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    I’m sure we’ve all had a moment where we’ve sniggered at the fact that our friend got a matching tattoo with their significant other. Opinions on getting matching couple tattoos have the ability to divide a room, but no matter you’re thoughts, these inked memories have gained notoriety in recent years thanks to celebrities such as Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner.

    Along with popularity, getting matching tattoos can be a great way to creatively express a lifetime commitment. So, before you say “I do”, here are a few matching tattoos to get – all in the name of love.

    Coordinates 

    Coordinates all the way to your heart, maybe? In this case, you and your SO could get matching coordinates that lead all the way to where you first met. It’s a beautiful sentiment that you’ll never get tired of looking at.

     

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    Self-Portrait

    Not everyone will be keen on getting their bride or groom’s face inked on their body but for those brave enough, it can be a great way to skip the cheesy quotes. Sticking to a minimalist design may help you to feel a bit braver, especially with this line tattoo.

     

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    Beyond Time and Space

    The great thing about matching tattoos is the fact that they don’t actually have to be matching. Grab a design that complements each other, similar to this spaceship and solar system tattoos.

    Always 

    “Always” is a word you’ve probably uttered as you’ve gazed into your significant other’s eyes. There’s nothing simpler than a scripted tattoo, and it’s less painful too – bonus!

    Handwritten Love Note

    Is there anything more romantic than a handwritten love note? Take it a step further and get your SO’s tattooed onto your skin, it can be a wonderful message that carries a deeper meaning.

     

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    A post shared by Carla R. (@circatattoo)

    A Memorable Date  

    You’ll probably never forget the day that you tied the knot, but to commemorate the occasion, why not add the date so that you know neither of you will ever forget.

     

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    Feature Image: Melissa Marshall  

    As sustainability seeps into the collective consciousness, more-and-more brides are researching how to achieve the quintessential ‘sustainable wedding,’ turning to vendors, services, and products that help them achieve this.

    Jewellery is one way the modern eco-conscious bride is doing some good. From ethically sourced rings to fair trade necklaces, here are a few incredible jewellery brands that are sustainable AND African.

    AuTerra Jewellery 

    AuTerra is a Cape Town-based brand led by designer and maker, Ashley. It’s a remarkable, innovative brand that collects discarded electronic products and recycles them into jewellery. The aesthetics of the handcrafted pieces transcend trends and the contemporary designs are simplistic and minimal. The brand believes in creating pieces that can be passed down from generation to generation in the hopes of persevering quality craftsmanship.

    KiiRA African Fine Jewellery

    Each gemstone is individually selected, ensuring that no two pieces are the same. Along with offering vibrant and minimalist designs, each piece is ethically sourced and handcrafted to perfection in South Africa. The brand also offers custom designs for brides looking for something extra special.

    Black Betty 

    Bespoke jewellery pieces are only a click away. From gemstone-infused tiger necklaces to gorgeous pearl earrings and engagement rings, Black Betty Designs is a great place for those looking for pieces that will ‘wow.’ Based in Cape Town, this sustainable jewellery brand ships throughout South Africa.

    Yala Jewellery 

     

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    This Kenyan-based jewellery brand provides pieces with a purpose, ensuring that each one of its designs has a positive impact.  What’s more, they offer beautiful modern designs that perfectly reflect the beauty of Africa. From Sagana brass nugget necklaces to hammered brass bracelets – there’s plenty to choose from.

    Dear Rae

     

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    A post shared by Dear Rae Jewellery (@dearrae)

    Dear Rae is the brainchild of fine arts graduate Karin Rae Matthees. The brand uses local materials and manufacturers to create unique pieces. Dear Rae design aesthetics can be described as classically minimal pieces that you can wear for the rest of your life. Karin’s brand adheres to the Kimberly process as well, and sources local manufacturers for production, ensuring each step of the manufacturing process is completely transparent.

    Feature Image: Kiira African Fine Jewellery

    Similar to Lady Whistledown’s society papers, Bridgerton is all anyone has time to talk about these days. The Netflix period drama has spawned a plethora of Regencycore-inspired home decor and fashion pieces and has gone on to take over the world of weddings too.

    Pinterest, the one-stop for all things wedding inspo, has been dishing the dirt on what brides-to-be have been searching on the platform, and it looks like Bridgerton-inspired bridal showers are all the rage right now.

    If your very own ‘Simon’ has gone down on one knee, you may be thinking about your bridal shower. With so many wonderful ways to incorporate the Bridgerton theme into your bridal shower, here are a few of our favourites:

    A Tea Party Worthy of The Queen

    Is there anything more regal than a sophisticated tea party? According to Pinterest, search terms have soared in relation to tea parties as a Bridgerton bridal shower idea. Grab your most sophisticated tea cups, three-tier platters, colourful macarons, florals, and a variety of tea flavours to sample. Make things extra special by creating a Bridgerton-inspired cup/mug for your bridal crew to take home with them, PostNet can be a good spot to do this.

    Bridgerton-themed bridal shower
    Picture: Pinterest

    Pearl Decor

    Another aesthetic that ties in nicely with the Recencycore aesthetic, and which has been making waves on Pinterest, is pearl decor. Keep things simple by including pearls in your bridal shower through pearl hair clips, or pearl garland decor.

    Bridgerton-themed bridal shower
    Picture: Pinterest

    Puff Sleeves? 

    Take things up a notch and really get into the theme by incorporating puff sleeves. You can keep things subtle by simply asking guests to wear puffed blouses or dresses – a great way to add a modern twist to your period-themed bridal shower.

    Picture: Superbalist

    ‘Bridgerton’ Inspired Hairstyles 

    No theme is complete without the quintessential hairstyle. Plenty of curls, puffy hair, and pearl hair clips seem to be theme when it comes to hairstyles associated with the regencycore aesthetic. If you’re feeling brave, go for something as daring as Queen Charlotte’s puffy hair-do or Daphne’s long flowing curls.

    An abundance of floral 

    One thing that stands out when you watch the Bridgerton series is the bold colours, especially when it comes to floral. Now, adding flowers to any event can be quite pricey, so set a budget and stick to it. Grab a few of your favourite vases and add colourful roses (or your favourite bouquet of flowers) across the table. If you’re looking to keep things affordable and sustainable, try dried bouquets. You’ll be able to reuse it at your wedding ceremony.

    Bridgerton themed bridal shower
    Picture: Pinterest

    Picture: Netflix

    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

    We love a good Pinterest search, especially when it comes to finding much-needed wedding inspiration. 

    Did we mention how stressful wedding planning can be? 

    Thankfully, this online moldboard has been with us every step of the way and has been a favourite amongst brides-to-be as they pin away and plan their weddings. 

    While we would like to think that we’re still in the age where millennials are getting hitched, the social media platform has swooped in to burst our bubble, revealing that Gen Zers are pinning away as they plan their impending nuptials. 

    A burst of fresh air is what this generation is looking for as they ditch stuffy traditions and do it their own way. 

    “This year, Pinners are planning for the big wedding celebrations after postponements. We are seeing larger weddings come back and a movement away from minimalism,” says Swasti Sarna, Senior Insights Manager at Pinterest. 

    “We are also seeing rising searches for Pinners wanting to connect back to their roots by celebrating their unique cultural traditions, with 45% of the top wedding trends related to different cultures.”

    So, just what are bridal couples searching for? From Bridgerton themes to sustainable weddings, here are a few of the wedding trends for 2022, according to Pinterest.

    The Dark Side of Life 

    Traditionally, brides have always worn white, but the latest trends from Pinterest reveal that brides-to-be are stepping away from this and opting for something completely different. “Black dress wedding party,” “black boho wedding dress” ( 4X), and “black wedding cakes” (+94%) are a few search terms that have been trending as “dark wedding ideas” becomes a popular search term on the platform.

    Picture: Pinterest

    Pearls are a girl’s best friend 

    Move over diamonds because there’s a new sheriff in town. From engagement rings to “pearl cake,” the rise of the pearl is something that Pinterest predicted back in December 2021. They were certainly right on the mark as bridal couples opt for the non-traditional. Search terms such as  “pearl wedding dress,” “Pearl wedding” and “Pearlcore” are just a few trends that are here to stay in 2022.

    Picture: Pinterest

    Back into nature

    More specifically, the forest. Brides and grooms are really looking to make their wedding day a fairy tale event with search terms like “woodland fairy wedding,” “enchanted forest wedding dress,” and “forest wedding ceremony” being big trends. This is no surprise as forest wedding venues can offer couples a magical setting. Throw in earthy tones for suits and bohemian style dresses and flowy veils, and you have a wedding ceremony fit for a Disney princess and prince.

    Picture: Pinterest

    The Bridgerton Effect

    The Netflix has been making waves in more ways than one. The opulent Regency Era has grabbed almost every bridal couple’s attention with search terms such as “‘Bridgerton’ bridal shower ideas,” and “‘Bridgerton’ wedding” being the top terms that bride- and grooms-to-be are searching for.

    Picture: Pinterest

    Sustainable Weddings 

    It’s cool to care for the environment and eco-conscious couples are taking a stand with their sustainable wedding. Paying special attention to how we affect the environment has slowly become a top priority for many people, so it comes as no surprise that sustainable weddings are on the rise. From food to decorations, “eco-friendly wedding ideas,” “thrifted wedding decor” and “reuse wedding dress ideas” are some of the top search terms.

    Picture: Pinterest

    Feature image: Pinterest

    Ryan Reynolds may be married to Blake Lively, but he’s the internet’s husband now. The Marvel actor has left women around the internet swooning after his adorable reaction to Blake’s colour-changing Versace dress.

    And deservedly so. The dress is a beautiful ode to the Statue of Liberty and the theme for the Gala titled: “Guilded Glamour.”

    The dress is perfect, mesmerising, beautiful, and a shiny example of glamour:

    The pictures of the dress “changing colour” is equally as beautiful, it’s hard not to see why anyone would have an awe-inspiring reaction:

    While it would’ve been incredible to see a dress changing colour before our  eyes, it was actually a top layer that was expertly removed by a crew of handy individuals half way up the stairs.

    Here’s a peek at the stunning reveal:

    And here’s a peek at Ryan’s adorable reaction:

    Talk about a fashion moment. We love a husband that supports his wife in all things!

    Feature Image: Met Gala 2022 Twitter

    Celebrations are best enjoyed with a glass of bubbly… Or in this case, a black salt pineapple cocktail or a citrus whisky tonic.

    Oh yes, let the party begin! Here are a few of our favourite wedding cocktail recipes to add to any party:

    Vodka + pineapple cocktail with black salt rim

    Tropical flavours are such a popular trend right now – we’ve glammed this up with the dark and mysterious black salt. The pineapple, paired with the mineral undertones of the black salt creates a deliciously refreshing drink. 

    Makes: 6 | Difficulty: Easy

    Ingredients: 

    • 6 cups pineapple juice and extra for dipping
    • 300ml Anestasia Vodka
    • 12 blocks ice
    • 12 tsp black salt

    To serve: 

    • 6 large slices of pineapple

    Method:

    1. Combine pineapple juice, vodka and ice in a cocktail shaker or large jug. Stir and leave to chill while you prepare the glasses.
    2. Dip the rim of each glass in a saucer filled with some pineapple juice.
    3. Then dip the rims in another saucer with the black salt. Roll the rims in the salt so that they are well coated.
    4. Once the glasses are ready, pour the prepared cocktail into the glasses and add a pinch of black salt to each one.
    5. Serve each with a large slice of pineapple.

    Spumanté + Pomegranate Cocktail 

    What is Spurmanté, you’re wondering? It is a lovely, slightly sweet wine, with a fruity and floral undertone – and a lively spark! Paired with the sharp flavour of the pomegranate juice, this is a balanced and invigorating cocktail. 

    Makes: 6 | Difficulty: Easy

    Ingredients: 

    • 1 bottle Ovation Spurmanté, chilled.
    • 6 tsp honey
    • 2 pomegranates thinly sliced
    • 1/2 cup pomegranate juice

    Method: 

    1. Divide the Spurmanté between 6 glasses, and add 1 tsp of honey per glass. Stir.
    2. Garnish the edge of the glass with a thin slice of pomegranate.
    3. Just before serving, pour a small amount of pomegranate juice into each drink.
    4. Serve chilled.

    Honey Bubbles

    This trend is new to SA but really ancient. Mead is a wine made from fermented honey, creating a distinct flavour like nothing you know.

    Makes: 5 | Difficulty: Easy

    Ingredients: 

    • 1 bottle Melaurea Mead Methodé Traditionelle, chilled.
    • To serve – six small pieces of honeycomb.

    Method: 

    1. Divide the Melaurea mead between 5 glasses.
    2. Garnish the side of each glass with a smaller piece of honeycomb.

    Berry + Lime Gin With Cashew Snack Basket

    The small snack basket in the cocktail is a fun way to keep your guests satisfied while you’re busy getting your photos taken. And the best part? You can add any snacks you like!

    Makes: 4 | Difficulty: Easy

    Ingredients: 

    • 300ml Flowstone Bushwillow Gin
    • 4 cups strawberry juice
    • 6 cups crushed ice
    • 1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries
    • 3 limes, halved and flesh removed
    • 1 1/2 cup raw cashews

    Method: 

    1. Combine the gin and strawberry juice, stirring well.
    2. Fill 4 glasses with crushed ice and place a few fresh raspberries in each glass.
    3. Pour the cocktail over the crushed ice.
    4. To garnish, settle the halved lime into the crushed ice and fill with a quarter cup of cashews. Serve immediately.

    Citrus Whisky Tonic

    Use any citrus juice you fancy for this drink – it really depends on how sweet or sour you like it. For a sparkling and glamourous finish, add a small pinch of edible gold glitter to the glasses. 

    Makes: 6 | Difficulty: Easy

    Ingredients: 

    • 24 blocks ice
    • 300ml American Barrels Bourbon Whiskey
    • 4 cups tonic
    • 1 tbsp citrus juice (orange, grapefruit or lemon juice)
    • 6 small pinches of edible glitter (to serve)

    Method: 

    1. Divide the ice between 6 glasses, and tip up a double shot of bourbon in each glass.
    2. Finish the cocktail by filling each glass with tonic, and stir in a tablespoon of the citrus juice.
    3. Serve immediately.

    Read Also: Modern Romance: Dreamy make-up trends that we love

    There’s something truly special about an unabashedly feminine look on your wedding day. Take a cue from these timeless hair and make-up trends for that quintessential dreamy look.

    Twiggy Lashes 

    To create this doe-eyed look, focus on defining both top and bottom lash lines by loading your lashes with mascara. Fill in any gaps and add volume with individual lashes.

    wedding make-up trends

    Red Velvet 

    There is a reason red is the colour of love, and when it comes to wearing it, it’s all about choosing the perfect texture. Not as shiny as creamy lipstick, but not as dry as a matte version, a velvet lip is a beautiful in-between texture that is extremely wearable with a decadent edge.

    wedding make-up trends
    Picture: Pinterest

    Wing It

    When it comes to wearing winged eyeliner, the most important thing to keep in mind is your eye shape and what suits you best. The win should lift your outer eye corner, creating a flattering feline shape.

    wedding make-up trends
    Picture: Pinterest

    Glass Skin 

    No obvious sparkly highlighter here, this is more of an overall ‘lit from within’ glow. Start with good skincare leading up to your big day, making exfoliation and hydration your focus.

    wedding make-up trends
    Picture: Pinterest

    Glitter Goddess

    Glitter is one of the biggest trends in make-up right now, appearing everywhere from the runways to the red carpet. It adds that extra glamour to your look when dabbed over cream-textured shadow.

    wedding make-up trends
    Picture: Pinterest

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

     

    If you’ve just made it past the potential minefield that is the guest list, here’s your next challenge: How are you going to seat everyone? Round tables? Long ones? One long banquet table? Goodness.

    If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

    Get down and boogie: 

    While your nuptials are all about sharing the love, it’s the dance floor that will have your guests remember your big day. Having said that, this is an excellent starting point. The most popular – and effective – option is to plonk your dance floor in the centre of the room. Then you’ll position the band or DJ against the wall. Of course, there are a whole host of ideas that will have your guests dancing until their feet hurt, and if your venue doesn’t allow for this, you can place the dance floor at one end of the room, centred and backed up against a wall.

    dance floor wedding
    Picture: Pinterest

    It’s all about the size: 

    Long or round – choose the shape and size of your tables, but beyond this, make sure that the two of you are in the central spot so that your guests can see you in all your glory. A great place to start is to figure out how many guests fit at each table, this will allow you to figure out how many tables you will need.

    What’s the plan – the floor plan that is: 

    We may think that the dance floor is the most important aspect of the wedding celebration, nothing is possible without creating a floor plan that the two of you are happy with. Start with the two most important people – you and your partner as you need to have the best seats and view in the house. Arrange your tables as symmetrically as possible – in a U-shape around the centred dance floor or fill one end of the space (if the dance floor is on the one side).

    Here’s a little example

    Don’t forget the VIPs

    Reserve the tables closest to the two of you for your immediate families, and set aside tables further from the band/DJ for the older guests. The less desirable seats should be saved for your friends. Keep people together who will enjoy the time together – perhaps there are family members who haven’t seen each other in a while?

    The bar area

    This will also be dependent on your venue, but as a rule of thumb, the bar should be away from the entrance to avoid possible congestion. If you have more than one bar (one bar with two bartenders for every 100 guests is a good point of measure), then position one close to the dance floor and another one on the other side of the room.

    But, how will your guests know

    It’s time to dab the sweat that’s been dripping from your forehead and let a little stress go because we have something else on the agenda. How will you let guests know where to sit on the day? Whether you have 150 or 20 guests, displaying their names in alphabetical order is the most convenient option, to eliminate confusion and unnecessary time spent hovering around the seating chart. To make it more exciting, give each guest a refreshing cocktail or glass of bubbly along with their table number – it really sets the tone for a festive reception! Why not go a step further and add a signature cocktail to your wedding reception – here are a few ideas.

    Picture: Pinterest

    Feature Image: Grace Charlotte

    There are some brides that simply know what they want their wedding dress to look like. However, there are a few brides-to-be who need a little nudge towards inspiration, and there’s nothing more inspiring than the latest wedding gowns from Bridal Fashion Week. 

    The crème de la crème of the fashion world came together to grace us with the most fabulous and on-trend designs – the perfect way to find inspiration for your upcoming nuptials. 

    Here are a few of our favourite designs from Bridal Fashion Week’s Spring Collection:

    Anne Barge 

    Bridal Fashion Week

    Bridal Fashion Week

    Mira Zwillinger

    Bridal Fashion Week

    Zuhair Murad

    Bridal Fashion Week

    Bridal Fashion Week

    Ines Di Santo 

    Bridal Fashion Week

    Reem Acra 

    Bridal Fashion Week

    Galia Lahav

    Bridal Fashion Week

    Bridal Fashion Week

    Savannah Miller

    Bridal Fashion Week

    Galvan Bridal 

    Halfpenny London

    Bridal Fashion Week

    Bridal Fashion Week

    Elie Saab

    Bridal Fashion Week

    Bridal Fashion Week

    Monique Lhuillier

    Feature Image: Monique Lhuillier