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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Feature Image: Unsplash
They say that money can’t buy everything (and certainly not love), but often when wedding plan talks are in the works, it’s easy to get caught up in…
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.
If you want to go big, create floral ceiling arangements that accentuate the colour in different shades using hanging flowers and lamps.
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
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!
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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).
Happy colour popping!
Picture: Rowley Hesselballe
When picking out your wedding dress, there’s no doubt you’ll encounter dime-a-dozen inspiration springboards and influences. You might be tempted to go along with trends or maybe even…
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.
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
The Wedding Expo, the ultimate showcase of South Africa’s best in the wedding industry which was scheduled to take place from the 6-7 August 2022, has been postponed…
Here are a few top restaurants in Paarl that we recommend you try when visiting the largest town in the Cape Winelands. With so much to choose from, we’re sure you’ll find something to your taste. Whether you want an intimate setting or a lively atmosphere, there is a restaurant for you on this list. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your culinary adventure now!
1. Noop
Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 12am (closed on Sundays)
Their service options: Sit-in only
Menu: View the full Noop Restaurant Menu and 2022 wine list
Rating (Google reviews): 4.7
Contact: 021 863 3925 | Reserve a table at Noop
Location: 127 Main Rd, Vrykyk
2. Faber
Opening times: Lunch: Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm – 2pm, Thursday to Saturday, 6pm – 8pm
Their service options: Sit-in | Takeaway
Menu: Check out the Faber sample menu and the Faber wine list
Rating (Google reviews): 4.8
Deals: Faber Weekday Special: R330 per person | Saturday Steak Night Special: R295 per person
Contact: 021 202 1219 | Make a booking at Avondale Wine Estate Website
Location: Drakenstein Rd
Also read: Wine farms that offer more than just a wine in their tasting rooms
3. Goatshed at Fairview
Opening times: Wednesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm | Sunday, 9am to 3:30pm
Their service options: Sit-in | Takeaway
Menu(s): They have a set menu, a la carte and an evening menu
Rating (Google reviews): 4.4
Contact: 021 863 3609 | Make a booking online at Goatshed
Location: Fairview Wine Estate, Suid-Agter-Paarl Rd
4. Amberg Art and Kitchen Restaurant
Opening times: Weekly, 12pm to 4pm
Their service options: Sit-in only
Menu(s): Breakfast menu and lunch and dinner menu
Rating (Google reviews): 4.6
Contact: 071 644 6938 | Book on their website
Location: R101 Du Toitskloof Pass Road Klein, Paarl
5. Cattle Baron Grill and Bistro
Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 12pm to 10pm | Sundays, 12pm to 5pm
Their service options: Sit-in | Takeaway | Delivery
Menu: Check out the Cattle Baron Paarl menu
Rating (Google reviews): 4.6
Deals: Weekly Wednesday and Thursday night specials on starters and desserts
Contact: 021 872 5577
Location: 16 Zion Street, Paarl
6. Kaapstadt Brauhaus, Paarl
Opening times: Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 10:30pm | Friday and Saturday, 11am to 12am
Their service options: Sit-in | Takeaway
Menu: Check out the Kaapstadt Brauhaus Menu
Rating (Google reviews): 4.3
Contact: 021 492 4358 | Reservations: [email protected]
Location: 90 A Main Rd, Hoog-En-Droog
7. The Hussar Grill, Paarl
Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 12pm to 11pm | Sunday 11.30am to 6pm
Their service options: Sit-in | Takeaway
Menu: Check out the Hussar Grill Main Menu
Rating (Google reviews): 4.5
Contact: 021 863 0466 / Book online at Dineplan
Location: 55 &, 56 Main Rd, Paarl
8. Blacksmith’s Kitchen
Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 10pm | Sunday 11am to 4pm
Their service options: Sit-in | Takeaway | Delivery
Menu: Check out the Blacksmith’s Kitchen Menu
Rating (Google reviews): 4.3
Contact: 065 396 5015 | [email protected]
Location: Bo Lang St, Groenvlei
9. Jackson and Black Prime Steakhouse
Opening times: Weekly, 11am to 10pm
Their service options: Sit-in | Takeaway
Menu: Check out their lunch, a la carte, and wine selection
Rating (Google reviews): 4.6
Current deals: Mondays: Legendary burgers for R69 and Wagyu burgers for R89
Contact: 021 872 9283 | [email protected]
Location: 166 Main Rd, Hoog-En-Droog
10. Bossa Nova Good Times Bar and Restaurant
Opening times: Monday to Sunday, 8am to 11pm
Their service options: Sit in | Takeaway | Delivery
Menu: Check out their Bossa Menu
Rating (Google reviews): 4.2
Contact: 021 872 9861 | [email protected]
Location: 166 Main Road, Omnipark Building
11. Giusseppe’s Paarl
Opening times: Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 11:45am to 5pm
Their service options: Sit-in | Takeaway
Rating (Google reviews): 4.9 (15 reviews)
Contact: 084 976 5939
Location: Suid-Agter-Paarl Rd, Suider
12. Jewells
Opening times: Wednesday to Sunday, 11:30am to 5pm
Their service options: Sit-in
Menu: Check out their latest Jewells Menu
Rating (Google reviews): 4.8
Contact: 021 204 4875
Location: Spice Route Destination, Suid-Agter-Paarl Rd
13. Back’s Restaurant and Deli
Opening times: Monday to Tuesday, 8am to 6pm | Wednesday to Friday 8am to 9pm | Saturday to Sunday, 9am to 3:30pm
Their service options: Sit-in | Drive-through
Menu: Check out the latest menu from Back’s Restaurant
Rating (Google reviews): 4.5
Contact: 021 872 0697 | [email protected]
Location: 191 Main Rd, Hoog-En-Droog
14. Stoep at Laborie Estate
Opening times: Monday to Tuesday, 7am to 5pm | Wednesday to Saturday, 8am to 10pm | Sunday, 8am to 5pm
Their service options: Sit-in | Takeaway
Menu: Check out the latest menu from Stoep Restaurant
Rating (Google reviews): 4.6
Contact: 021 807 3232 | Book on dineplan
Location: Laborie Wine Estate, Taillefer
15. Copper Club
Opening times: Monday to Thursday, 12pm to 10:30pm | Friday to Saturday 12pm to 11pm | Sunday, 12 to 5:30pm
Their service options: Sit-in | Takeaway
Menu: Check out the latest Copper Club Menu
Rating (Google reviews): 4.4
Contact: 021 863 3500 | [email protected]
Location: Frater Square, 40A Main Rd, Paarl, 7620
16. Cucina Di Giovanni at Laborie
Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 12pm to 9pm | Sunday, 12pm to 4pm
Their service options: Sit-in | Takeaway
Menu: Check out the latest Cucina Di Giovanni at Laborie
Rating (Google reviews): 4.6
Contact: 021 807 3390
Location: Corner Taillefert & Main Road Laborie Estate
17. La Grapperia Bistro
Opening times: Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 10pm | Sunday, 11am to 6pm
Their service options: Sit-in | Takeaway
Menu: Check out the latest La Grapperia Menu
Rating (Google reviews): 4.4
Contact: 021 863 4367 | Book a table online
Location: Suid-Agter-Paarl Rd, Suider