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Weddings

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In Ancient Rome, brides would carry flowers as they were believed to signify new beginnings, fidelity and hope of fertility. Today, bouquets largely act as an extra accessory to complement the bridal look, so its important to pick the right one.

If you’re the kind of gal that loves to make a statement, your bouquet should show it. Opting for bright colours like reds, yellows and oranges is the easiest way to create a bold finish. However, if you’re not into colour a neutral bouquet can be just as special. Make sure to opt for a variety of flowers in differing shapes, sizes and lengths to create dimension. A trailing bouquet is always dramatic.

Here are some bold bouquets we are in love with:

 

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China has launched a matchmaking campaign to encourage its younger residents to marry and procreate. This comes after both marriage and birth rates have continued to dip as a result of the old one-child policy.

The Chinese government has grown increasingly concerned by data revealing lower marriage rates over the years. Data by China’s National Bureau of Statistics shows that between 2013 to 2019, the number of first-time marriages in China dropped by 41%, from 23.8-million to 13.9-million. The country’s marriage rate plummeted to 6.6 per 1,000 people in 2019, the lowest drop China has experienced in 14 years.

This decline is down to a number of reasons, although many sociologists focus on the decades of policies aimed at controlling the population, like the one-child policy, which meant that there are fewer young people in China that can actually get married.

Despite this policy being dropped in 2016, birth rates are still lower than usual. A preference for sons has also resulted in a skewed sex ratio at birth, especially in rural areas. More men than women mean that heterosexual men will struggle to find suitable brides.

This marriage decline may severely distress economic and social stability in the country, as marriage and reproduction are so closely related.

As a result, the country’s Communist Youth League will be hosting mass blind dating events to bring singletons together in the hopes they may find their life partners.

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The love of your life has finally popped the question. You’re happier than you can imagine and you can’t wait for your wedding day where you can share your love in front of friends and family. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the wedding world, meaning you can’t follow tradition as easily.

Even without the pandemic. planning a wedding can be stressful with all the decisions you need to make. Venues, colour schemes, food, guests, the list is endless! How will you and your partner make the right choices so your guests are comfortable on the day? Where will you buy your dress from? Heck, you’ll need to start saving for that dress now.

Why not avoid the stress, scale down on the admin and do something a little spontaneous instead? Think pop-up store meets surprise party and you’ll know where we’re headed with this – a pop-up wedding! Sound interesting? Here are our top tips to help you plan the perfect one – with zero stress and all the chill.

The venue

While they’re fun and spontaneous, pop-up weddings are more than just eloping. You still need to do some planning. A lot of pop-up weddings happen in public spaces such as parks, carnivals and at events – there really are no limits! You can have it at the end of a marathon you ran together, at a festival you’re attending, or on an intimate little camping trip with your friends.

Think about a place that you and your significant other love, somewhere that has meaning for both of you and that will create an incredible memory or make for epic images. If you’re going to have it at a business like a restaurant, store or tourist attraction, make sure they know what you’re planning so the surprise goes smoothly.

The look and feel 

Once you know where your wedding will be, you can decide what you want it to look like. If you’re going to have it in a park or on the beach, you can keep it casual. If you’re opting for something more quirky like a festival or party, why not dress up in crazy costumes or have props on standby? In some instances, all you need is a veil, bow tie and some flowers to seals the deal. You can do whatever you want – that’s the beauty of the pop-up wedding.

Vendors 

A pop-up wedding is as intimate as you can get. You only need a handful of guests and if you want to have a little celebration afterwards, all you need to do is head to your favourite restaurant or bar (call ahead to make a reservation so you don’t end up waiting in a long line). Let them know that you’ll be celebrating your union but with a small number of people so you don’t get saddled with a bill for 20 when it’s just you, your bae and two mates. You can also get creative with who you choose to use for your special day. Depending on your venue, you can get food trucks, picnic baskets and great novelty items that will look cute in pics.

Keep it a secret 

The loose nature of a pop-up wedding allows you total freedom for your ceremony. You can decide on which traditions you want to keep (such as a  bouquet, a veil or throwing confetti) and completely disregard the rest. But one thing you definitely need to stick to is keeping it a secret – imagine the look on your guests’ faces when they realise they’re actually at your wedding! Come up with a great cover for the day, something that will get your guests excited enough to attend and in the right attire without giving too much away. It may be a good idea to let one person in on the surprise, so they can help you execute your plan.

When considering something old for your wedding, why not look at previous decades for some vintage inspiration? While a whole authentic vintage look is a bit much for a modern wedding, including by-gone accents is often jus the touch your wedding outfit needs to make it stand out.

We’ve pulled together our favourite vintage pieces from across the years which can easily work for a bride in the 2020s. You’ll notice we left out the 1980s, mainly because that era was a bit too much to handle.

1920s flapper veils 

This unique design has the veil sitting almost like a cap around the head. It allows for extra embellishment and frames the face beautifully.

1930s ivory silk 

If you’re not after a white wedding dress, why not consider ivory. The 1930s and 40s were all about this delicate, rich fabric. If you don’t want to go all out, silk buttons down the back or front are a beautiful touch not often seen anymore.

1950s silk pumps 

Heels these days are sky-high, but the 1950s mid-height pump is a classic. You’ll feel dainty and ladylike and not to mention way more comfortable. Often with a small pointed toe and a few embellishments, these are a great addition.

1960s veil hat 

A bit more unconventional, the pillbox hat was all the rage in the 1960s and brides would simply add a light veil to theirs for their wedding day. If you’re a lover of hats, this is a great opportunity to incorporate one without it being overwhelming.

1970s wing sleeves 

The 1970s were a hippy dream for weddings and drew inspiration from medieval dress styles. The big winged sleeves are a showstopper and can compliment a smaller silhouette. If you’re brave enough, they can add that touch of drama to your dress.

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There is no celebrity wedding dress more iconic than that of Princess Diana. With its puffy sleeves and insanely long train, it has gone down in history as possibly the most famous wedding dress to ever be made.

A little known fact is that Princess Diana had a secret backup dress made in case of emergencies. Wildly enough, this dress, which has never been seen by the public, is missing in action.

David and Elizabeth Emanuel designed the famous dress, as well as a second one in case anything were to happen to the original. This is a common practice for royal brides, especially when there is so much media attention around them.
However, the location of this second dress, which was only three-quarters of the way done, remains unknown almost 40 years later. Elizabeth Emanuel says she cannot remember what they did with the backup.

“I don’t know if we sold it or put it into storage,” the designer, Elizabeth Emanuel, told the Daily Mail in 2017. “It was such a busy time. I’m sure it’ll turn up in a bag one day!”

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Micro weddings will continue to dominate in 2021. While COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out across the world, we are not quite out of the woods yet and it’s best to be safe than sorry.

For those planning to marry in 2021, a micro wedding or an elopement is the perfect option. However, with such a small guestlist there is no need for a traditional large wedding cake.

Skip the tiers and go for a small, single-tier cake that caters to your reduced guests. This will also save you some money as well as prevent wastage.

Fear not, you can still have fun with the design on a small cake. Here are some stunning convections we are loving:

 

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Looking for a truly unique wedding experience? In today’s society, there are no rules so anything goes. Your wildest dreams can come true with just a little bit of planning.

If a church wedding or a backyard celebration isn’t for you, fear not. There are many alternative options across the country that allow you to celebrate your nuptials in style. Here are some of South Africa’s more unusual venues.

For adventure seekers: Hot air ballooning

What could be more romantic than exchanging vows high up in the clouds with views of the Cradle of Humankind or the Magaliesberg below? For those unafraid of heights, a ceremony in a hot air balloon is a unique choice – and guarantees breathtaking wedding photos.

The baskets can accommodate between two and eight people and flights take off at sunrise, lasting about one hour. The hot air balloons take off from land at a luxury lodge which can arrange a Champagne breakfast for you and your guests after your flight.

Best for luxury seekers: Stanley Island

You don’t have to be an A-list celebrity to hire your own private island for your wedding day. Stanley Island on the banks of the Keurbooms Lagoon in Plettenberg Bay is the only private island in South Africa and boasts an indigenous milkwood forest, private beaches and stunning views of the lagoon for a truly special celebration.

With the waterside wedding and function venue only able to accommodate 40 guests, this is best suited to more intimate weddings. The island itself can also sleep up to 20 people.

Best for travel enthusiasts: Rovos Rail

Venture back in time with a vintage-themed wedding at Rovos Rail wedding venue in Capital Park Station in Pretoria. For couples looking for something a little different, a wedding at Rovos Rail offers romance of a bygone era and can accommodate up to 120 people.

Say your promises on the platform with the old steam train as the backdrop after which you can take your wedding photographs in the picturesque grounds and the vintage carriages. You will then join your guests on the train itself for a glamorous 1920s-inspired reception – think the Great Gatsby – and a three-hour journey. Expect five-star food and service.

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Say what you will of the humble pocket square but when it comes to wedding attire, it’s a dashing and classic embellishment for a suit. That being said, selecting the right pocket square can be difficult.

With so many options to choose from, it’s important to think carefully about what kind of look you want. Here are some tips to help you make your final decision.

Subtle differences make a big impact

 

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Although the trend has always been to match the pocket square to the wedding’s overall theme, it’s not always possible. The pocket square is meant to add flair and be a talking point of the suit, so opt for a more elaborate pocket square for the groom while the groomsmen have similar shades or patterns in their pocket squares.

Choose your fabric wisely

 

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Your choice of fabric for your pocket square most often depends on the theme of your wedding and how formal or not the occasion will be. Silk is an obvious choice as it’s a safe, reliable option that allows for intricate levels of detail. But there are alternatives. Wool-silk blends and linen both add texture, and linen also works perfectly if your outfit is less formal or you’re not wearing a tie.

Size is everything

The fabric you choose for your pocket square will affect the size of it too. A premium silk pocket square, for example, has a bit of weight to it so an ideal size would be between 40 x 40 cm and 42 x 42 cm. A 42 cm-squared option will give you a nice full finish without bulging in your pocket or slipping down as you move around. Opt for a hand-rolled hem on your pocket squares as it helps hold its shape when in your pocket.

A fold adds flair 

Don’t just shove your pocket square into your pocket. Instead, folding it correctly will give your look a more sophisticated bent. A flat fold is perfect for a classic white pocket square or a pointed fold for a bit of edge. For patterned or colourful squares, a simple puff fold looks great and contrasts well against a dark suit jacket.

Give it meaning

Although a pocket square is rarely used for looks other than formal-wear, they can also act as mementos for both the groom and his groomsmen. Think prints featuring a sentimental image or a hand-embroidered date of the event. Personalised pocket squares are also great gifts for groomsmen.

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It’s the month of love, and the passion is all us around in the air. If you’re planning a Valentine’s Day-themed wedding, then it’s natural that red would be one of your wedding colours.

Symbolic of romance and passion, red is a vibrant and bold hue that commands attention. It pairs well with white or silver for a more elegant finish, gold for a luxe atmosphere, pink for a softer look and black for a more moody feel.

Whether it’s in your flowers or your table setting, this colour is guaranteed to get your guests in the mood for love.

Here are some romantic red decor looks to inspire your own:

 

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