Say what you will of the humble pocket square but when it comes to wedding attire, it’s a dashing and classic embellishment for a suit. That being said, selecting the right pocket square can be difficult.
With so many options to choose from, it’s important to think carefully about what kind of look you want. Here are some tips to help you make your final decision.
Subtle differences make a big impact
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Although the trend has always been to match the pocket square to the wedding’s overall theme, it’s not always possible. The pocket square is meant to add flair and be a talking point of the suit, so opt for a more elaborate pocket square for the groom while the groomsmen have similar shades or patterns in their pocket squares.
Choose your fabric wisely
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Your choice of fabric for your pocket square most often depends on the theme of your wedding and how formal or not the occasion will be. Silk is an obvious choice as it’s a safe, reliable option that allows for intricate levels of detail. But there are alternatives. Wool-silk blends and linen both add texture, and linen also works perfectly if your outfit is less formal or you’re not wearing a tie.
Size is everything
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The fabric you choose for your pocket square will affect the size of it too. A premium silk pocket square, for example, has a bit of weight to it so an ideal size would be between 40 x 40 cm and 42 x 42 cm. A 42 cm-squared option will give you a nice full finish without bulging in your pocket or slipping down as you move around. Opt for a hand-rolled hem on your pocket squares as it helps hold its shape when in your pocket.
A fold adds flair
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Don’t just shove your pocket square into your pocket. Instead, folding it correctly will give your look a more sophisticated bent. A flat fold is perfect for a classic white pocket square or a pointed fold for a bit of edge. For patterned or colourful squares, a simple puff fold looks great and contrasts well against a dark suit jacket.
Give it meaning
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Although a pocket square is rarely used for looks other than formal-wear, they can also act as mementos for both the groom and his groomsmen. Think prints featuring a sentimental image or a hand-embroidered date of the event. Personalised pocket squares are also great gifts for groomsmen.
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Talk about taking the plunge! Instead of a normal ceremony on land, an Indian couple decided to be unique and tie the knot 18 metres underwater.
V Chinnadurai and S Swetha said ‘I do’ in what is considered to be the world’s first underwater traditional Hindu ceremony, according to the Times of India. The pair tied the knot in their traditional wedding finery on Monday, February 1 off the coast of Neelankarai in Chennai, the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
“It was a traditional marriage ceremony, only it was underwater. We dived in at an auspicious time in the morning and exchanged garlands and tied the thaali before 7.30 AM as per instructions from our priest,” groom Chinnadurai told the outlet.
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The groom is a licenced scuba diver and had been scuba diving for 12 years, whereas the bride only learnt the skill in the months leading up to the wedding after the groom’s family suggested they marry underwater.
“I was nervous and so were my parents, but we had eight divers with us. It was exciting too because we’ve been trying to tie the knot since last week,” she says. “It was all in the hands of the sea.”
Luckily for them, it went off without a hitch and now they have a truly remarkable wedding video to look back on.
Picture: Screenshot from video
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After you’ve partied the night through with your closest friends and family, it’s important to thank them for being a part of your special day. Of course, you’ve probably spent a bit more than expected during the planning process, so why not cut some corners and DIY your wedding favours?
Wedding favours don’t need to be extravagant, they just need to be thoughtful. Thank your guests for being a part of your day with one of these cute and affordable wedding favours.
Salt of the earth
Everyone will appreciate this prettied-up kitchen staple. Simply use a mortar and pestle to grind 1/2 cup of fresh herbs (rosemary and thyme work well), then mix it with 2 cups of coarse sea salt. Spoon the mixture into clean jars and leave to dry for a few hours before capping or corking. Add acute ribbon in your wedding colour around the bottle to personalise the look.
Just coasting
Wooden tree-stump coasters can be used as decorative place settings on tables. Pick up a few from an outlet or get your partner to help you cut some branches and sand them down before painting your guests’ names on each.
Dish it up
Fabric menus serve double duty as keepsake napkins or dishcloths. Have yours printed by a professional to ensure the colours don’t run.
Shake then stir
A huge trend for gifts, layering the ingredients for your favourite recipe in a jar looks gorgeous – and will be a great sweet treat for guests to take home. Be sure to write the recipe on cards that can be tied to the tops of the jar.
Sweet as pie
Arrange wedding cake or dessert in pretty takeaway boxes for your guests to enjoy after the festivities. You can make the boxes yourself using sturdy cardboard that matches your theme.
Picture/s: Pinterest
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An in-depth report by wedding website The Knot delves into how couples changed their plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey includes findings from over 7600 couples who had originally planned to marry in 2020.
It found that while 96% of weddings in 2020 had to be modified in some capacity due to the pandemic, nearly 93% of engaged couples did not cancel their wedding celebrations altogether.
Of the couples surveyed, a bit over 40% still hosted both a ceremony and reception in 2020 while 47% postponed for a later date. Of the 47% who postponed, 32% still legally tied the knot but didn’t have a celebration, and the remaining 15% postponed altogether.
For those who married in 2020, the health and safety of guests were of the utmost importance while planning their big day. As a result, 90% of the couple surveyed modified their plans to make the environment safer and COVID-19 complaint. About 6 in 10 couples hosted outdoor affairs.
No surprise here that nearly 50% of all couples needed to reduce their guest count to comply with local social distancing restrictions. This meant that almost half of the wedding receptions during the pandemic had 50 people or less in attendance.
More than one-third of couples who married in 2020 plan to have a future celebration once it is safe to do so. For those that postponed altogether, over 50% hope to marry in the first half of 2021
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