• Both Moët & Chandon champagne and the tradition of weddings have stood the test of time. Moët & Chandon has created magical moments for more than 270 years, toasting the most glamorous of royal weddings in history and delighting couples and their guests worldwide with grand gestures in the celebration of love.

    When it comes to life’s most precious memories a wedding day is one to cherish forever but as we all well know by now, 2020 has been far from a normal year. The pandemic and the resultant social-distancing policies have effectively ruled out all large-scale wedding celebrations which has been heartbreaking for many marrying couples.

    With large ceremonies unlikely to take place for the foreseeable future, couples are now seeking alternative ways to tie the proverbial knot. Indeed, many couples are already embracing the concept of ‘minimonies’ in an attempt to still experience the magic of their wedding day but in keeping with the new reality we find ourselves in.

    Which is exactly why the world’s most loved champagne brand, Moët & Chandon, is thrilled to inspire couples with their Moët Minimony experience, in conjunction with, and more importantly in support of Appointed Events, some of South Africa’s most sought-after wedding suppliers.

    “With a Moët Minimony experience our wish is to offer couples the opportunity to celebrate in style, with those they love, without having to compromise on luxury or the glamour they were hoping for. Indeed, despite the times we find ourselves living through, elevating life’s meaningful moments with elegance, glamour and generosity remains at the heart of Moët & Chandon’s promise to brides and grooms worldwide,” says Pascal Asin, Moët & Chandon Managing Director Africa and Middle East.

    Indeed, the Moët Minimony is curated to both surprise and delight guests and add Moët & Chandon’s unique touch of sparkle and glamour for every couples’ special day. Moët minis, complete with a stylish customisable neck tag, will allow the couple to add their initials and the date of their wedding, ensuring the day’s celebrations begin in personalised champagne style.

    A Moët Minimony allows couples to celebrate the magic of their wedding day but in keeping with the new reality we find ourselves in. In the spirit of generosity, couples can also custom design mini-wedding cakes and mini-bouquets – a glamorous new take on traditional wedding elements and perfect keepsakes for each guest too. The days of uneaten multi-tiered wedding cakes and carpets of flowers left on tables are well and truly over! And what better way to mark this milestone for the bride & groom than with a personalised Moët & Chandon Jeroboam for guests to sign as a glamorous guest book.

    Whether couples are tying the knot at home or at an intimate gathering, they can now celebrate knowing each and every detail has been considered.  The Moët Minimony is a dazzling way to toast to your future and the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable wedding experience.

     “I do” … but only if it’s with Moët & Chandon!

    Contact: [email protected] for further information about the customisable Moët Minimony and further information about local suppliers.

    Picture/s: supplied

    Weddings are pretty cut and dry with their general structure, so why not cut loose and do something different where you can? While a small part of your overall day, your escort cards can bring an event to life.

    Escort cards are small items designed to lead your guests to their tables. Traditionally, a simple name card would suffice but many modern couples are looking to inject their personality and humour into their big day.

    Get creative and offer something to remember with your escort cards. These days, anything and everything could work. From miniature skateboards to coffee cups and even dinosaur figurines, the possibilities are truly endless.

    Here are a few fun and funky escort cards we’ve found:

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by just a little ditty (@justalittleditty) on

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Love a fun escort card situation so naturally we were wild about these gold party animals! ?

    A post shared by The Hitched Company (@simply_hitched) on

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Wedding + Event Planner (@laurynprattes) on

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Sweet Zion Paperie (@sweetzionpaperie) on

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Meghan?Letter Artist (@j.lilydesign) on

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Heather Balliet (@amorology) on

     

    Times have changed and so have traditions. There’s no need for anything to be done simply because that’s the way it has always been done.

    On your wedding and the days leading up to it, you want someone close to you to help you out. Whether it’s the planning, running errands on the day, organising a stellar bachelorette or simply getting excited with you, your bestie has got your back.

    Your bestie may or may not be a man. No rule says your best friend needs to be the same gender as you.

    In modern times, it’s completely acceptable for men and women to be good friends with members of the opposite sex, without being romantically involved. A mature relationship can handle each other’s friends without getting jealous.

    So, if you’re tying the knot but you don’t feel you have a girlfriend that you are necessarily close to, why not ask your male friend to be your ‘man of honour’?

    There’s no reason he can’t take you dress shopping, cake tasting or throw an epic kitchen tea. If you do, here are some things to keep in mind:

    – Your partner comes first

    Hopefully, your partner is also good friends with your best friend and respects your decision, as you will respect theirs. However, insisting on asking a friend that your partner may not get along with might hurt them. If there is a history between you and the male friend, for example, your partner might not like the idea of him sharing these personal moments with you. It would be wise to be open and honest with your partner before asking the friend.

    – Your male best friend’s comfort comes second

    Even if your partner is completely comfortable with the idea, your friend might not be. They may be more or less at ease with spending time discussing intimate details surrounding the dress, hair and makeup, the honeymoon etc. Or they might simply not enjoy doing those things, they could end up being bored and you will end up feeling neglected. Have a casual chat with them to test the waters before the big ask, unless you know them well enough to know they will say yes –  and have fun doing it too.

    – Your family’s opinions should not influence you

    Oftentimes, our family’s opinions tend to shape our decisions, even as adults. Your family might be more traditional than you, and it’s important to treat them with respect. However, this is your day and the way you choose to do things are up to you and your partner. So, if they frown upon your decision, either have an open discussion with them or ignore their input, but don’t change your mind for their sake. You deserve to be happy at this very special time in your life.

    Picture: Pixabay

    Going down on one knee to propose is a major step in life. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the right time. It’s not determined by the length of a relationship, but rather the quality of that relationship.

    Before proposing, there are many topics that you need to speak about with your partner to make sure you are on the same page or at least understand each other’s viewpoints. From finances and religion to sex to and children, these topics should not be taboo.

    Even after having these conversations, some might not know when to propose. If you and your partner do want to get married, here are some signs that you are ready to take the next step:

    You have been living together for some time

    Sharing a space with your partner is a very important step in preparing for marriage. Living with someone and seeing how they occupy such a personal space is crucial in understanding them more. From their daily routine to dividing home chores, living with your partner helps to shape what your marriage could look like in the future.

    You’ve spoken about controversial topics

    They say never bring up politics on a first date, but that’s a topic that has to be discussed before marriage. Their general views on politics can extend to other issues often deemed taboo, and it’s important to know their stance because it could affect your relationship in the future. For example, in the event of unwanted pregnancy, how do they feel about abortion? If your child were to be gay, intersex, or transgender, how would they feel about that? What are their opinions on gender roles?

    You are in a good financial situation

    It’s most important to be aware of one another’s financial situation before taking the big leap. For example, if one person has debt, their partner will inherit that after tying the knot if you enter into a marriage in a community of property, which is the default in South Africa.

    This marriage contract makes you responsible for all debt incurred by your spouse, including debt incurred before your marriage. Your financial position could thus be weakened by your partner. In the event your assets are seized by a court order to pay creditors for money owed to them, all of your assets can be taken because your estates are joined.

    You know each other’s families and have their support

    Family is a big one because they have the power to influence people’s decisions. While you don’t need to be best friends with your partner’s parents and their siblings, it is important for them to support your future union. If there is any tension with a family member, it’s best to squash it before getting engaged so that they can celebrate your big news with you instead of bringing the energy down.

    You want the same things

    While it is impossible to map our future’s out and stick to that plan to the letter, having a general idea of what you want out of life is helpful for giving your journey some structure. Beyond your personal goals, you should also discuss your shared goals and dreams. Firstly, you need to be on the same page about wanting to get married in the first place, as some people don’t have that dream.

    Do you want to buy a house or continue renting? Do you want kids? If yes, how many and how do you want to raise them? These questions can be part of a continuous discussion because people change all the time, but the important part is to be aware of how the other person feels.

    Picture: Pexels