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    As a maid of honour, you’re one of the most important parts of the wedding. You are the bride’s greatest support system, and will be relied on to help with any- and everything in the lead up to and the day of the wedding.

    To be the ultimate maid of honour, you’ll need to be prepared. There is no better way to do this than to carry a maid of honour emergency kit.

    This is what every maid of honour needs in her emergency kit.

    Hair products:

    • hairbrush/comb
    • bobby pins
    • hairspray
    • hair ties

    Beauty products:

    • makeup wipes
    • cotton swabs
    • miceller water
    • extra brushes
    • makeup for touch-ups
    • lip-balm
    • tweezers
    • nail polish
    • nail polish remover

    The outfit:

    •  a sewing kit
    • lint roller
    • scissors
    • stain-removing products
    • fabric tape
    • safety pins
    • extra jewellery
    • lotion (body and hand)
    • sunscreen

    Medical:

    • ibuprofen/pain pills
    • anti-allergy medication
    • anti-anxiety medication
    • eye drops
    • band-aids

    Organisation:

    • a copy of the bride’s toast/wedding vows
    • a contact list of all vendors for the day
    • a time schedule for the day

    General:

    • tissues
    • gum
    • snacks
    • deodorant
    • perfume
    • superglue
    • phone chargers/powerbanks
    • cash

    Picture: Unsplash

    A bride’s bouquet has sentimental value and so it is not surprising that many brides want to keep it. Preserving your bouquet is a beautiful way to create a reminder of your wedding day and add some decor to your home at the same time.

    If you’d like to have a personal keepsake from your wedding that is different to the norm, take a look at these 3 ways to preserve your bouquet.

    Air dry your bouquet

    This is the most simple and traditional way to preserve your bouquet as it was on your wedding day, but it will take the longest.

    All you have to do is take your entire bouquet, or just the flowers that you’d like to keep and tie it together very tightly with a rope or string of your choice – twine will work very well. Once you are sure that the bouquet is tied tightly and securely, hang the whole bunch upside down in a warm and dry area, like a cupboard. A darker space will preserve the colour and scent of the flowers, although the colour will be slightly muted, better than a space that allows light in, which will cause the colours to turn into shades that look vintage. Leave the bouquet to dry for a few weeks and then take it down once all the flowers are completely dry.

    Now that you have your dried bouquet, you can do with it as you wish. A nice idea to display the bouquet is to place it in a vase of your choice and cover it with a large glass dome or a perspex case.

     

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    Press the flowers

    This is probably the most affordable option when it comes to preserving your bouquet but it will involve you creating a new piece from the flowers from your bouquet.

    Choose the flowers that you’d like to preserve and cut about 1-2cm off and spread them out on one or multiple sheets of baking paper, depending on how many flowers you are wanting to press. Place the sheet with the flowers on the inside of a heavy book and add another layer of baking paper on top, then close the book and place another heavy object on top to weigh it down. Leave the flowers there for one to two weeks. Once the flowers are dry and flat, be careful when you start to arrange them as they are very delicate.

    Most people create a frame display of the flowers by putting them into an empty photo frame and then hanging it on the wall as decor.  Now every time you walk past it you will be reminded of your special day.

     

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    Use epoxy resin

    With this preservation technique, you will be able to show off your flowers to their full effect as the shape of the flowers will remain the same.

    Choose flowers with tight petals from your bouquet and hang them to dry. If you do not allow them to dry properly before setting them in epoxy, they may begin to decay once they have been set. Then cover your work area with newspaper and make sure you wear gloves when you work because epoxy sticks to everything. Choose a mould in your desired shape and make sure that you have enough epoxy resin to cover the flowers as well as create your desired shape. Fill your mold halfway with the epoxy resin mixture and delicately arrange the flowers within that. Then fill in the rest of the mold with the mixture and leave to dry.

    After you take the mold off, you will have a stunning decoration, or a few if you do this multiple times, that you can place all over your home and have constant reminders of your wedding.

     

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    Feature image: Pixabay

    We all need a little help sometimes, especially when it comes to planning your wedding and everything that goes along with it. Thanks to digital apps and tools, it is now easier than ever to get the help you need and stay organised. Have a look at 10 of our favourite wedding planning apps and tools:

    1. Joy – Wedding App & Website

    Are you looking for an app that will save you time, money, and efficiently get things done? Joy wedding app and website is your one-stop-shop for a personalised wedding planning experience. You can manage guest lists and create a checklist of all the things that need to be done before your big day. In addition to the impressive features this app offers, you also have the option to create a wedding website directly from the app.

    2. Google Calendar

    Time management is often overlooked when planning an event but is an important factor in ensuring that things go as planned. With your big day fast approaching, you want to alleviate all the pressure that comes with leaving things to the last minute. With Google Calendar you can plan all your meetings and customise your reminders. This way, you never forget anything and you’re always on time.

    3. From9AM Beauty

    From9am is your one-stop online shop for all things health and beauty in South Africa.  Quality products made locally and imported are available for online purchase, this includes makeup, eye, Lip, face, hair, body and feet products catering for all types of consumers! Shop the From9am.com beauty destination for makeup brush sets, blush and powder brushes, beauty blenders, makeup bags, tweezers, foundation, eyeshadows, palettes, eye makeup, lashes, concealers, contours, highlighters, bronzers, primers, setting sprays, face, body and feet products + so much more!

    4. My Wedding Table Planner

    Seating arrangements can prove to be one of the more challenging tasks when planning a wedding. You need to consider all the family drama that comes with it and keep everyone happy at the same time. With Table Planner, you can easily add as many guests as you like and shift them around to accommodate your venue size. This way, you have a broad view of what the seating arrangement will look like in your venue. You also have the option of allowing the app to create a generic seating plan and track RSVPs.

    5. Happy Couple

    Months leading up to the wedding, you and your partner may experience an overload of stress that can lead to a build-up of tension between you two. Happy Couple is an app that promotes relationship strengthening through quizzes and friendly gaming. You and your partner will get to know each other better and reassure your compatibility for years to come.

    6. GoodBudget – Budget Planner

    Without a proper budgeting plan, your big day might leave you in a financial pickle. Goodbudget is a user-friendly app that allows you to allocate expenses for everything that you need. Once you have a budget set in place you can shift expenses around to ensure that you are not overspending in certain areas and neglecting others, maintaining a balance is key to success.

    7. A wedding registry

    This fairly new concept amongst young couples has made gift buying so much easier. Not only do you save your friends and family from spending hours in the mall looking for a suitable gift, but drawing up a registry also guarantees that you will get the gifts you want and need. Several stores offer the option of creating an online registry. Yuppiechef, Mrp Home and Woolworths also have online stores to make things easier. Your guests can visit their website, enter your registry details and shop without having to leave the comfort of their homes.

    8. Google Drive

    Planning a wedding takes an army. Instead of the constant back and forth with different vendors and planners, centralise all the information with Google drive. As things progress, you have the option of adding notes and comments to keep everyone updated.  Easily share your wedding planner folder and everyone will have access to it. Simple yet effective.

    9. Airbnb

    With so much to do before your wedding, you’ve barely given your honeymoon a second thought. But once the excitement dies down after your big day, we are almost certain that you and your partner will need some time away to rest and enjoy each other’s company. Airbnb offers unique experiences and accommodations for every type of budget and occasion. The app also allows direct contact with the host of the venue you will be staying at to ensure that your stay goes as smooth as possible.

    10. Facebook

    It might sound crazy, but Facebook has become the modern-day yellow pages. There is almost nothing you can’t find on there. From dressmakers to wedding venues, Facebook is a central place for vendors and ideas. Your friends can share recommendations with you and you can get their opinions of things as well.  Embrace the age of digital planning.

    By Aadilah Hallam

    Image: Unsplash

    A symbol of prosperity, good fortune and fertility, rice has been a staple at weddings for decades in the form of a rice toss. Guests gather outside the venue following the wedding ceremony, awaiting the newlyweds. As the new couple exit the venue, guests shower them with rice to positively usher them into their new lives.

    If you’re not much of a grain person, there are many fun alternatives to the rice toss.

    Here are some unique alternatives to the rice toss:

    Bubbles:

    Flower petals:

    Dried lavender:

    Glow sticks:

    Streamers:

    Confetti:


     

    Sparklers:

    Sprinkles:

    Ring the Bells:

    Feathers:

    Picture: Unsplash

    Themed weddings have grown in popularity over the years. From movies to books to decades, there is no end to the possibilities. But what about holidays? The month of October is spooky season because of the popular holiday Halloween, and some Halloween fans are taking their love for this spooky holiday to the next level.

    If you’re a big Halloween fan, here is some inspiration to throw your own Halloween-themed wedding.

    Fashion:
    Black dresses go well with a Halloween wedding theme. Think black lace and tulle for an edgy yet romantic finish. Princess cuts give a traditional look, but the black fabric still makes it spooky. It’s a perfect juxtaposition for Halloween.

     

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    Decor:
    Decor truly pulls a wedding together. Make use of lots of fabric like mesh, tulle and velvet, as well as candles and dried/dead flowers to create a dark and spooky yet elegant atmosphere. Gold finishes provide an antique look perfect for Halloween. Add fake skulls and dried twigs to complete the look.

     

     

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    Cake:
    Black cakes adorned with Halloween-themed imagery work best for these kinds of weddings. Think skulls, spiderwebs and dead flowers. For an extra touch, choose a red-velvet or black velvet cake.

     

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    Photography:
    As with any wedding, you’ll want some iconic photography to preserve your memories. Props will greatly add to your images. Make use of fake skulls, face paint, pumpkins, candles, mist and smoke bombs to create a spooky atmosphere.

     

     

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    Picture: Pexels

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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