Inspiration is not hard to come by; you just need to know where to look. Social media plays a huge role in wedding planning these days, and while many brides-to-be turn to Pinterest for that much-needed inspiration, Instagram is a great resource too.
Here are a few of our favourite Instagram accounts that are serving looks and some serious inspo.
A forest filled with inspiration
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTuJ700qtOB/
Beautifully organic wedding and lifestyle inspiration we can’t get enough of
https://www.instagram.com/p/BszGUydFszp/
Inspiration straight from an event planner
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSBO9dvgRyV/
A global collaboration of wedding inspiration
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIloRbpg2RN/
A splash of colour
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMkRz21lN_s/
Inspiration and resources that are sure to celebrate love
Weddings and stress go together like All Gold tomato sauce and slap chips – it’s the perfect combination.
The infamous Bridezilla always seems to be a tiny disaster away, but one bride appears to have taken the stereotype to its extreme.
A Reddit usershared a less than flattering story of a bride and groom on their wedding day.
According to a Reddit user, her friend was in desperate need of a photographer as they were on a tight budget – and we all know how expensive weddings can be.
While she was more than happy to help her friend out, the user did admit that snapping adorable dogs pics was actually her forte, opting to charge $250 (R3 600) for 10-hours of work.
The day started great.
“On the day of, I’m driving around following the bride as she goes from appointment to appointment before the ceremony, taking photos along the way. I shoot the ceremony itself, and during the reception I’m shooting speeches and people mingling,” says the photographer, adding that she started around 11:00 and was due to finish around 19:30.
“Around 5pm, food is being served, and I was told I cannot stop to eat because I need to be the photographer; in fact, they didn’t save me a spot at any table. I’m getting tired and at this point kinda regretting doing this for next to nothing,” says the photographer.
That wasn’t the end though. She told the groom that she needed to take a 20-minute break in order to grab something to eat and drink as she didn’t have any more water in her water bottle.
The breaking point? The photographer was told by the groom that she needed to either be a photographer or leave without pay.
“With the heat, being hungry, being generally annoyed at the circumstances, I asked if he was sure, and he said yes, so I deleted all the photos I took in front of him and took off saying I’m not his photographer anymore,” says the photographer who is now wondering if she acted too harshly.
“If I was to be paid $250, honestly at that point, I would have paid $250 just for a glass of cold water and somewhere to sit for 5 min,” says the photographer.
Many users came to the photographer’s defence, stating that “if you’re going to be there all day, then they absolutely should be fed. Plus, it just seems like the polite thing to do,” stated one user.
It’s been a weird 18-months. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve all needed to adjust our lifestyles – sanitise, wear masks, social distance – it’s been an interesting adventure. The pandemic has also spawned a host of trends as various industries learn to pivot and adapt to the “new normal”.
Our new reality has been pretty tough on the wedding industry, with thousands of couples watching their wedding date come and go without saying “I do.” However, grabbing a huge slice of wedding cake and sulking is the last thing couples are doing, birthing a new kind of pre-nuptial ceremony.
There’s plenty that goes into planning a wedding. From choosing your dream venue to the perfect date, many couples are choosing not to compromise on the details of their dream day despite working within the confines of the pandemic.
The pretend wedding, or predding, has been an intimate substitute for wedding celebrations, honouring would-be wedding dates. There might be no signing of a marriage license, but it’s a great way to celebrate love with friends and family.
The hashtag #pretendwedding has been making the rounds on social media, a trend that’s still going strong despite the easing of lockdown restrictions.
A casual setting and dress code, and no strict itinerary makes this new trend a welcome distraction from the stress of wedding planning. Here are a few of our favourite “preddings” online.
The name ‘Red Dot’ originated from sale prices which are displayed in a red circle, coining the phrase that customers can now get their favorite beauty products at decent prices.
The online store assures to deliver quality products and informative content about health and beauty. Shop items from the comfort of your own home on Red dot’s 100% secured e-commerce platform. Operating times are Monday-Friday from 9h00-18h00. For online assistance or desperate queries please email [email protected].
Makeup online: Our list of beauty cosmetics
Lipstick, blush, eye shadow, highlighters, brushes, mascara, setting spray, lip liner, eye pencil, nails, treatment and more.
When people crash your wedding, it’s usually quite unexpected, and unexpected is never good on your wedding day. In fact, having wedding crashers can turn into a wedding day crisis; it is generally a dreaded occurrence. Nobody really wants their wedding to be crashed. Unless, of course, its being crashed by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Danny DeVito.
Bride, Kristine, and groom, Will, were enjoying their lovely (but normal) wedding reception in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The next thing they knew, their wedding was being crashed by Johnson and DeVito. The duo surprised the couple and their guests, not only by making an impromptu appearance, but also by performing a rendition of Nat King Cole’s “Unforgettable”.
Johnson and DeVito were in Mexico doing publicity for their movie, Jumanji: The Next Level. While the co-stars relaxed after a long week of press, they heard a wedding party going on. They then decided to crash the wedding.
‘The Rock’ posted a video to his Instagram, showing how it all went down.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B5QZOE_Ftm7/
In his caption, ‘The Rock’ said, “I’ve never crashed a wedding, but with DeVito this was truly UNFORGETTABLE”.
He also made sure to congratulate the happy couple on their nuptials and on their beautiful family, calling them the “Brady Bunch”. Instagram users in the comment section were excited to see that this is what the duo had been up to and expressed themselves accordingly. @akbvalancius said “I would die” and @bslater9 said it was one of the best things he ever got to see in person. They also received many comments from multiple Instagrammers enquiring about whether the duo would be available to crash their respective weddings.
While this is not how a normal wedding crashing would go down, we think the couple and their guests were quite happy with the visit from their unexpected guests. Who wouldn’t be?! Having Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Danny DeVito crash your wedding is a once in a lifetime experience.
Your long list of wedding planning to-do’s is slowly but surely shortening. The next item on your list happens to be flowers. The problem: there are so many choices and not enough time to give them all some consideration. On top of that, you’re not sure if you know enough about flowers to make a good choice.
Not to worry. Have a look at this list of wedding flower trends for 2020, to make your decisions and planning a little easier.
Bouquet Trends:
– Big and Bright
https://www.instagram.com/p/B429pi7A-DK/
Larger, brighter flowers are popping up more and more at weddings. Big flowers can make your bouquet look much fuller for less money. In addition to this, the bouquet becomes a statement in itself because it catches the eye and stands out. The bright colours do well to create excitement and bring out a more playful feeling, lightening the mood of the venue instantly.
– Unstructured and untamed
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3JoDvwn8I6/
For a push towards a more natural and lush look for wedding flowers, a trend seems to be growing around variety. Bouquets are looking less and less uniform, as if they have been effortlessly thrown together with not much consideration to having a pattern or multiples of the same flower. Many who have gone for this trend have added some greenery, dried grass, or foilage for a more boho feel.
– Blushes and bleached
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1cIqb0hdDd/
If you want something more understated or minimalistic, then this wedding flower trend is for you. The classic blush pink and white used at weddings can be upgraded and updated by adding some bleached tones and bleached foilage into the mix.
Decor trends:
– Arches/Moongates
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3247xThIrS/
A decorated arch, under which you say your vows, makes for beautiful photograph opportunities. The arch draws the attention of the attendees to the right place and ensures that the couple has all eyes on them.
– Flowers down the aisle
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba9O3FUHdUQ/
Create a whimsical, fairytale feel by lining the aisle with flowers. This simple addition will do wonders for the ambience at your wedding.
Bonus Trend:
– Locally Sourced
This is one of the best wedding flower trends we’ve seen so far! Brides and grooms are opting for the more environmentally friendly option of locally sourced floral arrangements. Not only is this trend eco-friendly, but it is good for your budget too.
Writing wedding vows can be a daunting task. It can be overwhelming to attempt to sum up all the things that you want to say to your partner. The vows, which at the end of it only add up to a few minutes of talking, are a summary of the love you have for your partner, the promises you are making to them, and the hopes and dreams you have for your future together.
What makes this more difficult for many, is that it has to be done not only in front of your partner but also in front of all your guests.
We’ve compiled a list of tips to ensure that you’re writing the best wedding vows you can.
Things to say in your vows
– First, mention your own name and your partner’s name. There are probably many people in the audience staring at you; this could take away some of the intimacy of your vows. Emphasise the intimacy by adding something like, “I, Harry, take you, Sally.”
– Second, add some anecdotes and personal stories. The guests will enjoy listening to this, and your partner will enjoy the trip down memory lane.
– Third, make sure you’re saying meaningful things. Cute and funny stories will only get you so far. Say things that also show how serious you are about this commitment.
– This final one should be a no-brainer, but we know that the stress of vow writing can cause some forgetfulness so we’ll mention it just incase. Always say “I love you”.
Writing tips
– Do not, we repeat, do NOT write them at the last minute.
– Read through some samples of vows before you start writing. This may help you to work out what your tone should be and could give you some inspiration.
– Actually write your vows down. “I will remember them”, never works out.
– Cut out clichés and things that might embarrass your partner.
– Make sure your vows are not too long. Your audience may get fidgety.
– Get somebody to proofread it. An outside opinion always ensures improvements.
-Preparation tips
– Practice your vows. Say them out loud. Say them in the mirror. You’ll be nervous on the big day and the practice will ensure you’re familiar with what you want to say.
– Carry a written or typed copy of your vows with you. If you do end up stumbling on your words, this will be a great help.
– With all of these tips in mind, remember to also get creative and take into account the finer details and context of your relationship like Jimmy Gisondi, who wrote a set of vows not only for his bride, Kelsea, but also for his new step-daughter, Olivia.
In his separate vows to Olivia, he said “I promise to never treat you [like] anything less than my own child”. This thoughtful additional set of vows brought the crowd to tears.
Last but not least, don’t forget to add your personality. Your partner-to-be loves you for who you are, so staying true to yourself will make the vows unforgettable for them.
Pranking the groom on his wedding day can be risky business. He is likely already on edge and any small thing could set him off. If you’re planning on pranking the groom, be sure to tread carefully. After all, you don’t want to be the guy who ruins the day for the groom. “Harmless” is the mood you should aim for with your pranks.
What is a harmless prank, you ask? At a wedding, a harmless prank is anything that doesn’t offend the couple, doesn’t affect the day overall, and doesn’t come across as disrespectful.
If you’re looking for a few ideas, we’ve got some for you.
– “You’re late!!”
While the groom is asleep, change the time on his watch and phone. Set the time two or three hours ahead. Make sure you wake up bright and early to wake him up. Frantically run into his room the morning of the wedding shouting about how late he is. When he checks the time, he’ll panic too. Little does he know, he is not late at all.
– “You’re a joke”
This is not so much a prank, but usually gets people laughing. If you’re giving a speech, all you need to do is throw in tons of embarrassing stories about the groom. Another classic groomsman move.
If you want something a bit more risky, we’ve got two ideas for you. But be warned, pranks during the ceremony may not be well received, no matter how harmless. If you’re doing this, be certain that you know the groom AND BRIDE will take it well.
– “That’s not the ring!”
When the time comes to hand over the ring to the groom, hand him a toy ring or a ring pop instead. This is sure to catch everyone’s attention.
– “A for effort”
Get the other groomsmen in on this one. Each groomsman should hide a number written in bold inside their jackets. After the couple’s first kiss, get the guys to reveal the numbers as if they’re rating the kiss or giving it a score.
Finally, take a look at these two perfectly executed pranks on the groom, and decide if you have the pre-planning skills to pull them off:
– Best Man replaces bride in first look photoshoot
Groom-to-be Keegan prepares himself to see his beautiful bride for the first time. He is nervous and excited and surely can’t wait to see her. Little does he know, he is in for the surprise of his life. When he turns around, its not his bride but rather his best man in a wedding dress! If you’re going to try this one, you’ll have to get the bride in on it…and buy a wedding dress.
Credit: Sarah Pukin PhotographyCredit: Sarah Pukin Photography
– Best man replaces groom’s suit
Best man Colm Carberry went out of his way to pull this prank on his brother. He requested that the suit company tailor a suit exactly like his brother’s, but two sizes smaller. He switched the real suit with the smaller one, and he set up a camera to catch his brother’s reaction to the extra small suit.
For many of us, characters from TV shows are like friends. We’ve cried with them and laughed with them. We’ve seen them fall in love, and even get married.
There have been many iconic TV weddings that are still spoken about to this day. Whether it be because of the long and complicated relationship leading up to the event or a crazy moment on the day itself, these weddings have stood the test of time.
Here are some of our favourite TV weddings.
Jim and Pam – The Office
The ultimate ‘will-they-or-won’t-they’ couple, Jim and Pam had audiences frustratingly waiting season after season for them to realise they were perfect for each other. The couple finally wed in the show’s sixth season in a hilarious two-part episode that saw the entire cast dance down the aisle to Chris Brown’s ‘Forever’.
Leslie and Ben – Parks and Recreation
Leslie and Ben of Parks and Recreation are one of the most adorable and loved couples to ever grace the small screen. In season 5, the couple impulsively decided to say ‘I do’ earlier than planned and spent only two hours planning the wedding. They enlisted their friends and co-workers to help, which led to many successes and mistakes. Leslie eventually gave up, but her best friend Ann arranged for them to get married in their office in front of all their co-workers.
Luke and Lorelei – Gilmore Girls
The finale of Gilmore Girls left many fans needing closure on the future of Luke and Lorelei’s relationship. Their prayers were answered in the Netflix revival, Gilmore Girls, a Day in the Life.
The couple started out as friends that were clearly in love with each other but annoyingly could not see it. After breaking up and making up, they decided to elope the day before their wedding, marrying in a magical ceremony that saw their friends and family decorate Stars Hollow to perfectly match the couple.
Marshall and Lilly – How I Met Your Mother
As one of the most adorable and long-lasting couples of the show, How I Met Your Mother‘s Marshall and Lilly captured the hearts of thousands of viewers. However, their wedding day went from disaster to disaster. From Lilly’s ex trying to stop the wedding to the harp player going into labour right before the ceremony, this day seemed beyond repair. However, they decided to rather hold a small ceremony officiated by their friend Barney under a park tree, like how they had always wanted.
The Red Wedding – Game of Thrones
This wedding is one of the most iconic weddings to ever be aired on television, although it wasn’t for being warm and fuzzy. What began as a nice, normal wedding ended in absolute carnage.
The wedding of Edmure Tully to Roslin Frey turned out to be a ruse for Walder Frey to exact revenge on King of the North, Robb Stark, after he went back on his promise to marry one of Frey’s daughters. At the reception, Frey had his men murder Robb, his pregnant wife Talisa and his mother, Lady Catelynn.
And just like that, two major characters were killed off in one fell swoop.
The Purple Wedding – Game of Thrones
Clearly the Game of Thrones writers do not like weddings. Another wedding aired on the popular HBO show ended in death, this time for the much-hated King Joffrey. After marrying Margaery Tyrell, Joffrey was poisoned at his wedding reception by Lady Olenna Tyrell, although his uncle, Tyrion Lannister, was blamed for it. The image of Joffrey choking on his own bile has become stuck in the mind of every GOT viewer since.
Cam and Mitchell – Modern Family
This wedding was a long time coming. The adorable Cam and Mitchell were one of the most hilarious couples on Modern Family, and had many fans rooting for them. A series of mishaps threatened to ruin the wedding, including the wrong tux being delivered and wildfire that caused everyone to evacuate. The couple is about to cancel their wedding when Mitch’s father, Jay, announces that he has secured a country club as a wedding venue. They finally wed as a voiceover from Mitch’s sister details her beautifully written ‘best person’ speech.
Chuck and Blair – Gossip Girl
Chuck and Blair’s love-hate relationship was greatly detailed through the six seasons of the popular CW show. While they couldn’t seem to make it work, fans always dreamed of a happily ever after for this feisty duo.
They finally wed in the show’s finale episode, after being on the run after Chuck’s father plunged to his death. Chuck’s uncle convinces the pair to marry so that Blair would have spousal privilege and not have to testify against Chuck, which they eagerly agree to. Right after their first kiss as a married couple, Chuck is arrested. We would expect nothing less from this dramatically iconic couple.
Monica and Chandler – Friends
As a much-loved couple, Monica and Chandler’s wedding was highly anticipated by fans. After Chandler gets cold feet and leaves the night before the wedding, the plans seem to be off. However, Ross is able to convince him to go forward with the wedding.
Chandler and Monica wed in the show’s seventh season in a surprisingly simple and sweet ceremony officiated by Joey. Their tear-jerking wedding vows remind us all that love still exists.
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.
