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50 romantic wedding first-dance songs

October 10, 2019 No Comments

Every wedding needs a first-dance song. Music inspires and moves us every day, and your wedding should be no different.

Regardless of your wedding style, we’ve got some romantic melodies to get you in the mood for love. Here are 50 romantic first-dance songs, or just songs to add to your wedding playlist.

Your Song – Elton John
(Everything I Do) I Do For You – Bryan Adams
Best Part – Daniel Caesar

(They Long to be) Close to You – The Carpenters
Teen Heat – Kimbra
Dangerously in Love – Destiny’s Child
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
You’re Still the One – Shania Twain
Come What May – Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge soundtrack)

Songbird – Eva Cassidy
Honey – Kehlani
Differences – Genuwine
Make You Feel My Love – Adele
How long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
While We’re Young – Jhené Aiko

You Give Me Something – James Morrison
You Make Me Feel Like Dancing – Leo Sayer
Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
I.F.L.Y – Bazzi
When We Were Young – Adele
Love on Top – Beyoncé
You Make My Dreams – Hall & Oats
Be my Baby – The Ronettes
If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
Adorn – Miguel

Have I Told You Lately – Van Morrison
Shut Up and Dance – Walk The Moon
Teenage Dream – Katy Perry
Always Be My Baby – Mariah Carey
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz

When a Man Loves a Woman – Percy Sledge
Up Where We Belong – Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warner
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
A Thousand Years – Christina Perry
Like I’m Gonna Lose You – Meghan Trainor feat. John Legend
All of Me – John Legend
Love Someone – Lukas Graham
Always Remember Us This Way – Lady Gaga

Ho Hey – The Lumineers
All My Life – K-Ci & JoJo
Kiss Me – Sixpence None The Richer
I Like Me Better – Lauv
Beyond – Leon Bridges

Waiting for a Girl Like You – Foreigner
We Belong – Pat Benatar
Sucker – The Jonas Brothers
Stuck On You – Lionel Richie
I Don’t Care – Ed Sheeran feat. Justin Bieber
Speechless – Dan + Shay
Better – Khalid

Image: Pixabay

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The ins and outs of bridal beauty with Anna Weinbeck

October 9, 2019 No Comments

Bridal beauty is undeniably one of the most important aspects of your wedding day, no matter who you are.

We recently had the pleasure of chatting to the National Make-up Artist for Bobbi Brown, Anna Weinbeck. She has been with the brand for over 9 years and shares her insights and tips into looking picture perfect on your wedding day.

Here’s what she had to say:

Q: What is your best advice for all brides?

A: Every bride deserves to look flawless on their big day, whether you’re getting a make-up artist or doing it yourself. Make sure you’re completely happy with your make-up, if you’re not, then change it. That’s why you need to do a trial first. Be comfortable in your own skin and be proud of who you are!

At Bobbi Brown, we offer free How To lessons, so you can learn anything you want to know, from finding your perfect foundation to getting the perfect lip shade for your skin type. Pop past a counter any time and just book and enjoy.

Q: What is a trial and why is it so important?

A: A trial is where you and your make-up artist will discuss the look you want on your wedding day and apply the make-up. This is important as you might want a certain look but as soon as you see how it looks on you, you aren’t as happy as you thought you’d be. It will also give you an idea of how long the make-up lasts. After the trial is your opportunity to change anything that needs to be changed. I always recommend to my brides that they take a look at their make-up in as many different lighting situations as possible, and also take as many photos with flash and without to see if the colour of the foundation blends in seamlessly with the rest of their body.

Q: How do I look after my skin before the wedding?

A: Taking care of your skin before your wedding is of utmost importance. You want to make sure that you have fresh, healthy, glowing skin on the day of your wedding. The best time to start changing your skin regime is 6 months before your big day, as this will allow you to see if you have any reactions to facials/peels or any new skincare products you want to try out. The last facial you can go for should be a week before your wedding, but that’s only if you’ve done it before and you know your skin won’t react or flare-up. Make sure that you use a lot of hydrating products; I love our Hydrating Skincare range as it just balances the water levels of your skin and it’s also anti-bacterial so it will prevent any spots from forming on the skin.

Q: What is the best foundation to use on your wedding day?

A: I always prefer to use a foundation that doesn’t have an SPF as this is usually the ingredient in foundations that causes flash back. Flashback is where your face looks a lot lighter in photographs. My go-to foundation for all brides is our Skin Foundation Stick as it suits all skin types and skin shades with no SPF and buildable coverage. I love to use it with our Vitamin Enriched Face Base as a primer as this creates a smooth canvas and the foundation applies seamlessly.

Q: What is the most popular look brides go for?

A: I found that the most requested looks for brides are a smokey eye, very glam or natural beauty. A smokey eye is a very dark and dramatic eye perfectly balanced with a soft nude lip and bronzer. At Bobbi Brown, we have a Smokey Eye Mascara and beautiful eye palettes to help create this look perfectly.

A very glam look is more of a winged out liner, bold lips and lots of highlighter. Luxe Lip is a great option here as the colour pigment is beautiful and lasts all day.

Natural beauty is just a better version of yourself; soft eye makeup, pretty pink blush and a soft lip.

Q: What are the most important products to have on your big day?

A: An amazing primer; this will set the tone for how the foundation applies and lasts during the day.

No Smudge Mascara; it won’t budge the whole day or night.

Luxe Matte Lip Color; in your perfect shade, this lipstick will stay on for hours

Q: Is there anything you should avoid on your wedding day?

A: Please do not go for any tints the day before, be it your hair, brows or lashes. If you need to fill in your brows, go for our Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil to fill in any gaps. If you do change your products or go for a facial a bit before your big day and you see your skin is reacting, apply some Skin Relief Remedy – it will immediately reduce redness and help calm the skin. Try to go for a facial wax a week before your wedding, if you go later and your skin is a bit red, apply a little bit of Instant Full Cover Concealer over your foundation to neutralise any discolouration.

Feature image: Supplied

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What to do the week of your wedding

October 4, 2019 No Comments

You’ve finally made it. It’s been months of prepping and planning and now it’s the week of your wedding. However, the work does not end quite yet.

The week of your wedding is busy. It’s your last chance to make sure everything is secured and plans are in place so that your day runs smoothly. However, in the chaos it’s easy to forget what still needs to get done. Here is a wedding checklist of things to do the week of your wedding to make sure your day is perfect:

Have a full test-run of your look:

So far, you’ve probably had makeup trials, purchased shoes and secured your wedding gown. But have you put them all together? The week before your wedding is the perfect time to test-drive your wedding look from head to toe. This way, you can actually visualise how you will look and be able to fine-tune any aspects you are not pleased with so that the day of, you can just get dressed and go.

Break-in your shoes:

New shoes are great, but they can also be uncomfortable. If you’ll be wearing high-heels, make sure to give yourself a few days to break them in. Doing this will ensure you are as comfortable as possible on your big day.

Fine-tune the guest list:

At this point, everyone would have hopefully RSVP’ed. However, there are always people that leave things to the last minute. Now is the time to call people that have not responded to get definitive answers. You can then give the final headcount to hotels and caterers and let them take it from there. You can also then fine-tune the seating charts if need be.

Inspire your photographer and DJ:

If you have a specific vision for your wedding photographs, now is the time to let your photographer know. Send your photographer a list of the exact shots you want. Providing them with a mood board makes their job easier and also eases your concerns as you know you’ll get exactly what you want.

Don’t forget to make sure your DJ knows what song to play for your first dance, as well as what songs you’d like on the playlist. If you have specific songs in mind, provide them with a song list.

Have your engagement ring cleaned:

Your ring will be on show on your big day, so you better make sure it’s sparkling. Send your wedding ring in to be cleaned the week of your wedding to ensure that it is looking its best for all your photos.

Draw up a contact list and schedule:

Create a contact list of every service you’ll be making use of throughout your day, as well as a schedule of when they are meant to arrive and start working. Share the schedule with your bridal party so that they can help ensure everyone sticks to the timeline.

Confirm timelines and details:

It is easy to get wires crossed, especially if you are co-ordinating with many people. Liaise with your photographer, caterer, officiant, florists, cake makers, bartenders and everyone else you’ve hired to be a part of your day to make sure they know exactly when and where to arrive.

Write your speech:

If you will be writing your own vows, now is the time to finish them. Dedicate enough time to put your feelings into words. Once you’ve completed writing it, spend enough time learning your speech so that you are more comfortable actually saying it out loud.

Beautify yourself:

If you’re planning on having any treatments done prior to your wedding, do them three to five days before. This includes spray-tans, manicures and pedicures, dying or cutting your hair, facials, massages and waxing.

Pack an emergency kit:

You never know what you need until you need it. Pack an emergency kit to help solve any issues that may spring up. Things to put in your emergency kit include: a sewing kit, tissues, plasters, medication, gum or mints, deodorant and perfume, make-up wipes, a hairbrush and bobby pins, and a snack.

Image: Unsplash

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What to include in the best man’s emergency kit

October 3, 2019 No Comments

As the best man, you’re being entrusted to be the groom’s greatest support. Whatever he needs, you have to be ready and willing to help him. You’ll even have to expect the unexpected. For this, you’ll need an emergency kit filled with tools for every requirement or emergency that might just pop up. Here is what every best man will need in his emergency kit:

Personal items:

Gum/mints:

No-one wants bad breath, especially not on their wedding day. Slip the groom some gum or mints to chew on before the ceremony to keep his breath minty fresh. Just remind him to get rid of it before getting married!

Medication:

If a sudden headache or wave of nausea hits the groom, you have to be ready with some tablets to quell his ills.

Tissues:

Weddings and tears go hand in hand. Keep tissues in your pocket to pass to your groom when the waterworks start flowing.

Lip-balm:

The groom will be having his most important kiss on his wedding day, so his lips need to be moisturised and in tip-top shape.

Hairbrush:

Fly-aways be gone! Keep a hairbrush/comb on hand to smooth the groom’s locks before he walks down the aisle.

Cash:

You never know when you’ll need some money. Make sure to keep a few notes in your pocket in case you need to tip any of the vendors or do a quick shop run.

Clothing items:

Cologne:

Your groom should be smelling his best on his big day. Keep a bottle of his favourite cologne on hand to spritz him with before he weds.

Sewing kit:

Keep a sewing kit on hand in case of seam rips or loose buttons. If you don’t know how to sew (let’s be honest), replace the kit with hem tape or safety pins.

Extra cuff links:

Things can go missing easily in high-stress situations. Have a spare set of cuff links available in case the groom misplaces one of his.

Shoe polish:

No one wants a dusty shoe. Have shoe polish on hand to shine the groom’s shoes and keep him looking polished.

Lint roller:

Dust, random hairs and loose fabric threads can ruin the groom’s overall look. Make sure to give him a once-over with a lint roller to have him looking his best for his big day.

Image: Unsplash

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Fun wedding games your guests can play

October 3, 2019 No Comments

Wedding games are slowly growing in popularity, and understandably so. Gone are the days of stiff, formal weddings. Weddings should be fun, and there is no better way to get the giggles going than with some simple games that will bring out the child in everyone. The key is to offer quick-round games that will have many involved and captivated at once. Here are some fun games your wedding guests can play.

Outdoor games:

Croquet:

Get active with a gentle game of croquet.

Giant Jenga:

Jenga requires lots of concentration and garners high emotions from participants. Instead of the table-top version, life-size the Jenga blocks to up the stakes.

Ring Toss:
Ring toss is the perfect way to get your guests feeling competitive.

Giant Connect Four:
Get your guests competing against each other in a giant game of Connect Four.

Wedding Speech Bingo:
For a laugh, write out “wedding speech bingo”. Every time a speech giver’s words match one of the squares, people get a point. Besides giving a good giggle, this game will encourage people to actually listen to the speeches.

Indoor games:

Dress-up photo booth:
Photos are a great way to preserve memories. Add some props and you get a whole lot of fun. Guests can go crazy with props available and take group photos to their heart’s content.

Wedding wheel:
For a fun, interactive game, consider having a wedding wheel. Each notch has an order that the spinner has to complete. Have a healthy mix of mild, medium and wild dares to up the ante.

Wedding ad-libs:
Get a little tongue-in-cheek with some wedding ad-libs. Each guest can fill in a form with their best advice. Of course, depending on the guest, you’ll get some interesting advice!

Limbo:
Get low, low, low with limbo! People love showing off their flexibility with a game of limbo. If they’re bad at it, even better!

Table trivia:
Test how well your guests actually know you with a game of trivia. Set up a questionnaire for guests to fill out. The guests with the most points win a prize!

Image: Unsplash

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What to do if it unexpectedly rains on your wedding day

October 2, 2019 No Comments

Unfortunately, we cannot schedule good weather. Despite rain on your wedding day signifying good luck in many cultures, it can still be worrisome. Whether it’s a drizzle or a downpour, unexpected showers can put a damper on your wedding day, especially if you’re having an outdoor affair.

Sometimes the forecast gets it wrong, and the heavens open up unprovoked. So here is what to do if it unexpectedly rains on your wedding day:

Go with Plan B:

If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, then you should already have a contingency plan in place. If you don’t have a backup plan already set up, try speaking to your venue to find out if the wedding can be relocated to an indoor space on their grounds. Don’t forget to let your guests know about the venue change!

If you still really want to have your wedding outdoors, rent a marquee tent. This way, everything set up can stay and it adds another design element.

Stop and take stock:

Now is the time to accessorise. Have someone purchase or collect umbrellas and throw blankets to offer guests as they arrive. Have heat lamps and towels on hand to dry them off if they got caught in the rain. Offer your guests hot beverages to keep your guests feeling warm and cosy. At the end of the day, it’s about making your guests as comfortable as possible despite the weather.

If you already know it will most likely rain on your wedding day, you can pre-prep and have items monogrammed to represent your wedding day in style. Bonus: they double-up as wedding favours!

Embrace it:

We can’t change the weather, so there is no point fretting about it. As we said, rain on your wedding day is seen as good luck in many cultures. So flip the script and take the rain as a positive sign for your future.

Sometimes the rain can act as a great backdrop. Use the weather to your advantage and shoot creative images.

Here are some ideas to inspire you:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzFOx3FJh_c/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByUA9gIBtd9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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

Image: Pexels

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Expect this to go wrong on your wedding day

October 1, 2019 No Comments

Planning does not always make perfect. Sometimes things go awry despite your best efforts. In this case, make sure to expect the unexpected. Here are the things that can go wrong on your wedding day and how to prepare for them.

Someone could get sick:

You can’t schedule sickness, unfortunately. Whether it’s you, your partner or a member of your bridal party, no one is safe from the perils of health problems. While not completely preventable, there are things you can do to minimise problems. Stick to a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables in the lead up to your wedding to maintain your vitamin intake, drink more water, and consider taking probiotics. Make sure you take medication at the first hint of sickness.

The weather could be terrible:

Weather is unpredictable, especially when you plan events in advance. Make sure to check weather forecasts the week of, and prepare for all weather types by coming up with a contingency plan. Have umbrellas on hand for rain, and hand-held mechanical fans for hot weather.

Transport could get messed up:

If you are using an external transport service, chances are that they will run late. Make sure to stay in constant contact with drivers to be conscious of their whereabouts at every step of the day, and triple-check that they have been given correct directions so that guests don’t get lost on the way to your big day.

You could forget something:

Your wedding day can be stressful, making it easy for things to slip your mind. To stay on plan, have your maid of honour carry a checklist of things you’ll need and constantly refer to it.

Someone could be late:

People run on their own timezones. Expect that not all your guests will arrive on time to witness your nuptials. If the late party is in your wedding party or an important family member, then hold off on the ceremony a bit. Otherwise, go ahead without them.

Someone could get drunk:

Things can quickly go wrong when you pair people with alcohol, especially if there is an open bar. Don’t be surprised if people have a bit too much liquid courage at your wedding. If you are worried, consider having a cash bar over an open bar. Guests will be less likely to go overboard drinking if they have to pay for it themselves.

Image: Unsplash

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Who to invite to your wedding events

October 1, 2019 No Comments

There are many pre-wedding events that fall part of your wedding festivities. However, it can get complicated when determining your guest lists for all these parties.

Of course, anyone invited to any of your pre-wedding events should also be invited to your big day. But who scores an invite for what event? Here is the rundown on who to invite to which wedding event:

The engagement party:

For the first festivity in your wedding journey, the engagement party is for everyone important to you. Typically, the engagement party guest list acts as a precursor to the wedding list. As such, only invite people you plan on inviting to your wedding.

In determining this guest list, think of who is most important to you. You don’t have to invite distant family members or old friends you no longer speak to if they do not contribute to your life. Think of who is and has been an active part of your life.

If you are not sure how big your wedding will be, keep your engagement party list small. You’ll always have time to add to your wedding list following the engagement party.

The bridal shower:

The bridal shower is typically intimate in nature. Other than your bridal party, you should also invite close friends and family.

While bridal showers are typically women-only, you can also throw a co-ed shower and extend the guest list to include all the special men in your life.

Avoid inviting people you do not intend on inviting to your wedding, as it can be read as disrespectful.

The bachelor/bachelorette party:

This party is your chance to let loose and celebrate your last few days as an unmarried person. As with the other events, you should invite your entire bridal party first as they are the people typically closest to you. Friends and family not in the bridal party but still important to you should also make the guest list.

Depending on the plan of events, maybe don’t invite certain family members. You might not want your grandmother with you when you’re planning a wild night out on the town.

The Rehearsal dinner:

The rehearsal dinner typically involves those closest to you and is usually small and intimate. As such, you should invite those that will be at your ceremony rehearsal. This includes your wedding party, parents of the betrothed, siblings and the officiant.

You should also invite immediate family and close extended family, as the dinner acts as a perfect way to bring the families together. Use your own discretion on whether you want to include plus-ones at this event.

The Wedding:

This is the time to go big. Your wedding guest list will be the largest of all the events. This is when you invite everyone special to you and your relationship. Everyone that you have invited to pre-wedding festivities thus far should be at your wedding. Of course, remember to stick to your budget and venue space when determining this list.

Start with your closest family and friends and work your way down. Family can be tough because it can look bad if you are selective and only invite some. The general rule of thumb is not to invite one without the rest. For example, if you invite one cousin, you will be expected to invite all your cousins. Of course, this is dependent on your specific family dynamic and you are within your right to not invite certain people you feel are not important to you and your relationship.

Many modern weddings are going kid-free. You must make the decision on whether you want to include children in your wedding guest list. Make sure to let guests know if their kids are not invited!

You will also have to decide on the plus-one protocol. You are not required to allow every guest a plus-one, but you should typically allow those in serious relationships to bring their partner.

Image: Unsplash

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Wedding stationery with Directional Designs

September 27, 2019 No Comments

Because stationery is such an important part of a wedding, we wanted an expert opinion on everything that it entails. We spoke with Alexa from Directional Designs about how she creates stationery for the couple and where you can save some bucks.

Some of these general components are:

Save the date cards (optional)
Invitations and envelopes
RSVP cards
Ceremony booklet
Seating plan
Place cards
Table numbers
Menu

Q: What do you need to know in order to help the couple choose their stationery style?

A: Colour scheme and theme is key for us to know in order for us to design the stationery for our clients. We also need to know exactly what they would like, as the list of items for event stationery is endless. For example, does the couple want menus per person or just per table? Do they want a seating board or are guests able to sit anywhere? What kind of table numbers would they like – perspex, paper, wooden etc? Our speciality is customisation. We want the couple’s stationery to be unique and different, therefore the more we get to know our clients, the better for us to understand their likes and dislikes

TIP: Don’t be shy about sitting with your stationer to go over all the items that you need and the elements that you like and dislike. The stationer wants to create something unique and so they would rather have too much information than too little.

Q: What are some tips to save costs on wedding stationery?

A: There are various ways to save on wedding stationery. This can be in terms of paper choice as well as quantity of items. For example, if you have an invitation or any other stationery on paper, then this is where a lot of the cost comes in. There are so many different paper options available that we can source so it can fall within your budget. You also don’t need to have an order of ceremony booklet for each guest that is attending the ceremony as some guests don’t take a booklet. You could also choose paper tent table numbers over laser cut numbers, which look just as beautiful. We have loads of ways of making your stationery fit within your budget and still look unique and beautiful.

TIP: Talk about your stationery budget with your stationer before anything else. This will help to establish which items are essential and which items you can leave out of your stationery. It will also help to determine what materials are available to you.

Information supplied by Alexa at Directional Designs: https://directionaldesigns.co.za/

Feature image: Gareth van Nelson

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Juices that will make you glow

September 25, 2019 No Comments

Make-up is a great way to enhance your natural beauty but having great skin is the first step to achieve that undeniable glow. Attaining a natural glow may seem like just a dream but rest assured, it’s more real than you think. Have a look at these juices that will give you that wedding glow.

What should be in your glowing juices?

Carrots

This vegetable contains vitamins C and A, which reduces skin inflammation and helps reduce pigmentation, uneven skin tone and blemishes.

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Beetroot

As with carrots, beetroot also contains high levels of vitamin C, which helps to brighten skin and reduce inflammation and angry skin.

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Tomato

This superfood is very high in antioxidants. Because of this, it helps to combat free radicals and the harmful effects of the sun.

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Pomegranate

This fruit boosts the production of collagen and elastin, which nourishes the skin and in return makes the skin glow. It also contains those famous antioxidants.

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Spinach

The leafy greens contain high amounts of iron and vitamin C which means, you guessed it, an antioxidant boost of note.

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Ginger

This root helps rejuvenate the skin. It reduces inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.

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Apples

Besides keeping the doctor away, this fruit is known to calm the skin and provide a lot of nutrients. They also contain ample amounts of vitamin A and C.

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Water

It goes without saying, but water helps to hydrate your skin from within. Optimal hydration means fresh, bouncy skin that replenishes tissue quicker than drier skin.

What’s the take?

Fruits and vegetables are a great way to achieve a natural glow on your wedding day. Make sure they’re high in antioxidants and you’ll be glowing in no time. Just remember to start at least a week before the wedding for any juice to be effective. The sooner you start, the better the results!

Feature image: Unsplash