We may think of it as out of date but there’s a reason the older generation enjoyed a macramé piece or two – they’re decorative without being overwhelming. And, in today’s modern age, they add a touch of nostalgia to a rustic wedding theme. If you like the idea of a macramé touch, try your hand at this chair drape that adds a subtle yet quaint feel to a summertime wedding.
What you’ll need
• Rod or stick
• 15 strands of 2m string
• Scissors
How to do it
1 Suspend your rod in a horizontal position. Take one strand of string and attach it to both ends of the rod to create a hanging base loop. Starting at the far left, take one strand of string and hang it over the suspended string. Pull both ends through the resulting eyelet. Repeat this with the remainder of the strands, leaving a distance of 1.5 cm between each set.
2 Again starting at the left, take the first set of strands in your left hand and the second set in your right. Spread the strands of each set between your fingers with the centre strand of each set touching.
3 Taking the strand at the far right, move it between the two centre strands and bring it forward between the strands of the set on the left.
4 Bring the strand across the front of the centre strands and back between the loop formed by the set of strands on the right. Then pull the strand tightly towards the top.
5 Taking the strand at the far right, move it behind the centre strands and push it through the loop formed by the set of strands on the right. It should form a second loop.
6 Take this loop across the centre strands and push it through the left loop of the set of strands on the far left.
7 Pull tightly and let go.
8 Repeat this process (steps 2–6) with each of the next sets until the first row is complete.
9 For the second row, start at the second and third sets of strands and repeat steps 2–6 until the row is complete.
10 For the third row, start with the two sets of strands at the far left and repeat steps 2–6 until the row is complete.
11 Continue using two sets of adjacent strands to form diamonds until you reach your desired length.
12 Once you’ve reached your desired length, cross two sets of strands at the far left. Take one set over and backwards in-between the two sets. Pull tightly to form a knot.
13 Make multiple knots using the same set of strands until you reach your desired length of knot.
14 Repeat steps 12-13 with the rest of the adjacent sets of strands to create knots. Then use the scissors to cut the ends of the strands to your desired length.
15 Untie the horizontal base from the rod and attach it to the sides of a chair so the macrame falls across the chair back. Repeat for as many chairs as required.
Find this DIY and more in Issue 1-2017, on sale now.
Text & styling Francoise Jeanne de Villiers
Photography Kendall-Leigh Nash/HMimages.co.za
Considering that your wedding band should last a lifetime, it’s no easy task finding your perfect fit – especially if you’re a guy, or shopping for your beau’s…
Weddings are expensive. We don’t really need to say it, but if you were ever unsure, then we’ll happily remind you. That being said, these ideas will hopefully help make that dent in your bank account a little less severe.
1 Send an email
Many cost-effective wedding ideas can also be eco-friendly, including the very first task on your list. Emailing your invites doesn’t only save heaps of paper; it saves you spending money on fancy stationery. Of course, you might want a pretty design on your invites, and a professional designer would be your best bet. While this will cost a little extra, by foregoing printing and mailing charges, you’re bound to save a pretty penny or two.
2 Pick the right venue
Always dreamt of a farm wedding or a ceremony on a secluded beach? Feel like booking out an entire hotel for the weekend? Think again, kiddo! Your venue may be important but it’s not worth emptying your entire life savings for. Draw up a list of places where you’d like to get hitched then find out which ones can accommodate the number of guests you intend to invite as well as the costs involved (this includes ceremony and reception areas, catering, accommodation and the use of any other facilities in offer). You can then make your final decision based on what you can afford. Alternatively, draw some inspiration from Father of the Bride and get married at home though you’ll need to check with mum and dad first.
3 Be selective with your guest list
This is a tricky one. You don’t want to offend any of your friends or loved ones but limiting the number of guests at your wedding is, among many things, pretty cost-effective. It means less accommodation and catering costs as well as a smaller venue for the big day (and we know of a few). It also means less spending on other, smaller aspects of the wedding such as invitations (if you’ve decided against email), wedding favours and stationery. In addition, limiting the number people at your wedding increases your chances of saying a quick ‘hello’ to everyone during the reception.
4 Try a second-hand dress
The first line of the old rhyme should be changed to ‘Something old instead of new’. And ‘something borrowed’ is the way to go as well. Don’t blow a huge chunk of money on a customised dress you’re only going to wear once. Seek out a well-made stylish dress at a sale or second-hand store, or hire one instead. You may come across a stunning vintage garment that sets the tone for your wedding and leaves you looking and feeling like a star from a bygone era. You can also have your bridesmaids save a few pennies by going this route.
5 Use natural, recyclable and DIY décor
Another environmentally friendly idea that’s also cost-effective is to use natural and recyclable materials as wedding decorations. Think glass bottles, tin cans for flowers and candles, and objects such as stones or pinecones as napkin weights. You can also make your own decorations from a variety of materials, such as these.
Want more info on handling the finances for your big day? We’ve got you covered!
Photography Archives, pexels.com, unsplash.com, pixabay.com
From beach wedding to elegant affair, the plethora of themes brides choose for their big day is often mind-boggling. Here, we break down looks for you – and…
Weddings cost a great deal. From money and time to energy and emotions, you’ll be spending more than you thought when he popped the question. But there are certain ways you can turn your nuptials into a less costly affair, specifically in environmental terms. Cut down your financial expenditure and your carbon footprint, as well as avoid unnecessary waste, by taking these five eco-friendly ideas into consideration.
1 Electronic invites
Wedding invitation are always special. They’re usually fancy and detailed, and mark the start of a new chapter in the happy couple’s lives. That being said, creating, ordering and sending them costs time, effort and a great deal of paper. And while many might say using recycled paper for your invites is a good way to help the environment, we say there’s an even better one – email! It gets the job done quickly and ensures that nothing’s been lost in the mail. Plus, designing your invitations digitally is relatively simple nowadays so there’s absolutely no reason to use a shred of paper when telling your loved ones to ‘SAVE THE DATE’.
2 Alternative lighting
There are so many ways of adding light to your wedding without using too much energy. You can hold the event outdoors during the daytime, as long as you’ve ensured the weather will be fine. Or if your reception will continue well into the night, try some eco-friendly lighting options (there really is a wide range of them). Candles create a romantic ambience, of course, but can be extinguished quickly. The solution? Rechargeable candles or lanterns that use batteries or solar power. You’ll be able to keep these outside during the ceremony then bring them into the reception venue later on. If you’re not too big on candles or a plethora of lamps, power-saving light bulbs are always a popular and energy-efficient alternative to ordinary lighting.
3 Uncooked, locally sourced, and vegan and vegetarian food options
Offering your guests a buffet of uncooked foodstuffs is a great means of being eco-friendly and catering to those on healthy and organic diets. If yours is a summer wedding, there are a few options to choose from – think cured meats, a variety of salads, fruit and cheese boards, and even bread and crackers served with spreads and preserves. You can also source your food from local vendors, which lessens the amount of transportation emissions, while serving up only vegan or vegetarian dishes is a commendable decision and won’t limit you in terms of food (in spite of what some snarky commentators might say).
4 Sustainable décor and wedding favours
People tend to overuse wedding decorations that ultimately go to waste after the big day (think of those cut flowers and paper and plastic lanterns your cousin has stored in her garage – and she got married nearly three years ago!). So while place cards might be unavoidable, you can still choose materials that last and are reusable. Cloth napkins don’t need to be thrown away after the first use and stones make elegant, versatile and practical additions to any setting. You can even place a colourful pebble on each napkin to keep it put then tie or stick a place card on the top. When it comes to flowers, orchids are a beautiful choice and endure if maintained properly. Succulents work well too and can also double as wedding favours. On that note, favours made from durable materials such as wood, cork, stoneware and glass are far more eco-friendly than those made of paper or plastic.
5 Donations and recycling
You’ll be left with a lot to clean up at the end of your wedding but a vast majority of it can be put to good use. If you foresee leftover food, make a plan early on to donate it to a food bank or any other organisation. If you’ve used cut flowers as decorations, you can also donate these. As for all those disposable items, like paper napkins, designate a space for each type to be thrown away and recycle those made of glass, tin and hard plastic. What’s more, bottles and cans may be reused on other occasions. In fact, if you’ve already got items like these (wine bottles, jars and tins), use them at the wedding as candleholders, flower vases or storage for wedding favours.
Photography pixabay.com, pexels.com, Archives
If it’s always been your dream to recite your vows on the shoreline of a pristine beach, South Africa offers an assortment of amazing spots for your nuptials.…
Old-world glamour never goes out of style – in fact, it’s called classic for a reason! Have your groomsmen add pocket squares to their suits to complement your bridesmaids’ dresses or even the decor! Use our handy little infographic to get that perfect fold.
Illustration Ryan Sedeman/HSMimages.com
Photography Olu Eletu/Unsplash