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Weddings

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In Advice

Now trending: ruin wedding venues

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. While they may not be for everyone, abandoned buildings and structures have been trending in the wedding world recently. Couples have been opting for outdoor venues featuring crumbling walls, open ceilings and overgrown bushes for a memorable venue guests are sure to marvel at.

While it may seem macabre and weird at first, these venues offer their own kind of romance. There is something special about a place left behind. Venues like these have a history, a story to tell.

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Take, for example, this ancient convent in the Amalfi Coast. The stunning architecture still stands, giving a glimpse into a time once lived. You barely need any decor: the venue itself is the masterpiece.

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The spaces don’t have to be abandoned, they just need to give off an old world spirit. It’s even better if they’ve existed for decades and once had a different use. This stunning venue was originally an icehouse.

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This building is reminiscent of a rundown castle that once existed. You can almost hear the clipping of horse hooves, the rustling of trailing medieval gowns.

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These wedding venues are timeless, unique spots to say ‘I do’. If you want your wedding day to stand out, this just might be the type of venue for you.

Image: Instagra / Emily Battles

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In Advice

Groom style: Stand out from your groomsmen

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A bride is usually very easy to spot. She wears a wedding gown that stands out from the crowd, and there is absolutely no chance she’ll be mistaken for a bridesmaid. The groom on the other hand, may get lost in a sea of suits.

This seems a bit unfair. It would be a shame for a groom to not be seen on his big day. There are ways (some more subtle than others) for a groom to stand out from his groomsmen. Have a look at these ideas:

– Different neckwear 

If you’re wearing a tie, have your groomsmen wear bowties or vice versa. You could even switch it up completely by having your groomsmen sport classic neckwear while you wear an alternative neckpeice. There are way more alternatives than you think.

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– Vary in suit colours 

The colour of your suit makes a tremendous difference. This is one of the easiest ways to stand out from your groomsmen. You’ll be the main focus, without a doubt. This works especially well when your groomsmen wear more dull toned suits while you wear something brighter.

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– Accessorize

Add something extra to your outfit. You could add a hat, a pocket watch, a brooch, or really anything you want. All you need to do is find the best way to incorporate it.

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– Play with patterns

If you really want to make a statement, you should consider adding some patterns. Keep your suit the same colour as your groomsmen, but add some pizzaz by adding a pattern. Alternatively, you could do this on a smaller scale by simply wearing a shirt with pattern or print while your groomsmen wear plain shirts.

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– Smart-casual groomsmen

By simply having your groomsmen ditch their blazers, you’ll be the centre of attention instantly.

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– Switch up your tie colour

If you’re the type of groom who wants to be set apart, but does’t want too much attention, simply switch the colour of your tie. This one is very subtle, but very effective.

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– Get creative with your boutonniere

Similar to the tie switch above, you could keep it simple and just vary in the colour of your boutonniere. You could also personalise it and get creative, there are endless possibilities. Have your groomsmen wear the classic flower, and hand craft your own boutonniere.

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Image: Pixabay

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In Guys

Groom skydives into his wedding

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It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a…groom? This groom’s head was in the clouds, literally, on his wedding day. Instead of walking down the aisle, he decided to make a grand entrance by skydiving to his wedding venue.

Akaash Yadav married his bride Gaganpreet in spectacular fashion at their Los Cabos, Mexico wedding. A video of the groom skydiving into his wedding was posted to Instagram page ‘wedmegood’, and quickly went viral. It currently has over 11 000 likes.

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Talk about taking a leap of faith! Yadav shared a video on his personal account, writing, “It’s a bird, it’s a plane…it’s me. On 11/25/19, I skydived into my baraat and into hundreds of screaming people. It ended up going viral and getting shared all over the world, which is insane in itself. But more importantly, it ended up being one of the craziest, most amazing experiences in my life.⁣”

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Image: Instagram / Akaash Yadav

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In Advice

Dresses we love: Mermaid shape

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So many body shapes, so many dress designs. What works for one might not work for all. One dress shape we do love, is the mermaid design. You might think you need to be tall and slender to pull it off, but you don’t. If you love the style, find one that you fall in love with and go for it. Remember, a pair of heels never hurts and will complement this shape especially well.

You can glam it up or play it down, any way you like. Cream and champagne colours are very hot right now, as well as sequins and gems.

 

 

Picture: Pexels

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In Celebs

King and Queen of Belgium celebrate 20th anniversary

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King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium married on December 4, 1999 and are now celebrating the huge milestone of 20 married years.

Before meeting Prince Philippe, Mathilde was a countess but led a more civilian life as a qualified speech therapist with her own practice in Brussels. When she first met Philippe, he was still only heir to the Belgian throne, with a lot of pressure and eyes on him. Being a very private couple, they managed to keep their relationship a secret right until they announced their engagement and surprised everyone.

Things were not easy for them, but true love conquers all and made them stronger than ever. We look back on their marriage over the past years, and congratulate them on how far they’ve come.

The wedding day (note the veil!):

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Modern day:

 

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⁣ ⁣ Retour sur les fiançailles et le mariage du Roi et de la Reine à l’occasion de leur 20e anniversaire de mariage le 4 décembre. Regardez leur témoignage sur La Une (RTBF) ce soir à partir de 20h20.⁣ —————⁣ Terugblik op de bekendmaking en verloving van de Koning en Koningin naar aanleiding van hun twintigste huwelijksverjaardag op 4 december. Vanavond in gesprek met La Une (RTBF) om 20u20.⁣ —————⁣ Looking back on the announcement and engagement of the King and Queen on the occasion of their 20th wedding anniversary on December 4th. Tonight in conversation with La Une (RTBF) at 8:20 pm.⁣ ⁣ @rtbf #anniversaire #mariage #huwelijk #verjaardag #wedding #anniversary #verloving #fiançailles #engagement #porcelaine #porselein #porcelain #KoningFilip #RoiPhilippe #Koning #Roi #König #King #KoninginMathilde #ReineMathilde #Koningin #Reine #Königin #Queen #royalty #België #Belgique #Belgium #BelgianRoyalPalace #MonarchieBe

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The royal couple have four children and are known to be very fond of their two dogs living with them at the Belgian Royal Palace. We wish them another happy 20 years!

 

Picture: Instagram/BelgianRoyalPalace

 

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In Accessories

A modern take on the bridal crown

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Crowns have made a resurgence in the wedding industry. As royal brides walk down the aisle with their crowning glory, we cannot help but covet this regal accessory. Crowns, however, can seem a bit…dated. Instead of the traditional glitzy headpiece, todays brides are opting for accessories lined with crystals, celestial shapes and unique stones. Here’s how to modernise this traditional accessory.

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Also read: Stunning bridal hair pieces

Image: Unsplash

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In News

Couple recycle to fund wedding

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Weddings are expensive, and saving money where you can is crucial. But have you ever considered saving the earth to save money? This couple did, and they were rewarded in more than just monetary value.

Ellie Toohill and Darren Auth Duke from Western Sydney decided to save money in an inventive way by recycling bottles to pay for their wedding. They travelled across Sydney collecting rubbish to deposit into a bottle vending machine. For every bottle they collect, they earn 10cents. While it doesn’t sound like much, it can add up very quickly.

Ellie Toohill and Darren Auth Duke Credit: Daily Mail
The couple collected bottles to fund their wedding. Credit: Daily Mail

They turned their backyard into a storage space where they separated their rubbish into special compartments for recycling. They also got their neighbors involved too, having them donate bottles to add.

Ellie and Darren even used social media to spread their cause. They created a Facebook page, called A recycling wedding Sydney, and used it to document their process.

They used an app to track their progress, through which they earned $7581, and another $3000 in printed receipts. With the money they were able to fund their wedding reception (planned for April 2020) and purchase their rings. They plan to do it all again to fund their honeymoon. Talk about something old, something new…

Image: Unsplash

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In Advice

Modern wedding cake trends

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Modern couples are bold and not afraid to take risks, even with their weddings. The result? Unique elements that personalise their big day into memorable experiences, from the choice of shoe all the way to their wedding cakes.

Wedding cakes have been mainstays for decades, but their styles have changed so much. The simple, two-layer buttercream sweet treat doesn’t cut it any more. Modern times have seen multiple new wedding cake trends exist concurrently, each one appealing to specific tastes. From geometric designs to abstract art, wedding cakes are taking on a life of their own.

Geometric designs:

Characterised by geometric designs and bold symmetry, art deco has been given new life in this decade. Rather than the over-the-top, shiny look of yesteryear, this trend is much more simple to allow the geometry to stand out. Stick to no more than three key colours to maintain the sleek look.

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Square cakes:

Round cakes are so last decade. Square cakes have been trending for the last year, offering up an alternative shape and design that is wonderfully modern. Add florals to soften the look.

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Modern florals:

Florals and weddings go hand-in-hand. However, cake artists have taken this design to new heights, creating stunningly delicate sugarflowers placed artfully. The result is a stunningly modern yet soft cake.

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Texture:

Adding dimension is a simple way to elevate a cake. Take inspiration from these cakes that feature delicate ruffles and draping to add interest and sleek flair. This style is perfect for the understated couple who still want a showstoppingly unique cake.

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Abstract designs:

Abstract design is a hallmark trend of modernity. With simple yet impactful brushstrokes, a blank canvas can be transformed into a masterpiece. Keep the design to a specific spot or have it appear small with lots of white space to maintain a sleek, modern look.

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Image: Unsplash

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In Celebs

Mzanzi’s favourite celeb weddings of 2019

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Celebrities are known for throwing lavish events and major parties that include a guest list of the who’s who, venues that will leave you breathless and a menu that will make you question if this is even real life.

2019 left no stone unturned when it came to our celebs tying the knot. Mzanzi’s fave celebrities broke the conventional mould, from having a super chilled wedding in jeans and a t-shirt, to an Egyptian inspired traditional experience. Take a look at our top local weddings we witnessed this past year:

Jason & Sian

 

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A post shared by Donovan Goliath (@donovangoliath) on

Dineo & Solo

 

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A post shared by Dineo Langa (@dineomoeketsi) on

Kwesta & Yolanda

 

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A post shared by KwestaDaKAR (@kwestadakar) on

Bontle & Priddy Ugly

 

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A post shared by Bontle Ba Afrika Moloi (@bontle.modiselle) on

Somgaga & Mohale

 

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A post shared by Somizi (@somizi) on

Nomsa & Zandile

 

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By Rojaun Devos

Image: Instagram / Somizi

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In Advice

Blazing a trail: Cannabis weddings

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Want to take your wedding to a higher level? Gather your best buds for an evening that incorporates CBD into your wedding decor and food. You’re ganja have a good time with these lit ideas.

CBD has been smoking hot in South Africa since marijuana was legalised for private use in 2018. From food to skincare, pretty much any product you need can list CBD as an ingredient. Since cannabis has become so mainstream, why not incorporate it in your wedding?

Kind Mind, a small American cannabis business, will soon be offering cannabis wedding planning and catering. In a Facebook post, the business shared some images on how they would incorporate the herb into your big day, and their ideas are far from half-baked.

From a Bud-bar to punny wedding favours, Kind Mind leaves us with high expectations.

 

South Africans wanting a cannabis-infused menu, we won’t leave you high and dry. Local green thumb and award-winning chef Matthew Smith’s budding new venture, Blazed and Infused, blends cannabis and cooking. Blazed and Infused offers private event catering with a unique THC twist. They even have a cannabis expert is on board to do infusion demonstrations to entertain your guests.

Cannabis-infused butter biscuits. Credit: Instagram / Blazed and Infused
THC infused bacon and sweet potato parcel. Credit: Instagram / Blazed and Infused

Contact: [email protected]

Website: https://blazedandinfused.co.za/

Image: Facebook / Kind Mind

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