Combining her love of luxury with his passion for South African cuisine, Jana van der Spuy and MC Leonard’s wedding featured the best of both worlds.
THE VENUE
Our venue, Cabrières, was a dream come true! Not only was it the views that sealed the deal, but it was the lovely Jane Jordaan who kept us there. The venue was chic enough for me and down-to-earth enough for my husband.
THE THEME
We didn’t really have a theme, however, we tried to incorporate both our passions – style and luxury, with comfort and a braai! We wanted our wedding to really represent us as a couple, and I think we completely nailed it.
THE DRESSES
Both of my incredible dresses were made by Cindy Bam, who happens to be one of my best friends, so I may be slightly biased! I can’t imagine anyone else making my dream wedding dress come to life the way she did. As my traditional wedding dress was quite dramatic, we opted for a very simple silk-chiffon tattoo-lace dress for the reception party.
THE DECOR
Our wedding decor was mostly inspired by the less-is-more look, with lots of candles in gold candlesticks and home-made pink flower candle holders. Each table setting had a personalised handwritten letter with an accompanying menu and napkin. At the venue entrance, guests were greeted to 1.5m candelabras and a huge flower bouquet.
THE FOOD
We both have a slight obsession with braaiing, so our canapés, which were plankie–steak, mini roosterkoek and chicken kebabs, were made in this way and served alongside salad. Our main meal consisted of lamb roulade filled with spinach, feta and mushrooms, and roast veggies, a green salad and pumpkin fritters.
THE DETAILS
My dad passed away just before my 16th birthday and, for obvious reasons, walking down the aisle was quite a heart-wrenching idea for me. However, my mom walked me down the aisle with my dad there in spirit – my sister-in-law, Laurika, gave me a locket with a picture of my dad to tie around my bouquet. Other than my wedding band, it’s one of my most treasured gifts, and when I have a tough day, I wear it around my neck for support.
THE FIRST DANCE
We opened the dance floor with ‘I Love You Will Still Sound The Same’ by Oh Honey. It was a challenge for us to decide on a song that we both loved and that could stand the test of time. We bought confetti cannons and asked two of our friends to pop them for us during the dance.
LITTLE BLACK BOOK
Dresses: Cindy Bam
Hair: Carma Hair Studio
Rings: Black Key Diamonds
Flowers: Christa Chambers and Jane Jordaan at Detail Me Pretty
Decor & stationery: IC Graphix
Lighting: Best Event
Venue & catering: Cabrières
Audio-visual & DJ: Prime Audio
Photography: Duane Smith Photography
Videography: MW Productions
Hiring: Functions4U and Detail Me Pretty
Weddings are all about celebration and coming together. But most of all, weddings are about love. Finding all of these elements in one song that you and your…
For 2019, brides all around the globe are setting some new trends when it comes to decor by simply going back to the basics. Instead of lavish and expensive decor, they’re settling for a more chic, elegant and stunning look and feel for their big day.
1. CANDLES
Although candles may seem like a cliché decor element to add to your wedding day, they are definitely trending this year. Candles give off an amazing vibe and setting to any wedding venue. With many styles, scents and looks to choose from, they fit just about any theme and setting. But of all the types out there, taper candles are winning this year.
Even though they may seem a bit old school, taper candles have the power to elevate your wedding setting without any effort, and their elegance speaks for itself. They’ll make your table setting feel expensive and luxurious without you actually having to break the bank.
2. LUXURIOUS FABRICS
Fabulous fabrics and linen are in! Couples have found a way to add a rich sense of both dimension and texture to their wedding decor. They’re throwing out the traditional fabrics and bringing in more luxurious options, such as velvet, cashmere and corduroy to name a few. Use faux versions for table runners, tablecloths, ribbons on invitations to instantly upgrade your look and feel.
3. PASTELS MAKE WAY FOR BRIGHT COLOURS
Out with the muted pastel shades and in with bright vibrant colours. Brides have boldly moved away from light colour schemes to more bold and beautiful shades. Top trending decor colours for 2019 are predicted to be yellow, blue and sea green.
4. ALL ABOUT ACRYLIC
This is one medium that will gain much-deserved popularity this year. Use it to make long-lasting, durable invitations, hire acrylic reception furniture perfect for an outdoor affair and make the most of it for all your signage and stationery.
5. FLORAL CREATIONS ARE GOING GREEN
In 2018 floral hoops and oversized wreaths trended in wedding decor concepts. This year unique and abstract floral decor is set to take over. Colourful floral arrangements are making way for greenery. Brides are opting for simple, chic and elegant arrangements. Brides are taking more care in selecting wedding venues where the beauty of the location speaks for itself and doesn’t have to be supplemented with too many flowers and extra decor elements. But for your bouquets and wedding arches, go for greenery!
6. BALLOONS ARE BACK!
Confetti and sparklers as the bridal couple leave the ceremony is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Although many look forward to the old-school send-off by showering the couple with confetti, rice or rose petals, brides are finding new and unique ways to make that moment memorable. With plenty of colours to choose from, brides are now opting to use balloons, not only as cost-effective wedding decor, but also as the bridal couple walk down the aisle after the wedding ceremony.
7. STATEMENT LIGHTING
Every bride loves some amazing lighting. From a thousand fairy lights to bolder statements lights, which include neon lights and stunning chandeliers, brides are allocating more of their wedding budget to their lighting options.
Images: Pinterest
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Planning your big day is both an exciting and stressful time, with immense pressure to be at your best. Don’t forget to break away from all the organising every now and then for some me-time. These relaxing DIY face masks are the perfect way to take time out for yourself and keep your skin glowing and ready for the wedding.
Create easy facemasks with simple ingredients in your kitchen for a quick escape that will leave your skin feeling fresh and renewed.
THE METHOD
1. Mix all the ingredients together.
2. Use your hands or a clean make-up brush to apply the mask to your face.
3. Leave for 15-20 minutes.
4. Wash off and cleanse and moisturise.
THE MASKS
1. Aloe vera mask
1 tsp aloe vera gel
2 tbsp rosewater
2 tbsp coconut oil
2. Turmeric mask
1 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp coconut oil
3. Home clay mask
2 tbsp bentonite clay powder
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp vitamin E oil
2 drops tea tree essential oil
4. Cucumber mask
½ cucumber, blended
5. Lavender facial scrub
1-2 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp Epsom salts
2 drops lavender essential oil
Image: Unsplash
Like many of us dog lovers, I have a tendency to spoil our family dog, Bailey. How can you blame me, when he buries his nose in my…
We’ve all imagined what our ‘perfect dress’ would look like and have idolised certain styles that would suit our body type, but sometimes what we want doesn’t always match up to the real thing.
When it comes to choosing a wedding dress, there are a couple of things to consider (see how to find your perfect wedding dress according to experts), but a good way to start is figuring out your body type and what styles will suit you best.
THE BODY TYPES
1. Apple – Full bust with rounded torso and hips
2. Athletic – Tall, slim and a straight waistline
3. Curvy/hourglass – Defined waist, full bust and rounded hips
4. Pear – Wide hips and slim shoulders with a small waist
5. Petite – Slim and small frame
6. Tall – Over 1.75 m with a varying frame
7. Triangle – Broad shoulders and slim hips with a straight waist
THE DRESS TYPES
Mermaid
This style is perfect for an hourglass shape as it will accentuate your curves.
Sleek
Those with a tall and slim frame will suit this look beautifully and elegantly.
Tea-length
Tea-length dresses are perfect for those with an apple shape. They accentuate the frame and provide the look of having a longer torso and legs.
Ballgown
This stunning princess-inspired look will let athletic and pear frames shine by balancing the proportions of bust to hips.
V-neck
This particular neckline flatters larger busts, complementing an hourglass shape.
Halter neck
Having the focal point be your neck, halter necks give the allusion of narrow shoulders, suiting tall and athletic builds.
Strapless
Elegant and sweet, strapless dresses allow petite shapes to appear taller, while also flattering a smaller bust.
A-line
This style suits triangle shapes by balancing out the hips-to-bust ratio and giving a more defined waist.
Sweetheart
The sweetheart gives the allusion of smaller shoulders, suiting those with broad shoulders and fuller busts.
Picture: Unsplash