Advice Archives | Page 28 of 57

In Advice

Renting versus buying a wedding suit

March 24, 2020 No Comments

You may be under the impression that the wedding dress is all that people will be looking at on the big day. If that’s the case, you’re in for a wake-up call. The grooms attire is equally important! A wedding suit is one of the most special outfits a man will ever wear.

Buying this suit, however, is a huge expense. You may not be willing, or be able, to spend that much money on your outfit. If you’re considering your options, then you should keep in mind that renting a suit is possible too.

Here are some pros and cons of both buying and renting, to help you make your final decision.

Buying a wedding suit

Pros

– You’ll have it forever

If you buy the suit, you’ll be able to keep it forever. Whether it’s just a great memory hanging in your cupboard, or you pull it out to wear to every fancy occasion, it’s always nice to have.

– You’re the first to wear it

You won’t spend your entire wedding day wondering who else has been in the suit that is currently on your body. We know that can be a bit creepy!

– Originality

You can customize it as much as you want, and you can add whatever accessories you prefer. This is the upside for many grooms.

Cons

– Expensive

This is the most glaring and most commonly cited con. New suits are tremendously pricey.

– Bang for your buck

If you only wear it once, all that money essentially goes to waste.

– Won’t always fit

We all know that our bodies change over time. This is true for everybody! Your body won’t be the same in 10 years, as it is on your wedding day. If you’re keeping it, it might not look as great in the future.

Renting a wedding suit

Pros

– This is often the cheaper option

If you’re a more informal type of guy, buying a suit makes no sense! Forking out a large sum of cash for a one-time outfit is simply not worth it. On top of this a suit that costs R5000, for example, is likely to only cost you around half of that price to rent. That’s a lot of savings.

– A nicer suit

Since it’s cheaper to rent than buy, you’ll be able to afford a higher-end suit. You’ll look dapper for less money.

– Additionals included

In most cases, when you rent a suit, all extra’s are included. This means you’ll get your shirt, cufflinks and tie all at once. You’ll spend much less time shopping.

Cons

– The fit

Renting means that options for tailoring are limited. If you’re “average” sized, then you might be able have some temporary stitches put in, but if you’re extremely tall, for example, it’ll be much more difficult to find a suit that fits well.

– You may feel it’s not special

Since it’s not really yours, and somebody else has worn it before, you may feel its less special than a bought suit.

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

What to wear to a courthouse wedding

March 23, 2020 No Comments

Many couples across the globe have made the tough decision to postpone or cancel their wedding day as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens. While this is the responsible thing to do, it doesn’t mean you can’t still get married.

Courthouse or Home Affairs weddings can still go ahead, meaning you may still tie the knot in these trying times. Remember, its about the love you have for each other, not an extravagent wedding day, that makes a marriage.

If you’d still like to go ahead with your big day, albeit on a much smaller scale, here is some fashion inspo for what to wear to the courthouse.

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Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

Beauty breakdown: All about Microblading

March 23, 2020 No Comments

As a society, we’ve (thankfully) moved away from the skinny brow trend of the 90s and early 2000s. Today’s beauty icons are sporting a fuller, feathery brow that commands attention.

Just because you haven’t been blessed with naturally full brows, doesn’t mean you have to stay that way. Microblading has become a popular cosmetic procedure across the world, allowing people to have the brows of their dreams. This can be an amazing confidence boost for those with naturally light or sparse brows and those who lost their eyebrow hair from alopecia.

If you’re keen to ditch the eyebrow pencil, here’s what you need to know.

Pre-procedure:

Microblading is essentially a semi-permanent face tattoo. Tiny, fine-point needles creates hair-like strokes in you brow area, after which pigment is deposited into it.

The difference between microblading and eyebrow tattooing is that microblading needles do not penetrate deep layers of your skin, thus making them far less permanent.

Once meeting with your technician, you will discuss the type of brow you want. Full, feathery, straight, whatever shape and style you desire is possible. Your technician will draw the shape you want with an eyebrow pencil so that you can imagine how your brows will look when they’re done. Once you’re happy, your technician will consider your natural hair colour to determine the ink colour or colours.

The procedure:

The brow area is cleaned and numbed with a topical ointment. Using a handheld tool, your technician will begin creating superficial cuts along your brow. A pigment is then deposited into the cuts to stain the skin to appear hair-like. Once all the cuts are made, a final layer of pigment is applied for 5 minutes and then cleaned to reveal your new brows.

Pain levels vary based on the person, but most people say this procedure feels similar to the pain of eyebrow threading. It’s mainly the scratching noise that people have an issue with.

The procedure typically takes about 40 minutes to an hour from start to finish. Depending on your skin, aftercare and lifestyle, results can last from one to three years. However, you should get touch-ups every 12 months after your initial four week touch-up.

Post-procedure aftercare:

As your brows are like a tattoo, similar aftercare rules apply.

– Don’t get your brows wet for the first seven to 10 days. You need to keep the area as dry as possible. After this time, you may gently wash the area with antibacterial soap and water, and gently pat dry. Avoid any cleansers containing acids or exfoliants.

– Avoid exercise and swimming for a week

– Make sure to apply sunscreen daily to enhance your brows longevity, as well as avoid direct sunlight for a week.

– Don’t scratch! Your eyebrows will likely be itchy and flaky but it is important to let them heal.

– Don’t panic! Your brows can appear up to 40% darker in the first few days of the healing process. Be patient, within a week the ink will fade into a more natural shade.

– Clients are encouraged to schedule a follow-up appointment for 4-6 weeks time to any touch-ups that need to be made.

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

Wedding movies to binge-watch during self-quarantine

March 23, 2020 No Comments

Across the world, people are working from home and self-quarantining amid the COVID-19 pandemic. After clocking out of your imaginary office, you’ve probably got a lot of time on your hands. Now seems like the perfect time to do your wedding research.

Whether or not you’re getting married, these films are sure to inspire you as well as show you what NOT to do in the lead-up to your big day.

The Wedding Planner

Jennifer Lopez plays Mary Fiore, San Francisco’s most successful wedding planner. However, she breaks a crucial rule when she falls for one of the grooms, played by Matthew McConaughey. This movie offers early 2000s romcom at its finest.

Father of the Bride

In this heartwarming tale, a father, played by Steve Martin, struggles to come to terms with the fact his eldest daughter is getting married. This film gives great insight into how parents feel when their children take this big step.

My Best Friend’s Wedding

When Julianne Potter (Julia Roberts) finds out her best friend Michael O’Neal (Dermot Mulroney) plans to marry in a few days, she realises she is actually in love with him and sets off to get the wedding cancelled. Many hijinks and a famous musical scene that catapaulted the song “I Say a Little Prayer (For You)” can be expected.

The Wedding Singer

This 1998 romantic comedy tells the story of wedding singer Robbie (Adam Sandler) and waitress Julia (Drew Barrymore), both of whom are engaged to other people. When Robbie’s fiance breaks things off, Julia helps him find happiness again and they begin to fall for one another. This is just one of many classic Sandler / Barrymore films that has gone down in history.

Bridesmaids

An all-star cast of funny women leaves us with a laugh-a-minute movie. The movie follows Annie, played by Kristen Wiig, who begins unravelling when she becomes maid of honour to best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph). The limit does not exist for quotable moments in this film.

Runaway Bride

New York columnist Ike, played by Richard Gere, is assigned to write an article about Maggie Carpenter (Julia Roberts), a woman who has a history of leaving fiance’s at the altar on their wedding day and thus earning her the nickname ‘The Runaway Bride”. As she prepares to walk down the aisle again, Ike and Maggie grow closer, threatening history to repeat itself once more.

Monster-in-Law

Everthing is plain sailing for Charlie (Jennifer Lopez) and Kevin (Michael Vartan), who quickly fall in love and get engaged, until Charlie meets Kevin’s mother Viola (Jane Fonda), who is determined to keep her son all to herself. After watching this movie, we hope you’ll feel a lot more grateful for your own mother-in-law.

Sweet Home Alabama

When New York-based up-and-coming fashion designer Melanie Carmichael (Reece Witherspoon) becomes engaged to famed politician’s son Andrew Hennings (Patrick Dempsey), she is forced to return to her secret Southern roots to divorce her first husband Jake, who refuses to sign the papers.

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

Don’t cancel your wedding, live stream it

March 19, 2020 No Comments

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in countries getting locked down and many others placing restrictions on gatherings. Unfortunately this means many weddings have to be cancelled. If you’re considering cancelling your wedding, why not live stream the service instead?

Previously, live streaming was used at weddings for relatives who couldn’t make it but wanted to be part of the ceremony all the same. Here is how you can adapt your wedding for these quarantined times.

-Decide what to live stream

It is considered best practice to only live stream the ceremony as the reception is not as important or interesting to those who aren’t there. This especially applies if you are going to have very few people in attendance so keep the camera rolling until the end of the I do’s only.

-Where should I live stream?

There are many options when it comes to a live stream. While social media channels offer this as an option, it might be easier to use an “open” platform that anyone can click onto rather than needing a specific account. This means that with a little help Granny and Grandpa can watch too!

A great option is creating a YouTube channel for your wedding and making it private. You can send the link of the channel to your guests via email or WhatsApp specifying the time you will begin the ceremony so they know when to be ready to watch.

– How should I set up the live stream?

To live stream you will need either a computer with a webcam or a mobile with the YouTube app, whichever you choose will need an internet connection.

A good idea would be sourcing a smartphone with a decent camera and a tripod that you can fix it to, preferably with a charging connection. This means you won’t need someone to hold the camera, thus avoiding the handshakes.

-Tech maid of honour

While you are trying to keep the number of people in the room down, it would be beneficial to have a designated person who can keep an eye on the live stream and make sure nothing goes wrong. They could also be put in charge of setting it up so you don’t have to worry about it.

-Check with your venue

If you are going to live stream at the venue you originally planned, with a downscaled guest list, confirm that you will be allowed to live stream as some venues have specific rules with regards to their space.

Image: Unsplash

In Accessories

What you need to know about bridal shapewear

March 18, 2020 No Comments

Shapewear dates back thousands of years. The ancient Minoans wore these garments to push up their bare chests, while the ancient Mesopotamians wore them to promote fertility.

Through history, the use of shapewear has changed. Mostly, however, they have been used by women to manipulate the shape of their bodies in order to fit fashion trends. Today, shapewear feels less forced on women, but it still exists, though women often wear it as support rather than to “slim down”.

Whether you want it for its contouring benefits, or just to ensure that your dress falls smoothly, there are a few things you need to know about shapewear.

– Some fabrics require shapewear more than others

Light fabrics such as silk show every little detail under your dress. You know what that means, right? The dreaded panty line. If your dress is a lighter fabric, shapewear will definitely come in handy.

– Built-in shapewear has limits

Built in shapewear supports the dress, while other shape wear supports your body. Of the two options, the latter will benefit you more, because if your body is well supported the dress will look great no matter what.

– Buy it after your first fitting

After your first wedding dress fitting, you’ll know what the shape, style, and fabric that is necessary for your bridal shapewear. These are important things to consider! You can then take the shapewear along to the next fitting, to ensure that everything works out as planned.

– If you can, go for seamless

Seamless means no lines under your wedding dress. Who doesn’t want to look smooth and sleek on their special day?

– Which shapewear for which dress?

If your dress is form-fitting, go for high-waist compression shapewear. Boy shorts are also a good option.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6_2VoBlXhX/

If your dress is tighter around the upper body, light weight shapewear is best. A body suit is the top choice for this style of dress.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8PuF9DnCZt/

Image: Instagram / shapewearusa

In Advice

Ways to inject colour into your wedding decor

March 18, 2020 No Comments

You know what they say: Life is better in colour. If you’re not shy of a few vivid hues, why not incorporate them into your big day?

Using bright colours adds a vibrant, happy feel to your wedding decor, and you’re guests are sure to be feeling it too. Too much colour, however, can feel a bit childish, so be careful with the combinations you choose. Consider using various shades of reds and pinks, or complimentary tones like yellow and navy.

Here are some ideas to inspire you:

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Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

5 ways to mentally prepare for your wedding

March 17, 2020 No Comments

The day you get married is one of the biggest events of your life. A lot of planning goes into your big day, and you might start to feel a little overwhelmed in the days leading up to your wedding. It’s important to give yourself time to wrap your head around all the changes being married will bring to your life, as well as prepare for the practical things that need to happen on the day.

It might be a smart move to actively take steps to mentally prepare yourself for your wedding to make sure you are the calm, radiant bride you want to be on your dream day. Here are five ways to get yourself in the right frame of mind:

Expect to feel emotional

Unless you are the Ice Princess, you will experience strong emotions. You are taking a huge step! If you know to expect it, you will feel more in control. Remind yourself why you are doing this, how much you love your partner and how excited you are to get married. Other factors might come into play, like close family that can’t be there, which can also turn on the waterworks. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Emotions are healthy and as long as you know it’s normal, you can instead choose to be grateful for the joy and happiness coming your way.

Things will go wrong

Without trying to sound like doomsday prophets, we can almost certainly guarantee some things will go wrong. It’s Murphy’s Law, and no one is above it. However, that doesn’t mean your day is ruined. There is always a plan to be made! Trust your bridesmaids to get creative, and try not to worry too much over things you can’t change, like the weather.

Your partner is nervous too

Believe it or not, your partner probably feels just as nervous as you. Try to be encouraging and supportive. After all, you’re in this together! A sweet note before the ceremony or a tight hug when you see them at the altar will help reaffirm them. Focusing on your loved one will also help to forget your own nerves.

Double check the arrangements

To help put your mind at ease, try to double check all the arrangements at least two or three days before the wedding. If you have a wedding planner, check in with them, and then leave the rest up to them. If you planned the wedding yourself, go over everything with your maid of honour/mother/mother-in-law so you have someone else’s input and guidance and to make sure they know what needs to fall in place. This is not the time to “play it by ear”.

Your bridesmaids are only doing their best

The last important thing to keep in mind is that everyone is there to help you make your dream come true. They are all doing the best they can and they are only human. Turning into ‘Bridezilla’ will just make them nervous too and will keep everyone from enjoying the special event. Rather let them know how much you appreciate all their hard work, support and help!

Also read: How to keep calm on your wedding day

Image: Pixabay

In Advice

Wedding gifts all newlyweds will appreciate

March 17, 2020 No Comments

Wedding gifts are the perfect way to help your newlyweds start their lives together on a strong note. If you’re stuck in a gifting rut, rest assured your newlyweds will love these easy gifts.

Quality pots and pans:

Your newlyweds will most likely be doing a lot of cooking together, so its important they have quality pots and pans that will last for a long time. If you’re willing to splash out, this is one gift they will absolutely love.

We love: Artisanal Ceramic Non Stick Pan 24cm from Woolworths – R450

Crockery and glassware:

People gotta eat and drink, right? They might as well do it in style. Depending on the couple’s taste, you can go with wine glasses, gin glasses, whiskey glasses or just good old tumblers for the teetotallers.

We love: Crystal Red Wine Glasses 4 Piece from Woolworths – R260

Home decor:

Now this is a tricky one. Only opt for purchasing furniture or home decor for a couple if you are familiar with their taste and style. You wouldn’t want to gift them with a colourful nick-nack only to discover they prefer the minimalist aesthetic.

We love: Marble bookends from @Home – R599

Linens:

Half the battle of a cosy sleep is quality linens. Give your newlyweds the gift of a good rest with a set of comfy linens that will make them never want to leave the bed.

We love: Egyptian cotton oxford satin duvet cover set from Superbalist – R1199

Kitchen appliances

Add some flair to their mornings with fun kitchen appliances. Whether they love coffee or sweet treats, there are a multitude of applicances that will fulfill their desires.

We love: KitchenCraft Stove Top Waffle Maker from Yuppiechef – R769

Money:

Weddings are expensive, and your newlyweds will most likely struggle with empty pockets after their big day. Help them out by gifting them with some money instead of a physical present. Not sure how much to give? We’ve got you covered.

Image: Pexels

In Advice

Have a destination wedding in your own country

March 16, 2020 No Comments

Romantic and exciting, destination weddings have been trending for many years. However, they also have tons of drawbacks. From all the possible legal complications and the fact that not all your guests can afford the pricey airplane ticket to a foreign destination, those opting to tie the knot in a different country will have to make sacrifices on their big day. Instead of limiting your dream wedding, why not go local?

From Parys to Potchefstroom, there are so many small towns in the country that give you that private, destination feel without breaking the bank. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a serene day only a few hours away.

One particular wedding venue we’ve been loving is the Nut Farm. Situated in Hartbeespoort, Skeerpoort, the Nut Farm offers spectacular mountain views worthy of your vows. Say your ‘I do’s’ at their open-air chapel with the serene farmland that paints an unforgettable backdrop for your wedding, or go traditional with their inside chapel situated on the second floor of the reception area. Guests will have a beautiful birds eye view of the bride as she makes her entrance, as well as stunning views of the famous Hartbeespoort Dam.

With a spacious reception area, mobile bar and hidden outside fireplaces, this wedding venue serves as a blank canvas for you to live out your vision. Their orchard accommodates intimate or larger celebrations of 200 guests.

Visit their website for more information.

Feature image: supplied