• The one cardinal rule for every and all weddings is this: do not upstage the bride. 

    Also, never wear white.

    Unfortunately, one woman managed to break both of these rules. 

    A mother of the groom attempted to ensure all eyes were on her by donning a replica dress of the bride’s wedding gown – yikes! 

    The bride shared her experience on Reddit’s wedding shame community, sharing a series of snaps from her “big day.” In the photo, the bride, mother-in-law, and now, ex-husband, can be seen posing for the cringe-worthy photo. 

    “MIL really wanted to be bride. I’m now divorced from her son, who she posed with in the 2nd picture,” wrote jerseygirl1105.

    Picture: Reddit

    It’s a tough pill to swallow but the dresses look eerily similar. 

    So, just what did the guests at the wedding think? 

    “It was humiliating for her because the reaction was not what she expected, which was to feel like the bride. Instead, she looked like an absolute fool.”

    While the image stirs up some level of fury and embarrassment, the comments regarding the post were hilarious. 

    “I thought they were sister wives,” said one comment.

    “You know the engagement photos where the bride-to-be poses with left hand on chest, engagement ring showing? It looks like she’s doing that in the mother/son photo,” noted another.

    All’s well that ends well! The Redditor explained that despite the kerfuffle that took place on her wedding day, the ending of her marriage was not so disastrous. 

    “We remain good friends because he’s a great guy who was embarrassed by his mother.”

    Feature image: Unsplash | Reddit

    After months of planning for your big day, you deserve a break. Somewhere you can take in the salty air, take leisurely morning walks on the shore and de-stress.

    If you and your partner are looking for a beach escape, why not keep things local? South Africa is known for its picturesque coast lines, beautiful beaches and quaint towns. Have a look at these five South African coastal towns perfect for a honeymoon.

    Hermanus, Western Cape

    You’ll find this charming town Southeast of Cape Town. Hermanus is famous for its whales and you can spot these magnificent sea creatures from July-October. The seaside town offers plenty of accommodation and restaurants. Activities and things to see include cycle tours, kayaking, museums, hiking trails, and nature reserves.

    Picture: Hermanus Tourism / Instagram

    Paternoster, Western Cape

    This quaint village is one of the oldest fishing villages on the West Coast of South Africa. Enjoy the nature reserves and museums. Walk along the stunning beaches, and if you’re brave enough, venture into the chilly waters! Being one of the oldest fishing towns on the West Coast, Paternoster is known for its delectable seafood.

    Picture: south_of_africa

    3. Coffee Bay, Eastern Cape

    This  little town is situated on the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape and is known for its exquisite views and beaches. From hiking to whale-watching, there are so many fun activities for you and your partner. A must see is the Hole in the Wall, a hiking trail with a stunning natural feature carved out of a huge mass of rock by milllions of years of pounding waves.

    Picture: How Far From Home / Instagram

    Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal

    Forbes named Durban South Africa’s new darling, and Uhmlanga perfectly exemplifies why. Located on the coast of Kwazulu-Natal with gorgeous beach fronts and tons of adrenalin-pumping activities, there is something for everyone in Umhlanga. The Umhlanaga Lagoon Nature Reserve is one of the top attractions in the area, and will take you on a journey through the coastline forest, across the lagoon and then to the beach. Don’t forget to stop by the promenade for a romantic stroll on the picturesque pier.

    Picture: Travel and Stay SA / Instagram

    Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal

    You’ll find this little gem of a town on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. If you and your partner love to scuba dive or enjoy fishing, you should definitely consider Sodwana Bay for your honeymoon! It is also considered to be one of the top dive sites in the world. For something more land-based, pay a visit to the Sodwana Bay National Park and have a look at the wildlife!

    @samdbalderson / Instagram

    Feature Image: Unsplash

    Some weddings are simple, others are simply works of art. And as any painter knows colours speak volumes.

    Colours are imperative for setting the tone and feel of any event. They reflect not only what we think looks gorgeous, but what will incite certain feelings – from love to excitement and even good luck.

    In many different cultures, colours have specific meanings, premised with the wishful thinking that these will attract certain energy, and in 2022 we’re all about just that – energy. But what are the tones we need to know for this year, and where do we integrate them? Don’t worry, we’re here to help you take your wedding from simple to bespoke.

    In 2022, the colour trends for the year are succinctly put, full of life and zeal. According to Wedding Forward, the colours for this year are:

    • Very Peri Pantone 2022
    • Dusty Blue and Blush
    • Jewel Tones
    • Green Colours

    1.Very Peri Pantone 

    A deep purple with blueish hues, Veri Peri has been all over 2022 – from the runway to the aisle.

    This colour is for the trendy couple who thrive on making a statement.

    It’s the perfect rich colour to add to the centrepieces of a white wedding ie: table decor through lavender flowers with Veri Peri vases or candles. Especially if you’re going for round, separate tables, it’s the peri thread that ties everything together. How about cake finishings? Especially if you’re going the modern-bride route and opting for cupcakes or macaroons,  this is an exciting turn for a delicious assortment of eye candy.

    Lápis de Noiva

    If you want to go big, create floral ceiling arangements that accentuate the colour in different shades using hanging flowers and lamps.

    Rowley Hesselballe

    Veri Peri can also be complemented beautifully by other colours that are softer in hues. Think pale yellow, soft oranges or even a light turquoise for that seascape chic feel.

    2.Dusty Blue and Blush 

    Karissa Watson/ Pinterest

    Dusty blue deserves far more credit than it gets and paired with the soft tenderness of blush pink, the two make a powerful duo.

    This colour-pairing is for the sophisticated wedding and the couple who are always referred to as ‘sweethearts’.

    This colour combo works gorgeously with floral arrangements, from arch formations to ceiling and table. Dusty Blue table runners or cloths paired with blush pink roses? Breathtaking. Add a few candles to envelope everyone in the romance? A must!

    Elegant Wedding Invites

    Dusty Blue and Blush hues also serve as great inspiration for bridesmaids’ dresses, to be complemented by the groomsmen’s suits, as Style Me Pretty showcases below.

    Now if  you’re a bold bride, then adding a pop of either colour to compliment your soon-to-be husband’s pocket square is another adorable way to subtly match.

    3.Jewel Tones

    rockmywedding.co.uk

    Emerald, Ocean, Merigold, Gold, Dark Purple Ceres Pink and dark purple make for royal energy, and these colour coordinations are for the couple who are all about extravagance.

    Many Indian Weddings have long been ahead of this trend, but in 2022 these colours are soaring into mainstream vogue.

    marginpar.com

    Implement the colours bold by using a rich colour ie: dark purple for your largest surface space like the table cloth, followed by ceres pink flowers and marigold cutlery. Alternatively, pick two to pair like emerald and marigold, and use these as pops of colour for white undertones.

    If you want to keep things rich but simple, try emphasising gold and complimenting with three or more colours using flowers.

    Sweet Luxury Events

    These colours as especially thrilling to use in a geode wedding cake, which is also one of the top trends for this year’s cake scene.

    4.Green Colours

    etsy.com

    Green is associated with good fortune, fertility and growth. For the couple who knows they want their wedding to be bohemian, playing with shades of green is a sure way to accentuate your love of peace, the Earth and of course, each other.

    Now before you start picturing over-powering green finishings that may make your guests think Kermit the Frog is getting married, there’s something important to understand about this shade, and that is its versatility. Green can play up so many other soft colours – from white to baby pinks, an assortment of other green shades and gold.

    splendid.com.cy

    One way to implement shades of green onto the scene is to start off with light green touches (ie: tea green or soft mint) and then work your way to a forest or sea green.

    Lot’s of plants can also flourish at this kind of wedding, and we believe that the air will be positively buzzing with love (and clean oxygen).

    vogue.com

    Happy colour popping!

    Picture: Rowley Hesselballe

    Get ready to say goodbye to your salary ladies and gentlemen because Fenty Beauty has finally arrived in South Africa.

    Since the monumental announcement in early May, South African beauty lovers have been absolutely foaming at the mouth in anticipation of the launch, which was set to take place on 27 May.

    Headed by international singer and sensation Rihanna, the brand has been making waves in the industry since its inception back in 2017. It’s been credited for filling a void in the market when it came to women of colour and matching foundations.

    At its core, the brand is all about inclusivity with Rihanna stating that she started Fenty Beauty “so that women everywhere would be included.” It focused on a wide range of traditionally hard-to-match skin tones and now has branched out to include skincare products too.

    The company is now worth $2.8 billion and caters to women and men all around the globe.

    Fenty Beauty Arrives in SA

    So, just what are some South Africans saying about the launch?

    “Fenty Beauty, since its inception, has been an earthquake of positive disruption for the beauty community. Its arrival in SA is incredibly exciting because it’s not only one of the best-loved beauty brands in the world, but it will also hopefully inspire different looks for influencers honing in on inclusivity. And of course, we get to have a slice of Rihanna here in SA,” says beauty enthusiast Ashleigh Nefdt.

    “The launch made me feel like a kid at a candy store. It’s Christmas and you’ve finally got that toy you’ve been throwing a tantrum over for the last few years,” describes beauty marketer Ruby Daniels.

    Now that’s one way to splurge when it comes to your bridal beauty!

    The iconic products can be purchased at Arc, which have various stores in the Western Cape and Gauteng.

    Feature Image: Fenty Beauty / Instagram