For centuries brides have worn veils for a number of symbolic and religious reasons. From warding off evil spirits in ancient Greece to displaying a woman’s virtue in Christianity, the veil has become a traditional wedding garment.
But this doesn’t mean that they’re mandatory. Many brides opt not to wear a veil on their wedding day, choosing to go with stunning clips, grips and headbands instead. If you’re undecided, here’s a guide to help you make your choice.
Wedding dresses are a huge part of the big day. So much effort and money goes into the wedding gown to ensure that the blushing bride looks her best. After making your way down the aisle and turning heads, what can you do with your gown? Get creative with your wedding dress after the big day.
From Grace Kelly to Audrey Hepburn, high-neck wedding dresses have been a celebrity favourite for decades.
This style is classic and demure yet packs a punch. It also lends itself to a Victorian-inspired look. For brides wanting a more modest look on their big day, a high-neck gown offers coverage without compromising on style.
Here are a few ways to pull off this trend:
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Feature image: Unsplash
You don’t have to sit on a hill and meditate to de-stress. Although that’s exactly what you’ll want to do after haggling with wedding vendors and explaining to your uncle (second-removed) why he isn’t sitting at the main family table.
Whether you’re planning your wedding or meandering through life, making sure that you indulge in self-care is oh-so-important. But with so many things happening in the background, it’s pretty easy to let things slip through the cracks.
To keep you on track and remind you to incorporate self-care tasks – no matter how small – into your routine as you go about your wedding planning, here are a few things we hope you won’t let take a backseat:
For some reason, brides feel the need to go on crazy fad diets in order to lose weight to fit into their wedding dress, but no bride wants to look like a completely different person when looking back at their wedding photos. And no one wants to feel hungry all the time. Nutrition is such a major component when it comes to self-care and is the key to our mental and physical well-being. Skip the fads and stick to a balanced diet that hit those targeted food groups – veggies, proteins, and all the wholesome goodness.
When our cortisol levels are constantly elevated (thanks, stress) our mental health tends to take a backseat. While there’s a certain level of stress and anxiety that comes with wedding planning, if you feel that it’s affecting your mood and it’s gone beyond just “a bad day,” do not ignore such a big sign. Take advantage of the resources available to you, whether that be meditation apps, breathwork retreats, talk therapy or a break away from wedding planning. Follow your intuition.
Now, we understand that your Significant Other is more than enough when it comes to getting your heart pumping and skipping beats, but sometimes you need a little more. Exercise is an excellent way to de-stress, so make sure that you get sweating. Take it easy with yoga or pilates, or really push things to the limit with some incredible workouts like CrossFit.
If you feel yourself checking your schedule and watch, why not keep things simple by going for post-dinner walks. This is also a great way to get those endorphins going and connect with your partner as the big day approaches.
When you’re juggling work, a social life and wedding planning, it can be difficult to find the time to let go and relax. Release your grip on the reins and indulge in activities that will allow your stress to melt away. Think; movie nights, coffee dates (minus wedding talk), Netflix binges, naps and luxurious baths with tons of candles. Throw in a massage or two in for good measure!
During the hustle and bustle that is wedding planning, you can sometimes forget about those closest to you. Decompress by spending some quality time with friends and family, doing things that are completely unrelated to your wedding. Sunday dinners with family and Saturday brunches with friends – now that’s magic!
ALSO SEE: Relaxing bachelorette party ideas for the chilled bride
Feature Image: Pexels
After nearly two years of staying indoors and not enjoying the wonders of travel, heading to your favourite destination to get married is back on the table!
While many brides and grooms are grabbing their passports and jetting off to tropical destinations such as Mauritius and Bali, there are a few out there that prefer a different climate.
Luxury travel company Red Savannah recently launched an incredible package for winter-loving bridal couples looking to say “I do” in the remote destination of Antarctica.
The price tag? A cool R4 million!
Yup, we’re living in a post-pandemic world and weddings appear to be that expensive.
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The hefty price tag includes return flights from South Africa to Antarctica, accommodations for the soon-to-be newlyweds and the wedding party, beverages, food and activities. The big day will start with a breakfast on ice, followed by the cake-cutting ceremony and champagne in the snow lounge.
While you may think that R4 million may be more than enough to accommodate a whole host of guests, a maximum of 12 wedding guests are allowed to watch you step into newlywed bliss.
Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a white dessert party – yum!
Additional costs are the “wedding gift registry” which will be a pledge of $1000 (R16 600) per person. This will be used for conservation efforts in Antarctica.
If you’re interested, you’ll be happy to know that there is one flight that leaves Cape Town and will take five hours to arrive at the icy destination.
Feature Image: Brides Without Borders
Searching for the feel-good factor? Introduce some positive energy into your beauty routine with a sumptuous pamper session to help keep you calm, cool, and relaxed as you plan your big day. Adding a little self-love will leave you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and feeling youthful again. Besides, it’s really the little highlights that can make the biggest difference to our well-being!
Follow this guide and get your hands on these luxe products to turn your bathroom ritual into a full-blown pamper experience.
‘Bathing is a brilliant opportunity to give your body what it needs, and your mind a moment to reset,’ says well-being expert Susanne Kaufmann. You can easily turn your bath into a pamper session with a few additions too.
So how would you like to feel while submerged in your porcelain throne?
There’s nothing quite like a long soak to reset the senses. It’s the perfect ritual before bed, helping you have a good sleep: a hot bath followed by being in a cool bedroom is known to help the body prepare for sleep and tricks you into feeling drowsy. Aid those sensations with Ceridwen’s Cauldron (R135, Lush), which nourishes your skin and helps you switch off.
Or, if you are feeling tense, don’t underestimate the benefits of a salt bath. It can help with any muscle aches and pains, leaving you feeling soothed. We love Earthsap Bath Soak in Milk & Honey (R75, Made By Nature).
Feeling restless and anxious? Run a bath and choose products packed with calming ingredients, such as The Naturals Organic Bath Bombs (R320, yumm) or Dr Hauschka Moor Lavender Calming Bath Essence (R465, Woolworths).
As you soak in the scented bath, practise breathing deeply into your abdomen to relax and calm your mind. If you struggle to stay focused, it can help to imagine you are gently inflating your tummy like a balloon as you breathe in, then slowly deflating it as you breathe out. The warm water will aid those feelings of relaxation.
If you need a reboot, try adding a few drops of an uplifting essential oil – juniper is effective in stimulating a positive mood – try Soil Juniper Berry Essential Oil (R133, Faithful to Nature). Give your bath a sensuous twist by adding Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede Bath Oil 250 ml (R1 000, Edgars). And light a candle to uplift your senses – we adore The Aromatherapy Co Invigorating Candle (R199, @home).
As well as treating skin to a pamper session, use your evening regime as a chance to unwind. ‘Turn your cleanse into a moment of mindfulness,’ says acupuncturist and facialist Annee de Mamiel. ‘Face massage helps you unwind, but it’s also a reminder to begin to switch off from the day. Plus it doesn’t cost a thing!’
Start by warming your cleansing oil in your hands and inhaling the essential oils. Choose something with a soothing scent, such as Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil (R1 050, Woolworths). As you massage, you will increase circulation, boost oxygen and detoxify your skin. ‘You’ll be surprised how the texture, volume and radiance of your skin will improve in such a short time.’
It’s the original emblem of what a pamper session should be!. A face mask is the easiest way to treat your skin and give you a bit of a time out. Just make sure you’re using the best one for your skin type.
Use: FILORGA Hydra-Filler Mask (R148, skinmiles.co.za)
This calming sheet mask contains aloe vera to soothe and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, giving your face a plump, juicy glow.
Use: Lamelle Serra Lipid Recovery Mask (R520, dermastore.co.za)
When sensitive skin flares up, leave this soothing mask on for 15 minutes, then swipe away any excess with a tissue to calm flushed, tight-feeling skin.
Feature Image: Unsplash
We all need a knight in shining armour, especially when you’re a bride rushing to make it to her wedding ceremony.
Marksteen Adamson is a driver from the United Kingdom. On his way to a reunion, Marksteen said he noticed the bride on the side of the road in London asking for a lift.
The apparently looked “distressed” as countless cars passed her by.
According to the anxious bride, three rideshares had already cancelled on her and her bridal party, which included her sister and one other bridesmaid who could be seen carrying her veil.
“I’m late for church,” the bride can be heard saying in the video.
Despite being a whole 45 minutes late to her own wedding, Adamson delivers the bride and her bridal party safely to the church, where she is met by the vicar to who she recounts the tale to.
An adorable rom-com or an absolute nightmare? Luckily this story has a happy ending!
Watch the video below:
@marksteenadamsonWas driving through london traffic to visit friends for a reunion lunch in South East London when I stopped at a padestrian crossing and saw a bride looking confused and flustered. I started filming as I thought it would be a great shot seeing her cross the road in her full attire. Then she saw me and started walking towards me and gesturing. It turns out that she and her brides maid and team had been trying to order Uber cabs but three cabs had canceled at the last minute and she was 45min late for church. Everyone, most importantly her husbsnd to be, were wating at Holy Trinity Bromton for her to artive. She asked if I could give her and the group a lift, and so they jumped in to my landrover and I drove her to church. In our short time together we had lots of quick short conversations about everthing and got to know eachother a little better and new friendships were made. After I dropped her off I heard the sound of the organ ring out and knew everything was going to be alright. It was a beautiful sunny day.♬ Going To The Chapel – The Paragons
Feature Image: TikTok
Most brides wouldn’t mind spending a few R10 000 or more on a gorgeous new wedding dress, but for some cash-strapped brides, that’s simply not an option.
Heading to your local thrifting store is a great way to unearth some fashionable gems, including a gorgeous wedding dress as one young bride found out.
The blushing bride took to TikTok to share her experience of purchasing her wedding dress at a thrift shop as she was determined to keep spending to a minimum.
As prices continue to soar throughout various industries, many young couples are attempting to keep things more affordable. Thrifting and smaller, more intimate settings are just a few ways bridal couples are attempting to cut costs.
Jullian Lynch, who hails from Ohia in the United States, explained that she initially spent around R60 ($3.75) on the dress, but forked out a few more bucks for alternations, costing an extra R1700 ($110).
That’s still not a bad price tag for such a gorgeous dress, a thought many TikTok users had as they gawked at her budget-friendly wedding experience.
@jilly_lynch♬ Put Your Head On My Shoulder – Paul Anka
According to Lynch, the dress was brand new as it still had its tags and social media users couldn’t seem to get enough:
“Still $115 compared to $5,000,” one user stated. “Such an amazing dress and shoes. Very classy look.”
“Gorgeous,” another user noted.
Gorgeous, and oh-so-clever!
Feature Image: Jillian Lynch / TikTok
When the cravings hit, there’s nothing you can do as one bridal couple recently found out. After all, walking down the aisle and saying “I do” can certainly work up an apetitie.
Newlyweds Basman Alwakeel (28) and blushing bride Haneen Alkhthir (31) tied the knot in a traditional wedding ceremony before sneaking away to satisfy their fast food cravings – a tasty meal at McDonalds – before heading back to an incredible evening with family and friends.
The couple, who hail from Australia, spent a few hours snapping wedding pics at the University of Sydney.
“It is such a beautiful location, but we were so hungry and craved some food, so we did a quick search of the nearest McDonald’s,” said Basman.
So what was on the menu for Mr and Mrs?
“We both ordered a spicy McChicken with chips and coke. The staff were shocked and the people kept congratulating us.”
Thankfully, the talented photographer was there to capture the “beautiful and natural moment.”
Despite the impromptu affair, that meal sure does look delicious! Even more fantastic is the fact that the gorgeous bride managed to keep her all-white wedding attire free of ketchup – no easy feat!
But while the couple tucked into a spicy chicken burger, just what about the guests? Friends and family did not go hungry as tradition dictates otherwise.
“It’s tradition for us to have guests in both the bride and groom’s house before the service. Simple snacks are prepared for the guests and later at the reception we chose Mediterranean food,” Basman said.
Feature Image: @auraweddings/ Caters News
Some brides are born to break the rules. To scoff at tradition and forge a new path.
Now, this doesn’t have to mean ditching the white dress and opting for something a little darker, as per the wedding trends currently making waves on Pinterest. Sometimes the forward-thinking bride embodies her boldness with something as small as a non-traditional wedding veil.
Small steps, right? If you’re looking to embrace your ‘wild’ side by going beyond the white tulle or lace, here are a few stunning suggestions:
If you love a good polka dot outfit, then you’re in luck! Including a polka dot veil in your wedding ensemble can be an exciting way to infuse a little fun into your outfit.
A modern twist on something blue. A blue wedding veil can be a wonderful way to add a pop of colour as it provides a beautiful contrast if you’re sporting a white wedding dress.
Pearls are having a bit of a moment right now and are a trend that has brides “oh-ing” and “ah-ing,” and for good reason. Pearls are often associated with royalty and opulence, and that’s exactly the vibe you’ll get when adding modern pearls to your veil.
Who needs a long veil anyway? Short and sweet in more ways than one, the classic “birdcage” veil is a great addition for brides who are looking for something different yet simple. Make it your own by adding modern pearls or flowers, let your inner-creative run wild!
Flowers have a way of elevating anyone’s mood, so why not do the same for your veil. Opt for a traditional veil but zhoosh it up by adding your favourite flowers. Fresh flowers are best, so make sure you speak to your florist or go the dry flower route if you’re feeling sentimental and looking to keep things fresh forever.
If adding fresh flowers to your veil doesn’t sound like something you’d like but you’re still looking to add a few blooms to your accessory, a colourful embroidered veil is the way to go. It’s a great addition for brides who are looking to add a little bohemian flair to their wedding outfit and creates an incredible texture too!
Feature Image: Pinterest