• Simple things such as table runners, crockery and cutlery can cost a fortune once you add them together. With these two DIYs, you can reduce the cost of your table settings without skimping on style.

    PAPER PLACEMATS

    Placemats KL Nash

    What you’ll need

    • Ruler
    • Pencil
    • 120g craft paper
    • Scissors
    • Fine paintbrush
    • White acrylic paint

    How to do it

    1 Using the ruler and pencil, measure and mark the size you want your placemat to be on the craft paper. Ensure there is enough room for an underplate, a large dinner plate and cutlery. Once you’re happy, cut out the placemat.

    Placemats KL Nash

    2 Measure 2 cm from the top and sides of the placemat to create a border where you will write the name of your guest.

    Placemats KL Nash

    3 Draw the border and write out the name of the guest in pencil, then paint over it with the white paint until the pencil is no longer visible. Allow to dry and repeat for as many placemats as required.

    Placemats KL Nash

    Placemats KL Nash

    PAINTED PLACEMATS

    Placemats KL Nash

    What you’ll need

    • Plain fabric placemats
    • Paintbrush
    • Black fabric paint

    How to do it

    1 Lay out the fabric placemat completely flat.

    2 Dip the paintbrush into the paint then splatter it onto the placemat. Allow to dry and repeat for as many placemats as required.

    Placemats KL Nash

    Placemats KL Nash

    Find this DIY and more in Issue 1-2017, on sale now

    Text Robyn Lane
    Styling Francoise Jeanne de Villiers
    Photography Kendall-Leigh Nash/HMimages.co.za

    Don’t let a strict budget conquer your big day – with a little elbow grease and some planning, your perfect wedding menu needn’t be just a dream. Follow these handy tips that don’t skimp on delicious food but will definitely score you big savings!

    1 Keep it simple

    Mussels in a pan

    At cocktail hour, your reception area will be buzzing. Not only will guests be excited to see you, but they’ll also want to get some light treats in while they wait. Avoid appetisers such as shrimp cocktail or scampi as they’re easily double the price tag of alternative seafood such as calamari or mussels. Don’t be shy to ask your caterer for a list of less costly appetisers or try these snacks for your guests to enjoy during cocktail hour!

    2 Do it yourself

    Cupcakes on a tower tray

    As time-consuming as it may sound, preparing your own appetisers is quite simple and will save on costs. Choose foods that can be made ahead of time, frozen and warmed up right before they need to be served. A simple, delicious home-made recipe will do wonders – and your guests don’t even have to know! Most caterers heavily inflate the cost of easy-to-make appetisers, which could cost you way more than if you made them yourself. You could even turn the preparation into a cooking evening as apart of your bachelorette celebrations – don’t forget the champagne!

    3 Self-service

    Plate of food

    Most venues include servers in the hiring cost but if you don’t want to spend a lot on the venue or are using your home, skip hiring servers. Serve your food buffet style and invite your guests to help themselves when meal time comes around – they’ll love having the freedom to choose what they want to eat. Plus, seocnds will be easily accessible too.

    Photography Jay Wennington/Raw Pixel/Clem Onojeghuo/Lucas Alexander/Adrien Sala/Unsplash

    Considering that your wedding band should last a lifetime, it’s no easy task finding your perfect fit – especially if you’re a guy, or shopping for your beau’s ring. Here, our best advice to ensure you buy a ring to cherish forever.

    1 It’s all about lifestyle and personality…

    Before you even step into a store, ask yourself:
    • Does your husband-to-be wear jewellery?
    • What type of career does he have – is he a creative or a nine-to-five businessman?
    • Is he flashy or does he prefer to stay under the radar?
    The answers to these questions will help you determine the type of ring you should choose. If your guy frequents an office every day, chances are he already owns a number of other jewellery items so you can easily suss out his style, while if he works with his hands a lot, he might not want something that feels bulky on his hand or that looks overly complicated.

    2 and value

    So we all know that when it comes to a woman’s engagement ring and wedding band, no expense is spared. From the simple band bearing only a diamond to the ornately carved band encrusted with stones, the value can reach crazy heights. But for a men’s band, it’s all about practicality – something that’s durable and easy to wear – such as these three metals:
    • Gold – the lower the karat, the more durable a gold band is. It seems so wrong but it’s actually true.
    • Silver – the most common metal for grooms’ bands, silver looks masculine but isn’t as durable as gold.
    • Titanium – Affordable and durable, titanium offers the best of both worlds and looks great too.

    Afrogem 1

    A special day deserves a special memento and his wedding band should tell a ton about who he is. If you’re still unsure, head to a high-end retailer or jeweller who can show you options depending on your guy’s personality and preferences.

    TRY, main image: 9ct hand-made organic wedding band R12 000 (for white-gold), R11 000 (for rose gold), R11 500 (for yellow gold), all Afrogem; second image: 9ct white- and rose-gold Hand-hammered set with 0.10ct diamond R 27 900, Afrogem

    Text Kim Mitha-Coe
    Photography 
    Afrogem

    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.

    Wedding Themes

    Wedding themes

    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.

    Wedding themes

    Wedding themes

    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.

    Wedding themes

    Wedding themes

    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.

    Wedding themes

    Wedding themes

    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.

    Wedding themes

    Wedding themes

    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.

    Wedding themes

    Wedding themes

    Photography Mariya GeorgievaRachael Crowe, Saksham GangwarJake Young/Unsplash, Pixabay, Pexels, Courtesy images