There are plenty of us who roll our eyes at the very idea of Valentine’s Day. The day of love has become so commercialised that many couples have opted out, and then there’s the argument that “every day should be Valentine’s Day”.
But this year it’s all different. It’s been a difficult time for most since the onset of COVID-19. Many life partners have been tragically lost, and we’ve all generally had very little quality time with our significant others as we grapple with all the extra demands of living in a global pandemic.
So if ever there was a Valentine’s Day to celebrate the love of your life, this is it! And here are some great ideas about how to make it special:
Be day tourists in your city
This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday, making it easy for couples to spend the entire day together. You could use the time to do some safe sight-seeing in your own city. For those in Johannesburg, you could explore the historical sites before grabbing a bite to eat or something to drink in Maboneng.
If Cape Town is your home, what about a day out enjoying some of a long list of pocket-friendly experiences compiled by Cape Town Tourism. All the details on how to enjoy Cape Town for under just R150 per person can be found here. Or if you’re into art and culture, pop into Zeitz MOCAA for some of the best art on the continent all in one place.
Make this year the year of the splurge
If you’re seeking a really special Valentine’s Day break, then definitely consider booking into one of the world’s top new hotels – Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge. Suspended over the Sabi River in the heart of the Kruger National Park, this hotel assures an exceptionally romantic getaway. Visitors enjoy a unique vantage point from above the river, soaking up unparalleled views of the Kruger National Park and the majestic Sabi River below.
Do something different from the comfort of home
Did you know that you can still enjoy a local jazz club’s cocktail hour, experience a cooking experience in France, take part in a dance class in Brazil, get involved in a fun scavenger hunt hosted by someone in the USA, or get your zen on in a meditation session with a Japanese monk – all from the safety of home? With Airbnb’s Online Experiences, you can explore the world from your sitting room, while also helping these Experience hosts continue to earn a living.
Enjoy a stay-cation
If you don’t want to venture too far from home, but you are keen to get away, then take a look at what hot deals your local hotels are offering for Valentine’s Day. Many hotels create special Valentine’s Day packages, like Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront in Cape Town, for example. Their special Valentine’s staycation includes a romantic picnic-style dinner in your room. You can enjoy it while watching the sunset over the ocean from your balcony – the perfect backdrop to a romantic getaway. If you’re not Cape Town-based, just get on to Google and check out the romantic escapes on offer in your own city.
Have a dance party at home
If spending money isn’t on your agenda this Valentine’s Day, what about organising a fun, old-fashioned dance party at home? Download YouTube music on to a device of your choosing and blast some of your favourite songs – or any songs significant to your relationship. Then take your significant other for a whirl around your living room dance floor! Love is free, after all.
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Wedding invites used to be printed and delivered to each address but technology is now helping us save the trees and our time. While e-invites used to be…
Your engagement ring doesn’t need to be the only thing sparkling on your big day. If you subscribe to the ‘more is more’ belief, then your wedding is the perfect day to show that off.
From glitter to beadwork, Swarovski crystals to diamanté, you have so many ways to elevate your wedding dress. The key with this trend is to opt for a simpler silhouette so that you don’t overwhelm your look. Some well-placed applique goes a long way in taking you from drab to fab.
Here are some shining, shimmering, splendid bridal looks we are loving:
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It’s probably a little early for jokes about the old ball-and-chain (note: it’s always too early), but if you’re going to be stuck in prison together, you want…
An engaged couple was lucky enough to say their I do’s in hospital, moments before the groom needed to be sedated and put on a ventilator.
Elizabeth Kerr, 31, and Simon O’Brien, 36, were both admitted to Milton Keynes University Hospital with breathing difficulties on January 9 after contracting COVID-19.
The pair were kept in separate wards, and a kind nurse offered Kerr the opportunity to marry in the hospital as it may be their last chance, reports the BBC
They began putting plans together but needed to fast track the wedding as the groom’s condition deteriorated further. On January 12, it was so severe that he needed to be put on a ventilator in the intensive care unit.
The wedding ceremony was held in the ward moments before they intubated O’Brien. The ceremony was filmed for family and friends, and the hospital’s catering staff even provided a cake.
“With lots of teamwork… we were able to give them a wedding, not necessarily the wedding that they would have initially intended, but certainly something positive, remarkable and memorable for them to really hold on to,” nurse Hannah Cannon told the BBC.
Both are now recovering in hospital, and have been reunited in a recovery ward where they were able to kiss for the first time as a married couple.
This wedding was a special moment for Kerr, one she is eternally grateful for.
“If we hadn’t had each other and we hadn’t been given that opportunity to get married, I don’t think both of us would be here now,” she said.
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Not one for wedding cake? There are so many unique alternatives that will please your sweet tooth. Among them is the macaron tower, a luxurious treat that stands…
There’s a lot to be said about the sheer look, especially when it comes to a wedding. Translucent materials, both the fabric and the paper kind, can easily accentuate the elegance of the occasion.
We’ve rounded up five ways in which sheer fabric and stationery can be effectively incorporated into your wedding, be it as part of your ensemble, or on every placemat at the reception.
The dress
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Wearing a wedding dress made from sheer fabric is a great means to look radiant and daring while walking down the aisle. The delicacy of the material will give you an angelic, almost ethereal look, which is suitable for such a romantic occasion.
This look will be enhanced if you are wearing several layers of the fabric. Also, given that sheer materials are so lightweight, you won’t have many hassles donning them on your wedding day.
The veil
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You might not be that keen on an outfit that’s got too much sheer. But there’s nothing wrong with a touch of it. That’s where the veil comes in. It’s not compulsory to wear one, but it’s a lovely embellishment to an outfit, and will almost certainly be made of sheer fabric.
And if you’re dress is a bit simple, then your veil can add a bit of energy to the ensemble. For example, a veil that’s longer than most, or one that features an intricate detail will definitely turn heads.
The décor
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There are plenty of ways in which sheer materials can be used to decorate your wedding venue or reception area. Tie it around the back of the chairs or at the end of every pew; cover the tables in it; or hang it from the ceiling.
What’s particularly satisfying about using see-through fabrics as décor is their subtlety. If you were to use a heavier fabric, the venues might begin to feel stuffy and claustrophobic after a while.
The invitations
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Stationery plays a bigger part than you might realise when it comes to planning a wedding. After all, the whole thing starts with an invitation. And this is where we start talking about vellum, or translucent paper.
Its particular delicacy contributes to the idea that a wedding is an important, elegant and refined affair. Added to that, it can easily be combined with other materials of different colours to make your invitations look particularly festive.
The reception
There is also the matter of your guests’ comfort, and sheer paper can help with that as well. You don’t only need it for the invitations, and can use it at the reception. Create menus or place cards with fonts that match your colour theme.
These items, made for the sole purpose of giving your guests an easy time of it, will make the occasion all the more charming for them. But don’t stop there. Why not also hand out your wedding favours in wonderful packets made with see-through paper? A lovely way to end things off!
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