneur, media personality, and telecommunications expert Romeo Kumalo and former Miss South Africa and businesswoman, Basetsana Kumalo are one of South Africa’s iconic couples. The two have been together for 21 years but married for 19 years.

The former Miss South Africa met her Vodacom executive and former broadcaster husband Romeo whe she was crowned Miss Soweto in 1990. They began dating in 1997 and tied the knot in 2000.

The notoriously private pair are a powerhouse together, and rarely share details into their life.

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18th Anniversary

On their 18th anniversary, their children asked them how come there were no wedding pictures, so the duo decided to relive the moment and have a second wedding for their 18th anniversary.

They had an intimate celebration that only family and friends attended.

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Basetsana and Romeo included their children this time around. This was initially their idea so it was fitting for them to cut the cake.

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Basetsana’s friend Dr Mpho Ndou helped the Kumalos create “the most exquisite” setting for their special day.

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The view from the venue was spectacular, fitting for a couple like Basetsana and Romeo

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Picture: Instagram

In Celebs

A songbird’s love story: John Legend and Chrissy Teigen

October 5, 2020 No Comments

One of the world’s favourite celebrity couples has a classic Hollywood love story. John Legend and Chrissy Teigen did not expect to find love on September 14, 2006, but they did, and they’ve been together ever since.

The pair met on set back in 2006. John legend was shooting a music video for the song ‘Stereo’ and Chrissy was playing his love interest. Here is how that turned into a lifetime of music, laughter, and love.

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Chrissy Teigen was 20 years when she met John, then 28. Sparks flew the minute they met on set, and the pair even spent the evening together in Legend’s hotel room afterwards. They continued to stay in contact with one another but never defined the relationship.

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After a year of chatting and getting to know each other, they took their first trip to Lake Como in Italy in 2007. By this time they had already decided that they were a couple but were secretly dating. In 2008 the duo appeared for the first time as a couple at the 50th annual Grammy awards.

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In 2011, Legend proposed while on vacation in the Maldives. Upon their arrival, he took her out and had organized a Christmas-themed dinner and hid the ring in a silver serving dome under a pile of arugula.

They tied the knot on September 10, 2013, at the New York courthouse. Their big wedding was in Lake Como, Italy on September 14.

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Chrissy walked down the aisle with her father, wearing a stunning princess-style Vera Wang gown.

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For the reception, she wore a mermaid gown with a micro-pleated bodice and sheared organza full skirt. The third dress was to party all night. She wore another mermaid dress in red.

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Kim Kardashian was amongst the celebrities that attended the wedding, Stevie Wonder performed for the couple.

They had a four-tiered naked carrot cake layered with cream cheese frosting.

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In 2015, Chrissy and John announced their first pregnancy, Chrissy shared the news on Instagram in a beautiful post. Baby Luna was born in 2016 on April 14. In November 2017 they announced their second pregnancy and this time it was a boy – on May 17, 2018 Miles was born.

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Chrissy and John were expecting another baby this year. They announced the third pregnancy in August 2020 but sadly they lost the baby on September 30, 2020.

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In Accessories

What to consider when resetting your engagement ring

September 30, 2020 No Comments

Do you sometimes wish to have a different ring on your ring finger? Look no further. Here are FAQs and all you need to know when thinking of resetting your ring

A ring makeover does not have to cost you an arm and a leg, and you don’t have to buy a completely new ring either. You can rearrange your stones and make them brand new.

1. Why reset your ring
There are many reasons to reset your ring and those may include a divorce, feeling your ring is worn out, or just wanting a new look. However, when you reset your ring, its value changes and it will no longer be the original price.

2. Cost to reset
Resetting your ring may cost from R5000 to R20 000, depending on the design and the type of stone it is. The cost is less expensive than buying a new ring. However, adding new diamonds might cost more so you need to do your maths before taking your ring for a new look.

3. How long will it take
The waiting period depends on what you want to be done on your ring and it also depends on where you take it. Adding more diamonds might take longer. If you take your ring to a local jeweler it might take up to six weeks to finish it but private jewelers may have it done faster.

4 Know your stone
Do your research about your stone. It will make it easy for you to decide what to do with it if you know a little more about it. This way, you know what to expect from reconstruction and the risks.

5. Insurance
Mistakes happen all the time and you want to avoid them happening to your stone but you can never be a 100% sure, the best thing to do is make sure your ring is insured and ask your jeweler what is their policy if they mess or break the stone, have that written down to protect yourself. Normally, jewelers have a free repair policy but asking won’t hurt.

6. Ask
Jewelry is an important piece in anyone’s life because there is always a story behind it. When you take your ring for resetting, ask as many questions as you possibly can. Do your research prior and go prepared. This will save you.

Picture: Pexels

In Weddings

How to have a pet-friendly wedding

September 29, 2020 No Comments

They say that a dog is a man’s best friend, so it seems natural they would be involved in your big day. Pet-lovers can include their furry companions on their wedding day in a number of ways, but it is most important to make sure your wedding is pet-friendly before doing so.

There are many things to consider, like whether the venue accommodates pets and how the guests will react. Here’s what to keep in mind.

1. Location

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If you are planning to have your pet present at your wedding, it is very important to consider the venue of the wedding. Consult your wedding planner when you are booking a venue because some places do not allow pets inside. It might be best to opt for an outdoor wedding where your pups can run free.

2. Guests

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If you plan to have pets present, make sure to let your guests know beforehand. Some people are allergic to certain animals or have deep fears that can impact on their experience at your wedding. To avoid the drama, include in your wedding invitation which animals will be present and allow your guest to decide if they are still comfortable to attend.

3. Pet behaviour

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You know your pet best. You know how they act around people and what things make them happy, so when you plan on including your four-legged friends, know exactly which tasks to give them. You wouldn’t want to give the tasks or of a ring bearer to a puppy that likes playing catch or is super energetic. Its also best to hire a pet sitter to look after the animals during the day while you’re busy mingling with your guests.

4. Inform the photographer

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Tell your photographer in advance that you are planning on bringing along your pet to the wedding, this gives them time to plan creative ways to take pictures that include your pet.

5. Dress-up

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Consider something simple and pet friendly when you dressing up your pet for the wedding. You do not want to make them uncomfortable with things that could potentially strangle them, a bow tie or flowers around the neck is the perfect option.

6 Decor and setting

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Use the decoration of the wedding venue to get creative and include your pets on the decor to make them feel included on the big day.

Pictures: Pexels