wedding Archives | Page 17 of 17

In Accessories

Why brides wear wedding veils

October 11, 2019 No Comments

One of the most time-honoured traditions still in existence today is the wedding day. Traditional weddings include a host of specific customs that brides typically engage in, one of them being wearing a wedding veil.

For centuries, lovebirds and strangers have been getting hitched and brides donned the famous headwear. Widely considered just another fashion accessory on your big day, the wedding veil actually has an interesting history.

The history of the the wedding veil

The wedding veil is arguably the oldest part of the wedding ensemble. There is some contention over its specific history, but most wedding historians pinpoint ancient Greeks and Romans as the first people to wear the wedding veil. According to Julie Sabatino, expert bridal stylist and founder of the The Stylish Bride, brides of this time wore the wedding veil to disguise themselves from evil spirits aiming to spoil their joy. Some accounts show that veils were red in hue to symbolise the fire of the betrothed’s commitment as well as to ward off evil spirits.

Wedding historian Susan Waggoner speaks of the Christian symbolism of the veil, telling Brides.com that in ancient times, people “wrapped brides from head to toe to represent the delivery of a modest and untouched maiden.” These were also the days of arranged marriages, when a bride’s virginity was her most important marker. The veil thus became a way of representing modesty and purity. The veil also acted as a method of concealing the bride’s face to the groom to prevent him from getting cold feet and running away from the stranger he was about to marry.

In Judaism biblical times, the groom would place the veil on his bride as a symbol that he was marrying her for her inner beauty.

The 18th century saw the veil fall out of fashion as brides opted for caps, bonnets, tiaras, jewels, wreaths and other adornments. However, they came back in style when Queen Victoria donned a four yards (3,7m) by 0.75 yards (0.7m) wide veil during her wedding to Prince Albert on 10 February, 1840. Following her iconic wedding, the veil became a symbol for wealth, status and style. The length, weight and quality of the veil all spoke highly of the status of the bride. This is why royal brides traditionally wore the longest veils.

The wedding veil today

Today, the wedding veil is largely seen as an optional accessory. Many brides opt out of wearing wedding veils. Some consider it too traditional and unnecessary, others just don’t like the look. However, it is still quite popular and is largely used as another fashionable element to your Big Day. Many celebrity brides have famously donned the wedding veil, including Ciara, Princess Diana, Kim Kardashian and Duchess Meghan Markle.

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A post shared by ?Ти наречена??Тобі до нас? (@wed_org) on May 21, 2018 at 11:32am PDT

Picture: Unsplash

In Wedding Cakes

Alternative wedding cake ideas

October 11, 2019 No Comments

Slicing the wedding cake has become a time-honoured tradition for couples. It’s the moment all eyes are on these towered treats as the newlyweds share their first dessert as a married couple.

Of course, the traditional wedding cake will always be in style. Today, however, people are taking more risks when it comes to their wedding confectionary. From donuts to cheese wheels, there are so many alternative options to the traditional wedding cake.

Here are some alternative wedding cake ideas:

A cheese cake:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BznJKgjnW5f/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

A donut cake:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuT4z5nngAm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

An Oreo cake:

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

A macaron cake:

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

A cannoli cake:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1i9D7XHZCJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

A croquembouche:

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

A pancake cake:

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

A rice-krispie cake:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2t34SdFrp8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

A beignet tower:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2XCP09F_Qc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

A watermelon cake:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B01V_GEBqxs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

A meringue tower:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXhu4ZGgSaI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Themed cake pops:

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

Picture: Unsplash

In News

Superfans throw Monty Python-themed wedding

October 11, 2019 No Comments

A British couple took their love for Monty Python to the next level when they centred their wedding theme around the popular surrealist comedy group.

Superfans John Wood and Gemma Harris from West Sussex wanted their wedding to honour the 50 year anniversary of Monty Python’s Flying Circus’s first broadcast. The extravaganza took two years to plan and cost over £15,000.

They invited their guests with this unique save-the-date video. In a Facebook post, Harris wrote, “As well as a Monty Python theme, we also had ‘The Wood Party’ as a consistent thread throughout the process which was based on a real Monty Python ‘Wood Party’ sketch and also the ‘Silly Elections.’ This was our Save The Date video.”

Their wedding, held on October 5, 2019, featured numerous references to the popular show. Harris walked down the aisle to the Python theme song and fart noises in lieu of the wedding march, and a hand of God pointed to the couple throughout the ceremony. They even recreated the ‘Buying a Bed’ sketch at their ceremony.

“There was a 9ft parrot, a handmade albatross, all sorts of things. We commissioned artists to make some of the props, but most things we did ourselves,” says Wood.

“Instead of saying ‘I do’, I said ‘perhaps’, to which Gemma replied: ‘Oh, say you do!’ To which I replied: ‘Oh, all right then.’”

As a starter, they served guests salmon mousse, which Wood explains to BBC was “a reference to the salmon mousse which kills everybody at the end of ‘The Meaning of Life.'”

The main course featured spam in reference to another popular sketch. Instead of cutting the cake, they smashed it with a prosthetic foot.

Carol Cleveland, an actress well known for her work with Monty Python, even made an appearance at the wedding.

The British surrealist group entertained viewers with their Monty Python’s Flying Circus TV show from 1969 to 1974, as well as several movies. Members of the group included John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman, and Michael Palin.

Monty Python is incredibly important to Wood, who was once married to a woman that did not like the show.

“The way I look at the world, everything reminds me of it,” he told The Guardian UK. “I wanted a woman who likes and understands Monty Python. It was the most important thing in my search for a new partner.”

He took his search very seriously, even setting up a Monty Python themed Facebook group called Pythonesque Dating to help Python-heads find love with each other. It was here that he met his future wife, Gemma Harris.

The couple became engaged in front of Monty Python stars Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam at a fundraising event in London.

Picture: Facebook/Gemma Wood

In Competitions

WIN: One of two Mangwanani Spa vouchers worth R1200 each! (closed)

October 10, 2019 No Comments

Planning a wedding can be stressful. Everyone needs to be treated once in a while, and now is the perfect time. Here is your chance to win some well-deserved me-time with Mangwanani Boutique Spa.

From massages to facials, indulge your senses at this premier South African Spa.

Prize details: Two lucky people will each win a Mangwanani Boutique Spa voucher to the value of R1 200.

Our winners:

Jenny Hannington and Ipeleng Mokoka.

How to enter: Fill in the form below.

Competition ends: 18 October 2019

Competition Ts & Cs:
– The winners will be announced on October 18, 2019.

– Does not include transport
– Winners will be contacted via details entered on the form
– Prizes are not refundable and cannot be exchanged for money

– Subject to availability

Picture: Pixabay

In Advice

50 romantic wedding first-dance songs

October 10, 2019 No Comments

Every wedding needs a first-dance song. Music inspires and moves us every day, and your wedding should be no different.

Regardless of your wedding style, we’ve got some romantic melodies to get you in the mood for love. Here are 50 romantic first-dance songs, or just songs to add to your wedding playlist.

Your Song – Elton John
(Everything I Do) I Do For You – Bryan Adams
Best Part – Daniel Caesar

(They Long to be) Close to You – The Carpenters
Teen Heat – Kimbra
Dangerously in Love – Destiny’s Child
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
You’re Still the One – Shania Twain
Come What May – Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge soundtrack)

Songbird – Eva Cassidy
Honey – Kehlani
Differences – Genuwine
Make You Feel My Love – Adele
How long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
While We’re Young – Jhené Aiko

You Give Me Something – James Morrison
You Make Me Feel Like Dancing – Leo Sayer
Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
I.F.L.Y – Bazzi
When We Were Young – Adele
Love on Top – Beyoncé
You Make My Dreams – Hall & Oats
Be my Baby – The Ronettes
If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
Adorn – Miguel

Have I Told You Lately – Van Morrison
Shut Up and Dance – Walk The Moon
Teenage Dream – Katy Perry
Always Be My Baby – Mariah Carey
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz

When a Man Loves a Woman – Percy Sledge
Up Where We Belong – Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warner
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
A Thousand Years – Christina Perry
Like I’m Gonna Lose You – Meghan Trainor feat. John Legend
All of Me – John Legend
Love Someone – Lukas Graham
Always Remember Us This Way – Lady Gaga

Ho Hey – The Lumineers
All My Life – K-Ci & JoJo
Kiss Me – Sixpence None The Richer
I Like Me Better – Lauv
Beyond – Leon Bridges

Waiting for a Girl Like You – Foreigner
We Belong – Pat Benatar
Sucker – The Jonas Brothers
Stuck On You – Lionel Richie
I Don’t Care – Ed Sheeran feat. Justin Bieber
Speechless – Dan + Shay
Better – Khalid

Image: Pixabay

In News

5 very unusual weddings from around the world

October 9, 2019 No Comments

On a couple’s wedding, they should be able to do what makes them happy. Even if the guests have to shut their eyes or bite their tongues. Call it weird or call it wonderful, these weddings certainly were unusual.

1: If you’ve got, flaunt it

Ellie Barton and Phil Hendicott decided to spend their wedding dressed to the nines. Or should we say undressed? The pair of exhibitionist Aussies exchanged vows in front of 250 guests wearing nothing more than their wedding rings – and a bouquet of strategically-placed roses. The bride, not sacrificing style for freedom, wore a long white wedding veil. And the groom, well, a black top hat, but not where hats usually go.

2: Dive in head first

Some might think tying the knot will be enough of a rush on it’s own, but these adrenalin junkies tied it quite literally. Jeroen and Sandra Kippers of Brussels, Belgium, were lifted on a platform about 48m feet in the air for their wedding ceremony. They were joined by the officiant and about 20 guests. Another platform held the musicians. After the vows, they made it official by bungee-jumping over the side!

3: After death do us part

A heartbroken woman decided to “marry” her murdered fiancé in a hospital morgue. Kevin Lavelle, 29, was tragically murdered before his wedding could take place. Michelle Thomas organised a “wedding” in the morgue of Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital in England, where Kevin lay. In front of an open coffin, the priest blessed the wedding rings that Michelle had bought specially for the service. Now that’s commitment.

4: You take my breath away

Underwater weddings seem to have become a trend and many couples are trading in the aisle for the seabed. If that’s still not adventurous enough for you, there are even shark diving packages that invite some predatory guests to the ceremony. You do have to be a certified scuba diver, obviously. Just don’t get thrown in the deep end!

5: You sweep me off my feet

You won’t have to worry about your weight at this one. And if it feels like you’re floating, you probably are. Noah Fulmor and Erin Finnegan became the first couple to be wed in microgravity over the skies of south Florida. They said “I do” aboard G-Force One, a modified 727 similar to the Air Force’s “Vomit Comet” which can provide periods of weightlessness lasting several minutes via a parabolic flight path. It’s operated by Zero Gravity Corp., the first and only company cleared by the FAA to offer simulated-weightlessness flights to the general public.

Featured Image: Popular Science

In Advice

Which engagement ring style is right for you?

October 9, 2019 No Comments

As the first step in your wedding journey, your engagement is of paramount importance. Before you can plan anything, you have to secure an engagement ring. As jewellery that will (hopefully) be on your partner’s ring finger forever, the engagement ring needs to speak to them as a person.

That said, there are so many ring options to choose from. Princess cut, oval, cushion-cut, carats – it all becomes a blur. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with all the jargon being thrown at you.

Take a breath, and check out our quick guide to engagement ring styles.

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A post shared by kasia jewelry (@kasiajewelry) on Oct 7, 2019 at 5:27pm PDT

The four C’s:

The four C’s of diamond grading are universally used to describe the quality of diamonds. They refer to:

Cut – the shape of the diamond

Colour – the shade of the diamond

Carat – the weight of the diamond.

Clarity – the quality of the diamonds, specifically the internal appearance of the diamond and surface defects.

Cut:

The cut of your engagement ring refers to the shape of the diamond. There are seven main diamond cuts:

Round: This cut is a more classic, timeless style. It is best suited for someone who wants a traditional finish.

Princess: This cut is square in shape with four bevelled sides that creates an upside-down pyramid shape connecting to the band. It is glamorous and modern, yet utterly romantic.

Emerald: This cut details an elongated rectangular cut and step-cut faceting. It is sophisticated and eye-catching, for the glamorous bride.

Oval: The oval cut ring perfectly accentuates long, slender fingers, and is both trendy yet classic.

Cushion: Also referred to as a pillow-cut, the cushion cut ring features four square-rectangular sides with curved corners and multiple facets. It is feminine and trendy.

Pear: This teardrop-shaped diamond cut is quite unique. It beautifully elongates the fingers and is often the ring for the more adventurous bride.

Marquise: This cut is a more pronounced oval shape, featuring two pointed ends that create a boat hull-esque shape. This cut is for the daring, less traditional bride.

Metals:

The metal chosen often depends on the jewellery your partners often wears and their skin tone. Cooler skin tones are encouraged to wear metals such as platinum, silver, and white gold. Warmer toned skin tones are most suited for yellow-gold and rose-gold metals. But again, there are no rules!

Image: Unsplash

In Wedding Cakes

Expectation vs reality – wedding cake fails

October 9, 2019 No Comments

The wedding cake is the cherry on top of a beautiful day. Who doesn’t love to share a sweet treat with loved ones? Over the years, cake decorators have been wowing us with their incredible creations and taking the art of the wedding cake to new levels.

Unfortunately, however, we cannot all be cake extraordinaires. Sometimes, people get it wrong. Here are some of the most…unique wedding cake fails.

The Bubble Blunder

The Drip Disaster

The Tiffany’s Terror

The Gradient Gremlin

The Floral Fright

The Weedy Wonder

The Misspelt Malice

The Peacock Perplexity

The Layered Lump

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

How do you know when you are ready for marriage?

July 30, 2019 No Comments

Deciding who to spend forever with is a life-changing decision. We spoke to Cape Town-based life coach, Helen Searra, on how to determine whether you are ready for marriage or not.

“There are a number of signs that indicate when we are ready for marriage, starting with our circle of close friends. For instance, when our friends take their romantic relationship to a more serious and committed level, like getting engaged. This thought of following suit may become more apparent, where it may have only been a subconscious idea beforehand,” said Searra.

She continued, “when we can’t imagine our lives without our partner, we identify them as our soulmate and are drawn to creating our own sanctuary to share with them. This is a sign.”

“When speaking to each other about long-term plans and believing that one can be in a relationship with one’s partner forever. Knowing that one wants to be married rather than just the idea of having a wedding day. These are all tell-tale signs,” explained Searra.

“When we have ticked off the things on our bucket list of a single life and are confident the rest of our bucket list would include our partner or bring no harm to the relationship.”

“When our family and friends love our partner and we have discussed our different family types, belief systems and cultural differences and begin designing our own set of rules, as two separate individuals being on the same page. When we reach a certain emotional and spiritual maturity, both having a voice, and are able to find our way back to each other after a disagreement. These are all indicators that one is ready for marriage,” concluded Searra.

Helen Searra is a Cape Town-based life coach. She has been practicing for 10 years in her field. She offers individual counselling sessions and couples counselling both in person or remotely over Skype. She offers package deals of either 4, 6 or 8 sessions. To enquire for a rates card, contact Helen at [email protected].

Image: Unsplash