If you’ve had waking nightmares about sneezing our way down the aisle, then don’t worry! While flowers smell and look beautiful, for some, pollen allergies will force you to look at nature’s beauty with an evil eye.
Whether you’re thinking about your allergy-prone guests or you’re a pollen-sensitive bride or groom, there’s good news! There is a range of mesmerising wedding florals that are the perfect addition to any wedding, enabling you to breathe.
Here are five hypoallergenic wedding florals to add to your bridal bouquet or wedding ceremony:
Peonies
The queen of all the wedding flowers. You’ll be happy to know that peonies are not only the perfect addition to your ‘big day’ but it’s also hypoallergenic. Add them to your centrepieces or make them the star of the show when it comes to your bouquet, no matter what, you won’t be stuffed up while booging the night away.
weddPicture: Pinterest
Cacti, Succulents and Airplants
Succulents are having a bit of a moment right now. Not only are they allergy-friendly, but they’re affordable and quite easy to look after. Sage green, dusty blue and pale pink are all beautiful neutral colours for bridal couples searching for an understated look to add to their already fabulous wedding!
Hydrangeas
Did you know that hydrangeas are a pollen-sensitive individual’s best friend? Their sticky pollen ensures that it’s not released into the air, and is a perfect addition to an allergy sensitive’s wedding. Gorgeous and understated, hydrangeas can offer an elegant and flowy look, filling up quite a bit of space in the process.
Roses
Ah, the rose. This famous flower has often been associated with love, so you’ll be happy to know that roses are the perfect choice for those with pollen allergies. Along with adding an enchanting smell to your wedding, roses offer a look that’s classic, a wonderful addition to your wedding florals and bouquet.
Orchids
There’s something mesmerising about orchids. Along with being an incredibly elegant and beautiful flower, it’s also allergy-friendly, available in a plethora of colours and sizes, and is great for those tropical-themed weddings.
Feature Image: Bloom & Wild
Your big day is filled with many things. Saying “I do” to the person you’ll spend the rest of your life with, delicious food, endless dancing, and to…
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 to the 25-26 February 2023.
The new organisers of the event, Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery, have taken this decision based on feedback from the industry.
“We are still extremely excited about the event and have been overwhelmed by the level of interest from the industry to exhibit and sponsor the expo. In just under 2 months, the team sold over 20% of floor space and we had already finalised a number of new and exciting features and competitions” Says Charlene Hefer, Portfolio Director at Specialised Exhibitions.
“After extensive engagements with the industry, however, it became clear that companies across the sector wanted more time to plan their participation and that the dates earlier in 2023 would work better for most. We pride ourselves on listening and taking constructive feedback from all stakeholders, within the sectors we operate, and felt that a postponement would not only be in the best interests of the event, but the industry as a whole” Says Hefer.
The organisers of the event are excited to announce that it is still planning on launching several new features and competitions including a Young Designer’s Competition, to help acknowledge and promote young up and coming local talent, a VIP campaign for visitors, a treasure hunt experience at the event and several other exciting activities.
This not to mention the ‘golden oldies’ such as the Win a Wedding competition, fashion shows, interactive workshops and talks, and a Table Inspiration area. The Wedding Expo has been running since 2002 and is recognised as the largest and most prestigious event, attracting over 3,000 brides and grooms annually.
“We are confident that after 2 years with no live events, and based on the level of interest from exhibitors, sponsors and visitors, the 2023 edition of the Wedding Expo will be one of the best yet” finishes Hefer.
For more information about the event or to contact the organisers for more information, you can visit The Wedding Expo website at www.wedding-expo.co.za/
Feature Image: Pinterest
You’ve said your “I dos,” and now it’s time to enjoy newlywed bliss with a luxurious honeymoon. Thankfully, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy incredible views…
After two years of travel bans and lockdown restrictions, it feels as though we have a new lease on life! Travel is back on the cards and wedding couples are taking full advantage. Bridal couples worldwide have spoken and they’re dishing the dirt on the best destinations to tie the knot in 2022.
From the historical ruins of Europe to the rugged landscapes of Africa, here’s where bridal couples are saying “I do”:
1. Zimbabwe
There are multiple venue options for planning a wedding in Zimbabwe. If it’s a safari wedding that you’re after, you cannot beat Chengeta Safari Lodge located just outside of Harare. This stunning venue gives you the chance to say ‘I do’ surrounded by the raw beauty Zimbabwe offers, all while zebra graze nearby on the 13,000-hectare private game reserve, allowing you endless photogenic landscapes to choose from.
If it’s a waterside you’re imagining, try Lake Kariba Houseboats which delivers unforgettable scenery thanks to the vast man-made lake that will feature in every photo.
2. Italy
The European nation has been in pop culture news recently after the oldest Kardashian said ‘I do.’ It’s not difficult to see why this nation, bursting with culture and good food is the perfect destination for wedding couples. A stunning villa with views of the rolling hills of Tuscany to the breathtaking architecture of Rome, Italy oozes romance from every angle.
For those with a luxury wedding in mind, Palazzo Gori Pannilini is the perfect place to get married. It is a five-star hotel just outside of Florence that is full of Italian charm and history which will be perfect for the big day.
3. South Africa
South Africa offers a huge range of locations and settings where couples can tie the knot. Cape Town is the perfect location for the cosmopolitan types with The Bay Hotel being one of the most highly commended wedding venues in the city. The luxury venue has a rotunda for those who want a lavish, classy and whimsical day or couples can opt for their exclusive private beach club with views of Camps Bay for a more relaxed setting.
4. Portugal
Thanks to warm weather and being surrounded by the clear blue seas of the Meditteranean, Portugal has become a popular wedding destination offering a whole host of luxury venues. For smaller ceremonies, there are multiple world-class golf clubhouses in Algarve that are sure to be an idyllic setting.
But for those who want more room for a bigger wedding, you cannot beat Gremio Palace in the heart of Lisbon; it’s a small secret garden hidden behind the doors of a beautiful pink palace in the historic district that offers all the charm and romance of the city.
5. Kenya
Kenya’s tranquil setting surrounded by the sounds of the bush is so romantic that even Prince Williams chose it as the location to propose to the now Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. If it’s a safari wedding that you’re after, Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp is the venue for you! It is et on a private concession to ensure your big day is still intimate and it boasts abundant iconic wildlife and panoramic Masai Mara views, for a sophisticated and contemporary safari feel.
6. Thailand
It is hard to imagine a more beautiful setting than the many gorgeous beaches in Thailand. In Koh Samui, couples can book out the 5-star The Tongsai Bay Hotel which has been dubbed the ultimate romantic hideaway, as it gives access to the large freeform pool overlooking ocean views, you can marry on the beach beneath a floral canopy, including a traditional Thai water blessing to create everlasting memories.
Or if you want a truly unforgettable venue, how about the limestone caves surrounding Rayavadee in Krabi? They overlook the turquoise waters of Phranang beach meaning your wedding photos will be exceptionally beautiful.
7. Jamaica
To be on an island surrounded by the irresistible Caribbean spirit is such an iconic way to start married life with your partner. It’s not just stunning beaches with Insta-worthy sunsets though, you can also opt for ceremonies in the verdant mountains or around the glittering waterfalls. Couples can get married at Ocho Rios waterfalls to embrace being amidst the tropical rainforest with a perfect waterfall as the backdrop. To continue to celebrations, you can host the reception at the Sandals Ochi Luxury Resort.
8. Morocco
Fete in the foothills of the Atlas mountains at the Marrakech retreat, The Capaldi, which has a rooftop terrace with expansive views of the surrounding olive groves – perfect for a spectacular wedding day! Despite being contemporary and stylish, it still has traditional Moroccan touches with rich textiles and opulent antiques that create an atmosphere of understated luxury.
9. Brazil
Fancy a private peninsula for your special day? The Ponta dos Ganchos Exclusive Resort is the place for you. You and your guests will be surrounded by Brazilian bungalows on the edge of a sparkling emerald sea and you can host your wedding reception in the gazebo at the end of the wooden bridge where you can have the most romantic wedding breakfast ever.
But if you want a setting more inland, take a look at Botanique Hotel and Spa in São Paulo. It is surrounded by a unique natural environment that is authentic Brazilian culture making for a more peaceful setting.
10. Mexico
If you want to get married in a place where many A-listers have tied the knot, then Mexico is a good place to start. Michael Phelps and Nicole Johnson chose to get wed in Cabo (formally known as Los Cabos) because it beautifully captures both the panoramic desert landscapes and turquoise waters.
The Cape is a truly magical hotel option if you want to recreate a similar wedding day, it is immersed in the natural beauty of the Los Cabos and will work for a romantic sunset wedding or even a formal celebration, The Cape can be transformed into the vision you have for your big day.
Feature Image: Martijn Roos
It’s 2022, and if there’s one thing dominating the world of trends, it’s the desire to be unique, ignite our inner child and have fun again. Who could…
When the news surfaced that Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker had gone lowkey with their wedding (a simple courthouse ceremony with a guest list you could count on one hand) people began to speculate that something bigger was in the works.
And, as internet sleuths often are, the suspicions were right!
Little under a week since their original wedding, the pair celebrated their married status with an incredible Italian wedding bash on Sunday, 22 May, at Castello Brown, Portofino, as per Page Six.
As expected, the Kardashian-Jenner clan all attended, with brother Rob Kardashian’s attendance still in question.
Kourtney’s dress saw a magnificent mini Dolce & Gabbana wedding number, with a veil longer than the hem, inspired by a tattoo on the back of Travis’s head, accompanied by gloves and white heels. Travis played the perfect pairing with his black suit, also by Dolce & Gabanna.
Kourtney later swapped the vision of white for a striking black dress again featuring matching globes and a Virgin Mary emblem in the centre of the dress – something many have likened to a copy of a similar dress sister Kim wore in 2017. But hey, if it goes with the energy, let it prevail!
More wedding details reveal that Kris Jenner was reportedly getting down on the dance floor, Travis gave a heartfelt speech with his new wife by his side, the clan’s union of children from their respective sides were happily present, and the internet’s most fascinating couple, Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly were also in attendance, as per E!
Picture:Ellen von Unwerth