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    There’s nothing more romantic than popping the question on a wholesome beat. It’s also a great way to personalise a moment since music enhances emotions, and emotions enhance our memory processes. Long story short, we’ll remember them going down on one knee and the associated feeling every time you hit play.

    One study took the time to sift through over 60 Spotify proposal playlists with 10 epic love songs coming out on top. Some of these hits you might know for being uber-romantic, while others may surprise you.

    Without further ado, here are the top 10 songs to propose to, according to Spotify.

    1. All of me, by John Legend 

    Because we all love romance!

    2. Perfect, by Ed Sheeran 

    The perfect lyrics: “When I saw you in that dress/Looking so beautiful/I don’t deserve this/Darling, you look perfect tonight”

    3. Thinking Out Loud, by Ed Sheeran

    And who wouldn’t want to be proposed to or kissed under a thousand stars?

    4. A thousand years, by Christina Perri

    A beautiful ode to love everlasting.

    5. Make you feel my love, by Adele

    There’s no Adele song that we don’t love.

    6. Marry You, by Bruno Mars 

    Uhm … it’s literally a song about wanting to get married – perfect!

    7. Marry me, by Train 

    “You wear white and I’ll wear out the words I love you”

    8. On bended knee, by Boys II Men 

    Get ready to ball your eyes out because Boys II Men will always be our go-to love crooners.

    9. Just say yes, by Snow Patrol 

    Just say yes!

    10. I swear, by All-4-One

    The lyrics say it all: “For better or worse/Till death do us part/I’ll love you with every beat of my heart/And I swear/I’ll give you everything I can”

    Picture: @breeannalasher

    We love a good photo booth. Not only is it an excellent way to commemorate your wedding day, but it’s bound to keep your guests entertained. While renting a Kardashian-inspired photo booth may set you back thousands, creating your own version can be an affordable and memorable option.

    From floral backdrops to iPad Instagram filters, here are a few fun DIY photo booth hacks you can incorporate into your big day.

    It’s all about the floral 

    Come rain or shine, adding a floral backdrop is a great way to add a pop of colour to your pictures. However, you don’t have to get a florist to whip this up for you. Grab your tools, plywood, your favourite flowers and glue for a masterpiece.

    Chalk it up

    Adding a chalkboard is a great way to include a whimsical or industrial touch to your wedding. It all depends on the font you use. It’s also incredibly easy to create and won’t cost you too much.

     

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    A post shared by Isabel | Calligrapher (@chalk_n_ink_)

    A twinkle in the eye

    Is there anything more romantic or ethereal than string lights? Adding this to a neutral backdrop or a large piece of plywood will help create a simple, but a beautiful element to your guest’s photos.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CUD4nsiN8cQ/

    Nothing wrong with Neon

    How about a splash of rock and roll to your wedding day? You can personalise your photo booth by adding a custom neon sign. Having one of these bad boys will certainly get your guests talking and is an incredible way to add something special … maybe your favourite lyrics or quote.

    Pinterest

    A Polaroid cut-out

    Simple and easy to make at home, adding a photo frame to a stand (perhaps with a few flowers) will leave your photo-loving guests wanting more. You can add your favourite quote or your names and the date of your big day.

    Wedding Photo booth DIY
    Pinterest

    A photo box 

    All you need is a polaroid camera, a box and memories. Adding a photo box to your wedding day is an adorable way to collect memories that you can open when you have a chance. Provide guests with the opportunity to snap a few pics of themselves and deposit them into the box – simple and not too pricey!

     

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    A post shared by Polaroid (@polaroid)

    Bohemian style

    Adding macrame as your photo-op background can help blend in with the beautiful surroundings of your wedding or add a touch of simple elegance. Pop a few flowers on the frame and you’ve got a winner!

    Pinterest

    Picture: Instagram

    2021 has been a rollercoaster ride filled with alcohol bans, gathering restrictions and rushing home from your friend’s home to make sure you don’t miss curfew. But finally, spring is in the air, and there are plenty of incredible spring wedding trends to admire. 

    The wedding industry may still be feeling the effects of the pandemic, and it’s evident in the trends for spring. Think smaller guest lists, more intimate settings, and fresh decor colours that are sure to liven up 2021 and beyond. It’s all about personal details and adding a non-traditional touch.  

    Here are a few of the top wedding trends for spring that we can’t get enough of right now: 

    Fairy lights 

    Outdoor weddings have become the norm thanks to COVID-19 as it provides a safer option for guests and vendors, with fairy lights and whimsical wedding tents now being added to every bride and groom’s shopping cart. Including twinkle lights in your decor offers a touch of romance and ethereal quality. The combination of drapery from tents and the proper mood lighting is sure to create a sense of brightness and ease for your wedding day. 

     

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    A post shared by Kaleydo (@kaleydo.official)

    A destination wedding with a twist 

    While we’d all love to spend our wedding day frolicking on the beach of Mauritius, travel has been up in the air lately. So, what do you do? You bring the destination to you, of course! Transformative design is the keyword for 2021 as couples use their favourite destinations to inspire their event’s decor, look, feel and colour palette. Whether it’s the sweet and savoury treats of France or the tropical vibes of Bali, this trend is all about immersing your guests in your favourite destination in the world. 

     

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    A post shared by @dreamsweddingidea

    Simple and intimate

    We’re looking to keep things simple in 2021 and that extends to the food and entertainment. More couples are turning to acoustic performances to entertain while guests enjoy an intimate restaurant-style dinner service. Hosting a reception service at your favourite restaurant is a great way to support local businesses, provide guests with good food and spend the evening in a relaxed setting. It may even be a little cheaper than hiring a catering company! 

    Quantity vs. quality

    There’s no question that 2020 has forced us to re-examine what we find important, and that includes downscaling from quantity to quality. More guests, more flowers, and the biggest wedding cake have all been replaced with a smaller guest list, simple yet beautiful flower arrangements and single-tier cakes. Small events will likely be the trend for the foreseeable future, not that we’re complaining.

    Fresh colours

    Neutral colour palettes are always an elegant touch, but couples are looking to shake things up with vibey colours that add a breath of fresh air. Bold pops of colour mixed with elegant prints are taking over spring as more couples exchange those “typical” wedding decor ideas for fun and bright colours.

    Picture: laurene_and_the_wolf

    Looking to have glowing skin on your wedding day? Le Naturel is a local South African handcrafted luxury 100% natural beauty brand. This ec0-friendly skincare brand is known for its unique product ranges featuring indigenous oils. The products are created to help rejuvenate and nurture the body, skin, and mind. 

    Le Natural aspires to complement a natural approach to health and beauty, Founder Lea Botha is motivated to produce a range of luxury natural products with no chemicals, fragrances, colourants, or parabens. For our eco-conscious brides-to-be, Le Naturel strives to do business in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly, natural way.

    skincare products for your wedding day

    So, what are the benefits of using natural beauty products? Well, there are plenty, but here are a few: 

    Environmentally Friendly 

    These natural beauty products are not only good for you but good for the environment too! Their organic and natural products contain zero chemicals that are harmful or to the earth, animals, or humans. 

    Rich In Nutrients 

    Le Naturel is a fynbos-inspired brand, thus all the ingredients found in natural products are beneficial for the skin and body, it contains naturally-derived ingredients from plant extracts for their incredible healing benefits and enchanting aromas.

    Long-Term  Investment

    Looking for a long-term investment that provides quality and good coverage? Natural skincare products can cost a little more than synthetic skincare products, however, investing in good organic products comes with a guarantee of a  simplified skincare routine that includes quality natural ingredients that is beneficial for your skincare in the long run. 

    For more information, visit Le Naturel to shop and explore more natural, sustainable, environmentally friendly products. 

    Pictures: Le Naturel | Pexels

    Also Read: How to pull off the ‘Natural glam’ makeup look

    Everyone loves a good proposal story! This might be even more true when it’s a celebrity proposal. When it comes to the stars, we just can’t get enough. Here are some of our favourite celebrity proposal stories.

    – George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu6CdPdgBx_/

    On April 28, 2014, long-term bachelor George Clooney asked human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin to marry him after six months of dating. He popped the question in their home after she returned from a trip to London.

    Clooney had prepared dinner, but Alamuddin suggested they not dress up or do anything fancy since she was exhausted from her travels. Clooney then put on a playlist of love songs and waited for the song “Why shouldn’t I?” to play.

    He then wanted to light some candles and asked Alamuddin to find a lighter. During her search, she happened to find the ring. First, she thought it was a ring that a guest had left behind, then she realised what was really happening.

    Clooney said to Ellen DeGeneres on her day-time talk show, “I got down on my knee and said, ‘I couldn’t imagine spending the rest of my life without you.’ And she kept looking at the ring, and she was looking at me, and she was like, ‘Oh, my God.’ ”

    Apparently Clooney spent roughly 25 minutes on his knee waiting for his soon-to-be wife to respond, because she was so shocked.

    – Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7gljXeHGvb/

    Union and Wade first met in 2007. The couple went through many ups and downs and even split us briefly before their love brought them back together. In December 2013, Wade proposed with the help of his three sons.

    The boys held up a sign with the words “will you marry us?” on it. There was no way she could say no!

    – David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Fna68BduL/

    This one is extra special because they both proposed! When Burtka proposed, the pair were on their way to an event. He had the limousine stop on the street corner where they first met. Haris told Out Magazine that he didn’t understand why Burtka wanted to stop so badly. “I thought he wanted to get some booze or something”, he said.

    Eventually, Burtka proposed and Harris said yes. Harris wore the ring for a year and on Valentine’s day he proposed to Burtka.

    – John Stamos & Caitlin McHugh

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BamV5xPAKJd/?utm_source=ig_embed

    To propose to his Disney-loving girlfriend, Caitlin McHugh, Full House star John Stamos made arrangements with the production company itself.

    Stamos told PEOPLE that Disney’s CEO helped him put together a movie of the most romantic moments in Disney animation. Stamos showed the film to McHugh while they were at Disneyland. The film ended with a Little Mermaid section, which prompted Stamos to “just ask the girl”.

    – Kim Kardashian and Kanye West 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/9KD1yEuSwa/?utm_source=ig_embed

    As we know, Kanye West loves to go big. For his proposal to Kim Kardashian, he booked a baseball stadium and had a 50-piece orchestra greet the couple as they arrived.

    The words “Pleeease Marry Meee!!!” lit up the jumbotron. After she said yes, Kardashians family and friends came out of hiding to congratulate the couple.

    – Samira Wiley and Lauren Morelli

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BLJay2-At9T/

    The couple met in 2012, on the set of Orange Is the New Black and in 2016, Morelli asked Wiley for her hand in marriage.

    The two were meant to leave for a weekend away, and Morelli had mentioned that she wanted to leave early but she was slow to get ready, Wiley told Out Magazine.

    Morelli requested that Wiley take a seat on the couch and she pulled out the ring. Wiley said, “Lauren has been married before, so I wanted her to tell me she was ready, [for] her to be the one to propose.”

    “I didn’t know she was as ready as she was. I was completely shocked. I was crying uncontrollably and kept backing away from her. I asked her after, ‘Who knows about this?’ And she said, ‘Oh, everyone. Your parents know.’ We didn’t tell anyone else for a few days. That was really important to us–to have some time where it was just ours”, she added.

    Image: Instagram / Kim Kardashian 

    Modern couples are skipping the time-honoured tradition of not seeing each other before walking down the aisle on their wedding day. More and more photographers are snapping ‘first look’ images, capturing the first time the couple sees each other in their wedding best. Often emotional and highly moving, these images are great for the non-traditional couple.

    First-look images don’t just have to be between the betrothed. You could also share the moment with a parent, your bridal party or even your pet.

    If you’re not yet convinced, maybe these emotive images will sway you.

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    https://www.instagram.com/p/B397wpnJ5Pp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    If you want to have a little fun, why not consider a first-look prank? Here are a few of our favourites.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3sYXufDORt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B1iwk2NFZfh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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    Featured image: Pexels

    A wedding registry seems like one of the easiest tasks in preparation for a wedding. You go to a store, pick the items you think you need (or want) and have the store create a list with your name on it. It may, however, not be as simple as you think.

    There are a few common mistakes that couples make when it comes to the registry. These slip-ups could have your guests criticising and will have you cringing! Ensure that you steer clear of any awkward situations by avoiding these common registry mistakes.

    – Waiting too long to register 

    Once you get engaged, putting together a wedding registry should be on the top of your list of things to do! Ensure that you have this done within a month of your engagement. You’ll be receiving engagement gifts soon, and the registry will help people to get you a gift for the engagement too. Don’t worry about looking greedy, the registry is simply to help your guests, not to demand things from them.

    – Including the registry on the wedding invitation 

    This could make it seem as though you’re demanding a gift. After all, it isn’t compulsory for guests to give gifts.

    When you put the registry on the invitation it feels like you’re asking for a gift in exchange for entrance into the wedding. Many people will find it rude that you’ve added it.

    Instead, you could direct people to the registry via your wedding website or the save the date.

    – Only registering in one place 

    While registering at only one store is probably the easiest option for you, it probably will be inconvenient for your guests. Some guests will want to buy gifts at real stores instead of online and some may be too far away from the one physical store you’ve chosen.

    Be sure to have one or two online stores and one or two physical stores with your registry. Limit the amount of stores to three or four. Too many stores could also be a bad idea, as this may make you look greedy or self-indulgent.

    – Asking directly for cash 

    Here, it’s more about tact than anything else. These days it’s okay to ask for money if you do it in the right way. You shouldn’t directly say that you want money.  However, you can indicate that you will be happy to receive contributions to a down payment on your new home or to your dream honeymoon.

    The trick is to choose your words wisely and ensure that you’re showing people that their money will go to good use.

    – Not varying the prices of gifts 

    Putting only expensive, dream items on your list may be a bit presumptuous. Remember that some people may not be within the means to buy you an expensive gift, and some simply may not want to. A colleague, for example, wouldn’t want to splurge on a wedding gift for you.

    Similarly, don’t assume that nobody will buy you one of those dream items on your list. Add a few! Maybe a few people will come together and get one big gift, or maybe your siblings are so happy for you that they decide to go all out.

    Add a good variety of gifts to the registry, with prices from very low to quite high.

    – Not writing thank you notes

    While this is not registry related, it is gift related and failing to send out thank you notes is a big no-no!

    Keep track of who gives you what, to make the thank you note process easier. After the wedding, you have no more than three months to get your thank you notes sent out. Don’t put it off!

    Also read: Wedding gifts for every budget

    Feature image: Pexels

    Vikings are not only a thing of the past. There are many modern-day Vikings today across the world, many of whom still uphold the traditions of yesteryear. One such Scottish man decided to honour his heritage by tying the knot in full Norse regalia

    Dwayne Davies from the Shetland village of Brae is a modern-day Viking. He can reportedly trace his DNA all the way back to the 9th Century and the Norwegian king, Harald Fairhair. Davies is particularly proud of this heritage and decided to honour it in his wedding to his bride, Ashley.

    “I can trace my heritage back on my mother, Diane Johnston’s, side. My dad, Peter, is Welsh and came to work in Shetland, met mum and they married. But living on the islands has always made me hanker after my Viking ancestors,” Davies told Daily Record. “I have been fascinated by the Vikings on Shetland ever since I can remember. Their blood runs through my veins, so much so, that our wedding had to be a Norse one.”

    For his big day, he made his own leather armoury and cut and stitched the breastplate by hand. He also carved Norse engravings into the breastplate. His hair was styled in ancient Norse plaits.

    Their wedding day also followed Norse tradition, including a fiery torch parade and cake-cutting with a sword. Every table was named after Viking invasions of England.

    Feature image: Unsplash

    One of the wedding traditions that have stood the test of time is the preservation of the top tier of a wedding cake. Couples save the top tier of their wedding cakes and eat it on their one-year anniversary. It may sound impractical, but we’re here to show you how to do it!

    Before we get to the tips for preserving your wedding cake, perhaps a little background on the tradition is necessary. These days, saving your cake for a year is understood as an omen for good luck. But where does the tradition come from?

    The story of cake preservation has two short parts. The first is that having a child in the first year of marriage was much more common in years gone by. For this reason, a couple would prefer to save a part of the wedding cake for the celebration of the birth of their child instead of getting a new cake.

    The second part of its story goes back to the 19th century and follows the actions of Queen Elizabeth II (or Princess Elizabeth at the time). When the Princess married Prince Philip in 1947, they had a three-tier cake. Each tier had a designated purpose – the bottom tier was to be cut at the wedding, the middle was to be sent off as a gift, and the top tier was to be saved for a future occasion. The future occasion here was the presumed upcoming birth of a child.

    Now, instead of saving it for the birth of the first child, the couple saves it for the first anniversary which is usually much closer in time to the wedding. The tradition seems to have stuck as a symbol of bringing the past into the present and of celebration.

    So, how do you preserve your top tier? Here are a few tips:

    – Decide on preserving it in advance 

    To ensure that the top tier doesn’t get cut on your wedding day, let your caterer know that you’ll be preserving it well before the ceremony. Deciding on preserving the cake early also helps you decide on fillings which may be longer lasting than others or decorations and designs that are able to withstand a year in the freezer.

    – Remove ornaments and flowers (real or sugar) 

    When you wrap the cake, it needs to be airtight.  The extra decorations will prevent the cake from being wrapped airtight.

    – Chill the cake 

    As soon as you get a chance, pop the cake in the freezer. This allows the cake to harden and preserve the icing properly. Ensure that there are no soft bits around the cake before you take it out of the freezer.

    – Double wrap it 

    First, wrap the cake with plastic. Push the plastic onto the cake so that there are no air bubbles. Then cover it again with foil. This ensures that nothing can get in. It also helps to ensure that other things in the freezer don’t pass their smells or tastes onto your cake.

    – Freeze

    Once the cake is tightly wrapped, label it (to ensure it doesn’t get mistaken for something else) and pop it in the freezer!

    – Eat later 

    Once your first anniversary comes, you’ll defrost the cake. Take the cake out of the freezer the day before your anniversary and keep in the fridge overnight. Then take it out of the fridge and leave it at room temperature for about 5 hours. Thereafter, it’ll be ready to eat!

     

    Many couples want to participate in this tradition but, for whatever reason, prefer not to save the cake. If you don’t see yourself saving the cake, but still want the sentiment and symbolism that comes with this tradition on your first anniversary, chat to your caterer and let her know that in a year you’ll be ordering an identical top tier. You may end up receiving a special deal or a totally free top tier!

    Image: Pexels

    Your first dance as a married couple is a memorable and meaningful moment, and the song you choose for it is crucial. Whether its slowed-down or upbeat, your first dance song speaks highly of your relationship.

    If you’re struggling to pinpoint a song to get down to, why not take inspiration from Hollywood’s finest? These are the songs your favourite celebrities chose for their first dance.

    – Jay-Z and Beyonce – “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé

    – Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West –  a mashup of “At Last” by Etta James and Otis Redding’s “These Arms of Mine” and “Try a Little Tenderness”.

    – President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama – “You and I” by Stevie Wonder

    – David Beckham and Victoria Beckham – “It Had To Be You” by The Starlight Orchestra

    – Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi “Ribbon in the Sky” by Stevie Wonder

    – George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin“Why Shouldn’t ?” by Cole Porter

    – Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan – “Last Night On Earth” by Green Day

    – Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka“A Moment Like This” by Kelly Clarkson

    – Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban – “At Last” by Etta James

    – Prince William and Kate Middleton – “Your Song” by Ellie Goulding

    – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston

    – Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively – “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz (performed by Florence and the Machine’s Florence Welch)

    – Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian – “Tale As Old as Time” from Beauty and the Beast

    – Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello – “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra

    – Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. – “Someone to Watch Over Me” by Gertrude Lawrence

    Feature image: Instagram / Barack Obama