• A wedding is a time-honoured occasion featuring unique traditions that have been around for decades and even centuries. One such tradition is the bridal veil.

    Brides have worn veils for a number of symbolic and religious reasons. From warding off evil spirits in ancient Greece to displaying a woman’s virtue in Christianity, the veil has become a traditional wedding garment over the centuries.

    However, in today’s world, wearing a veil is entirely optional. If you do decide to wear one and have a flair for the dramatic, why not go for a bold veil? Deck out your veil in pearls, crystals, lace, flowers, and more to give it a unique edge. Go long and voluminous for extra oomph.

    If you need some inspiration, look no further. Here are some fantastic veils you’ll fall in love with:

     

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    Picture: Pinterest

    There’s a new wedding destination for Gauteng brides and grooms to add to their wedding venue list. Emerald Resort & Casino are upping the ante by ensuring that you have the perfect wedding venue and allowing you to bring your Big Day to life.

    “Emerald is the ultimate destination where the vision of your dream wedding will be brought to life.  We can customize your wedding with the traditions of your heritage and cater for a small intimate affair or create your fairy-tale wedding of up to1500 guests, all without leaving our complex. We are only 45 min from Johannesburg International Airport, on a private estate on the lush banks of the Vaal River”, says Tanuja Gangabishun, Marketing Executive at Emerald Resort and Casino. 

    A 3 000 square meter Arena at Emerald offers the bridal couples a unique opportunity to host large weddings using round tables, while Kilimanjaro has a warm ambience for groups of up to 160 guests.

    The Game Park Lapa is captivating and offers a gorgeous outdoor option, weather permitting. The other enchanting venue for an outdoor wedding is the Outdoor Chapel which can be set up in many different ways, catering for small or large groups. 

    The venues are versatile and the setting offers beautiful locations for dramatic and spectacular photographs right there on complex.  Booking this premiere wedding destination means that the wedding party can enjoy all the before and after events on one complex.  There is no need to travel to enjoy a bachelor party of bridal shower, or entertain the guests.  The complex offers a wide variety of venues and entertainment. 

    Complementing the selection of venues, Emerald offers several accommodation options to suit every taste and every budget, from 3-star, 4-star and 5-star offerings. There are a wide variety of activities available on the complex to keep everyone entertained while the bride is pampered and treated like the queen she is. 

    Enjoy game drives, visit the Aquadome with its heated pools, or take a relaxing river cruise.  The bride can even plan a magical floating wedding on the Vaal River with Emerald Resort and Casino. 

    “Weddings can be very complex and stressful for the happy couple, which is why we have put together several packages with a specialist in the industry, Farzana Mayet rom Panache International. It is a rare opportunity to be able to work with a professional like Farzana,” says Tanuja Gangabishun, Marketing Executive at Emerald Resort and Casino. 

    Tailor-made packages are available which can include arrangements for the bridal shower and bachelor party at Emerald, Mehndi night function, and the wedding day with an array of Halaal food and catering, entertainment, photographer and videographer etc.  

    Optional extras such as a Mehndi artist, Qawali singer, and make-up artist and wedding cakes can also be included.  

    Allow the team to tailor a wedding experience to meet your requirements. 

    Contact Farzana on 072 174 0896 or email [email protected] 

    Picture/s: Emerald Resort & Casino

    2020 – 2021 have not been easy years. A pandemic, endless lockdowns, wedding reschedules and honeymoon cancellations due to travel restrictions have certainly put on damper on things. 

    However, it’s a new year and we’re doing things a bit differently! With Valentine’s Day just around the corner and a pandemic still a reality, we’re skipping the chocolates this year and opting for things that will show that special person in your life just how much you care about them. 

    Through thick and thin, right? Here are six uber-romantic ways to make Valentine’s Day special this year. 

    Write a love letter 

    Nothing spells romance quite like a beautiful handwritten letter. Messaging the old-fashioned way can be a great way to put your feelings into words and present your significant other with something they can hold on to. Take it up a notch by bringing them breakfast in bed and adding your letter as an appetizer. 

    Do something new together 

    The couple who tries new things together, stays together! Well, that may not be how the saying goes, but various psychology studies attest to it and claim that new experiences can have a bonding effect on couples. Airbnb Experiences and Hyperli can be great places for you to find new and fun things to do together, just make sure that it’s something both of you have never done before!

    A romantic picnic

    Summer is the perfect time to grab your picnic basket and enjoy some fun in the sun. Every couple will be heading to your local restaurant, so why not head out and enjoy some fresh air instead. Make it extra special by whipping up something special for your partner – perhaps their favourite dish or dessert, and heading out to the perfect spot in nature. The beach and local park are both great spots for a romantic picnic. 

     

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    Get cooking 

    Is there anything more intimate than cooking a delicious meal for your partner? If the thought of spending another Valentines Day in a restaurant has your stomach-turning, consider staying at home and enjoying an intimate night in. Do your best MasterChef impression and have a friendly cooking competition, with scorecards and everything! Give each other a mystery basket of ingredients and find out what the other can cook up in the kitchen. 

    A backyard campout 

    If you’re not looking to travel far this Valentine’s Day then why not keep it close to home. Grab your tent and enjoy the best camping spot in town – your backyard.  If you have the space, consider transforming it into a romantic outdoor oasis, complete with marshmallows and a campfire. Switch things up by grabbing a sheet and projector and having a romantic movie night under the stars. 

    Goof off for the day. 

    Become romantic truants by taking a day off and spending it with each other. Start the day off slow by having breakfast in bed, reading a book or binge-watching your favourite show before heading out and enjoying what your city has to offer. You even want to turn up the romance by heading to the spot where the two of you first fell in love!

    Picture: Instagram  

    There’s nothing we love more than receiving a healthy dose of inspiration, especially when it comes to wedding planning. The biggest thing to tick off the to-do list right now? The wedding dress. With so many incredible designers to choose from and endless trends to pour over, it can be tough to settle on a single design.

    Thankfully, you don’t have to. Here are a few incredible wedding dress designs that we can’t get enough of right now:

    Off the shoulder never looked this good

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXy2LjYqjSt/

    Bohemian Flow 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CRV_IH9J8eu/

    Queen-spiration 

     

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    Pretty, please with a bow on top

     

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    Simplicity

    A Classic

    A Gorgeous Switch-up

     

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    Picture: @thunderandlove