wedding tips Archives

In Weddings

Standing by Her Side: The Role of the Maid of Honor & Bridesmaids

September 25, 2025 No Comments

When a bride asks her closest friends or family members to stand by her side, she isn’t just inviting them to look beautiful in matching dresses, she’s inviting them into one of the most meaningful support roles in her wedding journey. The roles of the maid of honor and bridesmaids remain rooted in tradition, yet they’ve adapted to modern needs, expectations, and challenges. In this article, we’ll explore what these roles truly mean today, what’s expected before, during, and after the big day, and tips for both bride and bridal party to make the experience fulfilling (and fun).

The Difference Between the Maid of Honor & Bridesmaids

The maid of honor (or matron of honor, if married) is the lead among the bridal attendants, the bride’s primary support person, organizer, go-between, and often the point person for logistics and emotional support.
Bridesmaids serve as the bride’s supportive team: helping with tasks, being present emotionally, assisting on wedding day logistics, and sharing the load.
In many modern weddings, the bride will clarify in advance how involved she wants her maid or bridesmaids to be — heavy coordination or lighter “on-call” help.
Whether or not the maid of honor is older, married, or otherwise, the title is a matter of role, not ranking.

Core Responsibilities: Before, On & After the Wedding

To make this practical, here’s a breakdown of duties across timelines, highlighting what’s often expected of the maid of honor and what bridesmaids might do alongside her.

Before the Wedding

Maid of Honor:

Serve as the bride’s confidante and emotional anchor: check in regularly, listen, relieve stress.
Lead communication among the bridal party: set up group chats, share timelines, collect availability and budgets.
Coordinate or host pre-wedding events: bridal shower, bachelorette party, or bridal weekend.
Assist in vendor meetings, décor decisions, stationery, seating charts, based on the bride’s needs.
Help bridesmaids with logistical tasks, such as dress fittings, accessory coordination, and deadlines.

Bridesmaids:

Be responsive, reliable, and proactive: help when asked, volunteer for tasks.
Attend dress fittings, share opinions sensitively, help with alterations or styling support.
Contribute towards shared costs (shower, travel, accommodation) transparently and respectfully.
Help with crafts, DIY décor, favors, and logistical preparations as needed.

On the Wedding Day

Maid of Honor:

Produce an “emergency kit” (safety pins, tissues, sewing kit, stain wipes, pain reliever).
Manage the schedule: keep everyone on time, liaise with vendors, act as a point of contact.
Assist the bride with her dress, veil, train, bustle, jewelry, and other day-of needs.
Hold the bridal bouquet during the ceremony, carry essentials (phone, tissues), coordinate with the officiant or coordinator.
Sign as a witness on the marriage license (if required) and deliver gifts & cards to secure spots.
Give a toast or speech at the reception: heartfelt, concise, balanced between sincerity and celebration.

Bridesmaids:

Help escort guests, assist with seating, and be welcoming presence.
Aid in photo coordination: helping position dresses, holding bouquets, and arranging bridal party.
Be available for quick fixes: fix stray hair, help with makeup, lend a hand backstage.
Help maneuver dresses in restrooms, bustle skirts at reception, assist with logistics like ushering.
Stay alert: watch the bride’s comfort, hydration, food, and emotional needs.

After the Wedding

Maid of Honor:

Help collect, transport, and deliver gifts, cards, décor returns, and items.
Assist with thank-you notes or aid the bride with vendor follow-ups.
Be a friend in the weeks after: help her settle post-wedding fatigue, document memories, share photos.

Bridesmaids:

Offer to help with logistics (returns, clean-up, photo sharing).
Celebrate with her in quieter moments, send photos, reminisce, stay in touch.

Tips for a Strong, Healthy Bridal Party Relationship

Set expectations early
Right after asking someone to be a bridesmaid or maid of honor, have an honest conversation about what the role entails and how involved the bride wants them to be. This avoids misunderstandings. Brides+1
Respect boundaries
Some brides want full support, others prefer to retain control. Let the bride define and delegate tasks instead of assuming.
Be communicative and transparent
When budgets, travel, or timing constraints arise, speak up early. It’s okay to decline certain tasks if it’s burdensome, better to do fewer things well than overcommit.
Plan in small teams
The maid of honor doesn’t have to do everything alone — divide tasks among bridesmaids. This keeps morale high and reduces burnout.
Be a calming influence
Emotions run high in wedding planning. Be the voice of reason, a sounding board, and a stress-buffer for the bride.
Celebrate together
Take breaks, have fun with the bride, and enjoy the journey. The best memories often come from behind-the-scenes laughter and bonding.

To be maid of honor or a bridesmaid is more than a title, it’s a promise to care, to support, and to stand by the bride through excitement, stress, and magic. When the roles are handled with clarity, respect, and teamwork, they don’t just help the wedding run smoothly, they deepen friendships and create memories that last far beyond the aisle.

Featured Image: Canva

In Engagements

Everything You Need To Know About Planning An Engagement Party

September 11, 2025 No Comments

Congratulations, you’re engaged! This is the start of a life long journey with the person you love the most. You’ll no doubt want to celebrate. But the reality is many people have never thrown an engagement party before and might not even know where to start.

So we’ve put together a short guide to help you.

Why Engagement Parties Matter

Source: Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash

Getting engaged is one of life’s most memorable milestones, and for many couples, it deserves more than a quick phone call or dinner. An engagement party sets the tone for your wedding journey. It’s the perfect excuse to gather both families, your closest friends, and anyone you want to share this exciting new chapter with.

Unlike the wedding day itself, engagement parties are usually less formal. Guests mingle, enjoy food and drinks, and celebrate in a relaxed setting. In South Africa, it’s not uncommon for couples to blend traditions—think vibrant music, shared platters, and heartfelt speeches—making it both personal and memorable.

Plus not everyone will get and invitation to your wedding, so an engagement party is a good way for more people to share the start of your new journey, without anyone feeling completely left out.

Who Hosts And Pays?

Traditionally, the bride’s parents hosted and paid for the celebration. Today, those rules are more fluid. Some couples host the party themselves, while others split costs between both families. Whoever takes on hosting duties typically covers the essentials:

Venue hire or set-up at home
Food and drinks
Décor and flowers
Photography, if included
(Tip: there’s are apps such as GuestCam that allow multiple guests to take pictures on their phones and upload it. This is a good way to see how your event went from your guest’s POV and also a great way to capture some special and candid moments that a photographer might not always get.)

Many couples now view the engagement party as a shared responsibility, with both sides of the family contributing.

When Should You Celebrate?

Timing is everything. Planners recommend hosting an engagement party two to three months after the proposal. This gives you time to enjoy the excitement, set a date, and spread out other wedding-related events like bridal showers and bachelor/bachelorette parties.

If your engagement is long, you can delay the celebration, but try to host it while the news still feels fresh.

Guest List Etiquette

A key rule of thumb: if someone is invited to your engagement party, they should also receive a wedding invitation. This avoids awkwardness and keeps expectations clear.

Engagement parties are also the perfect opportunity to introduce your families and friendship circles in a more casual environment before the wedding. Whether it’s 30 people in your backyard or 100 at a hired venue, keep the guest list consistent with your future wedding plans.

Invitations: Paper Or Digital?

Your invitations set the mood. Here are your options:

Formal dinner: Printed invitations are a timeless and elegant choice.
Casual gathering: Digital invitations are fun, budget-friendly, and easy to personalise.

Pro tip: don’t include registry details on your invites. Instead, add a link on your wedding website or share it personally with guests who ask. Gifts at engagement parties are thoughtful but never required.

Can You Have More Than One Party?

Yes, and many couples do. If your families live in different cities—or if you want to celebrate separately with friends and colleagues—it’s perfectly acceptable to host more than one event.

If you come from different cultural backgrounds, you may want to have two seperate parties to celebrate each of your cultural backgrounds respectively.Each gathering can reflect a different side of your life as a couple.

Can You Combine It With Another Celebration?

If you got engaged during a festive time of year, you can combine your engagement party with another celebration, such as a birthday or anniversary. Just try to avoid dates that clash with major holidays like Christmas, Easter, or Valentine’s Day, when guests are likely to have other commitments.

Step-By-Step Guide To Planning

1. Decide Who’s Hosting
Choose whether you, your family, or your friends will take the lead. This will determine the budget and scale of the event.

2. Pick A Date And Venue
Aim for within three months of your engagement. Backyard braai? Private restaurant room? Wine estate? The venue should reflect the tone you want—relaxed or formal.

3. Create The Guest List
Keep it in line with your wedding invite plans. Decide early if this will be an intimate gathering or a larger affair.

4. Send Invitations
Mail or email your invites at least a month in advance. Always include an RSVP date so you can finalise numbers.

5. Plan The Menu
The food doesn’t need to be extravagant but should match the setting. For a cocktail party, serve canapés and bubbly. For a garden gathering, opt for a braai or grazing tables. For formal dinners, a plated menu works beautifully.

6. Set The Scene
Décor sets the mood. Flowers, candles, and fairy lights create warmth, while bold centrepieces can add drama. Choose colours or themes that reflect your personalities.

7. Choose Your Outfit
Many brides-to-be wear white or pastels as a nod to the wedding ahead, but bold prints or florals also make a stylish statement. Grooms usually go for smart-casual but can elevate the look with tailored jackets or cultural attire.

Final Thoughts

An engagement party is more than just a celebration—it’s the first chapter in your wedding story. Whether you host a simple gathering at home or an elegant dinner at a venue, the goal is the same: bringing your loved ones together to celebrate your decision to spend your lives as one.

The beauty of planning an engagement party today is that there are no hard rules. Make it as casual, formal, traditional, or unconventional as you like. At the end of the day, it’s about joy, connection, and setting the tone for all the memories still to come.

In Budget & Financial Planning

Planning Your Own Wedding vs. Hiring a Wedding Planner

August 15, 2025 No Comments

Planning a wedding is an exciting journey, but it can also be overwhelming. One of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to plan your wedding yourself or hire a professional wedding planner. Each approach has its advantages and challenges. This guide will help you weigh the pros and cons, provide insights into effective wedding planning, and offer a basic budget plan to get you started.

Pros and Cons: DIY Wedding Planning vs. Hiring a Wedding Planner

DIY Wedding Planning

Pros:

Cost Savings: Planning your own wedding can save you money, as you won’t need to pay for a wedding planner’s services.
Creative Control: You have the freedom to personalize every detail, from the theme to the decor, ensuring the wedding reflects your unique style.
Hands-On Experience: Managing the planning process allows you to learn and grow as a couple, strengthening your teamwork skills.

Cons:

Time-Consuming: Wedding planning requires a significant time investment, which can be challenging if you have a busy schedule.
Stress and Pressure: Handling all the details can be stressful, especially as the wedding day approaches.
Limited Expertise: Without professional experience, you might overlook important details or face challenges in vendor negotiations.

Hiring a Wedding Planner

Pros:

Expert Guidance: Wedding planners bring professional experience, helping you navigate the complexities of wedding planning.
Vendor Connections: Planners often have established relationships with vendors, potentially securing better deals and reliable services.
Stress Reduction: With a planner handling logistics, you can focus on enjoying your engagement and the lead-up to your big day.

Cons:

Additional Cost: Hiring a planner is an added expense, which might strain your budget.
Less Personal Control: You may have to compromise on certain aspects to align with the planner’s suggestions or availability.

Wedding Planning Insights and Tips

Start Early: Begin planning at least 12 months in advance to ensure ample time for decision-making and coordination.
Set a Realistic Budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend and allocate funds to different categories accordingly.
Choose an Off-Peak Date: Selecting a wedding date during off-peak seasons or weekdays can lead to cost savings. (The Budget Savvy Bride)
Limit the Guest List: Reducing the number of guests can significantly decrease costs for catering, seating, and favors.
DIY Decor: Consider creating your own decorations or opting for minimalistic designs to save money.

Basic Wedding Budget Breakdown

Here’s a general guide to how you might allocate your wedding budget:

Category	Percentage of Total Budget
Venue	40%
Catering	20%
Attire (Bride & Groom)	10%
Photography/Videography	10%
Entertainment	5%
Flowers & Decor	5%
Stationery	3%
Miscellaneous	7%

Note: These percentages are approximate and can be adjusted based on your priorities and preferences.

Deciding between planning your own wedding and hiring a wedding planner depends on your budget, time, and desire for control. If you have the time and enjoy organizing, a DIY approach can be rewarding. However, if you prefer to reduce stress and benefit from professional expertise, hiring a planner might be the best choice.

Featured Image: Pixels

In Finance

Wedding Insurance in South Africa: Is It Worth It?

August 14, 2025 No Comments

Wedding Insurance: Covering Weather, Vendor Issues, and Unexpected Circumstances

Wedding insurance might not sound romantic at all. But in a country where a summer storm can roll in out of nowhere and load shedding can hit in the middle of your first dance, it’s a conversation worth having and more and more couples are covering themselves on all fronts.

What should you look out for? Is wedding insurance really neccessary. Stick around to find out as we’ll dive in to all the nitty gritty details about wedding insurance in South Africa.

Why Wedding Insurance Is Becoming a Talking Point

Weddings aren’t just love stories — they’re major investments. In South Africa, a full‑scale celebration can easily run into the hundreds of thousands of rand if budgets are left unchecked. And yet, many couples are relying purely on hope and crossed fingers to protect that investment.

From Cape Town to Johannesburg and beyond, social media is full of stories from couples blindsided by last‑minute disasters: a photographer who simply didn’t show, a caterer who closed down days before the reception, or a venue suddenly deemed unusable due to flooding. The list goes on…

Without wedding insurance, those non‑refundable deposits and frantic last‑minute suprises come straight out of your own pocket.

The Unpredictable South African Factor – The Weather…

South Africans know our weather likes to keep us guessing. Picture this: you’ve planned a picture‑perfect outdoor ceremony in the Winelands, only for the heavens to open in a freak midsummer thunderstorm. Or you’ve booked a beachfront ceremony in Durban, and a sudden cold front brings gale‑force winds.

Even indoor weddings aren’t immune to Murphy’s law. Power cuts during peak load shedding can disrupt lighting, sound systems and catering. On the other hand, heavy rain or wind can delay guests, vendors or even your arrival and throw the rest of the wedding progamme out completely.

What Wedding Insurance Actually Covers

Wedding insurance generally comes in two main types:

Cancellation or Postponement Cover
This type of cover protects you financially if you need to cancel or delay your wedding due to illness, extreme weather, vendor collapse or other unforeseen events.
Liability Cover
This covers property damage or injury claims that may arise during your wedding. Many South African venues now require couples to have liability insurance before confirming a booking.

Some policies also cover lost or stolen wedding attire, damaged décor, vendor no‑shows, and even unexpected travel disruptions for destination weddings. You’ll need to read through everything carefully to know exactly what you’re covered for just incase anything happens and also so that there’s no misunderstandings.

Local Couples Share Their Take

In wedding planning forums, there’s a clear divide. Some say the peace of mind is priceless. One Joburg bride wrote: “Our DJ’s car broke down on the way to our wedding in Magaliesburg. The insurance paid for a last‑minute replacement — we didn’t miss a beat.”

Others see it as unnecessary. A Cape Town groom commented: “We had a small backyard wedding. We didn’t think it was worth the extra cost. But if we’d been at a big venue, I’d have reconsidered.”

Questions to Ask Before You Buy

If you’re considering wedding insurance, don’t just tick a box — make sure it suits your wedding. Ask:

What specific risks does it cover?
Does it include outdoor or destination weddings?
What are the payout limits and excess fees?
Does it cover all your vendors, including subcontractors?
How fast are claims processed?

So, Is It Worth It?

If your wedding budget represents a significant portion of your savings, or if you’re planning an elaborate event with multiple vendors and moving parts, the answer often leans toward yes. It’s not about expecting disaster, but about protecting your once‑in‑a‑lifetime celebration from forces beyond your control.

In South Africa, where the weather can change in an instant and service providers may face sudden challenges, wedding insurance can be the safety net that keeps your big day intact — or at least ensures you can bounce back quickly if something goes wrong.

The Bottom Line:

You’ll never regret having wedding insurance if you need it. And if you don’t? Well, that’s the best‑case scenario — and a small price to pay for peace of mind.

In uncategorized

Wedding planning tips that could save your life

May 9, 2022 No Comments

While planning your wedding can be a time that’s filled with cake tasting and venue scouting, it can also be a time that’s filled with pulling out your hair and stress eating. Planning your impending nuptials can be a stressful affair, but it doesn’t have to be!

If you’re hoping to look back on your big day and smile with contentment and not sneer at the thought of all the stress you were under, check out these helpful tips.

Manage Your Expectations

You can use Pinterest and photos to inspire you, but your wedding won’t look exactly the same. There are so many different factors at play when you see those images on the internet: Where in the world was it taken? Is it even a real wedding, or a staged shoot? Are those flowers available in SA? So whatever you do, make sure you don’t get upset or stressed when things aren’t perfect – you’ll just ruin your day.

Come Prepared and Avoid Wardrobe Malfunctions

You or anyone in your bridal party might need a hook-and-eye closure, so be sure to carry spares, needle-nose pliers, and a sewing kit. Just one lean over into the gin table and pop! Disaster.

Stick to your Budget

It’s your wedding and it’s all very exciting, but you have a budget for a reason. Don’t set yourself into years of debt, or sell your prized pony. Set a budget for your wedding and download a wedding-planner app on your phone. Stick to it, and you’ll be glad that you did once the confetti has settled.

Don’t let your self-consciousness get the best of you

“I wish I had known how beautiful I looked.” Make sure this is not something you say four months, or years, later. Make choices that are your own when it comes to your dress or suit, and on the big day, rock it. Don’t worry about the fat roll you think is there, or the laugh lines under your eyes. Enjoy the moment; it goes quicker than you think.

Put your own spin on it

Listen to your mom, best friends and Aunt Joanna. But whatever you do, do it your way.

Don’t go cheap on certain things

Food poisoning for all your guests? Not fun. Blown-out or unflattering wedding photographs? You’ll regret that. While everything else lasts for the one day, you’ll have those pictures forever, so you want to get your money’s worth.

Don’t nitpick on the details

Months of planning, crammed into four or five hours, which are so charged with emotions and tears, you might not even notice that small calligraphy initials on the stem of every rose… Don’t stress about every little thing while planning your wedding and on the big day. Such a cliche, but words that couldn’t be more true.

Feature Image: Pinterest

In Advice

Looking for the perfect wedding dress? Here are a few tips to find ‘the one’

April 29, 2022 No Comments

When it comes to finding “the one” and having that movie-magic moment where your bridesmaids break into a sob after just one look of you in the perfect dress, it all comes down to finding the right shape for your body. We’ve turned to the experts for this one, putting our ear close to the ground and listening to the suggestions that dress designers may have for some potential gown stumbling blocks.

You’re fuller in the hip/thigh area:

Choose something you are comfortable in. If you are confident and love your curves, then there are ways to make a fitted dress accentuate all the right areas. If you are more conservative or feel self-conscious, then go with something that cinches in at the waist and naturally flows out from there.

You have larger than average breasts:

Get a fully structured bustier if your bust needs that lift and support, or a daring plunge for those girls stay in place.

You are petite

If you are going for lace, something with smaller patterns would be best. If not, choose something streamlined and gorgeous! Even the princess look can work, if done right.

You don’t look good in classic white or ivory

Nude, toffee and sand shades are hot this season! Oyster is also a wonderful shade that suits a variety of skin tones.

You’re not too keen on exposing a lot of skin

A beautiful, hand-engineered, appliquéd illusion sleeve is the best of both worlds!

Feature Image: @aglowceleste

In Advice

6 Tips that will leave you feeling great on your wedding day

December 6, 2021 No Comments

Your wedding day is often a mix of excitement and anxiety, with stress thrown in for good measure. Unfortunately, uncomfortable bloating, a few panic attacks and unexpected energy dips may also rear their unnecessary heads.

If there’s one thing that any bride wants to feel, it’s great – especially when you feel the glare of countless eyeballs on you. Whether you imagine it as the day of your dreams or the start of an incredible journey, here are six tips to leave you feeling your best on your big day.

Grab a cup of lemon water

Hot water and a squeeze of lemon is the miracle cure to bloating. It also offers a natural way to boost alertness and energy – who knew! Lemon is also bursting with vitamin C and is a great immune booster (you hear that COVID!) Along with all these incredible benefits, it will also help you stay hydrated throughout the day, so make sure that you sip on a glass or two.

Don’t forget to eat

Saying “I do” can be overwhelming with your wedding day going by in a blur. If there’s anything that you take from this article it’s this – don’t forget to eat! Indulge in a few healthy snacks and good food throughout the day to keep your energy levels up and squash those nerves. Loading up on veggies, proteins and some healthy snacks will ensure that you steer clear of those sugary snacks and carbs, which are known to spike sugar levels and cause you to lose energy quicker.

Handy essential oils

There are so many benefits to having your favourite essential oils handy. Energy crashes and anxiety be gone, thanks to a few sniffs of lavender and peppermint essential oils. Put a few drops on your pulse points or take a few sniffs, including a few bottles of oils in your clutch will offer you a natural way to boost energy and calm your nerves.

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Trade coffee for green tea

Is green tea the best tasting beverage? No, but it will leave you a lot less jittery than consuming five cups of coffee. Green tea is teeming with antioxidants and caffeine, ensuring that you get your energy and have glowing skin. A few other benefits? It helps with that pesky bloating and it also contains the amino acid L-theanine which promotes relaxation. We see no downsides!

Exchange letters with your soon-to-be husband

Your big day can go by in a whirl, and while you’ll have a ton of beautiful photos, there’s nothing that stops time quite like a handwritten love letter. Consider writing heartfelt letters to each other to help wash the jitters away. There’s nothing quite as magical as reading a letter from your person and cracking a smile. Plus, it’s bound to fill your day with love!

Surround yourself with people you trust

Last, but not least is surrounding yourself with loved ones on your big day. We all know that wedding planning is stressful and the last thing you need is negativity. If those around you aren’t wiping away tears of joy, then be sure to cut a few people from the guest list. This is your special day, so make sure that you surround yourself with judgement-free and positive energy – only!

Picture: Finn and the Fox Photography