Diy Archives | Page 3 of 6

In Advice

How to celebrate your anniversary while quarantining

April 7, 2020 No Comments

The national lockdown has truly forced us all to readjust to a new way of life for the time being. All plans that were made previously are on hold or cancelled and other plans are having to be rethought. While all of this happens, time still ticks on.

If your anniversary is one of the events coming up during quarantine, you should probably think of a way to celebrate it indoors! There’s no need to worry if you made plans that require leaving home, an at-home anniversary can easily be planned too.

Here are some ideas:

Recreate a special meal together

Perhaps you had a fancy meal on your first date, or you’re still dreaming of the delicious meal served at your wedding reception. You could take to the kitchen and try to recreate these meals together. We all know cooking together can be tremendously romantic… and the eating part is great too. After you cook the meal, indulge in the delicious food by candle light.

Wedding reminiscing

Pull out your wedding album and video and spend some time remembering the special day. It’ll bring back many amazing memories and will show you how far you’ve come. Tell each other stories about your individual experiences of the wedding day, about how you were feeling, who you interacted with, and anything else you can recall. You’re sure to have some funny and interesting tales to tell.

Symbolic vow renewal

Plan to have a vow renewal ceremony for just the two of you. Write new vows, decorate the room, and go all out. It’ll be quite intimate and special, definitely something you’ll never forget.

Learn to dance

Search YouTube for some couples dance tutorials and try to learn a new dance together. Salsa is a great option!

How I met your mother

If you have kids and you want them to be involved too then this one’s for you. Draw up a quiz about your relationship with questions like “how did mom and dad meet?” or “how old were we when we got married?” and have your kids participate in a competitive quiz night. It’s a great way to celebrate your anniversary and it’ll be an evening filled with laughs too.

Image: Unsplash

In Decor

Stunning wedding photobooth setups you can DIY

April 6, 2020 No Comments

One thing that can’t be avoided on your big day? Photos. Besides your official photographer, your guests will definitely be snapping some cute pictures together to remember this special day. So why not give them a beautiful backdrop to do it against?

Maybe you’re having a more ceremonial backyard moment just for you and your partner, or maybe you’re prepping for when you can have the wedding of your dreams. Regardless, these beautiful backdrops will perfectly compliment the day. What makes them even better is that they can be made at home using a few key components, and customised to fit your day.

Feature image: Unsplash

In Accessories

How to make your own (classy) wedding jewellery

April 1, 2020 No Comments

While we’re under lockdown, we’ve got nothing but time. So, if your wedding is coming up and you are (or want to be) a creative soul, why not make your own wedding jewellery? Depending on your style, you can make almost anything under the sun. It will be a special keepsake you can even pass on to future generations.

Granted, traditional jewellery might be a little harder and need more time, but the challenge will make it that much more rewarding. Other styles like boho does not need as much detail, and can work out cheaper as you do not necessarily need jewels like diamonds or other precious stones.

Here’s how to get crafty:

1. The first thing you will need is to gather ideas and decide what you want to wear. Earrings are simpler to make, but a necklace or arm band are just as doable. Head over to Pinterest for some ideas and settle on one. Remember that yours will not look exactly the same, but that’s the idea! We love these pieces:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-X2eTwHpDl/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-WsyweAwlz/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Y0DAPHEAD/

2. Get what you need. This step is a bit tricky seeing as arts and crafts stores will be closed, but some online delivery services might still deliver. You may even already have beads and jewels at home if you’ve done it before, or know someone who does. If not, make a list of what you need so you can go buy it as soon as it is safe to do so.

Some basics you will need (but might vary depending on what you make) are pliers, soft gold or silver wire or chain, clasps or fastening rings and of course, the beads, jewels, stones or whatever your piece will consist of.

3. Watch a tutorial (or three). If you’re new to this, better get some expert advice. There are loads of online videos with advice and instructions ranging for all levels of skill. Check out these ones we love:

Image: Pixabay

In Advice

Creative escort cards you can DIY

March 31, 2020 No Comments

Escort cards are designed to guide your guests to their seats in style, so why not have some fun with them? Using simple items you can easily acquire, you can add a personal touch to your big day while also saving some coin.

While you’re at home practicing safe social distancing, you’ve probably got a lot of time on your hands. Spend your time wisely by getting creative with one of these easy escort card DIY projects.

Origami birds:

Wood blocks:

Ribbon:

Tiles:

Cactus clippings:

Seashells:

Fruit:

Leaves:

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

How to have a fun online bachelorette party

March 30, 2020 No Comments

We know, we know. It’s not exactly what you had in mind. But hey, sometimes doing things a little different can be tons of fun! So, if you were planning to host your own or someone else’s bachelorette party soon and you don’t feel like postponing, don’t worry. You can easily move it online. Here’s how:

Choose your platform

If you’re tech-savvy, you will be spoiled for choice. There are loads of different group communication platforms, including Skype, WhatsApp video call, Zoom, Google Hangouts and more. Choose the one you and your mates are most comfortable with and go for it.

Invite everyone and make sure they can access it

Of course, you and everyone attending will need reliable and strong internet access. It might be smart to do a test run a few days before to make sure everyone can access it and that it will work well. If not, you might consider trying a different platform. Then, the fun part starts. Make some awesome e-vites and get everyone to pin down the date (they’ve got no excuse not to be there!).

Go all out with the dress code

The most important part of the event is (arguably) the theme. If you have a theme or a dress-code, don’t leave it behind! You will still be able to see each other, and you will feel all the vibes if you dress the part.

Have plenty of games on hand

No bachelorette is complete without a bunch of games. Granted, this might not be the wild night out you planned, but it doesn’t have to be any less fun. Games like Heads Up, charades and Never have I ever will have you crying with laughter!

Don’t forget the drinks

This is can be combined with the games for best results. You can even all make cocktails together during the party (assuming you have all the ingredients already, since no alcohol will be for sale during lockdown). If not, get that steaming cup of coffee or heavenly tea ready!

Image: Pixabay

In Decor

A magical Harry Potter-themed wedding

January 30, 2020 No Comments

This is one wedding theme that’s sure to charm you. Carissa Rumps of Wild Rumpus Photography worked with a host of talented photographers and vendors to create a styled wedding photoshoot bringing the magical world of Harry Potter to life. From a real-life Hedwig to a Butterbeer cocktail, we solemnly swear that you will love it.

The whimsical shoot is an ode to a childhood favourite much loved by many. Potter-heads will recognise various references like a look-alike Hogwarts Express train, a sorting hat-esque cake, a live owl and of course, a Griffindor inspired colour scheme of reds and golds. Take a look at these stunning shots.

Images from vendors: Wild Rumpus Collective, Crystal Vision Events, Liza Spurlock Photography, Write This Way Calligraphy.

Feature image: Instagram / Crystal Vision events

In Advice

A wedding hashtag: What it is and how to create one

January 24, 2020 No Comments

If you’re keen on social media and love sharing your cool pictures online, then this one is for you. Wedding hashtags are getting more and more popular as time goes by. They’re a great way to get guests to be more interactive at your wedding and they’re pretty convenient too.

The wedding hashtag is simple. It’s a way to collect all the pictures from your big day. All your guests pictures can be available to you, in one place, at the click of a button. It’s a perfect organisational tool and it’s a way to share the day with your guests who couldn’t make it.

So how do you create one? It’s not very complicated at all!

There are many generators online such as Shutterfly’s Wedding Hashtag Generator, which requests that you fill in your full name, your partners full name, your nicknames, and your wedding date. With this information, it creates a wedding hashtag for you. Other online hashtag generators include those found on PastBook and Random Word Generator.

While a generator is probably the simplest way to go about the task, you may end up with something a little generic. If you want your wedding hashtag to be unique, you’ll likely have to come up with one on your own.

Thinking up your own hashtag doesn’t need to be a tedious task though. Here are a few steps to follow to ensure you come up with something great:

– Gather information

Jot down all the relevant information related to your wedding, so you know what you’re working with. Include things like your full names, the location of your wedding, the year, the venue’s name, the country or city your wedding is in and the style of your wedding. These are always a good place to start.

– Include some puns or pop-culture

Get punny with your names! If your surname is Adams, you could go for #HappilyEverAdams. If your surname is Bell, you may go for #SavedByTheBell. The options are endless.

– Review what you have

Once you have a short list of wedding hashtag options, give them a look again and compare them. Ask yourself: Is it original? Is it too long? Are the words easy to spell? Is it clear?

You want to keep it original to ensure that no other couple uses it too. If that happens, you’ll get another weddings photos in your hashtag. If it’s too long or the words are easy to misspell then you’re likely to miss some of the uploads due to many variations of your hashtag. Ensure that you capitalise each word for clarity.

– Let the guests know

Now that you’ve chosen or created your perfect hashtag, you need to let people know! Include it on the invitation, ceremony programs, menus and put up some signs at your wedding.

Here are some fun examples of wedding hashtags and how couples have spread the word about them at their weddings:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7bom2GpL8S/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6qGzbQH42F/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6lQCN2lbdV/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4SuhRpBJwC/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7EInUbBmkW/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6M6eVfApgS/

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

Easy DIY face masks your skin will love

January 22, 2020 No Comments

Glowing skin is always a good thing. On your wedding day you’ll want to look your best, and one of the ways to achieve that is by treating your skin. If you haven’t got a spa budget, however, there are a number of at-home face masks you can make yourself. Give yourself the gift of a glow-up without the expensive price tag by making your own all-natural treatments.

These masks are all natural and all good for your skin. Your biggest challenge will be to stop touching your face afterwards and marvelling at how smooth it feels.

Pumpkin smoothie – enhances skin elasticity and hydration

Ingredients:

1/4 cup canned pumpkin (frozen)
1/2 cup almond milk
1/4 banana (frozen)
1 tsp cinnamon

Blend all the ingredients together in a blender for one minute at high speed. This will form a paste that you can apply to your skin and leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water. Pat dry with a face towel and apply moisturiser.

Pumpkin is packed with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants that will boost your skin’s elasticity, circulation, and hydration. Almond milk will provide moisture, while the banana also helps enhance skin’s elasticity. Cinnamon acts as a natural antioxidant and has antibacterial properties.

Aloe vera mask – fights acne

Ingredients

2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon sugar

Mix the milk and sugar together until the sugar dissolves, then add the aloe vera and blend until you’re left with a paste. Apply to your face and neck and leave on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water. Pat dry with a face towel and apply moisturiser.

Aloe vera is a wonder plant that has multiple skin benefits to ease burns, sunburns, irritation, allergies and even acne. The milk also helps to soothe skin, while sugar is a natural source of glycolic acid that aids in cell turnover.

Honey citrus mask – boosts glow

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon orange juice
1/4 cup of honey

Mix the orange juice and honey together until it creates a gel. Apply to your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Remove with lukwarm water, pat dry with a face towel and apply moisturiser.

These ingredients are amazing at brightening your skin, replacing dullness with a beautiful glow.

Bonus: Brown sugar exfoliant

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 splashes of olive oil

Mix the brown sugar and olive oil together and apply to your face. Massage the misture into your skin with gentle circular motions. Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry with a face towel and apply moisturiser.

The sugar acts as a gentle exfoliant and aids in cell turnover, while the olive oil provides moisture that will leave your skin feeling soft, smooth and supple.

Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

How to incorporate spekboom in your wedding

January 8, 2020 No Comments

Weddings can be taxing on the environment. Yes, flower walls are beautiful and balloon decor is whimsical, but they’re also wasteful and harmful for the environment. As the wedding industry shifts towards more sustainable practices, one plant rises above.

Spekboom has long been lauded for its magical powers. Also known as Pork Bush or Elephant’s Food, this water-wise tree of wonder can absorb higher amounts of carbon dioxide than any other plant in existence. A healthy thicket of this South African treasure trove is said to be ten times more effective at removing carbon dioxide from the air than the Amazon Forest.

South Africans are encouraged to plant spekboom wherever they may to play their part in combatting climate change. Those lacking a green thumb need not worry. The plant is easy to grow and water-wise, meaning it is low maintenance.

There are so many ways to incorporate this hard-working plant into your wedding. Here are some ideas.

Bridal bouquet:

Spekboom is a perfectly rustic addition to your bridal bouquet. If you’re not into the leaves, spekboom in full bloom is typically covered in tiny pink flowers that will add a beautiful pop of colour to your floral arrangement.

Food:

Packed with vitamin C and other nutrients, spekboom leaves are juicy and full of moisture. They leave an acidic taste of lemon on the tongue, making spekboom an excellent addition to fresh salads or even in the wedding cake itself. Spekboom also helps to fight dehydration, making this magical plant perfect for hot summer weddings.

Decor:

Tiny clippings of spekboom are amazingly fresh additions to wedding decor. Use them as table decor on plates or in planters, in floral centrepieces and in hanging floral arrangements.

Wedding favours:

Give your guests the gift of spekboom for a memorable wedding favour that will bloom for decades. One small clipping can grow into a magnificent spekboom bush when planted. The plant can live up to 200 years, meaning this gift is truly one for the ages.

Credit: Instagram / The Spekboom Project

Feature image: Instagram / original3g

In Advice

Tropical wedding decor inspiration

November 20, 2019 No Comments

If you’re getting married in paradise, why not have your wedding decor reflect it? Tropical wedding decor is a great way to bring the island to your wedding, even if you’re not there. Incorporating natural elements and lots of colour gives your wedding a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for the laid-back couple.

Invites:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B47BPVEAHa9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Aisle:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3emeXXA5sk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Table numbers:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5Cja6Gn_j8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Table decor:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B45kkAwocww/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Coconut drinks:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B441S2JDse-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Chill zone:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4tqZiWFQ3j/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Bouquet:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5A_MhzFAo-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Getaway car:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5A6dqTKttW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Surfboard drinks menu:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4-8dXkDBwX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Floral chandelier:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4-ErabhXI4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Photo backdrop:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B48xQkrAoR5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Image: Unsplash