Advice Archives | Page 46 of 55

In Advice

Easy ways to save money on your wedding day

September 24, 2019 No Comments

For those planning their wedding, some things may seem out of their financial reach. Most modern weddings have become extravagant and costly, but they don’t have to be. There are a number of ways an engaged couple can save some coins whilst planning their dream wedding. Here are some tips to reduce your wedding budget:

Turn to technology:

Cut costs by sending out digital wedding invites and having guests RSVP online. Simply find a great digital artist to design your online invite (or design it yourself using apps like Canva) and set up a link to a website, Google Drive document, app or a phone number guests can use to RSVP.

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Think local:

Of course, dedicated wedding venues are popular for a reason. However, there are a variety of other locations that can work just as well for a fraction of the price. Consider having your wedding reception at country clubs, community halls, parks, restaurants, galleries or even a family member or friend’s property.

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Say yes to the affordable dress:

A large chunk of one’s wedding budget often goes towards the dress. Spend your money wisely by searching for sample sales, repurposing a family member’s dress, picking something off-the-rack or even thrifting a wedding dress. Remember that any dress can be good as new with some custom-additions. Think of it as your ‘something old’!

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Get a personal officiant:

Have a friend or family member become ordained online so that they can marry you and your partner, saving you money and giving your wedding a personal touch.

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DIY the day away:

There are so many simple DIY’s that will save you money and personalise your wedding. Use thrift shopped mirrors, chalkboards or window panes to create one big wedding program. Besides being cost-effective, it’s also better for the environment to not print out individual programs.

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Go out-of-season:

Off-peak dates can get you your dream venue at a cheaper price. As most weddings are held on Saturdays, consider having your wedding on a Friday or Sunday to cut venue and food/drink costs.

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Mix-and-match:

Use more affordable flowers as decoration. Mismatched, smaller centerpieces are cost-effective and cute. You can also add bulk and dimension to your bouquets by using foliage.

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Give power to your flowers:

Flowers are expensive. Make sure they work double-duty by reusing them throughout the day. Consider reusing bridesmaids bouquets after the ceremony to create one large centerpiece or add them to table decor.

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Strategically plan out your Big Day:

We get, it, sometimes things can run overtime during your wedding. However, photographers and musicians will charge extra if they have to stay longer than originally agreed, or wait around unnecessarily. Ensure you stick to a swift schedule between your ceremony and reception to avoid paying more than you bargained for.

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Make your wedding family style:

Shareable family-style meals are more cost-effective and interactive than 3-course sit-down meals. Consider designing a shareable menu filled with fan favourites that will cater to every diet.

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Be wise with your wedding favours:

Wedding favours don’t have to be extravagant. Something small and travel-friendly is ideal. Think mini-wine bottles, handmade soaps, individual succulents or tiny jars of your favourite sweets. You can also offer shareable favours for couples, such as a bottle of wine, to cut costs. You can also read: Best wedding planning APP’s and tools

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In Advice

Hilarious 1950s advice on how to snag a man

September 23, 2019 No Comments

The 1950s were a wild time. The Cold war was escalating, Elvis and his pelvis were gyrating to the amazement of adoring fans and television had not even been introduced to South Africa. It is also in this time period that women were being given some, uh, interesting advice on relationships.

A 1958 article published in American Women’s Magazine, McCall’s, titled “129 Ways to Get a Husband” gives us insight into what life was like for women in the 1950s:

The magazine article advises women on the best ways to find a man.

Kim Marx-Kuczynski from Madison, Wisconsin found the article in a rummage sale and was fascinated by its contents. “I think the article is reflective of the social mores of the era, and I found the comparison between what was acceptable then and what is acceptable now fascinating. It also made me grateful that so much progress has been made,” she told Bored Panda.

“It’s outdated and absurd and funny, but it had serious intentions,” Kim concluded. “Society has changed so much in the last sixty years, and this article exemplifies the differences between what our moms and grandmas grew up with compared to ourselves and the coming generations. It’s fascinating.”

The article had invited 16 “experts” to analyse what the “sixteen million women over the age of seventeen who are not married,” and who would presumably like to be married, according to the article, could do to find a husband. The results are nothing short of hilarious. Here is some of the funniest advice from the article:

On where to find Mr. Right:

– Have your car break down at strategic places.

– Look in the census reports for places with the most single men.

– Read the obituaries to find eligible widowers.

– Become a nurse or an airline stewardess – they have very high marriage rates.

– Be nice to everybody – they may have an eligible brother or son.

– Be friendly to ugly men – handsome is as handsome does.

– Don’t be afraid to associate with more attractive girls; they may have some leftovers.

How to let him know you’re there:

– Wear a band-aid. People always ask what happened.

– Stand in a corner and cry softly. Chances are good that he’ll come over to find out what’s wrong.

– Buy a convertible. Men like to ride in them.

– “Accidentally” have your purse fly open, scattering its contents all over the street.

On how to look good to him:

– Get a sunburn.

– When you are with him, order your steak rare.

– Don’t tell him about your allergies.

– Don’t whine.

On how to land him:

– Talk to his father about business and agree that taxes are too high!

– If he’s rich, tell him you like his money – the honesty will intrigue him!

– Never let him believe your career is more important to you than marriage.

– Point out to him that the death rate of single men is twice that of married men.

Wild ideas:

– If your mother is fat, tell him you take after your father. If he’s fat too, tell him you’re adopted!

– Rent a billboard and post your picture and telephone number on it!

– Paint your name and number on the roof and say, “Give me a buzz, pilots.”

– Stand on a busy street corner with a lasso.

Image: Pixabay

In Advice

Old school songs you need in your wedding playlist

September 20, 2019 No Comments

Wedding receptions are the time to celebrate and rejoice the new marriage. They usually consist of food, tearful speeches, fun and dancing. When it comes to the dance floor, everyone knows great music makes the party. Here are a few old school songs you need in your wedding playlist:

50s

Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra (1954)

70s

Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder (1976)

Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry (1976)

Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees (1977)

Y.M.C.A – Village People (1978)

What you won’t do for love – Bobby Caldwell (1978)

Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson (1979)

80s

Celebration – Kool & The Gang (1980)

Just The Two Of Us – Grover Washington Jr. (1981)

Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey (1981)

It’s Raining Men – The Weather Girls (1982)

True – Spandau Ballet (1983)

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper (1983)

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham (1984)

Love song – The Cure (1989)

90s

End of the Road – Boyz II Men (1992)

Macarena – Los del Río (1993)

Wonderwall – Oasis (1995)

Gettin’ Jiggy With It – Will Smith (1998)

I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys (1999)

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In Advice

How to pick a great wedding gift

September 20, 2019 No Comments

What do you get a couple that has everything? You may not get lucky and receive an invitation with a wedding gift registry or a request for monetary presents. If that is the case, here’s how to pick a great wedding gift:

Budget

Firstly, you should establish a budget. How much would you like to spend on a wedding gift? The amount you decide on will help with what you can get. For example, if you want to spend R500, you obviously wouldn’t look at high-end kitchen tools.

Relationship

How do you know the couple? Is it family, close friends, friends or co-workers? This is important because you’d put more effort into a gift if it was someone close to you.

Know the couple

What do they like? What do they do? For example, do they enjoy cooking, wine, camping, hiking, or traveling? Try to choose something that the couple can both use or do together.

Receipt

We were always told to take the price off a gift before giving it to someone because someone shouldn’t know how much you’ve spent on them. In this case, however, giving the gift along with the receipt is a great idea. For example, if you’ve bought something too small or perhaps the colour is wrong, they have the option of exchanging it.

Ask

You could just simply ask the couple what they’d like or need.

Have a look at these great wedding gift options.

For those who enjoy cooking or baking:

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Engraving a cookware item like a cutting board is something special and practical.

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Couples who love camping:

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Cute camping items are a great option for those who enjoy the outdoors. Anything practical that they can use while camping is great.

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Alchohol enthusiasts:

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Don’t just get them normal glasses, opt for special sets. Glasses that will only be used for special occasions.

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Travel lovers:

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These scratch maps are really trendy but great too. The couple can look at the map and see all the places they’ve traveled together.

Decor

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Some couples take a lot of pride in their home and enjoy decorating it with beautiful items. You could always find a great addition to add to their coffee table or bookcase.

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In Advice

How to tie a bow tie

September 20, 2019 No Comments

Bow ties are a classic option that will add the finishing touch to your wedding day outfit. As dashing as they are, the sophisticated embellishment is a bit tricky to pull off. If you’re unsure and want to pull off the tasteful look yourself, here’s how to tie a bow tie on your wedding day, or any other day you want to look extra dapper:

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Step by step

Choose a great bow tie

Black is a classic colour to choose but if your wedding vibe allows for it, consider opting for a funky colour, pattern or material.

Sizing

To ensure you get that dashing and sophisticated look, adjust the bow tie according to your neck size. Ask a sales assistant to measure your neck when purchasing a bow tie. There should be an adjustable slider or a hook and holes that will allow you to make the bow tie bigger or smaller.

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How to tie

The most popular choice is the butterfly bow tie.

First place your bow tie around your neck facing up. Make sure that the right side is shorter than the left. Your left end is A and the right end is B.

Move A over to the right. It will be across from B. It should form an X shape.

Move A under B and bring it up through the neck loop.

You can now fold B towards the right and finally to the left, which will then create the bow shape.

The A side can now move straight down over the middle section (the bow shape)

A can be folded towards the chest.

Pinch the fold.

You need to push A through the loop behind B.

Finally, pull on the folded parts which will tighten it. Adjust the bow tie to be balanced on both sides.

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Who needs help with a bow tie?? @decerbosaurus thanks buddy! How to tie a bow tie #bowtie #formalwear #tie #mensfashion #menswear #howtotieabowtie

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In Advice

How to clean your wedding dress after the big day

September 20, 2019 No Comments

Wedding dresses are one of the most spoken about elements of any wedding. After having such a big role in your big day, preserving the dress may be your decision. If you decide to store your dress, it may need a polish after a couple of years. Here’s how to clean your wedding dress after the big day, to keep it beautifully preserved and in tip-top condition.

Ask your sales consultant

When you purchase your wedding dress from a boutique, be sure to inquire about the cleaning. Your sales consultant should be able to advise on how to properly clean it. There may also be special instructions that come with the gown on how to clean it.

Sooner the better

If you do decide to store the dress, it’s very important to clean it before packing it away.

Dry cleaners

If you’d rather not chance it or perhaps don’t have the time, you could always look for a special dry cleaner. They should know how to clean the wedding gown and the specific materials used correctly.

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Simple dresses

If your gown is made from simple materials and fabrics, you could clean it yourself – just be sure to do some research before attempting it.

Light

When your gown is drying, keep it away from natural and artificial light.

Know your fabric

If you decide to wash it yourself, know what type of fabric the dress is made of. Be aware of what type of embellishments are on the gown. Odds are, you can probably gently wash it by hand. Also, be aware that some fabrics can stretch when hung up, and because a wedding gown is particularly heavy, it’s best to let it dry while flat.

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Spot clean

If your wedding gown is very detailed and large, you may have to opt for spot cleaning. This would involve pinpointing the stains and just cleaning those instead of the whole dress.

Whatever option you choose, just make sure you know what your wedding dress consists of and what it’s made of. Lastly, be gentle with your gown, especially if it’s big and consists of lots of detail (for example beads).

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In Advice

Get creative with your wedding dress after the big day

September 18, 2019 No Comments

Wedding dresses are a huge part of the big day. So much effort and money goes into the wedding gown to ensure that the blushing bride looks her best. After making your way down the aisle and turning heads, what can you do with your gown? Get creative with your wedding dress after the big day.

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.

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 daughter or younger family member is a meaningful way of re-using your dress.

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.

Special occasion

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! Another option is to keep your wedding dress for anniversaries or if you decide to renew your vows.

Sell it

Putting your wedding dress up for sale will at least reimburse you to a certain extent. Receiving some money is a lot better than your bridal gown gathering dust.

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In Advice

How much should you give as a cash wedding gift?

September 18, 2019 No Comments

Gone are the days when monetary gifts are seen as rude and unthoughtful. Nowadays most people live together before marriage so they often don’t need the traditional gifts. Giving money is an easy option but how much should you give as a cash wedding gift?

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There are many reasons why a couple might request a cash gift. Many couples prefer receiving money because it can contribute to the honeymoon or big purchases. Maybe the couple would prefer to buy their own things from various places and therefor one registry wouldn’t work.

But as a guest, how much money should you give? You don’t want to give too little but at the same time you don’t want to be bankrupt.

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Things to consider

Firstly, your final amount depends on your relationship with the soon-to-wed pair. If you’re an intimate family member or a very close friend, you would obviously be expected to give more.

If you’re a distant relative and you don’t really see the couple often or if you’re a co-worker then you wouldn’t give as much.

Ask yourself, how much would you spend on a gift? The amount you gift should be similar.

Base your figure on your own budget. What can you afford to give? If you’d like to give a large amount then you could perhaps save a little money each month.

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Drum roll please..

An acceptable amount for a wedding gift can range anywhere from R300-R1000.

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In Accessories

What’s trending in the wedding world of: Fashion accessories

September 18, 2019 No Comments

Trends are ever-changing in the wedding world. If you’re looking for inspiration or maybe want to avoid what’s been overdone, then have a look at what’s trending in the wedding world of fashion accessories. Whatever the reason, these trends are great additions to your wedding look.

Barrettes

Complete your hair style with a bridal barrette. These pretty embellishments add a little pop to a minimal look especially if you’re not wanting to go too over the top. Opt for a bridal barrette if you’re looking for a sleek and trending look.

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Gloves

What’s more ‘royal’ than bridal gloves? This graceful embellishment is trending and will give you that extra ‘princess’ touch.

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Bold earrings

Gone are the times of delicate diamond studs. Make a statement with your earrings. Go big or go home they say.

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Headbands

Forget the flower crown and opt for a bridal headband if you’re looking for something a bit different. Think of it as a fashion forward tiara.

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Belts

Tying a bridal belt around your wedding gown gives you an edgy yet elegant look. The belt also accentuates the waist and gives you that sought after cinched-in look.

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Hats

If flower crowns, tiaras and headbands aren’t your thing, bridal hats are trending and gorgeous. Oversized bridal hats make for a graceful and stylish statement.

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In Advice

How to renew your wedding vows

September 18, 2019 No Comments

Whether it’s been five, 10 or 20 years, renewing your wedding vows is a great excuse for a ‘second wedding’. Let all those around you know, that your love is just as strong as it was when you first said ‘I do’. If you’re looking to reignite the love here’s how to renew your wedding vows.

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Renewing your wedding vows is a great way to celebrate a marriage milestone like an anniversary. Many couples start renewing as soon as one year after marriage. Usually you host your own vow renewal ceremony but sometimes the couple’s children plan and host the party for their parents.

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The main focus is your vows. Put a lot of effort in to it and speak from the heart. You should have new and different things to say compared to your wedding day vows, since you’ve grown as a married couple.

Since it is a more ‘relaxed’ commitment, the event can be hosted anywhere. From a place of worship to your house. If a place means something to you and your partner then that’s all that matters. Any person of your choice can ‘officiate’ your wedding.

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This is a very special occasion and it’s best to be surrounded by loved ones and those closest to you. However if you want a huge soiree then the more the merrier.

The attire is completely your choice. If you and your partner want to go super fancy then so be it. This is your time to do whatever you want, especially if you had to do what others wanted on your big day.

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Have fun! Think of it as a big party with the focus on you and your partner. A part of the night is dedicated to declaring your love for one another (again) but a lot of it is a celebration.

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