• Your wedding day is the biggest, happiest day of your life. You want it to be extra special and leave a lasting impression. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to do anything bizarre or expensive to make your day beautiful. These clever and unique ideas with pieces from FF Decor expertly set up by Spectacular Occasions will make yours a wedding to remember. Here are some things to try.

    1. Fairy light dome

    Fairy lights are nothing new, but the way you set it up makes all the difference. If you have an outdoor wedding, draping the lights in a dome or rectangular hallway structure will create an enchanted forest-atmosphere.

    2. Shaped menu

    The menu is important so guests know what they’re being served, but sometimes the tables are already so full, you don’t want anything extra to crowd the space. Why not cut the menu in a perfect circle to fit inside the plate? Problem solved.

    3.  Extended table decor

    The table decor make a big contribution towards the overall theme and setting. It should enhance the aesthetics and there’s no reason why it can’t continue when the table ends. If you have floor space, use it for your table decorations as well and let the magic continue.

    4. Block colours

    Having one colour at your wedding is so last season. But beware of getting trigger happy (unless crazy colours are all you. In that case, go for it!). If you have one or two colours or tones you are going with, but you feel like it just needs that little something, add one block colour (the colour opposite your main colour on the colour wheel). This will have an eye catching and interesting effect.

    5. Elevated cake

    To top it all off, the cake is always the cherry on top. There are numerous ways to make this even more spectacular by using decor pieces. How about this suspended cake? The wooden plank adds an earthy touch and places this marvellous artwork up high for all to see.

    Don’t settle for anything less than the perfect decor. The sky is the limit.

    Vendors used in images:

    Location: Toadbury Hall
    Photographer: Leigh Benson
    Make up: Amy Sprawson
    Hair:
    Rhode Truter
    Décor: Spectacular Occasions
    Lighting: Draping designs by FF Decor
    Flowers: The Bloom Room
    Dress 1: Fynbos Bridal Boutique
    Dress 2: Johan Botha Fashion Design
    Cake: Kelly Jane Cakes
    Stationery: Trendy Settings Paperworks

    Pictures: Supplied

    A couple in Russia had their wedding pictures taken in gas masks at an illegal chemical waste dump as an attempt to create awareness about toxic waste.

    Voctoria and Oleg at their photoshoot.

    The activists, Victoria Menshikova and Oleg Kabanov, say they do not belong to any specific organisation or group, but feel strongly that environmental pollution affects everyone, according to W24. The couple wanted to show people that if we are not more conscious about the way we treat waste, soon everywhere will just be one big landfill.

    According to the groom, a chemical waste landfill on the outskirts of Ryazan appeared around 10 years ago and has continued to operate despite a court ordering the site’s closure in 2011.

    The bride.

    In August, a fire even started at the site, proving that these toxic sites are posing a threat to nature and humans. As reported by The Moscow Times, there are almost 11,000 landfills and 40,000 garbage dumps in urban areas, protected forests and rural regions in Russia. The country’s landfills are in fact reportedly at risk of a “catastrophic overflow.”

    In light of this, many view the couple’s decision as heroic and an important step towards a greener future.

    Pictures: W24

    Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence married art dealer Cooke Maroney on Saturday at a celeb studded ceremony on Rhode Island in New York. According to People, the beaming bride’s gorgeous gown was designed by Dior, her favourite fashion house.

    She kept it simple yet stunning in this soft peach coloured satin dress with floral detail on the skirt. The actress is yet to release more wedding pictures but it’s obvious that she was striking. Not laden with heavy jewellery or a prim updo, she looked natural and absolutely radiant.

    Cameron Diaz, Sienna Miller and Adele were among the guests at this glamorous affair. The Belcourt at Newport is a mansion, loved by many for it’s classic feel and beauty.

     

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    Jennifer called Cooke “the greatest human being I’ve ever met” earlier this year on Catt Sadler’s podcast Naked with Catt Sadler. “I don’t know, I started with the basics,” the actress continued, when asked why she chose to marry him. “‘How do I feel? Is he nice? Is he kind?’ It’s just — this is the one, I know that sounds really stupid but he’s just, he’s — you know. He’s the greatest person I’ve ever met, so I feel very honoured to become a Maroney.”

    The two lovebirds have been in a relationship since 2018 and got engaged in February of this year.

     

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    I’m officially breaking my theme to post this adorable (and pap photo sorry) of Jen and Cooke, who are now rumored/ confirmed to be engaged! Jennifer’s rep confirmed to E News as well as many other sites that they had in fact got engaged recently and that they have celebrated and Jen is extremely happy to have a Fiancé. At first I wasn’t sure what to feel, amongst surprise and unsureness I found happiness, and I am now over the moon for the two of them! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Cooke and my baby Jen. I love you. #jenniferlawrence #cookemaroney #jennifercooke #jenniferandcooke #jlaw #jenlaw #jenniferlawrenceengaged #engagementring #marriage #cookifer #couple #celebritycouple #celebrityengagement #jlawengaged #jlawmarried #jenniferlawrencemarried #jenniferlawrencecookemaroney #twocuties #baby #ring #wedding #loml #goodluck #congratulations @cookemaroney @lauragram

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    According to Metro, the day’s menu was sublime and we expected nothing less. The canapes that were served up included cod beignet, sweet potato flat cakes, brussels sprouts with cured egg yolk and smoked pork belly with pickled apple. The main course was just as fancy with wood-roasted fish with herbs and lemon-infused butter and five-week-aged leg of beef with foragers sauce on the menu. And, of course, there was dessert with fire-baked sourdough bread pudding with chocolate, salted caramel and fresh apple, cauldron fritters with bourbon cream and cinnamon sugar and homemade s’mores for dessert. Sounds like a party to us.

    Picture: BBC

    Beach weddings are very popular and it’s easy to see why. The beach provides a beautiful and romantic setting and the soothing sounds of the sea add to this ambience – but how practical is a beach wedding?

    Here are some points to keep in mind if you’re planning a beach wedding:

    The location

     

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    In South Africa, you can have your wedding on the beach simply by organising a permit with your local council. Permits cost between R300-R6000 depending on which beach you are looking at, the number of guests that will be attending and the complexity of the set up that you would like to achieve. You will save big in terms of location fees. However, you will have to spend on hiring furniture and decor for the ceremony as the beach is a blank canvas. On the plus side, your wedding photographer will be able to get the most beautiful shots, but just make sure that they have done beach weddings before.

    The weather

     

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    Since the setting is already so beautiful you will not need to have much decor, but remember that you are on the beach and you’re therefore exposed to the elements. This means that you might need to have a second location on option, which will be at an additional cost. You’ll also have to protect your guests from the elements – if it’s very hot, there will need to be sunscreen, water and maybe even hats for guests to wear, but if it suddenly turns cold, you might need to have blankets for guests to keep themselves warm. And although the soothing sounds of the sea make for ambient white noise, any wind that might be present could make it hard for guests to hear the ceremony.

    The legalities

     

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    Since alcohol is prohibited from beaches, this will also be a big money saver. However, if this is not what you want it’ll mean that you’ll only be able to have your ceremony on the beach and your reception will have to take place elsewhere. You’ll also need a location where you can sign your marriage certificate as it can not be done in a public space. Speaking of public spaces, there will be no privacy from beachgoers who will definitely want to have a peek at your beautiful wedding.

    The accessibility

     

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    If you’re looking for a relaxed vibe, then a beach wedding is a great option. The dress code will most likely be casual, which will save you and your guests a lot of grief in terms of finding outfits. But it might not be quite as relaxing when planning this wedding as there are a few things that beaches might not have. Handicap accessibility is non-existent on beaches due to the sand, and so any guests with physical handicaps will either not be able to attend or will have to have special arrangements made for them to get to the ceremony area. There will be public bathrooms, but you will not be able to control how sanitary they are. Due to the fact that it is a public space, there will only be public parking spaces available which could get filled up very quickly, leaving little parking for guests.

    Feature image: Unsplash