Planning your honeymoon should be exciting and stress free, so you’ll want to work within your budget to ensure you have an unforgettable time – without the dread of overspending. Here’re five honeymoon planning tips to help keep the wallet in check.
- If you’re opting to book your honeymoon through a travel agent, do so with a reputable travel agency that specialises in honeymoons.
- Airfares will play a big role in your total budget, plan ahead and try to use mileage or credit card points as payment for your airfare.
- Consider registering your honeymoon with an online honeymoon registry for your bridal shower (in lieu of that unwanted bath mat).
- Avoid travelling over major holidays when prices are at their premium.
- Go all inclusive; pay for everything up front, you will avoid overspending.
Adapted from honeymoonsandgetaways.com.
How to make a chair posy. What you’ll need • Fresh flowers and foliage • Floral tape • Floral wire • Ribbon • Pins Directions 1. In this…
Adore Weddings and Events is a KZN based wedding and events planning company headed by born romantic and experienced Wedding Planner Carolyn McNeil. Adore strives to bring to life your vision and hope for your special day.
‘I have a deep love for wide open spaces and growing things,’ says Carolyn when WA chatted to her. ‘I simply love weddings and feel honoured to be invited to be a part of someone’s special day.’
The Adore Weddings and Events team offers a variety of coordination, styling, flower and decor options. ‘We adore all things romantic, eclectic and wonderful, and aim to partner alongside our clients to create a uniquely tailored, stress free and memorable experience of laughter, love and light for you and your guests.’ We thought it fitting to ask Carolyn a few questions about wedding decor and styling trends right now.
What are the 5 hottest wedding trends this year?
A continuation of the gorgeous copper, gold and rose gold trend.
Raw wood tables.
Whimsical, boho weddings with wreaths, vines and pretty, loose, asymmetrical flower arrangements.
On the opposite side of the style scale, a return to very clean lines, clear glass, symmetry and pure white decor and flowers look set to happen toward to middle of 2015.
We’ll begin to see an introduction of deep burgundies, purples, cobalt and blacks as base colours, teamed with rich golds and / or silvers.
How do international trends differ from local trends?
The South African market tends to follow the international market by a season or two. That being said, Pinterest and social media have bridged this gap largely and often homegrown weddings are bang on trend with international markets. I do see a more personalised look for South African weddings, with personal and intimate details included in the decor and stationery.
What’s the most important things to remember when planning a wedding?
Remember why you’re planning this day. When details, budget and expectations become overwhelming, remember that the entire point of this day is that you’re marrying your best friend, and sharing the beauty of that moment with your closest friends and family.
In your experience, what’s the best way to bring out a couple’s personality in the decor scheme?
I’m a personal fan of planning your wedding around your personal style. Your wedding should ideally be like having special people over to your home for dinner – just on a bigger scale.
What advice do you have for couples trying to decide on their decor and colour scheme?
Don’t follow a trend or fashion unless it is already your intrinsic style. You need to live with your wedding photos, so if your decor is something you will love always, and if it is very personal to the two of you, you will always love it.
If you wish to contact Carolyn about your wedding day, email her on [email protected] or call 083 364 4658. Visit the Adore Weddings website at adoreweddings.co.za.
Images: Courtesy
Perfecting islands for more than 60 years, Beachcomber Hotels is offering unmissable specials on their honeymoon, wedding anniversary and renewal of vowels offers. For a match that is…
An iconic hotel in leafy Jo’burg, the new Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff is a stylish urban resort offering wedding luxury to the utmost.
Elevated on a hillside with panoramic views across the Johannesburg Zoo and the prestigious neighbourhoods of The Parks, the Hotel is now available to book from 1 December 2014. In keeping with a modern African aesthetic, it’s reflective of the dynamic city that surrounds it and screams opulence in every nook and cranny.
With 117 guest rooms and suites scattered amid beautifully landscaped gardens, terraces and fountains, the mood is almost residential; a welcoming respite from the busyness of city life. Five all-new restaurants and lounges prepare to welcome you and your guests with an array of options to enjoy the finest cuisine, accompanied by the best wines of South Africa and the world.
Capturing the serenity of Johannesburg’s lush gardens and greenery, the nature-inspired Spa offers a casual atmosphere where you and your bridal party can relax in the sunshine before the wedding bell tolls.
Book your wedding date directly from their website HERE or visit fourseasons.com/johannesburg. Find it at 67 Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg.
Photographs: Courtesy
Bigger, bolder and better! Dark tablecloths and walls are offset by white: silvery-white chairs, starched serviettes, pretty pearly-white chandeliers and different-sized crisp rosettes. Bring these two antithetical colours…
‘To me, the beauty of being a photographer is telling stories in the middle of life’s unplanned and spontaneous moments. It’s about a gentle touch, a belly laugh, a shared look, sheer joy and being there to capture it all,’ says Lindsay-Rae Michael of Dearheart Photos. Cape Town based, Lindsay has a passion for people, storytelling and being hopeless romantic herself is bound to capture your special day in its true, intimate essence.
How would you describe yourself and your work?
Dearheart is an extension of my creative side. It’s an opportunity for me to follow a love I have, to capture the love of others and to have as much fun as possible while doing it.
What do you think separates you from other wedding photographers?
There are so many great photographers in Cape Town alone, and I think it really is a matter of personal preference and who will relay your story best.
What do you shoot in? (film, digital/both?)
Digital
What keeps you inspired?
I always love looking at the work of other artists, not just wedding photographers but fashion, documentary photographers and even films and illustration. Above that, life is inspiring – a beautiful view, a heartfelt moment and a passionate kiss.
What do you enjoy about living and working in the Western Cape?
Cape Town is so varied in its landscape and beauty, I’m always amazed how a location two hours away can have a completely different feel to the last.
Where’s your dream place to shoot?
It’s a toss up between New York and Iceland. I love cityscapes and street buzz but the landscapes of Iceland are breathtaking.
A tip for couples who are looking for their perfect wedding photographer?
Look at a few weddings that the photographer has done, not just one, and get a feel for their style. Also, arrange to meet with the photographer/s. Make sure they are the kind of people you want with you on your wedding day. Besides your groom, they really are the person you spend the most time with, so make sure you like them.
What advice can you give couples for their wedding day?
Keep perspective, relax and enjoy! Remember what the main focus is – you’re getting married! So as long as your partner is there, everything is perfect. At the end of the day your life will be forever changed, and whether your flowers/hair/music was perfect or not won’t take away from that.
How has being a wedding photographer made you a stronger photographer over all?
Being a wedding photographer keeps you on your toes constantly, always looking for a beautiful moment to snap. It teaches you to be quick with your decision making, lighting ideas and how to communicate well with the people you are photographing.
How has witnessing so many weddings impacted your life/work?
I love witnessing two people at their happiest, enjoying the best day of their lives. Every time I finish shooting a wedding I cant wait to get home to my husband and tell him how much I flipping love him.
What are you looking forward to most right now?
Every wedding is exciting. I love meeting new couples and hearing their stories. I’m a sucker for romance.
Contact Lindsay on [email protected] or call 084 657 8938. To see more of her work visit dearheartphotos.com.
Photographs: Dearheart