Face masks have become a required item amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring!
If you plan to have a socially distanced wedding this year, there are still ways to stay safe without sacrificing style. Brides and grooms can design special face masks to match their bridal attire. Use the materials and detail of your wedding dress to add personality to your face mask.
Jewellery can help add flair and personality to your bridal look. If you want something unique, it’s best to skip the traditional stores in the mall and go for something different.
There are a host of stunning jewellery lines in South Africa that offer pre-made and custom designs. Whether your style is modern, boho or glamorous, there is a local jeweller for you.
It’s especially important to support local amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are a few of our favourite local brands making some stunning jewellery.
Some grooms dress to impress. If your hubby is a fashion guru, he might want to don a hat. It’s important to choose the specific look you’re going to make a strong statement. Once the rest of the outfit is compiled, a hat will top it off perfectly.
Take a look at these memorable men’s hats for inspiration.
Tiaras have long been associated with royalty. From the ancient Egyptians to the Ancient Romans, tiaras or diadems as they are also known, came in many forms.
Today, brides – royal and non-royal – the world over love this accessory to top of their wedding look. The wearing of a tiara is an ancient custom created as a symbol of nobility. Centuries ago, tiaras were popular amongst ancient Kings. While it is difficult to trace their exact line of development, we can see how different cultures appreciated this beautiful accessory.
According to British jewellery specialist Geoffrey Munn, the word ‘tiara’ “is actually Persian in origin—the name first denoted the high-peaked head-dresses of Persian kings, which were encircled by ‘diadems’ (bands of purple and white decoration). Now, it is used to describe almost every form of decorative head ornament.”
In classic times, a simple band of cloth tied around the head with a knot acted as a diadem. Over the years, this evolved to the ornate and heavy crowns worn by Eastern Kings.
The Egyptians in particular were fans of the rich gold headdresses encrusted with jewels and decorated with tassels. When King Tutankhamun’s tomb was excavated, his mummy was found wearing a gold diadem featuring a detachable gold ornament with the head of a vulture and the body of a cobra.
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The earliest Greek diadems consisted of gold or silver sheet decorated with simple patterns of dots embossed from the back.
Ancient Romans also favoured gold headdresses with precious stones. The earliest diadem in Roman history can be traced back to C.E. 245-313 and belonged to Roman Emperor Gaius Valerius Diocletianus, also known as Diocletian. Champions and decorated generals in Roman history were gifted golden wreaths to honour their bravery in battle. For Roman brides, a simple wreath made of flowers and leaves were perfect symbols of purity.
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Tiaras or diadems fell out of popularity when the Roman empire began to decline and Christianity grew across the world. During medieval times, women followed more demure fashion and wore cone-shaped hats with veils.
Napoleon and his wife Josephine are often considered to have started the trend of luxurious headwear. In fact, Napoleon had the famed Cameo tiara, worn by Swedish royal brides today, made for his wife.
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Tiara’s saw a resurgence in the late 18th century during the Renaissance period and again following the Neoclassicism movement of the early 19th century.
It was in the 19th century that tiaras first became important wedding symbols for the British royal family. Queen Victoria began a collection of priceless tiaras that still belongs to the family today.
There are a number of famed royal tiaras such as the Queen Mary Fringe Tiara worn by Queen Elizabeth on her 1947 wedding day, and the Diamond Bandeau Tiara, worn by Megan Markle on her wedding day in 2018.
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Royal families across the globe have their own special tiaras. Queen Elizabeth II is believed to have the largest, most valuable collection of tiaras in the world. Most of them are inherited heirlooms from Queen Alexandra.
In the 1930s, tiaras gained mainstream popularity as silver-screen stars like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly donned the iconic accessory. Designers like Vivienne Westwood, Gianna Versace, and Philip Treacy have all made their own unique spin on the trend too, bringing tiaras to the catwalk.
Today, anyone can wear a tiara. Its exclusive symbolism has worn off over the years, although many still idolise the famous tiaras of yesteryear.
A veil is the perfect accessory to finish off your bridal look. No matter your aesthetic, there is a veil to match.
If you’re going for a more classic look, you’re in luck. Veils adorned with delicate lace, subtle pearl detail or embroidery will work well to complete your bridal dream. Remember to take in your specific gown’s look and cut when determining the length and fullness of your veil.
Here are some different veil styles that will appeal to a bride wanting to look elegant on your big day.
A wedding cake topper is the final element of your wedding cake, giving that last touch to your perfect dessert. These toppers work wonders in personalising your cake.
Wedding cake toppers have decreased in popularity over the decades, with many couples preferring the cake’s detail to be the focus. However, those opting for simpler cake designs will benefit from a unique and quirky cake topping that speaks to the couple’s personality.
From adorable animals to Lego creations, here are some creative toppers to act as the cherry on top of your cake:
The moment you exchange your vows with your partner is a special one you’ll want to remember forever. Say ‘I do’ in style under a stunningly modern wedding arch to fit with the times.
It’s easy to decorate your arch with flowers and call it a day, but that’s also expected. If you love a modern design that highlights unique shapes, show that off with your arch.
Here are some arches that have absolutely bowled us over:
A princess’s look is not complete without a tiara. Swedish royal brides, interestingly, seem to gravitate towards a specific one.
The Cameo is a famed tiara in the Swedish royal family and is believed to be one of the oldest tiaras still in use. The unusual tiara has a long, romantic history and has been worn by both Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria on their wedding days.
The crown is believed to have first belonged to empress Josephine, the first wife of Napoleon, and the first empress of the French after he proclaimed himself Emperor. The crown was reportedly made for her in the early 1800s during the final years of her marriage to Napoleon.
The crown features 7 cameos, or oval pieces of jewellery that consist of a portrait in profile carved into it. The cameos were individually made and not intended to go together, which is why they vary in size and appearance. The largest cameo at the centre of the crown depicts a scene from the famous story of Cupid and Psyche. A base of gold and seed pearls frame the cameos.
The crown ended up in Sweden via empress Josephine’s granddaughter, also named Josephine, when she married the country’s first King Oscar in 1823. The queen passed the tiars on to daughter Eugenie. Since Eugenie had no children, the crown travelled throughout the family houses until it was presented to Princess Sybilla. It was from here that the crown began to feature atop the heads of Swedish brides.
Two of Princess Sybilla’s daughters, Princess Birgitta and Princess Desiree wore the tiara on their big days. In 1972, the tiara was passed on to Princess Sybilla’s son (who became King the following year) after her passing, and his bride Silvia wore it on their wedding day as she became Queen of Sweden. Queen Silvia wearing the tiara on her big day added even deeper royal significance to this prized diadem. Their eldest child and heir to the throne, Princess Victoria followed tradition and proudly wore the crown during her 2010 royal nuptials.
As the months drag on, we dream of the day weddings will be allowed again. Until then, what better opportunity than to plan?
Bouquets are a matter of personal choice, budget and seasonal availability. We say less is more. Take a look at these elegant minimalist bouquets. Simple, yet stunning.
The bride’s ring used to be the sole focus of an engagement. These days, groom’s rings are claiming their place in the spotlight too. Don’t let her have all the fun, show your rocking ring to all who can see.
Take a look at these stellar rings for inspiration:
