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 your man – for the six most common wedding themes.
1 Black Tie Do
When the invitation reads ‘Dress Code: Black Tie’, you know it’s time to amp up the glam factor. A satin mermaid gown in a regal shade such as deep blue, teamed with strings of pearls, is an effortlessly elegant option. Complete the look with a sleek updo and a classic, red lip. Make sure your beau looks the part too by having him follow in James Bond’s footsteps and donning a tuxedo. For a distinctive touch, he could wear a white jacket instead, or a white shirt with a black stripe along the side of the buttoned placket.
2 Mexican Fiesta
To the Mexicans, life is one big party overflowing with pops of vivid hues and vibrant patterns. Show your zest for life in a maxi dress covered in an intricate floral print. A flowy dress brings a hint of feminine flair yet is comfy enough to last you throughout a long night of dancing. Who says guys need to stick to a blazer in a neutral colour? A jewel-toned one is a fun alternative that can be accessorised with a uniquely textured hat. If he prefers a blazer in a subdued shade, he may jazz it up with a patterned scarf.
3 Country Fete
When venturing out to a beautiful farm area, you can forego the ball gown in favour of an understated, chiffon cocktail dress. Pair it with a cute top sporting cut-out shapes and add a simple pendant necklace to complement the top’s details. You’ll probably be walking through grass or on gravel roads, so flat shoes such as brogues are best. Men will look spiffy in a plaid or tweed waistcoat that can be dressed down with a casual sweater worn underneath it. A beret, much like those worn by English countryside natives, will round off the ensemble.
4 Indian Jamboree
As stunning as saris may be, most of us don’t have the knack to seamlessly drape one of them around our bodies. Try a churidar instead, which is essentially a dress-like top worn over skinny pants. Like the Mexicans, Indians are fond of embracing bright shades and loads of embellishments – even in menswear! Your S.O can clothe himself like an Eastern prince in a kurta, a two-piece outfit with a fairly long jacket and pants, which can often be just as ornate as any women’s look.
5 Beach Soirée
The wind in your hair and sand between your toes creates a relaxed vibe that can be reflected in what you wear. A lightweight kaftan allows for practicality without compromising on style. If you’d like to add some sparkle, a pair of chandelier earrings will do the trick – not to mention turn a few heads. A beach wedding is pretty much the only kind of nuptial affair where it’s fitting for the boys to whip out a pair of shorts. Skip the boardies though and opt for a tailored pair coupled with a button-down shirt.
6 Bohemian Festivity
Whimsical and free-spirited, a bohemian celebration gives you the chance take more risks with fashion. Try layering a sheer or crocheted slip over an opaque lace-trimmed frock, then dress it up with lipstick in a bold shade and loose waves. If your guy is into fashion, he’ll jump at the chance to don a pair of suspenders with his chinos. Help him pick out one with stripes in different colours to bring out his inner child.
Photography Mariya Georgieva, Rachael Crowe, Saksham Gangwar, Jake Young/Unsplash, Pixabay, Pexels, Courtesy images
When the stars came out to play on the Oscars 2017 red carpet, a selection of them donned exquisite frocks that are definitely fitting for your walk down…
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. But because your wedding backdrop forms part of the country’s natural landscape, there are a few logistical challenges to keep in mind. Here, we help you suss out the big ones.
1 Legalities
Municipal rules say that you’ll need a permit to host a wedding (or any other event) on the beachfront, which often comes with a fee. This is a crucial expense to add to your budget and should be done as early as possible to ensure you meet all the necessary deadlines.
2 Date
Consider the time of year and season of your proposed date. While the winter months (generally May to September) can be colder, the summer months do mean beaches will be more crowded as tourists and holidaymakers flock to our shores.
3 Timing
The behaviour of the tide should be your guideline for setting a time for your ceremony. Bear in mind that even if the tide is low, strong winds will necessitate moving your ceremony indoors so ensure you have a backup plan for the day too.
4 Decor
It goes without saying that summer is the most popular beach wedding season so expect to spend some time in the outdoor heat. To prevent yourself and your guests from baking in the sun, have a few umbrellas or a gazebo installed. These can be beautifully ornamented with anything from wire hearts to ribbons to strings of shells.
5 Confetti
Being sprinkled with confetti as you take your first steps as husband and wife will undoubtedly be one of the most utopian moments of the day. Remember that when you’re at the seaside, biodegradable confetti is a must. Can’t find any that’s biodegradable? Bubbles are a cute substitute that will be enjoyed by both kids and adults.
6 Bridalwear
Yes, we know that Cinderella looked ravishing in her wedding ball gown but then again, she never got married on a beach. A lightweight dress minus the layers of tulle, along with sandals or even going barefoot, will not only be more practical for oceanside weddings, but can create a whimsical and angelic look.
7 Dress code
While you can’t completely control what your guests will wear to your wedding, you can help them avoid the worst by specifying which type of attire would be fitting. Like you, the ladies would be better off foregoing full-skirted evening dresses in favour of flowing cocktail frocks while the gents should opt for shorts suits in bright colours. The gentlemen would look dashing and be more comfy in shorts suits or chinos, instead of tuxedos, to match the relaxed vibe of your ceremony.
8 Catering
Facilities for caterers may not be in abundance near the beach, so choose menu options that can be served cold. Think oysters, salmon skewers and fresh green salads. Yum! If you like to keep things hot, consider a spitbraai or a separate venue that’s close to the beach where the ceremony will be held.
9 Booze
If you’re planning on clinking a few glasses of bubbly with your feet in the water, think again as consuming alcohol on South African beaches is forbidden. Try booking a beach venue with an indoor reception area that has sea views and where your gueats can still enjoy a tipple.
10 Entertainment
The sight of glowing lanterns floating away into the dazzling night sky is utterly romantic while a fireworks display above the waters is sure to wow your guests. But as these activities do include the use of fire, they may be ruled out by certain municipalities. Be sure to check with your local authority when applying for your permit and opt for more eco-friendly entertainment options such as a band or friendly games of beach volleyball for your guests.
Photography Sweet Ice Cream Photography/Unsplash, Pixabay
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Getting the perfect thank-you gift for your wedding guest can be tricky. You want something that shows your appreciation but gifting a lot of people can end up being very costly. The best solution? Personalised DIY gifts that you can prepare months in advance!
1 Infused oil
Infuse cooking oil (olive oil is a favourite) with chillies or your favourite herbs for a yummy, flavourful salad dressing or base.
2 Spice mix
Mix various spices and place it in a jar to create your own flavoured rub or spice mixture that goes with your wedding’s theme.
3 Plant a tree
Give your guests the gift of nature with your favourite tree or plant seeds. This is a great way of helping the environment while showering your guests with a gift they can cherish.
4 Personalised fortune cookies
Buy ready-made fortune cookies from your closest Chinese wholesaler and fill it with personalised messages for your guests.
5 Sugar scrub
Add colouring and scented oils like peppermint to sugar. Allow it to soak and dry, then place it in a jar for an amazing sugar body scrub that tastes delicious too.
6 Jam jar
Preserve your favourite fruits to create a tasty jam – your guests will remember you with every bite.
Text Sharne Cupido
Photography Pinterest, Olia Gozha/Unsplashed, Kristina Balic/Unsplashed
Considering that your wedding is one of the biggest days of your life, you naturally want to look and feel your best. Having a group of experts on…
Want maximum style for minimal effort? Try your hand at our quick styling tricks for hairstyles that work as hard as you play.
1 The fresh princess
Create carefree beach waves by twisting damp or wet hair up into a coiled bun like model Gigi Hadid. Pin it up high for a modern top knot or at the nape of the neck for a more elegant chignon that you can wear from the beach to the bar. For a more chilled out style, release it when almost dry and shake loose carefree summer tresses. You can also refresh locks the-day-after-the-night-before by spritzing hair at the roots with a dry shampoo and giving it a quick blast of a hair dryer (powerful bathroom hand dryers work too in a pinch).
Style heroes Indola Innova #Style Style Reviver (R253) and Batiste Dry Shampoo Cool & Crisp Fresh (R69.95, get it here).
2 The crimper
Rock a gentle version of on-trend crimping by plaiting sections of hair for an hour or two and then releasing. If you’re in a rush you can also seal the deal quickly by pressing each braided piece between a hair straightener for a few seconds. Not bold enough for a full head? Use just one or two sections of plaiting intermittently through hair, which you can release later in the day for a crimped effect.
Style heroes ghd Style Heat Protect Spray (R180) and ghd Platinum Styler (R2 899).
3 The city slicker
For that just-stepped-out-of-the-water sleekness, there’s nothing better than smooth, gelled-back hair. This look is so hot right now, and so perfect for summer. Comb hair back sleekly with a clear gel to keep the top smooth, then apply a bit of cream or conditioner to the lengths of the hair to maintain softness.
Style heroes L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Hot & Sleek (R80) and label.m Gel (R315).
Text Lauren Watters
Photography popsugar.com.au, glamour.com, allure.com, IG @gigihadid, courtesy images