As night falls, the forest becomes a scene of drama and mystery, complemented by plush fabrics and rustic details. Scroll through our magical lookbook for all your forest-themed wedding inspiration.
From left: Brass candleholders (to hire), Propeller Props; silver candleholders (to hire), Plush Props; tall candleholders, @home; small jug, flask and medium jug (to hire), all Plush Props; tapas bowl and cutlery, both Check My China; dinner plate, side plate, wine glass, tall glass with short stem and short glass with short stem, all Woolworths; linen, Fabric City; velvet runner, Fabric Centre
Rolled menus, Secret Diary; feathers, Epanouir Flower Studio
Cake from, Kanya Hunt from The Hunt House Kitchen; cake stand (to hire), Check My China; velvet fabric, Fabric Centre; crystal wine glass, Woolworths
Plate and spoon (to hire), both Check My China; blueberries, Pick n Pay; bottle, Merrypak; thank-you tag, Secret Diary; glass, Woolworths
Chairs (to hire), Propeller Props; fairy lights and ping-pong balls, both Game
Menu, Secret Diary; feathers, Epanouir Flower Studio
Decor styling: Francoise Jeanne de Villiers
Food styling: Chiara Turilli
Photography: Gareth van Nelson
Venue: D’Aria, Cape Town
*Products all subject to availability
This summer’s nail trends are keeping it simple and feminine with pastels, glitter, nudes and a few bold details. Incorporate one of these 5 gorgeous summer nail trends…
Take in the romance of dramatic trains, long floaty dresses, full skirts and soft veils billowing in the wind with our gorgeous lookbook.
Top, Zara; dress, Tsotetsi KL; bracelet, Jangi; socks, Witchery; shoes, The Fix
Shirt dress, Stephen van Eeden; Karla satin ballgown skirt, Elbeth Gillis
Dress, Elbeth Gillis; fringed kaftan by Erre, Showspace; velvet choker, H&M; sneakers, The Fix
Dress, Enzoani; top, Zara; cape veil, Janita Toerien; hat, Woolworths
Dress, Janita Toerien; top, Zara; veil stylist’s own; socks, Witchery; sneakers, The Fix
Top by Utopia, Zando; skirt, Orapeleng Modutle
Dress, Spero Villioti; wrap blouse by Tiger Lily at Dark Paradise, Showspace; shoes, The Fix
Dress, Stephen van Eeden
Header image: Dress, Orapeleng Modutle; top, Erre; earrings, Pichulik
Fashion: Rochelle Malherbe
Photography: Gareth van Nelson
*All products subject to availability
From simple design to styles with flair, this season sees wedding cake trends that flaunt colour, details and texture perfect for a summer wedding. 1. RUFFLED Trends from…
Your wedding planning timeline is a marathon, not a sprint. Here’s how to stay sane and make sure everything – from the big stuff to the tiniest detail – gets ticked off your list.
12+ MONTHS BEFORE
1. Create a wedding file or make a Pinterest board to keep track of all your ideas and inspiration.
2. Work out your budget.
3. If you’re going to hire a wedding planner, do that now.
4. Choose your date and reserve a venue (one of these is likely to depend on the other).
5. Book the venue for your reception, if it’s going to be different to the ceremony venue.
6. Choose the wedding party.
7. Start planning your guest list.
8. Book your officiant.
9. Choose and book an MC (see tips on page 40).
10. Have an engagement party, keeping in mind that anyone invited to this should also feature on your wedding guest list.
9-12 MONTHS BEFORE
1. Order your dress or book a designer.
2. If they’re not included in your venue hire, choose a caterer.
3. Book your DJ or entertainment (including ceremony musicians).
4. Research and hire a photographer and videographer.
5. Book your florist.
6. Reserve accommodation for out-of-town guests and pay deposits.
6-9 MONTHS BEFORE
1. Meet with your officiant to make sure you have all the necessary paperwork covered.
2. Have invitations made.
3. Send out save-the-dates.
4. Start organising bridesmaids’ dresses, groomsmen’s suits and flower-girl outfits.
5. Start planning your honeymoon (including renewing your passport and getting any required vaccinations).
4-6 MONTHS BEFORE
1. Fit and purchase your rings.
2. Do tastings and order your cake.
3. Buy your wedding shoes (and start taking them to dress fittings).
4. Book your hairstylist and make-up artist.
5. Plan the big-day timeline.
6. Start choosing the playlist.
7. Contact rental companies for anything your venue isn’t providing, from seat covers to fancy Portaloos.
8. Book the venue for your rehearsal dinner.
9. Compile your registry.
3 MONTHS BEFORE
1. Finalise the menu.
2. Finalise the flowers.
3. Order wedding favours, if you’ll have any.
4. Choose people to give toasts
5. Buy your wedding lingerie.
6. Make your vendors aware of the day’s schedule (they may have helpful feedback).
7. Hire wedding-day transport.
8. Book your spa treatments for the week of your wedding.
2 MONTHS BEFORE
1. Send out invitations.
2. Meet with your photographer to discuss specific shots, locations and people to be photographed.
3. Do a trial hair and make-up run.
4. Have menus and programmes printed.
5. Write your vows.
4 WEEKS BEFORE
1. Make a list of your RSVPs and follow up with anyone who has not yet responded.
2. Make a seating chart and have place cards printed.
3. Have your final dress fitting. You should bring along your maid of honour so she can learn specifics such as how to lace your corset or bustle your train (we’re not kidding).
2 WEEKS BEFORE
1. Let your venue contact know about any special vendor requests, such as additional power outlets for the DJ or refrigeration for the cake.
2. Send your DJ your final playlist, including any songs you definitely don’t want to hear.
3. Have your pre-wedding haircut and colour.
4. Wear in your wedding shoes.
5. Stock the bar.
THE WEEK OF
1. Give venue and caterers a final headcount.
2. Confirm times, dates and final details with every vendor.
3. Hand over programmes, menus and place cards, and any hired or DIY decor, to your reception manager.
4. Delegate wedding-day and post-wedding tasks – someone to be in charge of getting your gifts home, someone to handle rental returns while you’re on honeymoon.
5. Pick up your dress!
6. Make sure the bridesmaids’ dresses, groomsmen’s suits and flower-girl attire are ready to go.
7. Pack for your honeymoon.
8. Make final payments to vendors, and prepare cash tip envelopes for waitstaff on the day.
9. Organise snacks and drinks for the dressing rooms.
THE NIGHT BEFORE
1. Rehearse the ceremony with your wedding party, immediate family and officiant.
2. Introduce the manager of your reception venue to the best man and maid of honour, or whomever you’ve delegated as the go-to person for any questions or problems during the reception.
THE BIG DAY!
1. Give the wedding bands to the best man and maid of honour.
2. Eat breakfast, stay hydrated and don’t rush!
Image: Unsplash
If you’re someone who doesn’t like to play by the rules, then DIY paper flowers will be ideal for you. You also won’t have to worry about wilting,…
Classic black dress shoes aren’t your only footwear option. Here are 5 wedding shoes for men to suit any attire. Keep things fresh by opting for a shoe in brown or grey instead of classic black.
1. BROGUES
A low-heeled shoe with sturdy leather uppers and perforated and serrated edges. These come in a variety of styles but the most popular is the semi-brogue, which features a decorative toecap.
2. LOAFERS
A slip-on shoe that often sports a tassel or leather strap across its upper (it’s then known as a penny loafer).
3. ANKLE BOOTS
Widely worn by both men and women, ankle boot styles range from shoe boots, which skim the ankle, to Chelsea boots, which fit closely around the ankle, and even boots that cover the lower part of the calf.
4. SANDALS
Open footwear with straps over the instep and sometimes also around the ankle. Not to be confused with the flip-flop, which is best reserved for other less formal occasions.
5. MONKS
Also called monk-straps, these dress shoes sport a buckle and strap instead of laces and can be found with cap toes, as brogues, and in both suede and leather.
Images: Pinterest