• A new buzz word going around wedding circles is the “management ring”, if you can’t decipher what it is, we’ll just tell you: an engagement ring for men!

    Gender norms are out the window and equality is in as men are joining in on the bling. Why should women only get exciting jewellery to tell the world they will soon be a Mrs (or just a married Ms)?

    The term “management” doesn’t refer to any high-level oversight a woman has to do on her man. Rather it’s a fun combination of the word man and engagement.

    The trend has becoming increasingly popular especially since it is a common practice among gay men, with each giving the other mean ngagement ring or going to pick out ones together. In addition, a few celebrities have been seen sporting them over the years including Michael Bublé and Ed Sheeran.

    Management rings come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from clumsy-proof silicon to blinged out statement pieces.

    Picture: Unsplash

    Although the skin-bearing styles of wedding dresses are a lasting fashion, sleeves add feminine sophistication to a demure gown.

    Wedding dress sleeves were previously considered for a more conservative, cautious bride but have become a fashion statement and added accessory.

    There are many reasons why someone may want to cover their shoulders. Whether you are insecure of the shape or size, it’s important that you feel truly comfortable and beautiful on your big day.

    Luckily, sleeves are super trendy in the wedding world right now. Puffy and over-the-top sleeves have been revamped into a variety of styles.

    The cap sleeve is short, covering just the shoulders and extending no further than the armpit. The boat neck sleeve has a wider neckline and slides just off the shoulders, highlighting the collar bone. Another favourite is the one-shoulder sleeve which ultimately speaks for itself.

    When opting for a sleeved gown make sure to pick the right fabric. Lace and sheer fabric are fashion-forward, light and breathable but are also often less stretchy and forgivable, so they need to be fitted well.

     

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    The length of your sleeves will also be determined by your style of dress and your preference. You can opt for a full lace sleeve or choose a style that incorporates lace fabric with hints of diamante detailing, adding a little extra sparkle.

    If you’d still like to show a bit of skin, then perhaps you can choose a dress style with sleeves that also features a backless detail or a high slit.

    Picture: Pexels

    Every year of marriage is one worthy of celebration, but the ones that land on multiples of five are always extra special. Every year that passes takes your marriage to a new level and holds new significance, with a particular symbol to represent it.

    Traditionally, the 15th year of marriage is symbolised by crystal to represent beauty and investment. Highly revered and quite costly, crystal is an extravagant item reserved for the finer pieces in life.

    There are many examples of crystals like diamonds, salt, quartz, and various gemstones. This makes the gifting process so much easier, as you have more variety.

    Here are some crystal gift ideas to stick to tradition:

    Nachtmann Lead-Free Crystal Harlekin Glass Vase – R990 from YuppieChef

    Bohemia Crystal – Empery Candlestick – R699 from Makro

    Shift Smoky Quartz Crystal Elixir Water Bottle – R1090 from Faithful to Nature

    Spiegelau Lead-Free Crystal Style White Wine Glasses, Set of 4 – R499 from Yuppiechef

    Brillante Whisky Decanter – R549 on Kitchenique

    Picture: Pexels

    Money, and how people spend it, is often a major cause of tension in couples. Before you walk down the aisle, it’s important to make sure you and your partner are on the same page when it comes to what you plan on doing with your money.

    While we hate to rain on anyone’s wedding parade, it’s important to not get so carried away that you forget to stay within your financial means or forget to make responsible preparations for your financial future together. Before taking the big step, here’s what you should consider.

    Know your options

    First things first: you need to know the type of marriage as well as the type of matrimonial property regimes you can enter into, as each one has its own financial repercussions. Marriage in community of property means everything you own and owe that you each had before the marriage becomes jointly owned. This is the default contract in South Africa.

    Marriage out of community of property means that your assets and liabilities are kept separately and is drawn up as an antenuptial contract.

    Check out this breakdown to help you decide which contract is right for you.

    Have a pre-wedding money convo

    It’s crucial to know your partner’s credit profile, especially if you plan on getting married in community of property. Knowing each other’s credit history will also give you some insight into each other’s financial behaviour. Be honest from the outset about debts and current financial responsibilities, such as child maintenance or assistance for parents or siblings. This way, neither partner will be shocked with unforeseen expenses after you tie the knot.

    Think about a joint account

    If you and your partner are comfortable sharing everything, a joint bank account is a convenient way to manage your day-to-day spending and saving. If one of you is less financially responsible, make the decision that the person who is good at handling finances will take care of the household budget instead.

    Plan, plan, plan

    Your wedding is only the beginning of your married life, so commit to saving and creating wealth from the start. Set up a meeting with a financial advisor to help you draw up a plan suited for your life goals and needs, and ensure you meet with them yearly to stay on track.

    Budget – every month

    Sit down together on a monthly basis to check on your financial behaviour and spending. Not only is this good practice but will alert you to any potential shortfalls that you can tackle as soon as they come up.

    Picture: Pexels