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My favourite wedding moment

June 11, 2019 No Comments

Wedding Etc asked a group of brides and grooms to share their best memories of their weddings … and whether there was anything they’d do differently.

1. COMPLETE SURPRISE

‘The thing that I enjoyed most about my wedding was NOT the planning. I am blessed to have a fabulous mom who did everything for me, all based on three Instagram pictures I showed her when I got engaged. I walked into the venue on the day not knowing a thing – I was blown away and appreciated every little detail. I felt like it was done for and not by me, which only made me feel more special on my special day. It’s a cliché, but it was a fairy tale and I thoroughly enjoyed every single bit of it. Thank God for moms!’
– Zakia

2. LIKE A PRINCESS

‘Being all dressed up isn’t usually me. I’m normally a plain Jane, but on the day, I felt like a completely different person with all of the make-up, the jewellery and the dress – like a princess!’
– Paashanta

3. DREAM GOWN

‘My most memorable moment was when my father told me how proud he was of me. After that, he walked me down the aisle with the biggest smile on his face. We decided to have a small wedding, so my dress wasn’t anything glamorous. If I could turn back the hands of time, I would get my dream gown, regardless of how big or small the wedding was.’
– Stephanie

4. LOVE IN BRAZIL

‘We started dating in Rio while we were doing mission work for our church. A few months later, we got married. There with no notice, and we wouldn’t change a thing about our small, impromptu South American wedding. I would have preferred it if my husband hadn’t left his honeymoon packing for the last minute (making him late for our wedding), but at least we can laugh about it now.’
– Verna

5. CAUGHT ON CAMERA

‘I enjoyed how relaxed the atmosphere was, despite it being my wedding. We had a destination wedding, so our entire family was on this relaxed holiday buzz. It was so refreshing and it made everyone that much more present. If we could change one thing, it would probably be our video. We spent so much time, money and effort on the photographer that, come time and budget for the videographer, we were quite limited. Our video is beautiful and captures the memories, but seeing how professionally done it could have been, with the fantastic technology nowadays, we secretly want to redo ours!’
– Hassan

6. RAIN DANCE

‘We got married in late December, and in a rain-starved Western Cape, so we didn’t really think we needed to have a plan in case the skies opened up. Well, they did – our wedding day was the only day it rained that whole summer. It was a blessing in disguise, though, because our very small wedding party all ended up huddling under a garden umbrella together, drinking wine (and the odd shot of tequila), laughing, smiling and taking turns to dance in the rain. Weddings don’t always go to plan, but they often turn out better than you could’ve ever imagined.’
– Andrea

7. LAUGHING ALL THE WAY

‘The best part of my wedding day was how much fun I had. I expected it to be a stressful day, but that wasn’t the case at all. My husband and I laughed so much and we weren’t stressed at all. The only thing
I regret is that we didn’t take enough photos and I wish we had planned a bit better when it came to time management.’
– Yumna

8. THE FIRST LOOK

‘The best part of my wedding day was when I saw my wife for the first time. She looked absolutely angelic. It was at that moment that I realised that I would be spending every day with the most beautiful woman in the world. I don’t think there’s anything I would change about that day.’
– Rameez

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

Throw the best wedding ever in 7 simple steps

June 3, 2019 No Comments

Want a truly unforgettable wedding day? Of course you do! Pull it all together and throw the best wedding ever with our simple 7-step guide.

1. CONSIDER HIRING A WEDDING PLANNER

Many couples set out thinking they can accomplish planning a wedding on their own. In the case of smaller weddings, this is definitely achievable, but if you have big plans for yours, hiring an experienced professional is the way to go. Other than having the benefit of them taking the reins and allowing you to really enjoy yourselves, wedding planners can customise specific packages according to your needs and budget, and recommend trusted vendors they have worked with in the past.

2. TAKE TIME TO GREET ALL OF YOUR GUESTS

Some of them will have travelled from far just to attend your wedding. Show them just how much you appreciate their presence by taking time to greet everyone. It doesn’t have to be all at once – spread the quality time throughout the evening so you get around to spending time with each person; whether it be a quick chat over a drink, visiting their table during dinner, or shaking it out later on the dance floor.

3. SPEND 20 MINUTES JUST ENJOYING THE MOMENT

It may seem like an obvious thing to do, but you’ll probably be so wrapped up in other aspects of the wedding that you may even forget to just take a deep breath, relax and live in the present moment. Set aside a few minutes to tell your spouse how much you appreciate them and how you’re looking forward to experiencing this next chapter of your lives together.

4. CREATE CHARGING STATIONS

We’re sure you don’t want your guests glued to their phones the entire night, but having a few plug points with chargers available in well-placed areas is a nice (not to mention modern) way to show your guests you care. This will also encourage them to capture some pics for Instagram, so be sure to put up a sign nearby with your wedding hashtag if you have one.

5. HAVE AN MC

While it may seem unnecessarily formal, choosing a family member or friend with a commanding voice to be the master of ceremonies on the day will come in handy for announcements or gathering people for group photos. Try to keep speeches to a minimum to maximise dining and social time.

6. ASK FOR SONG REQUESTS

A great way to make sure your guests are grooving it up on the dance floor until the early hours is to ask them for song ideas. Lock down the ones that are most special to you and your partner first, but pepper the big day with submissions from your friends and family. Ask them to RSVP with their top pick, or allow them to ask the DJ to play their favourite tracks on the day.

7. SERVE LATE-NIGHT SNACKS

If you plan to extend the wedding festivities late into the night, you may want to cater for those still standing. The last thing you want is for your guests to go home hungry, so hire a food truck to dish out midnight snacks, such as boerie rolls, popcorn cones and gourmet sliders, or simply order a few pizzas for the really ravenous. A coffee stand is also a great option – guests will be grateful for a warming pick-me up.

Picture: Unsplash

In Advice

10 ways to go green on your wedding day

March 19, 2019 No Comments

With a strong emphasis on living a sustainable life, there is more and more pressure to go green in all aspects of our lives – and that includes your wedding day. But going green for your big day is a lot easier than you think, and will give you plenty of options to play around with to create a unique event. From everything including your food down to your dress, check out our top 10 ways you can make your wedding more green.

1. LOCATION

Your wedding venue plays a big part in how your day will look, feel and be represented, but it’s also one of the key ways to making your wedding greener. Aim to choose a location that is already promoting sustainability with their food, electricity, water usage, etc. This will make it easier for you when sorting out your decor and catering. To save on fuel, try to find a venue that is more central so that most of your guests can carpool and travel shorter distances.

2. STATIONERY

When it comes to creating greener stationery, there’s plenty to play around with. Apart from it being a major trend in the digital era, creating a wedding website where your guests can find all the details and RSVP saves you on paper (and printing costs). As for the menus, seating charts and stationery present at the wedding, you can get creative with materials like recycled cotton for that high-end look. You can also get away with only one menu per table, instead of giving one to each individual guest.

3. DIY

While DIY doesn’t necessarily equal planet-friendly, creating things yourself will help you keep track of the materials and methods you’re using so that you can avoid anything harmful. Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and family for second-hand or recycled goods that can be used to for your wedding decor. For example, placing candles or organic flowers inside old mason jars can create a rustic look on the tables for your wedding reception.

4. FLOWERS

Source the flowers for your wedding from a local organic florist, or even plant them and pick them yourself from your garden. Try to use florals that don’t require a lot of water – succulents are beautiful and modern – and create a beautifully unique arrangement. They can even serve as your wedding favours too, so your guests can take them home and plant them in their own gardens.

5. FAVOURS

There is a wide variety of thoughtful and fun wedding favours when it comes to sticking to green options. Spoil your guests with some herbal tea leaves and a personalised ‘Thank You’ note, or offer them organic seeds that they can grow at home to symbolise your new journey of growth with your loved one. Plants, birdseed or homemade organic beauty products are also lovely options.

6. THE DRESS

Every bride wants that special and unique dress that feels perfectly made for her, but this can be an expensive and taxing reality. It’s much greener and cheaper to hire a dress or have a vintage one altered to suit you. However, if you do plan on buying a dress or having one made, aim to use more planet-friendly materials and create a piece that you will be able to wear again or pass down.

7. FOOD

If your venue is sustainable and offers catering, it’s a perfect deal! If not, look for a caterer that makes use of organic produce. Maybe even opt for going completely meat-free for your wedding menu and serve colourful fresh foods for your guests to enjoy that have a lower impact on the environment.

8. CONFETTI

Instead of plastic or paper confetti, opt for flower petals (which are much softer), birdseed, grains or plant seeds. These make light and pretty confetti pieces that can be carried in hand-woven baskets or bowls to save on plastic or paper cups. They are also affordable, easy to find and utterly unique.

9. DECOR

Try to avoid any paper or plastic use. Rather use proper cotton napkins, bare tables and chairs, and lots of greenery. Write your table numbers on rocks, pebbles or shells, and ask friends and family for spare decorations and table settings that you can borrow just for the day. Mismatched decor may just be the next trend!

10. RINGS

A family heirloom or vintage ring is the perfect way to lower your environmental impact on the planet, while still spoiling your other half with something precious. Alternatively, you can source your ring from companies that work with recycled metals and gemstones and have fair trade labour practices to create a sustainable option for you and your partner.

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

What To Get For the Pup Who Has Everything

February 10, 2019 No Comments

Like many of us dog lovers, I have a tendency to spoil our family dog, Bailey. How can you blame me, when he buries his nose in my couch looking for his old toys in such an adorable way? I love our guy, but the thing is, I’m skeptical about getting him new toys because he’s very particular: he only buries his favorite toys in the couch, but many of the rest of them just sit on the floor. When he was a puppy, I used to spend $40 per month on toys and treats alone (those bully sticks can get expensive)! But, in trying to find a (much) more wallet-friendly way to keep Bailey entertained, I found the absolute best gift you could get for any dog, any size, any personality.

In Advice

How to choose the perfect wedding dress for your body type

February 6, 2019 No Comments

We’ve all imagined what our ‘perfect dress’ would look like and have idolised certain styles that would suit our body type, but sometimes what we want doesn’t always match up to the real thing.

When it comes to choosing a wedding dress, there are a couple of things to consider (see how to find your perfect wedding dress according to experts), but a good way to start is figuring out your body type and what styles will suit you best.

THE BODY TYPES

1. Apple – Full bust with rounded torso and hips
2. Athletic – Tall, slim and a straight waistline
3. Curvy/hourglass – Defined waist, full bust and rounded hips
4. Pear – Wide hips and slim shoulders with a small waist
5. Petite – Slim and small frame
6. Tall – Over 1.75 m with a varying frame
7. Triangle – Broad shoulders and slim hips with a straight waist

THE DRESS TYPES

Mermaid

This style is perfect for an hourglass shape as it will accentuate your curves.

Sleek

Those with a tall and slim frame will suit this look beautifully and elegantly.

Tea-length

Tea-length dresses are perfect for those with an apple shape. They accentuate the frame and provide the look of having a longer torso and legs.

Ballgown

This stunning princess-inspired look will let athletic and pear frames shine by balancing the proportions of bust to hips.

V-neck

This particular neckline flatters larger busts, complementing an hourglass shape.

Halter neck

Having the focal point be your neck, halter necks give the allusion of narrow shoulders, suiting tall and athletic builds.

Strapless

Elegant and sweet, strapless dresses allow petite shapes to appear taller, while also flattering a smaller bust.

A-line

This style suits triangle shapes by balancing out the hips-to-bust ratio and giving a more defined waist.

Sweetheart

The sweetheart gives the allusion of smaller shoulders, suiting those with broad shoulders and fuller busts.

Picture: Unsplash

In Advice

How to find the perfect wedding dress, according to the experts

January 11, 2019 No Comments

So, you’ve found the love of your life. Now it’s time to find the other one – your wedding dress. Read our top tips from local experts before you head to the boutiques or meet a designer.

COLLECTION, COUTURE, HIRE OR PREVIOUSLY LOVED?

Each option has its own pros and cons. So it basically comes down to personal preference and budget. Buying or hiring a new or worn dress means that you can try on the dress before you buy it. But Natasha Holmes, owner and designer of Lou & Co, cautions: ‘Boutiques often only stock sample sizes, which isn’t the size of an average woman. If they don’t stock your size, don’t waste your time, as you simply cannot commit to a dress if you can’t try on the right size.’

If you have a dress made, Stephen of Stephen van Eeden Atelier advises you create a shortlist of potential designers and ‘make sure that their aesthetic and style reflect your personal style’. Having a dress made from scratch requires confidence in your designer, more time and, often, more money, but guarantees something unique.

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

‘There is a big price difference between an off-the-rail gown and made-to-measure bespoke,’ says Stephen. Designers usually have a price range on their website and it’s worth knowing beforehand. Stephen suggests you look at the quality and finishing of a dress to see if it is fully lined and French seamed, as this determines the true cost.

If you’re buying or hiring, let the sales consultant know your budget. A good one won’t suggest anything outside of your budget but will find a way to incorporate what you want. Natasha adds: ‘Being honest will allow us to quickly rule out what you can’t afford and find a suitable dress in your price range.’

EARLY-BIRD BRIDE

Start shopping at least six months before your big day – even more if you intend on having your dress made. ‘Trends like lace appliqué take time,’ says Natasha. A boutique may have to order in your size or make alterations – and you don’t want to rush that process.

BYO

Wear a strapless nude bra and panties, even shapewear if you’ll be wearing it on your big day. ‘It’s easier to judge fit with a smooth silhouette,’ says Natasha, ‘and no one warns you about this, but you should be ready for the designer or consultant to see you in your undies! Wedding gowns are tricky to get in and out of.’

Remove any jewellery in case it catches. A simple necklace can change the entire neckline of a dress. Make an effort with your hair and make-up to get a sense of what you will look like on the day. Taking a pair of heels along is also recommended, but boutiques often have pairs to try on.

TRIBE VIBE

The first fitting can be overwhelming and you will want to be surrounded by your people. When fitting at Lou & Co, Natasha recommends that you bring along only two or three people whose opinions you value most, such as your mom, sister or best friend. ‘Too many opinions make it harder to know what’s right.’

ROME WASN’T BUILT IN A DAY

Chances are, you won’t find ‘The One’ at your first try-on session. Don’t be disheartened! There are always more boutiques and other designers to try. And, with every consultation, you will walk away knowing something new about the one you really want.

In Accessories

Moodboard: Vintage love for page boys & flower girls

December 14, 2018 No Comments

Don’t forget about the little ones! You want them to look sophisticated and chic, but still age-appropriate. Outfits and accessories inspired by vintage style is the perfect way to do just that.

One trend we love is to dress the kiddies as mini versions of the bride and groom!

Dress your ring bearer in a cute tux that matches the colours of the groom’s tux or suit.

Have the flower girl wear an accessory that matches the flowers; hair clips, floral crowns and corsages are popular.

In Advice

Top 10 bridesmaid dress trends of 2019

December 13, 2018 No Comments

The 2019 trends are here, and we are so excited to see what the new year has in store! When it comes to bridesmaid dress styles, modern themes are taking over with new and fresh looks that will give your bridal party a total make-over.

1. ONE SHOULDER

We’ve seen the return of this trend in everyday wear, and can’t help but swoon over the sophisticated style it brings in a bridesmaid gown.

2. TWO PIECES

Stunning two-piece sets allow your bridesmaids to mix and match their looks to your theme. This choice adds a playful side to your bridal party and is suited to a summer wedding.

3. DRAMATIC SLEEVES

Tie, cap and flared sleeves are all taking the wedding fashion scene by storm with their cute and playful appearances. Whether it’s dramatic flair or a statement you’re after, you are sure to find a creative sleeve style to suit your theme and bridal party look.

4. VELVET

Velvet fabric creates a subtle sultry aesthtic that, when paired with jewel tones, lets your bridal party flourish like royalty.

5. ROYAL SHADES

The royal weddings of 2018 have set the standard for wedding trends this 2019. Rich and textured shades of emerald green, mustard yellow and ruby red are major statements this season.

6. MESH

Sheer overlays flowing to the floor give your bridesmaid dresses an air of romance and grace that is both feminine and flattering.

7. WRAP DRESSES

Classic and elegant, the wrap dress is a suitable option for all of your bridesmaids. If you’re planning your wedding for the spring of 2019, this look will fit your bridal party perfectly.

8. SHORT DRESSES

Short and tea-length dresses detailed with tulle and pleated skirts create a fun and playful look that is also chic and reminiscent of ’50s styles.

9. EMBROIDERY

The reincorporation of various textures into fashion has led to styles like embroidery being brought back in new and creative ways. Let this age-old method take over your bridal party look in a gorgeous update that is modern and elegant.

10. JUMPSUITS

Some bridesmaids will be skipping the dresses altogether in favour of sophisticated and modern jumpsuit styles. They’re comfortable, fashion-savvy and your bridal party can wear them past your wedding day.

Images: Pinterest

In Advice

Which one of these DIY seating charts is perfect for you?

December 13, 2018 No Comments

The RSVPs are in and you’ve finally figured out where everyone is going to sit, now it’s time to come up with a creative way to relay the information to your guests. Equipped with one of these DIY seating charts, you’ll be good to go!

1. THE SEATING CHART/WEDDING FAVOUR COMBO

Combining your seating chart with your wedding favours is an amazing way to save both time and money.

Cacti, Stodels

2. STAY ON TREND WITH COPPER CREATIVITY

If you particularly like the metallic trend, this is totally up your alley. Use copper piping to assemble a sturdy frame. Hang string or ribbon from the frame, and then attach the seating cards for each table. Decorate with some greenery and place in a prominent position.

Copper pipe, Builders; greenery, Fabulous Flowers; stationery, Lezanne’s Designs

3. MOTIF MAGIC

Group your tables to correspond with your theme. Print cards with the different categories and pin to a gorgeous board outside the venue.

Stationery, The Pink Collection

Styling: Francoise Jeanne de Villers
Photography: Gareth van Nelson

*All products subject to availability

In Advice

My pre-wedding skincare routine: A celeb guest blog by Zakeeya Patel

December 10, 2018 No Comments

These days it’s not just their bodies that brides are getting into shape before the big day. Twelve months before my big day I consulted with several aesthetic doctors for a pre-wedding skincare routine and I absolutely fell in love with Dr Reddy from Medisculpt.

She wasn’t gung-ho to fill or botox me to ‘perfection’ which is why I adored her approach. Instead she analysed my skin and worked out a programme for the year ahead. Yes, I started my skincare routine a year before my wedding (one of the only things I did in advance) and the focus was on my pores and pigmentation.

For the first 6 months I alternated between gentle chemical peels and oxygen facials. In the last 6 months we started the famous Vampire facials, which we did every 8 weeks and the results were spectacular.

The week before my wedding I did an L.O.L facial. This was my absolute favourite! The results are immediate. A L.O.L facial is a Lift, Oxygen and Lights facial. Throughout my whole wedding weekend everyone kept saying, ‘You’re literally glowing you’re so happy’. Honestly, most of that glow was thanks to the L.O.L facial. In truth I was stressed out of my wit, barely eating and definitely not sleeping – all the worst demons for one’s skin.

No matter how good your make-up artist is, you cannot really cover bad skin and no matter how badly I was neglecting my body before the wedding, my skin remained flawless from the work we had done throughout the year.