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    The fact of the matter is that not all women like wearing heels, some actually dread it. If you find yourself in this group, you definitely won’t want to be uncomfortable on your wedding day, knowing that you are going to spend the entire day on your feet. All you want to do is remember your special day and have fun! So why not step out in style with a pair of wedding kicks instead?

    Sneakers are universally loved for adding a street-chic element to any outfit, but who’s to say that you cannot wear it on your wedding day? There is a wide range of unique sneakers for brides and grooms, but the one you pick will be entirely dependent on your style. You can keep it classic with white or you can be bold and add a pop of colour. Add playful touches with lace, embroidery, satin, embellishments or opt for a pair of espadrille sneakers that are a bit more quirky. Customize your sneakers with bows or rhinestones – the possibilities are endless!

    Brides can also opt for wearing heels to their wedding ceremony and then switch to sneakers for the reception. Being comfortable while being yourself is the most important, so we’re here to serve you with some serious sneaker inspo:

     

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    By Amy-lee Steenkamp

    Feature image: Unsplash

    Bridal hats are the new accessory that has taken the bridal world by storm. It has become the one item that’s able to join contemporary with the classic bridal aesthetic. Brides are ditching the traditional veil and opting for this new head accessory.

    The term ‘bridal hat’ could be misconstrued as an ‘aged’ trend, but designers are creating cutting edge creations for brides-to-be to choose from. Things to consider when choosing the perfect hat would be your wedding location, your theme and also the overall aesthetic of your décor look and feel.

    Below are different options as to how you can incorporate hats into your big day’s bridal look:

    Hat R1 500, Crystal Birch; blazer R1 199 & pants R679, both ZARA; necklace R280, YDE; ring R312 795, Shimansky; gloves stylist’s own.
    Hat R1 250, Crystal Birch; top R7 999 and skirt R17 999, both Gavin Rajah; earrings POR, Shimansky.
    Hat POR, Mambona Hats; dress R22 000, Elbeth Gillis; ring R312 795, Shimansky.

    Feature image: Irina (left): Hat POR, Mambona Hats; dress R16 000, Elbeth Gillis; earrings R300 195 and necklace POR, both Shimansky; and Carmen (right):  hat POR, Mambona Hats; bodysuit R9 200 and skirt R16 500, both Elbeth Gillis.

    As seen in Wedding Album Magazine 1/2019 issue (Prices correct at time of print)

    By Rojaun Devos

    All images: Gareth van Nelson

    Perspex has been a big trend in weddings as of late, ranging from wedding stationery to decor displays. It is a simple, unique and sophisticated look.

    Here are some of the ways you can incorporate perspex into your wedding:

    Invitation

     

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    Welcome sign

     

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    Seating chart

     

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    Table numbers

     

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    Placement cards

     

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    Drinks menu

     

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    Donut wall

     

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    Display stands

     

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    Display case

     

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    Feature image: Jotham van Tonder

    As the father of the bride or groom, you want to look your absolute best – you have an important role to play throughout the entire wedding after all. From walking the bride down the aisle, delivering an embarrassing yet cute speech, to being picture perfect and having the father-daughter dance, you want to not only look like you are part of the wedding party but look stylish too.

    Here are a few style tips to remember when thinking about how to dress dad:

    Follow the general dress code

    If the wedding is black tie, the classic tuxedo is your go-to. If the dress code is formal to semi-formal, wear a suit of your choice and add accents in the colour of the day. For an outdoor or beach wedding, keep it laid back with a casual chino and an open-collared shirt.

     

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    Match the style of the groom and groomsmen

    Generally, the fathers should fit in with the groom. Not an identical match per se, but they can co-ordinate to some degree to form unity. Try to stay away from colours that would clash with the bridal party – we all love coordination in the photos! For the father of the bride, it’s also a good idea to have some element that correlates with the bride, like a boutonniere with a flower that matches her bouquet, to make dad stand out.

     

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    Forget office wear

    This is not the same. Wedding attire should look special and differentiate from your regular office day look. This is the day you can overdress slightly. Your suit should be clean, crisp, ironed and tailored to fit you perfectly.

     

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    Consider your accessories

    Your accessories can be part of the dress code and it could be sentimentally significant too. Keep in mind that less is more, so don’t overdo it with accessories. Consider these:

    • A boutonniere, which is the small flower arrangement worn on the lapel of a suit
    • A quirky pocket square
    • Cufflinks
    • Lapel pin
    • Tie clip
    • Personalised socks

     

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    Talk to your dad!

    Communicate with your dad, ensure that what he wears is suited for the big day, that it fits him well and that he is comfortable and happy. Dad needs to feel dapper too!

     

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    By Amy-lee Steenkamp

    Feature image: Unsplash

    Always dreamt of having a beach wedding, or any location wedding for that matter? The short dress trend makes life so much easier for brides having to travel across the world, and it’s only getting more popular. Avoid the inconvenience of getting beach sand stuck in-between your tulle or having dirt ruin your long train. Opting for a cool, short bridal design ensures your day is easy, fun and most importantly, 100% more comfortable.

    Our style team selected some of the coolest short dresses for every type of bride, ranging from edgy to classic, and even something with a little more oomph. Have a look at what we found:

     

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    By Rojaun Devos

    Feature image: Unsplash

    After the stress and excitement of the wedding, we can’t think of a better way to give your soul some therapy than to get into nature. Hiking is a great way to explore, reconnect with and appreciate the beauty of nature.

    These are some of the best places to go hiking around the world, thanks to the variety and diversity within them.

    Canada

    With sky-high mountains and an endless number of different landscapes, Canada provides an exceptional hiking experience. Within the landscapes you will find lakes, mountains, forests and lots of wildlife. Due to the vast land area, there are hiking opportunities that range from easy to difficult.

    Banff, Canada

    USA

    Consists of hundreds of thousands of hiking trails and is extremely diverse in terms of landscapes. There are deserts, mountains, rainforests etc. Hiking in the U.S. is protected by the National Park Service and they ensure the preservation of the trails and scenery. You’ll be able to experience ample views, mighty trees, rocky ledges and endless canyons.

    Yosemite National Park

    Norway

    Norway has a reputation for being one of the best hiking destinations in the world, and it is well deserved. There is no better way to experience and see all of Norway’s beauty than by foot. It has jagged mountains and a large scenic variety that is so beautiful it will take your breath away.

    Trolltunga, Norway

    South Africa

    Known for its diverse landscapes and stunning views, South Africa has hiking trails that suit every fitness level. There is no better way to explore the terrain and discover indigenous flora and fauna than by trekking through it.

    Otter Trail, South Africa

    Nepal

    A famous hiking destination thanks to Mount Everest with people travelling from all over the world to get a glimpse of the world’s highest mountain. But hiking in Nepal is not only limited to Mount Everest. In fact, Nepal is home to 8 of the top 10 highest mountains in the world. Hiking in Nepal is a truly unique experience as many of the beautiful landscapes are only accessible by foot.

    Himalayas, Nepal

    New Zealand

    Home to the ‘Great Walks’ – amazing trails that allow one to experience the diverse and breathtaking scenery. There are walking and hiking options for all levels. Discover the range of scenery from snowcapped mountains to lush forests.

    Tongariro National Park

    Images: Pixabay

    Going on safari for your honeymoon will be one of those ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences. It is the perfect trip to take after a wedding as it is a chance for the newlyweds to really relax and escape from the city life. A real safari is of course only accessible within Africa and while there are so many places one can visit, these safari spots have the most to offer. And of course, there’s nothing quite like an African sunset.

    Uganda

    Although you might not be able to see the big 5, there is plenty to see on a Ugandan safari. Uganda’s volcanic past is visible in the landscape and there are over 600 species of bird, tree climbing lions, hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and many primate species – after all, Uganda is best known for its gorilla trekking.

    Tree-climbing lion

    Kenya

    It’s very possible that you will see the big 5 as well as the rare black rhino and, if you’re lucky, lions on the hunt during the wildebeest migration from August to November. Kenya is also famous for its big cat populations and is extremely focused on ecotourism. All in all, a great safari option.

    Wildebeest migration

    Tanzania

    While there are not many elephants and rhinos, the large open grasslands provide a grazing spot for zebras and wildebeest, as well as allow for easier predator sightings and the lack of trees makes leopard spotting much easier. It’s also likely that you will see a lion kill between the months of November to July, during the migration.

    Leopard

    Zimbabwe

    A Zimbabwean safari is not very well known which makes for uncrowded parks. You can expect to see plenty of elephants, the black rhino, African wild dogs and bat-eared foxes. Other animals that are also often spotted are lions and large herds of buffalo. It’s also a lovely place for bird watching with over 400 species of bird.

    Elephant

    Botswana

    Having one of the highest quantities of wildlife, Botswana is a pretty safe safari option. With the reintroduction of the white and black rhino, it is possible to see the big 5. It’s home to the largest elephant herds in Africa and a great deal of lion, buffalo, leopard and wild dogs. You also might be fortunate enough to see some interactions between the lions and buffalos. Another perk is that it is just a day’s trip away from Victoria falls.

    Buffalo

    South Africa

    The most reliable safari destination for sightings of the big 5 thanks to having more mammals than all other African game reserves. There are also over 500 bird species. Other notable animals include cheetahs, wild dogs, hippos, and many more. South Africa is the best option for first timers.

    Lilac-breasted roller

    Images: Pixabay

     

    Gatecrashing, party crashing or wedding crashing is the act of pitching up to an event uninvited. After watching The Wedding Crashers (2005) one assumes that crashing a wedding is a great way to meet single people. One woman in Texas has a different approach when crashing weddings.

    The Comal County Sheriff’s Office shared a post on Facebook explaining, “this elusive suspect has been dubbed “The Wedding Crasher.” The Wedding Crasher has been frequenting wedding events not only in Comal County, but surrounding counties as well, preying on unsuspecting families and friends. The suspect arrives uninvited to weddings, poses as a guest and then steals the gifts.”

    She’s known as ‘the wedding crasher’ and has hit four nuptials so far. She arrived at the weddings uninvited and poses as a guest. So how does she walk out with big boxes and beautifully wrapped gifts?

    It has been reported that she’s only stealing envelopes and gift cards. ‘The wedding crasher’ has already gone shopping with the vouchers and all the footage has been sent to authorities.

    The Comal County Sheriff’s Office is offering a reward of $4000 (R61 000) for any information about the woman that may help with her arrest.

    Image: Unsplash

    Some couples want to relax on the beach, others want an adventure-filled honeymoon and some want the food and wine experience. If that’s you, take a look at these places known for their excellent food and wine.

    France

    With gastronomy and champagne originating in France as well as being one of the largest wine producing countries in the world, it is an obvious choice for a honeymoon destination.

    French vineyard

    Italy

    You’ll find Italian food all over the world, but no-one does it quite like the locals. Italy also has a large variety of unique wines and of course, prosecco.

    Italian winery

    Spain

    Food and wine is a part of the Spanish culture and with its mixture of traditional and experimental recipes, its easy to see why.

    Spanish food market

    Argentina

    Argentina is famous for its grilling, new-world cuisine and wine production with Spanish roots making for a great honeymoon destination.

    Argentine vineyard

    South Africa

    Although not necessarily known for its food and wine, South Africa boasts world class cuisine and is filled with wine farms and reasonable pricing.

    South African wine region

    Tunisia

    With French and African influenced food combinations, fully flavoured and spiced dishes, and a full history of wine production, Tunisia is an overlooked destination for foodies and wine lovers.

    Tunisian spice market

    Images: Pixabay

    The wedding is over. Now you can finally relax, right?

    Nope! There is still one thing left to do – send out thank you cards. This may seem like a daunting task, but it has to be done. The general rule for sending out thank you cards after a wedding is that you have 3 months to do so, but try to do it as soon as possible.

    Some tips for making this process as easy as possible:

    • When opening gifts, keep a list of every gift received and who it was from. This will help you when you are actually writing the cards as you won’t have to rack your brain trying to remember who gave what.
    • Keep a pen and your wedding stationery next to your bed so that you can write a few cards each night when you get into bed. This is better than writing them all at once as you want the cards to be as appreciative and sincere as possible which can be hard to maintain after you’ve already written 50 cards. It also takes the pressure off finding time to sit down and write them all.

    A few things to include in the card: specify the gift that was received so that the card is personalised, write something personal about the giver, and comment on the joy that the gift will bring you.

    The best tip I can give when writing a thank you card is: NEVER start with thank you. Start with any other sentence. If you start with thank you, you won’t know what to say next.

    A great thank you card doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be done.

     

    Image: Unsplash