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In Beauty

Dresses we love: Black

February 13, 2020 No Comments

Nothing is set in stone, least of all what colour your wedding dress should be. We’re all about taking fashion risks and if black is your thing, we say go for it. It doesn’t have to be gloomy. If you do it right, a black gown can be classy, sassy and gorgeous. Take a look at these brides who are beautiful in black:

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Image: Instagram/nanadu_wedding

In Advice

‘Something blue’-inspired wedding decor

February 13, 2020 No Comments

‘Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’. The age old Victorian era saying still holds weight today with many couples who opt to incorporate it into their big day.

Representing the sky and the ocean, blue is symbolic of freedom, imagination, inspiration, and sensitivity. Its a gentle hue that offers calming properties. ‘Cool blue’ is also the Pantone colour of the year, and its already popping up everywhere. Stay on trend by incorporating this colour into your wedding decor. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

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Also read: The meaning behind ‘something old, new, borrowed and blue’

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

Important questions to ask your wedding vendors

February 13, 2020 No Comments

Planning your big day can easily become overwhelming. With so many moving parts, it’s easy to forget certain things. Protect yourself against these unexpected problems by doing your research and fact-checking these important details with your wedding vendors.

– Their payment structure

The majority of vendors will require a deposit and then the remainder of the balance in instalments. Make sure you know exactly when certain amounts are due so that you can plan your finances ahead.

– What is included in the price

This goes without saying, but you need to be exact on what you’ll be receiving with each service. Some venues, for example, might not include cleaning in their fee which would then be an extra expense you have to cover.

– Whether they have liability insurance

Liability insurance protects a company’s assets and pays for obligations such as medical costs and damage to property, giving you peace of mind should something serious go wrong.

– If they have decor restrictions

Your vision of floral chandeliers and (eco-friendly) glitter sparkling all over might be unattainable if your wedding venue is strict with what decor is allowed on site.

– If they’re accessible for handicapped guests

It’s incredibly important to cater to your wedding guests, and if any of them require wheelchair ramps, railings or any other services, your wedding venue should ideally provide them for you.

If you may you pick your own vendors

Some wedding venues have approved lists of vendors that can be used, so it’s important to check if you can bring in your own.

– Their cancellation policy

If for any reason, you need to cancel this service, it’s best to know how far in advance you have to do it to get your money (or at least some of it) back.

– If they have on-site parking

This one’s a biggie. If your guests are travelling far in cars, they’re going to need somewhere to park.

– Their backup plan in the event of last-minute change

Rain, extra guests, food shortages…Accidents happen and it’s always best to have a backup plan. Ideally, your wedding vendor has a plan in place for this last-minute occurrences.

– Overtime fees

Sometimes the party is too good to end. In the event of going overtime, you don’t want to be surprised with an exorbitant bill from your wedding vendors. Make sure to check their rates before the big day so that you’re prepared come wedding day.

– Whether they cater to LGBTQI+ couples

Many vendors are quite traditional and do not offer their services to those who belong to the LGBTQI+ community. If this does not fall in line with your beliefs, it’s best to know before you agree to work with a specific wedding vendor.

– Ask for references!

It’s a great idea to check in with other couples who have worked with these vendors about their experiences to get a more realistic view of the service you can expect.

Also read: Hidden costs to consider when wedding planning

Feature image: Pexels

In Weddings

Lucky wedding symbols around the world

February 12, 2020 No Comments

For those who are superstitious, wedding days call for traditions that bring good luck. Some people believe that there are certain items and occurrences that symbolise good luck too.

Whether you agree with them or not, it remains interesting to know and learn about. And lets be honest, a little extra good luck never hurt any body.

Here are some symbols of good luck (and items that bring good luck) from around the world:

– Rain

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Most people hope and pray for no rain on their wedding day. The rain is a huge inconvenience in terms of wedding photos and outdoor ceremonies. However, many cultures around the world believe that rain on the day of your wedding is a good omen. It is said that the rain beings fertility for the couple and washes away all the things they want to leave behind as they move into their new lives together.

– Sugar Cubes

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In Greek Culture, many believe that carrying a sugar cube means your marriages will be sweet as sugar. In the past, brides would carry the cube in one of their gloves. With the fading out of the bridal glove, some brides have begun popping the sugar cube in their bouquets.

– Fire crackers

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The Chinese believe that fire crackers ward off evil spirits and ensure that the newly weds and their marriage are protected. For this reason, post-ceremony firecrackers are a common occurrence for those who are superstitious.

– Spiders

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Many people are afraid of spiders, but in Britain they believe that finding one in your wedding dress is a sign of good luck for the bride.

– Cranes

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In some parts of Asia, brides have cranes embroidered onto their dresses. Crane are said to symbolise fidelity and a long marriage.

– Lillies

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In Holland they believe that lillies of the valley are symbols of love. For this reason, the couple plants lillies close to or around their home.

– Swords

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Swords are a symbol of harmony and strength in Cambodia. Carrying a sword to the alter ensures that the marriage is blessed.

Image: Instagram / momentsphotograhyau

In Advice

Marrying a foreigner: What you need to know

February 12, 2020 No Comments

So you’ve found the partner of your dreams and you can’t wait to get married. But, there’s one little hiccup… You’re from two different parts of the world, and that can make the process a bit tedious.

Marrying a foreigner doesn’t have to be a tiresome task. You simply need to know what to expect.

Whether you are a foreigner marrying a South African citizen or a South African marrying a foreigner, there are obligatory procedures to follow. Here’s what you need to know:

– Can you get married in South Africa?

If you’re a minor, you cannot get married without written consent from a parent, guardian or the court.

People who suffer from severe mental disorders are unfortunately not allowed to get married under South African law. The reason for this is that the mental disorder may prevent them from understanding what marriage is and may cause them to make decisions which are not in their best interest.

Finally, if you are already married you are prohibited from getting married in South Africa. If you have previously been married, you need to present evidence that the marriage has legally ended.

Other than the above mentioned people, every body is allowed to get married in this country.

– The process

Both partners are required to make a trip to Home Affairs (Pro tip: try to ensure that you go to the Home Affairs Officers that your intended marriage Officer is registered at). Ensure that you take all required documents with you!

An official will verify the documents that you present. Thereafter, they will make an appointment with an immigration interviewing officer for you.

The purpose of the interview is to determine the legitimacy of the relationship – the government needs to take steps to ensure that a marriage of convenience (for citizenship) is not taking place. This is nothing to worry about! Questions will simply be about your relationship. You’ll be asked how long you’ve been together, if you’ve met each other’s family’s, or why you want to be together.

If your interview is successful you’ll receive a document confirming that you are legally allowed to marry in South Africa.

Once your marriage is documented, you should be issued a printed marriage certificate. This certificate is then used to apply for a visa.

– What documents do you need?

For the South African Citizen:

A certified copy of your ID
3 x ID photo’s
If you have been previously married, Home Affairs will require a copy of the decree of divorce/death certificate. If yours is an antenuptial agreement, they will need a copy of the cover letter from your lawyer.

For the non-South African Citizen:

A copy of the front page of your passport
A copy of the Visa Page in your passport – or the last entry stamp through customs found in your passport
3 x ID photo’s
If you have been previously married, Home Affairs will require a copy of the decree of divorce/death certificate.
A letter of non-impediment (certificate from your country of citizenship confirming freedom to marry)
You will be required to sign an Affidavit on the day of your wedding – This is a document supplied by Home Affairs. It is required to verify that you are using your international passport as a means of documentation since you do not have a South African ID number.

P.S it’s always safer to certify all your documents before you head to Home Affairs. You wouldn’t want to be turned away for something so minor!

Things your wedding photographer wish you knew

February 12, 2020 No Comments

Being the wedding couple is awesome, and the day revolves around you. However, one of the biggest components of the day is your photographers, and connecting well with them will ensure that the day is a success for both parties. We interviewed stellar photographers Ebert and Mikayla from Ebert Steyn Films to get the inside info on what a day in their lives is like.

Q. What is trending in wedding photography 2020?

A. Drone photos. This is a very tricky situation though as there are lot of laws that govern drone photography especially if you are charging for your services.

Q. What part of shooting a wedding is the hardest for photographers?

A. Getting family members and guests to co-operate for the family photos and group photo. Sometimes the day can get really long, especially if there are other traditional or religious elements worked into the day and as much as we love our job we are only human and do get tired too.

Q. What are things couples should keep in mind when hiring a photographer?

A. Most established photographers have a certain look and style not only to their photos but also the way they shoot. Make sure that you look at lots of examples of work of the service providers you are considering. It’s also important to make sure that your photographer and videographer have a similar style and approach. You could even reach out to past clients to chat about what their on the day experience with the photographer/ videographer was like.

For example, some photographers prefer to use flash photography throughout the day. If you intend on booking a videographer as well this will be a problem as the constant flashing interferes with the video footage, which means that you might end up having to do everything twice. Not only does this disrupt the natural flow of the day but will inadvertently cause some friction between the photographer and videographer.

It’s also important to make sure that you click well with your photographer and are comfortable with them. It’s a little bit daunting to be in front of a camera sometimes but if you’re able to have a laugh with them and know that they genuinely care about your big day, it’ll make it a lot easier. This is why pre-wedding meetings are super important to us, because it gives both the couple and ourselves a chance to get to know one another a bit better.

Q. What’s your favourite part of a wedding?

A. Mikayla: I personally love the getting ready and couple shoot-parts of the day. There are beautiful details and emotions to capture and I love being able to photograph those pre-ceremony nerves, tears and excitement all rolled into one. I also love it when couples do a first look before the ceremony!

Ebert: For me it’s the “party section” – when all of the formalities are over, the day’s heat has passed and the couple and their guests can finally let their hair down and do what they came to do in the first place; celebrate the newlyweds. I enjoy celebrating with the couple throughout the day and I feel that this allows me to connect with them on a more personal level as well as make them more comfortable in front of the camera, especially when we’re on the dance floor.

Q. What is your least favourite part? Why?

A. Family photos and group photo. It’s often a nightmare to coordinate and although they’re important to capture, no-one really enjoys the process. Super long ceremonies is a close second!

Q. What do brides/grooms do that makes your job harder?

A. We always try to get the couple to feel as comfortable and to act as naturally as possible, especially during the couple shoot. However, this sometimes leads to excessive chatter which makes it hard for us to get nice shots.

Q. Photographers spend hours on their feet. How do you cope with it?

A. Ebert: You become “wedding fit” quite quickly, actually. I would recommend staying hydrated and eating a good breakfast beforehand as well as making sure you snack throughout the day but really, what works for me is staying active during the day and partake and enjoy the wedding in a way that is still professional.

Mikayla: Staying hydrated is key but wearing comfy shoes is a big one for me – we often rock a pair of Nikes on the day itself. But I won’t lie, I’m pretty tired the day after a wedding, and if you have two or three weddings back to back then it’s seriously next level.

Q. Any funny/weird/interesting weddings you have photographed?

A. There was the wedding where the couple (and all their guests) flew in from Brazil but none of them spoke much English so nobody really knew what was actually going on (coordinator included). Another wedding we filmed in Greece ended with half the guests skinny-dipping at 3am, including the bride. We also recently filmed a couple from Switzerland and the groom’s family must have taught the bride some “inappropriate” Afrikaans words, as she ended her speech by yelling out “Groot k@k!” (Big sh*t!) And lastly, the coolest couple on the block who rode a bicycle to their wedding.

Here is another one of their favourite weddings that took place in Singapore:

Pictures: Ebert Steyn Films

Featured image: Unsplash

In News

First ever same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland

February 12, 2020 No Comments

Mere months after Northern Ireland officially legalised same-sex marriage, Robyn Peoples, 26, and Sharni Edwards, 27, from Belfast made history by becoming the first-ever lesbian couple to tie the knot in the region.

Activists in Northern Ireland have been fighting for years for same-sex marriage to be legalised in the country that has a conservative Christian majority. Despite homosexuality being decriminalised in the region in 1967 and various other parts of the UK legalising same-sex marriage over the years, the ban remained until recently. In October 2019, both abortion and same-sex marriage were legalised in Northern Ireland, leading many to celebrate their newly found freedom to make their own choices with their bodies.

Now, this deserving couple became the first same-sex pair to legally marry in Northern Ireland. The couple had their ceremony in Carrickfergus, County Antrim on February 11, 2020, also the date of their six year anniversary.

“We didn’t expect to be the first couple, it’s coincidental,” Edwards told The Guardian. “Today is our six-year anniversary so we wanted to go ahead with a civil partnership but when the bill was passed it was perfect timing and it was a complete coincidence, a happy coincidence. We couldn’t be more grateful.”

“For Northern Ireland, we need to be the face of the people to show everyone it’s OK,” adds Peoples. “We fought so long and hard for this opportunity to be seen as equal and now we are here and it’s just amazing.”

“We feel humbled that our wedding is a landmark moment for equal rights in Northern Ireland. We didn’t set out to make history – we just fell in love.”

Feature image: Instagram

In Advice

Unique flowerless bouquets for the alternative bride

February 11, 2020 No Comments

You don’t have to carry a floral wedding day on your big day. Yes it’s expected but then again, do you want to be? Stand out in the crowd with a unique flowerless bouquet that speaks to your personality.

From fruit to feathers, buttons and bottlecaps, there are a host of materials you can use to supplement flowers. Here are a few ideas:

Feature image: Instagram / floriodesigns

In Advice

Trend alert: Victorian-inspired wedding dresses

February 11, 2020 No Comments

Puffed sleeves, delicate lace and frothing tulle. There is something incredibly romanic about Victorian-era fashion. If you’re a lover of vintage fashion, then this one’s for you.

Victorian fashion has been having a moment recently, and celebrities like Kate Middleton, Nicky Hilton and Ellie Goulding were seen donning this trend. Take bridal inspiration from yesteryear with these stunning designs:

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Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

Eco-friendly wedding gift guide

February 11, 2020 No Comments

Modern couples are increasingly more conscious of their impact on the environment, and are planning their big day with sustainability in mind. As a wedding guest, it’s a great idea to treat your newlyweds with an eco-friendly gift that will put them on the right path for their life together.

If you’re attending the wedding of an eco-warrior, or just want to be more conscious of your own purchases, give one of these gifts a try:

The Wonderbag – R206 – R933 on Wonderbagworld.com

The Wonderbag is a simple but revolutionary non-electric, portable slow cooker. It continues to cook food (which has been brought to a boil by conventional methods) for up to 8 hours without the use of additional electricity or fuel. The Wonderbag business model is based on a buy one, donate one. For every retail Wonderbag bought, $1 is donated to the Wonderbag Foundation to subsidize Wonderbags and host WonderFeasts in vulnerable communities around the world.

EcoPlanet Bamboo Charcoal Filter – R135 on Faithful to Nature

Ensure the water your newlyweds drink is clean, healthy and safe with with high-grade bamboo charcoal filter that has a high and positively charged adsorbent surface area that draws impurities out of the water. The filter can effectively absorb and remove bacteria, chlorine and other chemicals, while improving the taste and freshness of any water. All this while being natural and non-toxic.

The Great Living Co Sustainable Bamboo Kitchen Utensils Set – R125 via Faithful to Nature

Fast-growing, renewable and long lasting, bamboo is an incredibly sustainable product that can be used in a variety of ways. This miracle plant can also absorb greenhouse gases and supports economic development in a variety of less developed areas of the world. Replace plastic with bamboo for an eco-friendly alternative to serving utensils.

The Joinery recycled plastic bottle wine tote – R495 via The Joinery

The Joinery is a sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa that focuses on finding solutions to environmental and community issues through design. Their products are made of recycled plastic and crafted by local sewing co-operatives in the informal settlements of South Africa, by up-skilled artisans and by sustainable production houses. This wine tote is a great way to travel in style while making a difference.

Sealpod Afficionado Capsule 10pk – R2399 at @Home

The Sealpod allows coffee-fans to reuse their coffeepods and is designed to work with Nespresso and Nespresso compatible coffee machines. This reduces the amount of coffee pods you have to purchase and is also better for your health and there are no plastic toxins leeching into the water. The Aficionado edition contains 10 stainless steel pods, 102 aluminium seals and an acrylic refilling station so you can fill 10 pods at a time.

My Butchers Block Salt & Pepper Holder – R519 via YuppieChef

Proudly made in South Africa from sustainably sourced Knysna Blackwood, this beautiful salt and pepper holder is ideal for holding salt, pepper and other spices.

MicroGarden Reusable Sprout Bag with Lentil Seeds – R99 via YuppieChef

This reusable microgarden sprout bag is designed to be highly productive, sustainable, and energy and space efficient. This bag comes with 50 gsm lentil seeds which will yield approximately 130 gsm sprouts, and allows you to grow sprouts over and over again. Simply sterilise the bag, soak the seeds overnight, drain and rinse the seeds twice daily. Within 3-5 days your sprouts will be ready to harvest.

Also read: The sustainable bride’s wedding decor

Also read: Put an ethically sourced, sustainable ring on it

Also read: The sustainable bride and what she’s wearing

Feature image: Pexels