Weddings can be taxing on the environment. Yes, flower walls are beautiful and balloon decor is whimsical, but they’re also wasteful and harmful for the environment. As the wedding industry shifts towards more sustainable practices, one plant rises above.
Spekboom has long been lauded for its magical powers. Also known as Pork Bush or Elephant’s Food, this water-wise tree of wonder can absorb higher amounts of carbon dioxide than any other plant in existence. A healthy thicket of this South African treasure trove is said to be ten times more effective at removing carbon dioxide from the air than the Amazon Forest.
South Africans are encouraged to plant spekboom wherever they may to play their part in combatting climate change. Those lacking a green thumb need not worry. The plant is easy to grow and water-wise, meaning it is low maintenance.
There are so many ways to incorporate this hard-working plant into your wedding. Here are some ideas.
Bridal bouquet:
Spekboom is a perfectly rustic addition to your bridal bouquet. If you’re not into the leaves, spekboom in full bloom is typically covered in tiny pink flowers that will add a beautiful pop of colour to your floral arrangement.
Food:
Packed with vitamin C and other nutrients, spekboom leaves are juicy and full of moisture. They leave an acidic taste of lemon on the tongue, making spekboom an excellent addition to fresh salads or even in the wedding cake itself. Spekboom also helps to fight dehydration, making this magical plant perfect for hot summer weddings.
Decor:
Tiny clippings of spekboom are amazingly fresh additions to wedding decor. Use them as table decor on plates or in planters, in floral centrepieces and in hanging floral arrangements.
Wedding favours:
Give your guests the gift of spekboom for a memorable wedding favour that will bloom for decades. One small clipping can grow into a magnificent spekboom bush when planted. The plant can live up to 200 years, meaning this gift is truly one for the ages.
Feature image: Instagram / original3g
Here’s the thing. Plus size is not a category. It is all the different body type categories in a bigger size. As such, there is no one-size-fits-all. Essentially,…
Riverdale’s Vanessa Morgan, who plays Toni Topaz on the popular CW show, started the year on a high note by saying ‘I do’ to longterm boyfriend, professional baseball player Michael Kopech on January 4, 2020.
The couple made the big commitment at the Historic Walton House in Homestead, Florida with an intimate ceremony of only 40 guests.
Morgan stunned in a sheer high-necked, long sleeve beaded gown by Eisen-Stein Bridal, and Kopech wore a beige suit for the nuptials.
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The couple began dating in mid-2018 after meeting through social media and became engaged on the Fourth of July 2019.
“We both knew the first day we met that ‘this is it’ and I’m so excited that today officially starts our forever,” Morgan told E! News. “Today, I vowed to love my best friend for a lifetime and it was a day spent with those we love in a room filled with endless love. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.”
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Of course, the wedding was attended by Morgan’s Riverdale co-stars, including Skeet Ulrich, Drew Tanner, and Madelaine Petsch, who acted as one of her bridesmaids.
Take a look at their stunning rustic glam wedding decor below:
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Feature image: Instagram
Castles are not only for royalty. Complete your fairytale wedding by getting married in a real life castle! Across the world, there are many unique and stunning castles…
Gone are the days of the matchy-matchy bridesmaids. Modern brides are often turning towards unique gowns tailored to fit their individual bridesmaids.
Just like how you need to find your dream wedding dress, your bridesmaids need to find their perfect dress. What suits one might not suit the other, and it’s important to consider how your bridesmaids look and feel on the big day. Going with mismatched bridesmaids dresses shows you care about your bridesmaids and want them to feel as confident as possible.
However, mismatched bridesmaid dresses present a new challenge as you run the risk of your bridal party appearing disjointed if not done right. Here are some tips to pull this trend off.
Same fabric and colour, different styles
One option is to go with dresses in the same fabric and colour but different styles. This way, your bridesmaids still look like your bridesmaids but they get to dress to complement their best assets. Maybe one bridesmaid has beautiful shoulders and wants to show them off but another feels a little insecure about her arms. Playing to each bridesmaid’s strength is the best way to keep everyone happy while still staying on theme.
Importantly, you will have to make sure the fabric and colour is flattering on all your bridesmaids. Take your time to go through fabric swatches and have your bridesmaids on hand to compare the colour with their skintone. We love how the richness of these chocolate brown dresses work so well against the bridesmaids skin.
Another tip is to not have too many different features. These bridesmaids all have different necklines but each dress has a straight cut design.
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Same dress, different colours
If you have a specific vision in mind, another option is to have your bridesmaids wear the same dress but in different colours. The colours you choose will then fit in with the wedding colour scheme. This gives you enough point of difference but still looks cohesive.
You should ideally have no more than three colour variations to avoid the final look being too busy. Make sure that the colours you choose work well with each other, and discuss with your bridesmaids who will wear what colour to make sure that everyone is happy.
Pro tip: swatches can look very different in a full dress. Don’t rely on swatches, compare the colours using full-size sample gowns to make sure there are no surprises come your first fitting.
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Different colours, cuts and fabric
Finally, you could just go all out and have completely different bridesmaids dresses altogether. Each bridesmaid can then decide the cut, colour and length they prefer. This option gives your bridesmaids the most freedom in choosing their look, which can be a good thing and a bad thing.
You should guide your bridesmaids in the direction you want to avoid them going too far out of your vision. A great idea is to create a mood board for your bridesmaids to really understand the look and feel you’re striving for. This way, it makes it easier for your bridesmaids to stay on theme.
To avoid looking disjointed, the dresses should all have a similar style which will generally go with the wedding theme. In the example below, these bridesmaids all have their own unique look but each dress has a distinctly boho style to it. With flowing cuts and lace/embroidery detail on every dress, there is still uniformity in their differences.
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Feature image: Unsplash
We know, we know. They get stuck in things, they can trip you up and it gets dirty. But you can’t deny: It is gorgeous! Dresses with longs…
If the wedding invitation asks for formal attire, know that this will be an elegant affair and you should dress accordingly. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to wear a tuxedo or something to that effect, however, you do have that option to if you would like.
Men
A suit is mandatory with formal attire. Stick to a dark suit with a white shirt and tie. Pair this with dressy leather shoes and you are good to go. A tuxedo would not be inappropriate if you would like to wear one.
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Women
If you are planning on wearing a dress, it should be floor length. An evening pant suit or smart separates is also appropriate. Stick to neutral or dark tones. Heels would be the best shoe choice with this type of attire.
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Featured image: Unsplash