Kirsten Jacobs, Author at Wedding ETC

In Competitions

WIN: 6 bottles of bubbly and 6 champagne flutes! (CLOSED)

April 17, 2020 No Comments

Synonymous with class and sophistication, who doesn’t love a good glass of bubbly? This popular drink is a necessary addition to any celebration.

We can think of nothing better than popping open a bottle of bubbly to celebrate the end of lockdown. We are giving one lucky reader the chance to win a bottle 6 bottles of bubbly plus 6 champagne flutes worth R1 300 in total! These bottles include one of each of the three variants of Grace Sparkling Wine (Rose Gold, White Gold and White Sapphire) and a bottle of each of the three variants of Mionetto Prosecco (Brut, Treviso Extra Dry and Superiore DOCG Extra Dry).

Grace Sparkling Wines offer a taste for every palate. Their three variants, White Gold, Rose Gold and White Sapphire, are kept separate to allow flavour to develop first before marrying achieving a ‘state of Grace’: lighter, more delicate flavours. Having all three is a must.

Mionetto Prosecco is the world’s best-selling international Prosecco. Priced at R200 a bottle, the price tag answers the call for a premium, exceptionally-made, genuine Italian Prosecco fit for any occasion. Its affordability makes it possible to enjoy an imported glass of bubbly as an everyday luxury and certainly a great option for a wedding celebration.

Prize details: one lucky reader will win 6 bottles of bubbly (Three Grace Sparkling wine variants, three Mionetto Prosecco variants) and 6 champagne flutes.

How to enter: Fill in the form below.

Competition ends: April 24, 2020

Competition Ts & Cs:
– The winners will be announced on April 24, 2020 at 3pm

– Comment on the Facebook post promoting this competition letting us know who you would share the bubbly with and don’t forget to tag @Gracefinewine and @mionettosa

– Winners will be contacted via details entered on the form
– Prizes are not refundable and cannot be exchanged for money
– Winners who do not respond to Wedding Etc within 7 days will forfeit the prize

Feature image: Unsplash

In Honeymoons

SA honeymooning couple stuck at Maldives resort

April 17, 2020 No Comments

If you have to be stuck somewhere, a luxury 5-star resort seems like a pretty great place to be. This South African couple found out that this is both a blessing and a curse when they ended up being the only guests at the expensive resort after the nationwide lockdown was instated.

Newlyweds Olivia and Raul De Freitas arrived at the 5-star five-star Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives resort on March 22 for a luxurious 6-day honeymoon to ring in their recent nuptials. Rates start at $750 (R14,252) a night

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9tAXUPIWTz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

After a few days of bliss, however, on March 26 South Africa went into a 21 day nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19. This lockdown included airports being shut down.

“When we found out that South Africa closed its borders, we were worried, angry, and anxious about not knowing how we were going to get back,” they told Business Insider.

They considered taking a speedboat to the main island but by then, the Maldives had also imposed its own lockdown. They had no other choice but the stay at the resort and ended up being the last remaining couple after all the other guests fled to their respective countries.

Luckily, the hotel staff were all on hand to make sure their stay was special.

“Being the only guests at the resort was lonely and fun at the same time,” the couple said. “We really loved spending time with the staff and getting to know them on a personal level.”

The couple were eventually able to find their way to South Africa via a $104,000 self-funded private charter by the 40-plus South African and Mauritian tourists that were all stranded in the Maldives. Upon their arrival home this past weekend, they immediately went into a government quarantine facility.

It was a bittersweet experience for the newlyweds.

“When we look back, we realize we had the most incredible experience, although it was an expensive one,” they said. “We were healthy and safe and stuck in the most beautiful place on Earth,” they said.

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

How to have an outstanding outdoor wedding

April 16, 2020 No Comments

With the lockdown in full effect, it seems like everyone is dreaming of the day we may once again step outside and enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors.

Why spend another second inside when you don’t have to? Once things have returned to normal in the world, we predict outdoor weddings will see a big boom as couples and guests revel in the freedom of their movement.

While you’re stuck at home, there is no better time to plan your perfect day. Here are some tips to make your outdoor wedding a day to remember.

Location, location, location:

South Africans are blessed with beautiful scenery around every corner. It is especially important, now more than ever, to support local and choose a wedding venue in the country.

Our top pick is Monate Game Lodge. Located in Modimolle in the Waterberg district of Limpopo, Monate is a 4-star luxury bushveld accommodation and wedding venue where you can truly live out your African dream. Whether your wedding is big or small, the team at this 3000 hectare private game reserve will strive to add that personal touch and tailor each event to every unique pair.

Bridal couples can take their pick from the famous Rock Fig, a majestic Marula tree in a natural cave, the unique bush boma or the traditional Chapel to say ‘I do.’

Experience your dream come true in the gem of the bushveld. Monate Game Lodge is a venue where love falls in love again! For more info contact 014 718 7000 or [email protected]

Light ‘em up:

Both functional and fashionable, good lighting is a major key for your big day. Since you’ll be outdoors, you’ll have natural light to brighten the day. However, as the sun sets you’ll need a few additions. Use varying candle sizes, hanging lamps and tons of fairy lights to create a romantic atmosphere that is perfectly suited for a wedding day.

Remember to take advantage of your space so that your décor complements instead of detracts from what you already have. String fairy lights around tree stumps, line steps with outdoor candles or create a sky full of stars by hanging glass orbs filled with tea lights from the ceiling.

Get comfy:

If you’re planning a summer wedding, don’t forget to take the weather into account. There are tons of small ways to make the summer days a little more manageable. Let your guests stay calm, cool and collected with an ice-cream station or fabulous fan favours. If it gets a little chilly once the evening hits, have some blankets or shawls on hand to pass around.

If your wedding venue space allows, consider setting up a shaded cool-down lounge area for your guests to sit back, relax and take in the views. Conveniently place the bar nearby and the spot will be a hit, especially as the sun goes down.

Let’s play a game:

After being cooped up in the house for so long, your guests will be dying to have a little fun in the sun. Entertain them with some games designed to bring out their inner child. Think giant Jenga, ring toss, limbo or noughts and crosses.

Another bonus? Many of the items you’ll need for these games are easy DIY projects. You can get creative, fill up your time while in quarantine AND save money because you won’t have to outsource another service. Winner, winner.

Feature image: supplied

In Celebs

Celebrity marriages you probably forgot existed

April 16, 2020 No Comments

Celebrities, they’re fickle beings. While some famous pairings were built to last despite the Hollywood machine, others don’t make it that long.

We’ve seen quite a few interesting celebrity marriages over the years. Similarly, there are a few that are shocking to hear about. Here are a few celebrity marriages from yesteryear you might be surprised by.

Richard Gere & Cindy Crawford

A Hollywood romance for the ages, it seemed like a match made in heaven when screen icon Richard Gere and rising supermodel Cindy Crawford linked up in 1988. Crawford was 22 at the time, and Gere 39-years-old. On a whim, they tied the knot in 1991 at the Little Church of the West in Las Vegas. However, the marriage only lasted for four years and the pair ended things in 1995. Years later, Crawford would explain their age gap as the main reason for their split.

Renée Zellweger & Kenny Chesney

Actress Renee Zellwegger and country musician Kenny Chesney surprised the world when they tied the knot back in 2005 after a short 5-month romance. Unfortunately, the romance was not meant to be. Four months later, the pair split, weirdly citing ‘fraud’ as the reason for divorce.

Kim Kardashian & Damon Thomas

While her marriages to basketball player Kris Humphries and rapper Kanye West have received much coverage, many often forget that Kim Kardashian has actually been married three times. Back in 2000, a 19-year-old Kim said ‘I do’ to her first husband, music producer Damon Thomas. Thomas was reportedly mentally and physically abusive, and caused a rift between Kim Kardashian and her family. The pair split in 2004.

Nicolas Cage & Patricia Arquette

When actors Cage and Arquette met at a deli back in the late 80s, he asked her to create a list of ways he could prove his dedication and worthiness to her. The seemingly-impossible list included J.D. Salinger’s rare autograph and a black orchid, which Cage set off to complete. His intensity scared Arquette, and it wasn’t until 1995 that they met at the same deli by chance and wed two weeks later atop a cliff in California. 9 months into the marriage they called it quits, although it took until 2000 for the divorce to be finalised.

Jennifer Garner & Scott Foley

Before he played Jake Ballard on Scandal, Scott Foley was more well-known for his role in popular TV show Felicity. He met future wife Jennifer Garner (before she hit it big) when she guest-starred as a love interest for his character back in 1998 and they fell in love. They tied the knot in 2000 but split in 2003. Many argue that Garner’s career-defining role in Alias catapaulted her stardom and put strain on the relationship.

Pamela Anderson and Kidd Rock

The Baywatch star met Kidd Rock in 2001, they fell in love and got engaged in 2002 but then broke up. They then got back together and married in 2006 during a symbolic ceremony on a yacht, for which she famously wore a white bikini and sailors hat. Unfortunately, the marriage was not meant to be. The pair split in 2007. In an interview, Borat actor Sacha Baron Cohen claims Anderson’s appearance in the 2006 comedy film contributed to strain in her marriage and led to their divorce.

Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johannson

Now married to Blake Lively, it’s easy to forget that Ryan Reynolds once had a very different starlet wife. Reynolds and Scarlet Johannson were fiercely private about their relationship, and little is known about how and when they met. They secretly married in 2007, although there are no public photos of their union. The pair divorced in 2010. Johannson has since explained that she was very young when they tied the knot, and romanticised marriage but was unprepared for the reality of it.

Bradley Cooper & Jennifer Esposito

It’s hard to believe that there was once a time that Bradley Cooper was the lesser-known partner in a relationship. Back in 2006, before The Hangover made him a household name, the actor was married to actress Jennifer Esposito, who was relishing in fame after winning an Oscar for her role in Crash. However, they filed for divorce in 2007 after 4 months of marriage, citing ‘irreconcilable differences’.

Feature image: Pinterest

In News

UAE launches online wedding service

April 16, 2020 No Comments

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched an online wedding service to restrict social interaction and movement.

The UAE currently has 5 365 confirmed coronavirus cases and 33 deaths. As a result, they’ve put in place a number of strict measures to curb the spread of the virus.

The Justice Ministry has created a page on their website to allow citizens and residents that still intend to wed to apply to get married online. Couples must first submit the relevant paperwork and once approved, their big day will be conducted via a video link with a cleric.

The cleric will confirm identities of the bridal couple and their witnesses. The bridal couple will then digitally sign the marriage certificate before it is sent to a specialised court for validation. The couple will receive confirmation of their marriage certificate via text message.

Feature image: Unsplash

In Celebs

Prince Harry and Meghan donate wedding profits to coronovirus relief

April 16, 2020 No Comments

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, are donating the profits from their royal wedding broadcast to help feed hungry families amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The royal couple will donate $112,000 (R208,4219) to Feeding Britain, an organisation aimed at alleviating hunger.

According to a spokesperson for the couple, Harry and Meghan have visited the organisation before and have been moved by their work.

“The Duke and Duchess were able to speak to The Archbishop [of Canterbury] recently, and were moved to hear all about the work Feeding Britain was doing to support people during Covid-19,” the spokesman said.

Feature image: Instagram / The Sussex Royals

In Diy

DIY favours your guests will love

April 16, 2020 No Comments

Thanking your guests with a take-home wedding favour adds an extra special touch to your big day. However, there is no need to outsource this service.

There are so many cute and simple wedding favour ideas you can easily make from the comfort of your home. All you need is time and a few extra products you can order online.

Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Homemade jam

Some punny tea

Fragrant soap

Hangover kit

Popcorn

Hot chocolate kit

Coffee beans

Succulents

Seeds

Feature image: Pexels

In Beauty

Trending in beauty: The fox-eye

April 15, 2020 No Comments

With all the time on your hands right now, it seems like the right time to perfect your makeup skills. The latest makeup trend sweeping the beauty blogs is the fox-eye look, and it might just inspire your bridal beauty look.

The fox-eye look is a makeup technique that makes your eye appear more angled and elongated, like a fox. The trend originated on Tik Tok and is typically accompanied by straight, archless eyebrows to make your eyes appear even more angled.

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However, if you’re not willing to shave off the ends of your brows to achieve this look, fear not. When filling in your brows, you could simply add more product in the arch to make the brow appear straighter. You could also skip the brows all together and focus on your eyeshadow to achieve this effect.

The eyeshadow effect requires you to ‘contour’ your eyeshape from above your crease upwards towards your browbone. This creates a shadow, making it appear as if your eye is naturally shaped this way. Complete the look with angled liner using a dark brown eyeshadow then softly diffuse the line. It’s not a cat-eye liner you want, this look is much softer and more ‘natural’. Then sharply define and elongate your inner eyeducts to make them appear more angled. Voila, the fox-eye!

Here are a few tutorials to help you perfect the look:

Feature image: Pexels

In News

Photographer shoots LEGO couple’s big day

April 15, 2020 No Comments

With quarantine in effect throughout the globe, people are having to find creative ways to keep busy. This UK-based wedding photographer decided to keep his skills sharp. However, since he can’t shoot real weddings, he staged and shot a Lego wedding.

Wedding photographer Chris Wallace of Carpe Diem Photography shared a series of images from a wedding he shot for Lego couple Florence and Fred.

“Wow what an incredible day! Florence & Fred were extremely lucky to have their wedding during lock-down, the suppliers pulled out all the stops to make this magical day happen,” wrote Wallace on his website.

“They first met in a warehouse, it was a meeting like no other. On the Amazon conveyor belt their eyes made contact and they fell in love, it was from that moment they knew they would be together forever. ”

Their outdoor wedding featured esteemed guests such as Chewbacca, Hans Solo and 1980 Lego spaceman among others.

There was not a dry eye in the crowd when Florence walked down the aisle, escorted by her father Harry Potter.

The reception was a great time, even though the guests had to maintain social distancing. Take a look at their special day below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-z9R_Qh8Wy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

All images captured by the talented Chris Wallace of Carpe Diem Photography

In Announcements

Pair pose for cheeky postponed wedding shoot

April 15, 2020 No Comments

With the coronavirus pandemic, many couples are being forced to postpone their big days. While it is disappointing, this couple decided to look on the bright side and have a little fun by posing for a ‘postponement ‘shoot.

Kim Henrickson and her partner David Woolston were set to marry in June 2020 but had to postpone their wedding to October amid the coronavirus. To announce their new date, they planned a tounge-in-cheek shoot filled with coronavirus-themed props like toilet paper and Corona beer. Their photographer was Brisbane-based Edwina Kate.

They made sure to go to an isolated part of a park, and had their photographer shoot with a long lens so that they did not break social distancing rules.

“We thought we’d take some photos and put them out there just to bring some smiles to people’s faces,” Henrickson tells 9Honey.

“It’s such a depressing decision to postpone our wedding, but we needed to make something positive out of it.”

After Kim shared the images to Facebook, she got overwhelming support from her family and friends.

“People kept telling us it was such a great idea and a nice way to turn a negative into a positive,” Herickson says, adding, “I didn’t realise how many other couples are going through what we’re going through at the moment.”

Feature image: Facebook / Edwina Kate Photography