Choosing the diamond, making the purchase, popping the question. Three tasks that require a sufficient amount of consideration but once they’ve been accomplished, and before you make the big announcement, there’s something else you should think about: insurance. Not particularly romantic but extremely important nonetheless. This piece of jewellery is far too valuable, in numerous respects, for you to lose or have stolen. Wedding Album gets some pointers on protecting this valuable asset from Mutual & Federal‘s Head of Product Solutions Fourie Grobler.
1 Choose the right insurance policy
All risk insurance is perhaps the most effective insurance coverage for a specified item such as an engagement or wedding ring. The policy ensures that, while you’re away from home, your ring that you wear daily will be covered if lost.
2 Keep all documentation
Hang on to documents such as the jeweller’s valuation certificate, a photo of the ring, and, of course, the receipt. These are crucial in speeding up – and smoothing out – the process of making an insurance claim.
3 Value your ring regularly
‘It’s very important to update the value of your jewellery on a regular basis to make sure that your sum insured is adequate,’ says Fourie. So ensure you have your ring is valued every year so that the insured value is up to date with the replacement value. A jeweller will either offer you a free annual valuation or charge a flat rate for one. The latter option includes an updated valuation certificate.
Photography pixabay.com
There are many popular diamond shapes to choose from when it comes to engagement rings. The top ten are: round, princess, oval, marquise, pear, cushion, emerald, asscher, radiant…
By Mariska van Zyl
There’s no denying that planning your wedding can be exciting, overwhelming and very expensive. So establishing a budget and planing ahead is crucial. There are a few hidden costs when it comes to your wedding day, tipping vendors being one of them.
Photographers & Videographers:
It’s not necessary to tip the photographer and videographer if they own their own business as all the costs will usually be included in the contract. If you feel that they went the extra mile you can add an additional amount to the agreed price or you can send a thank you gift after the wedding.
Catering staff and Bartenders:
If your contract doesn’t include tip, you should tip 10 to 20 percent of the total catering bill. If you have an open bar, bartenders do expect to receive a tip from guests as they serve the drinks but it isn’t necessary as they’ll already receive a fixed amount from the venue.
Hair & Makeup artist:
When you hire a hair and makeup artist that owns their own business, you aren’t obligated to tip them. However, if you go to a salon you are expected to tip as you would going for a normal appointment.
View this post on Instagram
This forest ceremony area is just mind blowing at @beloftebos_wedding_venue What do you guys think?
Officiant:
While it isn’t customary to tip religious officiants, however if you want to thank them for their service, you can send them a thoughtful gift or better, make a donation to their place of worship.
Musicians and DJs:
If you are hiring an independent band or DJ, you aren’t obligated to tip, however when the band or DJ is being booked through an agency, tipping each member is standard.
Tips are meant to to be given to vendors who go above and beyond their contracted duties, so remember to have a look at the vendors’ contracts to see if any gratuity is added in the costs. If your budget is tight, there are other ways of giving “tips”. You can give your vendors excellent reviews or refer them to other friends that are getting married.
Picture: Unsplash
The mother of the bride role comes with clear and concise instructions. So do the roles of father of the bride and maid of honour – but one…
Live painting at wedding receptions is a growing trend for both the couple and guests. It is a fun and creative way to keep guests entertained, as well as create a truly lasting memory for the couple to treasure.
View this post on Instagram
“You have peace,” the old woman said, “when you make it with yourself. ~Mitch Albom
Mary Paints Weddings (@marypaintsweddings) specialises in live wedding painting in South Africa which leaves the bridal couple with a tangible forever memory – a painting. Mary also creates painted jackets for the couple which can be kept and reused long after the wedding and honeymoon has ended.
Another fun way to incorporate art into your wedding reception is to hire a caricature artist, inviting guests to take something home as well. Martinus Van Tee (@martinus_caricatures) is a caricature artist based in the Western Cape who offers these services for both wedding and corporate events.
A picture is worth a thousand words but what about a painting? This fun addition to your big day will have your reliving one of the happiest moments of your life, hanging right there in your home.
Picture: Supplied
When it comes to hairstyles for your wedding day, you need to take account for the type of hair that you have. This will help to determine what…
On your wedding day you will be photographed a lot. This can be extremely daunting if you are not used to being in front of the camera. To ensure you get the pictures you’ve always dreamed of, we’ve rounded up some useful tips to help you feel comfortable in front of your wedding photographer.
Hire a photographer you are comfortable with
We know you have envisioned this day down to the finest detail, especially your pictures. Choose a photographer whose work you’ve seen and love. An initial meet-up with your photographer will establish a relationship and help ease any butterflies. And remember to communicate! The photographer needs to know what you want from your pictures, if you’re feeling uncomfortable about anything or if you have any questions – speak up, but trust your photographer to deliver on getting you the best pictures possible.
Book a pre-wedding/engagement shoot with the same photographer
Consider this a trial run. It’s easier to pose for someone you have posed for before. You and your fiancé can then warm up to the feeling of being in front of the camera. This will allow you to see how you interact with the camera, as well as each other, while getting a feel for the photographer’s work.
Allocate enough time for the picture session on your wedding day
No one ever likes to be rushed, so make sure you have enough time with your photographer. He or she will typically tell you how much time they need and where to slot it into the schedule. Having enough time means you’ll experience a sense of calm and have the freedom to explore poses, light and locations without worrying about running out of time.
Skip the drinks, for now.
A glass of champagne to ease the nerves is perfectly fine but any more can have you feeling a bit tipsy, especially if you haven’t had anything to eat. Alcohol can also cause your skin to flush, so rather leave those drinks for the reception.
Focus on each other
You just said “I do”. Look into the eyes of one another and allow the photographer to capture those special moments, almost as if no one else is around you. Sometimes it’s not about the perfect pose or perfect smile, it’s about capturing a joyous, genuine moment.
Consider your posture
Having a good posture will ooze confidence so remember – shoulders back, lift your chin to elongate your neck, breathe and smile. Don’t hunch your shoulders over, this can result in you looking small and uncomfortable. Your photographer will guide you and have your best features in mind, so trust them with their recommendations, even if it seems a little crazy.
Get your hair and make-up done professionally
Looking like the best version of yourself will give you a burst of confidence and make your pictures look flawless. Your hair stylist and make-up artist knows what works well on camera and what will last for the entire day/night, so it’s essential to have them in your arsenal too.
Embrace the moment and have fun
Nothing reflects better in photos than a genuine feeling. Be yourself and have fun – don’t take it too seriously!
Feature image: Pixabay