Advice Archives | Page 18 of 55

In Advice

Socially distanced weddings in the time of coronavirus

July 20, 2020 No Comments

Weddings as we know them are no longer, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. In some countries like South Africa, weddings are not currently allowed as they constitute as public gatherings. Other countries have slowly reopened the industry and allowed lovers to tie the knot in a safe and hygienic way.

Wedding vendors have had to get creative with their offerings to accommodate this new way of life. No longer can we kiss and hug to celebrate each other, or sit close to one another.

Taking simple precautions can make a big difference. Wedding planners must now incorporate social distancing measures into the big day to ensure the safety of all guests. If this is not done, you run the risk of spreading the virus further, which we’ve seen happen in Kwazulu-Natal and in India.

Once weddings are allowed again in South Africa, we expect to see aspects like distanced seating, custom masks for your guests, and sanitising stations at every event. Here’s how planners have been doing it around the world.

Mask on:

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAegK-qHZPk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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

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

Keep your distance:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0QWWxlRb0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBl2nRVANZJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Stop, drop and sanitise:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCpMlMzDIa5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCqmBu-HipB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCbuw6yFS55/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

Let your wedding food determine the theme for your big day

July 17, 2020 No Comments

Weddings may be about romance, love and celebration, but a big part of that is food! Often times the catering can be expensive, and it’s easier to pick a 3-course meal where guests only need to select chicken or beef, but where’s the fun in that?

You can save on your budget while still treating your guests to a magnificent feast with fun food themes catered to your big day. Here are a few of our favourite ideas.

1. ITALIAN PARTY

Everyone loves pizza and pasta, plus they’re no-fuss meals with so many delicious variations to choose from. With Italian-themed cuisine you can offer your guests everything from meaty to vegetarian and gluten-free.

2. CARNIVAL FRENZY

Think dessert tables, a cotton candy machine, popcorn stand and slushies to add to the festive magic of your wedding day. And don’t forget about your hot foods with cheesy burgers, fries in a cone, hotdogs, pizza slices and all your carnival favourites that will make your guests feel like they’re kids again.

3. A TRADITIONAL TAKE

You can never go wrong with food celebrating you and your family’s traditional heritage. In South Africa, curries, bobotie, fish and chips, samp and beans and potjies are all firm favourites that show the cultural diversity we have. Treat your guests to some close-to-home meals to celebrate the coming together of families and tradition.

4. COMFORT DELIGHTS

Celebrating a rustic wedding in autumn or winter means you’ll want all the comfort foods on the table. Think homemade soups, cottage pie, lasagne, chicken enchiladas, mac ‘n cheese and malva pudding to give your guests a warm and homey experience that will leave them drooling.

5. SUMMER PICNIC

If you’re planning a summer day, take advantage of the season’s produce with fresh fruit, juice, snacks and picnic-style treats like finger sandwiches, fresh croissants, cheeses, jams and spreads. Set up blankets and pillows with baskets and bottles of bubbly for your wedding reception to let your guests indulge in the summertime magic of your day.

Feature image: Unsplash

In Accessories

Stunning bridal facemasks to stay stylish and safe on your big day

July 17, 2020 No Comments

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.

Here are some ideas to inspire you:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBkS4deJg_a/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CApGS1TAos-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_QRvrMge2o/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAlx422gMAv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBYyDVujvc0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/CByWGzPnU6t/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

Choosing the perfect metal for your ring

July 16, 2020 No Comments

When it comes to choosing rings, most focus their attention solely on the stone. However, there are other components to consider too! One element is the ring metal.

From the classics like gold or sterling silver to others such as palladium and titanium, there are many to choose from. The perfection option for you is out there!

Here are some ring metals to choose from:

Tungsten

According to Brides, this metal is as strong as they come. It is considered to be the most durable metal, four times stronger than titanium, and is scratch-resistant too. What makes it even better is that the price tag won’t break the bank either.

Tungsten, however, cannot be resized. This is important to remember as you’ll want to keep it forever, which means at some point you may need to alter the size.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCnDLYmpeoD/

Sterling Silver

This metal is one of the oldest in relation to the making of jewellery. It is also quite affordable, perfect for anyone looking for a luxury look for less money.

Pure silver is too weak to be used on its own so it is often mixed with other metals to create sterling silver, which is much more durable.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBapVU8Bdoz/

Gold

A classic choice, gold is one of the most popular ring metals. It offers several options, including white gold, rose, and yellow. Be careful when opting for gold, though. Anything under 24-karat may be easily bent, and often, to make these stronger they are alloyed with other metals. This means your ring may be weak or not pure gold. Look into that before going for gold.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCmQJpbofsU/

Palladium

Palladium looks a lot like platinum and is much less pricey. This band will be light, comfortable, and it is hypoallergenic too. It’s perfect for anyone with an active lifestyle.

It is, however, not as durable as some might hope and can be scratched too. Resizing is also a common issue related to this metal.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BllYnluhmFX/

Titanium

Initially used in industrial applications, titanium has risen in popularity for jewellery, specifically men’s wedding bands. It is light on the hand and is modern and unique.

Jewellery made of Titanium doesn’t include alloys and is hypoallergenic. It is also very strong and mostly scratch-resistant.

A downside, however, is that it cannot be resized.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCqA4AfHmks/

Platinum

Considering that it is one of the most rare metals out there, platinum is choice of luxury. It is also very strong, rarely gets damaged, does not fade in colour, and holds stones in place securely.

With all its upsides, a platinum band may be quite pricey. Consider your budget before you opt for this one.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCElqA2H5za/

Stainless Steel

Most wouldn’t consider this one ring material, but it is increasing in popularity due to its durability, strength, and low price. It is modern-looking, and depending on how you shine it could have several different appearances. Stainless steel is also very easy to care for. All you need is dish soap, water and a soft cloth.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4iHrSWiav5/

Cobalt

Cobalt comes with lifetime durability as it is approximately four times harder than platinum. It was first used in medicine and aerospace, but is now commonly used in wedding jewellery.

While it might be a bit heavy, it comes with various benefits including the fact that it is easily resizable, is mostly scratch-resistant, and is hypoallergenic.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Qh1MuFMs6/

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

How to make your bridal makeup last under a face mask

July 16, 2020 No Comments

On your wedding day, you want to look your best. If you choose to wear makeup then you’ll definitely want it to last. This task is tough enough on a normal wedding day. With COVID-19 regulations face masks have become required accessories, which can affect your makeup look.

Here’s how to make sure your face stays on throughout the day, even under a face mask.

Tip 1: Use a sticky primer

Pass up your moisturising and glowy primers in favour of a sticker consistency. A strong-hold primer will help grip onto the foundation and make it last longer.

Tip 2: Use a brush to apply foundation

A brush deposits a lot more product than a beauty sponge, which will soak up most of the product and result in a thinner coverage. Remember, you want as much coverage so that it will last longer. A thin layer is more likely to wipe onto your mask. After using a brush, you can go in with a dry sponge to even out the finish and remove brush strokes. This also helps to press the product into your skin and make it last longer.

Tip 3: set your face with a translucent powder

Setting your foundation with a translucent powder will help firm it up and remove some of the moisture that makes it easy for it to wipe off. It essentially acts as a barrier locking that moisture in. A translucent powder won’t affect the colour of your foundation and also helps to mattify your skin.

Here are some helpful tutorials to give you a step-by-step guide:

Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

The sweet life: Wedding dessert bars to treat your guests

July 15, 2020 No Comments

The quintessential wedding dessert is, of course, the big cake. Everyone loves the moment newlyweds slice into the cake, their first action carried out as a married couple.

Unfortunately, not everyone likes cake. Many modern couples have opted for alternative cakes like cheesecakes, pancake stacks and even watermelon cakes. While these are great, they can also be polarising.

A good option would be to have a dessert bar where a number of individual-sized desserts are available. This way, you can appeal to different taste palates and get creative with your bars to offer another unique wedding feature.

Here are some treats to make your wedding day even sweeter:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BspX5poB84n/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/B89I8olBj_W/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1bd5HrpSa8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7mox01nMtY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-91OwCj3Hp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCLk_c9h3GZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCo9MYHJPLY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CClGVyElF1i/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCjNsPVlH5X/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

How to host a drive-by wedding

July 15, 2020 No Comments

The regulations for social gatherings still in place, not much can be done about the hope of a traditional wedding. However, many have taken to new, creative ways of hosting weddings, as their nuptials are too important to put off any longer.

Some opt for virtual ceremonies, while others go for a courthouse wedding with no guests other than the court officials. These are options to consider.

Another option is a drive-by wedding. Your loved ones can attend your wedding from the safety of their cars, ensuring that all safety precautions are met while still giving you the feeling of their presence at your special celebration.

If this sounds good to you, then you’re probably keen to get started on the planning. Here’s how to host a drive-by wedding:

Location:

When choosing the location of the drive-by, ensure that it is a wide-open, public space. This will mean that everyone driving by will be able to clearly see you. You could even do it in your front yard, if you have space and don’t have walls.

Set up a spot to show yourselves off, for example you can decorate fancy chairs as thrones for you to sit on as your parade drives by.

Invitations:

Send out invitation (digital of course) as early as possible. It’s a bit difficult for people to get around under lockdown restrictions so ensure that you give your guests enough time to plan.

Logistics:

It may be difficult to co-ordinate a lot of people in this way, but you have to try! Included in the invitation, set a meeting spot such as a parking lot for your guests to gather at.

Assign a close relative or friend the role of head driver. This ensures that there is somebody leading the cars to your location, and allows for some sort of order for the drive-by.

Also, include times for when they should meet up, and when they should begin driving to arrive on time.

Stations for gifts and treats:

Since it’s not a full-blown wedding, you shouldn’t cater as though it is. If you really want to provide treats, get cupcakes and seal them in individual boxes, and set them up on a table close to where you will be. As your guests drive by, they can pick up a cupcake! Be sure to have a bottle of sanitizer on the table!

You can also set up a station for your guests to drop their wedding gifts if you’d like.

More than one way to do it:

For a drive-by wedding, there are two ways you can do it. However, the second option is riskier.

The first is as described above. All your guests simply drive passed you in a sort of parade fashion, to get a glimpse of you and your partner as newly weds. They have a few minutes to stop and get a treat, drop off a gift, and say some kind words. You could have this drive-by immediately after you’ve said your vows in a church or at the courthouse, or you could do it on a different day to avoid rushing.

The second option is to have a sort of drive-in, like a movie screening would be set up. All your guests sit in their cars and watch you say your vows, at an outside location. Only you, your partner, and the marriage officer would be outside, standing together. All other arrangements would stay the same. This may be a bit risky as it can still be considered as a gathering.

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

Celebrity wedding mishaps over the years

July 14, 2020 No Comments

Even those who seem most perfect are still able to make mistakes. Similarly, while celebrity weddings always seem to go off without a hitch, there are often unexpected disasters and surprises.

Celebrities are not immune to mishaps. Bad weather doesn’t avoid the rich and famous, and neither does nerves.

If you’re wondering how this could be possible, we promise it is. We have proof. Here are some celebrity wedding disasters, to show you that these things happen!

Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson

At their 2014 wedding, nerves ran high. Simpson was so overwhelmed with the nerves, that she said the wrong name during their wedding ceremony! Instead of pledging her everlasting love to love to her husband, she said her own name. The singer merely brushed it off, laughed at her mistake, and began again.

Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie

Have you ever had the stress-induced dream where your teeth fall out? Well, Hilary Duff experienced something similar just hours before her 2010 wedding to Mike Comrie.

On the morning of the wedding, Duff ate a bagel. A normal thing to do. The next thing she knew, her tooth fell out!

“I started laughing at myself and then I really burst into tears,” Duff said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. As luck would have it, Duff’s wedding planner managed to get an emergency appointment with a dentist.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

The Gossip Girl actress experienced something no bride ever wants to, at her 2012 wedding to Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds. Lively’s gown caught on fire!

Speaking to Vogue, Lively said, “Florence Welch was singing at the reception, and they brought out these sparklers, and I’m watching her sing, I look down and my wedding dress has a big burn mark from one of the sparklers. Right on the front! And it was just so heartbreaking to me.”

According to Martha Stewart Weddings, Reynolds made the unfortunate turn of events into something sweet for Lively, when he said “Isn’t that beautiful? You’ll always remember that moment with Florence singing and the sparklers. You have that forever, right there, preserved.”

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr.

At their 2002 wedding in Mexico, the popular 90s couple were hit with a real disaster. A hurricane (Hurricane Hernan) forced the couple to rethink their outdoor wedding, and as their guests left Mexico after the wedding, an earthquake hit too!

The talent manager who represented the pair at the time told People that it’s a great way to start their lives together. “All of those bigger-than-life natural events can only bode well for the marriage,” he said.

Nicky Hilton and James Rothschild

Another mishap where the wedding gown is the casualty. At their 2015 wedding, the train of Hilton’s wedding gown got stuck under the wheels of a car.

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

8 unique South African wedding venues

July 13, 2020 No Comments

South Africa is a top wedding destination, with many beautiful venues to choose from. From outdoor wine farm weddings to beautiful hotels with big banquet halls, there is no shortage of traditional options. For the couple with a sense of adventure, there are unique options as well.

Here is our list of unique wedding venues to make your day stand out.

De Hoop Nature Reserve

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Terence + Derryn Orpen (@orpen_filmco) on Feb 7, 2019 at 8:54am PST

Getting married outside may be cliché but there is nothing boring about having your wedding in one of the country’s most spectacular nature reserves. This is an especially good choice for nature lovers, who would welcome the singing of the area’s birds and rippling of the water alongside their ceremony.

There are options as to where exactly in the reserve you’d like to have your wedding, so it can be tailored to your taste. Choose to say “I do” under a beautiful Fig Tree, alongside the Reserve’s 19km vlei or an indoor wedding in a rustic “shed” venue.

The area’s pristine white sand dunes also make for a great backdrop for those important wedding photos.

Backsberg Wine Estate

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Authentic Planning (@authenticplanning) on May 4, 2016 at 2:01pm PDT

Wine estates are not usually a particularly unique option but Backsberg offers something unlike most others, the option to get married in a cellar among the massive wine barrels. Wine lovers, this one is for you.

Walk down the aisle as guests sit on either side as the huge old oak barrels tower over the ceremony and chandeliers give the scene a warm glow. Although pretty big, the set-up of this cellar makes for a cozier feel and more intimate ceremony.

The Zeitz MOCAA

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zeitz MOCAA Events (@zeitzmocaaevents) on Feb 4, 2019 at 10:00am PST

Arguably the most striking building in Cape Town, the Zeitz MOCAA is a great museum wedding venue option for art and architecture lovers alike. You can have your ceremony on the roof with Table Mountain framed by the polygon windows behind you while your guests sit on the glass ceiling of the museum’s main chamber.

Hold your reception in the dining room of the hotel’s restaurant and dine on world-class food by their chef.

Greater Kruger National Park

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kings Camp Private Reserve (@kings_camp) on Jan 25, 2020 at 12:04am PST

Bush weddings, while available across the country, are a truly South African choice. While many offer a wedding venue in their lodge which is beautiful, getting married right in the bush is truly unique.

Some game reserves outside of Kruger National Park, such as Timbavati, offer the unique experience of having the ceremony outdoors in a dry riverbed on the reserve. These kind of venues get you right into the bushveld and offer the opportunity for some local wildlife to pass as you say your vows.

Table Mountain

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jilda G (@jilda_g) on Sep 14, 2015 at 7:00am PDT

This is for the venue for a true Capetonian couple as nothing is closer to the city’s heart than its mountain. The mountain boasts six different wedding venue options, both outside and inside, that look over the city from this magnificent peak.

Guests and the wedding party will make their way up to this incredible spot on the cable car, taking in the view as they prepare to celebrate your big day. The Table Mountain function team will have whichever location you choose set up for you as well.

Centre for the Book

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Weddings by Andrea (@weddings_by_andrea) on Sep 10, 2019 at 12:15am PDT

The Centre for the Book in Cape Town is an old Edwardian building which is impressive on the outside and inside. Originally built for the University of the Cape of Good Hope, it now houses the South African Library’s special collections. This makes it perfect for all those book nerds out there!

You can host your reception here, on the lower floor surrounded by stacked, old wooden bookshelves above. This provides a very antique aesthetic feel and makes for beautiful photographs.

It is a public space so renting it out is a bit more complicated than somewhere already geared for events.

uShaka Marine World

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by uShaka Marine World (@ushakamarineworld) on Jul 10, 2020 at 3:35am PDT

Marine lovers, this one’s for you, uShaka Marine World lets your special day take place among the sounds of the ocean. With the cool blues of the water dancing off the table and your dress, it has the ambiance built right in.

Couples can hold their ceremony in the park’s Shipwreck Aquarium where your guests and the fish can share in your big day.

Rovos Rail

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shoot the Moon Weddings (@shoot_the_moon_weddings) on Jan 9, 2019 at 10:30pm PST

This venue is for those who love a bit of old-world charm and find something romantic in the idea of a train journey. Rovos Rail’s Events Train can be hired as a wedding venue replete with all the luxury you would expect.

You can choose to hold the ceremony at the private Edwardian station after the bride makes her entrance in the private cab of a steam locomotive. The reception is then held on board the train as it makes a three-hour roundtrip journey.

This charming option will also make you feel like you’ve had a destination wedding, without even leaving the country.

Image:@zeitzmocaaevenets/Instagram

In Advice

WedWise: The premier wedding planning app in SA

July 13, 2020 No Comments

Wedding planning can be tough, and sometimes you need some help. The Wedwise app is a new service designed to help South African brides and grooms with every aspect of their big day.

“WedWise is an advanced SA wedding app offering geolocation, live chat and useful functionality for brides to conveniently locate and connect with wedding vendors to plan their day,” it reads on the WedWise App.

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

The geolocation allows couples to find vendors closest to them. Couples can even share their photos and ideas onto the app, which will help vendors hone in on their specific visions and allow them to provide an even greater service.

The app can assist with the proposal, the ceremony, entertainment, food, photography and the honeymoon.

Wedding suppliers can easily register to join the app, and get a free monthly subscription until lockdown ends, which means all the exposure at no cost.

The app is currently only available on Google Play. Visit their website for more information: www.wedwise.co.za.

Feature image: Pexels