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    Bachelorette Party

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    Traditional bridal shower games can be quite overdone. We’ve put together our top 4 bridal shower ideas that will be super helpful for the bride-to-be and also something that she can cherish for a lifetime.

    1. DATE-NIGHT JAR

    Get a friend to hand out a strip of paper to each guest when they arrive. Ask each guest to write about the best date night they’ve ever had, or a date night idea on the paper. Each guest can drop their idea into a large mason jar and the married couple can pick one out whenever they want to plan a special evening.

    2. RECIPE BOX

    When you’re sending out the bridal shower invites, attach a blank card to it, for guests to write their favourite family recipe. To avoid duplicate recipes, give each guest a category (snacks, appetizers, mains and desserts). Each guest will bring their recipe card to the shower to compile them all in a cute box. Present it to the bride as a gift.

    3. ADVICE/FAVOURITE MOMENT BOOK

    Moms and grans will really appreciate this one. Get a scrapbook and ask all of the married women in the family to fill one page of the book with their best marriage advice for the bride;  their favourite memory with the bride and groom and their wishes for the bridal couple. Don’t forget to reach out to the groom’s family as well!

    4. ANNIVERSARY BOX

    You’ll need envelopes and blank cards for this one. Number an envelope for each guest attending the shower. Each guest’s number will represent an anniversary. Ask them to write a happy anniversary note on their card for the bride and groom. Pop them all in a box and let the bride know that they can only open each envelope when they reach the anniversary number on the envelopes!

    Image: Unsplash

    Bachelorette parties are traditionally all about painting the town red and going wild in celebration of your last night as an unmarried woman. While clubbing is fun, it’s not for everyone.

    Brides who aren’t into the nightclub and stripper scene don’t need to feel any pressure to conform to tradition. Many modern brides are opting for alternative activities where they can enjoy their time with their best friends in a less chaotic way that is less likely to end with a hangover and regrets.

    If you’re the artsy type, there are a host of creative activities to spend your time doing. Here are a few of our favourites.

    Painting party

     

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    Channel your inner artist with a painting party! You can easily DIY this by purchasing canvases, brushes, and paints for all your guests. Set the canvases up against mini easels, and arrange them in a circular fashion around the specific item being painted. To add a raunchy spin, you can have a nude model to pose for the art.

    Turn it into a painting and pinot party with a selection of your favourite wines to get the creative juices flowing. We promise a pretty hilarious outcome.

    Dance Class

     

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    Whether you have two left feet or you’re footloose, you can’t deny that dancing is a great way to loosen up and get the laughs going.

    Gather your best girls and head out to a dance class to show off your moves. Any dance style would work, although those wanting to be daring should definitely try a pole dancing class. You could make it even more fun by dressing up in matching costumes and performing a sassy routine.

    Cooking class

    Who doesn’t love good food? Hire a professional chef or visit a cooking school to learn some new dishes with your best friends. You’ll work in teams to prepare starters, mains, and desserts, and in the end, you can have a sit-down dinner party to feast on your creations.

    Host a photoshoot

     

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    You’ll (hopefully) want to remember your bachelorette for the rest of your life, so why not have it professionally immortalised? Hire a professional photographer to take some glamour shots of you and your girls looking your best. You can theme the shoot or have multiple locations, and of course, all the outfit changes.

    In 20 years, you’ll look back at all those images and fondly remember your single days.

    Picture: Pexels

    Picture this. You’re surrounded by the women in your life: your mother, grandmother, and future mother-in-law are all smiling at you as you unwrap a gift from a friend. To your dismay, it’s a dainty piece of lacy lingerie that you now have to show everyone.

    With so many different pre-wedding events, it’s easy to get confused. While they seem similar on the surface, a bridal shower and bachelorette party are designed for different audiences.

    We’re here to help clear things up to avoid these awkward situations.

    Bridal shower

    This is the tamer party of the two. Normally a brunch or high tea, it’s a lovely gathering with yummy treats, delicious drinks, and good old-fashioned bonding. Back in the day, this was the event at which the bride was presented with all the things she would need for her kitchens, such as crockery and tea towels. Hence it’s also known as the kitchen tea. Now that times have changed, you can present the bride with whatever you want – just make sure the gift is PG!

    This is the event your gran and niece will attend and is also a good opportunity to spend some time with your mother-in-law, away from all the wedding chaos. Get some advice from the married women in your life, enjoy delicious finger sandwiches, and sip on some bubbly. There are also a great number of family-friendly games you can play to break the ice and help both sides of the family mix and mingle ahead of the big day.

    Bachelorette party

    When the cucumber sandwiches are finished and the sun goes down, it’s time to gather your girlfriends and paint the town red. Some brides opt to have the bridal shower and bachelorette party on the same day as all the people you’re having at your wedding are all in one place, but it’s really up to you.

    The bachelorette party (or hen night) is a chance for you to let your hair down and have some fun with your friends. This is usually the place where the naughty gifts – think toys for the bedroom – and craziness appear. For lots of people, a bachelorette party is just that – a party. But it doesn’t have to be. You can indulge in a spa day, cocktails, dress up, dress down, it doesn’t matter. As long as you have fun.

    Picture: Pexels

    It is very frustrating to receive three of the same thing from different people as a wedding gift. This is because people think in similar ways and they normally don’t know what to get you and so they resort to common gifting. As the bride, you can avoid this and the admin that comes with it. Here’s how:

    Don’t wait until the last minute

    Start planning and send out your registry ahead of time, you want your wedding registry to be one of the things you do at the beginning of your wedding planning.

    Making and setting up a registry takes more time than you might expect it and deserves your attention because you won’t have time to redo it.

    Be realistic and practical 

    In your wedding registry, you should already be thinking ‘home’ and because of that, your gifts should be practical items that will make the transition of starting a new life easy.

    Make a list of things you want in your house but won’t be able to get soon, these should be the gifts your friends and family get you.

    Also be mindful of the people buying, you don’t want to make them pay exorbitant amounts but you don’t want cheap gifts, so get a few quotations on each item.

    Share your registry

    Once you’ve created your wedding registry, make sure you share it with your guests.

    This includes coming up with easy ways to access your registry. It could be online where a person can click and get it or share a link with your guests.

    Make sure to have a checklist option available for you and the people buying gifts, this makes it easy to see what has been bought and what is left.

    Make it a joint project

    Put aside some quality couple time to contemplate your future life together and think about what kinds of gifts would make you happy.Your partner must have input on the registry because this is the beginning of your life together, you don’t want anyone feeling left out.

    Look for great deals 

    Before choosing where to register, find out what kinds of perks and discounts you might get.Approach your desired shops for a registry, they usually give discounts for bulk registry purchases.This option helps get expert advice from someone who’s knowledgeable.

    Picture: Unsplash

    Throwing a bridal shower should be a fun and exciting event, but it’s a headache for many. It’s hard to be original and unique in a world where everything has been done.

    We’ve put together some inspiration for fun, unusual themes for the unconventional bride and her ladies. From the deep blue sea to outer space, take a look at these interesting themes you never thought to turn into a bridal shower.

    Bohemian

    If you and your friends are not about the glitz and glam, consider a bohemian theme for the bridal shower. Think rustic, dreamy and earthy. Incorporate plants and flowers, wooden decor, feathers and beads. You can specify the dress code, for example everyone has to wear a headband, feathers or flat sandals.

    Enchanted Forest

    If you have always wanted to live in a fairy tale, this is your chance. Think everything magical.  Candles, roses and of course, glitter. Colours that work well are gold and silver, and metallics like pink and purple.

    Under the Sea

    Mermaids, listen up! Go all out ocean vibes. Tranquil blues and greens, sea horse and star fish decor and faux-coral. Tropical-styled music will add well to the beach atmosphere, and make sure you have vibey cocktails.

    Casino Royale

    Get your poker face on for this one. Red, black and white are the colours of this glamorous evening. This  is a great opportunity to dust off your high heels and show off your gambling skills. You can even watch the movie for the final touch.

    Intergalactic

    Interested in space? Glow in the dark is the way to go. The sun, moon and stars are the decor inspiration. Get space-themed food and drinks that will ensure a stellar party. Don’t be afraid to turn Star Wars-themed if the bride is a fan.

    Images: Pinterest

    Featured image: Unsplash

    Spring has officially begun in the Western Cape. All across the province, the floral kingdom is coming alive and bringing stunning scenery along with it.

    This season is a beautiful time for weddings. Bridal parties should reflect the vibrant season and go bold with floral fabrics and fun hues.

    Pinks, blues and greens are the perfect colours to complement this theme. Opting for mismatched bridesmaid dresses adds even more to the aesthetic, turning your beautiful bridesmaids into the flowers they are.

    Here are some delightful dresses to inspire your own:

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

    Feature image: Pexels

    As the last fling before the ring, your bachelorette party is a special time to celebrate with your nearest and dearest. Whether you’re going big with a destination trip or laying low with a casual day in the sun, you’re going to want to remember this day.

    Regardless of your plans, there are so many fun group picture ideas that will show the ‘gram exactly why you all are squad goals. Don’t forget to cement those memories with one of these fun photo ideas:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-L97P9DF8a/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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    Feature image: Unsplash

    Pitch Perfect actress Brittany Snow recently celebrated her upcoming nuptials with a star-studded joint bachelor / bachelorette party.

    Snow and fiancé  Tyler Stanaland are engaged to be wed in 2020. The pair opted to join forces and share their bachelor/bachelorette weekend in Palm Springs.

    The weekend featured a number of Snow’s Pitch Perfect co-stars, including Anna Kendrick, Anna Camp, and Kelley Jakle. 90210 star Jessica Stroup, Snow’s co-star from the 2008 slasher remake Prom Night, was also in attendance.

    “A weekend I’ll never forget. #snowonebutyou #thefinalsnowdown.Thank you to the best crew.” the actress captioned the series of images.

    Credit: Instagram / Brittany Snow
    Credit: Instagram / Brittany Snow

    Feature image: Instagram / Brittany Snow

     

    The bachelorette party is about letting loose and having a good time with your girls. You’ve got long lists of things to do and organise for your wedding day and you’re feeling very overwhelmed. This party is meant to be a time away from all the hustle and bustle.

    But, it can get a little complicated if you don’t prepare. It can also get a bit messy if you haven’t thought the event through before hand.

    Here are some do’s and don’ts to ensure you have the best, most relaxing time.

    For Brides 

    Do:

    – Say what you want and be clear about it. Let your bridesmaids know what you expect and what you’re comfortable with. If you want something quiet and low key, say so. If you don’t want a stripper, say so. This is the best way to avoid disappointment and an event that makes you super uncomfortable.

    – Respect your partner’s comfort level. If they are not comfortable with you being around exotic dancers, that is something that you should take into consideration. It’s not worth a fight.

    – Allow the bridesmaids some freedom. Let them get creative with the information you’ve provided and don’t try to control everything! You’ve given them your guest list, told them what you want and don’t want, so let them run with it. They are your nearest and dearest after all!

    Don’t:

    – Stay glued to your phone all night. You can check in with your soon-to-be once or twice, but avoid texting all night.  Your friends will be annoyed, you’ll come across as ungrateful, and in the end you’ll regret it as you won’t have enjoyed your night.

    – Feel obligated to invite every woman you know. This is an intimate event. Only your closest friends should be there.

    – Let the “last chance” talk get the best of you. Most will be encouraging and excited about your upcoming big day. But at your bachelorette party, there may be a few chats about this being your last chance to partake in some questionable activities. Don’t fall into this trap. It’ll be nothing but trouble ahead if you do.

    For bridesmaids 

    Do: 

    – Respect the brides wishes. If she said no strippers, then do not hire strippers. You’ll ruin her night if you do.

    – Plan the event well in advance. You want everybody to make it, so planning in advance ensures that the date is saved and arrangements can be made. Included in the planning is what you’ll do on the evening. Make the bookings necessary and plan the games. This allows you to have a stress free night.

    – Take photos and make memories. This is something you’ll all never want to forget.  Don’t forget to put somebody in charge of photography.

    Don’t: 

    – Invite mothers or mothers-in-law. I guarantee you, it will be awkward.

    – Force the bride into things she’s uncomfortable with. If you’ve planned a silly outfit for her, but she refuses to wear it then let it be.  Forcing it will cause unnecessary tension and the bride, the most important person at the event, won’t enjoy it.

    – Get post happy. Before you share anything online, check with the bride. She might not want people seeing pictures of this intimate, private event.

    – Be clear about costs for all attendees. If somebody can’t afford it, but they show up because they were unaware of the costs it will be quite uncomfortable for that person. Try to be considerate of everyone, in any way you can.

    Image: Unsplash 

    If there’s any time at which you need the ease and conveniences of the internet the most, it’s during your engagement. Planning the big day is stressful enough so it only makes sense that when putting together your gift registry, you’d want to get the job done in the least laborious and time-consuming manner possible. These nine sites offer you the convenience of picking out wedding gifts without having to leave home.

    1 Bespoke Wedding Registry

    Registry Websites

    Launched by a Londoner, Bespoke Wedding Registry aims to fill the gap in the South African market for customised gifting. With a selection of homeware and kitchenware sourced from prestigious brands, including the namesake collection of world-renowned chef Jamie Oliver and local ranges Ardmore and Kikoi, you’re bound to find unique pieces that speak to your style. Plus, they offer a service where a group of guests can club together to purchase larger items such as furniture. You also score two free deliveries if you live in Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban.

    Contact +27 21 448 7155, [email protected]bespokeregistry.co.za

    2 Wrapistry

    Registry Websites

    Featuring products from a whopping 90 brands, Wrapistry’s offering include items to stock in your home as well as experiences. A variety of memory-making activities from a couple’s cooking class to wine tasting tours is available to add to your wishlist. If you ever feel like changing your mind, that’s no problem – you can do so as often as you like. To save you from the task of guessing who gave you a gift (and which one!), Wrapistry also mails you a list of guests and their purchases. Now, all you need to do is grab that mouse and start picking your favourites.

    Contact +27 10 500 7503, [email protected]wrapistry.co.za

    3 Banks Kitchen Boutique

    Registry Websites

    What began as a lively shop in a close-knit community has now expanded to two boutiques and an online store. Apart from displaying their cutting-edge goods, the online store allows you to access their blog where you can discover recipes and browse product reviews. Once your guests have bought your presents, Banks Kitchen Boutique will happily wrap the goods, add a note from the gift-giver and deliver it to your door – all on the house. Customers have raved about this convenient outlet and we’re sure you’ll love it too.

    Contact +27 21 461 3190, bankskitchenboutique.co.za

    4 Yuppiechef

    Registry Websites

    Voted South Africa’s best online store, you can rest assured their registry service is effortless. Not sure where to start? Navigate to the ‘Starter Collection’ tab to get an idea of what you’ll need to fill your first nest. Given our demanding, modern lifestyles, we could all spare a few bucks here and there, and Yuppiechef gives you the option of sending discount vouchers to three loved ones. However, if you do spot a pricey item you love, you can make it yours by swapping a few less expensive pieces for it.

    Contact +27 861 702 4969, [email protected], yuppiechef.com

    5 Carrol Boyes 

    Registry Websites

    Named after its internationally esteemed owner, this lifestyle brand specialises in premium homeware products. When creating your registry with Carrol Boyes, you have the option of selecting your goods online or enjoying a personal consultation with an assistant in a brick-and-mortar store. Once you’ve done so, your choices will be listed and placed online for your guests to seamlessly purchase what they please. If you want to return any duplicates, be sure to check that they are in the original packaging and in tip-top condition.

    Contact +27 21 424 8263, carrolboyes.com

    6 Granny Goose

    Registry Websites

    With your mattress covered in fluffy pillows and duvets from Granny Goose, a producer of top-quality bed linen, you can luxuriate in deep, peaceful slumbers night after night. Apart from their bedding products, you can find Le Creuset cookware and Riedel Glassware items at their stores. To easily inform your guests about your registry, Granny Goose will provide you with little cards to insert into your wedding invitations. If anything wasn’t bought, you can get it at 10% off. What’s more, they’ll hand you a special thank-you gift for choosing them as your vendor.

    Contact +27 860 388387, [email protected]grannygoose.com

    7 @home

    Registry Websites

    As South Africa’s prime shopping location for sophisticated homeware, you simply can’t afford not to enlist the registry service of @home. Head to the ‘Customer Favourites’ page to make sure you don’t forget to add any must-buys. In addition to a selection of top-notch products, you’ll receive a gift card worth 10% of the value of all your guests’ purchases. To keep this value updated and to record the buyer of each present in-store, remind your guests to notify the @home sales assistant that they are purchasing an item for your registry.

    Contact +27 860 576 576, [email protected]home.co.za

    8 Boardmans

    Registry Websites

    Couple’s who have an Edcon Group Thank U loyalty card will enjoy all the benefits of the programme when they create a registry at Boardmans as you’ll gain 10 times the amount of Thank U points for all the gifts bought at the store. Given that there;s no limit on how many items are added, you could gain an enormous amount of points! These points can then be used to buy anything from Boardmans, or to shop at Edgars, Red Square, Jet, Legit and CNA. Talk about a shopping spree!

    Contact +27 860 236 289, [email protected], boardmans.co.za

    MRP Home

    Registry Websites

    For home decor that’s uber stylish and pocket-friendly, there couldn’t be a better place to shop than MRP Home.Scroll through their ‘Inspiration’ section to view a variety of themes for your home along with a list of products to fit each theme. Although MRP Home offers online and in-store registries, they aren’t interchangeable so let your guest know which kind it is as guests wanting to purchase online for an in-store registry will not be able to do so and vice versa.

    Contact +27 800 212 535, mrphome.com

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