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    So while it looks like the coronavirus will be meddling in our plans a while longer, you may find yourself having to postpone your wedding.

    If you could manage to move the date, make sure all your guests are notified by sending them pretty ‘Change the Date’ cards.

    Try doing it as soon as everything is confirmed so the guests have enough time to plan ahead too.

    We recommend sending e-cards, as the postal services are most likely not running! Here are some ideas to help you get creative:

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    Image: Pixabay

    If you want to feel like a princess on your wedding day but don’t want to look too dated, fear not. With simple touches, you can upgrade the traditional princess look to match with today’s times.

    Mix modern trends with the traditional princess gown shape to give you a fresh yet romantic look. Think back detail, unique necklines and detachable overskirts.

    Here are some ideas to inspire you:

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    Feature image: Unsplash

    If there’s any time at which you need the ease and conveniences of the internet the most, it’s during your engagement. Planning the big day is stressful enough so it only makes sense that when putting together your gift registry, you’d want to get the job done in the least laborious and time-consuming manner possible. These nine sites offer you the convenience of picking out wedding gifts without having to leave home.

    1 Bespoke Wedding Registry

    Registry Websites

    Launched by a Londoner, Bespoke Wedding Registry aims to fill the gap in the South African market for customised gifting. With a selection of homeware and kitchenware sourced from prestigious brands, including the namesake collection of world-renowned chef Jamie Oliver and local ranges Ardmore and Kikoi, you’re bound to find unique pieces that speak to your style. Plus, they offer a service where a group of guests can club together to purchase larger items such as furniture. You also score two free deliveries if you live in Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban.

    Contact +27 21 448 7155, [email protected]bespokeregistry.co.za

    2 Wrapistry

    Registry Websites

    Featuring products from a whopping 90 brands, Wrapistry’s offering include items to stock in your home as well as experiences. A variety of memory-making activities from a couple’s cooking class to wine tasting tours is available to add to your wishlist. If you ever feel like changing your mind, that’s no problem – you can do so as often as you like. To save you from the task of guessing who gave you a gift (and which one!), Wrapistry also mails you a list of guests and their purchases. Now, all you need to do is grab that mouse and start picking your favourites.

    Contact +27 10 500 7503, [email protected]wrapistry.co.za

    3 Banks Kitchen Boutique

    Registry Websites

    What began as a lively shop in a close-knit community has now expanded to two boutiques and an online store. Apart from displaying their cutting-edge goods, the online store allows you to access their blog where you can discover recipes and browse product reviews. Once your guests have bought your presents, Banks Kitchen Boutique will happily wrap the goods, add a note from the gift-giver and deliver it to your door – all on the house. Customers have raved about this convenient outlet and we’re sure you’ll love it too.

    Contact +27 21 461 3190, bankskitchenboutique.co.za

    4 Yuppiechef

    Registry Websites

    Voted South Africa’s best online store, you can rest assured their registry service is effortless. Not sure where to start? Navigate to the ‘Starter Collection’ tab to get an idea of what you’ll need to fill your first nest. Given our demanding, modern lifestyles, we could all spare a few bucks here and there, and Yuppiechef gives you the option of sending discount vouchers to three loved ones. However, if you do spot a pricey item you love, you can make it yours by swapping a few less expensive pieces for it.

    Contact +27 861 702 4969, [email protected], yuppiechef.com

    5 Carrol Boyes 

    Registry Websites

    Named after its internationally esteemed owner, this lifestyle brand specialises in premium homeware products. When creating your registry with Carrol Boyes, you have the option of selecting your goods online or enjoying a personal consultation with an assistant in a brick-and-mortar store. Once you’ve done so, your choices will be listed and placed online for your guests to seamlessly purchase what they please. If you want to return any duplicates, be sure to check that they are in the original packaging and in tip-top condition.

    Contact +27 21 424 8263, carrolboyes.com

    6 Granny Goose

    Registry Websites

    With your mattress covered in fluffy pillows and duvets from Granny Goose, a producer of top-quality bed linen, you can luxuriate in deep, peaceful slumbers night after night. Apart from their bedding products, you can find Le Creuset cookware and Riedel Glassware items at their stores. To easily inform your guests about your registry, Granny Goose will provide you with little cards to insert into your wedding invitations. If anything wasn’t bought, you can get it at 10% off. What’s more, they’ll hand you a special thank-you gift for choosing them as your vendor.

    Contact +27 860 388387, [email protected]grannygoose.com

    7 @home

    Registry Websites

    As South Africa’s prime shopping location for sophisticated homeware, you simply can’t afford not to enlist the registry service of @home. Head to the ‘Customer Favourites’ page to make sure you don’t forget to add any must-buys. In addition to a selection of top-notch products, you’ll receive a gift card worth 10% of the value of all your guests’ purchases. To keep this value updated and to record the buyer of each present in-store, remind your guests to notify the @home sales assistant that they are purchasing an item for your registry.

    Contact +27 860 576 576, [email protected]home.co.za

    8 Boardmans

    Registry Websites

    Couple’s who have an Edcon Group Thank U loyalty card will enjoy all the benefits of the programme when they create a registry at Boardmans as you’ll gain 10 times the amount of Thank U points for all the gifts bought at the store. Given that there;s no limit on how many items are added, you could gain an enormous amount of points! These points can then be used to buy anything from Boardmans, or to shop at Edgars, Red Square, Jet, Legit and CNA. Talk about a shopping spree!

    Contact +27 860 236 289, [email protected], boardmans.co.za

    MRP Home

    Registry Websites

    For home decor that’s uber stylish and pocket-friendly, there couldn’t be a better place to shop than MRP Home.Scroll through their ‘Inspiration’ section to view a variety of themes for your home along with a list of products to fit each theme. Although MRP Home offers online and in-store registries, they aren’t interchangeable so let your guest know which kind it is as guests wanting to purchase online for an in-store registry will not be able to do so and vice versa.

    Contact +27 800 212 535, mrphome.com

    affordable website design packages | netsist digital marketing agency | netsist.co.za

    Photography Crew/Unsplash

    Sometimes, things are better left off social media. Unfortunately, this groom-to-be did not know this, and ended up losing his fiancée over comments he posted on Reddit.

    Taking to Reddit, an unnamed man asked fellow users if he is wrong for feeling his fiancée’s wedding dress was too extravagant and for suggesting cheaper alternatives. The couple, who were scheduled to marry in July, were both saving money for the wedding. However, the man is concerned about what the bride wants to spend the money on.

    “We jointly put aside 10 k each for the wedding, everything is paid and we have 6 k left over which i think could go towards the honeymoon on top of the honeymoon fund we already had,” writes the groom. “We aren’t the extravagant type at all, then comes the time for Emma to pick her dress. I know everything is more expensive when it has the term wedding attached to it what i wasn’t expecting was an $950 dress plus $120 veil!”

    The groom searched for dresses online and was able to find cheaper dupes, but his bride was not interested.

    “I tried to show her some dresses i found on a recommended app called wish and others on website’s but she was having none of it…It turned nasty unfortunately because i said i refuse to drop such a large amount of money on a dress and she argued that she is using her own money for the dress. Which isn’t strictly true as we are about to marry and our finances will be joined.”

    “I thought she would be ecstatic to learn there are identical dresses for a fraction of the cost but she was really angry and upset,” the groom continues. “Is there something I am seriously missing because after we argued about the dress Emma has been Extremely cold towards me. Then yestersay she said if i want her to cheap out on her wedding dress on her wedding day that she needs to really consider if we are a good match for marriage.”

    Following their argument, Emma left the couples home to stay with her parents. She then found this Reddit thread and cancelled the wedding.

    Hopefully this groom learns that its best not to air personal grievances online where anyone can read them.

    Feature image: Unsplash

    When it comes to celebrity weddings, it’s likely that you always picture elaborate, out-of-this-world events. This may be the case in most instances. But some celebrities prefer to keep it small.

    They live their lives in the spotlight and perhaps this ignites a desire to keep things small and private on their special day. Over the years, a few celebrities have kept it very small…courthouse ceremony small.

    Dax Shepard and Kirsten Bell wed in the Beverly Hills County Clerk’s Office, Amber Rose and Wiz Khalifa married in a Los Angeles Courthouse, and John Legend and Chrissy Teigen made it official in a New York City courthouse. But these aren’t the only ones!

    City Hall is a common destination for private nuptials. The most popular City Hall venue is the one residing in New York City. But celebs have been seen tying the knot in Paris’ City Hall too!

    Here are some celebs who went the intimate route:

    Ellen Pompeo and Chris Ivery 

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    The Grey’s Anatomy actress married record producer Chris Ivery in NYC at a secret City Hall ceremony, in November 2007. They kept things as quiet as possible, even using underground tunnels to sneak into the building.

    Emily Ratajkowski and Sebastian Bear-McClard

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    Supermodel Emily Ratajkowski wed her producer and actor husband at City Hall in February 2018, mere weeks after meeting him.

    Michael C. Hall and Morgan Macgregor 

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    The Dexter star went small for his third wedding. He and his bride Morgan Macgregor wed in the NYC City Hall in 2016.

    Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber 

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    In September 2018, Baldwin and Bieber tied the knot in the NYC City Hall. According to PEOPLE, the pair did so even though they were advised not to. A year later they celebrated their nuptials again in more traditional fashion with a star-studded reception in South Carolina.

    Matt Damon And Luciana Barroso

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    The actor met his wife in 2002 and they wed in 2005. Instead of having a big ceremony, they kept it very simple with a City Hall wedding. In 2013, they renewed their vows with a much fancier event at a resort with lots of well-known celebrities in attendance.

    Salma Hayek and Francios Pinault 

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    The pair made it official on Valentines Day 2009 in Paris’ City Hall. Not long after, they had a ceremony and reception in Venice, Italy.

    Eva Longoria and Tony Parker 

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    The couple had a small ceremony in a Paris City Hall before celebrating at a 250-person wedding after! Unfortunately, the pair split in 2011.

    Christina Perri and Paul Costabile 

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    The songstress kept it extra casual, wearing black combat boots, as she wed her entertainment reporter husband at NYC’s City Hall in 2017.

    Image: Instagram / Justin Bieber

    If you decide to wear a veil on your wedding day, why not go big? A statement veil is perfect for the bold bride who is not afraid to put herself out there. Using unique fabrics and decorations, a simple veil can be transformed into a fashion statement.

    Here are some ideas:

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    Image: Unsplash

    There’s a new rule among celebrity brides – one dream wedding dress just isn’t enough! Brides have embraced slipping into something a little more comfortable for drinks and dancing, and also, some ‘wow’ factor. Draw inspiration for your second wedding dress from these breathtaking brides:

    Hailey Bieber

     

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    A post shared by VERA WANG (@verawanggang) on

    Being comfortable does not mean you have to give up being stylish. Hailey Bieber changed into a Vera Wang slip dress and trainers for a more relaxed reception look. The custom gown was made from silk charmeuse and featured an asymmetrical cowl neck with a plunging back.

    Ellie Goulding

     

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    A post shared by Mr & Mrs Jopling ?❤ (@caspellie_06) on

    Ellie had not one, but five outfits on her wedding day! For her second look, she changed into an off-the-shoulder Stella McCartney gown with a thigh-high split and a diamond trim.

    Leona Lewis

     

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    A post shared by Italian Wedding Circle (@italianweddingcircle) on

    A blush pink sequin embellished gown was Leona Lewis’ choice for her wedding reception. The gown was designed by Inbal Dror and featured spaghetti straps, a V-neckline and delicate embroidery.

    Katherine Schwarzenegger

     

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    A post shared by ELLE Australia (@elleaus) on

    Armani Privé was responsible for both of Katherine Schwarzenegger’s wedding looks. Katherine swapped her first strapless fitted gown for an ivory column gown featuring draped shoulders. The second dress also featured a long train that was lifted via a wrist loop.

    Chiara Ferragni

     

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    A post shared by Lisa Carmody (@lisasweddingworld) on

    The Blonde Salad influencer wore custom Dior wedding dresses for her big day. The second dress featured delicate embroidery depicting a small lion, representing their son Leone, along with lyrics of the song ‘Favorisca I Sentimenti’ written by her husband Fedez. The second dress could also be transformed into a practical mini dress!

    Poppy Delevingne

     

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    A post shared by Tara Makeup (@tara_makeup) on

    Rather than wearing a second wedding dress, Poppy wore a multi-purpose Chanel design on her wedding day. The embellished gown featured a detachable skirt turning it into a mini-dress. Perfect for the dance floor!

    Meghan Markle

     

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    A post shared by Meghan Markle (@hrhofsussex) on

    A halterneck gown was the choice for Meghan Markle’s second wedding dress. The elegant and modern piece was designed by none other than Stella McCartney.

    Kate Upton

     

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    A post shared by Kate Upton (@kateupton) on

    Model Kate Upton swapped her traditional white lace Valentino gown for a sheer silver dress for the reception. The second dress was designed by New York-based Christy Rilling Studio.

    Princess Eugenie

     

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    A post shared by Princess Eugenie (@princesseugenie) on

    After wearing Peter Pilotto for the wedding ceremony, Princess Eugenie changed into a blush-coloured gown by Zac Posen for the reception at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park.

    By Larissa Vermeulen

    Feature image: Instagram / Kate Upton

    Your bridal shower is the perfect opportunity to celebrate your upcoming nuptials with your loved ones while receiving gifts to prepare you for married life. However, the traditional format of women-only parties where guests sit together, snack on foods, play foolish games and unbox presents can be a bit played out. For the modern bride, there are a number of exciting ways to host this pre-wedding celebration. Here are some ideas to throw a modern bridal shower:

    Wine it up:

    Treat your bridal party to some bubbles by hosting a wine-tasting. Consider having a professional sommelier present their best wines to your guests or visit a local wine farm. If you’re having a destination wedding, even better! The wines can all be from that specific region, and will also provide you with a theme for the day. Your guests can then vote for their favourite wines and the best ones can be flowing at the wedding. Win win!

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    Let them eat cake:

    Who doesn’t love cake? Show your love of sweet things by having a cake or cookie decorating class. Invite a baking professional to show you the basics and then get your creative juices flowing. Guests can each decorate their own cookie, or work in groups/pairs to decorate mini-cakes or cupcakes in the theme of your wedding.

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    Have a scavenger hunt:

    For a dynamic day, have a scavenger hunt! In teams, guests need to work through a host of clues related to you and your partner to win the ultimate prize. A scavenger hunt is a fun way to keep partygoers busy and helps them get to know each other better.

    Pop it and lock it:

    Brush up on your dancing skills ahead of your big day by hosting a dancing class for your bridal shower. Consider hiring a choreographer to teach you and your guests a routine to your favourite song, or in a dance style you love. You could even perform the group dance at the wedding! Besides being loads of fun and a great workout, the dance class is a great way to bond with your loved ones.

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    High tea:

    Elevate the usual cake-and-tea routine by enjoying a high tea. There are so many restaurants and hotels that offer classic and alternative high teas for different experiences. Give your guest a chance to dress up and sip some tea in style.

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    Treat yourself to a spa day:

    It’s important to treat yourself. Consider ordering a mobile spa to pamper yourself and your guests during your bridal shower. Offer manicures, pedicures and massages to your guests to get them feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. This is a great way to show your loved ones that you appreciate them.

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    Image: Pexels

    Because stationery is such an important part of a wedding, we wanted an expert opinion on everything that it entails. We spoke with Alexa from Directional Designs about how she creates stationery for the couple and where you can save some bucks.

    Some of these general components are:

    • Save the date cards (optional)
    • Invitations and envelopes
    • RSVP cards
    • Ceremony booklet
    • Seating plan
    • Place cards
    • Table numbers
    • Menu

    Q: What do you need to know in order to help the couple choose their stationery style?

    A: Colour scheme and theme is key for us to know in order for us to design the stationery for our clients. We also need to know exactly what they would like, as the list of items for event stationery is endless. For example, does the couple want menus per person or just per table? Do they want a seating board or are guests able to sit anywhere? What kind of table numbers would they like – perspex, paper, wooden etc? Our speciality is customisation. We want the couple’s stationery to be unique and different, therefore the more we get to know our clients, the better for us to understand their likes and dislikes

    TIP: Don’t be shy about sitting with your stationer to go over all the items that you need and the elements that you like and dislike. The stationer wants to create something unique and so they would rather have too much information than too little.

    Q: What are some tips to save costs on wedding stationery?

    A: There are various ways to save on wedding stationery. This can be in terms of paper choice as well as quantity of items. For example, if you have an invitation or any other stationery on paper, then this is where a lot of the cost comes in. There are so many different paper options available that we can source so it can fall within your budget. You also don’t need to have an order of ceremony booklet for each guest that is attending the ceremony as some guests don’t take a booklet. You could also choose paper tent table numbers over laser cut numbers, which look just as beautiful. We have loads of ways of making your stationery fit within your budget and still look unique and beautiful.

    TIP: Talk about your stationery budget with your stationer before anything else. This will help to establish which items are essential and which items you can leave out of your stationery. It will also help to determine what materials are available to you.

    Information supplied by Alexa at Directional Designs: https://directionaldesigns.co.za/ 

    Feature image: Gareth van Nelson

    It’s what’s underneath that counts, especially on your big day. Lingerie and nightwear will play a bigger role in your big day than you might imagine, so we’ve put together the essential guide to choosing your wedding lingerie.

    Your dress will pretty much determine which bridal lingerie you choose and it has to merge seamlessly with the fabric and style of your dress. Your wedding lingerie should flatter your figure, shouldn’t be visible and make your dress hang on your body as flawlessly as possible.

    Seamless lingerie is always a winner. If your dress or pants are fitted through the hips and thighs, you’ll need to be a bit more careful with your selection to avoid the dreaded visible panty line. A seamless thong is always the safest bet because it hugs your body and is made to be virtually undetectable under clothing. It’s also important to consider the fabric – clingy materials like silk will show every single bow, seam, embroidery detail, and buckle, so be sure to look for super simple lingerie with minimal detailing. The hue of your lingerie is also very important – nude and beige are often the most practical hues for bridal lingerie because they’re least likely to show through under a white or ivory outfit.

     

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    A post shared by Gina Gino (@ginagino_underwear) on

    If it’s really important to you to have a smooth, sculpted silhouette on your wedding day, you may want to look into shapewear. From high-waisted panties to bodysuits and slips, there are so many different kinds of pieces to choose from. Also, ensure that the shapewear you choose is comfortable. After all, you’ll be wearing it for hours at a time, and you should be able to breathe and move comfortably throughout the ceremony and reception so that you can fully enjoy the experience.

     

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    Matching robes or sleepwear can make for amazing pre-wedding pictures and would be a nice little gift for your bridesmaids. Have them personalised to serve as a beautiful reminder for both you and your bridesmaids.

     

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    A post shared by Claudia (@carmelatte) on

    Another important factor to consider is the straps (or lack thereof). If your wedding dress has sleeves and a simple neckline you’ll have a lot more options to choose from. If your dress has no straps, you might want to look into a strapless bra or low line corset which suits the neckline of your dress and provides adequate support.

    Backless and low-back dresses and jumpsuits also pose some style challenges. Try a backless or low-back bra or bustier, or if you’re comfortable going bra-less, consider some nipple covers, pasties, or adhesive cups. Dresses with plunging necklines work better with an adjustable multi-way bra.

     

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    A post shared by Nette Rose intimates (@nette_rose) on

    The lingerie you choose for your wedding outfit may not be the sexiest or most exciting styles, so do take the time to slip into something extra special for the wedding night. Maybe try something like a seductive suspender set, a sensual bodysuit or romantic chemises to look and feel your best on your wedding night.

    By Larissa Vermeulen

    Feature image: Unsplash