Dreaming of a truly unique wedding ring? We might have the stone for you. While emeralds and sapphires are understandably popular, a garnet is a standout choice for the unconventional bride.
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This gemstone is typically red, but can actually be found in almost any colour and even a rare colourless form. It’s name comes from the latin word ‘garanatus’, meaning ‘seedlike’. This is in reference to the pomegranate, as red garnet stones closely resemble the bright red seeds one finds in this fruit.
In Greek mythology, the pomegranate was a gift given as a symbol of love and eternity. Hades gifted his love Persephone with a pomegranate before she left to ensure she returned home fast and safe.
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According to Gem Society, garnet is one of the most complex gemstones in the world as it consists of several species and varieties.
“Unlike minerals such as beryl or corundum that are a single species with colored varieties created by trace elements, garnets come in different species and are never found in their pure state. They are always mixed with other garnet species,” write Gem Society on their website.
“Garnets are called a solid-state series or a blend. Some of these blends have distinct features and are recognized as varieties of garnets in themselves. What makes them all garnets is the same crystal structure and similar properties.”
Garnets were favoured by royalty. Red garnet necklaces adorned the necks of Egyptian pharaohs, and they were even buried with these mummified corpses in their tombs because they were considered prized possessions for the afterlife. In fact, a garnet bead necklace was found in a grave in Egypt that is estimated to date back to 3000 BC.
Garnets have featured in many ancient traditions and legends. In medieval times, people believed garnets could cure depression, protect against bad dreams and even relieve liver disease. Legend says that Noah used a glowing garnet to light the ark during wet days and nights. Garnet was even one of the gemstones on the breastplate of the High Priest, the chief religious official of Judaism from the early post-Exilic times.
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Garnet is the birthstone for January, and has a 7-7.5 ranking on the Mohs scale of hardness. While it has a mid-level hardness and is thus a bit more susceptible to damage, the fact that this stone survived hundreds of thousands of years in a grave speaks to its durability.
Being a gemstone, it is much more affordable than a diamond. If you like the look of rubies but not the price tag, garnet is an excellent alternative as it shares many properties.
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Esteemed Vogue editor Anna Wintour is often considered a trailblazing visionary. While this is often in reference to her mark on the fashion world, it also refers to…
Coulpes have had to get extra creative in tying the knot amid the coronavirus pandemic. While weddings cannot go on as we know them, this South African wedding venue has created an excellent alternative.
Collisheen Estate, one of the most sought-after private function facilities on the Dolphin Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, is now offering drive-in wedding packages.
A representative of the state explained to Wedding ETC that the drive-in wedding concept started off as a joke, but they grew more serious about it as lockdown continued to affect the wedding industry.
Currently, wedding ceremonies are not allowed during Level 3 lockdown. People may only marry at Home Affairs or with a marriage officer. However, Collisheen Estate hopes that their latest offering will provide a new alternative to allow couples to still say ‘I do’ while following safe social distancing.
The estate is awaiting further announcements from the government on when they may legally open the service to the public amid the nationwide lockdown. However, they have already had lots of interest from couples still hoping to say ‘I do’ this year.
“Sunset Oval Drive in weddings are a site to behold! The most magnificent sunsets turn this unconventional day into a magical fairytale,” writes the company on their website.
“Our very experienced venue coordinators are here to help you coordinate your special day and liaise between you, the venue operations team and coordinate any service providers to ensure a perfect day. Our Executive head chef and team will prepare delicious canape’s for you and we will serve it directly to your guests’ cars. Collisheen Estate adheres strictly to all of the health and safety precautions and we assure you of our best attention at all times.”
There are two drive-in wedding packages: a standard and all-inclusive option. The standard package includes canapes and venue hire. Couples may choose their own service providers who will be guided by the Collisheen team.
The all-inclusive package includes venue hire, catering and refreshments, photography and videography, a wedding cake, a bridal salon and much more. This option allows couples to just arrive on their big day, taking away the stress of planning and managing a wedding.
Visit Collisheen Estate’s website HERE.
For more info on the standard package, click here: COLLISHEEN-DRIVE-IN-WEDDING-PACKAGE-2020
For more info on the all-inclusive package, click here: COLLISHEEN-DRIVE-IN-WEDDING-PACKAGE-WITH-SERVICE-PROVIDERS-LAUNCH-SPECIAL-2020
Feature image: Instagram / Collisheen Estate
When you are part of a couple that falls somewhere on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, chances are, there are hardships you have had to deal with in expressing your…
Tradition says that brides carry bouquets on their wedding day to ward of vengeful spirits trying to thwart the newlywed’s happiness.
Today, however, brides aren’t as superstitious when it comes to their bouquets, and often choose any flowers they like. Flowers have their own unique language, and convey unsaid meanings. When picking your bridal bouquet, you might want to keep these blooms out of it.
Carnation
Snapdragons
Much like its name, this flower has a dark meaning. Snapdragons have three different meanings: strength, deviousness, and grace. In ancient times, people would send this flower to mistresses, and also to beg for forgiveness from a lover. With its deceptive connotation, you might want to avoid this bloom on your big day.
Unless you’re trying to incite violence, you might want to stay away from this bloom. Tansies have historically symbolised formal declarations of war, and can even tell the recipient that they make the sender sick to their stomach. As such, this flower is associated with feelings of hatred and resistance.
If you’re planning a winter wedding, you’ll want every aspect of your day to fit the theme. From the decor all the way to your cake, your day…
Winter is upon us and the cold has crept in to our lives, causing most of us to stay indoors. What better way to stay warm than with a good dose of love and happiness?
Many assume that winter weddings are not ideal. The rain may ruin your perfect pictures and make it inconvenient to travel to the venue and the cold may leave your guests feeling a bit fidgety. But there are ways around all of this!
Let’s not forget, according to folklore, rain on your wedding day is a sign of a good luck to come! Who wouldn’t want to ensure some of that on such a special day?
Apart from the good luck you’ll receive at your winter wedding, there are some other advantages of celebrating your nuptials in the frosty season. Here’s why you should consider it:
– Availability
Since its extremely common to want a summer or spring wedding, venues, vendors, and everything else you’ll need for your wedding will be much more readily available in winter. You’ll get to take your pick and have everything be absolutely perfect on your big day.
– Affordability
Similar to the point above, you’ll get better rates for almost everything since you’re getting married outside of peak wedding season. Rates drop as demand drops, so you won’t break the bank with your winter wedding.
– Guests who are not tired of weddings
If you’re getting married in peak wedding season, it is guaranteed that your guests have been to at least one or two other weddings around the same time as yours. While we all love a good wedding, attending many, one after the other, week after week, gets tiring (and a bit repetitive – or boring even).
A winter wedding almost ensures that this is not the case. Your guests are likely not invited to any other weddings at the time, which means they’ll celebrate yours with full force!
– Romance-filled photo shoot
Look, we’re not saying a sunny forest photo shoot isn’t romantic. However, a kiss in the rain makes for one of the most perfect photos for your wedding album. Don’t miss the opportunity!
– Fun with food
A winter menu is usually more diverse than a summer one. You don’t have to worry about spicy food that makes you uncomfortable in the heat, cold or creamy food that melts or gets soft in the heat, and the list goes on. You’ll have many more options for food in winter.
– Comfort is key
No sweating in your dress or suit and no worries about melting makeup. Do we really need to say any more?
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