From the table settings to the dance floor, let your wedding signage be as playful, stylish or whimsical as you are!
1. IN LOVE WITH THE DANCE FLOOR
Faced with a plain ol’ dance floor that needs some prettying up? Why not enlist the help of an arty friend to paint a monogram in your wedding colours? It’ll be easy enough to paint over later.
2. MAKE AN ENTRANCE
A sheet of acrylic displaying the couple’s names transforms a simple plinth and floral arrangement into a grand welcome gesture.
3. TROPICAL FEVER
Embrace the tropical trend with delicious monster leaves for placemats and banana leaves as place settings (write on them with Posca paint markers).
4. MR & MRS
A vintage-style metal ampersand light sign makes a cute photo prop.
5. TOP THIS
Don’t be tied down by traditional cake toppers!
6. PERFECTLY FRAMED
A simple frame allows your message to blend in with the rest of your wedding decor.
Photography: pinterest.com/weddingalbummag
We all know that minimal make-up has been one of the biggest beauty trends this year, and it’s sure to carry over into 2018. We’re showing you how…
Oh-so cute! These DIY wedding favour bags will do double duty as table activities for younger guests and takeaway bags for sweet treats.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Gift bags
Scissors
Felt
Craft glue
METHOD
1. Cut out ear shapes from the top of each bag.
2. Cut out felt ears, eyes, whiskers and noses and glue on to the bags to complete.
3. Set up a kids’ table with the pre-cut bags and felt, and let them create their own masterpieces.
Defy convention with standout smoky eyes. Use an eyelid primer to keep pigments strong and prevent shadows creasing, and boost your batting power with a lash primer before…
Your make-up is arguably one of the most important aspects of your wedding day – besides your dress and hubby-to-be, of course. There are a number of questions you should ask your bridal make-up artist, and once having had them answered confidentially, you can have peace of mind.
1. CAN I BOOK A TRIAL BEFOREHAND?
This is essential since it will give you the opportunity to tell the artist exactly what you do and don’t like. You’ll also be able to see how your make-up will look on your wedding day; if you’re happy, they’re hired! Make sure you book a few months in advance and ask for a trial guideline – the artist will be able to provide this in full detail.
2. WHAT HAPPENS IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY?
We all know that life happens, but on your big day, you need complete peace of mind. Find out if your artist has a solid cancellation policy should there be an emergency on her side. Will there be a backup plan in terms of an assistant or another artist attending on her behalf? What is their policy regarding a refund? What if the artist is late? All of the above need to be answered by the artist in the form of a contract. If not, think twice.
3. DO YOU WORK ALONE OR WITH A TEAM OF ASSISTANTS?
If you and your entire bridal party need to be done and dusted (or powdered, rather) by a certain time, ask the artist if she will have some capable hands to jump in and help. You can also ask her to set up a timeline for you, with each member of your retinue assigned to a specific artist and the time they need to be ready. This will help the process run more smoothly, and everyone will feel much more relaxed.
4. CAN I USE SOME OF MY OWN PRODUCTS?
Make-up artists usually use their own products and tools, but if you have particularly sensitive skin or are allergic to anything specific, ask the artist to use some of your own trustworthy products that you are comfortable with. Make sure you let them know during your trial so that they can also plan accordingly.
5. DO YOU HAVE A PORTFOLIO OR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES I CAN LOOK AT?
This is purely for you to see what the artist is capable of, or particularly good at. If her other work photographs well, you can be sure yours will look good too. If they don’t have anything to show you, be wary. You won’t have any ideas as to their skill level, even if you’re still in the trial phase.
Photography: pinterest.com
Let’s make a toast to food trucks! Whatever would we do without their deliciousness? We’ve rounded up some of our favourites from all across SA to make your…
Guys, want to look like a million bucks in an off-the-rack suit? Theo Ngobeni, the founder of Mr Slimfit, a styling service that caters to some of SA’s biggest stars, gives his six top tips on how to pick a suit off the rack and ensure it’s tailored to your exact specifications.
1. The suit jacket should always fit well on your shoulders as it is very difficult for a tailor to alter this part.
2. There are three kinds of hems you could opt for. The first is the no-break, where your trousers end just under the ankle bone. The second is the half-break, which is usually a half-inch hem. The full-break is an inch hem. If you’ve got a slim-fit suit, opt for the no- or half-break.
3. Most stylish guys want their jackets to have that flattering ‘V’ shape. A common mistake tailors make in trying to create this is to take in the jacket at the middle seam at the back. Instead, ask your tailor to take in the seams that run above the vents of a double-vent jacket.
4. The length of your jacket is critical. If it’s too long, the shape of the jacket can be compromised if it’s shortened. If it’s too short, it can look altered if it’s extended. To get this right, stand up with your arms stretched out at your sides and make a fist. Your jacket should end at the base of your fist.
5. If your jacket is slim-fit, your trousers need to be too. Ask your tailor to taper them using the inside seam.
6. Make sure the trousers fit well at the waist. If the waist fits comfortably but the trousers are too tight around your thighs, rather choose a waist size up. It’s much easier for a tailor to bring in the waist than to give you more breathing room around your thighs.
Fashion & styling: Kim Coe
Photography: Gareth van Nelson/hsmimages.co.za