The first step towards planning your dream honeymoon is selecting the perfect location. The place you choose will determine the best time to go, activities you enjoy, and the general vibe of your honeymoon.
Deciding on a honeymoon destination can be a little overwhelming. If you’re having trouble narrowing your options down, keep these tips in mind.
When deciding on an MC for a wedding, many opt for their closest and loudest friends to lead the day. However, being the Master of ceremonies is a top job, and not everyone is cut out for it.
If you’ve been asked to MC but you’re a bit nervous, fear not. All you need is some pre-planning and a lot of courage. Here are some tips to make sure you are on top of your game come wedding day.
Weddings are all about sentimentality, so why not lean into it? Of course, you want to get guests laughing but humour is subjective, and some jokes will likely fail. This is why its best to be sincere and focus on the love of the bridal couple.
The most crucial rule with MCing is to get your facts right. There are many people involved in a wedding, and it’s easy to get things wrong if you’re not careful. Make sure you know how to pronounce the names and surnames of everyone giving a toast – you don’t want to offend your bestie’s new father-in-law!
Don’t just turn to Google to write your speech and recycle the same tired jokes people have come to expect from weddings. Instead, spend some time thinking about what you’re going to say and get creative. It will help if you focus on the couple. Identify what is unique about them and their relationship, and then create something special based on that.
It’s always better to have a plan or programme of events written down to guide you on the day. Even if you know everything you need to say off by heart, having it written down will help to reassure you when your task begins. The running order and timing are extremely important. It is your job as MC to ensure that the guests are never left waiting for something, or that the food does not come out 20 minutes before it should be served. Know your schedule and keep to it.
Read through your speech as often as you can before you take the stage. This will ensure that you don’t spend the entire time looking down at a script. It will give you a chance to interact with the audience and make sure you use that shining personality that the bride and groom love about you! Remember, however, that you don’t have to stick strictly to your speech.
Most importantly, no matter what happens, try to relax and enjoy the day. Just because you’re working the day, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun!
ALSO SEE: Your guide to the perfect wedding seating plan
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For centuries brides have worn veils for a number of symbolic and religious reasons. From warding off evil spirits in ancient Greece to displaying a woman’s virtue in Christianity, the veil has become a traditional wedding garment.
But this doesn’t mean that they’re mandatory. Many brides opt not to wear a veil on their wedding day, choosing to go with stunning clips, grips and headbands instead. If you’re undecided, here’s a guide to help you make your choice.
From Grace Kelly to Audrey Hepburn, high-neck wedding dresses have been a celebrity favourite for decades.
This style is classic and demure yet packs a punch. It also lends itself to a Victorian-inspired look. For brides wanting a more modest look on their big day, a high-neck gown offers coverage without compromising on style.
Here are a few ways to pull off this trend:
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A wedding day is a time for celebration. Chances are, however, some might celebrate a bit too hard. Wedding hangovers can be pretty harsh for your guests, so why not help them recover?
Wedding hangover kits have become popular wedding favours in recent years. What’s great about this favour is that it’s easily DIY’ed, and couples can add whatever they want.
– A bottle of water to prevent a dry throat
– An eye mask to reduce puffiness
– Plasters for those blisters after dancing all night long
– A granola bar for energy
– Sunglasses to hide those bloodshot eyes
– Gum or mouth wash
– A mini bottle of alcohol because… you know, hair of the dog
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When crafting your perfect bridal look, it’s important to stay true to yourself and your values. For a Muslim bride who chooses to wear a hijab, this is an important addition to her beauty.
A hijab is a headscarf some Muslim women wear over their hair and chest, in honour of their Islamic tradition. Islam encourages both men and women to dress modestly once they hit puberty, and a hijab is a common method of following this guideline for women. However, it is not a requirement, so some Muslims may choose not to wear one.
A hijab can be highly personal and speaks to one’s culture and upbringing. It can be worn in a multitude of ways, from a simple wrap to an ornate headpiece accessorised with jewels and stones. It’s like wearing a crown.
The fabric you choose will have to complement your dress. Generally, brides have the hijab made from the same fabric their dress in to ensure it matches in colour and creates a uniform look. The fabric will act as a base, and you can always dress it up with jewels and extra accessories.
If you want something different, you could always make a statement with some texture and dimension. Chiffon adds a lighter look and ethereal quality, and sowing 3D flowers of different sizes will add a stunning depth to your look. Lace is always perfect for a touch of romance, and a more clean look, opt for pearls.
ALSO SEE: The rectangular wedding cake trend (and why we’re loving it)
The rectangular wedding cake trend (and why we’re loving it)
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Not one for the club scene? That’s perfectly acceptable. With all the stress of wedding planning, a nice relaxing weekend with your best girls is a great way to calm your nerves.
Low-key brides wanting to do something a little different to the traditional bachelorette rager can opt for more serene experiences designed to soothe those frazzled nerves and get you ready for your big day. Here are a few fun activities to consider.
Who doesn’t love a spa day? A fresh set of nails, a massage and a facial can do wonders, especially when you’re feeling tense from wedding planning.
You can arrange for a group spa day at a local beauty salon or wellness centre, or you could even have them come to you. Allow your guests to pick from an assortment of treatments, and throw in some delicious light snacks and infused water to complete the vibe.
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Feeling tense? Maybe you need to work out those muscles! Yoga is a great way to ease stress and get your body moving in a low impact workout that will leave you feeling calm.
You can have a yoga instructor come to you to host a yoga class, complete with breathing exercises, and guided meditation. If you want to add a unique element, you could even try goat yoga!
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Live the life of luxury without even leaving your city. There are so many incredibly Airbnb listings across South Africa, allowing people to book out entire villas overlooking mesmerising views.
All your guests can pool together to book a place with enough space for everyone in a central area. You can spend the weekend chilling poolside, cooking up meals with your besties, and bonding.
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Wine tasting is a national sport in the Western Cape. With so many wineries to choose from, locals are truly spoilt for choice.
For a safe experience, we suggest taking a trip on the Franschhoek wine tram, a hop-on-hop-off service connecting you to six wine estates in the Franschhoek Valley.
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What’s more luxurious than lounging on a luxury yacht? Spend the day cruising away with 360° views and sunshine warming you up.
You don’t need a specific destination, a local cruise is perfect. Most boats are equipped with sound systems so you can DJ the day while you work on your tan, and menu and bar options are typically available as well.
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ALSO SEE: Nadia Jaftha announces her engagement
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Having your ring engraved is an excellent way to personalise your engagement ring. It allows couples to write sweet messages of devotion to one another, and keep it close to their hearts.
But what do you inscribe on such an important piece of jewellery? Considering you will (hopefully) wear your ring forever, you’ll want something meaningful to look back on.
You don’t have that much space on a ring, so a shorter phrase is ideal. Here are some cute words to have permanently written on your ring.
ALSO SEE: Buying vs. Hiring Groom & Groomsmen Suits: Costs & Considerations
Buying vs. Hiring Groom & Groomsmen Suits: Costs & Considerations
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Your wedding photographs are one of the few tangible reminders you’ll have of your big day. If you haven’t already thought of it, a wedding video will also allow you to watch the day unfold again – bit by bit.
You’ll relive almost every experience from the recital of your vows to showing off your moves on the dance floor. But don’t settle for just any old chump with a video-camera. A quality videographer does not come cheap and considering your wedding video will last for a lifetime, you can’t afford to take the time to do your homework.
If you’re researching potential videographers and are unsure of how to go about picking one, make sure to ask them these important questions.
As with many other professionals, it’s normally the videographers who have the most experience under their belt who you can count on to produce the best results. Being aware that there are no chances for second takes at weddings, a seasoned pro will be prepared to capture all the candid moments on your big day, be able to competently cope with unpredictable mishaps and be sharp enough to spot the heartfelt yet less noticeable moments those still new to the game may miss.
However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go for someone with less experience. If they’re new to the wedding game but have solid references from other types of shoots, they may still be the perfect option.
Two main styles can be adopted: cinematic and documentary. A cinematic style, as the name implies, involves using feature-film methods to craft an arty movie. In contrast, a documentary-style involves outlining all the highlights of the event from beginning to end.
To avoid disappointment, ensure your videographer’s style matches your expectations by watching previous wedding films they’ve shot.
Videographers usually require you pay a flat rate based on the number of hours they’ll be shooting. They might also have designed fixed packages that include different products and services for different budgets. Whether your videographer bills you a flat rate or you’re opting for a package, it’s crucial you’re crystal clear on what is and isn’t part of the deal.
Note: Have any agreement you make with them sent to you in writing so if you’re disappointed with the product after, you have documentation outlining the promises made.
You want your videographer to focus solely on your wedding so make sure they have nothing else planned for that day. Having only one wedding to shoot guarantees your videographer will give you their undivided attention and that they’ll capture every aspect of the occasion they agreed to. Juggling multiple weddings or shoots in one day could mean your videographer does a rushed job.
Some videographers work for large studios that commonly take on several projects per day or weekend. When you first make contact, you probably won’t speak to the person who will be filming your wedding. If this is the case, get the contact details of the videographer assigned to you and set up a meeting with them. This will give you the chance to get comfortable with them as well as ask them any pressing questions about their style of shooting.
Having an assistant is key because it’ll be challenging or nearly impossible for all the necessary footage to be shot without one. To make your video exciting, it’s best to have certain parts of your wedding and, most of all, your ceremony, shot from varying angles. Keep in mind that having more than three videographers isn’t recommended because they’ll probably end up getting in each other’s way – and possibly your photographer’s too.
Your photographer and videographer will operate as a close-knit team to create valuable footage that’ll last a lifetime. So it’s a huge plus if they’ve had positive experiences with each other before – and even better if they come as a package! If they’ve never worked together, set up a meeting before the wedding to chat about their approach to collaborating as they document the day’s events. If they compete, rather than co-operate, to get shots, it could lead to tension – and terrible photographs and footage.
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‘Natural’ and ‘glam’ are two words that are seemingly opposites, yet an entire makeup style is dedicated to bringing these two styles together. This makeup style is perfect for the bride wanting a touch of glamour without feeling like they are wearing too much makeup.
It is typically characterised by a soft brown blown-out smokey eye and false lashes, paired with a natural skin finish. A bold, full brow helps to frame the face.
The key is to opt for a dewy-finish foundation with medium coverage and keep the skin makeup light. Don’t go crazy with the undereye concealer and use bronzer instead of contour for a softer finish. Use your perfect nude lipstick to complete the look. Top it with a gloss to look extra sweet.
Here are some tutorials to help you pull it off:
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