Wedding planning is going full steam ahead now that weddings are allowed to continue under Level 2 lockdown. If you need some inspiration, consider these key trends that are expected to make huge waves in 2021.
Micro-weddings:
While the micro-wedding concept has been around for years, it has been given new life due to the pandemic. With limited guests allowed, couples are pretty much forced to have a micro-wedding under current regulations.
This isn’t a bad thing, however. There are a host of benefits in having a micro-wedding. They are more affordable, more intimate, have fewer practical arrangements and are much less stressful.
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Sentimentality:
One bonus of this crazy year is that many have truly found the value in their family. Spending so much time with your loved ones can be a bit much at times, but it mostly makes you appreciate them. Some have also unfortunately lost loved ones due to the virus, and may want to pay tribute to them on their big day.
We predict many brides and grooms will want to incorporate some sentimental meaning into their outfits, decor or even the venue. You could opt for a family member’s backyard for your I do’s, use some fabric belonging to a special family member in your wedding outfit or even attach a picture of them to your boutonnierre. Of course, including your loved ones in the bridal party is also pretty sweet.
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Inspired by nature:
Considering we’ve spent most of 2020 cooped up indoors to prevent the spread of coronavirus, being outside is a welcome change! On a practical level, outdoor venues are also the safer choice as it allows for fresh air, which is handy amid the pandemic.
We predict many will want a return to nature to celebrate their freedom and enjoy parts of the world that were closed off for so many months. Parks, gardens and beaches will likely be popular locations in 2021. Along with the venue, we also expect massive florals to take centre stage.
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Safe and stylish measures:
With the pandemic, hygiene has become a top priority all over the world. There are a number of ways your wedding can be shaped to include hygiene and social distancing measures to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Sanitising stations are already growing in popularity. Set up a fun stand with a bunch of hand sanitisers on deck so that your guests can stay clean throughout your big day. Another fun touch is to have personalised face masks made for your guests! You can use your wedding colours, and have your names and wedding date printed on them.
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Charity donations:
This pandemic has also made many realise how much they have, even if its not that much. By virtue of having a home, a salary and food on the table, many of us are priviledged.
We predict that couples will opt to include some form of giving back into their big day. Instead of wedding gifts, couples can ask for donations to their favourite charity. The wedding flowers can be donated to the local old age home, and supporting local will go a long way in helping rebuild the wedding industry.
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Feature image: Pexels
Now that weddings are allowed again in South Africa under alert Level 2, it’s the perfect time to start planning your big day! Current regulations restrict the amount…
A Boston couple received a wonderful surprise from a stranger that has lifted their spirits after having to postpone their wedding.
Akilah Daniels and her fiancé Devon Vincent were forced to postpone their upcoming wedding due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. They sent out emails to inform all of their wedding guests of the change in plans. However, an accidental typo led to a stranger receiving the message and actually reaching back out to the couple with a sweet message.
In a Facebook post, Daniels explains: “Wow! Life really does happen in mysterious ways as this random good samaritan stated well in their email. Unfortunately, we have to postpone our wedding until later in the year due to Covid-19, so I am in the process of sending virtual updates to all of our guests. One of my guests had a typo in their email address and it was sent to the incorrect person, Christine.
“This wonderful person not only contacted me to let me know that it was sent to the incorrect sender, but ALSO purchased something off our registry as a good will gesture! I am so utterly touched! She connected with me because she is in the process of planning a wedding and it has been impacted by Covid as well. This is a small beam of light on such an unfortunate series of events! I wish Christine much success in her upcoming wedding! Thank you again!”
Christine gifted the couple with a marble and brass cake stand from their registry. Along with the gift came this message: “Life works in mysterious ways. Sometimes gifts can come from unexpected places! It’s not much, but I hope you use it well!”
Feature image: Pexels
Get ready to say ‘I do’! Weddings are once again allowed in South Africa under Level 2 lockdown regulations. Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on Saturday, August 15…
You may love the idea of an intimate dinner in an outdoor barn or the thought of waves lapping your feet as you say your vows, but often these spaces come as they are – meaning you’re left with the additional costs of decorating your chosen venue too.
If you’re working on a tight budget or prefer having a fully kitted venue from the get-go, check out these beautiful spaces around South Africa.
Planet Restaurant & Bar, Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel
Opulent is the only word that can describe this luxe eatery situated at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town. Dotted with a number of majestic arches and boasting an intricately carved ceiling and large windows, it’s a well-lit space for a lunch-time fête. When the sun goes down, the room transforms into a nocturnal haven with sparkling light fixtures and a crystal-studded floor. Your guests will enjoy the warmth from the marble fireplace at the bar area, an ideal spot for welcome drinks.
Website: belmond.com
2 La Maison and La Grange, Morells Boutique Estate
Morrells Boutique Estate is a chic French-inspired sanctuary in the heart of Johannesburg boasting not one but two amazing venues that are perfect for your European-style wedding. Experience an escape to the town of Provence at La Maison, which houses a piano room, cigar lounge, chapel, rose garden and olive grove. Prefer a more relaxed vibe? La Grange’s quaint bistro sports eclectic furnishings and is perfect for coffee catch-ups when you slip away from the dance floor.
Website: morrells.co.za
3 The Venue, Casa Labia
Feel like royalty at this gorgeous Muizenberg mansion that was once the seaside residence of the Italian plenipotentiary Count Natale Labia. Intricate wallpaper and stately chandeliers add to the grandeur of its interior while the estate also houses an art gallery so guests can indulge in a spot of culture while celebrating your union.
Website: casalabia.co.za
4 The Pearl Room, The Oyster Box
An all-white zone decked out in glistening mirrors, the Pearl Room is every minimalist’s dream venue. Sleek lines and metallic touches form an eye-catching impact that will transport you into a snow-white world not unreminiscent of Elsa’s snow palace in Frozen – without the chill!
Website: oysterboxhotel.com
5 Forest Lodge Boma, Grootbos Nature Reserve
If you’ve been yearning to have your nuptials beneath a canopy of greenery, Grootbos Nature Reserve’s Forest Lodge Boa is an utopian reception site. Paraffin lanterns and cotton linen keep it simple while braziers add a touch of warmth and radiance to this enchanted forest setting.
Website: grootbos.com
Feature image: Instagram / Belmond Mount Nelson
Get your fairytale ending with a princess-cut engagement ring. This cut is incredibly popular, and graces the ring fingers of celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski, Cameron Diaz and Kate…
Congratulations are in order for Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi, who recently celebrated 12 years of marriage.
DeGeneres and De Rossi married on August 16, 2008 soon after same-sex marriage was legalised in California. They said ‘I do’ at their Los Angeles home with only 19 guests present. Both brides wore Zac Posen outfits for the big day.
Late philosopher and self-help guru Wayne Dyer officiated the ceremony.
“Today we have taken a giant step forward toward the ideal that all of us, with no exceptions, are not only created equal, but we each have the unalienable right to pursue our own happiness,” he said during the ceremony.
“I have often said that true nobility is not about being better than anyone else, it’s about being better than you used to be. With your exchange of vows today, you symbolize for many who have gone before you, who were forced to live their lives in quiet desperation, lurking in the shadows, that we as a people, are truly becoming better than we used to be.”
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The pair met at a party back in 2000, and De Rossi told Oprah she fell in love instantaneously. However, at the time she had not come out as a gay woman, so she could not express her feelings. In 2004, they reconnected at VH1’s Big in ’04 Awards.
They went public as a couple in 2005 at the HBO Golden Globe Awards After Party. They soon moved in together.
Speaking to People Magazine, De Rossi said: “It’s the first time that I’ve known in every cell of my being that I’m with somebody for the rest of my life.”
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Over a decade later and the couple still seem as loved up as ever. They did not post any honororary social media posts to celebrate their anniversary, presumably because of the ongoing internal investigation at DeGeneres’s show following allegations of a toxic work environment. De Rossi has come out to say that she stands by her wife.
Feature image: Instagram / Portia De Rossi