Lynn Cupido, Author at Wedding ETC

In Venues

The best wedding venue in the Cape, according to locals

September 16, 2022 No Comments

Vrede en Lust is a real-world wonderland and is the latest winner of Kfm 94.5’s Best of the Cape Awards.

Founded more than 300 years ago, the farm is an ode to standing the test of time. Today, this breathtakingly modern wine farm – a family-owned and managed wine business – is a tribute to its noble roots and continues to build on years of history and heritage.

A Winelands gem that oozes romance at every point, Vrede en Lust’s views are stunning, featuring rolling green lawns, vineyards, and historical Cape Dutch architecture – the perfect backdrop for a stunning wedding ceremony.

After enjoying pre-drinks in the garden, guests can make their way to the Vineyard Terrace. Here, surrounded by frameless glass walls and doused in natural light, couples say I do. A stunning start to forever.

Leading up to your big day, Vrede en Lust’s talented team of wedding coordinators will be sure to check all of your dream day boxes. From pre-planning to world-class catering on the day and fabulous accommodation in which to stay after, Vrede en Lust provides the full wedding monty. And it’s all exclusive and customisable, of course.

Planning a wedding on any scale is no walk in the vineyards. This is what makes Vrede en Lust’s Wedding Venue offerings so spectacular.

Offerings include:

A picturesque venue with historical Cape Dutch architecture and undulating vineyards.
A wedding venue enclosed with glass walls.
A beautiful ceremony and pre-drinks in the gardens.
Seating for up to 120 people, with a dance floor inside. Or, up to 150 guests with a dance floor outside (weather permitting).
There’s accommodation for up to 40 guests on the estate within walking distance from the wedding venue.
Access to exclusive use of the wedding venue and accommodation section of the farm by the bridal couple and their guests for the duration of their stay.
Catering by Lust Bistro and Bakery – delicious!

The Vineyard Terrace:

The Vineyard terrace offers spectacular views with a total of 300sqm outdoor floor space, surrounded by frameless glass (250sqm covered by a permanent roof structure).
The historic cellar covers more than 300sqm, with a permanent kitchen and toilets.
The venue is backed by generator power to ensure no loss of electricity at any time. Cheers, Eskom.

The good folks at Vrede en Lust welcome you to visit the venue and discuss your requirements with their incredible wedding coordinators.

Contact VNL Coordinators: 021 874 1611 (during business hours, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) or email [email protected].

Vrede en Lust’s Details:

Website: www.vnl.co.za
Location: Intersection R45 & Klapmuts Road, Simondium, Western Cape.

The finalists in this category were:

Bona Dea Private Estate in Hermanus
Bosjes in Ceres
Damarakloof in Stellenbosch
De Uijlenes in Gansbaai

Feature image: Vrede en Rust

In Celebs

Bachelor SA’s runner-up says I do!

September 7, 2022 No Comments

Most people who enter reality competitions naturally want to be winners (whether the prize is love, money or both) but sometimes winning the way we thought we wanted is far from the only way to win.

The Bachelor SA runner-up, Bridget Marshall found her own Prince Charming after the show, and she said ‘I do’ recently!

Marshall was the runner-up and never got the final rose in the season finale with Marc Buckner. The season 2 runner-up had her fairy tale dreams shattered when she lost to Marisia van Wyk back in 2020 when the season was televised but little did she know that this was a blessing in disguise.

She later went on to meet Kobus de Kock, a former Rugby player who would become her now husband. The wedding announcement came out of the blue but fans were truly happy that she got her happily ever after. The two wed in August and Bridget stunned her guests in two breathtaking gowns.

In a recent Instagram post she shared that:

“The way I felt when my Bridal look came together – PRICELESS. My dream of what I wanted from when I was a little girl came to life.”

Her gorgeous gowns came from The Wedding Boutique and they couldn’t have done better at bringing out the natural beauty she already has. The couple wed in the picturesque valleys of Stellenbosch at a gorgeous wine estate. Friends, loved ones and fans on socials could not get enough of the images shared on Marshall’s Instagram.

SA’s Bachelorette Qiniso Van Damme said “LOVE YOUR DRESS!!!!!” and yes, she included 5 exclamation marks which only emphasises that this bride looked like an absolute princess.

We wish the couple all the best on their future together and many more fairy tale moments to come!

Also see:

Keeping things cheap with these budget-friendly wedding trends

Images: @bridge5m/ Instagram

Author: Rojaun Devos

In Engagements

“I ran 90km for you” SA goes wild over comrades runner’s proposal

August 29, 2022 No Comments

There’s nothing we love more than a fairytale proposal, and is there anything more romantic than running 90 kilometres to show just how much you want to be with “your person?”

While most people head to the Comrades to stretch their legs and show off the hard work they’ve put in over the last few months, Joseph Kagiso Ndlovu used the opportunity to propose to the lady in his life.

The 90km ultramarathon is a beast that attracts runners from all over the world with athletes using the event to raise funds for charity.

However, Joseph had something different in mind as he ran the entire 90km with a scroll of paper rolled up in his pocket with only one thing on his mind: to go down on his knee and ask the woman he loves to marry him.

Joseph made it to the finish line and finished the event at 8:40:05. Even more spectacular is the fact that he asked the love of his life to marry him on national TV – now, wouldn’t that make anyone blush?

So, who is the lucky lady? Prudence Phalatse-Mampe said “yes” with countless South African companies looking to aid the couple on their journey to saying “I do.”

A big congratulations to the newly engaged couple!

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

Keeping things cheap with these budget-friendly wedding trends

August 22, 2022 No Comments

More and more bridal couples are looking to cut their spending. Whether it’s purchasing affordable wedding dresses on SHEIN or throwing an intimate ceremony for friends and family, “cheap” is the new word on the wedding streets.

The latest wedding trends seem to reflect this as brides and grooms-to-be look to splurge on items and memories that are closest to their hearts (like a honeymoon for instance), and it’s all thanks to our post-pandemic world.

So, just what are these wedding trends?

The bar revamped:

Alcohol can add quite a hefty sum to your wedding budget and appears modern bridal couples are unwilling to pay the price. They’re opting out of offering guests a bar tab but are choosing to switch this with a variety of non-alcoholic beverages.

Winter weddings are a whole lot cosier as hot beverage stations are available throughout the event. From spiced rooibos to non-alcoholic sparkling wines, bridal are looking to switch things up in the best way possible.

The intimate wedding

One of the best things to come out of the pandemic is the trend of the intimate wedding. Brides and grooms are ditching the big wedding day affair in favour of smoothing smaller.

After all, this is a time to connect with loved ones and celebrate something loving and special. The guest list has gotten smaller and so have the locations, and this bodes well for couples looking to keep things simple and affordable.

Stepping outside the box

Tradition has been thrown out the window when it comes to wedding attire. Gone are the days of brides walking down the aisle in a white or wedding dress as more trends looking towards colour. Think untraditional colours such as black, red, pink – anything the bride fancies. Cosplay outfits are also fast becoming a “thing” for couples looking to indulge their adventures selves.

Supporting small businesses

Many small businesses suffered under the intense lockdown restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led many individuals, including brides and grooms, to favour small business owners – a trend we hope will continue.

Aspiring home cooks and food vendors getting on their feet are now the go-to as the new wedding trend looks to skip “traditional” wedding vendors in favour of small businesses.

Feature Image: olguinphotography

In Engagements

5 Incredible ways you can avoid wedding planning burnout

August 15, 2022 No Comments

We all know how stressful planning a wedding can be, making wedding planning burnout a very real possibility. Whether you’re trying not to pull out your hair as wedding costs skyrocket or you’re obsessing over every little detail to ensure that everything goes the way you’ve pictured it, feeling overwhelmed is guaranteed to happen if you’re not careful.

Thankfully, this isn’t something new and there are endless resources to help the modern bridal couple looking to keep costs and anxiety low.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when attempting to avoid wedding planning burnout:

Don’t rush

This may not always be possible but last-minute wedding planning is not fun for anyone, especially the soon-to-be bride and groom. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to hop, skip, and jump right into the part where you say “I do,” making sure that you have enough time to plan your dream wedding is always advised as this will give you a spacious timeline to ensure things are handled well and that the process is smooth.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

The number one reason for wedding planning burning is not asking for help. While it’s not always easy to ask for help, it is a necessary practice if you’re looking to keep your bridal party or the partner you’re set to marry, make sure you delegate tasks to ensure everything on your list is ticked off and that you’re not Atlas attempting to carry the world on your shoulders.

Be normal!

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in planning that you may forget why you’re actually getting married – love. A great way to keep your mental health in tip-top shape is by making sure that you get out and spend some quality time with each other. Plan an epic date night with your partner with a strict “no wedding talk rule,” this will allow you to keep some sense of normality.

Have some fun

Can wedding planning be fun? Well, you’ll need to find out. A big reason for something being incredibly stressful is because it’s just not bringing you the joy you need, so why not endeavour to pull out the fun card? For example, if you’re deciding what you should serve at your wedding, why not turn it into an adventure by setting it up as a “culinary tour” that could also double as a date night?

Technology is your friend

There are countless wedding app s that are ready to lend a helping hand as you attempt to navigate the minefield that is wedding planning. Whether you’re looking to make your life easier by setting up a wedding website and forgoing physical invitations or looking for a nifty app to help you sort out your budget, there’s something for everyone in need.

Feature Image: Olguin Photography

In Advice

Everything you need to know about wedding dress alterations

August 11, 2022 No Comments

You’ve found your dream dress but it doesn’t sit quite the way you were expecting. While most brides spend hours dreaming about the perfect gown that they’ll walk down the aisle in, what’s not often talked about (or dreamt about) is the logistics of wedding dress alterations.

The fit of your wedding dress is oh-so-important, which makes understanding wedding alterations just as important – but what to know?

Types of wedding dress alterations:

Adding details

If you have the time and the budget, customising your dress to include a range of details that suit your fancy – sleeves, train length, shoulder straps or beading – can be done by a reliable seamstress.

Basic hemming

This is probably the most common type of alteration and can range from hemming the length of the gown to adjusting the fit of the dress. These basic adjustments are a great way to make sure your wedding gown is comfy, looks spectacular on you and leaves you feeling beautiful.

Keep in mind that most wedding gowns will need alterations, which leads us to the next tip: budget.

Planning is everything

Add wedding dress alterations to your budget:

You want to look amazing on your big day and it’s important to remember that you may need wedding dress alterations to ensure that the dress fits you like a glove. Now, some wedding boutiques are heaven-sent and offer free alterations (depending on what you want to be done), however, you may need to add alterations to your budget.

So, how much will it cost? Another important note is that all wedding dress seamstresses are different and will charge their own rate, but you can expect to pay around R2500 for alterations, so make sure that you add this into your wedding budget. Another aspect to keep in mind – more expensive is always better, so make sure that you shop around.

Timing is everything

No bride needs the extra stress and stressing about whether you’ll receive your wedding gown before you walk down the aisle is stressful. Timing is everything when it comes to alterations, so make sure that you create a timeline that ensures you won’t be pulling your hair from the stress.

If it’s possible, purchase your wedding dress at least 10 months before your date as buying your dress early allows you to have an abundance of time for fittings. Schedule a fitting at least eight to 12 weeks before the wedding and then a second fitting at least two weeks before you walk down the aisle.

Fitting tricks

Bring along your wedding shoes, accessories and undergarments

Bring along your wedding day essentials in order to ensure that you get a proper fit. There’s no question that shoe length, your favourite shapewear and a strapless bra can make all the difference when trying on clothes, and the same goes for your wedding dress. You want to know exactly how it’s going to fit and during your fitting appointments, you’ll get a sense of what you’ll look like on the day.

An extra tip: Your wedding dress is usually altered according to the length of your shoe, so if you’re looking to change into a pair of sneakers during the reception, it’s going to be a bit long and you may find yourself tripping all over the place. To avoid this, make sure that you purchase a shoe that you love and will keep you nice and comfy.

Bring a friend

This may be an unspoken wedding dress shopping rule, but it’s something that is always a good idea to say again. Bring along a supportive friend or family member to help keep your spirits up and help give you a different (but positive) perspective when shopping around or going for fittings. It’s also really nice to have someone to document those memories with a selfie or two before clinking your glass in celebration of finding “the one.”

Happy wedding dress shopping!

Feature Image: Unsplash

In Advice

10 SHEIN wedding gowns that will save you money!

August 10, 2022 No Comments

As wedding costs continue to soar, saving a few bucks is always a welcome relief. Caterers, decor, food, drinks – the list goes on.

But one cost that always seems to always take a good chunk of the budget is the wedding dress. One bride decided to seriously cut costs by heading to the online fashion platform SHEIN to purchase her dress. For approximately R700, the Californian bride looked incredible in her all-white ensemble.

This got us thinking… are there any cute wedding dresses local brides could purchase?

Here are a few of our favourites:

Fit for a queen

Cost: R948

Puffed and off the shoulder

Cost: R979

A dress fit for any occasion

Cost: R881

For the bold bride

Cost: R601

A fairytale dress

Cost: R1009

Bohemian meets royalty

Cost: R1168

Refined elegance

Cost: R401

Keeping it simple

Cost: R359

Small, intimate, sexy

Cost:

Shipping notes:

The cost of shipping is dependent on your purchase amount with free shipping available for those who have purchased over R1000. It’s also important to note that you will be liable for customs duty and VAT on your order. Orders can be received within a week or two, but usually this is delayed when customers do not pay the amount at customs – so make sure you pay!

Happy shopping!

Feature image: Kiara Brokenbrough

In Venues

A destination wedding of icy proportions and for only R4 million!

August 10, 2022 No Comments

After nearly two years of staying indoors and not enjoying the wonders of travel, heading to your favourite destination to get married is back on the table!

While many brides and grooms are grabbing their passports and jetting off to tropical destinations such as Mauritius and Bali, there are a few out there that prefer a different climate.

Luxury travel company Red Savannah recently launched an incredible package for winter-loving bridal couples looking to say “I do” in the remote destination of Antarctica.

The price tag? A cool R4 million!

Yup, we’re living in a post-pandemic world and weddings appear to be that expensive.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Red Savannah – Luxury Travel (@redsavannahhq)

The hefty price tag includes return flights from South Africa to Antarctica, accommodations for the soon-to-be newlyweds and the wedding party, beverages, food and activities. The big day will start with a breakfast on ice, followed by the cake-cutting ceremony and champagne in the snow lounge.

While you may think that R4 million may be more than enough to accommodate a whole host of guests, a maximum of 12 wedding guests are allowed to watch you step into newlywed bliss.

Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a white dessert party – yum!

Additional costs are the “wedding gift registry” which will be a pledge of $1000 (R16 600) per person. This will be used for conservation efforts in Antarctica.

If you’re interested, you’ll be happy to know that there is one flight that leaves Cape Town and will take five hours to arrive at the icy destination.

Feature Image: Brides Without Borders

In Venues

Here’s South Africa’s most popular wedding venues!

August 8, 2022 No Comments

It’s wedding season, which means venues are getting calls from brides and grooms all over South Africa. But where to book your big day?

A new study is spilling the tea on the most popular wedding venues around the world, collecting data from TripAdvisor and Instagram.

The wedding financial experts at money.co.uk analysed TripAdvisor to reveal the venues with the most mentions of ‘weddings’ in their reviews and then used Instagram data to discover which ones have been shared the most on the platform and ranked them from highest to lowest.

The data has since revealed the most popular venues in the UK, Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

So, just which South African venues made the cut?

The Oyster Box in Durban takes the number one spot with nearly 8000 Instagram hashtags and over 100 mentions on TripAdvisor. Avianto in Johannesburg comes in at number two, while Cape Town’s Cavalli Estate swoops in at number.

Here’s a look at other incredible wedding venues:

If you’re planning a destination wedding and looking for the full list, check it out here. Otherwise, here’s a closer look at what makes these venues so special:

The Oyster Box

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Oyster Box Hotel (@theoysterbox)

Avianto

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Avianto (@aviantovenue)

Cavalli Estate

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cavalli Estate (@cavalliestate)

Feature Image:

In Fashion

3 Shoes styles for the perfect wedding (guest) ensemble

August 4, 2022 No Comments

Shoes are possibly one of the most crucial features of an ensemble, especially when stepping out and revelling in the affair that is your bestie’s wedding.

If you’ve been raking your brain and scrolling through online catalogues to figure out what shoe you’ll be sporting to bring together the perfect wedding ensemble, here are the top three shoes that are a must, as told by stylist, Rojaun Devos!

Knee-high boot

A knee-high is one of the shoes that simply make every and any outfit look better. Make sure it is a good length and that you give enough room for your legs to breathe. An investment is definitly a leather or suede pair as these are timeless and will never go out of style, and it also offers the perfect option for a winter wedding.

A nude heel

Nude is a classic colour, timeless and definitely a must-have when it comes to heels. Sometimes we have to go to work events or even dinner parties which doesn’t always call for pops of colour or anything that is too much of a statement, so it’s the perfect purchase if you’re looking to splurge but still get your money’s worth outside of being a guest at your friend’s wedding.

The pump

This is the perfect shoe for gals that absolutely hate wearing heels… but, desperate times, call for desperate measures, and pumps are the perfect balance between both words. What we love about this style is that it can go from day to night in a second. Simply swap your jeans for an elegant slip dress, and voila!

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