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In Wedding Music

15 Of the best first dance songs for an unforgettable celebration

November 15, 2021 No Comments

The first dance as a married couple is the highlight of the wedding. It’s the perfect opportunity to show off your dance moves before the celebration really kicks off and gets have the chance to celebrate a little with you. The vows are done and dusted and the stress seems to melt away. However, for some couples choosing the first song to dance to as man and wife is an easy choice. Perhaps it was that Elton John song that was playing when you first bumped into each other at that charming coffee shop, but for others finding the perfect first song to boogie to can be a challenge.

Thankfully, a little survey conducted by The Black Tux of over 900 married couples from all age groups revealed a few of the most requested first-dance songs. Here’s a list of the top 15:

Sons and Daughters, by Allman Brown
Moon River, by Frank Sinatra
At Last, by Etta James
Time After Time, by Cyndi Lauper
Amazed, by Lonestar
500 Miles, by Sleeping at Last
Your Song, by Elton John
I’m Yours, by Jason Mraz
Perfect Duet, by Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé
The Way You Look Tonight, by Frank Sinatra
Escapade, by Janet Jackson
My Best Friend, by Tim McGraw
That’s When I Knew, by Alicia Keys
Falling Like the Stars, by James Arthur
This Kiss, by Faith Hill

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If you’ve been wondering what the perfect song to get down on one knee is, make sure you check out Spotify’s ultimate engagement playlist.

Pciture: Pexels

In Decor

Wedding dance floor ideas to kick of your shoes and let loose

November 9, 2021 No Comments

After the stress of planning a wedding and the jitters of saying your vows in front of friends and family, it can be liberating to metaphorically let your hair down, kick off your shoes and “shake what your mamma gave you.” Music is the entertainment that brings guests together and allows them to feel comfortable as they share in the bliss of the loved-up newlyweds.

Ready to put on your dancing shoes and find the inspiration you need?

Convert a pool

Okay, so while this may sound quite hazardous, what better way to impress your guests than with a dance floor on water? If your wedding venue has a swimming pool, while not grab a professional to convert it into something unique.

Bring the outdoors inside

Nature is a beautiful and magical thing, so why not add a few touches of nature to your dance floor. Create a magical space that incorporates lush and green-inspired flooring with plenty of lights to add to the ambience.

A Floral Dance Floor

Nothing is more romantic than a beautiful floral display. Elevate your dance floor with a floral design and, perhaps, a custom monochrome in the centre, and adding a gorgeous hanging floral installation above the dance floor will definitely add a bit of pizazz.

Balloons! Balloons! Balloons!

Tons of space, a classic dance floor and … balloons! Balloons don’t have to be reserved for birthday parties, but you can create an elegant bouquet of balloons to add a mix of fun to the space.

bouquet of balloons — **Kristin Sweeting**

A dash of fairy lights and a whole lot of chandeliers

A mixture of fairy lights and chandeliers are a great way to boost the ambience of your dance floor. Scrape the chandeliers and simply opt for fairy lights, which will allow you to add a starry night effect to your evening.

A Monochrome Feature

Show off your newlywedded bliss with a special crest of your initials. This is a great way to transform a regular dance floor into an extra special one.

monochrome intials dance floor — **Pinterest**

A carpet of dancing dreams

There’s nothing wrong with adding a little rustic charm to your dance floor. However, if wood flooring is not your vibe, why not opt for rugs to add a vintage-inspired vibe that is sure to leave your guests feeling comfortable and right at home.

rustic carpet dreams — Holtz Photography

Picture: Samm Blake

In Weddings

Japan’s former princess chooses the heart over the crown

October 29, 2021 No Comments

Some will consider former Japanese Princess Mako and her ‘peasant’ husband Kei Komuro the stuff of fairy tales. Upper echelon circles have considered it dishonourable. Either way, for those who may have thought that the kind of love worth sacrificing everything for is dead, it’s a story worth knowing.

The daughter of the Japanese emperor’s kin has made headlines for breaking the shackles of royal tradition in the name of not only love but also her independence – being the first female Japanese royal to do so.

Four years ago, the former princess and her college sweetheart, a non-royal, brought a real-life fairy tale into the world’s gaze. Many swooned over the kind of love so powerful it would cause Mako to willingly take on the harsh consequences of marrying a commoner. As the BBC writes, their smiles won over a country.

But the consequences were brutal as those within Mako’s social class frowned upon the former Princess’s decision. It would mean losing her royal status, forfeiting millions, and facing intense scrutiny at the sacrifice of her mental health – for years.

But to Mako, Kei Komuro was the sun, famously mentioning that his smile was as warm as the burning star.

The couple had met at a meeting of students planning to go abroad in 2012 and had become close as university students over five years, even when studying in different countries. Mako’s university journey was also largely her first symbol of abandoning tradition as it marked her leaving the traditional institution of study for royal Japanese family members.

While it may have seemed as though Mako was taking all the heat for a story films will no doubt be made about, Komuro too had signed up for mass public scrutiny. As VICE reports, intense questioning regarding whether Kumuro would cause Mako to struggle financially in the future came about in the past after an alleged money dispute to do with the young lawyer’s mother and her former fiance.

However, despite it all, the young lovers have stood by each other through and through and tied the knot yesterday, October 26.

In a highly anticipated live TV appearance, the former princess defended her marriage decision expressing that:

“Kei is irreplaceable for me,” she said. “For us, marriage is a necessary choice to live while cherishing our hearts.”

Mr Komuro also made vows to his love, stating the words that will be quoted by hopeless romantics all over the world:

“I want to spend the only life I have with the one I love.”

Originally posted on Cape {town} Etc

Picture: EPA

In Venues

6 Forest wedding venues around South Africa that are truly magical

October 25, 2021 No Comments

There’s something magical about a beautifully lit space filled with towering trees and the smell of pine. Nature always has a way of calming the mind and rejuvenating the soul, so it’s no surprise that basking in the glow of a few sparkly fairy lights and the delights of Mother Nature makes for an incredible wedding venue.

There is an array of mesmerising wedding spots in South Africa that make for the perfect forest wedding. If you’re in love with the idea of donning your bohemian wedding dress, grabbing your groom and getting married while being surrounded by a sea of tall trees, here are a few incredible forest wedding venues around South Africa to add to your list:

Die Woud – Caledon, Western Cape

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The Forest Walk Venue – Johannesburg, Gauteng

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Smitsfield Farm Venue – Lothair, Mpumalanga

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Winery Road Forest – Cape Winelands, Western Cape

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De Uijlenes – Overberg, Western Cape

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Beloftebos – Stanford, Western Cape

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Picture: Instagram Bridgette Wuest

In Weddings

PICTURES | Inside former Miss SA Tamaryn Green and hubby Ze’s stunning umembeso ceremony

October 15, 2021 No Comments

Former Miss South Africa Tamaryn Green and her fiancé Zesimdumise Nxumalo, better known as ‘Ze’, have shared snaps from their traditional Zulu ‘umembeso’ ceremony, which took place last weekend.

The ceremony came seven months after the couple got engaged in the Kruger National Park while on baecation in April, according to Times Live.

Umembeso is a Zulu traditional wedding ceremony in which the groom’s relatives bring gifts to the bride’s family. The ceremony occurs after the lobola negotiations but prior to the official Zulu traditional wedding.

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Originally Posted: African Insider

In Venues

A whole lot of nature and magic on your wedding day with Abelana Game Reserve

October 12, 2021 No Comments

Hear the distant roars of wild lions while watching the blazing African sunset at none other than Limpopo’s finest Abelana Game Reserve — the perfect place to escape the bustle of everyday life and dive into a little romance.

2020 was a tough year for the travel industry, and many love birds had to put their wedding day on hold. But now, all that’s left to focus on is a whole lot of love as couples across the world get ready to say “I do”.

It’s time for love to take center stage and there’s no better way to celebrate than at one of the most gorgeous locations in South Africa.

Welcome to Abelana Game Reserve…

A history of union with Abelana Game Reserve’s first bush wedding:

Situated on 15 000 hectares of pure unadulterated beauty, Abelana welcomed their first bride and groom on the scenic Malati Weir.

An intimate, mid-afternoon gathering saw no more than 42 guests come together in celebration of the couple, who said yes to forever with panoramic views overlooking the Selati River, which only enhanced the already magical moment.

The dinner reception was a classic-chic affair hosted at the Abelana River Lodge with not much of the lodge altered in terms of decor — raw beauty. A beaming bride and groom ensured that Abelana’s first bush wedding was the perfect African-ever-after.

Saying “I do” at Abelana Game Reserve

There’s something uniquely indescribable about being serenaded by the sounds of the bushveld, and Abelana is hoping to bring boatloads of African ambience to your wedding day.

Located just a 5 hours drive from Johannesburg, the luxury lodge is now launching its bespoke wedding package to the public. The perfect bushveld wedding is not only available but accessible to brides and grooms ready to tie the knot.

Thanks to Abelana Game Reserve, Limpopo’s burnt skies and natural brilliance are just a booking way from becoming your wedding reality.

Couples can expect only the best service from the Abelana team with wedding packages including, but not limited to:

A dedicated team was allocated to attend to the bride and groom on the wedding day
A complimentary Abelana wedding cake
A romantic turndown
Luxurious king-suite accommodation for up to 40 overnight guests
All standard accommodation inclusions apply to overnight guests, such as meals and game viewing activities

COVID-19 has played a big part in wedding plans, but an intimate bush wedding still remains an attractive prospect for couples who are considering the implications of the pandemic.

COVID precautions are the lodge’s top priority and nothing beats naturally wide-open spaces, fresh air, and ample room for social distancing that’s offered when choosing to book your wedding here.

Abelana River Lodge follows stringent protocols to protect tourists, wedding guests and staff, including:

Guest temperatures are scanned on arrival at the reserve gate, and each guest completes a contact-tracing and general wellness form.
Staff temperatures and wellness are assessed and recorded on a daily basis.
All staff are required to wear a mask at all times, and to sanitise their hands frequently.
Guests are required to wear their masks in the lodge’s indoor public areas.
All suites are rested between guest stays.
Hand sanitising stations are positioned at all entrances to the lodge and hand sanitiser supply is available on each game viewing vehicle.
All surfaces are wiped down with sanitiser on a regular basis, and game viewing vehicles are wiped down between each game drive.

So, what are a few things that brides and grooms-to-be should consider when planning their “safari wedding?”

“Wedding couples should be passionate about nature, animals and bush life. Don’t be too attached to the timing of your big day. Out here, we could run into any number of situations that could delay the whole itinerary. We encounter roadblocks – not the city kind – and detours created by fallen trees and wildlife. We may put a plan in place, but when you come face-to-face with a breeding herd of elephants, we wait; you wait – everyone waits. It’s part of the magic,” says Natalie Roberts, assistant lodge manager.

Ready to book the venue of your dreams and say “I do” while immersed in nature?

For more information on the lodge and its wedding packages, please contact Bryan West at 061 952 4302 or [email protected]

Pictures: Abelana Game Reserve

In Weddings

Groom Throws all the female guests out of his wedding for showing up in white as a ‘prank’

October 12, 2021 No Comments

Weddings are stressful. Throw family into the mix, and sometimes you find a recipe for disaster. However, one wedding couple found that a few family members were ready to douse the traditional disaster recipe in petrol, set it alight and watch the flames burn it to smithereens.

A bit dramatic, but we can only imagine that that’s exactly how it must have felt for the couple on their wedding day when all of the groom’s female family members showed up to the ceremony dressed in white.

A 33-year-old groom recently took to Reddit to share his story of the wedding “prank,” which hadn’t exactly gone down too well. In an AITA (that stands for ’Am I the A-hole’) post, the groom explained that the women in his family are a very close-knit bunch which he explained is similar to a “unit” that is rather “toxic.” He went on to explain that the women in his family “tease and roast every new woman that enters the family by marriage” as a way to “test” to see if the women deserve to be a part of the family.

Everything from the look and style of the women is roasted as they spend months teasing her before announcing that she has finally been welcomed into the family. Unfortunately, the cycle continues with every new woman that attempts to enter.

According to the groom, his brother warned him of the impending mess that was about to ensue as the “unit” planned to wear white on the wedding day. Despite the group vehemently denying the rumours, the day of the nuptials saw the women sporting white as the “ultimate test.”

The result? The groom asked them to leave, which resulted in a scene being made. His aunts and mother refused to leave, forcing the groom to threaten “harsher action.” Thankfully, they eventually all left, but not without his cousins blasting him on social media.

“My cousin blasted me on social media later, saying I excluded all the women from the wedding because my wife was insecure that she couldn’t handle another woman’s presence at the wedding.”

However, things didn’t end there. The groom had an argument with his mother who states that she simply wanted to see if his future wife was a “bridezilla.”

“I haven’t seen the lot of them in two weeks and they’ve excluded me from everything.”

Picture: Unsplash

In Planning

7 DIY photo booth ideas for the perfect wedding photo-op

September 21, 2021 No Comments

We love a good photo booth. Not only is it an excellent way to commemorate your wedding day, but it’s bound to keep your guests entertained. While renting a Kardashian-inspired photo booth may set you back thousands, creating your own version can be an affordable and memorable option.

From floral backdrops to iPad Instagram filters, here are a few fun DIY photo booth hacks you can incorporate into your big day.

It’s all about the floral

Come rain or shine, adding a floral backdrop is a great way to add a pop of colour to your pictures. However, you don’t have to get a florist to whip this up for you. Grab your tools, plywood, your favourite flowers and glue for a masterpiece.

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Chalk it up

Adding a chalkboard is a great way to include a whimsical or industrial touch to your wedding. It all depends on the font you use. It’s also incredibly easy to create and won’t cost you too much.

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A twinkle in the eye

Is there anything more romantic or ethereal than string lights? Adding this to a neutral backdrop or a large piece of plywood will help create a simple, but a beautiful element to your guest’s photos.

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Nothing wrong with Neon

How about a splash of rock and roll to your wedding day? You can personalise your photo booth by adding a custom neon sign. Having one of these bad boys will certainly get your guests talking and is an incredible way to add something special … maybe your favourite lyrics or quote.

A Polaroid cut-out

Simple and easy to make at home, adding a photo frame to a stand (perhaps with a few flowers) will leave your photo-loving guests wanting more. You can add your favourite quote or your names and the date of your big day.

A photo box

All you need is a polaroid camera, a box and memories. Adding a photo box to your wedding day is an adorable way to collect memories that you can open when you have a chance. Provide guests with the opportunity to snap a few pics of themselves and deposit them into the box – simple and not too pricey!

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Bohemian style

Adding macrame as your photo-op background can help blend in with the beautiful surroundings of your wedding or add a touch of simple elegance. Pop a few flowers on the frame and you’ve got a winner!

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In Weddings

Here’s what a photographer did when bride and groom refused to let her sit or eat

September 20, 2021 No Comments

Weddings and stress go together like All Gold tomato sauce and slap chips – it’s the perfect combination.

The infamous Bridezilla always seems to be a tiny disaster away, but one bride appears to have taken the stereotype to its extreme.

A Reddit user shared a less than flattering story of a bride and groom on their wedding day.

According to a Reddit user, her friend was in desperate need of a photographer as they were on a tight budget – and we all know how expensive weddings can be.

While she was more than happy to help her friend out, the user did admit that snapping adorable dogs pics was actually her forte, opting to charge $250 (R3 600) for 10-hours of work.

The day started great.

“On the day of, I’m driving around following the bride as she goes from appointment to appointment before the ceremony, taking photos along the way. I shoot the ceremony itself, and during the reception I’m shooting speeches and people mingling,” says the photographer, adding that she started around 11:00 and was due to finish around 19:30.

“Around 5pm, food is being served, and I was told I cannot stop to eat because I need to be the photographer; in fact, they didn’t save me a spot at any table. I’m getting tired and at this point kinda regretting doing this for next to nothing,” says the photographer.

That wasn’t the end though. She told the groom that she needed to take a 20-minute break in order to grab something to eat and drink as she didn’t have any more water in her water bottle.

The breaking point? The photographer was told by the groom that she needed to either be a photographer or leave without pay.

“With the heat, being hungry, being generally annoyed at the circumstances, I asked if he was sure, and he said yes, so I deleted all the photos I took in front of him and took off saying I’m not his photographer anymore,” says the photographer who is now wondering if she acted too harshly.

“If I was to be paid $250, honestly at that point, I would have paid $250 just for a glass of cold water and somewhere to sit for 5 min,” says the photographer.

Many users came to the photographer’s defence, stating that “if you’re going to be there all day, then they absolutely should be fed. Plus, it just seems like the polite thing to do,” stated one user.

Picture: Unsplash

In Weddings

The 5 biggest wedding trends for Spring 2021

September 14, 2021 No Comments

2021 has been a rollercoaster ride filled with alcohol bans, gathering restrictions and rushing home from your friend’s home to make sure you don’t miss curfew. But finally, spring is in the air, and there are plenty of incredible spring wedding trends to admire.

The wedding industry may still be feeling the effects of the pandemic, and it’s evident in the trends for spring. Think smaller guest lists, more intimate settings, and fresh decor colours that are sure to liven up 2021 and beyond. It’s all about personal details and adding a non-traditional touch.

Here are a few of the top wedding trends for spring that we can’t get enough of right now:

Fairy lights

Outdoor weddings have become the norm thanks to COVID-19 as it provides a safer option for guests and vendors, with fairy lights and whimsical wedding tents now being added to every bride and groom’s shopping cart. Including twinkle lights in your decor offers a touch of romance and ethereal quality. The combination of drapery from tents and the proper mood lighting is sure to create a sense of brightness and ease for your wedding day.

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A destination wedding with a twist

While we’d all love to spend our wedding day frolicking on the beach of Mauritius, travel has been up in the air lately. So, what do you do? You bring the destination to you, of course! Transformative design is the keyword for 2021 as couples use their favourite destinations to inspire their event’s decor, look, feel and colour palette. Whether it’s the sweet and savoury treats of France or the tropical vibes of Bali, this trend is all about immersing your guests in your favourite destination in the world.

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Simple and intimate

We’re looking to keep things simple in 2021 and that extends to the food and entertainment. More couples are turning to acoustic performances to entertain while guests enjoy an intimate restaurant-style dinner service. Hosting a reception service at your favourite restaurant is a great way to support local businesses, provide guests with good food and spend the evening in a relaxed setting. It may even be a little cheaper than hiring a catering company!

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Quantity vs. quality

There’s no question that 2020 has forced us to re-examine what we find important, and that includes downscaling from quantity to quality. More guests, more flowers, and the biggest wedding cake have all been replaced with a smaller guest list, simple yet beautiful flower arrangements and single-tier cakes. Small events will likely be the trend for the foreseeable future, not that we’re complaining.

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Fresh colours

Neutral colour palettes are always an elegant touch, but couples are looking to shake things up with vibey colours that add a breath of fresh air. Bold pops of colour mixed with elegant prints are taking over spring as more couples exchange those “typical” wedding decor ideas for fun and bright colours.

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Picture: laurene_and_the_wolf