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    Wedding cakes are a key tradition in most cultures and they can easily rack up quite a heavy cost. This doesn’t have to be the case if you’re clear about what you want and follow these simple tips to help you save on this part of your big day.

    Consider a display cake 

    A big expense when it comes to cake is getting the amount you need out of a beautifully designed, intricate cake. If you want a cake that can feed all your guests, rather have a smaller, beautiful display cake for cutting and have a simple sheet cake in the kitchen which can be cut up and brought out.

    Keep it simple 

    This might be the most obvious suggestion, but the more complicated the cake the more expensive it is likely to be. Choosing a cake that will take less time to make means you will be charged less by your baker. Consider what you want in terms of colour, icing and tiers and then make this combination as simple as possible.

    Reconsider flowers

    Sugar flowers should definitely be reconsidered and replaced by fresh flowers or painted flowers on the cake itself. Sugar flowers are intricate and require a lot of work which adds to the cost.

    Consider the cake a party favour 

    Instead of having the cake and party favours combine these two parts of the event. Cut the cake right at the end, before everyone begins to leave and offer them slices in takeaway boxes as they go.

    Serve smaller slices 

    Let’s be honest, most people don’t even eat their entire piece of wedding cake. So save by having a smaller cake with smaller slices. If you’re worried this won’t be enough for guests, combine the smaller piece of cake with cheaper confectionaries like strawberries or chocolates.

    User your caterer

    Often couples choose a separate baker for their cake but this can add to the cost. If you find out if your caterer would be willing to do the cake as well you can often negotiate a better price.

    Consider something other than cake

    Cake is the traditional option, but why not offer guests a something different which can also save you some money. Offering cupcakes or cake pops are great alternatives and are likely to be eaten because of their smaller size.

    Image: Unsplash

    South Africans are lucky to have a myriad of magnificent wedding venues across the country. From beachside venues and vineyards to countryside stunners and modern museums, there is something for every bridal couple.

    If you’re looking for a venue straight out of a fairytale, we’ve got the perfect one. Shepstone Gardens in Johannesburg mixes old world glamour with modern finishes to give you the best of both worlds.

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    Shepstone Gardens is situated in Hope Road, in the heart of Mountain View in Johannesburg. The main house was one of the original Witwatersrand Ridge houses commissioned by the Modderfontein Dynamite Company after the Anglo Boer War at the turn of the 20th Century.

    The venue has been privately owned by the Rayner family for the past 35 years, and they have worked to restore it while still maintaining its heritage and charm.

    On the grounds are an on-site chapel, a glass marquee and a grand hall. The on-site chapel has intricate stone walls, large stained-glass windows and a stunning glass roof that screams opulence and whimsy.

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    If you’d like an outdoor ceremony, you can say your I do’s at their natural arch, which is is perched right next to a functioning bell tower to add that extra fairytale-esque spin to your big day. To bring you back to earth, the Johannesburg skyline acts as a beautiful backdrop, creating an interesting juxtaposition of city and garden.

    The glass marquee is a mesmerising location. Marble floors, stone pillars and chandeliers create a striking finish against the vibrant green of the grounds. It’s opulent and glamorous yet down to earth at the same time. The glass marquee can be used as a ceremony or reception venue, the choice is up to you.

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    If the glass marquee isn’t your style, another option is the grand hall. This space offers wood flooring and tall pillars that acts as more of a blank canvas to truly allow your decor to take centre stage. It’s the more timeless, old school option of the two locations. It’s even got a library next door that can be used as a cozy lounge or a separate area to display your after dinner sweet treats.

    Shepstone Gardens offers in-house catering and decor, making the planning process even easier. What we love is that they also offer the Lorax Initiative in partnership with Food & Trees for Africa.  For every wedding guest that sponsors a tree as a wedding gift, Shepstone Gardens will match it and sponsor another tree.

    The joy that is experienced around the beauty of Shepstone Gardens is afforded because of a deep love and care for the earth it has risen from. It is fitting, then, that we perpetuate that love and spread it far and wide to where it is needed most,” they explain on their site.

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    Shepstone Gardens is perfect for the couple wanting a little of everything from their wedding day. It’s classic and whimsical, modern and elegant yet grand all at the same time.
    For more about this amazing South African wedding venue, visit their website HERE.

    Feature image: Instagram / Shepstone Gardens

    If you’re not one for tons of detail and over-the-top design, a silk wedding dress may just be the perfect fit. This fabric is luxurious and glamorous all on its own, and needs very little to take it to the next level.

    Silk is a natural protein fibre produced by insect larvae to create cacoons. While many insects can produce silk, it is the fibre of the moth caterpillar that is traditionally used in textiles. The fibre is woven into the fabric we know today, and gets its shimmering appearance thanks to the triangular prism-like structure of the silk fibre that refracts incoming light at various angles.

    Silk works best for a paired down look. Opt for a simple frame like a slip or A-line gown to use the fabric to its best potential. Because of its delicate nature, it drapes beautifully so silk looks especially stunning when used to create a cowl-neck.

    Here are some some dresses to show that silk can be used in a variety of ways to produce any style you want.

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    Feature image: Unsplash

    We predict micro weddings will be a massive trend for the remainder of 2020 and even 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With strict regulations on guest lists, couples will have to be much more discerning when it comes to their wedding party.

    Micro weddings may seem limiting but they actually allow for so much more opportunity because your budget doesn’t have to stretch to accommodate a large guest list. With less guests, your money can truly be spent on those luxurious and special parts of a wedding that you might not have been able to afford otherwise.

    Just because you’ve only got one or two tables does not mean that they have to be boring. Now is the time to go bold with design. Think of extravagant overhead installations, unique lighting and explosions of floral bouquets.

    Here are a few ways to make your intimate wedding table look grand:

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    Feature image: Pexels

    If your legs are your greatest physical asset, show them off!  A slit is incredibly flattering on a number of body shapes and dress styles as it softens a look and allows greater movement in your gown.

    It’s important to consider height and placement when opting for a slit. Depending on how comfortable you are, your slit can be knee length high or extend all the way to your upper thigh. It all relates to the overall look you want.

    You also have options in placing your slit on the sides, the middle or even the back of your dress. The back and front slits are typically to accomodate stiffer fabrics as it allows for more movement, while the side slits are all about drama. Placing your slit on the side puts your leg on full display. Just make sure to not veer too far off onto the side to avoid having to stick your leg out to get the full effect of the slit. Aim for creating the slit right where the dress naturally touches your legs.

    If you’re unsure of how to pull of this trend, take a look at how these stunning brides have done it.

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    Feature image: Unsplash

    Instagram is a treasure trove of inspiration. Anything you would want to know more about can easily be found through a simple hashtag.

    With so many details involved in your big day, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. When planning your wedding, the fastest and easiest way to find inspiration is to consult this much-loved app. From your flowers and food to your wedding dress and seating chart, you can find unique ideas on Instagram thanks to thousands of wedding vendors from all over the world.

    Instagram has a handy ‘save’ function, which allows users to bookmark posts they love. You can organise these bookmarks into separate collections, making it even easier to group your thoughts together in a cohesive way. It’s like your very own inspiration board, but online.

    If you’re planning a wedding and don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered. We’ve rounded up our favourite wedding-related Instagram pages from South Africa and beyond that have been giving us major #weddinggoals.

    Wedding Concepts SA

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    Wedding Wire

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    The Wedding Bliss

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    Kleinfeld Bridal

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    Precious the Planner

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    Black Bride 1998

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    Zavion Kotze Events Company

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    Green Wedding Shoes

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    traditionalweddinginspo_za

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    Here Comes the Guide

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    If gold is good enough for royalty and Olympic winners, it’s good enough for us! We love gold for its luxurious look, it adds a special sparkle to a wedding day without being overwhelming.

    Gold is a unique colour in that it pairs well with almost any other colour. It works especially well with white or black for a more classic look, but can easily stand out alongside bolder hues like pinks, reds and greens.

    Whether you want large explosions of colour or finer details, gold can work in any capacity on your wedding cake. We’ve rounded up a few glamorous cakes that prove why you should go for gold.

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    Feature image: Pixabay

    Wedding dresses are a major part of anyone’s big day but after the wedding, they tend to end up unused and stashed away in a cupboard.

    Your dress doesn’t have to just sit in a closet and collect dust. To get the most out it, here are a few ways to reuse your wedding dress and create more special memories.

    Donate it

    Your wedding dress holds a special meaning but more often than not, it just becomes an ornament hanging in the back of your cupboard. Donating your dress will give someone else the opportunity to feel just as beautiful and glamorous as you did on your big day.

    Get crafty

    Wedding dresses tend to have much more fabric than others, which can be cut and crafted in new and creative ways. You can cut the dress down and use strips of material for making various home decor items or clothing. Satin and lace work well for this. Or separate the skirt and bodice to wear as stylish separates paired with more casual items.

    Dye it

    Along the lines of crafting, dying your dress will instantly change its look and make it an elegant evening gown which you can wear out to events or formal functions.

    Turn it into a family heirloom

    If you feel sentimental and would like to keep your dress, turning it into a Christening dress or princess-style dress for your child or younger family member is a meaningful way of re-using your dress.

    Play dress up

    Love Halloween, or any kind of dress-up for that matter? You can get seriously creative with your wedding dress for a themed party. Think zombie bride or fairytale princess!

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    With thousands of themes to choose from, it can be difficult to decide on a wedding theme. You don’t have to choose between his favourite superhero movie and your perfect all-white wedding-themed weddings allow you to get the best of both worlds. Combine your favourite pop culture and movie references for a wedding celebration with a unique twist.

    Harry Potter 

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    No love potions needed here. If you and your better half are low-key wizards at heart, a Harry Potterthemed wedding is perfect for you. Why not send out a love-spell invitation or thank-you cards and feast on a Sorting Hat wedding cake? Then gift your guests with Harry Potter wands as wedding favours – complete with their names on the box so it will feel just like a trip to Ollivander’s.

    The Wizard Of Oz 

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    Follow the yellow brick road down the aisle to meet your future partner and add a pop of colour to your conventional wedding attire by opting for sparkly red shoes just like Dorothy. Your decor can be farm-inspired with checked tablecloths and straw bales as seats, or add outdoor benches and Tin Man, Scarecrow and Lion photo booth props if you’d like to give your guests a fun memento to take home. Just like Dorothy had a wish, your guests can write out cute wishes on small pieces of paper for you and your loved one.

    Superheroes 

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    With the surge in superhero flicks, you can take your love for all things Marvel or DC to new heights. Whether it’s The Hulk, Superman or Batman, you can have it all! Ask your groomsmen to don superhero-themed T-shirts beneath their suits or have your guests dress up as their favourite characters – villains welcome too. For a more subtle approach, decorate a simple wedding cake with inside layers mimicking the colours of your favourite superhero’s costume or add a cute hero couple caketopper (think Batman and Catwoman or Superman and Wonderwoman).

    Sports

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    Are you a die-hard sports fan? Then incorporate sports trivia on your special day with sports trophies as flower vases or your venue decorated to look like the inside of an arena (or you could just have your venue at a sports ground). Sports jerseys can be used as bridal party outfits after the formal wedding festivities are out of the way and you can keep your guests entertained with a host of sport activities that double as the perfect props for pictures.

    Carnival 

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    Feel like a kid again and make your wedding reception a carnival complete with fun games where guests can win prizes for participating. Serve foods casually by setting up food carts with hot dogs, popcorn in cute striped bags and even candyfloss on a stick, and decorate your tables with brightly coloured paper and an assortment of colourful sweets.

    Feature image: Pixabay

    Dolphins are beautiful animals, but have you ever thought about their skin? It is beautifully smooth and constantly glistening.

    It may sound strange, but a new makeup trend revolves around achieving this dolphin-esque finish to your skin using makeup. The trend is inspired by the popular ‘wet look’ that has been dominating for the last few years.

    This look aims to turn anyone into a sun-kissed god or goddess who just stepped out of the ocean and is simply glowing.

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    The dolphin skin makeup trend was coined by celebrity makeup artist Mary Philips, with clients including Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid among her top clients. She advises layering up on a number of glowy products to achieve this look.

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    If you’re having a beach wedding, this makeup trend is especially fitting. While highlighter has decreased in popularity within the last year, the dolphin trend is all about using highlighter for a natural glow.

    The best way to go about it is to use a glowy primer like the MAC strobe cream to work as an illuminating base underneath your foundation. You can then layer with more shine-inspiring products like a luminous foundation, the Iconic London Dew Drops as a highlighter and a cream blush like Swiitch Beauty’s Bubble Blush for a dewy finish. You want to focus on liquid and cream products to enhance the ‘wet’ look.

    Don’t be shy with the highlighter! Use it everywhere, from your cheekbones and forehead to your collarbones and décolletage. Here a few short Instagram tutorials showing how to rock the look:

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