Ribbons attached to front windows of cars typically show that a newly married couple is passing by on route to their reception. For those that want to have a little bit of fun with their wedding transport, there are a host of quirky and different ways to ride off into the sunset.
If cars are a bit too played out for you, consider these alternative modes of transport to exit your wedding in style.
“Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue”. This wedding charm is a tradition that has been followed many betrothed couples for decades. Brides traditionally incorporate this tradition into their bridal attire, wearing something old, new, borrowed, and blue, typically obtained from loved ones. But where does this tradition come from, and why do we still do it today?
The tradition began in the Victorian era as an English rhyme. Originally it went, “Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe”. The final part of the rhyme is typically a British custom only, and thus largely omitted from the saying.
Each object is meant to bring the couple good luck on their wedding day and encourage a successful marriage.
Something Old:
Brides were traditionally required to incorporate something old into their bridal attire to ward off evil. In the olden times, brides traditionally wore an undergarment of a woman that had already bore children as their something old. Doing this was meant to confuse the Evil Eye, who was said to cause infertility. Through this, the Evil Eye was tricked into thinking the bride was already fertile, thus leaving her alone.
However, the more favoured meaning is that of continuity. By incorporating something old, brides carry with them something sentimental from their past.
Typically, brides opt for heirlooms to represent their something old.
Something New:
As the betrothed begin their new life as a married couple, the something new acts as a symbol of optimism for the future.
This is the easiest and most straight-forward element to incorporate, as it can literally be anything. The easiest is to have jewellery or the wedding dress itself stand for the something new, as those will most likely be purchased brand new.
Something Borrowed:
Something borrowed works to bring the couple good luck on their wedding day and their marriage. Traditionally, couples are meant to borrow something from a close friend or relative that is already married and ideally has children. This way, the luck of the happily married person will rub off on the newlyweds, thus starting the marriage off on a positive note.
As with the something old, brides were encouraged to borrow the undergarments of a close relative or friend as a positive sign of fertility.
Nowadays, couples generally borrow things of significance from friends or family. Once again, it can be anything, from accessories to shoes.
Something Blue:
Blue is said to represent purity, love and fidelity, and as such has become a highly symbolic colour for weddings. It also has the bonus of warding off the Evil Eye, according to legend.
Traditionally, brides incorporated their something blue into their garters. However, today brides can use blue in any aspect of their wedding attire to get the same effect.
The “Sixpence in your shoe” part of the rhyme typically refers to British custom, in which a bride places a sixpence coin inside their shoe for good luck and prosperity.
Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence married art dealer Cooke Maroney on Saturday at a celeb studded ceremony on Rhode Island in New York. According to People, the beaming bride’s gorgeous gown was designed by Dior, her favourite fashion house.
She kept it simple yet stunning in this soft peach coloured satin dress with floral detail on the skirt. The actress is yet to release more wedding pictures but it’s obvious that she was striking. Not laden with heavy jewellery or a prim updo, she looked natural and absolutely radiant.
Cameron Diaz, Sienna Miller and Adele were among the guests at this glamorous affair. The Belcourt at Newport is a mansion, loved by many for it’s classic feel and beauty.
Jennifer called Cooke “the greatest human being I’ve ever met” earlier this year on Catt Sadler’s podcast Naked with Catt Sadler. “I don’t know, I started with the basics,” the actress continued, when asked why she chose to marry him. “‘How do I feel? Is he nice? Is he kind?’ It’s just — this is the one, I know that sounds really stupid but he’s just, he’s — you know. He’s the greatest person I’ve ever met, so I feel very honoured to become a Maroney.”
The two lovebirds have been in a relationship since 2018 and got engaged in February of this year.
According to Metro, the day’s menu was sublime and we expected nothing less. The canapes that were served up included cod beignet, sweet potato flat cakes, brussels sprouts with cured egg yolk and smoked pork belly with pickled apple. The main course was just as fancy with wood-roasted fish with herbs and lemon-infused butter and five-week-aged leg of beef with foragers sauce on the menu. And, of course, there was dessert with fire-baked sourdough bread pudding with chocolate, salted caramel and fresh apple, cauldron fritters with bourbon cream and cinnamon sugar and homemade s’mores for dessert. Sounds like a party to us.
Food trucks have quickly become popular alternatives to the traditional wedding meal. These vehicles are transformed into stylish, mobile mini-kitchens ready to line the stomachs of eager wedding guests. Food trucks also work as extra decor pieces, providing a dose of whimsy sure to impress your guests.
With so many fun and unique food trucks to choose from, you’ll be overwhelmed with having to choose. Here are our favourite wedding food truck ideas to inspire you:
Gin bar:
Gin is having a moment. Stun your guests with a gin truck offering various add-ons and botanicals to quench their thirst.
Homemade juice is the perfect drink for a hot summer’s day. Serve them on the back of a truck in massive juice jars, and you’ve got the cutest drink station.
If you’re a lover of spice then a Mexican food truck will be right up your alley! Tacos, nachos, burritos and churros make for perfect handheld delights at your wedding.
Having street food at your wedding creates a much more relaxed, informal atmosphere. If you’re not one for seated dinners, this food truck idea is perfect for you.
If you’re having an early wedding, you should consider providing a mobile breakfast bar. From pancakes, eggs, bacon and baked goods, there are so many options to fill your guests in preparation for the ceremony.
Toasted sandwiches take us back to childhood days of lunches in front of the TV. Take a trip down memory lane with a toastie truck. It will be the perfect addition to a chilled afternoon wedding.
Harvest tables have been trending for a while now. If you want to be different, think about having a charcuterie and cheese truck. Cheese, meats and wine go so perfectly together and make a great picnic-style wedding snack.
Now, as with any other event, you can go super small, low key and toned down, or splurge and go way over the top for your wedding. It really is up to you (and your bank account).
Wedding costs vary greatly, from one couple who tied the knot for a mere R6 000 to the infamous Gupta wedding at Sun City, topping the charts with an elaborate wedding of R30 million. Where that money came from is another story altogether. Let’s not dwell on it.
Those are two extreme cases, and most South African couples end up dishing out something between R70 000 and R80 000, according to IOL. There are a number of things to budget for, with the venue, dress and photography being among the most expensive.
Catering does not come cheap, either. Some couples are wonderfully happy with a small get together, maybe at their own or a friend’s home. A savvy aunt might pitch in to make the dress, and the mother-in-law knows someone who bakes. What matters to them is being together, celebrating their choice to journey on together, surrounded by laughter and sunshine.
However, some will raise an amused eyebrow at the picture painted above. If the bride or groom is rolling in cash, they might have a completely different take on weddings. Think landing in helicopters and photoshoots with tame leopards. Entertainment for guests including classical ballerinas and acrobats. One such lavish wedding took place at Polo Estate, Val de Vie.
Remember, though, that spending crazy amounts of money on one event could lead to haunting debt for you and your loved one. Rather be realistic about your budget, get creative (and eco-friendly) so you can focus on the other person more than on the material things. There are countless ways of saving money and still have a gorgeous wedding you will remember for the rest of your life.
Beach weddings are very popular and it’s easy to see why. The beach provides a beautiful and romantic setting and the soothing sounds of the sea add to this ambience – but how practical is a beach wedding?
Here are some points to keep in mind if you’re planning a beach wedding:
In South Africa, you can have your wedding on the beach simply by organising a permit with your local council. Permits cost between R300-R6000 depending on which beach you are looking at, the number of guests that will be attending and the complexity of the set up that you would like to achieve. You will save big in terms of location fees. However, you will have to spend on hiring furniture and decor for the ceremony as the beach is a blank canvas. On the plus side, your wedding photographer will be able to get the most beautiful shots, but just make sure that they have done beach weddings before.
Since the setting is already so beautiful you will not need to have much decor, but remember that you are on the beach and you’re therefore exposed to the elements. This means that you might need to have a second location on option, which will be at an additional cost. You’ll also have to protect your guests from the elements – if it’s very hot, there will need to be sunscreen, water and maybe even hats for guests to wear, but if it suddenly turns cold, you might need to have blankets for guests to keep themselves warm. And although the soothing sounds of the sea make for ambient white noise, any wind that might be present could make it hard for guests to hear the ceremony.
Since alcohol is prohibited from beaches, this will also be a big money saver. However, if this is not what you want it’ll mean that you’ll only be able to have your ceremony on the beach and your reception will have to take place elsewhere. You’ll also need a location where you can sign your marriage certificate as it can not be done in a public space. Speaking of public spaces, there will be no privacy from beachgoers who will definitely want to have a peek at your beautiful wedding.
If you’re looking for a relaxed vibe, then a beach wedding is a great option. The dress code will most likely be casual, which will save you and your guests a lot of grief in terms of finding outfits. But it might not be quite as relaxing when planning this wedding as there are a few things that beaches might not have. Handicap accessibility is non-existent on beaches due to the sand, and so any guests with physical handicaps will either not be able to attend or will have to have special arrangements made for them to get to the ceremony area. There will be public bathrooms, but you will not be able to control how sanitary they are. Due to the fact that it is a public space, there will only be public parking spaces available which could get filled up very quickly, leaving little parking for guests.
The modern wedding is one of fun, and unique-ness. Couples of today are eschewing tradition to create a personal story for their big day, one that will stay with them forever. As such, we have seen a number of new and different trends flare up in the wedding industry over the years. From neon signs and dried botanicals, to bridal jackets and artful cakes, couples are making statements with their wedding elements.
While there is no one-size-fits-all for weddings, wedding trends often help to guide couples when planning their Big Day. These are the biggest wedding trends predicted for 2020.
Individuality:
The main trend of the 2020 wedding season is individuality. People are embracing what makes them unique and incorporating that into their weddings. With so many options, engaged couples are no longer pigeon-holed into particular styles that may not suit them. It truly has become a free-for-all for the upcoming 2020 wedding season.
Bridal Fashion:
Bridal designers of today has moved away from the traditional bridal look. Bridal fashion has become less of a focus on the ‘bridal’, but more on the ‘fashion’. The millennial bride is ready to take risks and be bold, and designers are loving it. With more brides opting for separate ceremony and reception looks, there is more opportunity to have fun.
Vera Wang, Victor and Rolf and Monique Lhullier all featured puffy sleeves in their Bridal 2020 lines.
Credit: Instagram / Vera Wang gang
Victorian romance was featured in shows of Mira Zwillinger and Costarellos.
Credit: Costarellos Bridal
Reem Acra and Galia Lahav are putting the leg on display with side split wedding dresses.
Credit: Instagram / Reem Acra Bridal
The bridal jumpsuit is having a huge moment, and featured in collections by Cushnie, Pronovias and Viktor & Rolf.
Credit: Instagram / Cushnie Bridal
Statement veils are having a moment in 2019, and will extend to 2020. We most recently saw Hailey Bieber feature this accessory in her wedding to Justin Bieber.
Veils are traditional and timeless, but with small finishes, they can be given a modernised look.
Unique, vintage inspired rings will be the big trend for 2020. Mia Moross, founder of The One I Love NYC, says she has seen a rise in cushion-cut, hand-mined diamond rings being purchased, and predicts that there will be a rise in yellow-gold rather than platinum bands, as well as Art Deco pieces. She believes that modern couples want their rings to tell a story, and are looking for pieces that reflect history and soul.
She also notes that couples are choosing the rings together, rather than the one proposing doing it themselves.
Informal Venues:
Informal and relaxed venues have been trending for years, and do not seem to be going anywhere. Forests, barns, backyards and beaches have been popular wedding venues for a good reason. It’s less stuffy, more inviting and often times more affordable than renting out halls and wine farms.
Today’s couples are much more environmentally conscious, and are actively looking for eco-friendly alternatives to many wedding staples. Many venues and suppliers are starting to incorporate sustainability into their services. One such South African venue, Cederkloof Botanical Retreat, provides various elements of sustainability in their wedding offerings, covering aspects of social, environmental and financial health.
Seasonal Flowers:
Dried botanicals have been featuring in many bridal bouquets, and are as popular as ever. Engaged couples are also leaning towards local, seasonal and sustainable flowers to feature in their weddings.
2020 wedding decor will focus on statement pieces. Think balloons, neon signs, elaborate wedding arches and massive floral centerpieces. Over sized decor makes for a wonderful talking point, and gives weddings a personal, unique touch.
Mood lighting is still all the rage. Exposed bulbs dangling from the ceiling, floating candles and twinkling fairy lights create a beautifully romantic setting perfect for weddings.
A Pretoria couple couldn’t believe their luck when their friends and family got together and arranged a surprise wedding for them.
Nompumelelo Somdaka-Ndesi (28) and Nkosiphendulo Ndesi (32) got engaged in 2018.
“When she said ‘yes’ I was over the moon. We had built a solid friendship over the years. We were able to sit down and talk about real-life issues and I would have done anything to be with her. But the challenge is that I was broke at the time,” Nkosiphendulo told W24.
The church they both regularly attended decided to take matters in their own hands. This is how it all went down:
One morning after the church service, Nompumelelo went to her friend’s place for a visit.
“When I got there, I was surprised to see a wedding dress, shoes, a wig and a make-artist. I was shocked when my friend told me that it was all for me and the church had been planning the surprise wedding for a while. Everything fit and the wig was beautiful,” exclaimed Nompumelelo.
Meanwhile, Nkosiphendulo was surprised by another fellow church member with a suit and shoes. They were asked for their sizes separately before the day and had not picked up any hints at the time. The couple was then driven back to church separately and arrived to find a beautifully decorated church hall.
Poor Nkosiphendulo’s first thought was wondering how he was ever going to pay for it all.
Nompumelelo, in turn, was afraid of how her family would react to the suprise. “But, when they saw me in that white dress, I could see happiness in their faces.” Both the couple’s parents were invited.
The couple said that they had the time of their life, and are forever thankful to their church community who made this dream come true for them.
This Colorado-based bride was blessed with a free wedding after surviving her battle with breast cancer, proving that there is still kindness in humanity.
Credit: Instagram / Cloud9Denver
Sabrina Blosky’s world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with breast cancer just before her 27th birthday in April 2016.
“When I got the news, obviously, it was like a kick in the stomach,” Blosky told 9 News. “I was like, ‘No way, I’m too young. There’s no way that’s ever a possibility.’ As much as I hate to admit it, I didn’t want to be afraid. But I think that’s just the nature of the beast.”
Her battle with breast cancer deeply affected her confidence. As a result of all the surgeries and treatments she had to endure, Blosky says she stuggled to see her beauty.
Her now-husband, Rex, a Retired US Marine, has been her greatest support thoughout her cancer journey, and always reminded her how beautiful she is.
“Rex always made me feel so pretty all the time,” she said. “So I was like, ‘OK, nothing’s wrong with me. I’ll go to the grocery store bald.”
The became engaged in March 2017. Watch the video of their enagement here:
Blosky recently completed her final treatment, and to honour her journey, The Wedding Pink gifted her with a free wedding.
The Wedding Pink is an annual wedding giveaway package presented to a couple whose lives have been recently touched by breast cancer. Held annually in Colorado, USA, one deserving couple wins a wedding to the value of $40 000.
The purpose behind the organisation, founded by fellow breast cancer survivor Sheryl Ungar, is to present a silver lining to couples that have been through the extremely rough battle with this disease.
“I know what all these young women are going through and it’s just a hard time in your life,” Ungar said. “I mean, it’s probably the one time in you life where you just look at yourself in the mirror and it doesn’t look like you.”
Ungar works with a team of wedding vendors in Colorado who have generously donated their services and products to give one couple a year a spectacular wedding in Colorado.
“It’s just really a way to let these couples start their life off,” Ungar said. “It’s a new life. You’re done with cancer, you’re well and now this is a beautiful marriage. You’re starting over with this beautiful life and we’re just sort of giving them that start.”
Sabrina and Rex were chosen as the 2019 recipients, and married on October 17 at the Spruce Mountain Ranch in Colorado.
Credit: Instagram / Ali and GarrettCredit: Instagram / Ali and GarrettCredit: Instagram / Cheryl Ungar
Sustainability is the next big thing, and rightly so. There are many ways to make sure your wedding is kind to the earth. One particular South African wedding venue, Cederkloof Botanical Retreat, helps you do this easily.
This farm is located just outside Citrusdal, a quiet and tranquil space set in a beautiful valley. Part of the landscape is still wild and opens to numerous views with beautiful rock formations from where you can watch stunning moon rises and have the stars put on a show just for you.
Their vision for a more sustainable village is varied and they are concentrating on the hard and soft elements of sustainability, covering aspects of social, environmental and financial health for a kinder, gentler, restorative and resilient future.
To learn more about all their current projects, take a look here.
Here’s how they will make your wedding sustainable:
– All flowers and green decorations are recycled on-site.
– Flowers, greens, fillers and other decorations are picked from the gardens and the surrounding areas.
– Couples plant trees or sponsor a ceder tree planting as part of their ceremony.
– The outdoor wedding ceremonies and the natural setting gives the couple and the guests the opportunity to spend the entire weekend immersed in nature.
– The accommodation, venue and ceremony spaces are close together, so there is no driving once on the retreat.
– All glass is recycled on-site.
– All organic waste from the kitchens are recycled on-site.
If you want to have an environmentally friendly wedding, there are a number of things you can do. Other ways of reducing your carbon footprint include making sure there are no single use items, especially regarding place indicators and table numbers. Use materials that can be recycled and donate decor items and food that is left over afterwards. You can also rent all the decor and catering ware, instead of buying them.
It is important to remember that eco-friendliness doesn’t start and stop at the wedding. Participate in ethical ring shopping (do research on companies who can prove that they don’t engage in “blood diamonds”) and incorporate green tourism in your honeymoon.
Try to find a wedding gown to hire, instead of buying one or letting a new one be made. If you do end up having one made, try to make sure the designer is eco-friendly and uses sustainable production methods.
