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    Every bride and groom attempts to make their wedding day as dreamy as possible. Unfortunately, going all out by having the biggest cake and wedding venue can sometimes feel as though it’s costing you an arm and a leg.

    If you’re looking to save money but don’t know where to cut costs, here are a few genius ideas:

    One-tiered wedding cakes are the way to go

    Picture: Maggie Austin Cakes

    When it comes to cake, bigger isn’t always better. More and more couples are ditching the extravagant three-tiered wedding cakes for something simpler. One-tiered desserts can be just as breathing-taking as their bigger counterparts and a smaller display can always be made a bit more eye-catching with a dessert bar.

    Who needs a centrepiece?

    Picture: Michelle Boyd Photography

    No really… who does? Ditch the massive centrepieces and opt for something more demure… budget-friendly bud holders. Make it extra special by choosing a flower that has a special meaning; perhaps the romantic rose or beautiful tulip? No matter which flowers you choose to display, slim bud holders will make this a lot more affordable.

    Get fruity…

    Picture: Pinterest

    If bud holders are just too simple for you, go all out by taking the organic approach. Grab lemons, apples, oranges, or your favourite fruit, and sprinkle them with flower petals. Take things up a notch by adding gold fruit!

    Opt for an elegant buffet

    Picture: Pinterest

    We’ve never heard anyone complain when presented with a delicious and abundant buffet. Opting for a wedding buffet to keep your guests satisfied could help you save money in the long run, including staffing costs.

    Take a chance on photography talent

    Picture: Pinterest

    It’s no secret that wedding photographers can be quite pricey, especially those that have established themselves. A great way to save on costs is to seek out a photographer that’s talented but trying to make a name for themselves. Who knows? You may have the next Annie Leibovitz photographing your wedding.

    Invest in a wedding website

    Picture: Pinterest

    This is a cute and paperless way to let guests know they’re invited to your upcoming nuptials! It’s also a great way to save money with a wedding website costing R1000 – depending on who you choose to create your website. Provide guests with all relevant information in one place, including, wedding details, rehearsal details and RSVP options.

    No need for top-shelf liquor 

    While there’s nothing with wanting to serve your guests the best liquor out there, sometimes it helps to cut down on costs by cutting down on brand names. Do your guests really need Johnnie Walker Gold.

    Feature Image: Jana Williams Photography

    By now you’ve probably heard, seen, and drooled over Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s stunning wedding pictures. 

    But while many of us thought we’d have to wait weeks for details from their impromptu Vegas wedding to emerge, JLo has blessed us with a few more details from her big day, which has, literally, been decades in the making. 

    The Marry Me star revealed she wore two wedding dresses in her On the JLo newsletter, including one she saved for years for the occasion.

    “I’ve had this dress for so many years, and I’ve just been saving it, saving it, saving it, and now I’m wearing it on my wedding day,” she said.

    Lopez and Affleck married in Las Vegas over the weekend, with the couple grabbing their wedding attire straight from their own closets.

    Reps for Alexander McQueen confirmed that JLo rocked one of the label’s pieces – a gorgeous sleeveless textured gown. 

    Credit: Bergdorf Goodman

    The dress features a textured floral jacquard gown, jewel neckline, a fitted bodice and is a polyamide/silk fabric. 

    But while the superstar looked absolutely stunning, it’s the significance behind the dress that truly has our inner-romantics screaming with joy.

    According to Harper’s Bazaar, JLo donned the dreamy dress on the poster for Jersey Girl, a film that featured the actress and her now-husband, Affleck. 

    Credit: On the JLo

    Her second dress was a lace piece from renowned designer, Zuhair Murad Couture and is reportedly from the fashion house’s 2023 bridal couture line. 

    Credit: Arabia Weddings / Instagram

    Here’s a look at JLo before she said “I do” 

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Chris Appleton (@chrisappleton1)

    Feature Image: On the JLo

    There are plenty of things couples worry will spoil their wedding day. Uncooperative weather, a guest who enjoys the bar tab a little too much, or worst of all – another couple getting engaged on the same day.

    However, while most of these worries never come to be, sometimes an unexpected spoil emerges thanks to a wedding grinch.

    Such was the case for an American couple. Taking to TikTok, bride Brandy told the story with footage of her husband, Billy, who began acting strangely and couldn’t even say his vows coherently.

    It turned out that the groom’s drink had been spiked, causing massive discomfort, confusion and an unhealthy racing heart for him. Brandy claims that he was spiked with crushed Adderal.

    His symptoms included sweating, being red in the face, emotional ups and downs and being unable to form words as well as anger, confusion and memory loss according to Brandy. She says that he was drug tested and that this kind of thing happens at weddings so that people can have more duration to party longer.

    The video quickly went viral (reaching almost 1 million views) on the video-sharing app, and soon TikTok users were ready to fight the culprit. Brandy had shared the video with the intention to help prevent the same thing from happening to anyone else.

    “Our poor kids were traumatized by the experience. Billy doesn’t remember anything after I walked down,” said Brandy.

    In the comments, many people demanded that the couple have a redo, with some wondering whether the newly-weds could sue for the entire wedding cost. Others suggested that they renew their wedding vows the following year, so that Billy could remember the special day – with the costs coming out of the culprit’s pocket.

    Picture: Screenshot from video/@brandy_billy

    Food has always had a way of lifting spirits and bringing people together, especially one of Italy’s most popular exports – pizza.

    Pizza is such an integral part of one bride’s daily life, that she’s even entered into a quirky little contract with her groom.The newlyweds have gone viral for sharing a few snapshots of their “wedding contract” which includes only “one pizza a month”.

    Now, one pizza a month might sound like an odd inclusion for a wedding contract, but there’s a very good reason for this.

    According to BBC News, the blushing bride is obsessed with consuming the Italian delicacy! Shanti Prasad and Mintu Rai are the newlyweds in question and have decided to tie the knot in their hometown of Guwahati, India.

    The inclusion is also a cute little nod to the couple’s first date as Prasad apparently insisted she wanted pizza.

    The friends were the masterminds behind the contract, setting the terms and conditions which were sprung on the couple on their big day.

    Other conditions in the contract include only shopping twice a month, taking good pictures at every party and going to the gym every day.

    Feature Image: Instagram/Wedlock photography assam

     

    Western Cape brides, can we have your attention! Finding your wedding day inspiration can be as easy as scrolling through Pinterest or meandering through your favorite bridal fair.

    Each year, hundreds of bridal couples flock to the Cape Winelands Bridal Fair to soak up the ambience of the renowned and exclusive Winelands Bridal Fair.

    This year is no different with service provides and products from across the Cape available for brides and grooms to peruse through. It’s also a great spot for those looking to speak to various experts needed to plan your big day and make it a success.

    Live music, wedding dress designs, and a win-4-your wedding lucky draw!

    Interested? Make sure you grab your tickets via Webtickets or when you enter the expo.

    • Cost: R100 per person
    • Date: 30 – 31 July; 09:00 – 16:00
    • Location: Klein Joostenberg. R304 Muldersvlei, Stellenbosch

    Feature Image: Dear Heart Photos / Instagram 

    It’s been years in the making, but Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have finally tied the knot.

    Sources close to the couple confirmed the news to People with court records indicating that the pair obtained a marriage license over the weekend in Clark County, Nevada.

    The gorgeous couple shared the news of their engagement in April 2022 and are said to have said “I do” in a small ceremony.

    “They just wanted to get married,” one source reportedly stated.

    The news will undoubtedly overjoy romantics and die-hard Bennifer stans around the world. The Hollywood couple rekindled their iconic romance in 2021 with Lopez sharing her thoughts on why things are different 18 years later.

    The star revealed to People: “We’re older now, we’re smarter, we have more experience, we’re at different places in our lives, we have kids now, and we have to be very conscious of those things.”

    “We have been in the game in the public eye long enough to know who we are as people and what really matters and what doesn’t matter. We have kids and we respect each other. …”

    AH! Congratulations to the newlyweds.

    Feature Image: Pascal Le Segretain 

     

    We may not all have our finger on the pulse of pop culture, but celebrity red carpet and wedding looks are a great form of inspiration. With your bridal glam look located on an already long list of to-dos, why not simplify things by allowing your favourite celebrity to be your muse.

    We’ve rounded up 6 celebrities that have left us giddy with inspiration:

    Dakota Johnson 

    The 50 shades of grey actress left us mesmerised with this romantic look. Keep things casual with a half-up, half-down hairstyle, while sporting a neutral makeup palette, rosy blush, a few subtle pink hues, and a beautiful bold lip.

    Picture: Getty Images

    Demi Lavato

    You’re not looking for subtle, you’re looking for wow! If bold is what you’re after,  then opt for darker tones to help you get that beautiful vintage look. Select a bold smokey eye or let your lips be the star of the show and grab a softer shade for your eyes. Pair this glam look with old Hollywood waves and you’ll have a look that’s gorgeous for brides planning a winter wedding.

    Picture: Getty Images

    Adele 

    Who doesn’t want their makeup to look as gorgeous as Adeles? The songstress is famous for her winged eyeliner, a winner for many brides these days, but blend and layer your eyeshadow for a more glamorous look. Darker brows add a pop of colour while false eyelashes will have your soon-to-be husband swooning.

    Picture: Getty Images

    Leslie Rose

    The Game of Thrones star looked like an angel on her wedding day, opting for natural makeup that let her gorgeous face do all the talking. A flower crown for that extra bit of magic and shades of pink for her cheeks and lips were the perfect combination.

    Picture: Pinterest

    Priyanka Chopra 

    Priyanka Chopra may have had multiple outfit changes during her three-day wedding to Nick Jonas, but the actress looked absolutely stunning in this bold and beautiful outfit at her Mumbai wedding reception. She paired her dark red lip with neutral eyeshadow for a bit of sultry romance. She finished the look with her locks flowing over her shoulders, but this look can be paired with an up-do.

    Picture: Pinterest

    Meghan Markle

    She may not be the future queen of England, but Meghan Markle looked like an absolute queen on her wedding day. The royal rocked a natural look with a low chignon which was parted down the middle. Rosy lips, dewy skin and a headband fit for… well, a royal.

    Picture: Pinterest

    Feature Image: Pinterest

    Most brides wouldn’t mind spending a few R10 000 or more on a gorgeous new wedding dress, but for some cash-strapped brides, that’s simply not an option. 

    Heading to your local thrifting store is a great way to unearth some fashionable gems, including a gorgeous wedding dress as one young bride found out. 

    The blushing bride took to TikTok to share her experience of purchasing her wedding dress at a thrift shop as she was determined to keep spending to a minimum. 

    As prices continue to soar throughout various industries, many young couples are attempting to keep things more affordable. Thrifting and smaller, more intimate settings are just a few ways bridal couples are attempting to cut costs. 

    Jullian Lynch, who hails from Ohia in the United States, explained that she initially spent around R60 ($3.75) on the dress, but forked out a few more bucks for alternations, costing an extra R1700 ($110). 

    That’s still not a bad price tag for such a gorgeous dress, a thought many TikTok users had as they gawked at her budget-friendly wedding experience. 

    @jilly_lynch♬ Put Your Head On My Shoulder – Paul Anka

    According to Lynch, the dress was brand new as it still had its tags and social media users couldn’t seem to get enough: 

    “Still $115 compared to $5,000,” one user stated. “Such an amazing dress and shoes. Very classy look.”

    “Gorgeous,” another user noted. 

    Gorgeous, and oh-so-clever!

    Feature Image: Jillian Lynch / TikTok

    When the cravings hit, there’s nothing you can do as one bridal couple recently found out. After all, walking down the aisle and saying “I do” can certainly work up an apetitie. 

    Newlyweds Basman Alwakeel (28) and blushing bride Haneen Alkhthir (31) tied the knot in a traditional wedding ceremony before sneaking away to satisfy their fast food cravings – a tasty meal at McDonalds – before heading back to an incredible evening with family and friends. 

    The couple, who hail from Australia, spent a few hours snapping wedding pics at the University of Sydney. 

    “It is such a beautiful location, but we were so hungry and craved some food, so we did a quick search of the nearest McDonald’s,” said Basman. 

    Picture: @auraweddings/ Caters News

    So what was on the menu for Mr and Mrs? 

    “We both ordered a spicy McChicken with chips and coke. The staff were shocked and the people kept congratulating us.” 

    Thankfully, the talented photographer was there to capture the “beautiful and natural moment.”

    Picture: @auraweddings/ Caters News

    Despite the impromptu affair, that meal sure does look delicious! Even more fantastic is the fact that the gorgeous bride managed to keep her all-white wedding attire free of ketchup – no easy feat! 

    But while the couple tucked into a spicy chicken burger, just what about the guests? Friends and family did not go hungry as tradition dictates otherwise. 

    Picture: @auraweddings/ Caters News

    “It’s tradition for us to have guests in both the bride and groom’s house before the service. Simple snacks are prepared for the guests and later at the reception we chose Mediterranean food,” Basman said.

    Feature Image: @auraweddings/ Caters News