Just said ‘Yes’? Congratulations! What is typically an exciting moment is somewhat dampened by the global pandemic, as we cannot celebrate with one another as we used to.
If you still want to honour your big news, fear not. There are still ways to celebrate with your closest friends and family without putting them at risk amid the pandemic.
Here are a few ideas:
Hold a (virtual) celebration:
Just because you can’t be together physically does not mean you cannot celebrate! Host your festivities via online platforms like Facetime, Skype or Zoom.
You can still make it fun by decorating your home and having your ‘guests’ dress up. Planning a themed event makes it extra special and gives your friends and family something to dress up for. For an extra sweet touch, have small thank you gifts delivered to your guests’ homes after the celebration.
Drive-by party:
Your loved ones can attend your event from the safety of their cars, ensuring that all safety precautions are met while still giving you the feeling of their presence.
When choosing the location of the drive-by, ensure that it is a wide-open, public space. This will mean that everyone driving by will be able to clearly see you. You could even do it in your front yard if you have space and don’t have walls.
Set up a spot to show yourselves off, for example, you can decorate fancy chairs as thrones for you to sit on as your parade drives by. Assign a close relative or friend the role of head driver. This ensures that there is somebody leading the cars to your location, and allows for some sort of order for the drive-by.
Take engagement photos:
You’ll want to remember this moment for the rest of your life, so it makes sense to document your engagement. Photographers were hit hard by the pandemic, and hiring one is a great way to give back to small business.
Keep COVID-19 protocols in mind by having your photographer work from a safe distance with a mask on and have sanitiser on hand.
After you receive your pictures, have them printed and framed or emailed to your friends and family so that they can feel like they are a part of your special moment.
Picture: Pexels
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Videography will be one of your biggest expenses and considering that it will last a lifetime, you can’t afford not to take the time to do your homework.
We’ve already highlighted a list of introductory questions you should ask your videographer before booking them. Once you’ve settled on one, there are a few more questions to ask to help finalise your perfect day. Here are some more questions to ask them before you walk down the aisle:
Have you shot a wedding at my venue before?
A good videographer will be able to efficiently identify the spots with beautiful lighting or figure out where to position themselves to get the best angle. Nevertheless, if your videographer has shot at a specific location before, they’ll know their way around and will get the job done more effectively than a videographer who has not. If your videographer has never worked at your venue before, suggest visiting the venue with them before the big day so that they have a chance to become familiar with it.
Which parts of the occasion will you shoot?
Videographers regularly specify the number of hours that they’ll shoot, but which sections of your wedding fall within those hours, isn’t always clear. It’s practically a given that major events, such as your ceremony and first dance will be shot, but if you’d like the pre-drinks gathering or a session with your photographer to be included, ask if they’ll cover that as well. If you don’t have clarity on what’ll be shot from the get-go, you may end up with a video you’re not particularly fond of.
Which equipment do you use?
Videographers arriving at weddings with colossal cameras on wheels or other equally obtrusive tools is a thing of the past. Nowadays, most videography apparatus simply consists of a camera and a tripod. You want to ensure that your guests don’t feel intruded on, so check the size and types of equipment that’ll be used.
If these are large, ensure your venue is able to accommodate this without any interruption to the celebrations taking place. It’s also a good idea to find out whether the videographer will make use of a wireless mic as wires all over the place could be hazardous while no mic could mean your vows and speeches aren’t audible.
How do you edit the footage?
You’d naturally want an exquisite final product and this can only be achieved with high-quality editing methods. Ask your videographer to describe the procedure they follow when editing. The most reliable way of editing is to upload the film negative on a computer and then make the necessary adjustments on-screen. Some videographers use an in-camera editing method that involves attempting to get flawless shots the first time around to lower production time and costs. This could, unfortunately, result in a second-rate product.
Which music will you use?
The ideal music will blend seamlessly with the visuals to inject energy and stir great emotion. Be upfront with your videographer about the kind of music you’re crazy (and not so crazy) about, so that your video is a reflection of your personal tastes. Nonetheless, bear in mind that your videographer will have a firm understanding of the type of music that will be suitable so you need to have faith in their judgment. Don’t forget to ask whether they’ll use licensed music as the use of unlicensed music could mean getting into trouble with the law.
Will the video be in high definition (HD)?
In this day and age, HD television is becoming increasingly popular. Some might even say that it’s become a norm. A video in HD will have sharper visuals that display finer detail – something you shouldn’t compromise on, especially if you’re blowing your budget on one of the best videographers in the business.
When will the final video be ready?
Apart from a skilled videographer and top-notch equipment, another necessity for producing a stellar wedding video is sufficient time. After all the footage has been placed in a suitable order, music needs to be added and colours corrected, which can be time-consuming. Each videographer will work according to a unique timeline but the entire process could take roughly eight weeks, with some videographers taking as long as a year! If you’re itching to see the final product, ask your videographer if they’ll put together a trailer so you can get a sneak peek.
Picture: Pexels
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After the stress of planning your big day, the honeymoon is the perfect time to sit back and relax while you enjoy your first days as a newlywed couple.
Your honeymoon is about romance, adventure, and intimate time with your new spouse. Naturally, you don’t want to have a care in the world besides what outfit you’re gonna wear and to remember to wear sunscreen when out and about.
For stress-free honeymoon planning and a trip that’s nothing short of perfect, follow this easy checklist.
Allocate a captain
Consider electing one person to be responsible for the majority of the travel details. While both views are valid and considered, things are more streamlined if one person handles the reigns. This might be the partner who is handling fewer of the wedding details.
Set a budget
Work out what you can afford to pay first, then make plans around it. This will gauge the destinations, hotels, transport and activities you can include in your trip. Although a lavish trip may be exceptional, keep in mind that life goes on after the honeymoon so be wise about funds and make sure you have something to come back to.
Consider the season
You may get married on a hot, South African summer’s day but if you’re heading north to the likes of Europe it’s likely to be significantly cooler (or the other way round). Take note of rainy seasons – you don’t want to get caught in a three-day cyclone in the tropics.
Book early
For tourist hot spots, try to reserve flights and accommodation at least six months prior to departure. Trips closer to home – two months in advance is suitable.
Don’t lose the maiden name (just yet)
If you’ve decided to change your name after marriage, make sure to use your maiden name when booking flights as you won’t actually be able to use your partner’s name until after the wedding. Make sure to book with the same name as what’s on your passport or ID book.
Rather be safe than sorry
Opt for travel insurance to give you both peace of mind. Compare rates and policies online, with sites like Insure My Trip, or go to your nearest Travel Agent to find out more.
Print out proof; keep it charged
Keep online printouts with you – email confirmations, a copy of your ID or passport and any necessary documents you might need. Don’t forget your camera charger (and an electricity converter if necessary). Have fun!
Picture: Unsplash
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Want to be smooth and stubble-free come wedding day? If you hate shaving and waxing then laser hair removal may just be for you.
Laser hair removal is a form of hair removal that uses advanced laser light technology to target the melanin within hair follicles. The laser light is absorbed into the root of the hair and destroys the hair cells, thus stunting regrowth.
This treatment is considered safe and effective and causes no damage to the surrounding skin. However, as with any procedure it is imperative to do your research before booking your appointments. Here are some things to consider before you make your decision.
Pros:
It is a long-lasting hair removal option
While it is not entirely permanent, laser hair removal forces your hair into a longer state of dormancy than other forms of hair removal like waxing and shaving. It essentially slows down your regrowth which means you will need to remove your hair far less frequently than normal. It also makes the hairs lighter, finer, and fewer in number and thus more easy to manage.
It is (relatively) painless
Pain tolerances differ, but many will attest to the fact that laser hair removal is not painful. It feels similar to being tickled and the only discomfort is when the laser head heats up upon occasion, but it is not unbearable at all.
It lightens discoloured/uneven skin and helps with ingrown hairs
A major draw for laser hair removal is that it is highly effective in resolving ingrown hairs, as the laser destroys the hair follicle’s ability to produce hair. It also helps to alleviate any skin discoloration often caused by ingrown hairs.
Cons:
It is costly
Out of all the hair removal options, laser hair removal is probably the most expensive. A single session can start from R350-R1000 depending on the area you are targeting. For example, the leg area or the bikini area is typically more expensive than doing your underarms. You also have to multiply the cost by 8 or 12, as that is how many sessions you will need to complete a full course.
If you do plan on getting laser hair removal, Deluxe Laser in South Africa often offers specials like four for two on all courses, so best capitalise on those to save some coin.
It takes a while to complete a full course
While results are visible as soon as the second session, customers typically require eight to 12 sessions to see the full impact. This process works best when your hairs are in the anagen hair growth cycle. However, hairs in any one area are never in this stage simultaneously therefore you need multiple treatments to catch all the hairs in this growth cycle.
Since sessions are spaced a month apart it can take about a year to complete a course. You must abstain from waxing/sugaring in between these sessions, which may be hard for those who hate shaving.
You may not be the ideal candidate
Laser hair removal is ideally suited to people with dark hair. It is less effective on people with lighter hair as the laser cannot target grey, white, red hair and is limited to lightly pigmented hair.
Picture: Pexels