• Your wedding day is a wonderful moment to celebrate love, one you want to go off without a hitch.  According to many, every aspect of the wedding process will affect your Big Day, even the date you choose to celebrate it on.

    Setting the date is often the first big step in the wedding process which will frame every consequent decision you make. Religion, superstition, astrology and culture argue that there are certain days, dates and months more auspicious for weddings, while others are no-goes if you want good luck on your Big Day. If you are particularly superstitious, you might want to avoid some of these wedding days.

    Lucky wedding days

    Judaism:

    In various religions, certain days are favoured as lucky. Those that practice Judaism are likely to consider Tuesdays to be particularly good days for weddings, because the Book of Genesis says “And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:10 and 12) twice in the verse about the creation of the third day.

    Jewish couples also favour the beginning of the month for weddings, as their religion’s calendar is lunar and believes that the moon renews itself every month.

    Astrology:

    Astrology believers should look to the moon for guidance. According to astrologers, the position and look of the moon and planets can have a deep impact on our lives. Changes in its shape and appearance are said to affect our inner beings. A waxing moon is considered lucky, while a waning moon is seen as unlucky.

    A full moon is considered highly lucky on your wedding day. Astrologers believe that a full moon brings harmony, as the lunar yin energy is perfectly balanced with the solar yang energy.  As the forms of the moon is said to influence our feelings, a full moon encourages people to express their inner feelings fully. The full moon also brings seeds of intention to fruition.

    The new moon is the first lunar phase, representing the resetting of the lunar cycle and letting go of restrictions or fears holding you back. This allows you to move forward with clarity. Couples looking to follow astrology should plan their wedding at least 12 hours after the new moon for optimal results.

    Astrology lovers should consult the their zodiac signs before setting a date, as dates for auspicious marriages range in luck depending on personal star signs. Auspicious dates are said to bless the couple with a good and prosperous marriage while unlucky dates will curse them.

    Roman mythology:

    April and June seem to be the most auspicious months to get married according to Roman mythology. April is closely linked with Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty and fertility, while June is named after Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and commitment. Juno was the wife of Zeus and lorded for her unwavering commitment to him. She also was the one that paired soulmates, making her the mastermind behind ancient marriages, according to Roman mythology.

    Chinese culture:

    Chinese culture considers August 8 a particularly auspicious date because the word for the number eight sounds similar to their word for wealth or fortune. As a result, the eighth day of the eighth month is a highly symbolic date to get married.

    Unlucky wedding days:

    Judaism:

    Jewish couples are less likely to marry on a Friday because in their religion Friday is the day of rest, also known as Shabbat.

    Folklore:

    An ancient Celtic folk rhyme suggests that Saturdays are unlucky days to wed. The rhyme goes: “Monday for wealth, Tuesday for health, Wednesday the best day of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, and Saturday no luck at all.”

    According to folklore, July is an unlucky month for weddings. An old rhyme from the 1800s lamenting the fates of married couples based on their wedding dates predicted July marriages would curse newlyweds.

    “Marry when June roses blow, Over land and sea you’ll go,” the rhyme goes, “Those who in July do wed Must labour [sic] for their daily bread”.

    American folklore records from the 1930s echo this sentiment, saying that marriages from this month “are apt to be crisscrossed with sunshine and shadow”.

    Roman mythology:

    July also contained many mourning days for the ancient Romans, where they commemorated battles and no religious practices were followed, making many parts of the month off-limits for weddings.

    Another unlucky month is May, according to Roman mythology. This month is said to be unlucky because it is between April and June, the two months closely associated with Roman goddesses Venus and Juno. Marrying in May could thus be seen as an insult to the two goddesses. This month was also traditionally when Romans celebrated Lemuria, a festival of the dead.

    Chinese culture:

    Chinese culture views April 4 as a bad day for a wedding as their word for the number four is similar to their word for death, thus symbolising bad luck for the fourth day of the fourth month. Many Chinese buildings and apartments even omit the fourth floor completely because of this superstition.

    Unlucky number 13:

    The number 13 is considered unlucky across various cultures in the world, and as a result, the 13th of any month is often seen as bad. Friday the 13th is considered particularly unlucky as it is closely associated with the horror film franchise of the same name.

    Some Italians are superstitious of Friday the 17th, as the roman numeral form of the date, XVII, can be rearranged into “VIXI”, which translates from Latin into the meaning “my life is over”.

     

    Picture: Unsplash

    Neon wedding signs are having a moment. These trendy lights make for great decor pieces for your reception, as well as cool backdrop focal points. Here is how to include neon signs into your wedding day:

    Minimalism is key:

    Neon signs are already very eye-catching, so there is no need to go overboard with the design. A simple, easy to read script works best and will help to keep the decor timeless in the years to come. Another benefit is that you can keep the sign after the wedding and use for decor in you own home!

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BuaIgFMD3Ty/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

     

    Show your love:

    Let everyone know how much you are in love with a romantic neon sign.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BwDOvwZhtup/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Put a name on it:

    If you are changing your name, it could be a cute idea to have your surname emblazoned on a sign.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3HsJ56HN_P/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Boss up your backdrop:

    A great element to add into your photo backdrops is a neon sign as it instantly adds lighting and a unique focal point.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B1CUUJPhmmd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Lead your guests:

    Got a food and drink station? Let your guests know with a bright neon sign to guide the way.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3RgpDoB55P/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Make your vows:

    You make some deep promises during your ceremony, so why not include it in your reception?

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjzj2LLDPGw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Get simple:

    Not one for words? A cute heart has just as much impact.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt4AzuRHU_f/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Fairytale fun:

    This couple added a fairy tale inspired sign to their wedding decor. If you believe in the magic of fairytales, a cute neon sign announcing ‘happily ever after’ will be perfect for you.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3WaIonAQTO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

         Get sappy:

    This couples love was written in the stars, and now in a neon sign.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3tdvNrgvro/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Have some fun:

    Weddings are fun! Get punny with your neon sign with a play on your wedding vows.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3i2brHA4YJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Picture: Unsplash

    Tattoos today have lost their bad reputation in exchange for declarations of love, relationships and personal expression. The most recent trend involves getting compatible tattoos with your significant other that doesn’t necessarily include their name or need to be the exact same.

    If you’re wanting to take the plunge and get inked with your S.O, take a look at these cool ideas:

     

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    xxx

    By Yashna Balwanth

    Feature image: Unsplash

    Where you get married is an integral part of the big day. You want your surroundings to be absolutely stunning and the photos to be a beautiful reminder of the day. We found these spectacular, slightly off-the-beaten-track venues to keep in mind as you go on the search of the perfect space.

    Granny Mouse Country House

    Considered one of the most romantic venues in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands, the Granny Mouse is a sight to see. The chapel has panoramic views over the Caversham Valley and is the perfect combination of countryside and luxury. It has an old time charm to it, and is far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B29JoPCJrg7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BxFfPsGplPJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Lord Milner Hotel

    This venue is in a somewhat obscure place of the country, but trust us, you want to go there. On the fringe of the Karoo, the hotel is one of those rare places that takes you back in time and makes you feel like you’re not even in this century. Named after Lord Alfred Milner, the hotel is also a heritage site and was completed in 1899, and shortly thereafter served as the Headquarters of the Cape Western Command.

    Credit: Matjiesfontein.com
    Credit: Matjiesfontein.com

     Forest Hall Estate

    If you want a fairy tale inspired venue, this place is for you. Situated outside of Plettenberg Bay along the Garden Route, the venue is one with nature and has an enchanted forest look. Almost no need for expensive decor, as nature is your backdrop!

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BxIBrCLH2BB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BpBnD6XH7fK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Oranje Gasteplaas

    It’s not news that Clarens in the Eastern Free State is arguably the view-mecca of the inland. Nestled in the Maluti mountains, you get the veld atmosphere without having to sacrifice class. Think open green fields, cattle grazing and mountainous peaks popping up all around.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BSOK0l6F9NS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BnZD_4LgYXl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

     Flycatcher Castle

    This awe inspiring structure is on the outskirts of Graskop towards God’s Window in Mpumalanga. Set in the style of a 17th century Italian castle, the venue is an experience in itself. The castle was constructed using hand picked relics and works of art to create a magnificent masterpiece set in one of the most beautiful areas of the country.

    Credit: Facebook
    Credit: Facebook

    Picture: Matjiesfontein.com