Kirsten Jacobs, Author at Wedding ETC

In Advice

What to do the week of your wedding

October 4, 2019 No Comments

You’ve finally made it. It’s been months of prepping and planning and now it’s the week of your wedding. However, the work does not end quite yet.

The week of your wedding is busy. It’s your last chance to make sure everything is secured and plans are in place so that your day runs smoothly. However, in the chaos it’s easy to forget what still needs to get done. Here is a wedding checklist of things to do the week of your wedding to make sure your day is perfect:

Have a full test-run of your look:

So far, you’ve probably had makeup trials, purchased shoes and secured your wedding gown. But have you put them all together? The week before your wedding is the perfect time to test-drive your wedding look from head to toe. This way, you can actually visualise how you will look and be able to fine-tune any aspects you are not pleased with so that the day of, you can just get dressed and go.

Break-in your shoes:

New shoes are great, but they can also be uncomfortable. If you’ll be wearing high-heels, make sure to give yourself a few days to break them in. Doing this will ensure you are as comfortable as possible on your big day.

Fine-tune the guest list:

At this point, everyone would have hopefully RSVP’ed. However, there are always people that leave things to the last minute. Now is the time to call people that have not responded to get definitive answers. You can then give the final headcount to hotels and caterers and let them take it from there. You can also then fine-tune the seating charts if need be.

Inspire your photographer and DJ:

If you have a specific vision for your wedding photographs, now is the time to let your photographer know. Send your photographer a list of the exact shots you want. Providing them with a mood board makes their job easier and also eases your concerns as you know you’ll get exactly what you want.

Don’t forget to make sure your DJ knows what song to play for your first dance, as well as what songs you’d like on the playlist. If you have specific songs in mind, provide them with a song list.

Have your engagement ring cleaned:

Your ring will be on show on your big day, so you better make sure it’s sparkling. Send your wedding ring in to be cleaned the week of your wedding to ensure that it is looking its best for all your photos.

Draw up a contact list and schedule:

Create a contact list of every service you’ll be making use of throughout your day, as well as a schedule of when they are meant to arrive and start working. Share the schedule with your bridal party so that they can help ensure everyone sticks to the timeline.

Confirm timelines and details:

It is easy to get wires crossed, especially if you are co-ordinating with many people. Liaise with your photographer, caterer, officiant, florists, cake makers, bartenders and everyone else you’ve hired to be a part of your day to make sure they know exactly when and where to arrive.

Write your speech:

If you will be writing your own vows, now is the time to finish them. Dedicate enough time to put your feelings into words. Once you’ve completed writing it, spend enough time learning your speech so that you are more comfortable actually saying it out loud.

Beautify yourself:

If you’re planning on having any treatments done prior to your wedding, do them three to five days before. This includes spray-tans, manicures and pedicures, dying or cutting your hair, facials, massages and waxing.

Pack an emergency kit:

You never know what you need until you need it. Pack an emergency kit to help solve any issues that may spring up. Things to put in your emergency kit include: a sewing kit, tissues, plasters, medication, gum or mints, deodorant and perfume, make-up wipes, a hairbrush and bobby pins, and a snack.

Image: Unsplash

In News

Weird wedding customs around the world you probably didn’t know

October 3, 2019 No Comments

Across the world, there are many cultural customs and traditions that shape the way people get married and prove that there is no standard way to get married. Some are interesting, some are quirky, and some are strange. Here are some weird and wonderful wedding customs you probably didn’t know about.

Kenya:

Maasai culture sees spitting as a sign of good luck and fortune. As a result, fathers traditionally spit on their daughters’ heads and breasts on their wedding day. They also spit on the couple following the wedding.

French Polynesia:

The Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia have a very interesting wedding custom. Following the ceremony, wedding relatives of the bride must lay face down on the ground alongside each other and the wedding couple walks over them.

China:

Chinese weddings are a feat. Traditionally, Chinese grooms have to prove their worth and perform a number of stunts for bridesmaids before he can get to his bride. Called door games, the stunts include singing a sappy song, doing the limbo, getting every answer right and a Q&A on the bride and their relationship. For every answer the groom gets wrong, he has to complete a number of press-ups or sit-ups. Once he has successfully completed his tasks, the groom must present bridesmaids with red envelopes of money.

Niger:

Wedding receptions in Niger have special guests: camels. The camels entertain guests with a dance to a rhythmic drumbeat.

Armenia:

As Armenian couples enter their wedding reception they break a plate. The mother of the groom then traditionally places lavash flatbread on the shoulders of the bride and groom in a symbol of prosperity and abundance. They are tasked with balancing the bread on their shoulders to ward off evil. They are also fed spoonfuls of honey and walnuts in a bid for happiness.

Mongolia:

Mongolian couples have a checklist of activities to complete before they get married. Firstly, just to set a wedding date includes a rather intense activity: they need to slaughter and gut a baby chicken to locate the liver. If the liver is in good condition, they may set a date. If not, they must start all over until they have a good liver.

Before their wedding, the couple must circle their new home thrice for good luck. They then leap over a pile of burning wood to be blessed by the fire god, signalling that their marriage will be as bright as the flames.

Ireland:

Irish folklore makes dancing at a wedding a little bit difficult for brides. According to tradition, brides must dance with one foot on the ground at all time. If not, the bride might be kidnapped by evil fairies.

Cuba:

In Cuba, weddings often feature a money dance designed to help financially set up the couple for their future. Those that would like to dance with the bride must first pay her by pinning money to her dress.

Borneo:

Malaysia and Indonesia’s Tidong people in Borneo observe an interesting tradition following their wedding ceremony where betrothed couples must be locked in their homes together for three days and are not allowed to leave or use the bathroom at all. Couples who do not observe this tradition are said to be cursed with bad luck in their marriage.

South Korea:

Some South Korean grooms must have the soles of their feet beaten by groomsmen or family members. His feet are bound together with rope and then beaten with a stick or, oddly enough, dried fish. While over quickly, the custom is meant to act as a test of the groom’s strength and character.

Image: Unsplash

In Decor

Why dried botanicals are on everyone’s hotlist

October 3, 2019 No Comments

Traditionally, when you think wedding you think bright, blossoming buds in beautiful floral arrangements. However, the latest wedding trend is going against the norm. Dried botanicals offer a muted colour palette and vintage feel that many brides are loving. For a soft vintage yet modern feel, consider adding these dried flowers to your wedding day.

The past few years have seen traditionally old-school wedding finishes being reinvented in modern ways. We’ve seen rustic and garden party-esque wedding themes grow in popularity, and dried botanicals fit these themes perfectly.

Modern dried botanicals include more than just flowers. Think seed pods, reeds, and grasses. Mix dried botanicals with live flowers for a varied floral finish. This dynamic flower arrangement provides a whimsical yet rustic touch to your wedding. With so many options, dried botanicals bring much versatility to your wedding decor.

Here is some inspiration if you want to incorporate dried botanicals into your wedding day.

Bouquets:

Arches:

Decor:

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

What to include in the best man’s emergency kit

October 3, 2019 No Comments

As the best man, you’re being entrusted to be the groom’s greatest support. Whatever he needs, you have to be ready and willing to help him. You’ll even have to expect the unexpected. For this, you’ll need an emergency kit filled with tools for every requirement or emergency that might just pop up. Here is what every best man will need in his emergency kit:

Personal items:

Gum/mints:

No-one wants bad breath, especially not on their wedding day. Slip the groom some gum or mints to chew on before the ceremony to keep his breath minty fresh. Just remind him to get rid of it before getting married!

Medication:

If a sudden headache or wave of nausea hits the groom, you have to be ready with some tablets to quell his ills.

Tissues:

Weddings and tears go hand in hand. Keep tissues in your pocket to pass to your groom when the waterworks start flowing.

Lip-balm:

The groom will be having his most important kiss on his wedding day, so his lips need to be moisturised and in tip-top shape.

Hairbrush:

Fly-aways be gone! Keep a hairbrush/comb on hand to smooth the groom’s locks before he walks down the aisle.

Cash:

You never know when you’ll need some money. Make sure to keep a few notes in your pocket in case you need to tip any of the vendors or do a quick shop run.

Clothing items:

Cologne:

Your groom should be smelling his best on his big day. Keep a bottle of his favourite cologne on hand to spritz him with before he weds.

Sewing kit:

Keep a sewing kit on hand in case of seam rips or loose buttons. If you don’t know how to sew (let’s be honest), replace the kit with hem tape or safety pins.

Extra cuff links:

Things can go missing easily in high-stress situations. Have a spare set of cuff links available in case the groom misplaces one of his.

Shoe polish:

No one wants a dusty shoe. Have shoe polish on hand to shine the groom’s shoes and keep him looking polished.

Lint roller:

Dust, random hairs and loose fabric threads can ruin the groom’s overall look. Make sure to give him a once-over with a lint roller to have him looking his best for his big day.

Image: Unsplash

In Weddings

Black bear gate-crashes wedding

October 3, 2019 No Comments

Imagine your wedding is going ahead on schedule and then you have an unexpected guest. Seems somewhat normal, right? Well, not for this unlucky couple, who were surprised by a bear at their wedding!

Sarina Thompson and Cory Alan Brewer had the shock of their lives when a massive black bear stumbled onto their wedding in the Great Smoky Mountains of Gatlinburg, Tennessee mid photoshoot. Luckily, their photographer, Leah McMahan Edmondson, was on hand to capture it all.

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“I had the bride and groom with me starting to shoot when we all noticed this bear,” photographer Leah McMahan told The New York Post. “He turned and started down the aisle. Being scared didn’t cross my mind, I just wanted ‘the shot’.”

The bear then made a huffing noise and started coming toward them, at which point Leah began to panic.

“He jacked my heart rate up to Jesus,” she said.

Luckily no one was injured.

They say a picture says a thousand words. Well, these photographs definitely tell an interesting story!

Image: Instagram/gypsysoul_knoxville

In Advice

Fun wedding games your guests can play

October 3, 2019 No Comments

Wedding games are slowly growing in popularity, and understandably so. Gone are the days of stiff, formal weddings. Weddings should be fun, and there is no better way to get the giggles going than with some simple games that will bring out the child in everyone. The key is to offer quick-round games that will have many involved and captivated at once. Here are some fun games your wedding guests can play.

Outdoor games:

Croquet:

Get active with a gentle game of croquet.

Giant Jenga:

Jenga requires lots of concentration and garners high emotions from participants. Instead of the table-top version, life-size the Jenga blocks to up the stakes.

Ring Toss:
Ring toss is the perfect way to get your guests feeling competitive.

Giant Connect Four:
Get your guests competing against each other in a giant game of Connect Four.

Wedding Speech Bingo:
For a laugh, write out “wedding speech bingo”. Every time a speech giver’s words match one of the squares, people get a point. Besides giving a good giggle, this game will encourage people to actually listen to the speeches.

Indoor games:

Dress-up photo booth:
Photos are a great way to preserve memories. Add some props and you get a whole lot of fun. Guests can go crazy with props available and take group photos to their heart’s content.

Wedding wheel:
For a fun, interactive game, consider having a wedding wheel. Each notch has an order that the spinner has to complete. Have a healthy mix of mild, medium and wild dares to up the ante.

Wedding ad-libs:
Get a little tongue-in-cheek with some wedding ad-libs. Each guest can fill in a form with their best advice. Of course, depending on the guest, you’ll get some interesting advice!

Limbo:
Get low, low, low with limbo! People love showing off their flexibility with a game of limbo. If they’re bad at it, even better!

Table trivia:
Test how well your guests actually know you with a game of trivia. Set up a questionnaire for guests to fill out. The guests with the most points win a prize!

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

What to do if it unexpectedly rains on your wedding day

October 2, 2019 No Comments

Unfortunately, we cannot schedule good weather. Despite rain on your wedding day signifying good luck in many cultures, it can still be worrisome. Whether it’s a drizzle or a downpour, unexpected showers can put a damper on your wedding day, especially if you’re having an outdoor affair.

Sometimes the forecast gets it wrong, and the heavens open up unprovoked. So here is what to do if it unexpectedly rains on your wedding day:

Go with Plan B:

If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, then you should already have a contingency plan in place. If you don’t have a backup plan already set up, try speaking to your venue to find out if the wedding can be relocated to an indoor space on their grounds. Don’t forget to let your guests know about the venue change!

If you still really want to have your wedding outdoors, rent a marquee tent. This way, everything set up can stay and it adds another design element.

Stop and take stock:

Now is the time to accessorise. Have someone purchase or collect umbrellas and throw blankets to offer guests as they arrive. Have heat lamps and towels on hand to dry them off if they got caught in the rain. Offer your guests hot beverages to keep your guests feeling warm and cosy. At the end of the day, it’s about making your guests as comfortable as possible despite the weather.

If you already know it will most likely rain on your wedding day, you can pre-prep and have items monogrammed to represent your wedding day in style. Bonus: they double-up as wedding favours!

Embrace it:

We can’t change the weather, so there is no point fretting about it. As we said, rain on your wedding day is seen as good luck in many cultures. So flip the script and take the rain as a positive sign for your future.

Sometimes the rain can act as a great backdrop. Use the weather to your advantage and shoot creative images.

Here are some ideas to inspire you:

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Image: Pexels

In Emotional

Stunning wedding photos show power of love

October 2, 2019 No Comments

Photos from a US-based couple’s wedding has made the rounds on South African social media, and inspired many.

Beautiful couple Stef and Renee wed at the La Mare Wine Estate in New Jersey in August 2019. Their photographer, Kaleido Shoots, captured many incredible images throughout the day that truly represent their love.

These images have grown in popularity and were recently shared to South African Facebook group #imstaying. Sipho Khanyile shared some of the images to the popular group and was met with many positive reactions. Many took to the comments section to show their support for the loving couple.

Here are some of the stunning photos from their wedding day:

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Image: Facebook / Kaleido Shoots

In Advice

The groomsmen’s duties

October 2, 2019 No Comments

Being a groomsman is a big honour. But with great honour comes great responsibility. As a groomsman, you’ll be expected to fulfil a number of duties to aid the groom in his wedding journey. Here is a rundown of the groomsmen’s duties:

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Pre-wedding prep:

Get fitted for wedding attire:

As a group, the groomsmen will be fitted with wedding attire to match the wedding’s theme. If a suit is being made, you might have to send your measurements through so make sure to have those on hand. Depending on the couple, you may be expected to purchase or rent the attire yourself. Make sure to set aside money for this.

Attend pre-wedding events:

Wedding festivities do not start and end with the big day. There are a host of pre-wedding events you will be expected to attend, including the engagement party, bachelor party, rehearsal dinner and of course, the wedding.

Help plan the bachelor party:

As one of the groom’s last nights as an unmarried man, the bachelor party is an important event in the pre-wedding schedule. While it is traditionally the best man’s responsibility to plan the event, groomsmen often provide a helping hand. Assist the best man in whatever he needs to pull off an epic bachelor party. You might also be expected to assist financially, so keep that in mind.

The Big Day:

Support the groom:

The Big Day is bound to be stressful for the groom. As a groomsman, you’ll be tasked with keeping him calm throughout the day. Ease his nerves, give him pep talks when needed and make sure his look is complete before he steps out. If need be, take the lead and make sure all arrangements are organised, such as transport and liaising with photographers and caterers. This way, the groom has less to stress him out, allowing him to enjoy his Big Day.

Give a great speech:

While it is typically the best man’s job to give a speech, groomsmen can also be asked to say a few winged words. Give yourself enough time ahead of the wedding to write out a strong speech that highlights what makes the newly betrothed couple special.

Give a great gift:

By virtue of being in the wedding party, you should be close to the couple. As such, your gift should be personal to them. If you’re out of ideas, have a look at their wedding registry for inspiration.

Have fun!

Now that all the big things are done, you can enjoy yourself at the reception. It’s important that guests have a good time, because that’s part of what makes weddings memorable. Dance with everybody, get people talking and play games as you celebrate love.

Image: Unsplash

In Celebs

Justin and Hailey Bieber’s star-studded wedding

October 2, 2019 No Comments

Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin have said “I do” again. The pair, who first married in a small courthouse wedding in 2018, wed with a much larger wedding ceremony that had many celebrities in attendance.

The Biebers wed in Montage Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, South Carolina on September 30. Hailey’s father, Steven Baldwin, had previously said that this ceremony would be more religious in nature, and is very important to the couple.

While there is little other information about the wedding available, we can get a small glimpse into their nuptials through some posts shared to social media.

For their reception, Hailey wore a high-necked, backless wedding dress and her hair in an elegant low bun. Justin wore a white shirt and black bow-tie.

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According to People Magazine, the wedding had 154 guests in attendance including many of the couple’s celebrity friends such as Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Justine Sky, Jaden Smith, Joan Smalls, and Justin’s manager Scooter Braun.

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Guests sipped on custom Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut bottles each adorned with 9,682 Swarovski crystals.

Grammy winning singer Daniel Caesar performed at the wedding, People has confirmed.

The couple met for the first time 2009 at one of Justin’s fan events when Justin was 15 and Hailey was 12. While they remained friends for years, they first became romantically linked in 2015 before splitting up in 2016. In mid-2018, the pair rekindled their romance and quickly got engaged on July 7. Justin announced their engagement on social media. They then wed in a small courthouse ceremony on September 13, 2018.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlBvw2_jBKp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Image: Instagram