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    Leandri de Kock

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    Grooms, put your best footwear forward

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    By Keenan Martin

    It’s become an unspoken rule for the groom to take a peripheral role at weddings. So while you may not steal the attention of those attending your wedding, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put a little effort into looking your best on the big day.

    Shoe vs Suit

    Probably the most important factor when it comes to selecting a shoe is how it will complement your suit style and colour. Traditional black suits should always be paired with black shoes, and stay away from lengthy white socks if your pants are going to be cropped above the ankle. Brown shoes tend to pair well with darker colours such as midnight blue, navy or maroon.

    Suit styles are often overlooked, so knowing more about your suit will help make choosing a shoe so much easier. Brogues tend to be the best choice for tuxedos, while Oxfords are more suited to your formal suits. Loafers are a popular stylistic choice these days but should be used with caution, these shoes are best worn when the pants have been cropped above the ankle.

    Comfort is key

    Comfort should always be of the utmost importance since weddings are long and you’ll most likely be on your feet for most of the day. Do not compromise on comfort! Your bride-to-be will not appreciate blistered feet on the honeymoon, and neither will you. Make sure you have the appropriate socks, preferably with non-slip grips to avoid them sliding down your foot. If your shoes are brand new, wear them around the house for a few days before to see if you’ll need any additional support, like heel grips or insoles.

    Consider where you’re getting married

    Another thing to consider is location – if you’re planning to be wed on a beach in the sand, perhaps the shiny brogues aren’t the best choice. Consider your environment, and particularly, the surface you’ll be strutting your stuff on for the ceremony all the way through pictures, then onto the dancefloor.

    A last thought…

    Of course not every couple prefers the traditional wedding with the traditional attire, every couple is unique and should allow for self expression. One thing is for sure, sneakers are trendy and more men are incorporating them for a touch of ‘cool’. If you are going to opt for the more casual footwear, nothing is more regal or clean than an all white Nike Air Force 1, just saying.

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    In Announcements

    6 ways to announce your engagement

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    Getting engaged is an incredible moment that both you and your partner will never forget and will want to share with the world. In the digital age, social media is the way to go for engagement announcements but don’t rely on a basic post, get creative with it!

    1. Plain and simple

    A straightforward way to announce your engagement is to show off the star of the show: your sparkling engagement ring! Have your soon-to-be husband pose in the background for an extra detail.

    2. Picture pawfect

    Including your furry friends in your engagement post could deliver an adorable result. Dress them up and include them in your engagement shoot to have them share their humans’ exciting news. After all, dogs are a (wo)man’s best friend!

    3. Include the family

     

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    Read till the End❤️? “The day after I gave birth to our son Seamus, the nurses told me they had to take him for a test (totally believable after delivery!), but instead, they were helping Alex put Seamus in a onesie that read “Mommy, will you marry my Daddy?” When they brought him back in, I immediately noticed he was wearing something different. It was the first real outfit I had seen Seamus in, and I was confused because I hadn’t asked them to put anything on him yet. Alex told me to read the onesie, and I *immediately* started crying. Alex got down on one knee, said the sweetest things about how he always knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, and asked me to marry him…” Tag who you would Love to share this with ??❤️? … Our congratulations to @lwhit1009 & @hazer92 Follow?? #she_saidyes & @she_saidyes for nore? … : : : … #ruffledblog #justengaged #wanderingweddings #heproposed #justsaidyes #uniquewedding #engagementphotographer #boda #marryingmybestfriend #marryme #weddingbands #finejewellery #ringshot #marrymerings #imengaged #bestfriend #ourrelationship #wereengaged #soontobemrs #futuremrs #newlyengaged #gettinghitched #weddedbliss #weddingbliss

    A post shared by Proposal~Wedding~Engagement (@she_saidyes) on

    If you and your partner have kids include them in your engagement post to make it a special family affair. Have them share the news by posing with your ring or props, or even wearing clothing items that sport sayings such as ‘Mom and Dad are getting married!’

    4. Share it

     

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    Such a Wonderful Moment?❄️?? “At the top of the hike, Alex suggested we take some photos of the view, so i whipped out my camera and tried to get a great panoramic shot. When I turned around to show him, he was walking toward me with a beautiful, hand-carved wooden box and a sweatshirt that read “ I’ll LOVE YOU TO THE MOUNTAINS & BACK”❤️? … Tag your Loved ones to share the Inspiration with them & Tag us to your Proposal Story for a chance to be Featured #She_Saidyes ❤️? … : : : … #gettingmarried #weddingphotos #truelove #weddingphotographer #ilovethis #reallove #photooftheday #excitement #proposal #yes #engagement #loved #engagementphotos #engaged #inlove #soulmate #weddings #winterlove #iloveyouforever #brides #loving #iloveyou #excited #ringselfie #supriseproposal #weddingseason #suprise #happysaturday

    A post shared by Proposal~Wedding~Engagement (@she_saidyes) on

    Get personal with your engagement post by adding in details about you and your partner. Do you have a favorite movie? Why not make a movie poster as your engagement post. Are you or your significant other artistic? Why not make a doodle depicting the proposal to share on social media. You could also make a collage of all your treasured moments together. For example a movie ticket from your first date and all the mementos you have collected throughout your time together.

    Instagram’s Story feature is also a creative way to announce your engagement. You could make a series of stories depicting you and your partner’s love journey that led to the engagement or have fun with the Boomerang feature or some filters on your Instagram Story.

    5. Hold a shoot

    You can never go wrong with a traditional, timeless engagement shoot. These photos will never go out of style and will be a moment in time captured that you can cherish forever. You could have the engagement shoot at a place which is special for you and your partner, like the restaurant where you had your first date, or if you both love the outdoors, the beach or forest. You can also try to hire a photographer or even set up a hidden camera yourself to capture the exact moment you or your partner proposes. These photos will depict the shock, joy and excitement you felt during the proposal and take you back to the special moment when you look at them later.

    6. Have a party

    If you prefer to not share your exciting news on social media, why not have an engagement party with your family and close friends to make your special announcement. Sharing your happiness and excitement with your family and friends while being surrounded by good food, wine and loads of love is a joyous occasion. If you have a date set for your wedding you can also send out save-the-dates to announce your engagement if you want to avoid a social media post. It will be a lovely surprise for your friends and family to receive a save-the-date!

    In the end it is not about the engagement post or the amount of likes you receive on said post, but rather about you and your partner, the two lovebirds. Have fun and get creative with your engagement posts but let the main focus remain on the love you and your partner share.

     

    By: Larissa Vermeulen

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    In Advice

    6 tips to secure your wedding day MUA

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    You should also read: Best wedding planning APP’s and tools for more guidance. Get your wedding makeup artist booked and secured seamlessly with these fool-proof guidelines:

    1. Do your homework

    Unless you have a make-up artist on speed dial or a trusted MUA friend, it’s best you do some proper research on who to book. Gather a list of makeup artists in your region and go to their websites or social media pages to see examples of their work. This isn’t only to see the quality of the final product, but to get an idea of their style and general aesthetic. It’s best to opt for someone who specialises in weddings as they will be more likely to provide you with makeup that will last the longest. Once you’ve seen one or two that you like, request a quote.

    2. Book early

    If your wedding date is set in stone, there’s no reason not to tick one more booking off your checklist. Most makeup artists are booked far in advance, especially in wedding season, so try to make the booking as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

    3. Always book a trial

    You might think everything will work out perfectly on the day, but to be extra sure, book a trial so that your MUA can be aware of exactly what you want. This way you can also see how quickly he/she works and what you’ll look like on the day. Make changes if necessary and see how long it lasts. Go out for dinner with your bridesmaids after your trial so they can give their opinions and so you can see how the makeup wears in between drinking and eating.

    4. Communicate

    At your trial, it’s essential to bring along photos of what you want to give your makeup artist a clear view of what you expect. It’s also ideal to show him/her photos of yourself where you really liked your makeup. Be very clear about what you don’t want and what you would like to stay away from. That said, don’t let your MUA try to convince you to do something you wouldn’t normally do. The same goes for on the day – communicate and be clear about your feelings.

    5. Be prepared

    Wear something in a similar colour to your wedding dress for your trial, and also try to wear something with a similar neckline. Although your MUA should inform you of the specifics beforehand, it’s best to try and have everything done as you would for your wedding – your hair, your spray tan, your lashes and eyebrows. Also, don’t forget your veil or hair accessories if you’re having a hair trial too.

    6. Get all the details beforehand

    Ask your prospective MUA for any specific terms and conditions, payment details, travel arrangements etc, to make sure no unwanted surprises pop up on the day. If there’s a contract involved, even better – this just makes things so much easier for both parties. They also need to provide you with a timeline of when certain people need to be ready to have their makeup done (if you book for more than one person).

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    In Advice

    Should you tip your wedding vendor?

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    By Mariska van Zyl

    There’s no denying that planning your wedding can be exciting, overwhelming and very expensive. So establishing a budget and planing ahead is crucial. There are a few hidden costs when it comes to your wedding day, tipping vendors being one of them.

     

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    @adellet all the way from australia!!

    A post shared by Justin & Simone Photography (@justinandsimone) on

    Photographers & Videographers:
    It’s not necessary to tip the photographer and videographer if they own their own business as all the costs will usually be included in the contract. If you feel that they went the extra mile you can add an additional amount to the agreed price or you can send a thank you gift after the wedding.

    Catering staff and Bartenders:
    If your contract doesn’t include tip, you should tip 10 to 20 percent of the total catering bill. If you have an open bar, bartenders do expect to receive a tip from guests as they serve the drinks but it isn’t necessary as they’ll already receive a fixed amount from the venue.

    Hair & Makeup artist:
    When you hire a hair and makeup artist that owns their own business, you aren’t obligated to tip them. However, if you go to a salon you are expected to tip as you would going for a normal appointment.

     

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    This forest ceremony area is just mind blowing at @beloftebos_wedding_venue What do you guys think?

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    Officiant:
    While it isn’t customary to tip religious officiants, however if you want to thank them for their service, you can send them a thoughtful gift or better, make a donation to their place of worship.

    Musicians and DJs:
    If you are hiring an independent band or DJ, you aren’t obligated to tip, however when the band or DJ is being booked through an agency, tipping each member is standard.

    Tips are meant to to be given to vendors who go above and beyond their contracted duties, so remember to have a look at the vendors’ contracts to see if any gratuity is added in the costs. If your budget is tight, there are other ways of giving “tips”. You can give your vendors excellent reviews or refer them to other friends that are getting married.

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    In Decor

    A touch of paint adds a lifetime of memories

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    Live painting at wedding receptions is a growing trend for both the couple and guests. It is a fun and creative way to keep guests entertained, as well as create a truly lasting memory for the couple to treasure.

     

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    “You have peace,” the old woman said, “when you make it with yourself. ~Mitch Albom

    A post shared by Mary Paints Weddings (@marypaintsweddings) on

    Mary Paints Weddings (@marypaintsweddings) specialises in live wedding painting in South Africa which leaves the bridal couple with a tangible forever memory – a painting. Mary also creates painted jackets for the couple which can be kept and reused long after the wedding and honeymoon has ended.

    Another fun way to incorporate art into your wedding reception is to hire a caricature artist, inviting guests to take something home as well. Martinus Van Tee (@martinus_caricatures)  is a caricature artist based in the Western Cape who offers these services for both wedding and corporate events.

    A picture is worth a thousand words but what about a painting? This fun addition to your big day will have your reliving one of the happiest moments of your life, hanging right there in your home.

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