Weddings Archives | Page 129 of 194

In Advice

Beautiful bouquets perfect for summer

January 24, 2020 No Comments

What’s a bride without a beautiful bouquet? A well-picked bunch of flowers does wonders in completing your wedding look. Every bouquet is different, and needs to be tailored to the bride and the wedding.

A summer-inspired bridal bouquet is perfect for a hot December wedding. Think big, beautiful blooms bursting with colour and vibrancy. Whatever flower is in season at that time is ideal. Mixing and matching sizes, shapes and colours gives a sense of dynamism, like the flowers are just springing to action all on their own. Here are some bunches to inspire you.

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Feature image: Unsplash

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:

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Image: Unsplash

In Advice

Stunning vineyard wedding venues in South Africa

January 24, 2020 No Comments

South Africa has an abundance of extraordinary wedding venues to choose from. From hotels to vineyards, the country is anything but lacking.

Vineyards are some of the best venues as they can add an extra fairy-tale feel to your special day. Most have amazing indoor and outdoor facilities and come with special wedding packages. If you’re looking to go the vineyard route for your venue, you’re spoilt for choice.

Here are some of our favourite vineyard wedding venues in South Africa:

– The Conservatory, Franschhoek

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The Conservatory is surrounded by vineyards and ancient oaks. The venue is largely made of glass, which means you’ll get some great lighting if you opt for an indoor ceremony or reception. You have the option to have your festivities outside in the vineyards too.

On their website, The Conservatory says “Our philosophy is simple yet stylish, inspiring but versatile, catering to all who require a blank canvas to create a unique event that transforms a space into a true reflection of themselves.”

– Zorgvliet Wine Estate, Stellenbosch

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In the Banghoek Valley near Stellenbosch, at Zorgvliet wines, you’ll have the stunning Simonsberg Mountains as the backdrop for your wedding. The estate offers several different facilities for your special day. The Oak room is the venue for receptions, but they also have a chapel and a room for pre-reception drinks.

– Highberry Farm, Somerset West

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This relatively new venue was completed in 2018. If you’re looking for a venue that hasn’t been seen hundreds of times, then this is the one for you. Views of vineyards, dams, the surrounding mountain range and horse paddocks will be the backdrop of your special day.

The venue sits 120 people, includes a dance floor and comes with facilities including a fully equipped kitchen, a licensed bar, as well as a spacious lawn on which a marquee could be erected or canapés and live music can be held. It also contains a more intimate utility area upstairs that may be used as a chapel.

– Leipzig Country House, Worcester

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At the Leipzig Country House you’ll be sure to have your fairytale dreams come true. For your ceremony’s venue you can choose from the century-old brandy cellar overlooking the vineyards or a tranquil garden with towering oaks. The wedding reception will be held in the wine cellar which seats 130 guests.

“The endless vistas, surrounding vineyards, rolling lawns of the amphitheater and rural charm of the historic buildings provide a stunning canvas to capture lasting memories,” says the Leipzig Country House.

– Marlenique Estate, Simondium area of the Winelands district

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The venue is central to Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. It can hold 350 guests with dancing and 400 without a dance floor. With mountains and orchards as your backdrop, you’re sure to have a dreamy day.

Open air weddings on the lawns beside the fruit orchards or on their private stretch of the Berg River are an option.

– Bakenhof Winelands Venue, Wellington

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About an hour away from Cape Town, the venue is situated on a hill of a private grape farm. The incredible views are out of this world and are sure to make you day even more special than it already is.

Bakenhof says, “We focus on a unique, personalised and unhurried experience. Our philosophy is that your day is as important to us as it is to you, with our mission to exceed your expectations – be it day or night, formal or informal, summer or winter, sunshine or rain.”

Image: Instagram /Bakenhof Winelands Venue

In Advice

Paris Haute Couture Fashion week 2020 Bridal looks

January 24, 2020 No Comments

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week is in full swing, showcasing the best and brightest of Parisian designs. Mainstream fashion trends are born from the runway, so where better to look for some inspiration? From Givenchy to Elie Saab, stunning bridal looks ended the fashion shows in style.

All of these bridal looks, while unique, seem to follow a pattern of big and bold. Designers are offering up full skirts and textured detail.

Here are some of the standout gowns from the runway.

Feature image: Instagram / Fashion to Max

In Wedding Cakes

The interesting origin of the wedding cake

January 24, 2020 No Comments

You probably think wedding cakes have always been about indulging in something sweet on your special day. It’s an easy assumption to make. Of course, nothing in life is that simple. The wedding cake has a centuries long history and started as a tradition that was said to ensure fertility.

In Ancient Rome, weddings would end with the bride and groom having a wheat or barley cake broken over their heads. Yes, really. This practice is said to have been to ensure prosperity and fertility in the couples future. The guests would try to secure some of these blessings for themselves by scrambling for a few crumbs which had fallen from the broken bread.

The tradition made its way to England, and was eventually altered quite a bit. In medieval England – as the English acquired more spices – the wheat and barley cake shifted to something tastier. Instead of simple bread, they would use spiced buns, scones, and cookies.

Another alteration that the English made to the tradition was to forget the breaking of the bread. The ‘confections’ were stacked into a tower as high as possible. At a wedding, the newly-wed couple would be required to kiss over the tower of treats. If they managed to kiss without toppling the tower, it was said they they were guaranteed some good fortune.

From there things took an odd turn. Instead of wedding cakes, wedding pies were more popular. Again, eating the pie was meant to ensure the couple had a happy life together. The pie also contained a ring, which single ladies would try to find. Finding the ring meant that they would be the next to get married (kind of like the bouquet toss that we do today). This may sound pleasant, but it most definitely was not. The first recorded wedding pie recipe, from 1685, contained oysters, lamb testicles, throat, and pine kernels.

Luckily, things began to change for the better from there when cakes replaced pies. As sugar became more available in England, white icing became the cake topping of choice. Queen Victoria had a wedding cake covered with white icing.

Tiered cakes took off in the 18th century. The story goes that a trainee of a baker in London fell in love with his bosses daughter. In an effort to dazzle her, and get her to love him back, he baked her an elaborate, tiered cake.

Image: Pexels

In Advice

Win top of the range scents at Oakfield Bridal Expo

January 24, 2020 No Comments

Every bride deserves to have her dream wedding. Oakfield Farm Wedding Venue is renowned for slick co-ordination, and the two Bridal Expos hosted at Oakfield Farm in January and June each year continue to celebrate their uniqueness, upholding both an easy-going vibe enhanced by the exceptional quality of exhibitors; the elegant grandeur of its existence and of course the proficiency of Oakfield’s friendly staff members. Couples get to meet SA’s leading wedding specialists in the beautiful and romantic gardens of this sought after wedding venue.

Add to that, no expo is complete without great food and entertainment. Various food trucks and vendors and live entertainment will be available in the sought after gardens at the venue.

Wedding Album will be there at stall BB B54 with indulgent products and amazing competitions. Four visitors could stand a chance to win top of the range scents from Women’Secret Seduction Hampers (Rose Seduction and Gold Seduction 100ml) as well as Women’Secret EAU Hampers (3x Eau 100ml). Be sure to come pop in, as there will also be loads of free samples to try.

Seduction range:

EAU Range:

Meet over 180 Top SA Wedding Specialists, and attend a spectacular free Fashion Show at 3 pm with fun prizes to be won. This bridal event is guaranteed to leave you feeling inspired and ready to plan your perfect day!

The Oakfield Bridal Expo will be held January 25 and 26, 2020 at the Oakfield Farm. Tickets are available from Computicket beforehand or at the gate on the day.

Feature image: Supplied

In Celebs

Pamela Anderson ties the knot for the fifth time

January 23, 2020 No Comments

Iconic beach babe Pamela Anderson is a married woman! After dating 30 years ago, the Baywatch actress recently tied the knot with her ex, producer Jon Peters, in a private Malibu ceremony on January 20.

Anderson and Peters first met in the mid 1980s at the Playboy mansion when Anderson was 19 years old. Peters reportedly funded acting, dancing and singing lessons for the star during the very early stages of her career. The couple dated for a while and Peters even proposed but Anderson declined, citing their 22-year age difference as the main reason. He tells The Hollywood Reporter that he said to her, “In 30 years, our age difference won’t mean so much.”

This is the fifth marriage for both Anderson and Peters. Anderson married Tommy Lee in 1995 but divorced in 1998. She married second husband Kid Rock in 2006 but they split a year later. Third husband Rick Salomon came in 2007 but their marriage was annulled in 2008. She then remarried Salomon in 2014 but they split again in 2015.

The couple are incredibly private, and have very few photos together.

Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, Peters said, “Pamela has never seen her full potential as an artist. She has yet to shine in a real way. There is much more to her than meets the eye, or I wouldn’t love her so much. There are beautiful girls everywhere. I could have my pick, but – for 35 years – I’ve only wanted Pamela. She makes me wild – in a good way. She inspires me. I protect her and treat her the way she deserves to be treated.”

Anderson shared a poem she wrote in dedication to Peters with The Hollywood Reporter.

“Jon is the original ‘bad boy’ of Hollywood –
no one compares –
I love him deeply like family.
His life used to scare me.
So much for a girl like me.
Now I’ve seen more of life
and realize ..
He’s been there all along.
Never failed me –
I’m ready now
and
he’s ready too –
We
understand
and respect each other –
We love each other
without conditions. –
I’m a lucky woman. –
Proof
God has a plan”

Feature image: Instagram / Pamela Anderson

In Advice

Here’s your chance to get married on Robben Island

January 23, 2020 No Comments

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.

Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

Inside a Jewish wedding: Jodi and Saul

January 23, 2020 No Comments

Jodi and Saul went to school together, but little did they know of the brilliant love story the future held for them. And when they got married, what a celebration it was! The amazing thing about culture is that each one is so wildly unique, but so special in its own way. Their Jewish wedding was one for the books, and we take a look into the traditions and customs that made their day extra special.

They didn’t see each other for 7 days before the wedding

For a full week before the day, the bride and groom don’t see each other or have any contact at all. 15 minutes before the wedding, they saw each other for the first time. “The most stressful time of the whole wedding is the week before. And when I finally saw him, it was so emotional, and totally worth it,” Jodi said.

The bedeken: Her husband veiled her

Dating back to a story in the Bible in which a man unknowingly wed his bride’s sister after her father tricked him, the bedeken is where the husband is brought in by both his father and hers, sees his lovely bride and then covers her face with the veil. “I was so overwhelmed with emotion,” Jodi says.

She walked around her husband 7 times

During the ceremony, the bride walks around the groom seven times to symbolise seven different blessings, the foundation of their new home and starting a full and complete life together.

Her husband smashed a glass

This tradition is to remind the couple and those celebrating of the destruction of the Jewish temples, symbolising that life is fragile, and even though they are celebrating their love, everything will not always be perfect and that there are struggles. The husband gets a glass or lightbulb wrapped in a cloth and steps on it with his foot, crushing it completely.

We also asked Jodi what advice she has for brides-to-be. “The best advice I can give anyone would simply be: Don’t sweat the small stuff. On the day, you’ll realise that they really don’t matter!” She also added a practical tip, saying that it’s important to stick with your partner on the day. “We went everywhere together. If you go get drinks, go together,” she adds. “If you chat to guests, go together. That way, you’ll remember the day as being spent with him. Otherwise you may look back and feel like you didn’t even spend any time together!”

For her wedding look, Jodi wore a stunning appliqué dress with detachable sleeves by designer Elbeth Gillis. The sleeves were on for the ceremony as a gesture of propriety and taken off for the reception. “I wanted something that would make me feel comfortable, something that’s me. And it was perfect.”

Take a look at their gorgeous day here:

Also read: Getting to know the culture: Traditional Jewish weddings

All images were beautifully captured by Dearheart Photos, visit their website here: www.dearheartphotos.com

Pictures: Supplied/Dearheart

In Fashion

Antique kimonos turned into contemporary wedding dresses

January 23, 2020 No Comments

Elegant and regal, the kimono has been a long-standing tradition in Japanese culture. One of the most recognisable pieces of Japanese clothing, the kimono is traditionally worn for special occasions. And what’s more special than a wedding? The kimono has been given a modern twist as brides opt for avante garde gowns that blend tradition with contemporary edge.

Watabe Wedding, a Kyoto-based brand, has been at the forefront of this trend. Their collection, Shoen, features five strapless dresses made out of authentic, antique furisode kimonos. Each dress has its own name: The Tsurumomiji (“crane maple”), The Fujiageha (“wisteria and swallowtail butterfly”), The Ranbu (“orchid dance”), The Kanazuru (“gold crane”), and The Botangiku (“peony and chrysanthemum”).

From left to right: *The Tsurumomiji,* *The Fujiageha, The Ranbu, The Kanazuru, The Botangiku.* Credit: Facebook

The line is open for the public to rent on their website, and prices range from 50,000 yen (R6 519) to 150,000 yen (R19 559).

Feature image: Facebook / Watabe Wedding