Honeymoons Archives | Page 6 of 16

In Emotional

Couple change wedding plans, marry hours after lock-down announcement

November 3, 2020 No Comments

On Saturday, October 31 Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that they will be going to another hard lockdown that will last four weeks in preparation for Christmas and to reduce the number of rapidly growing infections.

Couple Jo Loosemore, 33, and Matthew Goffin, 37 were meant to get married on November 14. Instead, they married 24 hours after the announcement.

Matthew said that they already had a set date, venue, and 200 guests as part of their plans for their wedding day. The ceremony was going to take place in Devon but because of the impromptu decision to get married a day after the announcement, they got married at Church of St Martin in Witcham, Cambridgeshire instead.

Initially, the venue in Devon was chosen because of the proximity to Jo’s parents but the change forced them to get married where they lived with their son.

Jo said: “I was having a shower on Saturday morning and I heard about the news coming out so I just thought, ‘Well I’ll see if we can get it done this weekend”

The couple ran around trying to get everything ready for their new wedding date, they posted an appeal on their village’s Facebook page, which led to offers from musicians, with friends and family also helping them and they had a beautiful ceremony.

Picture: Unsplash

In Advice

Supporting your partner’s pronouns during wedding planning

October 26, 2020 No Comments

There are many couples whose identities are outside of the heteronormative spectrum. They are always the minority and have to constantly fight for their place in society.

They normally use different pronouns and chances are that people will get them wrong, which can be frustrating for them. If your partner exists outside of this box, there are things you can do to make life easier when planning your wedding.

What are pronouns?

Some non-binary/genderqueer people prefer to use gender-neutral pronouns. Usage of the singular ‘they’, ‘their’, and ‘them’ is the most common.

These are words that refer to an individual in place of their name. They describe different gender identities other than just male or female.

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Don’t give in to traditional gender roles

The idea that women can only have female friends and men can only have male friends should not exist in your plan for the wedding.

Instead of traditions like the “Best Man Speech,” use gender-free labels like “Friends and Family Speeches.”

Everyone should have the same tasks unless it’s beyond their physical strength, do not give men certain tasks because of their gender and the belief that they are stronger.

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Specify in your wedding registry

Monitory donations are a great alternative to avoid receiving gender-specific gifts. You can even ask for donations to your favourite charity, preferably one fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights to help give back on your big day.

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Include correct pronouns on your invitation card and wedding day

Your guest list might include people they haven’t met before. To help initiate that conversation, use clear preferred pronouns. Use wedding planning tools as a way to introduce your guests to your partner’s pronouns, and ask for your guests’ pronouns when they RSVP.

If a person uses the incorrect pronouns when referring to your partner, address it respectfully.

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Hire LGBTQIA + accomodating vendors

Not only are you supporting the larger LGBTQIA+ community, but it will also make things easy to work with people that understand you. Your partner will be more relaxed and that will result in them feeling included and validated.

The work will be less because most of their tools will not need to be altered or change to suit your needs, as they are already set up like that.

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Pictures: Unsplash

In Weddings

Do you need a head table at your wedding reception?

October 21, 2020 No Comments

Weddings are constantly changing, and how things are done is completely different from 10 years ago. The normalcy of the head table has since gone out of the window, with some couples choosing to sit with their friends, with close family, or even just by themselves with their new spouse.

Traditionally, a head table seats the newlyweds as well as their parents, and the bridal party. However, many modern couples are opting out of having a head table that overlooks the rest of their guests, instead choosing long banquet tables.

Should you go with tradition or modernity? Here are the advantages and disadvantages of a head table to help you make your choice.

Advantages of having a head table:

– You can be the centre of attention properly and you will be able to see everyone.

-It gives you a sense of privacy for the chaos of the wedding and you can clearly hear each other when speaking.

-It gives the venue more space for moving around.

– It gives the decoration a sense of completion.

Disadvantages of having a head table

-You will be more isolated from your guests.

-Your maid of honour, and best men might have their partners within the crowd who might not know anyone else at the wedding.

-There is a lack of alone time, as your main table will consist of six other people

– A large head table may limit your options for the layout of the rest of the seating

Picture: Pexels

In Advice

Now trending: The first honeymoon

October 7, 2020 No Comments

This year has been a tough one for the wedding world. Across the globe, couples are postponing their weddings as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens. A new trend has no emerged from this, in which couples are making the best of a bad situation.

Many couples are opting to still honour their original wedding date by going on honeymoon on a much smaller scale. Called the “first honeymoon”, they have decided that they don’t want to be sad on what would have been their wedding day, so they head out on a trip and celebrate it.

A first honeymoon is a shorter, more affordable, typically domestic and small-scale “honeymoon” on or around the original wedding date.

According to a recent survey by wedding planning website Zola, one-third of engaged couples plan to have a first honeymoon.

“We’ve had engagement moons, and mini-moons, but no one ever thought a first moon would be a thing,” said Zola spokesperson Hailey Murphy. “Couples are finding joy in that and still looking forward to these big weddings and big celebrations that we will hopefully be able to get back to sooner rather than later.”

The first honeymoon is the perfect opportunity to relax and take a break from the stress of life, especially welcomed now as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate in many countries.

With so many travel restrictions in place, first honeymoons are best when they remain domestic. It is also important to maintain social distancing and practice good hygiene.

While international travel is open in South Africa, our local travel industry is in great need of financial support. Think local and book a trip to a nearby town or province to help the country get back on its feet.

Picture: Pexels

In News

The easiest place to get married in Europe

September 29, 2020 No Comments

Gibraltar became the wedding hot spot of Europe during the pandemic because of its lack of restrictions and its open border.

The British Overseas Territory shares a border with Spain and is famous for being home to the Rock of Gibraltar, a monolithic limestone promontory, which towers over the peninsula.

When the world shut up shop to stop the spread of COVID-19 by imposing travel restrictions and limiting the number of people allowed to gather publicly, many couples that hoped to get married had their plans delayed indefinitely.

Enter Gibraltar, which was exempted from the list of countries the UK advised against non-essential travel to and, and whose government lifted many of the restrictions on personal movement and recreation that were implemented at the start of the pandemic.

Following the easing of these restrictions, the Gibraltar Tourist Board began to actively encourage wedding tourism. Their website, Visit Gibraltar, reads: “Follow in the footsteps of John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and Sir Sean Connery – get married on the Rock. Marriages and civil partnerships in Gibraltar are easy and visitors can choose from a variety of locations for the ceremony.”

It also boasts that hundreds of couples travel to Gibraltar to exchange vows and that local legislation does not require any form of residence from prospective newlyweds, the ‘simple’ procedure merely requires valid identification and one night’s stay in the territory.

One of the facilitators of Gibraltarian weddings, Chairmaine Cruz, the owner of Sweet Gibraltar Weddings, told The New York Times: “We were just expecting people to cancel or postpone, but as soon as the travel restrictions were lifted in July the phones wouldn’t stop ringing.

“It makes sense as it’s easy to get married here. It’s cheap, there are many direct flights and the marriage certificate provided is recognized worldwide.”

Featured image: Pixabay

In Celebs

Interesting facts about Kate Middleton’s wedding dress

September 28, 2020 No Comments

Everyone remembers April 29, 2011, the day that people across the world were fixated on their screens for the highly anticipated Royal wedding. Kate Middleton, a non-royal, was marrying Prince William. Some were waiting to see the decor and others, the guests. However, the wedding dress was the true show stopper of the day.

Many wondered who will have the honour of designing Kate’s dress. Sarah Burton, a famed designer for Alexander McQueen, was given the momentous task.

Kate chose to combine tradition and modernity on her dress, fitting for a princess. The dress was made out of ivory satin on the waist and hips. The waist also had a corset that shaped the dress.

The lace appliqué for the bodice and skirt was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace.

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Interesting facts

The train of the dress was almost three metres long (2.7m).

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The embroiderers had to wash their hands every 30 minutes to avoid dirtying the gown.

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Individual flowers were hand-cut from lace and hand-engineered onto ivory silk tulle to create a design which incorporates the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock.

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The inspiration behind the skirt was that it opens like a blossoming flower

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There were 58 buttons down the back of the dress

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Feature image:

In Advice

3 Easy Hairstyles to Master for Your Honeymoon

August 26, 2020 No Comments

Come wedding day, your hair is in top shape, in fact it’s never looked this good. But what comes after? You don’t want things to go south straight after the ceremony. With a few pro tips and three versatile styling products you can keep that wedding feeling going for longer than just the “I do’s.”

First Step: Repair

Take care of any damage to the hair from heat and wedding hair styling by treating it with a DIY hair treatment using Wella’s Invigo Nutri-Enrich Deep Nourishing Mask. The trick here is to not immediately rinse off, take the time to let the product soak in and allow the deeply nourishing formula time to repair stressed hair, this will take about 5-10 minutes.

Style 1: Romantic Braid

A style that works for pool-side lounging, and can also easily go from day to night, by adding a hair accessory. Even if your hair is clean, spray Wella EIMI Dry Me into the roots, a dry shampoo is a good volumizing product and for this look you want to create height at the roots so that the braid doesn’t drag you down. Leave two front sections one either side loose and sweep the rest of your hair to the side.

Divide this ponytail into three sections and braid, secure the ends with a tie. With the two front sections, lightly tease with your fingers and a brush, working against the hair, twist them away from the face and tuck them into the braid, securing with a hair pin.

Style 2: Breezy Beach Waves

3 Easy Hairstyles to Master for Your Honeymoon — Credit: Unsplash

This is the perfect follow on style from the romantic braid. The braid when undone, gives hair beachy texture to work from. Add to this texture with a Spritz of Wella EIMI Ocean Spritz (with a salt spray a little goes a long way, you want workable hold, not too much grit, so go easy).

Tong random sections of hair that need a bit more curl, about 5cm sections, then using your fingers, gently break up the curls so that you blend the tonged hair into the beachy texture. Avoid brushing at all costs as this will create frizz.

Style 3: Up ‘til All Hours

This style is one to keep for an evening when you don’t have time to wash your hair, in fact it’s easier to do on day-old hair. Make a middle parting at the front, and then using your thumbs roughly section hair in half from ear to ear, lift the top section and spray with Wella EIMI Flexible Finish hair spray, gently back comb the roots with a brush to create volume and lift.

Using your fingers, scrape both top and bottom sections together and into a low pony at the nape of your neck. Twist this section into a loose bun and secure with pins on each side of the bun, this shouldn’t be tight so that you have space to loosen it. Next, gently wiggle a few pieces of hair free at the front and massage the roots with your fingers to loosen the texture. The beauty of this style is in the imperfection, so messy is good. Once you are happy with your up-style, finish with hair spray to keep in place.

Written by Jade Leggat-Smith

Feature image: Unsplash

In Celebs

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert celebrate ninth anniversary

July 6, 2020 No Comments

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco recently celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary.

The official Prince’s Palace of Monaco Facebook page shared two photos to honour the occasion. One captures the couple, another shows them with their 5-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.

The Prince and the South African Olympic swimmer married on July 2, 2011 in a three-day royal wedding that cost an estimated $55-million (R935 473 000). The bride wore an off-the-shoulder Armani Privé silk gown adorned with 40 000 Swarovski crystals and 20 000 mother-of-pearl teardrops. They welcomed the twins in 2014.

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Feature image: Instagram / HSH Princess Charlene

In Advice

Where to go for your post-lockdown honeymoon

July 1, 2020 No Comments

Keen to get planning on your post-lockdown honeymoon? Now is the time. If you and your loved one are avid travellers, listen up.

The global pandemic has forced most (if not all) countries to shut down worldwide, but some are slowly starting to open up for tourists again. While South Africans aren’t allowed to set foot outside the country yet, authorities say borders will likely open for outbound travel in 2021. That gives you just enough time to save up and look out for the best deals.

Several countries are already allowing tourists, including the European Union, Dubai, some south-east Asian countries and some African countries.

Other parts of the world that might take longer to recover are the United States and far east Asia, so don’t put your hopes on spending your honeymoon there just yet.

Here are our top picks of overseas honeymoon destinations that are welcoming visitors:

Europe

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The EU will be allowing non-Schengen visitors from July, and we couldn’t be more excited. Some EU countries like Italy and Spain were extremely hard hit, so they will be welcoming tourists with open arms. Get ready to sip wine and stroll through cobbled streets.

Dubai

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If you had your heart set on a glamorous shopping expedition, fear not. The United Arab Emirates is reopening its borders to tourists this July. Remember to plan your dates for a mild season, as summer in the middle east can get sweltering.

Read more here.

Mauritius

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If you had more of an island vacation in mind, you’re in luck. Mauritius has been declared coronavirus-free since April, and the country said it is excited to welcome visitors. Pack those sunnies and flip flops, margaritas under palm trees await.

Namibia

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If you’re looking to be immersed in the bushveld, look no further than our neighbours to the north. Namibia is set to reopen borders and will likely have several fantastic special offers. Grab the binoculars and sun hats.

Read more here.

Cambodia

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The country is open for tourists but be warned that travelling there in the near future will require a quite flexible budget. Cambodia asks tourists to put down a significant deposit for COVID-19 related protocols, but for those who don’t mind, the tropical paradise awaits.

Read more here.

Barbados

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This lovely eastern Caribbean island is a dream come true and you’ll be able to hop over soon. The country opens for international visitors in July, so make sure your snorkel gear is ready and your sarong is packed.

Read more here.

Image: Pixabay

In Honeymoons

A moment apart: The polarising solomoon trend

June 24, 2020 No Comments

Planning a wedding is stressful, which is what makes the honeymoon even sweeter. A few days away from reality with your love is the perfect escape to help rejuvenate your senses. But what if your partner is part of that stress?

The unimoon or solomoon is a new trend some modern couples have chosen to embark on. Instead of going on a honeymoon with their partner, they each go on their own separate holidays.

“It’s a very individualistic, modern practice of efficiency over everything else,” William Powers, a groom who had his own solomoon, told the New York Times. “I think that it’s tied with workaholism and being on the work-and-spend treadmill when you can’t even coordinate one of the most important times of your life together.”

There are many reasons why couples may opt for this unusual choice. It could be that their ideal honeymoon destinations don’t match, or that their work schedules don’t align. Or maybe, it’s just that you really need some alone time after months of being surrounded by wedding planners, vendors, family members and stressed out partner.

As with anything, this trend is dependent on you and your relationship. It may work for some and seem utterly strange to others.

“Neither of us wanted to be where the other one was,” one bride told the Times. “We each came back to Dublin full of stories, buzzing of our trips and truly delighted to see each other again to share the memories: It was the perfect imperfect honeymoon.”

The solomoon might be an example of how relationships and modern love is evolving. Online dating expert and a sociologist for the dating app Bumble Jessica Carbino tells the Times that the idea of marriage has changed for many.

“Given the recognition that for most couples today, marriage and partnership is considered all-consuming, with the partner needing to fulfill every role — physical, spiritual, emotional and sexual — perhaps separate vacations is a recognition among some couples that all expectations cannot be met by a single person.”

Feature image: Chen Mizrach on Unsplash