• Black is the new black. Symbolic of sophistication and power, black is a bold colour perfect for the couple wanting to make a statement. While black may seem morbid to some, there are so many ways to incorporate this rich hue into your big day that don’t appear gothic.

    Take inspiration from these dark treats:

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    Feature image: Pexels

    Wedding season is upon us and unfortunately so is the scorching summer. Sweat drenched outfits and melting makeup are not ideal on your wedding day. While you can’t get rid of the sun, there are a number of ways you can make the day more manageable for you and your guests.

    Here are some key tips to beat the heat this wedding season:

    Pack an emergency kit

    Sweat is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with it. Pack an emergency kit filled with products designed to keep you looking fresh throughout the day. In your kit, make sure to include deodorant, perfume, baby wipes, powder to mattify your makeup and extra makeup for touch-ups.

    Avoid too much alcohol

    The heat and alcohol are not friends. Consuming alcohol while sitting under the beating sun can leave you feeling drunk way sooner that you expected. Your body will struggle to regulate its internal temperature, putting you at a higher risk of heat stroke. Alcohol is also a diuretic, meaning you will urinate more frequently and thus lose more body fluid. This can led to dehydration if you’re not careful. Stay safe and sip on some refreshing H2O for every alcoholic drink you consume.

    Cool favours

    If you’re planning on having an outdoor summer wedding, keep your guests in mind with some cooling favours. Whether they are made of paper, wood or miniature motorised ones, a handheld fan will do wonders to create a slight breeze. You could also offer sunglasses or parasols in your wedding theme. Make sure to monogram them with a sweet message to make these favours extra memorable.

    SPF!!

    We know, we know. We sound like a mom telling their 5-year-old to lather up with some sunscreen before heading out to the beach. However naggy it may seem, we will always campaign for the use of SPF because it is crucial to protecting your skin from the suns harmful rays, especially if you’ll be outdoors. Make sure to use a good facial SPF and lotion up with a body sunscreen. Most dermatologists recommend using a SPF 15 or SPF 30 sunscreen.

    Wear lighter fabrics:

    It might not be your biggest concern, but the fabric of your wedding attire will have a large effect on your day. When choosing your wedding dress/suit, make sure to go for lighter, more breathable fabrics that won’t trap in the heat. Think linen, chiffon, crepe, tulle and organza.  Fabrics you will definitely want to steer clear from include velvet, leather and silk.

     

    Image: Pexels

    Fans of The Bachelor will be ecstatic to know that the venue where the famous reality show is set is now also available for hire as a wedding venue. To top it off, you can even ask celebrity host of the series, Chris Harrison, to officiate the marriage.

    Credit: Instagram/Chris Harrison

    Having been ordained as a minister, Harrison has since wed many a lucky couple who hit it off on The Bachelor or The Bachelorette.

    The famous Villa de la Vina in Malibu, US, is a 200-years-old Mediterranean-style building with a range of luxury features that will make for the perfect wedding venue. The venue, that can host 350 people, has an infinity pool and picturesque views of the surrounding canyons.

    If you want to have an extravagant wedding at this lavish venue, you’ll have to contact them for official quotes, but according to Wetpaint, you can rent it out for an icy $2,100 (R17 745) a night for personal use so we can only imagine what a wedding might set you back.

    Picture: Instagram

    Many brides go for a neutral nail look on their wedding day. We’ve had the French manicure, then we had the plain white or cream. Some even went as far as subtle pinks. Other brides who were not sold on the idea of subtle went for over-the-top glitzy nail art or bright colours. But what about the in-between? Fret not! There are loads of other options that are truly gorgeous, not too extra and far away from boring.

    Two-toned matt

    Pearl colours

    Metallic flecks

    Galactic splendour

    Dark (k)night

    Boho chic

    Glossy shine

    Textured finish

    Picture: Instagram/Lolaliner