Whether you’ve been racking your brain on unique and cute date night ideas to try, or whether you’re looking for convenient ways to enjoy each others company while still practising social distancing, we have a few adorable ideas that we know you’ll love. If you’re stuck on what to do for your next date, here are a few fun socially-distanced date ideas.
A picnic with a twist:
Restaurants are packed, and first dates are always awkward. If you’re looking for something that will break the ice and add a fun element to date night, try this picnic twist. Here’s what you do; each person needs to bring lunch for the other and then switch. This is an awesome way to get to know the other person’s taste, and it may even offer some comical relief.
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Backyard movie night:
There’s nothing more romantic than enjoying your favourite movie beneath the stars. The Galileo Open Air Cinema hosts a variety of movie nights, but if you’re looking to skip the crowds and do it yourself at home, then this is a great option. A projector, a sheet and your favourite movie is all you need to make this happen. If you’re feeling a little fancy and nostalgic, why not hire (or buy) a popcorn machine for the night.
Enjoy an online sommelier class:
They say that the couple that learns together stays together… or something like that. If you love wine, spend the evening learning with your partner by taking a virtual sommelier class together. Airbnb’s Virtual Experience has a ton of great options to choose from, which doesn’t only include wine tasting. Switch things up by taking a virtual gin tasting or coffee tasting.
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Airbnb Online Experiences:
Speaking of Airbnb’s virtual experiences, they have a range of experiences to suit your date-night desires. Learn how to make pasta from an authentic Italian grandma or enjoy a mellow cello concert from the comfort of your home. The internet can truly be an amazing place, so take advantage of it.
Take a hike:
Are you even from Cape Town if you haven’t gone hiking for date night? There’s no better way to get to know your partner (or potential partner) than when you’re huffing and puffing up a mountainside. Spending time outdoors is also a great way to keep your distance while enjoying someone’s company. From hiking up Devil’s Peak to enjoying a stroll through Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, Cape Town is home to some incredible hiking trails that boast spectacular views that you can enjoy together.
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Host a couples game night:
Date night doesn’t have to be just the two of you. Rope in a few friends and host a couples game night – virtually, of course. Pop open Zoom, choose your virtual game, light some candles, grab your drinks, and let the games begin! This is also a great way to spend some time with friends.
Picture: Pexels
One of the biggest features of any wedding is the fairytale wedding dress. Whether you’ve been dreaming of your quintessential gown since you were a little girl or…
Inspiration is not hard to come by; you just need to know where to look. Social media plays a huge role in wedding planning these days, and while many brides-to-be turn to Pinterest for that much-needed inspiration, Instagram is a great resource too.
Here are a few of our favourite Instagram accounts that are serving looks and some serious inspo.
A forest filled with inspiration
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTuJ700qtOB/
Beautifully organic wedding and lifestyle inspiration we can’t get enough of
https://www.instagram.com/p/BszGUydFszp/
Inspiration straight from an event planner
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSBO9dvgRyV/
A global collaboration of wedding inspiration
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIloRbpg2RN/
A splash of colour
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMkRz21lN_s/
Inspiration and resources that are sure to celebrate love
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUC-gzGhQ29/
Pretty Pictures:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUFjPtmKxYh/
Your floral inspiration
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ_UzDZnZtn/
A little venue decor inspiration
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3hmTw_hf7a/
Wedding wear for every bride
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUFn_x3tscZ/
Picture: June Bug Weddings Instagram
We love a good photo booth. Not only is it an excellent way to commemorate your wedding day, but it’s bound to keep your guests entertained. While renting…
2021 has been a rollercoaster ride filled with alcohol bans, gathering restrictions and rushing home from your friend’s home to make sure you don’t miss curfew. But finally, spring is in the air, and there are plenty of incredible spring wedding trends to admire.
The wedding industry may still be feeling the effects of the pandemic, and it’s evident in the trends for spring. Think smaller guest lists, more intimate settings, and fresh decor colours that are sure to liven up 2021 and beyond. It’s all about personal details and adding a non-traditional touch.
Here are a few of the top wedding trends for spring that we can’t get enough of right now:
Fairy lights
Outdoor weddings have become the norm thanks to COVID-19 as it provides a safer option for guests and vendors, with fairy lights and whimsical wedding tents now being added to every bride and groom’s shopping cart. Including twinkle lights in your decor offers a touch of romance and ethereal quality. The combination of drapery from tents and the proper mood lighting is sure to create a sense of brightness and ease for your wedding day.
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A destination wedding with a twist
While we’d all love to spend our wedding day frolicking on the beach of Mauritius, travel has been up in the air lately. So, what do you do? You bring the destination to you, of course! Transformative design is the keyword for 2021 as couples use their favourite destinations to inspire their event’s decor, look, feel and colour palette. Whether it’s the sweet and savoury treats of France or the tropical vibes of Bali, this trend is all about immersing your guests in your favourite destination in the world.
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Simple and intimate
We’re looking to keep things simple in 2021 and that extends to the food and entertainment. More couples are turning to acoustic performances to entertain while guests enjoy an intimate restaurant-style dinner service. Hosting a reception service at your favourite restaurant is a great way to support local businesses, provide guests with good food and spend the evening in a relaxed setting. It may even be a little cheaper than hiring a catering company!
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Quantity vs. quality
There’s no question that 2020 has forced us to re-examine what we find important, and that includes downscaling from quantity to quality. More guests, more flowers, and the biggest wedding cake have all been replaced with a smaller guest list, simple yet beautiful flower arrangements and single-tier cakes. Small events will likely be the trend for the foreseeable future, not that we’re complaining.
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Fresh colours
Neutral colour palettes are always an elegant touch, but couples are looking to shake things up with vibey colours that add a breath of fresh air. Bold pops of colour mixed with elegant prints are taking over spring as more couples exchange those “typical” wedding decor ideas for fun and bright colours.
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Picture: laurene_and_the_wolf
It’s been a weird 18-months. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve all needed to adjust our lifestyles – sanitise, wear masks, social distance – it’s been an interesting…
Scent is a powerful tool. A fact that was so beautifully proven by Cleopatra, who brought two powerful warlords to their knees through the art of scent.
A scent tells a story, can evoke a memory, or ignite your fight or flight response. Much like how scents can excite or repulse you, the way you smell can encourage those reactions in others. Desire is formed by engaging all the senses, and smell is a key factor. Fragrance is the ultimate accessory, much like wearing a scarf or a dazzling pair of earrings; adorning yourself with the right perfume can make those around you stop and turn.
As German writer Patrick Süskind perfectly surmised in his novel – Perfume: The Story of a Murderer: “Odours have a power of persuasion stronger than that of words, appearances, emotions, or will. The persuasive power of an odour cannot be fended off, it enters into us like breath in our lungs, it fills us up, imbues us totally. There is no remedy for it.”
Aside from the obvious advantage of keeping you smelling good throughout the day, what other reasons could there be to splashing on your favourite perfume? Here are three of our favourites:
Confidence:
Did you know that fragrance can enhance your mood and the way you feel? Fragrance plays a role in eliciting emotion and can include anything from sexy, happy to relaxed. It’s all about how you connect to the scent on an emotional level. The perfect example of this is the Montblanc Legend and Montblanc Explorer.
Legend combines notes of bergamot, lavender, sandalwood and oakmoss to create a contrasting and strong, yet tender, perfume. Bergamot, vetiver and patchouli mingle to produce the woody, aromatic and leathery concoction that is Mont Blanc Legend. All of these elegant and sophisticated notes combine to form a fragrance that exudes a scent of confidence.
A lasting impression:
Only 10% of the impressions you leave on someone are related to the words that you utter, while the rest is hinged on body language and appearance. When you’re feeling confident and in your power people remember this, which can provide a potent first impression. As humans, we utilise our five senses: scent, sight, taste, sound, and touch. Certain scents can trigger our memory, and if you’re wearing the right scent, this will only add to the allure and impact of that all-important first impression.
A unique signature:
Similar to pheromones, everyone has their own unique scent. A person’s fragrance is unique to them, that’s why finding the right one that suits you is so important. There are so many incredible fragrances to choose from that perfectly encompass an individual’s personality. There’s no question that finding this level of individuality through scent can influence confidence and self-esteem.
Picture/s: Supplied