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South Africa’s very own Zozibini Tunzi has just been crowned Miss Universe for 2019. Her beauty, strength and intellect have inspired us all to be a little bit like her. Take some style tips from our reigning queen this upcoming wedding season by taking a page from her fashion diaries.

Wedding dress:

Zozibini strutted down the Miss Universe stage wearing a stunning white caped gown representing her Xhosa heritage, designed by Biji – La Maison de Couture. Modern and structured, this dress makes a powerful statement.

Bridal capes are a great option for brides that are looking for a little something extra and for those that are looking to break away from the norm. If you’re not into the super modern look, you can soften the cape by going for lighter fabrics to give an airy finish.

Credit: Instagram / vera_kayy
Credit: Instagram / lovestoryfilms
Credit: Instagram / oksana_mukha_official

If you’re daring, why not go for an illusion gown wedding dress? Zozibini wore this Biji – La Maison de Couture to the Fairlady Santam Woman of the Future Awards earlier this year and gave us major #outfitgoals.

This lace applique gown is delicate yet sexy, perfect for the bride wanting to strike a balance. If you’re scared of the full illusion look you can always line certain parts.

Credit: Instagram / Pnina Tornai
Credit: Instagram / Berta Bridal
Credit: Instagram / Miss Hailey Paige

Crowns:

Zozibini’s ornate crown, named ‘The Power of Unity’, celebrates the complexity, diversity, unapologetic ambition and strength of women. With more than 1,770 diamonds set in 18-karat gold, the crown features interconnected leaves and flowers. A 62.83 carat golden canary diamond is the stunning centrepiece.

While you might not have the budget to replicate this specific crown, there are so many ways to get the look. Give off regal romance with these stunning crowns.

Credit: Instagram / Minas Florals
Credit: Instagram / Elizabeths Events
Credit: Instagram / Mark Jay Photography

 

Feature image: Instagram / Zozibini Tunzi

Applique – various fabrics sewn onto netting or other transparent fabric – creates a lovely, romantic appearance for your bridal look. It allows you to show some skin and yet still look classy and tasteful. It suits brides with a feminine style and a love for detail. Applique designs can feature anywhere, like the back, sleeves, neckline or veil. Here are some of our favourites.

 

Picture: Unsplash

Weddings in 2020 will definitely be featuring something blue. Pantone has just announced their 2020 colour of year, and it’s a brilliant blue loaded with beautiful meaning.

For 2020, Pantone has selected PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue as their Colour of the year.

“A timeless and enduring blue hue, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is elegant in its simplicity,” explains the company. “Suggestive of the sky at dusk, the reassuring qualities of the thought-provoking PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue highlight our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.”

“Imprinted in our psyches as a restful colour, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue brings a sense of peace and tranquility to the human spirit, offering refuge. Aiding concentration and bringing laser like clarity, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue re-centres our thoughts. A reflective blue tone, Classic Blue fosters resilience.”

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With such beautiful symbolism, this hue works perfectly for weddings. Here’s how to bring on the blue on your big day.

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Image: Unsplash

Crowns have made a resurgence in the wedding industry. As royal brides walk down the aisle with their crowning glory, we cannot help but covet this regal accessory. Crowns, however, can seem a bit…dated. Instead of the traditional glitzy headpiece, todays brides are opting for accessories lined with crystals, celestial shapes and unique stones. Here’s how to modernise this traditional accessory.

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Also read: Stunning bridal hair pieces

Image: Unsplash

Anyone with curly hair knows it can be temperamental. If you’ve decided to rock your natural texture on your big day, fear not. The joy of curly hair is that is it can be anything it wants to be.

There are a wide variety of creative curly hairstyles to choose from. Whether you’r rocking locks, braids, a ‘fro or your wash ‘n go, we’ve got styles to suit everyone.

Shining star:

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Relaxed updo:

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Romantic faux-hawk:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4U9RwIFUeo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Sleek simplicity:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3YQ2OaJsaj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Locked and loaded:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxsO94pHGjX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Chic chignon:

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Fantastic ‘fro:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4k7_gxJvbZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Textured twists:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2rsVBHJRpK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Brilliant braids:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5TPSsWHs7Z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Crowning glory:

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

Image: Pexels

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 

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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 

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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 

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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 

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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 

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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.

 

Image: Unsplash 

Bouquets have come to be the classic accessory for bridesmaids to carry as they walk down the aisle. A bride in Plant City, Florida, however, decided on something different. When Andee Ondina and Tina Krasinski wed on Monday, their bridesmaids strolled down the aisle with puppies instead of flowers.

The bride, Ondina, made this unorthodox decision in the hopes of raising awareness for rescue animals and to persuade people to adopt, not shop. Adoption applications were even available at the wedding reception.

Credit: Facebook/Andee Krasinski

The bridal party included 10 adoptable five-week-old puppies. Ondina told WFLA-TV  that she decided to nickname her furry bouquet substitutes “puppquets”.

This unconventional choice made the day even more special by adding an adorable flare to the ceremony. The couple’s decision to use their wedding for a good cause is likely to have an even happier ending. From stories we’ve seen in the past, these kinds of thoughtful gestures usually end with most, if not all, of the puppies ending up in happy and loving homes.

It isn’t just the Krasinski’s getting into the puppy spirit. In 2017, North Carolina bride  Meghan Bulter also opted for puppies instead of bouquets for herself and her bridesmaids at her wedding. Like Ondina, Butler had decided on this in the hopes that she would raise awareness for puppies who needed rescuing. After the wedding, Butler told People that all the puppies had since been adopted.

Similarly, Sally Burky told Insider that after her wedding, which also showcased adorable dogs who were up for adoption, four out of the total five dogs were adopted. On this occasion, having the puppies at the wedding not only allowed for the adoption of four puppies, but also drew a lot of attention to the rescue home that the dogs were living in. The rescue home, Haven of the Ozarks, was overwhelmed by the support they received after Burky’s wedding.

So, to us, having bridesmaids carry puppies is cool and unconventional but also heartwarming and adorable. It may just be the pawfect decision.

Image: Facebook/Wishing Well Barn

One of the most important aspects of a wedding is the bride’s dress. The marriage too, but let’s be honest, all eyes will be on the woman of the moment when she makes her triumphant walk down the aisle. With all this attention, you’ll definitely want your look to be picture perfect.

Wedding dress shopping is an experience. Making a dress or even just having one altered takes time. To make sure you stay on schedule, follow our wedding dress timeline.

12 months before the wedding:

– Research: Before you begin wedding dress shopping, you have to know what you want. Having a general idea of how you want to look will make the shopping experience that much easier. Scour Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration. It also helps to make a Pinterest board so that your bridal party and shopping assistants at bridal stores can greater understand your vision.

– Budget: Before you enter a store, you need to have a budget. If you don’t have a budget, you risk spending way beyond your means. When setting up your budget, make sure to include all the extra expenses such as alterations, shipping and accessories so that you have a ballpark figure that you cannot go over.

10 months before the wedding:

– Start wedding dress shopping: If you thought finding the One was tough, you haven’t gone wedding dress shopping yet. With so many silhouettes and styles available, it is easy to become overwhelmed.

Take your time and visit a few wedding dress stores to see what they have to offer. During this time, you can also start to get a feel of the the styles that look best on you, which will make your final decision much easier.

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8 months before the wedding:

– Say yes to the dress: After months of visiting bridal stores, now is the time to make your choice. By 8 months, you should have your wedding dress locked down and ordered. It may seem early, but choosing your dress this early leaves enough time for alterations and fittings which can often take months to complete.

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5 months before the wedding:

–  Accessorise: remember the saying, “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue”? Now is the time to incorporate it into your wedding attire.

Whether it be an extravagant veil or a bridal hair piece, there are so many ways to top off your bridal look. The 5-month mark is the perfect time to go shopping for shoes, jewellery and other other accessories to compliment your dress.

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3 months before the wedding:

– First fitting: Chances are, you’ll have two to three fittings to make sure your dress is the perfect. At your first fitting, you will cover all the alterations that need to be made, whether it be a shorter hemline or extra beading.

It is crucial to have this fitting months ahead of the wedding to allow your seamstress enough time to make all the necessary changes. Make sure to bring your shoes and accessories along so that you can see the final look a little more clearly and make the necessary adjustments.

6-8 weeks before the wedding:

– Second fitting: The second dress fitting is for minor revisions. You will be fitting on your dress to see how the alterations at your first fitting came out and if any other changes need to be made. Once again, make sure to bring along your shoes and accessories. If possible, have your hair styled and your bridal makeup done so that you can see every component of your look together.

2-3 weeks before the wedding:

– Final fitting: All the alterations should be complete at this point, so the final fitting is simply to ensure that everything is perfect. This is the time when your entire look will come together. It is advised that you come prepared with your shoes and accessories, and have your hair and makeup done to get the big picture of your bridal attire.

the week before the wedding:

– pick up your wedding dress: it’s finally done! Your next task is to pick up your wedding dress and leave it somewhere safe. If you are following tradition, you’ll want to keep your dress out of your partner’s sight, so you will need to be strategic about where you will store it.

the day of:

Enjoy your wedding day: this one is pretty self-explanatory. The day has finally arrived, and now is the time to bask in your happiness while wearing your dream dress.

Image: Unsplash

With endless designs, materials, shapes and sizes, rings are quite a big deal. People gush over it, spend crazy amount of money on it, and flaunt it for all to see. But where did it all begin, and why did societies across the globe agree that it should be worn by engaged and married couples?

Where it started: Ancient Egypt

As far as historians can tell, lovebirds in Egypts presented each other with small circles made of reeds over 3,000 years ago. As can be expected, these rings didn’t last long and inventive souls soon came up with bands made from leather, bone or ivory. Translation of hieroglyphics show that Egyptians believed the rings symbolized undying commitment and eternal love between the couple because the circle has no beginning or end. The center opening is a door to the future. This symbolism still applies to many cultures today.

Where it continued: Ancient Rome

It seems that grooms would present their brides with iron bands to wear. The iron symbolized steadfastness and stability. It is also believed that the Romans were the first to have their rings engraved. The ring was placed on the lucky lady’s fourth finger, which was believed to contain the vena amoris, or the vein of love, that connected to the heart. Today, of course, we know that it’s not quite medically true. However, romanticism led us to stick to the practice anyway.

The reason behind why it’s specifically worn on the left hand, is apparently that most people are right handed and so the ring would be out of harm’s way and not be as likely to get damaged.

Where it is now: Modern times

Before the onset of World War II, it was customary for only the woman to wear a ring. We’re not sure why. It could be for financial reasons, or even sexist reasons. During the war, however, some soldiers chose to wear rings their wives would give them as a reminder and symbol of commitment. A few years and few wars later, wedding ring sets became more popular among civilians as well.

Today, it’s a multimillion-dollar industry and most couples choose to both give each other rings as a symbol of love, commitment and security.

Picture: Pexels

Black is not just a colour for mourning. For decades, white has been synonymous with weddings for its symbolism of purity. White is traditionally expected. However, while many are afraid of including this dark-hued colour in weddings, black can actually bring much class and sophistication to your big day. Take a walk on the dark side and think of bringing this dark tone into your wedding.

Here are a few way to incorporate black into your wedding that won’t look morbid.

Invites:

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The order of events:

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Your dress:

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All-black suit:

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Your bouquet:

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Wedding arch:

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Black tables:

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Seating:

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Candles:

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Escort cards:

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Napkins:

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Plating:

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Your cake:

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Image: Unsplash