First comes love, then comes marriage. Then comes an awesome week-long honeymoon in Greece that eventually results in a baby in a baby carriage.
Almost every newlywed couple today goes on honeymoon, whether its a staycation or overseas trip. The term as we know it today refers to an often costly post-wedding trip newly married couples take together to celebrate their nuptials. But, as with everything else in weddings, this term has an interesting history.
According to the New York Post, the concept of a honeymoon can be dated back to the 5th century. The word ‘honeymoon’ derives from the old english ‘honey moone’. In these times, moon cycles were a measurement of time that typically lasted a month. After a wedding, couples were gifted with a moon cycle’s worth of mead, an alcoholic beverage created by fermenting honey with water, and sometimes various fruits, spices, grains, or hops. This mead was meant to keep the couple happy, and also symbolised the sweetness of marriage. Mead was also said to be an aphrodisiac, so couples were encouraged to consume all of it within the moon cycle to heighten their sexual appetite and encourage fertility.
In 19th century England, newlyweds celebrated their honeymoon by going on a bridal tour to visit family and friends who were not able to attend the wedding. It was only by the late 19th century that honeymoons became how we know them today.
Of course, with time, things change. Today, couples go on honeymoon for a relaxing and romantic break together to ring in their commitment. This is considered the ‘honeymoon period’ when the couples is at their most loved-up.
Planning a honeymoon? Make sure to avoid these mistakes.
Your wedding day is considered the happiest day of your life, so why not spend it in a place you love? Churches, beaches and gardens are popular wedding venues for a reason. They fit with your theme, they’re easy and accessible. But, if you want to stray away from the norm, why not consider getting married on a mountain top?
Lovers of the outdoors will especially favour this trend. It’s easy and stunning. There is literally no decor required: the scenery is your backdrop. This way, you also save on decor costs.
Mountains and cliffs are also great locations for your wedding photoshoot if you still want a church wedding. To make your images extra special, wait until sundown to capture these memorable moments. Here are some ideas to inspire you.
Take your love of shopping to new heights by literally getting married in a luxury London-based department store.
Luxury department store Fortnum & Mason is one of London’s most iconic landmarks. After its 313 years of business, they are now offering couples the chance to say their ‘I do’s’ in their store.
The exclusive offer is running for the month of February only in honour of Valentines Day. Couples can get married in their newly erected pop-up ‘Chapel of Love’ for free. The chapel instillation will feature the iconic Fortnum’s clock, illuminated stained-glass windows and a chiming wedding bell, as well as a neon pink ‘Chapel of Love’ sign.
The 14-metre installation will be on the lower ground floor of the department store, and is also a perfect place to propose.
“For us, Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance – we want all of our customers to share in the joy-giving gifts and unforgettable experiences that Fortnum’s has become synonymous with,” explains Fortnum & Mason’s customer experience director Zia Zareem-Slade. “That’s why, this year, we are celebrating our friends, loved ones and everything in-between by launching The Chapel of Love.”
“We hope this will bring joy to all of our customers, no matter who they love this February.”
Those wanting to get married here will have to book ahead of time and will have to obtain a marriage licence and a registrar beforehand.
The chapel is also open to the public, so anyone may swing by and capture some cute images.
If you’ve been considering a destination wedding but you’re not sure where to head to then you’re in luck. Flowercard, a UK based company specialising in floral giftcards, has compiled a list of the best places to go.
Flowercard’s list, “The 2020 Destination Wedding Index” compiles data of all things wedding. They conducted a study into the best places to get married, and their methodology was quite thorough! First, they selected destinations from a variety of sources including theknot.com, junebugweddings.com, hitched.co.uk, and brides.com. They then took into consideration the best times for wedding ceremonies in each destination. Weather was included in this consideration, of course.
Another consideration they took into account included LGBTQ+ friendliness, with their information coming from ilga.org. Instagram hashtags and searches also featured in their method. Finally, with the use of Google Keyword Planner, they figured out how many monthly searches there were for each place in relation to weddings by searching “Getting married in X”.
After gathering all the information, they ranked destinations using a weighted ranking system. They broke elements down into four categories including weather, cost, LGBTQ+ and online popularity. Each factor was weighted equally.
It is important to remember that much of the data they collected was UK specific (such as monthly google searches). This means the results may have been slightly different had the research been done in other countries. Nevertheless, the information is still very useful!
Here are their top 10 destinations and their overall scores (x/100):
If you or your partner are into the more scary side of life, you may be wondering how to incorporate this into your wedding. You may think it’s impossible, but it’s not. A haunted wedding venue is a perfect option to include on your special day.
It may sound strange, but the architecture is usually stunning so it adds to the ambience and it would be a cool and unusual twist.
Here are six haunted wedding venue examples:
– Ohio State Reformatory, Mansfield, Ohio
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This Gothic-styled building in Ohio was formerly a correctional facility which housed more than 155 000 men. There are 215 graves outside the building and many visitors claim to have experiences with paranormal entities.
There have been reports of guests being pushed and punched, cellar doors slamming closed, shadow sightings, and voices in the corridors.
While the history of the building is troublesome, the architecture is stunning and makes for a great wedding venue.
– Ackergill Tower, Caithness, Scotland
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Ackergill Tower has been standing since the 14th century. It’s lush green grass and wide-open spaces make for a perfect wedding backdrop.
It is said that the ghost of Helen Gunn, also known as the green lady, roams the grounds of the castle. She was abducted and kept in the tower and in an attempt to escape she fell to her death.
– Hampton Court Palace, Surrey
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The palace was once home to Kind Henry VIII. You can imagine that it’s interior is extravagant and perfect for a wedding. In fact, the palace is one of the most famous historic wedding venues in the UK.
Apparently, there are quite a few ghosts roaming the halls. Ghosts include Skeletor, The Grey Lady, and two of King Henry VIII’s wives, Catherine Howard and Jane Seymour.
– Ettington Park Hotel, Stratford Upon Avon
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Ettington Park was previously the most haunted hotel in Britain. Guests have seen ghosts of a servant girl named Mary, Lady Emma, and a man who walks his dog through the library.
The venue is often chosen as a wedding venue.
– The Rose Hall Great House, Jamaica
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A wedding in a tropical paradise like Jamaica is perfect! Right? This Jamaican venue offers more than what you expect from a Caribbean Island. The wedding venue is home to the spirit of a widow named the White Witch.
In 1820, the house was owned by John Rose Palmer. He married a woman named Annee. The legend says that Annee had black magic powers which she used to murder Palmer, her next two husbands, and many lovers.
People say she still resides in Rose Hall.
– Rockwood Park & Museum, Delaware
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The venue offers indoor and outdoor spaces for your ceremony and also does catering. On top of that, paranormal investigation tours are available too! Add an extra twist, and have a paranormal investigation on the eve of your wedding.
The venue claims that you have the chance to meet “long lost family members” who still reside in the mansion.
Every year, the Department of Home Affairs and Robben Island Museum work together to offer a yearly opportunity for couples to say ‘I do’ on Valentines Day on the island. Here’s how you can get in on the action.
On Valentines Day, the island is transformed into a stunning venue where couples can participate in a mass wedding. 2020 marks the 20th anniversary of this tradition, making this year very special. This Valentines Day, 20 couples will tie knot to honour the anniversary.
Couples chosen will take the ferry from the Nelson Mandela Gateway to the Robben Island Museum, and their ceremony will be held at the Robben Island Chapel. Following the exchanging of their vows, couples will head off to a wedding reception for lunch and thereafter go on a tour of the Museum. The area will also be an opportunity for the couples to take their wedding photos on the beach and to capture the iconic and other scenic areas on the island. The couples will return to Cape Town in the afternoon.
Couples wishing to participate may contact Wilhelmina Booysen on 021 468 4510 or [email protected] and Yolanda Mdutywana on 021 413 4226 or [email protected]. The last day to apply is February 5, 2020.
Congratulations are in order for Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters and Tim Tebow! The beautiful couple tied the knot in a stunning sunset ceremony in Franschhoek, South Africa.
Following an exciting few days of pre-wedding activities, Demi-Leigh and Tim finally said ‘I do’ at the La Paris Estate. According to PEOPLE, their ceremony lasted 30 minutes and was attended by 260 guests. The couple wrote their own vows.
Speaking to PEOPLE the night before the wedding, Tim said, “I want the vows to be perfect. I’m leaving in the traditional things like ’till death do us part,’ but I’m also adding some of my own things to it.”
Demi-Leigh wore a beautiful custom gown by Davids Bridal and Tim wore a tuxedo by Antar Levar.
The wedding blended South African and American wedding traditions, because their cultures are very important to the couple.
“We’re both very traditional,” Nel-Peters told PEOPLE. “We wanted to look back at the wedding and see that it was intimate, elegant, and traditional. We definitely wanted it to be something that we could look back on and know that nothing was dated. We want to remember this day for the rest of our lives.”
The day could not have come soon enough for this loved-up pair.
“I’ve been looking forward to three things,” said Tebow to PEOPLE. “The first moment I see her in her wedding dress, the first kiss, and the first dance together as man and wife. It’s such a special night.”
He continued, “I’ve been waiting my entire life for someone special, who I can spend the rest of my life with. I was waiting for the right person to come along. And now I’m marrying Demi. I can’t wait to see what our future holds. All of my dreams have come true. It was 100 percent worth the wait.”
The pre-wedding festivities have been thriving this past week for former Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters and Tim Tebow. The couple gathered their closest friends and family for a weekend of celebrations in Cape Town.
Their weekend started with a ‘Welcome to Africa’ cocktail dinner in the winelands to introduce Tebow to South African culture. Nel-Peters wore a stunning white dress by Gert Johan-Coetzee featuring a criss-cross neckline and cut-out detail, while Tebow wore a blush-toned suit.
The following day, the couple held a stunning rehearsal dinner. The couple went for a sophisticated colour scheme, opting for rich purples, reds and black. Nel-Peters stunned in a strapless wine-coloured dress with beading by Anel Botha. The couple’s weekend events are all planned by celebrity planner Zavion Khotze.
Castles are not only for royalty. Complete your fairytale wedding by getting married in a real life castle! Across the world, there are many unique and stunning castles that make the perfect backdrop for your ‘I dos’. Here are a few of our favourites:
The Lichtenstein Castle – Cape Town
Situated on the hills of Karbonkelberg Mountain overlooking Hout Bay, the Lichtenstein Castle is a gothic dream come to life. Built to replicate the Gothic Schloss Lichtenstein Castle in southern Germany, this magnificent castle comes complete with statues of dragons and gargoyles, as well as a magnificent waterfall.
Inside, there is a ballroom with black and white checkered flooring, hand-blown glass chandeliers, and stable doors opening out to rolling green lawns. There are also 4 bedrooms and a honeymoon suite that you can use as your own private villa for the evening. The venue fits 150 guests seated or 250 cocktail.
Neuschwanstein Castle – southwest Bavaria, Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle, located on the Bavarian Alps, is one of the most visited castles in the world, and it’s clear to see why. Built on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau, this magnificent castle is inspired by Romanesque Revival. The castle was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1869, and upon his death was opened to the public in 1886. Cinderella’s castle was modelled after Neuschwanstein, making this venue quite literally from a fairytale.
While you cannot get married inside the castle, couples are permitted to hold their ceremony on the grassy area in front of it, or in the chapel of Hohenschwangau Castle that has a view of Neuschwanstein.
One of the most coveted wedding venues in the world, Oheka Castle is a luxurious French-inspired location that has been hosting weddings since 1919. Once the home of investment financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn and his family, Oheka was built between 1914 and 1919 and is the second largest private home in the United States. The castle is made up of 127 rooms and over 109,000 square feet (10,100 m2).
Oheka Castle has inspired more than brides. F.Scott Fitzgerald was partially inspired by the mansion when describing Jay Gatsby’s stately home in The Great Gatsby. The castle also featured in Taylor Swift’s Blank Space music video.
New Zealand’s Larnach Castle is situated on the picturesque Otago Peninsula and was built in 1871 by merchant baron and politician William Larnach for his first wife Eliza. It was purchased by the Barkey family in 1967, who still privately own it today, and was restored to feature original New Zealand period furniture and antiques.
Your nuptials can take place at a number of places on the Castle grounds, including the Rock Garden on the Ballroom Lawn, the Reflecting Pond with Dunedin City framed in the background, the Alice lawn or under the beautiful 1930s Cupola. For your reception, step inside the ballroom that features period architecture, glorious furnishings, magnificent chandeliers, baronial open fires and a polished sprung dance floor. The ballroom can accommodate up to 180 people.
Nestled in the Cotswold Hills, Sudeley Castle’s buildings, ruins and award-winning gardens cover a sprawling 1,200 acres of grounds. This Tudor-style castle was once home to Queen Katherine Parr, the last and surviving wife of King Henry VIII, who also died here is buried on the grounds.
The venue’s 15th century church is the perfect ceremony location for traditional couples, but you can also choose from the Castle Library and their various outdoor spaces including the Secret garden, Queens’ garden, and Mulberry lawn to tie the knot. A bespoke marquee on the private Castle Lawn, which boasts grand views of the Castle and overlooks water lilies on the carp pond, is a stunning place to hold your ceremony.
Built in 1854 by the La Rochefoucauld family, one of the most eminent families of France, Château de Challain-la-Potherie is a magnificent mansion honouring net-gothic romanticism. It stretches 7,600 square meters, has 4 towers, 12 turrets and 26 spiral staircases that complete the fairytale feel.
Chateau Challain offers a full-service chateau wedding packages for 120+ guests that includes attentive staff and exclusive use of 23 decadently decorated suites, as well as their 72 acres of gardens, forest, and lake. You can say ‘I do’ in the spacious 18th century church opposite the chateau, under the gazebo by the lake, outside the beautiful Memorial Tower or even in their small on-site chapel.
Castell De Santa Florentina, or St. Florentina’s Castle, is a cultural heritage site that has been existence since the 11th century. The castle features a stunningly serene courtyard and interiors Game of Thrones fans might recognise as Horn Hill, the estate of House Tarly in the popular shows sixth season.
Wedding ceremonies can be held on the patio, pictured below, before guests move on to the magnificent Throne Hall that was designed to receive the King of Spain Alfonso XIII with his court, and can host a banquet of 200 people. You’ll definitely feel like royalty at this castle.
Hluboká Castle is considered one of the most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic and was once home to Prince Jan Adolf II. Schwarzenberg. The castle was first built in the 13th century in the Gothic style, but has since been renovated many times, revealing a Baroque style during the 18th century and then being reconstructed to emulate the romantic style of England’s Windsor Castle.
Wedding ceremonies can be held on the hill in front of the castle, in the Ceremonial hall in the former orangery, by the pond in the park or in the interior of large dining room.
Wedding season is upon us and unfortunately so is the scorching summer. Sweat drenched outfits and melting makeup are not ideal on your wedding day. While you can’t get rid of the sun, there are a number of ways you can make the day more manageable for you and your guests.
Here are some key tips to beat the heat this wedding season:
Pack an emergency kit
Sweat is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with it. Pack an emergency kit filled with products designed to keep you looking fresh throughout the day. In your kit, make sure to include deodorant, perfume, baby wipes, powder to mattify your makeup and extra makeup for touch-ups.
Avoid too much alcohol
The heat and alcohol are not friends. Consuming alcohol while sitting under the beating sun can leave you feeling drunk way sooner that you expected. Your body will struggle to regulate its internal temperature, putting you at a higher risk of heat stroke. Alcohol is also a diuretic, meaning you will urinate more frequently and thus lose more body fluid. This can led to dehydration if you’re not careful. Stay safe and sip on some refreshing H2O for every alcoholic drink you consume.
Cool favours
If you’re planning on having an outdoor summer wedding, keep your guests in mind with some cooling favours. Whether they are made of paper, wood or miniature motorised ones, a handheld fan will do wonders to create a slight breeze. You could also offer sunglasses or parasols in your wedding theme. Make sure to monogram them with a sweet message to make these favours extra memorable.
SPF!!
We know, we know. We sound like a mom telling their 5-year-old to lather up with some sunscreen before heading out to the beach. However naggy it may seem, we will always campaign for the use of SPF because it is crucial to protecting your skin from the suns harmful rays, especially if you’ll be outdoors. Make sure to use a good facial SPF and lotion up with a body sunscreen. Most dermatologists recommend using a SPF 15 or SPF 30 sunscreen.
Wear lighter fabrics:
It might not be your biggest concern, but the fabric of your wedding attire will have a large effect on your day. When choosing your wedding dress/suit, make sure to go for lighter, more breathable fabrics that won’t trap in the heat. Think linen, chiffon, crepe, tulle and organza. Fabrics you will definitely want to steer clear from include velvet, leather and silk.
St. Florentina’s Castle – Barcelona, Spain
