• Looking for a premium quality bottle of bubbles to celebrate with on your wedding day?  Look no further than the Lourensford Brut 2014 Méthode Cap Classique from the iconic and beautiful Lourensford Estate in Somerset West.

    Something to sip on as you get ready, a private Cheers with your loved one after you say “I do” and a delicious glass (or four) for your guests at the reception, the Brut 2014 MCC is one of Lourensford’s most sought-after wines.

    Cellarmaster Hannes Nel refers to the MCC as mysterious, unassuming and surrounded with finesse. “The natural beauty and fine integrated bubbles enhance the iodine-like minerality that reminds you of fresh seaweed and freshly crushed oyster shells, complimented with a rich creamy allure and elegance. Expect rich, complex flavours of lemon cream and Pink Lady apples on the nose with hints of citrus, pineapple and kiwi fruit on the palate.”

    If you’re looking for a tasty food paring, the Brut 2014 MCC is sophisticated but likes simplistic, raw, fresh produce. Hannes suggests a beef and East Coast oyster tartare with soy mayonnaise and quail egg. It also pairs well with goat’s milk and feta cheese, tempura oysters, deep fried fish, game carpaccio, avocado and fresh bread.

    Lourensford has exciting other wines to compliment your big day and celebrations. Take your pick from the flagship Chrysalis, Limited Release, The Dome or River Garden ranges.

    For more information or to order wine visit www.lourensford.co.za. You can also follow Lourensford’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

    If you would like to enquire about weddings at Lourensford’s Laurent then visit The Aleit Group’s website.

    Prize Details:

    Win Lourensford Brut 2014 Méthode Cap Classique worth R1 055.00
    How to enter: Fill in the form below.
    Our Winner:
    Hanlie Engelbrecht.
    Competition Ts & Cs:
    –  Competition is not open to persons under the age of 18.
    – Prizes are not refundable for cash
    – Winners must be able to provide a day time delivery address within South Africa. No PO BOX addresses accepted.

    Your wedding anniversary is approaching and you have no idea what to get your partner. After years and years of birthdays, religious occasions and relationship anniversaries it may be hard to come up with new ideas, but did you know each wedding anniversary year has an allocated gift according to tradition?

    It seems to be unsure as to who allocated each years gift but there are a few theories. Many sources state that the allocated wedding anniversary gifts originated during medieval times in Germanic regions of Central Europe. Husbands would gift their wives with a silver wreath on their 25th wedding anniversary. On the 50th anniversary she would receive a gold wreath.

    The 60th wedding anniversary is diamond but only after Queen Victoria announced her 60th year on the throne. It was known as her Diamond Jubilee. Before that diamond was allocated to 75 years.

    Other than 25, 50 and 60 years there are no other theories as to where the other gift allocations first originated.

    Have a look at each years gift here:

    1. One year: Paper

     

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    Year one, paper. #calluscaban #81818 #weddingseason #anniversary #marriageanniversary #paperanniversary

    A post shared by www.81818.nyc (@81818.nyc) on


    2. Two years: Cotton

     

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    Cotton anniversary gift for this lovely family ??????? Order your custom anniversary portrait?

    A post shared by Cross Stitch Company (@cross_stitch_company) on


    3. Three years: Leather

     

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    Happy 3rd #wedding #anniversary to us! Love you #hubby @_beav #leatheranniversary #love ??? #3rdanniversary

    A post shared by Sarah Carpenter (@sezzacrezza01) on


    4. Four years: Linen or fruits and flowers


    5. Five years: Wood


    6. Ten years: Tin or aluminum


    7. Fifteen years: Crystal


    8. Twenty years: China


    9.  Twenty-five years: Silver


    10. Thirty years: Pearl


    11. Thirty-five years: Coral

     

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    Anniversary present from Ray – Red Coral for our Coral Anniversary. #35AmazingYears #CoralAnniversary #TreasureOfTheSea

    A post shared by Julia Johnston (@jujohnston) on


    12. Forty years: Ruby

     

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    I often have clients bring in antique rings to be repaired to their former glory, but sometimes they’re so heavily worn that there is no option than to just start over. ⠀ ⠀ Normally I would recommend using the original piece as a leaping off point and design something new that references the design but is reflective of your own personal style. My client had worn this ring for years and had inherited it from her family. She was adamant that we recreate the ring as it was, ready for several more generations. ⠀ ⠀ One of the rubies had fallen out and the remaining one was very heavily worn. I had the old ruby polished and it came up a vibrant hot pink. It was a tricky one to match but I eventually found another ruby that had the same intense colour. The detail on the side of the ring was so worn away that I had to research in to other Victorian rings to find the right pattern to engrave of the side. ⠀ ⠀ When the ring was finally finished my client was overjoyed to have her family treasure brought to life again in its new incarnation.

    A post shared by Nicole Winkler Jewellery (@nicolewinklerjewellery) on

    13. Forty-five years: Sapphire


    14. Fifty years: Gold


    15. Fifty-five: Emerald


    16. Sixty years: Diamond

    Not every anniversary has to be interpreted directly. Put your own twist on things especially if your year is quite pricey. It’s not about how much you spend but about the thought and effort you put into it.

    Picture: Pexels

    The cost of a wedding can be quite, well, costly. Most things – from the wedding dress to the venue – can be quite expensive. Opting for a micro wedding is a great option, however one couple from Vereeniging in Gauteng had a better plan. Samkelo and Latoya Khowa tied the knot for only R75.

    Instead of spending thousands on a ‘one day event’, they decided to get married at a Home Affairs office. The couple also stated that after their Home Affairs ceremony they bought a car which wouldn’t have been possible if they opted for an over the top wedding. The marriage license was R55 and R20 to release it.

    They opted for this budget-friendly option as they were not in the means of having a lavish one. Neither one of them regret this decision as they have chosen a marriage over a wedding.

    Samkelo and Latoya met at a church service in 2016 and are not bother by what people have to say about their money-savvy wedding. They are debt free and their main focus is the love they have for one another.

    Samkelo comes from humble beginnings. He struggled to get by and eventually had to leave college due to financial issues. Latoya would help him wherever she could. He found a learnership that turned into a permanent position.

    The wedding itself was R75 and the couple decided to have an engagement church celebration. Which was still less than R5000.

    Picture: Facebook/Latoya Khowa

    You wake up on the day of your wedding and your skin is on fire. Although it’s not ideal, there are easy ways to soothe and calm skin down in a flash by following a few simple steps and being prepared.

    In advance

    It’s an absolute fact that stress and anxiety causes inflammation, which could potentially worsen conditions like eczema, psoriasis and general sensitivity. It also disrupts your sleep pattern, leading to less efficient time for your skin to recover and, thus, a duller appearance. However, saying you should reduce stress and actually doing it are two very different things. But it is crucial to your skin’s sanity. Helping your body and mind relax a little could be as simple as going for a walk, taking a well-deserved nap or starting your day with a few minutes of meditation. This will help reduce cortisol levels which will bring down inflammation. Along with that, make sure you drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated from the inside and up your energy levels.

    The day before

    Try to keep your skin as clean as possible the day before – that means no make-up, no harsh products, and no crazy masks or treatments. Also, stay out of the sun completely. Avoid salty food and alcohol as this can cause further puffiness. Before you go to bed, make sure your skin is properly cleansed and do a very light exfoliation with a formula that you trust. Lastly, seal in moisture with a good, hydrating moisturiser while your skin is still damp, then call it an early night.

    The day of

    If you’ve been taking proper care of your skin in the months and days leading up to the big day, you should be fine – but Murphy’s Law always has something else planned. Don’t fear, just reach for the ice. Should you wake up with red, itchy and inflamed skin on the morning of your wedding, wash your face with a gentle cream cleanser. It should contain ingredients such as chamomile, aloe vera, and lavender for an ultra calming effect. Then, take a few ice blocks and wrap them in a soft, damp face cloth or muslin cloth. Gently press the ice to irritated areas on your face for a good few minutes to help calm down inflammation and constrict blood vessels. Take this time to relax and lie down, or take a cool bath. Apply a soothing mask with a high aloe vera content afterward and keep it on until you need to start getting your make-up done.

    Our favourite redness-reducing heroes:

    Bioderma Cicabio Creme R236.95 Available at Clicks. Picture: Supplied
    The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Rescue Cream Mask R210 Available at The Body Shop Picture: Supplied
    Aloe Unique Aloe & Honey Gel Mask R119 Available online at aloeunique.co.za Picture: Supplied
    Dermalogica Calm Water Gel R949 Available online at dermalogica.co.za Picture: Supplied

    Image: Unsplash