Do's And Don'ts Archives | Page 8 of 8

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 Advice

5 ways to avoid a family takeover at your wedding

December 12, 2018 No Comments

Letting your family help out with all the wedding planning can be fun, exciting, and a relief. But they can often become too involved and start taking over, causing unnecessary drama and stress before the big day. It’s important to set some boundaries while still letting your loved ones know that their help is appreciated, which is why we’ve come up with simple solutions to getting everyone involved without it turning into a family takeover,

1. KEEP IT SPECIFIC

Assign your family members certain tasks to complete, making sure they keep you informed with their progress. This can be anything from making invitations to table decorations, leaving you to sort out the bigger decisions.

2. COMMUNICATION

Keep in contact with your family about your decisions and the progress of the wedding planning. This will allow them to feel like they are a part of it all, and that you value their opinion. It’s also important to speak up when you are unhappy, but approach it in a calm and gentle way.

3. COMPROMISE

If your parents are footing some of the bill, they’ll want to have a say in some of the arrangements. Welcome their ideas, but also explain your and your fiancée’s vision for your wedding before you get started.

4. GET YOUR WEDDING PLANNER INVOLVED

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with pressure from all sides, get your wedding planner to step in and act as a buffer between you and your family. This will also give them the opportunity to update everyone on the wedding progress and what plans are in place to achieve your vision.

5. OFF LIMITS

Keep certain aspects of the wedding planning decisions off limits. This doesn’t mean you can’t involve your family or keep them in the loop, but be strictly clear that it is for you to decide. This can be about your guest list, the dress, or wedding cake. To counter any protests, give your family something they are passionate about, such as the catering or wedding stationery.

Image: Unsplash

In Decor

4 important things to think about when choosing wedding flowers

December 4, 2018 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.

In Advice

Should you serve a buffet or plated meal at your reception?

November 26, 2018 No Comments

One of the most difficult parts of planning your wedding food is deciding whether you want a buffet or plated meal. We’ve laid out the pros and cons so you can easily decide what’s best for you.

A PLATED MEAL

The facts

A plated meal is the more traditional meal option, where your guests are each served three courses, plus canapés before the reception. Caterers will usually give guests an option of two to three main meals (with a vegetarian option as one of them).

The pros

All of your guests get their food at the same time. Since you know what everyone is eating, caterers will only buy for that amount of people, which makes it a more cost-effective option. You can also plan the entertainment – dancing, speeches and any surprises –
in-between each course.

The cons

It needs more waitstaff, which can get expensive (if your wedding package includes servers, however, this won’t be a concern). And more than likely, you and your partner will choose options based on what you love to eat, which may not appeal to everyone.

A BUFFET

The facts

Self-serve stations are set up. You can also hire servers to stand behind each warmer and dish up for the guests, which tends to be more hygienic and controlled. It is the non-traditional, more casual catering option.

The pros

Fewer servers will be needed and you can cut catering costs. You will also be able to serve more food options – which is a good idea, considering all the allergies, diets and intolerances guests may have. It encourages guests to mingle and chat, creating a relaxing atmosphere before party time.

The cons

Whether tables take turns heading up to the buffet or a long line forms, your guests will have to queue and wait for their food. If the buffet is not included in your catering package, you will have to rent the tables, linen, serving platters and warmers, which can be costly. People will always dish up more if they serve themselves, and caterers know this – the extra food purchased will beef up your catering bill. Guests milling around carrying plates laden with food may not bring the sense of elegance to the occasion that most couples would like.

Image: Unsplash

In Do's And Don'ts

The pros and cons of hiring a wedding planner

April 26, 2018 No Comments

It seems like an easy option to hire a professional to take care of all the stressful wedding planning while you sit back and supervise, but is it really worth it? There a quite a few advantages and disadvantages to hiring a wedding planner, so we’re here to help you navigate what will be best for you.

THE PROS

1. Your wedding will have the magical touch of an expert giving it that extra flair for beauty and glamour.

2. Planners often know the local market, and already have a contact list of reliable vendors lining up to make your big day amazing. It may be more challenging to do this on your own without prior knowledge or contacts.

3. Everything down to the last detail will be taken care of, with your input of course. This is a big help when you are short on time.

THE CONS

1. Wedding planners’ services can be extremely costly, and if you choose to go for a cheaper option, you may just end up sacrificing quality as well.

2. You won’t be in full control. This can be especially difficult to handle when you have a certain vision in mind, but try to remember that the wedding planner also wants you to have the perfect day.

3. The experience of planning a wedding is a special one, and to allow someone else to take charge can often leave you feeling distanced and uninvolved in the process. This can be disappointing, especially if you feel that your day lacks a personal touch.

Ultimately the choice to (or not to) hire a wedding planner is all yours. If you feel that you may be keen to use a wedding planner for your special day, book consultations with well-known and reliable agencies. But if it’s not for you, try to get others involved in helping you make your dream a reality, as it can become quite overwhelming to do everything yourself.

Image credit: @parisalacarte (Instagram)

Do’s And Don’ts