wedding Archives | Page 12 of 15

In Advice

Hors d’oeuvre ideas your guests will love

November 6, 2019 No Comments

All you need is love and food. Your wedding should offer both. Cocktail hour is a crucial time for guests to whet their appetites before they sit down for the wedding feast.

Typically running after the ceremony, cocktail hour is a perfect time for guest to mingle while enjoying some delicious dishes. Beyond just lining stomachs, it sets the tone for the rest of the evening. Whether you want to go big with fancy finger foods or prefer the more modest morsel, these appetisers are sure to get your mouth watering.

Pretzels:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz0pnJAHhBz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Popcorn:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgBlTX5H8Ln/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Feta and watermelon skewers:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk0JlUeljRz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Charcuterie:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3zTic4l7-7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Ice-lollies:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3cqlyzBRa_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Mini-tacos:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1wvK1BFEff/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Fries:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2mSCe-ja_C/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Crostini:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B18M0xUg7xk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Fish fingers:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Byaj_ZGjKCH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Chicken skewers:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1n-02XAeJc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Sliders:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqy2zNeH3H_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Milk and cookies:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2iyrQkByz8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Arancini pops:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0-j3IMhM7H/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Image: Unsplash

In Accessories

Engagement ring trends for 2020

November 6, 2019 No Comments

A kiss on the hand may be quite continental, but diamonds are a girl’s best friend. This saying still rings true today. Diamonds will never go out of style, but trends do. With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when choosing an engagement ring. We’ve gathered advice from jewellery experts to help you ring in your engagement in style.

Here’s what will trend in 2020.

Coloured stones:

Modern brides have been leaning towards coloured stones and birthstones as of late. “I think today’s bride is more concerned with being unique, and while she still wants a three stone ring, she is looking for something that is one of a kind. Women today want to stand out!” Kendra Pariseault Jewelry told StyleCaster.

Coloured stones are an easy way to make a statement and express your personal style. Niel Lane says that morganite stones, the pink to orange-pink variety of the beryl mineral, have especially grow in popularity this year.

Take this trend further by using a birthstone for a personal touch to an engagement ring. Just be careful to speak to an expert beforehand, as not all birthstones are made equal. Some are not durable enough for every day wear.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzvwwqlB-_0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Unique shapes:

Square cut and pear shaped is so played out. For a unique take, brides have been loving star-shaped and floral-shaped engagement rings. We’ve seen Elizabeth Olsen, Katy Perry, and Irina Shayk all step out with floral-shaped rings in the past year.

This ring can be quite busy so the key is to keep the band simple. While typically centered with a coloured stone, you can simplify this style by going with a traditional diamond.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwNeYu5lsZq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Throwback designs:

The more traditional bride will be glad to hear that vintage and art-deco inspired rings are also back in style. Inspired by the past, vintage engagement rings are heirlooms in the making.

Art-deco is all about clean lines and geometric angles. We love how this hexagonal-shaped engagement ring still feels feminine with the array of smaller diamonds on the perimeter of the main stone. This halo effect is another big engagement ring trend, as it makes the main stone appear much larger. Two birds with one stone.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4dALFJlfDD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Rose gold:

Rose gold has been in for years and is going nowhere. The popularity of this tone stems from the fact that it is universally flattering. It is a bold statement yet romantic and feminine at the same time.

“Brides will be looking more at alternative metals to white gold and platinum next year. The appeal of rose gold comes from its pale pink colour that not only pairs well with trending yellow gold fashion pieces but also looks great with every skin tone, ” said Alicia Davis, VP of Merchandising at Shane Co.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4gfj9Kh7Kx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Three-stone rings:

We can thank Meghan Markle for this one. The Duchess of Sussex’s three stone engagement ring sparked the trend a few years ago and it is only rising in popularity.

“We’ve seen a lot of couples eyeing three-stone engagement rings lately,” Lauren Addison of Lauren Addison Jewelry told StyleCaster. “The two side stones add extra sparkle to a simpler engagement ring style.”

The three stones are meant to represent the past, the present and the future, giving a beautiful symbolism. The centre diamond is typically hugged by two smaller, equally sized diamonds. For something different, use colourful stones and unique cuts.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ajAg8jb-I/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Stacking rings:

Sometimes, more is more. While not a new concept, jewellery stacking has taken the industry by storm. Brides have been loving stackable rings as of late.

Commonly, the engagement ring and wedding band are designed to pair up. Some brides are taking this a step further and adding more rings to the pile. Eternity rings or embellished bands add an extra style element and bling for glitz lovers. Pairing rings of different styles, like a vintage engagement ring with more contemporary cut embellished bands, is a playful way to create a dynamic and unique finish.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4dutVbpBoZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Image: Pexels

In Emotional

Widow honours late husband with annual photoshoot

November 6, 2019 No Comments

When we marry, its with the intention of being with someone forever. But for some, that forever is cut short at the blink of an eye. Such is the story of Vanessa Lanktree and her late husband and best friend, high school sweetheart Eric. Years after his passing, Vanessa honours her late husband in a touching annual photoshoot.

Canadians Vanessa and Eric met back in 2006 when they were still in high school. They fell in love, and in 2011, firefighter Eric proposed to Vanessa on Christmas Eve.

“He was my first boyfriend, my first love,” Vanessa told SWNS. “Our relationship through the years was so strong because it started so young. I had no doubt about our lives together.”

They married on September 8, 2012 in a beautiful church ceremony.

“As I walked down the aisle with my dad, Eric was bawling his eyes out,” she said. “I already knew I wanted to marry him but when I saw him crying, I thought how lucky I was.”

Two years after their wedding, however, tragedy struck. Eric was killed in a head-on collision with a truck in November 2014 while he was making his way home from a vacation in Vegas. He passed away soon after the impact, before Vanessa could even make it to the hospital.

“I felt like I was the only one at that age that had lost somebody that young like their husband,” she told CBC News. “Our lives had just started — it takes time to finally feel like you’re not in a cloud anymore.”

Years later, on the day after what would have been the couple’s four year anniversary, Vanessa suddenly decided to don her wedding dress again. In her dress, she danced around her kitchen to their wedding song, Keith Urban’s “Making Memories Of Us”. Putting her dress on again was a cathartic experience, one that soon became an annual tradition.

“It has felt so good to put my dress on,” Lanktree told CBC News. “I love putting it on and just felt good and I felt good in it that day and I still feel good.”

“Grief doesn’t go away but somehow you find little things to help you cope, like putting on your dress,” she said to SWNS. “Most people get to go out with their husband for supper or a date night on their anniversary, and this is my thing that I get to do without him.”

Putting her dress on became a symbol of an incredible relationship and marriage, and a way to honour their time together. Vanessa says that she will most likely do this yearly for the rest of her life.

She has since found love again and her boyfriend, Kurtis Isbister, is very supportive. This year, he took pictures of her in her wedding dress whilst in a sunflower field.

Vanessa hopes that this tradition inspires others to deal with their grief and live their life to the fullest.

“Eric would have wanted me to continue on with life and find some happiness somewhere,” Lanktree said. “The thing is to somehow find a way that you can honour that person. You can still find a little bit of happiness.”

Image: Vanessa Lanktree

In Advice

Art-deco inspired wedding decor

November 5, 2019 No Comments

Flappers, fringe and fancies, oh my. The 1920s characterised the Jazz Age, a time of lush decadence. Dubbed art-deco, this time period featured geometric shapes, mixed metallics and lots of glitz. Gatsby glamour at its finest.

As 2019 comes to a close, we are quickly approaching the new decade and will soon usher in the 2020s. Many 2020 weddings are predicted to take on a roaring 20’s theme in honour of the new decade. Here is how to do it right.

Invites:

Incorporate gold accents and geometric shapes for an invite Jay Gatsby would be proud of. Gold and royal blues are swell together and give a sleek yet decadent look perfect for the Jazz age.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4cPmXvgJel/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Venue:

A venue that features sharp angles and gold finishes will work best. A grand hall will give off the feeling of grandeur, which is exactly what you want.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B39pzH6nypp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Geometric backdrop:

This geometric backdrop perfectly nods to the angular lines of art deco.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3xJRh2j1Wy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Escort cards:

Guide your guests to their seats in style with these escort cards. White and gold is effortlessly chic and the simple lettering is a more modern take on art deco.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B316aJwl_1I/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Round tables:

Round tables were popular at 1920s soirée’s because they would circle the dance floor, which was the most important part of the venue. We love how this table is covered in a black glittery fabric that creates an understated opulence.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2OnlCpICrp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Gold touches:

Gold was a mainstay at 1920s parties, and your wedding should be no different. Encase candles in gold vases for a modern yet romantic finish. The table numbers below make a simple statement without competing with the other decor.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B27CF1nhCk-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Gold tableware:

Gold cutlery and guilded plating creates an opulent yet romantic look. Pair your cutlery with a simplistic menu to avoid overdoing your tableware.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4AU66LDuSw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Themed drinks:

The prohibition stopped nobody from drinking during 1920s America. Honour their love of alcohol by creating custom drinks featuring 1920s favourites like gin, bourbon and rum.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B21qKBfBVry/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Cake:

Black, white and gold are art-deco staples. Have your cake adorned with geometric shapes and different textures to create a dynamic finish. Gold pearls and white feathers accessorise this sweet treat perfectly.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Au0FGDsys/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Go for Gatsby:

The Great Gatsby is the most iconic text set in the roaring 20s. Make subtle hints to it with signage throughout your wedding venue.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Au8ptASrl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Image: Pixabay

In Accessories

How to incorporate black into your wedding

October 29, 2019 No Comments

Black is not just a colour for mourning. For decades, white has been synonymous with weddings for its symbolism of purity. White is traditionally expected. However, while many are afraid of including this dark-hued colour in weddings, black can actually bring much class and sophistication to your big day. Take a walk on the dark side and think of bringing this dark tone into your wedding.

Here are a few way to incorporate black into your wedding that won’t look morbid.

Invites:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtY7CIRB_VB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The order of events:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnHRHWTBl-C/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Your dress:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4BE3UaB4F0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

All-black suit:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwnb-VLlKmq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Your bouquet:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be5psRSDAKV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Wedding arch:

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByfsMh8Icvh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Black tables:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4BLZ5tApR3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Seating:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be6R4rajYub/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Candles:

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByOktlUglIF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Escort cards:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxkJWYlAPtJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Napkins:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2O0ueNhGmN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Plating:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1966ucD3FR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Your cake:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B36Z3gvFu53/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Image: Unsplash

In Engagements

Why we propose on bended knee

October 28, 2019 No Comments

You know the picture. The proposer suddenly lowers the knee to the ground, both hands clutching a tiny box. “Will you marry me?” they ask. It’s a picturesque moment, one we’ve seen reproduced time and time again. But why do we do it?

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4J3GIThdIr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

While proposing has actually been around for centuries, proposing on bended knee specifically has not always been the tradition. In the olden days, wedding engagements were seen more as business arrangements than the romantic, heartfelt scenes we know today.

Proposing on bended knee has no specific historical origin, and largely seems to be a more modern invention.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4GNc_mHnzg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Most reports link the tradition to practices observed during medieval times.

According to engagementringbible.com, the tradition “dates back to the days of knighthood, chivalry and formal courtship (i.e. medieval times and beyond).” In these days, knights would bend the knee in front of their lord as a sign of respect and loyalty. Courtly love was the formal practice of romance. Knights would perform various deeds of service to prove their love for certain women. They would also kneel before the women as a sign of servitude.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4J6NLtpVqh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Kneeling was and is a common occurrence across many religions. Much Christian iconography depict figures kneeling before their Lord as a symbol of service. For many entering their places of worship, they will kneel before the altar in a sign of love and reverence.

The argument goes that these two occurrences blended together and became a way for people to express their love, thus evolving into the modern day proposal. The bended knee became a symbolic way to prove your undying love and respect.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4J1MhtF38E/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Nowadays, of course, people are not so strict about upholding this tradition. Many propose without kneeling, and the amount of women proposing to men has largely risen. Whether you kneel or not, at the end of the day it is about what feels right for you and your partner.

Image: Unsplash

In Announcements

SA Interracial couple proposal goes viral

October 25, 2019 No Comments

This interracial South African couple’s proposal recently went viral on Youtube and the Facebook #ImStaying Group, proving that love should have no boundaries.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2rlKw-J8nK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

In a video posted to Youtube, Samuel Varrie proposes to his girlfriend of two years, Tshepiso Mathole. On their two year anniversary, Sam first had her read a flip book he made for her under the guise that it was just a gift. They then went to a beautiful park, where Sam proceeded to get down on one knee and propose. Since being posted a month ago, the video has racked up over 50 000 views.

Watch the cute video here:

The couple met in res at the University of Pretoria where they both studied. The pair were friends for two years but after they ran for chairperson and vice-chair of Tuks village, which they both got, the flame was ignited.

They fell in love quickly, and after two years of dating, they are ready to get married.

Sam spoke to Tshepi’s uncle beforehand to discuss all of the details because he wanted to follow customary law, but still wanted to keep everything a surprise. However, the uncle spilt the beans and told Tshepi that he met with Sam. According to Tshepi, nothing stays a secret in customary law.

Out of respect for Tshepiso’s culture, Sam decided to engage in lobola negotiations. In order to do things right according to her culture, Sam’s family had to write a letter to the Tshepi’s family in which they detail their intentions to enter into union as families. The full negotiations will begin in December 2019.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2roycnD4yf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

“I wanted to share with people the love that we have,” Sam explains to Jacaranda FM about why they posted the engagement video. “There is such a genuine thing that can be amazing if you just look past your race”.

Tshepiso says that although interracial relationships have become more normalised in society, they still get a lot of stares when they’re walking around. They’ve also experienced unsolicited comments when out in public.

Picture: Youtube

In News

The 60-year engagement

October 22, 2019 No Comments

An Australian couple tied the knot this weekend, 60 years after they first got engaged, proving that love never truly dies.

Tom Susans, 87, and Judith Beston, 80, first met in 1957 at a Brisbane-based teachers training college and within two years they became engaged. At the time, however, the marriage was not meant to be. In 1959, Tom started a teaching job in Beaudesert, Queensland while Judith moved back home to Redcliffe, Brisbane with the intention of them getting married and starting their life there. Her family, however, were not supportive of the engagement.

“I thought ‘this is good, I can get married here and Mum can help me a bit’, but at home it was really difficult,” Judith told ABC news.

“Mum didn’t want Tom involved; she thought he was much too old for me.”

Familial pressure turned out to be too much for Judith, causing her to move to New Zealand where she began teaching, got married and raised seven children.

“She just disappeared,” Tom said. “I didn’t know where she was; I couldn’t find her anywhere in Australia. I thought she was dead.”

Tom kept the engagement and wedding rings, placing it in a wooden cabinet for safe keeping, They would remain in this cabinet for 60 years.

Tom also moved on. He eventually moved back to central Queensland, married a fellow teacher, and raised four girls.

Despite moving on, however, Tom never lost hope that he and Judith would be reunited. He would search for her at every one of their University’s reunions, but she never attended them. He gave up, eventually, and stopped seeking her out. He was then surprised to find that she was at the 50 year reunion, and immediately called her.

The pair reunited in 2009 at another reunion, but despite keeping in touch through Christmas cards, their relationship did not progress.

It was only after Tom’s wife passed on, and Judith had been widowed for a long time, that they began to explore their relationship again.

“The chance of us meeting each other and the chances of us picking up where we left off — we seem to be pretty compatible,” said Judith.

In April 2019 the couple met up face-to-face and holidayed together in Queensland. It was here that Tom proposed again.

“When he asked me to marry him, I said yes straightaway,” said Judith. “Normally I have to think about things for a while and sometimes I think about it long enough for it not to happen.”

They finally married in an intimate ceremony in October 2019, where Tom was finally able to place the long-kept wedding ring on Judith’s finger.

“I thought after 60 years, it was about time she had it back — and it fitted,” said Tom.

Picture: ABC News

In Advice

Unique alternatives to the wedding getaway car

October 21, 2019 No Comments

Ribbons attached to front windows of cars typically show that a newly married couple is passing by on route to their reception. For those that want to have a little bit of fun with their wedding transport, there are a host of quirky and different ways to ride off into the sunset.

If cars are a bit too played out for you, consider these alternative modes of transport to exit your wedding in style.

Boat:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3wcp_uJisN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Carriage:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzz9eslIB2X/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Motorcycle:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B14HQ5WFRDa/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Horse:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3kv53UgkGB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Bus:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Box-Ps2hmRy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Bicycle:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYJ8ltMAbNN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Canoe:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BznA31uDV0a/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Tractor:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGaOmCRrK7V/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Taxi:

axi:

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByvDU_pIFZj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Picture: Unsplash

In News

The meaning behind ‘something old, new, borrowed and blue’

October 21, 2019 No Comments

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue”. This wedding charm is a tradition that has been followed many betrothed couples for decades. Brides traditionally incorporate this tradition into their bridal attire, wearing something old, new, borrowed, and blue, typically obtained from loved ones. But where does this tradition come from, and why do we still do it today?

The tradition began in the Victorian era as an English rhyme. Originally it went, “Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe”. The final part of the rhyme is typically a British custom only, and thus largely omitted from the saying.

Each object is meant to bring the couple good luck on their wedding day and encourage a successful marriage.

Something Old:

Brides were traditionally required to incorporate something old into their bridal attire to ward off evil. In the olden times, brides traditionally wore an undergarment of a woman that had already bore children as their something old. Doing this was meant to confuse the Evil Eye, who was said to cause infertility. Through this, the Evil Eye was tricked into thinking the bride was already fertile, thus leaving her alone.

However, the more favoured meaning is that of continuity. By incorporating something old, brides carry with them something sentimental from their past.

Typically, brides opt for heirlooms to represent their something old.

Something New:

As the betrothed begin their new life as a married couple, the something new acts as a symbol of optimism for the future.

This is the easiest and most straight-forward element to incorporate, as it can literally be anything. The easiest is to have jewellery or the wedding dress itself stand for the something new, as those will most likely be purchased brand new.

Something Borrowed:

Something borrowed works to bring the couple good luck on their wedding day and their marriage. Traditionally, couples are meant to borrow something from a close friend or relative that is already married and ideally has children. This way, the luck of the happily married person will rub off on the newlyweds, thus starting the marriage off on a positive note.

As with the something old, brides were encouraged to borrow the undergarments of a close relative or friend as a positive sign of fertility.

Nowadays, couples generally borrow things of significance from friends or family. Once again, it can be anything, from accessories to shoes.

Something Blue:

Blue is said to represent purity, love and fidelity, and as such has become a highly symbolic colour for weddings. It also has the bonus of warding off the Evil Eye, according to legend.

Traditionally, brides incorporated their something blue into their garters. However, today brides can use blue in any aspect of their wedding attire to get the same effect.

The “Sixpence in your shoe” part of the rhyme typically refers to British custom, in which a bride places a sixpence coin inside their shoe for good luck and prosperity.

Picture: Unsplash