Your wedding day is a joyous occasion, but all your leftover decor items can take up tons of space if left to collect dust in your home. And throwing them away is no good either. Take a look at some of our tips on how to recycle all your beautiful items to ensure they don’t go to waste.
1. MAKE A SCRAPBOOK
Keep all your wedding memories together by crafting a scrapbook filled with a copy of each stationery item, pressed flowers and any other decor items you can flatten and add in. Plus all your favourite wedding photos and any other bits and pieces you want to keep close.
2. THE WEDDING DRESS
If you aren’t too keen on keeping your dress in the back of your cupboard, you can sell it as a second-hand garment, or donate it to a charity. But rememeber to keep a piece of the fabric to add to your scrapbook!
3. THE FLOWERS
If you’re stuck with bunches of flowers from the wedding arrangements, gift them to your loved ones as thank yous, or liven up a hospital or old age home by creating beautiful bunches to donate.
4. THE STATIONERY
Leftover stationery items such as coloured paper, ribbon and other decor features can be sent to underprivileged schools and used for arts and craft classes. You can also use them in your scrapbook or hand them over to friends who are avid scrapbookers. If you are going to throw them away, make sure you are recycling them.
5. THE DECOR
Any wedding decorations such as fairy lights, ornaments, etc can always be put to good use, whether for special occasions or even just to brighten up your home. Alternatively, if you really don’t want to keep the items, you can always market them on various Facebook groups or local second-hand stores.
Image credit: Instagram
We’re taking things to the east with some Indian bridal inspo! Feast your eyes on these gorgeously detailed outfits from some of our favourite international designers. 1. Sabyasachi…
Picture this. It’s your big day in a few months time and you feel completely torn between whether you want to stick to tradition or scrap it all and reinvent a whole new wedding style. Not to worry, we’re breaking down the standard options to provide alternatives to wedding traditions to leave behind and give a variety of options and creative ways to celebrate with your loved ones.
THE WHITE DRESS
While regarded as a symbol of purity, the traditional white wedding dress only became popular after Queen Victoria opposed the norm by wearing a white lace and satin gown for her wedding with Prince Albert in 1840. It is still a popular option for many brides today, but definitely has room for change. If you want to be daring and different, opt for colours like red, black or gold. Pastels of blue, pink, cream and grey have also become stunning options that break tradition.
Image: @gracephilipsbridal
THE BOUQUET
Some believe that bridal bouquets were used to mask the stench of the brides, who only showered once or twice a year before running water was a norm. But brides would also carry herbs and spices to protect themselves from evil spirits. While it may seem odd to walk down the aisle empty-handed, there are plenty alternatives to holding a bunch of flowers. Make a glamorous entrance carrying a matching clutch purse, or be unique with themed balloons or coloured ribbon. Having an outdoor wedding? Carry a stunning custom umbrella to match your dress.
Image: @philipjamesphotography
GIVEN AWAY
A standard norm for weddings is for the bride to be walked down the aisle by her father to be ‘given away’ to her future husband. In older times, this was a symbol of transferring ownership of the bride from her current family to her new family. While still a common practice, modern times have seen brides walk down the aisle alone, with both parents, or a close loved one.
Image: @event.life.entertainment
BRIDESMAIDS
Way back in the day, bridesmaids would dress similarly to the bride to confuse evil spirits and anyone trying to harm the bride. Nowadays, they are a group of women hand-picked by the bride-to-be to offer support and perform certain bridal duties. Even if you aren’t too keen on this tradition, it’s a great idea to have a group of close friends by your side to offer support assistance in planning your big day, and their outfits can be unique too!
Image: @ranch_505
BOUQUET & GARTER TOSS
This interesting tradition began (supposedly) as a way to distract the wedding guests while the happy couple engaged in the consummation of their marriage. Strange, right? Nowadays the throwing of the bouquet and garter are meant to bring luck and love to whoever catches them. While this can be a fun treat, it can also be slightly embarrassing for all the singletons taking part. Wedding games that include everyone are fun and creative. Have the bride and groom participate in a ‘How Much Do You Know About Your S/O’ for some light-hearted entertainment during the evening.
Image: @sofiakatherinephotography
Traditions are always changing, as do their meanings in our lives. Whether you choose to follow tradition or not, it shouldn’t be an issue for your big day. Whatever a practice means to you, it should only be a part of your day because you want it to be. Don’t feel pressured to follow the norms if you don’t agree with them or value them in your own life. Your wedding day is all about you and the celebration of love!
Header image: @lovemydress
Photography: instagram.com
It’s 2018, and we’re moving into a time where people and fashion are letting go of the norms and setting new trends by unapologetically being themselves. Whether you…
Something that is (slowly) becoming a trend, but still offers a unique impression for your guests, is your very own tailor-made wedding website. It is a platform which would showcase your engagement photos and story, the wedding date, time, location and any other need-to-know information. You can also include cute quirks like a wedding day countdown or a short biography of you and your SO. Whatever it is you want, you can make it happen – with the help of a few local experts.
There is an increasing number of companies which specifically cater to wedding website packages. Creating yours is an extremely fun and interesting task, and is also a great way to spend some quality time with your other half.
Shift events in Cape Town offers three different packages (Standard, Advanced and Bespoke), each including a set of services and quirks your website could offer. You can even organise to send your invitations online, have guests RSVP, and even allow your guests to book their accommodation.
This is an affordable online wedding invitation site which also offers multiple packages for you to create the perfect wedding couple’s website. With many features and custom designs to choose from, and a communication system that sends out SMS alerts, you are sure to have everyone gushing over your big day.
Stunning creations come to life with The Wedding Website, a business dedicated to creating timeless and elegant web pages for brides and grooms to showcase their special day. You will have the opportunity to showcase your engagement, bridal party, add details about your gift registry, and to share all your hopes and dreams with those you love through a unique website.
If you are looking for something simple, My Big Event offers a standard package with add-ons so that can pick and choose all the stunning features you want to include on your website. Besides the staple RSVP option, images and wedding information, they also offer adorable free printables for guest lists, save-the-date cards and mini wedding planners.
OR YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF
If you’re not in the market for something too extravagant, and if you have the time and are feeling creative, you can create a website yourself through free options like WordPress or WIX (which has wedding website templates on hand). It will be a challenge, but a great opportunity to learn a new skill and to save some bucks while still adding vision to your site.
Photography: @shiftevents_za on Instagram
Can’t decide on a shoe for your big day? We have some tips to help you choose the perfect pair of shoes for your wedding that will make…
Do you know which scent you want to wear on your big day? No? Choose a wedding fragrance that’s as fun, flirtatious or sensual as you are. Here are some of our favourites.
1. Jimmy Choo Illicit EDP (100 ml) – A provocative juice with seductive notes of bitter orange, sambac jasmine and honey amber.
2. Azzaro Pour Elle Extrême EDP (75 ml) – Warm, sensual and deeply enveloping, this elegant scent is an evening delight.
3. Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Rosé EDP (100 ml) – For something that’s simply sparkling, this fruity floral is fun and just a little flirtatious.
4. Repetto Eau Florale EDT (80 ml) – A pretty pink juice with feminine notes of grapefruit, plum blossom and rose.
5. Oscar de la Renta Oscar Velvet Noir EDP (100 ml) – Classic and sexy with beautiful notes of osmanthus, ginger and warm amber.
6. Dunhill Icon Absolute EDP (100 ml) – A modern-day ode to all things woody and spicy for the discerning and stylish groom.
7. Giorgio Armani Armani Code Profumo Pour Homme (60 ml) – Perfect for the classic gentleman, a scent with a decidedly rich and sophisticated air.