• 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.

     

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    “You have peace,” the old woman said, “when you make it with yourself. ~Mitch Albom

    A post shared by Mary Paints Weddings (@marypaintsweddings) on

    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

    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.

     

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    Being in a long distance relationship isn’t easy. Get it right, and it won’t break your relationship, it’ll make it. But how?!⠀ ⚡️⠀ SET SOME GROUND RULES, AND STICK TO THEM!⠀ Make a rule about the maximum amount of time you’re willing to go without seeing one another. Depending on how far apart you are, this could be anything from a few days to a few months. The one important thing is that you respect this rule – it’s what your relationship needs and deserves if it’s going to survive.⠀ ✨⠀ SHARE WHAT’S GOING ON EVERY DAY!⠀ If you’re in different time zone and a daily call isn’t possible, then you could instead write each other a daily email with your news. In years to come you’ll be able to look back at exactly how you felt doing this long distance thing, and see just how far you’ve come together.⠀ ?⠀ MAKE YOUR TIME TOGETHER AS ‘NORMAL’ AS POSSIBLE!⠀ The normal ‘couple-stuff’ is the essence of a relationship. It’s nights in on a the sofa watching Netflix and binging on junk food. It’s walks in the park. It’s cuddles in bed. It’s simply being together, with no agenda. Make time for these moments of normality to express themselves in your relationship, even though your time together is scarce. ⛰⠀ The right person is worth waiting for, and in the meantime, the long distance will just make it all the more exciting and intimate when you do get to share time together.
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Calling all couples in long distance relationships: How do you make it work? •⠀ Photos by @nabazabihphotography

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    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

    When it comes to weddings, the small unique details make every moment memorable. There’s simply no better way to personalise your dress than by adding hand-dipped colour details.

    Artist Taylor Ann treats weddings dresses like canvases and creates amazing works of art that suit the exact style of each bride that dawns them.

    Taylor takes a blank dress and adds a touch of personality that not only makes the dress look like a designer piece but also helps to incorporate the specific style and favourite colours of each woman who wears them.

    “I’m just an Artist that wanted a wedding dress as colorful as my soul; then found out I wasn’t the only one.
    Custom Bridal Art Creations are now my specialty.”

    The dress that started it all was Taylor’s very own wedding dress. An image of her amazing Technicolor creation skyrocketed to fame being shared across social media and even featured in popular UK magazines.

    The idea of incorporating shocking colours into a wedding dress took the world by storm.

    What seemed as though it would be a once-off creation has turned into a booming business and brides all over the world are looking to have their dresses hand painted and dip-dyed.

    Now Taylor specialises in helping brides bring the colours of their soul out onto their dresses and she doesn’t spare any work to make sure they’re perfect.

    From sunsets to hand-painted flower details, the sky is the limit with this unique personalising technique.

    Each work Taylor creates is different from the one before and truly gives each bride a masterpiece to wear on their special day.

    Picture: Facebook

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