• The world loves a good comeback story, and there’s no bigger one than that of Britney Spears. The pop star is thriving after being let out of a brutal 13-year conservatorship and is currently in the midst of wedding planning.

    Spears and fiancé, Sam Asghari, have reportedly set a wedding date. Much to the chagrin of her fans, this won’t be made public.

    The award-winning singer got engaged to 28-year-old Asghari back in September after seven years of dating, recently revealing that they know when they’ll be saying “I do.”

    The soon-to-be husband went straight to his Instagram stories to share the news

    “Our lives have been a real-life fairytale. Also, The big day has been set! But nobody will know until the day after”

    What was revealed though was the shiny engagement ring that Spears wore on her ring finger. The diamond ring reportedly cost $70 000 and was a labour of love, according to Asghari who refused any celebrity sponsorship and decided to purchase it out of his own pocket.

    “I wanted to work and pay for it because, you know, a lot of celebrities get it for free for advertisement and stuff. I said, ‘I want it to mean something, and I want it to mean (something) from a working man.’ ”

    Sam Asghari Instagram 

    The 40-year-old singer, who’s pregnant with her third child, has eluded to the fact that she already has her wedding outfit.

    “Introducing Wendy (cat emoji)!!! And yes, this is the veil to my wedding dress (bride emoji) !!!(sic),” she captioned her adorable Instagram image.

    We couldn’t be more excited to see what she decides to rock on her big day!

    Feature Image:

    While planning your wedding can be a time that’s filled with cake tasting and venue scouting, it can also be a time that’s filled with pulling out your hair and stress eating. Planning your impending nuptials can be a stressful affair, but it doesn’t have to be!

    If you’re hoping to look back on your big day and smile with contentment and not sneer at the thought of all the stress you were under, check out these helpful tips.

    Manage Your Expectations 

    You can use Pinterest and photos to inspire you, but your wedding won’t look exactly the same. There are so many different factors at play when you see those images on the internet: Where in the world was it taken? Is it even a real wedding, or a staged shoot? Are those flowers available in SA? So whatever you do, make sure you don’t get upset or stressed when things aren’t perfect – you’ll just ruin your day.

    Come Prepared and Avoid Wardrobe Malfunctions

    You or anyone in your bridal party might need a hook-and-eye closure, so be sure to carry spares, needle-nose pliers, and a sewing kit. Just one lean over into the gin table and pop! Disaster.

    Stick to your Budget 

    It’s your wedding and it’s all very exciting, but you have a budget for a reason. Don’t set yourself into years of debt, or sell your prized pony. Set a budget for your wedding and download a wedding-planner app on your phone. Stick to it, and you’ll be glad that you did once the confetti has settled.

    Don’t let your self-consciousness get the best of you

    “I wish I had known how beautiful I looked.” Make sure this is not something you say four months, or years, later. Make choices that are your own when it comes to your dress or suit, and on the big day, rock it. Don’t worry about the fat roll you think is there, or the laugh lines under your eyes. Enjoy the moment; it goes quicker than you think.

    Put your own spin on it 

    Listen to your mom, best friends and Aunt Joanna. But whatever you do, do it your way.

    Don’t go cheap on certain things 

    Food poisoning for all your guests? Not fun. Blown-out or unflattering wedding photographs? You’ll regret that. While everything else lasts for the one day, you’ll have those pictures forever, so you want to get your money’s worth.

    Don’t nitpick on the details

    Months of planning, crammed into four or five hours, which are so charged with emotions and tears, you might not even notice that small calligraphy initials on the stem of every rose… Don’t stress about every little thing while planning your wedding and on the big day. Such a cliche, but words that couldn’t be more true.

    Feature Image: Pinterest

    We love a good Pinterest search, especially when it comes to finding much-needed wedding inspiration. 

    Did we mention how stressful wedding planning can be? 

    Thankfully, this online moldboard has been with us every step of the way and has been a favourite amongst brides-to-be as they pin away and plan their weddings. 

    While we would like to think that we’re still in the age where millennials are getting hitched, the social media platform has swooped in to burst our bubble, revealing that Gen Zers are pinning away as they plan their impending nuptials. 

    A burst of fresh air is what this generation is looking for as they ditch stuffy traditions and do it their own way. 

    “This year, Pinners are planning for the big wedding celebrations after postponements. We are seeing larger weddings come back and a movement away from minimalism,” says Swasti Sarna, Senior Insights Manager at Pinterest. 

    “We are also seeing rising searches for Pinners wanting to connect back to their roots by celebrating their unique cultural traditions, with 45% of the top wedding trends related to different cultures.”

    So, just what are bridal couples searching for? From Bridgerton themes to sustainable weddings, here are a few of the wedding trends for 2022, according to Pinterest.

    The Dark Side of Life 

    Traditionally, brides have always worn white, but the latest trends from Pinterest reveal that brides-to-be are stepping away from this and opting for something completely different. “Black dress wedding party,” “black boho wedding dress” ( 4X), and “black wedding cakes” (+94%) are a few search terms that have been trending as “dark wedding ideas” becomes a popular search term on the platform.

    Picture: Pinterest

    Pearls are a girl’s best friend 

    Move over diamonds because there’s a new sheriff in town. From engagement rings to “pearl cake,” the rise of the pearl is something that Pinterest predicted back in December 2021. They were certainly right on the mark as bridal couples opt for the non-traditional. Search terms such as  “pearl wedding dress,” “Pearl wedding” and “Pearlcore” are just a few trends that are here to stay in 2022.

    Picture: Pinterest

    Back into nature

    More specifically, the forest. Brides and grooms are really looking to make their wedding day a fairy tale event with search terms like “woodland fairy wedding,” “enchanted forest wedding dress,” and “forest wedding ceremony” being big trends. This is no surprise as forest wedding venues can offer couples a magical setting. Throw in earthy tones for suits and bohemian style dresses and flowy veils, and you have a wedding ceremony fit for a Disney princess and prince.

    Picture: Pinterest

    The Bridgerton Effect

    The Netflix has been making waves in more ways than one. The opulent Regency Era has grabbed almost every bridal couple’s attention with search terms such as “‘Bridgerton’ bridal shower ideas,” and “‘Bridgerton’ wedding” being the top terms that bride- and grooms-to-be are searching for.

    Picture: Pinterest

    Sustainable Weddings 

    It’s cool to care for the environment and eco-conscious couples are taking a stand with their sustainable wedding. Paying special attention to how we affect the environment has slowly become a top priority for many people, so it comes as no surprise that sustainable weddings are on the rise. From food to decorations, “eco-friendly wedding ideas,” “thrifted wedding decor” and “reuse wedding dress ideas” are some of the top search terms.

    Picture: Pinterest

    Feature image: Pinterest

    Celebrations are best enjoyed with a glass of bubbly… Or in this case, a black salt pineapple cocktail or a citrus whisky tonic.

    Oh yes, let the party begin! Here are a few of our favourite wedding cocktail recipes to add to any party:

    Vodka + pineapple cocktail with black salt rim

    Tropical flavours are such a popular trend right now – we’ve glammed this up with the dark and mysterious black salt. The pineapple, paired with the mineral undertones of the black salt creates a deliciously refreshing drink. 

    Makes: 6 | Difficulty: Easy

    Ingredients: 

    • 6 cups pineapple juice and extra for dipping
    • 300ml Anestasia Vodka
    • 12 blocks ice
    • 12 tsp black salt

    To serve: 

    • 6 large slices of pineapple

    Method:

    1. Combine pineapple juice, vodka and ice in a cocktail shaker or large jug. Stir and leave to chill while you prepare the glasses.
    2. Dip the rim of each glass in a saucer filled with some pineapple juice.
    3. Then dip the rims in another saucer with the black salt. Roll the rims in the salt so that they are well coated.
    4. Once the glasses are ready, pour the prepared cocktail into the glasses and add a pinch of black salt to each one.
    5. Serve each with a large slice of pineapple.

    Spumanté + Pomegranate Cocktail 

    What is Spurmanté, you’re wondering? It is a lovely, slightly sweet wine, with a fruity and floral undertone – and a lively spark! Paired with the sharp flavour of the pomegranate juice, this is a balanced and invigorating cocktail. 

    Makes: 6 | Difficulty: Easy

    Ingredients: 

    • 1 bottle Ovation Spurmanté, chilled.
    • 6 tsp honey
    • 2 pomegranates thinly sliced
    • 1/2 cup pomegranate juice

    Method: 

    1. Divide the Spurmanté between 6 glasses, and add 1 tsp of honey per glass. Stir.
    2. Garnish the edge of the glass with a thin slice of pomegranate.
    3. Just before serving, pour a small amount of pomegranate juice into each drink.
    4. Serve chilled.

    Honey Bubbles

    This trend is new to SA but really ancient. Mead is a wine made from fermented honey, creating a distinct flavour like nothing you know.

    Makes: 5 | Difficulty: Easy

    Ingredients: 

    • 1 bottle Melaurea Mead Methodé Traditionelle, chilled.
    • To serve – six small pieces of honeycomb.

    Method: 

    1. Divide the Melaurea mead between 5 glasses.
    2. Garnish the side of each glass with a smaller piece of honeycomb.

    Berry + Lime Gin With Cashew Snack Basket

    The small snack basket in the cocktail is a fun way to keep your guests satisfied while you’re busy getting your photos taken. And the best part? You can add any snacks you like!

    Makes: 4 | Difficulty: Easy

    Ingredients: 

    • 300ml Flowstone Bushwillow Gin
    • 4 cups strawberry juice
    • 6 cups crushed ice
    • 1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries
    • 3 limes, halved and flesh removed
    • 1 1/2 cup raw cashews

    Method: 

    1. Combine the gin and strawberry juice, stirring well.
    2. Fill 4 glasses with crushed ice and place a few fresh raspberries in each glass.
    3. Pour the cocktail over the crushed ice.
    4. To garnish, settle the halved lime into the crushed ice and fill with a quarter cup of cashews. Serve immediately.

    Citrus Whisky Tonic

    Use any citrus juice you fancy for this drink – it really depends on how sweet or sour you like it. For a sparkling and glamourous finish, add a small pinch of edible gold glitter to the glasses. 

    Makes: 6 | Difficulty: Easy

    Ingredients: 

    • 24 blocks ice
    • 300ml American Barrels Bourbon Whiskey
    • 4 cups tonic
    • 1 tbsp citrus juice (orange, grapefruit or lemon juice)
    • 6 small pinches of edible glitter (to serve)

    Method: 

    1. Divide the ice between 6 glasses, and tip up a double shot of bourbon in each glass.
    2. Finish the cocktail by filling each glass with tonic, and stir in a tablespoon of the citrus juice.
    3. Serve immediately.

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