• With more and more brides opting for a budget-friendly wedding, DIY wedding decor has been (and will always be) trending. Putting together an elegant wedding with stunning decor shouldn’t break the bank or put a hole in your pocket. In most cases the way you envisioned the decor for your big day makes you realise that some ideas and dreams can’t be bought, so why not do it yourself?

    1. WINE CORK SEATING CHART

    Ebriderides wants their dream wedding to be unique in its own way. Instead of paying someone to compile your seating chart using expensive materials, try collecting all your wine bottle corks and put them to good use.

    2. HAND-PAINTED BALLOONS

    Who said balloons are only meant for birthday parties? Balloons have taken the wedding world by storm. Brides are now opting to have wedding balloons as a part of their ceremonies and receptions. Instead of buying all the fancy balloons you see online, simply purchase the balloons of your choice, and make them unique with some hand-crafted paint and stencils for a minimalistic decor feel.

    3. LIGHT BULB FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

    Floral arrangements tend to be quite pricey. Keep all your blown light bulbs, remove the inside elements and give them a good wash. Hang them up in your reception area and add some small blooms. This look really brings some out-of-this-world elegance to any area.

    4. WHEELBARROW DRINKS COOLER

    Serving drinks at your wedding reception doesn’t need to be a nightmare. If your reception area is outside, make use of a wheelbarrow for guests to grab a cold one. Simply clean it out, add some ice and fill it with some beers and coolers. It’s great to avoid the long queues at the bar and an easy grab-and-go for your guests to enjoy.

    Images: Pinterest

    We got together with some of the best local bakers around to show you six of our favourite wedding cake trends to help you make sure that your wedding cake… takes the cake!

    1. METALLICS

    Metallic studs – like the ones we see on shoes and clothing on the runway –  add dimension and texture to a cake.

    Mandy Byren from Cake Heaven SA

    2. OMBRE

    Ombre, especially metallic ombré, is still huge on the wedding scene. It’s beautiful in its simplicity and allows for interesting cake toppers.

    Linda Knop from Sugar Cakes

    3. SIMPLICITY

    This season sees wedding cakes relieved of too many decorations and intricacies. A move to simpler yet striking designs like monotone or two-tone cakes is the style of choice. Watercolours and pastels reinforce this idea of less is more.

    Wade van der Merwe from Cakes by Wade

    4. BRUSHSTROKES

    Think drama and flair with strokes painted in chocolate or fondant forming a beautiful portrait. Combine them with natural elements – another top choice – adding a flower or two for a softer, whimsical look.

    Kanya Hunt from The Hunt House Kitchen

    5. MARBLE

    Marble hasn’t left just yet! Apply it interestingly by having a pink, green or even blue marbled tier. Add some metallic ombré or gold dust and have fun with the design!

    Daniella Green from Charly’s Bakery

    6. NATURE

    Along the theme of greenery and the environment, bakers are having fun playing around with different elements such as bark, birds, feathers and leaves (real or edible). These will take your cake from pretty to memorable.

    Robyn Potter from Chocswirl

    Styling: Chiara Turilli & Amerae Vercueil
    Photography:
     Samantha Pinto

     

    Like many of us dog lovers, I have a tendency to spoil our family dog, Bailey. How can you blame me, when he buries his nose in my couch looking for his old toys in such an adorable way? I love our guy, but the thing is, I’m skeptical about getting him new toys because he’s very particular: he only buries his favorite toys in the couch, but many of the rest of them just sit on the floor. When he was a puppy, I used to spend $40 per month on toys and treats alone (those bully sticks can get expensive)! But, in trying to find a (much) more wallet-friendly way to keep Bailey entertained, I found the absolute best gift you could get for any dog, any size, any personality.

    Romantic, symbolic and a key part of any wedding, take your time when making your pick of flowers. Here are flour flower arrangements to inspire you.

    FRUIT CENTREPIECE

    Bouquet, The Holloway Floral Design

    GREENERY

    Delicious monster leaves, Aspenvase (left), vase (back) and vase (right), all Woolworths

    FEATHER BOUQUET

    Feather bouquet, Epanouir Flower Studio

    HANGING INSTALLATIONS

    Hanging installation, Foraged

    Styling: Francoise Jeanne de Villiers
    Photography: Gareth van Nelson

    *All products subject to availability