Steampunk is a subset of science fiction that successfully marries retro-future design sensibilities with the alternative. It poses an alternate reality where the history of the 19th century Victorian era has modern machines that are powered by steam.

These stories were often set in dystopian London, but can also be the setting of your dream wedding. Think rich gold, bronze metal work and lots of leather (or faux leather, if you are so inclined).

Take a look below for some steampunk wedding inspo:

Wedding dresses:

Steampunk wedding inspo
Credit: Pinterest
Steampunk wedding inspo
Credit: Pinterest
Steampunk wedding inspo
Credit: Pinterest
Steampunk wedding inspo
Credit: Pinterest

Grooms suits:

Steampunk wedding inspo
Credit: Pinterest
Steampunk wedding inspo
Credit: Pinterest

Cakes:

Steampunk wedding inspo
Credit: Pinterest
Steampunk wedding inspo
Credit: Pinterest
Steampunk wedding inspo
Credit: Pinterest

Cake toppers:

Steampunk wedding inspo
Credit: Pinterest
Steampunk wedding inspo
Credit: Pinterest
Steampunk wedding inspo
Credit: Pinterest

Feature image: Pexels

Cake is a wedding tradition, but that doesn’t make it a requirement. For those lacking a sweet tooth, a cake won’t make sense. An excellent alternative is a cheese tower!

Alternatives like cookies, pancake stacks and fruit cakes have grown in popularity over the years as couples desire something more unique and memorable than a traditional cake. These options are great, but a cheese tower is perfect for those not wanting another sweet dessert.

If you’re already offering a dessert table with a variety of sweet treats on your big day and don’t want a massive wedding cake, then a cheese tower is a great replacement.

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Stack your favourite cheese rounds on top of each other to create a unique and delicious tiered cake. From brie to blue, camembert to stilton, there are so many tasty cheeses to choose from.

Of course, you can still go wild with decorations. Place fruits like figs and grapes on the sides of the tower, and don’t forget about the delicious freshly-baked bread and crackers to accompany. Have jams, honey and more fresh fruit on hand to pair with your cheeses.

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When stacking the cake, think logically. The heaviest, firmer cheeses should go at the bottom to hold everything else up. Softer cheeses like brie or goats cheese should be saved for the top tier.

To make things easier when serving the ‘cake’, you could simply cut the tiers into smaller cheese blocks. Or you could incorporate it into your harvest table and let your guests go crazy!

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Feature image: Unsplash

Rapper 2 Chainz and wife Kesha Ward are celebrating their two-year wedding anniversary.

In a sweet Instagram post, the hip-hop veteran shared throwback images of the pair on their wedding day.

“2 years ago I married the most beautiful, pure, caring, spiritual, loving person on earth … Kesha you my rock , you my best friend , YOU DA 1 baby HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KEE,” he captioned the slideshow.

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2 Chains, real name Tauheed Epps, proposed to Ward on the red carpet at the 2018 Met Gala. This was not his first proposal, however. The rapper first went down on one knee back in 2013 while at the Bet Awards.

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The pair tied the knot on August 19, 2018 in a star-studded Miami wedding. Their wedding venue was the Villa Casa Casuarina, also known as the Versace mansion as it is the former home of late designer Gianna Versace.

Some notable names attending the wedding include Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Lil Wayne.

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They have three children together: daughters Heaven and Harmony, and son Halo, all of whom were present for their parents big day.

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Feature image: Instagram / 2 Chainz

There are a handful of days you’ll always want to remember. Your 21st birthday, a graduation and the birth of your first child are likely high up on the list. While these are all exciting moments, your outfit is not really that crucial to them. A wedding day, however, is the biggest, most important day for you to truly look and feel your best.

Grooms typically have less options to make a statement with their wedding day looks given the traditional suit-and-tie attire that most tend to go for. Luckily, this can easily be jazzed up to add extra style and personality. Here are some must-haves to upgrade your wedding look:

Watch:

What makes the man: Must-have accessories for your big day
Credit: supplied

A watch will definitely come in handy, not just to make sure you’re on time for your big day. This accessory does more than just tell time: it tells about its wearer. Bold, simple, luxurious, sporty – a watch has a personality of its own, much like a man.

A watch is an investment piece. It truly stands the test of time, and can be passed down from generation to generation. That’s why it’s crucial to opt for a reliable, quality brand. We love Tomato because this iconic brand constantly pushes boundaries. It perfectly blends fashion trends with timeless style, while still celebrating individualism. At the end of the day, we all want to feel special and that’s what Tomato is all about.

Neckwear:

What makes the man: Must-have accessories for your big day
Credit: Unsplash

Grooms have quite a bit of variety in the neckwear department, each offering its own unique vibe. You could go classic with a tie, debonair with a bowtie or get inspired by the wild, wild west with a bolo tie. Each one of these choices can be customized to match your personality or the theme of your wedding.

Many grooms opt to incorporate their wedding colours into their neckwear. You could also go with a fun pattern or even a graphic option that references your favourite movie or book. If you have a sentimental piece of clothing, you could repurpose a piece of it into neckwear to act as your ‘something old’.

Boutonnière / pocket square:

What makes the man: Must-have accessories for your big day
Credit: Unsplash

Your chest is looking a bit bare, so why not dress it up? A boutonnière and pocket square add stunning visual interest to an otherwise simple suit. If you’re not one for big detail, this is how to have some fun without dramatic detail.

Fresh flowers are always a classic choice when it comes to boutonnière’s, but truly anything goes with this accessory. Pin a mini-figurine to your lapel to show off your love for your favourite franchise, or a unique rope knot to reference your boy Scout days. Opting for a fabric like velvet, lace or suede for your pocket square will add texture and dimension to your final look.

Shoes:

What makes the man: Must-have accessories for your big day
Credit: Unsplash

Shoes are a necessity, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with them. Considering you will be doing quite a bit of standing on your wedding day, make sure to pick a shoe that is comfortable and break them in beforehand so that you aren’t left with any unfortunate pains the day after.

The colour of your shoes will largely depend on your suit. We love a rich brown shoe paired with a black suit for a subtle pop without being too loud. Bolder grooms can add even more flair and opt for an embellished shoe, a velvet loafer or even sneakers. There are no hard and fast rules here, the right choice is whichever shoe speaks to you.

Feature image: Unsplash