• Category

    Decor

    Category
    In Decor

    Say no to live décor

    No Comments

    Whether you want animals as a backdrop for your wedding photos or using them for your grand entrance, live creatures aren’t for your wedding decoration. It may seem ‘stunning’ or produce that extra ‘wow’ factor, but at the end of the day, it’s cruel and not fair on the animals.

    Recently, a bride thought it would be a great idea to use goldfish in her centerpieces. She thought it would be a lovely idea to have a pair of goldfish in a bowl on each table, which symbolised her nuptials. The bride expected guests to take the goldfish home, as a ‘sort of’ wedding favour.

    Sounds foolproof right? Wrong.

    The maid of honour tried her best to discourage the bride from this idea, but sadly, she would not budge.  As hard as it may seem, not everyone wants to go home with an unexpected new pet. As the wedding reception commenced, she was left with having to keep an eye on the fish centerpieces. A few goldfish checked out a little early, but the newly married couple had ‘spares in the back’.

    By the end of the night, as the maid of honour predicted, guests left without their special ‘wedding favours’. The maid of honour was saddled with 100 goldfish. She rushed to the pet shop to get a bigger tank but many had died by the time she got home.

    In the end, only one out of the 100 goldfish survived. The fish named Sun lived for five years, a duration longer than her friendship with the bride and even longer than the marriage.

    The use of animals as wedding props doesn’t end there. Elephants have been used in wedding ceremonies for decades. These majestic creatures are kept captive, and live in fear of being forced into submission by abuse. The elephants are used to make an entrance or exit by the couple, for the wedding photoshoot and sometimes just as decoration.

    Taking them out of their natural habitat and subjecting them to the needs and desires of your wedding day is not okay.

    Picture: Pixabay

    by
    Continue Reading
    In Advice

    Save the planet… one eco-friendly wedding at a time

    No Comments

    By Yashna Balwanth

    Contrary to popular belief, being environmentally and socially responsible on your wedding day is easier and possibly cheaper than you think. What could possibly be more important than protecting the Earth? Small considerations can make a world of difference – like using seasonal and local flowers flowers instead of importing them.

    Being eco-friendly is fashionable, will boost your eco-consciousness levels – and perhaps even turn a few guests into eco-warriors. We’ve put together a few conscious decisions to consider to make your special day more eco-friendly and your wallet a little happier.

    Disposable confetti
    Every bride wants to be showered in glittery confetti. In reality, you are throwing microplastics everywhere. An eco-friendlier alternative to this is to use biodegradable confetti which are made from flower petals. Or punch out confetti circles from leaves, colour them metallic and voilà. These are materials that still look as beautiful in pictures and will do exactly the same job.

     

    Re-use wedding attire
    Being eco-friendly also means finding more than one use for certain items, this includes wedding attire. By allowing your bridal party to choose their own style of dress within your colour palette, they will wear the dress again since it is something they have chosen for themselves. The bride’s dress can also be a vintage or pre-loved garment, perhaps handed down through generations. Don’t grow too attached to your wedding gown, you can have it altered once the wedding is over into two separate pieces of a top and skirt, then mix and match it within your closet for multiple uses.

     

    Potted vs cut flowers
    Cut flowers do not have a long lifespan. Why not opt for a potted centerpiece instead? These can also double up as wedding favours for guests to take home, which help save on costs. However, if you really do want cut flowers for decor, work with a company that can have the flowers reused after the function or even donated to a hospital or community centre.

     

    Digital stationery
    Let’s be real for a second… how many of us actually save wedding invites of friends and family? This is wasted paper and a waste of money printing invitations that still need to be hand delivered to guests. Besides the digital realm keeping us in touch with one another, it has also helped with invitations and notices to guests. Wedding websites can be set up for minimal costs and can also keep track of the guests who have rsvp’d and those who have not.

     

    Food donations
    It comes as no surprise that weddings attract a lot of wastage when it comes to food. Whether guests didn’t show up, or caterers over prepared, there is always waste of perfectly good food that shouldn’t be thrown away. Perhaps leftovers can be donated to a shelter for the homeless or even handed out to a nearby children’s school. Ensure your caterers are aware of your plans to donate so the food is not thrown out unintentionally.

    Picture: Pixabay

    by
    Continue Reading
    In Decor

    A touch of paint adds a lifetime of memories

    No Comments

    Live painting at wedding receptions is a growing trend for both the couple and guests. It is a fun and creative way to keep guests entertained, as well as create a truly lasting memory for the couple to treasure.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    “You have peace,” the old woman said, “when you make it with yourself. ~Mitch Albom

    A post shared by Mary Paints Weddings (@marypaintsweddings) on

    Mary Paints Weddings (@marypaintsweddings) specialises in live wedding painting in South Africa which leaves the bridal couple with a tangible forever memory – a painting. Mary also creates painted jackets for the couple which can be kept and reused long after the wedding and honeymoon has ended.

    Another fun way to incorporate art into your wedding reception is to hire a caricature artist, inviting guests to take something home as well. Martinus Van Tee (@martinus_caricatures)  is a caricature artist based in the Western Cape who offers these services for both wedding and corporate events.

    A picture is worth a thousand words but what about a painting? This fun addition to your big day will have your reliving one of the happiest moments of your life, hanging right there in your home.

    Picture: Supplied

    by
    Continue Reading
    In Advice

    10 ways to go green on your wedding day

    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

    by
    Continue Reading
    In Decor

    4 amazing DIY wedding decor ideas

    No Comments

    With more and more brides opting for a budget-friendly wedding, DIY wedding decor has been (and will always be) trending. Putting together an elegant wedding with stunning decor shouldn’t break the bank or put a hole in your pocket. In most cases the way you envisioned the decor for your big day makes you realise that some ideas and dreams can’t be bought, so why not do it yourself?

    1. WINE CORK SEATING CHART

    Ebriderides wants their dream wedding to be unique in its own way. Instead of paying someone to compile your seating chart using expensive materials, try collecting all your wine bottle corks and put them to good use.

    2. HAND-PAINTED BALLOONS

    Who said balloons are only meant for birthday parties? Balloons have taken the wedding world by storm. Brides are now opting to have wedding balloons as a part of their ceremonies and receptions. Instead of buying all the fancy balloons you see online, simply purchase the balloons of your choice, and make them unique with some hand-crafted paint and stencils for a minimalistic decor feel.

    3. LIGHT BULB FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

    Floral arrangements tend to be quite pricey. Keep all your blown light bulbs, remove the inside elements and give them a good wash. Hang them up in your reception area and add some small blooms. This look really brings some out-of-this-world elegance to any area.

    4. WHEELBARROW DRINKS COOLER

    Serving drinks at your wedding reception doesn’t need to be a nightmare. If your reception area is outside, make use of a wheelbarrow for guests to grab a cold one. Simply clean it out, add some ice and fill it with some beers and coolers. It’s great to avoid the long queues at the bar and an easy grab-and-go for your guests to enjoy.

    Images: Pinterest

    by
    Continue Reading
    In Decor

    Top trending wedding decor for 2019

    No Comments

    For 2019, brides all around the globe are setting some new trends when it comes to decor by simply going back to the basics. Instead of lavish and expensive decor, they’re settling for a more chic, elegant and stunning look and feel for their big day.

    1. CANDLES

    Although candles may seem like a cliché decor element to add to your wedding day, they are definitely trending this year. Candles give off an amazing vibe and setting to any wedding venue. With many styles, scents and looks to choose from, they fit just about any theme and setting. But of all the types out there, taper candles are winning this year.

    Even though they may seem a bit old school, taper candles have the power to elevate your wedding setting without any effort, and their elegance speaks for itself. They’ll make your table setting feel expensive and luxurious without you actually having to break the bank.

    2. LUXURIOUS FABRICS

    Fabulous fabrics and linen are in! Couples have found a way to add a rich sense of both dimension and texture to their wedding decor. They’re throwing out the traditional fabrics and bringing in more luxurious options, such as velvet, cashmere and corduroy to name a few. Use faux versions for table runners, tablecloths, ribbons on invitations to instantly upgrade your look and feel.

    3. PASTELS MAKE WAY FOR BRIGHT COLOURS

    Out with the muted pastel shades and in with bright vibrant colours. Brides have boldly moved away from light colour schemes to more bold and beautiful shades. Top trending decor colours for 2019 are predicted to be yellow, blue and sea green.

    4. ALL ABOUT ACRYLIC

    This is one medium that will gain much-deserved popularity this year. Use it to make long-lasting, durable invitations, hire acrylic reception furniture perfect for an outdoor affair and make the most of it for all your signage and stationery.

    5. FLORAL CREATIONS ARE GOING GREEN

    In 2018 floral hoops and oversized wreaths trended in wedding decor concepts. This year unique and abstract floral decor is set to take over. Colourful floral arrangements are making way for greenery. Brides are opting for simple, chic and elegant arrangements. Brides are taking more care in selecting wedding venues where the beauty of the location speaks for itself and doesn’t have to be supplemented with too many flowers and extra decor elements. But for your bouquets and wedding arches, go for greenery!

    6. BALLOONS ARE BACK! 

    Confetti and sparklers as the bridal couple leave the ceremony is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Although many look forward to the old-school send-off by showering the couple with confetti, rice or rose petals, brides are finding new and unique ways to make that moment memorable. With plenty of colours to choose from, brides are now opting to use balloons, not only as cost-effective wedding decor, but also as the bridal couple walk down the aisle after the wedding ceremony.

    7. STATEMENT LIGHTING

    Every bride loves some amazing lighting. From a thousand fairy lights to bolder statements lights, which include neon lights and stunning chandeliers, brides are allocating more of their wedding budget to their lighting options.

    Images: Pinterest

    by
    Continue Reading
    In Decor

    Which of these 8 bouquet styles will be yours?

    No Comments

    A key element of any traditional wedding, your bridal bouquet styles should not only be one that you love, but should also effortlessly match your colour palette, your decor style and your dress.

    1. Nosegay – A compact cluster of flowers wrapped tight and cut to one uniform length

    2. Pompander – A flower-covered ball shape, tied with a ribbon (a great option for flower girls)

    3. Posy – One of the more popular options, it’s a small, round bouquet tied with ribbon

    4. Hand-tied – A classic choice, it’s simply a dense bunch of flowers loosely tied together

    5. Composite – Made up of different petals or buds wired together on a single stem

    6. Pageant – Similar to the cascade, but more compact and pulled together

    7. Cascade – A waterfall-like spill of blooms, either anchored in a holder or hand-tied

    8. Round – The more buttoned-up version of a hand-tied bouquet, tied with ribbon

    Illustrations: Robyn-Lee Baatjies
    Header image: Unsplash

    by
    Continue Reading
    In Decor

    Wedding decor you can DIY

    No Comments

    Let’s face it, putting together a wedding can get pretty pricey! But not everything has to be a custom creation that breaks the bank. You can easily save on all your planning by incorporating some DIY ideas into your wedding decor. Don’t get us wrong, there are certain aspects of your big day you just simply can’t skimp on, but when it comes to these five, you can get everyone involved in making stunning DIY decor.

    1. THE INVITATIONS

    Avoid spending on expensive printers and stationery costs for your wedding invites, and make them yourself instead! You can get the family or your bridesmaids to help out and make a fun day of it. Plus, it will give your wedding stationery a personal touch.
    Try it: Make your own printed stationery

    2. THE SEATING CHART

    With so many ideas available online, creating a beautiful and affordable seating chart is a breeze! This is where you can truly let your artistic flair shine through and bring your theme to life.
    Try it: Make one of these creative seating charts

    3. THE CENTREPIECES

    It may seem tempting to dress your tables in extravagant centrepieces with a luxurious feel, but there is just as much elegance in simple and minimal decor styles. Design your own centrepieces for a beautiful and practical setting your guests will love.
    Try it: DIY candle table runner

    4. THE FAVOURS

    Nothing says ‘I appreciate you’ more than a hand-made gift. Treat your guests to thoughtful favours they can take home and cherish from your big day.
    Try it: Find 6 affordable favours here

    5. THE TABLE SETTINGS

    Apart from hired cutlery and crockery, you can personalise each guest’s table setting with DIY decor including greenery, ribbon or placemats to suit your theme.
    Try it: Paper and painted placemats

    by
    Continue Reading
    In Decor

    4 important things to think about when choosing wedding flowers

    No Comments

    Romantic, symbolic and a key part of any wedding, take your time when you are choosing wedding flowers and consider these 4 important factors.

    1. THE FLORAL FORECAST

    The time of year you choose to wed will play a role in your flower selection, but keeping an eye on the trends is equally important. According to Tangerine Moolman from Pink Energy Floral Design in Joburg, brides are taking their cue from nature, opting for more foliage. ‘A big trend on the rise is the use of lush greenery and plants, combined with either neutral colours or bright pops of colour.’

    Josie van Aswegen from Fabulous Flowers in Cape Town agrees. ‘Brides are now opting for more ethereal arrangements in soft colours that create a botanical look, which is particularly beautiful for summer weddings,’ she says.

    And don’t be afraid to buck tradition. While pastels and brighter colours have always been go-tos, there is a refreshing move towards cooler colours, with shades of blue making an impact – a great choice for seaside celebrations.

    2. ARRANGED!

    Once you have decided on your flowers for the day, pay attention to the design. Centrepieces are no longer the primary focus, with brides opting for more low-key table arrangements in favour of lavish bouquets.

    Speaking of bouquets: Don’t think that yours needs to match the rest of the flowers on the day. In fact, bouquets are very personal and should reflect the spirit of the bride, says Josie. ‘The bride should carry the bouquet that she wants to carry on the day – without having to worry too much about the theme, as this can be worked into the bridesmaids’ bouquets.’

    Tangerine agrees that the bride’s bouquet should be special, but cautions against making it too different. ‘While the bridal bouquet needs to stand out, it shouldn’t look like it belongs to another wedding,’ she says. An easy way to differentiate your bouquet from the rest of the flowers is in design, not necessarily colour.

    If you want to make a statement with your bouquet, keep the floral arrangements and centrepieces  at the ceremony and reception simpler. For those whose flowers are a big part of the decor, opt for understated, smaller bouquets or single stems.

    3. BLOOMS ON A BUDGET

    Choosing flowers that are in season is always a cost-saving solution. ‘Flowers that come in a great variety of colours and are available year-round include chrysanthemums, carnations, gerbera daisies, spray roses (usually smaller than a standard rose) and standard roses (not speciality roses),’ says Tangerine.

    If you have your heart set on more exotic (and therefore more expensive) blooms, you can still stick to your budget with smart design choices. For instance, opt for bigger flowers such as orchids as opposed to peonies – it will take fewer of them to fill your space.

    With greenery being a popular trend, consider incorporating more of it into your centrepieces and even bridal bouquet.

    As a pocket-friendly centrepiece idea, Josie suggests using fewer stems in glass bottles interspersed with an abundance of greenery.

    4. WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

    As with most things wedding-related, it’s best to order more flowers so that you don’t come up short on the day. You may find yourself with an abundance of blooms left over, but they needn’t go to waste. ‘A nice idea is to put stickers underneath certain guests’ seats, and anyone with a sticker gets to take home a bunch of flowers,’ suggests Josie.

    And bridesmaids’ bouquets are often forgotten about and left at the venue, so Tangerine recommends having a few vases placed near the head table where the bridesmaids can leave their bouquets, and hopefully remember to take them at the end of the evening. Find a way to make sure the flowers will be enjoyed the next day.

    by
    Continue Reading
    In Advice

    Lookbook: A midsummer night’s dream

    No Comments

    As night falls, the forest becomes a scene of drama and mystery, complemented by plush fabrics and rustic details. Scroll through our magical lookbook for all your forest-themed wedding inspiration.

    From left: Brass candleholders (to hire), Propeller Props; silver candleholders (to hire), Plush Props; tall candleholders, @home; small jug, flask and medium jug (to hire), all Plush Props; tapas bowl and cutlery, both Check My China; dinner plate, side plate, wine glass, tall glass with short stem and short glass with short stem, all Woolworths; linen, Fabric City; velvet runner, Fabric Centre

    Rolled menus, Secret Diary; feathers, Epanouir Flower Studio

    Cake from, Kanya Hunt from The Hunt House Kitchen; cake stand (to hire), Check My China; velvet fabric, Fabric Centre; crystal wine glass, Woolworths

    Plate and spoon (to hire), both Check My China; blueberries, Pick n Pay; bottle, Merrypak; thank-you tag, Secret Diary; glass, Woolworths

    Chairs (to hire), Propeller Props; fairy lights and ping-pong balls, both Game

    Menu, Secret Diary; feathers, Epanouir Flower Studio

    Decor styling: Francoise Jeanne de Villiers
    Food styling: Chiara Turilli
    Photography: Gareth van Nelson
    Venue: D’Aria, Cape Town

    *Products all subject to availability

    by
    Continue Reading