That period of bliss after getting engaged is a feeling that should be savoured because after that, it’s a lot of sheer panic due to being overwhelmed. Perhaps you’re the cool bride-to-be who lets things roll like water off a duck’s back. Or maybe your friends would describe you as a full-blown bridezilla. No matter the box you’ve nicely categorised yourself in, there’s no denying that planning a wedding will leave you with a few additional grey hairs.
Whether you’re newly engaged or starting to plan your nuptials after a year of engaged bliss, here are some tips to help you beat back the monster that is panic:
Set the date:
The first step is figuring out when you and your future spouse are going to say: “I do.” Experts all agree, planning a wedding can be stressful, so make sure that you give yourself a realistic timeline. Between 10 – 14 months is a good amount of time.
Get to know your budget:
The worst thing you can do is to start a marriage with the burden of debt. Be realistic about your budget and get to know the parameters you’re working with in order to distribute money appropriately. A great next step is to compile your guest list and figure out the kind of experience you’d like them to have. This will allow you to budget accordingly, but make sure you don’t go overboard! This day is all about the couple.
What to look out for:
Bridal couples often have their heart set on a specific venue, but when booking, they find that it’s booked out for the date they’ve chosen. It can be heartbreaking, but something that can be avoided if you land your venue before choosing your date. Justt make sure you do the proper research. While you may have a rough list of who you are inviting to the ceremony, it’s best to not commit to headcount until you’ve sorted out your budget.
A tip that the experts swear by
So, what is one tip that wedding planners around the world swear by? It’s this: leave it up to the professionals. Sometimes it can be difficult to let go of the reigns and let the professionals do their thing, but if you hire the right people and offer them some creative leeway, you’ll be able to sleep a bit better at night. Collaboration with quality vendors is the key to a happy couple.
The behind-the-scenes of your big day is often the least prioritised but is something that deserves just as much attention. After all, it not only sets the tone for the rest of the day but the time you spend with your bridal party will be seared into your mind forever – no pressure. With a glass of bubbly in hand, it’s the perfect time to have a few laughs, shake off the nerves and connect with your bridal crew.
So, why not do it will donning a few silky robes. Getting robes for your bridal party may not be a requirement, but the addition can sprinkle a little magic onto your day and be an amazing little memento for them to keep close to them.
No matter the season, you want members of your bridal party to feel elegant and stylish. Unless you have an unwavering vision for your bridesmaids, it’s quite easy to be swayed by the plethora of wedding trends out there.
Between wrap dresses, bold prints and jumpsuits we‘re helping you sift through the trends and providing you with killer ensembles that your bridesmaids will love wearing.
The elegant slip dress
Rust and champagne colours are all the rage right now and tying this phenomenal colour in with an elegant slip dress design will leave your bridesmaids feeling chic.
Wowing with bold prints
Adding bold prints to any dress, no matter the occasion can be a great way to elevate things. Whether it is summer or springtime, this floral design contrasted with navy hues is bound to make a statement.
Wrap dress for the win
We love a gorgeous wrap dress. Not only are these trendy designs comfortable, but they can be as chic as you would like. Add a few patterns or make it pop with a gorgeous colour like emerald green and you have a winner.
Jumping for joy
Jumpsuits don’t have to be the only thing on the bridal menu. Jumpsuits are uber comfortable and can add a little twist to your wedding party, the colour is also to die for!
Who says chiffon is outdated? This fabric is an extremely popular and versatile choice and can be incredibly affordable for bridal couples on a budget. There are so many possibilities that come with choosing this fabric, but make it’s always important to make it your own.
A sea of velvet dreams
When you think of bridesmaids dresses, velvet may not be the first thing that comes to mind. This fabric can be quite a departure from traditional fabrics such as chiffon, but it offers a unique look for brides looking to take the road less travelled. It will also leave your bridal babes feeling stylish and oh-so fierce.
There’s a new wedding destination for Gauteng brides and grooms to add to their wedding venue list. Emerald Resort & Casino are upping the ante by ensuring that you have the perfect wedding venue and allowing you to bring your Big Day to life.
“Emerald is the ultimate destination where the vision of your dream wedding will be brought to life.We can customize your wedding with the traditions of your heritage and cater for a small intimate affair or create your fairy-tale wedding of up to1500 guests, all without leaving our complex. We are only 45 min from Johannesburg International Airport, on a private estate on the lush banks of the Vaal River”, says Tanuja Gangabishun, Marketing Executive at Emerald Resort and Casino.
A 3 000 square meter Arena at Emerald offers the bridal couples a unique opportunity to host large weddings using round tables, while Kilimanjaro has a warm ambience for groups of up to 160 guests.
The Game Park Lapa is captivating and offers a gorgeous outdoor option, weather permitting. The other enchanting venue for an outdoor wedding is the Outdoor Chapel which can be set up in many different ways, catering for small or large groups.
The venues are versatile and the setting offers beautiful locations for dramatic and spectacular photographs right there on complex. Booking this premiere wedding destination means that the wedding party can enjoy all the before and after events on one complex. There is no need to travel to enjoy a bachelor party of bridal shower, or entertain the guests. The complex offers a wide variety of venues and entertainment.
Complementing the selection of venues, Emerald offers several accommodation options to suit every taste and every budget, from 3-star, 4-star and 5-star offerings. There are a wide variety of activities available on the complex to keep everyone entertained while the bride is pampered and treated like the queen she is.
Enjoy game drives, visit the Aquadome with its heated pools, or take a relaxing river cruise. The bride can even plan a magical floating wedding on the Vaal River with Emerald Resort and Casino.
“Weddings can be very complex and stressful for the happy couple, which is why we have put together several packages with a specialist in the industry, Farzana Mayet rom Panache International. It is a rare opportunity to be able to work with a professional like Farzana,” says Tanuja Gangabishun, Marketing Executive at Emerald Resort and Casino.
Tailor-made packages are available which can include arrangements for the bridal shower and bachelor party at Emerald, Mehndi night function, and the wedding day with an array of Halaal food and catering, entertainment, photographer and videographer etc.
Optional extras such as a Mehndi artist, Qawali singer, and make-up artist and wedding cakes can also be included.
Allow the team to tailor a wedding experience to meet your requirements.
Eeny meeny miney mo, if you want to propose, where’s the best place to go? Cape Town Tourism surveyed people on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to find the best places in Cape Town to pop the question. They also collected responses from users ofThe Perfect Proposal, wedding and proposal planners, and the most common answer was… The V&A Waterfront, followed closely by Table Mountain.
If there was anywhere in the world where love could blossom against a truly beautiful backdrop, it is the city of Cape Town. According to the online dating platform WeLoveDates.com, the Mother City ranked 21st among the most romantic cities in the world and was the second most romantic city on the continent after Marrakech.
With a plethora of landmarks that are perfectly suited for amorous encounters, it is easy to see how Cape Town can stir the cockles of one’s heart.
CEO of Cape Town Tourism Enver Duminy says, “It’s hard to think of a better city to find the freedom to declare your undying love in. Whether you are atop Table Mountain or on the beach, you won’t struggle to find the perfect venue to propose. Afterwards, you can mark the occasion at any one of the city’s world-class restaurants.”
Other popular Capetonian spots where lovers plighted their troth included: Hout Bay, the airport, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Signal Hill, Franschhoek, Boulders, the Aquila Nature Reserve and the Strand.
Here are sweet proposal stories from some of the city’s most special spots to bend the knee:
Kirstenbosch Gardens
Sometimes proposals are an intimate affair involving a small group of people or even just the couple getting engaged. Other times however, you’ve got to go big. Instagram’s @gemini_gerard went for the second option.
“I proposed to my wife at Kirstenbosch gardens after watching The Notebook at the @thegalileo. Before the screening I had arranged for them to play a personal video once the movie had finished. The video chronicled our journey over the last six years. Once it finished, I took her by the hand and led her to the front of the screen.
There, in front of 600+ people, I got down on one knee and asked if she would do me the honour of spending the rest of her life with me. She said yes which is when the last part of the surprise happened. I had hidden her friends and family in the back so when she said yes, they all jumped out.”
Kirstenbosch Gardens / Instagram
V&A Waterfront
Masego and Letlotlo came to Cape Town on holiday. Masego had wanted to pop the question to her partner of 10 years for a long time and this holiday was the perfect moment. She wanted something different, like an art studio or gallery. A place where they could paint and create.
With the help of The Perfect Proposal, they arranged a private session at the Art Jamming studio in the Waterfront. The studio designed and created a “marry me” sign, which was used as the grand gesture in the proposal. On arrival, the couple entered, and went into the “splash” room where an easel with a yellow and black art piece was waiting for them. Letlotlo was told to start peeling the flaps, which eventually revealed letters spelling out ‘marry me’?
She said yes.
Signal Hill
Not all proposals go according to plan but that doesn’t make them any less perfect as Janine Naicker explains:
“My proposal happened at Signal Hill. It didn’t go according to my husband’s plan – at all. Firstly, it was so full that we couldn’t find parking, so we had to park along the side. He then invited me to get out of the car to look at the view with him. My response – ‘It’s too windy!’ (It really was).
“After a few failed attempts, he got back into the car and pulled out a box with two cupcakes that he had gotten for us. He handed it to me and asked me to pass him one. When I opened the box, there was a ring placed in the icing of one of the cupcakes. I was speechless and turned to him, he then said ‘Janine Hendricks, will you marry me?’
lina.the.explorer / Instagram
Table Mountain
Instagram user @bestnomadsever’s husband proposed on top of South Africa’s most famous mountain.
“We hiked up hoping to catch the sunrise at the same spot as our first date (which was a hike up the mountain). We made it and then, just as the sun was rising, he got on bended knee and proposed to me. It was so perfect and romantic. Next month, we will be together 5 years.”
The Strand
Bianca Engelbrecht’s story goes like this:
“Our first date was at the Strand Beach. We agreed on the beach because it was convenient for both of us. It was amazing. We just sat on a bench listening to the waves crashing in the background and spoke for hours about everything and anything. Fast forward a few years. We had planned a night out with some friends. Little did I know what was about to happen.
“He pulled me aside and told me he wanted to take a quick detour and that we would meet up with our friends later. He explained that he just wanted a moment alone without the kids, which I thought was so sweet. So we went to the beach, to the exact bench we had had our first date on. We started talking, just as we had all those years ago and then he went down on one knee. I honestly couldn’t believe what was happening, but it was the most romantic thing ever. Afterwards, we met up with our friends and boy did we have a story to tell them. We’ve been married for a year now.”
jeanine_thehappyblog/ Instagram
Sidebar: ‘Secret’ spots to pop the big Q:
Here’s a list of some of Cape Town’s lesser-known locations that are perfect for proposals:
Majik Forest (Door de Kraal, Cape Town): Secreted in the northern suburbs, with soft green grass, trees, ducks, a dam and a mountain bike trail in the forest section, this pet-friendly park is the perfect place to propose to your significant other with your furry friend present.
Lichtenstein Castle (Hout Bay):The privately owned castle, located in Hout Bay, can be visited by appointment only. It’s the perfect place to propose in a fairy-tale setting.
Woodstock streets: Urban adventurers will find a perfect proposal setting amidst the gorgeous, gritty surrounds of Woodstock’s world-famous street art.
Tintswalo Atlantic (Hout Bay): Rumour has it a penguin gives its mate a pebble when courting. Pop your person a pebble on Tintswalo’s secluded stretch of beach, below Chapman’s Peak Drive.
Dias Beach (Cape Point): Wild and whimsical, this hidden coast offers unparalleled sea views. It’s the ideal backdrop for ‘I do’.
Secret Rock (Bantry Bay): Perched at the top of Nettleton Drive is a secret rock where many a couple has come for some special moments alone…
Whether you call the Western Cape home or you and your significant other love to hop in your car and explore what our beautiful country has to offer, as South Africans, we all know that the Garden Route is a scenic slice of paradise, promising a road trip that will take your breath away.
This 300 km route of spectacular beauty along the southwest coast of South Africa is known for its ecologically diverse vegetation, numerous lagoons, forests, lakes, and beautiful beaches.
And now the rest of the world knows it too after the latest research revealed the most romantic road trips for couples to explore, and the Garden Route is on the list!
Car insurance company Confused.com took a deep dive into hundreds of thousands of reviews from popular venues that you may encounter along each route, and this was then used to calculate an overall ‘romance score’.
The ‘Count of Reviews Containing Romantic Terms’ was the main component to measure romance, and routes that included romantic terminology in their reviews scored much higher.
According to the research, the German Alpine Road is the most romantic driving route, earning a delicious romance score of 9.56/10. Puglia in Italy bagged the second spot with a 9.13 score and the Amalfi Coast in Italy claimed third with a 8.69 rating.
The list goes on to evaluate more than 20 other stunning locations, including the Garden Route!
So there you go lovers, a trip to the Garden Route awaits, and right on time for Valentine’s Day!
If you’re busy planning your wedding, there are probably a million things you’ve managed to scribble down on your to-do list. Nestled between dress fittings and chats with vendors is probably choosing the perfect colour palette for your wedding.
Now, we’re sure that we don’t have to tell you how important choosing colours for your big day can be. After all, it’s right at the top of your list. The colour palette of your choice will influence every aspect of your day – from the decor to the cake.
Of course, this can feel incredibly overwhelming. Thankfully, the experts are providing us with some direction. Here are a few of the most popping colours for 2022:
“Very Peri”
It’s only fitting that we start with Pantone’s Colour of the Year – Very Peri. A beautiful combination of blues and purples that offer a romantic and vibrant tone to your wedding celebration. This colour packs a punch and works well when paired with pink, vibrant purples, or even classic black.
Pinterest
Stay in neutral
While sticking to neutral colours such as creams and whites may seem like the safe bet, experts say this is quite popular right now. However, opting for texture and adding floral to add a little pop can be a great way to take things to the next level.
This beautiful warm hue has been everywhere in 2021, and trust us, it’s not going anywhere. These colours are borrowed from Mother Nature and offer earthy tones that are perfect for any wedding – no matter the season.
Not every wedding couple likes to play it safe. Bold and vibrant colours such as deep purples and blues can feel like a massive departure from the traditional blush pinks or all-white decor, but this can be an amazing way to make a splash on your wedding day. If you’re feeling a little anxious about it, why not pair it with a tone that you feel a bit more comfortable with.
A breath of fresh air. These are the perfect tones for wedding couples looking to add a soft and relaxing feel to their decor. Deeper greens and blues work well with these colours, as well as gold.
2020 – 2021 have not been easy years. A pandemic, endless lockdowns, wedding reschedules and honeymoon cancellations due to travel restrictions have certainly put on damper on things.
However, it’s a new year and we’re doing things a bit differently! With Valentine’s Day just around the corner and a pandemic still a reality, we’re skipping the chocolates this year and opting for things that will show that special person in your life just how much you care about them.
Through thick and thin, right? Here are six uber-romantic ways to make Valentine’s Day special this year.
Write a love letter
Nothing spells romance quite like a beautiful handwritten letter. Messaging the old-fashioned way can be a great way to put your feelings into words and present your significant other with something they can hold on to. Take it up a notch by bringing them breakfast in bed and adding your letter as an appetizer.
Do something new together
The couple who tries new things together, stays together! Well, that may not be how the saying goes, but various psychology studies attest to it and claim that new experiences can have a bonding effect on couples. Airbnb Experiences and Hyperli can be great places for you to find new and fun things to do together, just make sure that it’s something both of you have never done before!
A romantic picnic
Summer is the perfect time to grab your picnic basket and enjoy some fun in the sun. Every couple will be heading to your local restaurant, so why not head out and enjoy some fresh air instead. Make it extra special by whipping up something special for your partner – perhaps their favourite dish or dessert, and heading out to the perfect spot in nature. The beach and local park are both great spots for a romantic picnic.
Is there anything more intimate than cooking a delicious meal for your partner? If the thought of spending another Valentine‘s Day in a restaurant has your stomach-turning, consider staying at home and enjoying an intimate night in. Do your best MasterChef impression and have a friendly cooking competition, with scorecards and everything! Give each other a mystery basket of ingredients and find out what the other can cook up in the kitchen.
A backyard campout
If you’re not looking to travel far this Valentine’s Day then why not keep it close to home. Grab your tent and enjoy the best camping spot in town – your backyard. If you have the space, consider transforming it into a romantic outdoor oasis, complete with marshmallows and a campfire. Switch things up by grabbing a sheet and projector and having a romantic movie night under the stars.
Goof off for the day.
Become romantic truants by taking a day off and spending it with each other. Start the day off slow by having breakfast in bed, reading a book or binge-watching your favourite show before heading out and enjoying what your city has to offer. You even want to turn up the romance by heading to the spot where the two of you first fell in love!
Who wouldn’t want to walk down the aisle with their furriest four-legged friend by their side? Clad in the cutest black and white tuxedo, and sporting the wettest of all the noses, having your fur baby is surely a dream, not always practical.
However, don’t fear fur parents, we’ve thought of some creative ways you can include your bestie in your big day without (hopefully) causing a cat-astrophe.
Get ready with them …
Grab your wedding gown and snap a few adorable pics with them before the ceremony.
While your pup is privilege to have you shower them with love and treats, not all animals are that lucky. Skip the traditional wedding favour and pay it forward by adding a little donation option or box for your guests to add a little sunshine to an animal’s life.
Forget the Amalfi Coast of Italy or the azure blue waters of the Maldives, South Africa is the perfect destination for newlyweds looking to kick back after months of wedding planning, stare into each other’s eyes, and enjoy a romance-filled getaway that will inevitably set the tone for a lifetime of adventures.
While we know South Africa is a destination close to our hearts, it seems 1.6 million international travellers agree with us. According to a survey conducted by Big 7 Travel, SA is the perfect destination to enjoy a romantic getaway after saying “I do.“
Looks like the rolling vineyards of Stellenbosch and the majestic Big 5 in the Kruger National Park have snagged us a spot at number 6, beating out honeymoon favourites such as Hawaii and Spain.
The gorgeous white-sandy beaches of Clifton, coupled with the mesmerising beauty of Table Mountain ensure honeymooners get to enjoy the perfect beachside escape. But it’s this classic honeymoon picture juxtaposed with the rugged beauty of South Africa that is sure to steal every newlywed’s heart. An epic trip in a hot air balloon over the beauty of Magaliesberg or a magical stroll in one of the many tropical forests that make up KwaZulu-Natal – there’s literally something for everyone.
“South Africa is a dream location to visit: endless natural beauty and clifftop views, pastel pink neighbourhoods in Cape Town, wineries in Stellenbosch and turquoise waters. What more could you ask for from a romantic honeymoon?“
