• Calling off a wedding is tremendously stressful. The emotional toll alone is enough to justify this claim. So we hope that you will never need to know how to go about it. However, with the spread of coronavirus, many couples are deciding that cancelling the wedding is the best way to go.

    If you decide that you’re cancelling, instead of postponing, you have to consider how many people that will affect. Vendors, guests, family and so on will all be affected by this change of plan. Of course, the wedding is and has always been about you, but these people have made arrangements for you and it’s best to keep this in mind while going about the cancellation process.

    Here’s how you should handle it:

    – Check your insurance 

    If you have wedding insurance, your insurer should be the first call you make. Financially, this will help a lot.

    – Cancellation policies

    First and foremost, you should reread all contracts with each vendor. This will give you an idea of where you stand. In most cases, deposits are non-refundable, however you may be able to get some money back. Suppliers generally try to be accommodating, depending on timing and circumstances of course.

    – Make contact 

    After you’ve gone through the contracts, inform all your vendors and suppliers that the wedding has been cancelled. Suppliers online have claimed that some couples essentially just ghost. This is not acceptable. Apart from this being disrespectful, it also affects the livelihoods of vendors.

    – Guests

    Let your guests know. Be sure to prioritise those who are travelling long distances to be at your wedding, so that they have time to cancel their flights and possibly get a refund. People have spent money to ensure they’re present on your special day, don’t forget that.

    Don’t forget to let you bridal party know too! (And thank them for anything they’ve done thus far)

    – Be honest

    It’s always best to keep things simple and just be upfront about the circumstances. This goes for every conversation you’ll have about your wedding cancellation, but especially in conversations with your vendors. People appreciate honesty.

    – Be quick 

    We know its a tough time, and you’re probably very disappointed, but acting quickly will benefit you in the end. It increases the likelihood of getting money back and will place less strain on guests and vendors.

     

    Image: Unsplash

    As the outbreak of coronavirus gets more and more serious, governments across the world have urged people to practice social distancing. We all know by now that with social distancing comes a lot, if not all, evenings spent indoors.

    This has affected date nights everywhere. Oh, the horror! No more movie theatres, bars, restaurants, or any activity that causes a large amount of people to gather in one place at one time.

    We’re sure there are a few rebellious souls out there, risking infection for an evening on the town. However, for those of us who prefer living life far away from the edge, safely in quarantine, date nights don’t have to be boring either.

    Here are some quarantine date ideas:

    – Netflix (with or without the chill) 

    This one works for those of you who are fully committing to self-isolation. You don’t even have to be in the same room. All you need is two separate Netflix accounts.

    Add the Chrome extension called “Netflix Party” to your browser. Click on your date night movie, then click on the extension icon that should have appeared on your browser tab. You’ll see a chat bar appear on the side of the screen. Send a link, which is provided by the extension, to your date. There you have it – Netflix date night from separate houses!

    – Cook together 

    There’s nothing more romantic than cooking together. Get your hands dirty in the kitchen with a recipe you’ve never tried before or better yet, have a cooking competition! Limit yourselves to only what’s in the cupboards presently (since we’re limiting our trips to stores anyway) and cook a dish each. After, you can have a tasting and decide that in the end you’re both winners since you have the prize of each others’ company.

    – Couples at home spa

    Head to Pinterest for some great DIY face masks, hair treatments and the like. Spend the evening pampering yourselves and relaxing as you take advantage of the extra down time quarantine has provided.

    – Picnic 

    Who says you need a park for a picnic? If you have a garden or a yard, lay a blanket out and get picnicking! Alternatively, for those without a grass patch at their disposal, have a picnic on the floor in your home. All you really need is the right energy. Light some candles, lay out a snack-spread, play some music and you’re good to go.

    – Games night

    There are plenty of two person games out there. Card games, board games, jenga, don’t limit yourself. Unleash your playful side with those games that have been gathering dust in your closet.

    – Make plans 

    For the extrovert out there who can’t wait for the self-isolation to end, spend an evening making a bucket list. Plan all the things you want to do together as soon as the quarantine ends…and commit to doing them! No bailing out once the time comes.

    Don’t forget, being in quarantine doesn’t mean you get to skip your shower! Happy date night!

    Featue image: Unsplash

    Who doesn’t love a little bit of sparkle? From your wedding dress to your decor, your big day can shine away. But what about your wedding cake?

    Edible sequins have been trending in the cake industry for a while now. Typically made from powdered gelatin and water, edible sequins add that extra touch to an already glamorous affair.

    For some etxra glitz and glam, feast on one of these fancy cakes.

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    Feature image: Pixabay

    Shapewear dates back thousands of years. The ancient Minoans wore these garments to push up their bare chests, while the ancient Mesopotamians wore them to promote fertility.

    Through history, the use of shapewear has changed. Mostly, however, they have been used by women to manipulate the shape of their bodies in order to fit fashion trends. Today, shapewear feels less forced on women, but it still exists, though women often wear it as support rather than to “slim down”.

    Whether you want it for its contouring benefits, or just to ensure that your dress falls smoothly, there are a few things you need to know about shapewear.

    – Some fabrics require shapewear more than others 

    Light fabrics such as silk show every little detail under your dress. You know what that means, right? The dreaded panty line. If your dress is a lighter fabric, shapewear will definitely come in handy.

    – Built-in shapewear has limits 

    Built in shapewear supports the dress, while other shape wear supports your body. Of the two options, the latter will benefit you more, because if your body is well supported the dress will look great no matter what.

    – Buy it after your first fitting 

    After your first wedding dress fitting, you’ll know what the shape, style, and fabric that is necessary for your bridal shapewear. These are important things to consider! You can then take the shapewear along to the next fitting, to ensure that everything works out as planned.

    – If you can, go for seamless

    Seamless means no lines under your wedding dress. Who doesn’t want to look smooth and sleek on their special day?

    – Which shapewear for which dress? 

    If your dress is form-fitting, go for high-waist compression shapewear. Boy shorts are also a good option.

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    • If your dress is tighter around the upper body, light weight shapewear is best. A body suit is the top choice for this style of dress.

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    Image: Instagram / shapewearusa