Simple things such as table runners, crockery and cutlery can cost a fortune once you add them together. With these two DIYs, you can reduce the cost of your table settings without skimping on style.
PAPER PLACEMATS
What you’ll need
• Ruler
• Pencil
• 120g craft paper
• Scissors
• Fine paintbrush
• White acrylic paint
How to do it
1 Using the ruler and pencil, measure and mark the size you want your placemat to be on the craft paper. Ensure there is enough room for an underplate, a large dinner plate and cutlery. Once you’re happy, cut out the placemat.
2 Measure 2 cm from the top and sides of the placemat to create a border where you will write the name of your guest.
3 Draw the border and write out the name of the guest in pencil, then paint over it with the white paint until the pencil is no longer visible. Allow to dry and repeat for as many placemats as required.
PAINTED PLACEMATS
What you’ll need
• Plain fabric placemats
• Paintbrush
• Black fabric paint
How to do it
1 Lay out the fabric placemat completely flat.
2 Dip the paintbrush into the paint then splatter it onto the placemat. Allow to dry and repeat for as many placemats as required.
Find this DIY and more in Issue 1-2017, on sale now.
Text Robyn Lane
Styling Francoise Jeanne de Villiers
Photography Kendall-Leigh Nash/HMimages.co.za
It’s no mean feat packing for an ordinary holiday but when you’re headed off to a tropical paradise or a snowy escape for your honeymoon (or even your destination wedding),…
Don’t let a strict budget conquer your big day – with a little elbow grease and some planning, your perfect wedding menu needn’t be just a dream. Follow these handy tips that don’t skimp on delicious food but will definitely score you big savings!
1 Keep it simple
At cocktail hour, your reception area will be buzzing. Not only will guests be excited to see you, but they’ll also want to get some light treats in while they wait. Avoid appetisers such as shrimp cocktail or scampi as they’re easily double the price tag of alternative seafood such as calamari or mussels. Don’t be shy to ask your caterer for a list of less costly appetisers or try these snacks for your guests to enjoy during cocktail hour!
2 Do it yourself
As time-consuming as it may sound, preparing your own appetisers is quite simple and will save on costs. Choose foods that can be made ahead of time, frozen and warmed up right before they need to be served. A simple, delicious home-made recipe will do wonders – and your guests don’t even have to know! Most caterers heavily inflate the cost of easy-to-make appetisers, which could cost you way more than if you made them yourself. You could even turn the preparation into a cooking evening as apart of your bachelorette celebrations – don’t forget the champagne!
3 Self-service
Most venues include servers in the hiring cost but if you don’t want to spend a lot on the venue or are using your home, skip hiring servers. Serve your food buffet style and invite your guests to help themselves when meal time comes around – they’ll love having the freedom to choose what they want to eat. Plus, seocnds will be easily accessible too.
Photography Jay Wennington/Raw Pixel/Clem Onojeghuo/Lucas Alexander/Adrien Sala/Unsplash
People have been tying the knot for centuries. And, over the years, ceremonies and the attire worn to them have undergone a lot of changes – but some…
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