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Weddings

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The Met Gala for 2022 came, saw and conquered, leaving us with looks that took our collective breaths away (and not always in a good way).

However, out of it all, some gowns part of the Gilded Glamour theme were so gorgeous, we’re ready to take them off the red carpet and onto another important path – the aisle!

Here are some Met Gala looks that would make perfect wedding gowns: 

Eiza González in Michael Kors.

Cibelle Levi

Miranda Kerr in Oscar de la Renta.

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Kylie Jenner in a design by the late Virgil Abloh, Off-White.

Instagram @kyliejenner

Alexa Chung in Christian Siriano.

 HFM Magazine

Tessa Thompson in Carolina Herrera.

Hailey Bieber in Yves Saint Laurent.

Getty Images

Ramla Ali in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture.

Red Carpet Fashion Awards

Camilla Cabeo in Atelier Prabal Gurung.

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Picture: Cibelle Levi

When it comes to finding “the one” and having that movie-magic moment where your bridesmaids break into a sob after just one look of you in the perfect dress, it all comes down to finding the right shape for your body. We’ve turned to the experts for this one, putting our ear close to the ground and listening to the suggestions that dress designers may have for some potential gown stumbling blocks.

You’re fuller in the hip/thigh area: 

Choose something you are comfortable in. If you are confident and love your curves, then there are ways to make a fitted dress accentuate all the right areas. If you are more conservative or feel self-conscious, then go with something that cinches in at the waist and naturally flows out from there.

You have larger than average breasts: 

Get a fully structured bustier if your bust needs that lift and support, or a daring plunge for those girls stay in place.

You are petite

If you are going for lace, something with smaller patterns would be best. If not, choose something streamlined and gorgeous! Even the princess look can work, if done right.

You don’t look good in classic white or ivory

Nude, toffee and sand shades are hot this season! Oyster is also a wonderful shade that suits a variety of skin tones.

You’re not too keen on exposing a lot of skin 

A beautiful, hand-engineered, appliquéd illusion sleeve is the best of both worlds!

Feature Image: @aglowceleste

It’s been a weird 18-months. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve all needed to adjust our lifestyles – sanitise, wear masks, social distance – it’s been an interesting adventure. The pandemic has also spawned a host of trends as various industries learn to pivot and adapt to the “new normal”. 

Our new reality has been pretty tough on the wedding industry, with thousands of couples watching their wedding date come and go without saying “I do.” However, grabbing a huge slice of wedding cake and sulking is the last thing couples are doing, birthing a new kind of pre-nuptial ceremony.

There’s plenty that goes into planning a wedding. From choosing your dream venue to the perfect date, many couples are choosing not to compromise on the details of their dream day despite working within the confines of the pandemic. 

The pretend wedding, or predding, has been an intimate substitute for wedding celebrations, honouring would-be wedding dates. There might be no signing of a marriage license, but it’s a great way to celebrate love with friends and family. 

The hashtag #pretendwedding has been making the rounds on social media, a trend that’s still going strong despite the easing of lockdown restrictions. 

A casual setting and dress code, and no strict itinerary makes this new trend a welcome distraction from the stress of wedding planning. Here are a few of our favourite “preddings” online. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CApO0J0F6jx/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=b5954adf-5802-4c03-b7fb-0841ec473b19

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCObvNcHPVs/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=cff00f7a-0d72-4d2d-a6b4-7985b15d91f4

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFIHpQdp5Qm/

Picture Credit: Unsplash │Instagram 

 

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

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

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner are luxuriating in the Maldives for their honeymoon after their second wedding. The couple were first wed in an impromptu Vegas-style ceremony on May 1 2019, the same day as the Billboard Music Awards. They made a little elopement to a chapel, and the ceremony was officiated by an Elvis Presley impersonator.

On June 29, the two had another wedding – this time planned and a little more conventional – and tied the knot again, in front of family and friends. The romantic ceremony was held in a picturesque chateau in the south of France. Sophie wore a beautiful Nicholas Ghesquière wedding gown from Louis Vuitton. The beautiful silk and lace dress included an open back, traditional veil, plunge line neck and lace sleeves. Joe opted for a Berluti, black tuxedo designed by Kris Van Assche.

 

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Mr and Mrs Jonas ? @corbingurkin

A post shared by J O E J O N A S (@joejonas) on

The details are kept to a minimum though, as Sophie stated that she wanted to keep things private.

After a wedding for the books, of course, comes the intimate honeymoon. The (kind-of) newlyweds are enjoying their honeymoon at one of the Soneva Fushi beachfront villas on Kunfunadhoo Island.

 

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I found happiness. ??♥️#discoversoneva

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The lovebirds seem to be relaxed and having fun as they eat sushi and have a game of chess with the ocean 10 steps away, floating above the sea in a floor hammock. Sounds like heaven.

 

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Paradise ☀️?✨ such a magical place #discoversoneva

A post shared by Sophie Turner (@sophiet) on

The scenic and charming villas cost anything between R19 000 – R386 900. A small price to pay for happiness, we suppose?

Picture: Unsplash

I bet we all daydream about a honeymoon suite with all the trimmings you see in the movies: petals strewn across a four-poster bed, Champagne chilling on ice, romantic dinners on a rooftop terrace…

Well, imagine no more. There’s no need to travel to the other end of the planet to experience the shmanciness of a luxury honeymoon, especially when our friendly neighbour Mozambique pulls out all the stops just as well.

Wedding Album | Mozambique honeymoon

Stress-proof paradise

Ibo Island Lodge, in particular, has it all under control when it comes to pulling together your seamless honeymoon experience. They’ll take care of everything from your travel arrangements to and from the resort, to your daily boat excursions and historical tours.

Wedding Album | Mozambique honeymoon
Dhow cruising

Smooth cruising

Honeymooners can enjoy a seven-night package at the lodge, which includes all meals daily as well as a traditional Ibo massage for the blushing bride.

Just to make it that much more special, the tailored extras include a three-course romantic dinner for the two of you in the lodge’s garden; and, if you’re feeling up to a bit of sailing on the clear waters around the Quirimbas Archipelago, the resort offers both traditional dhow safaris as well as kayak safaris for the more adventurous.

Wedding Album | Mozambique honeymoon

Immerse the senses

The archipelago is home to a rich array of historical sites, which means hours of taking in the sights, flavours and sounds of the area for you and your hubby.

Colonial architecture tells a story of years gone by, allowing couples to get lost in another era. Of course, exploring such a vibrant culture is a great learning experience that both of you will enjoy as you interact with locals and dig in to the delicious cuisine.

Down to the details

Ibo Island Lodge’s honeymoon package also comes in a five-night version, but taking the seven-night package gives your groom a free night at the lodge. The cherry on top, whichever option you choose, is that the bride stays at half price!

Fore more information, visit iboisland.com or Mozambique’s tourism hub, mozambiquetourism.co.za.

Wedding Album | Mozambique honeymoon

Wedding Album | Mozambique honeymoon

Photography Courtesy

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of freedom from the open road – and there’s no one better to do it with than your new spouse. Just married, bound to adventure with great tunes and blissful conversation, we can’t think of anything better. If you’re choosing to take a roadtrip for your honeymoon, keep these few things in mind.

Avoid break downs and break outs

Before you embark, make sure your car is serviced – especially filters, fluid levels, and belts, and of course the oil and water. Check your tire pressure and the condition of your wiper blades, turn signals, brake lights, and high and low beams. Examine your tire treads and make sure your car is prepared for any kind of weather. Importantly, recharge the air conditioner – you don’t want the African sun to get the better of your trip.

Clean up, stock up

There’s no better way to start the journey than in a fresh, newly cleaned car. Have a fun car wash together before you leave. Stock up on padkos and lots of water, bearing in mind that it’ll be cheaper to buy from a grocery store than at convenience stops. Pile in blankets and pillows in case one of you needs to get some shut eye. Finally,  pack an emergency kit, including a battery-powered radio and extra batteries, flashlight, jumper cables, first aid kit, spare tire, tire repair kit and pump, and flares. TIA after all.

If you’re renting

If you are renting, agencies like Hertz, Avis, Budget and Thrifty have lots of locations. Look out for rental deals (often in conjunction with booking a hotel and flight).

If you need to rent a car abroad, you’ll need to get an international driving permit (IDP) at your local AA. Click here to apply for your IDP. If you’re renting a car overseas, keep in mind that most models come with a manual transmission. If you’re used to automatic, call and book an automatic well in advance and be prepared to pay more. If you book online, print out a copy of your confirmation number and all the particulars.

Are We There Yet?

Planning for the time spent in the car together can be just as important as packing your essentials. The last thing you want is to ruin your romantic adventure with road trip boredom, so prepare some on-road entertainment. Include games and music, or even a few audio books. If you find yourself in a lull during your journey, here are some highway hints to keep the long drive interesting.

  1. Car games They’re not just for kids! No road trip is complete without a round of ‘I spy’ or ‘the license plate game.’
  2. Story time Instead of curling up in a corner and reading to yourself, share the story  and read aloud.
  3. Create an on-the-road scrapbook Take pictures of the funny sites you see from the car window.
  4. Tunes for the trail If you’re addicted to your iPod, buy an FM transmitter to play your collection through your car radio. The Griffins iTrip will ensure you won’t be without your favorite tunes.

Adapted from The Knot