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    In Advice

    Easy ways to save money on your wedding day

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    For those planning their wedding, some things may seem out of their financial reach. Most modern weddings have become extravagant and costly, but they don’t have to be. There are a number of ways an engaged couple can save some coins whilst planning their dream wedding. Here are some tips to reduce your wedding budget:

    Turn to technology:

    Cut costs by sending out digital wedding invites and having guests RSVP online. Simply find a great digital artist to design your online invite (or design it yourself using apps like Canva) and set up a link to a website, Google Drive document, app or a phone number guests can use to RSVP.

     

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    Think local:

    Of course, dedicated wedding venues are popular for a reason. However, there are a variety of other locations that can work just as well for a fraction of the price. Consider having your wedding reception at country clubs, community halls, parks, restaurants, galleries or even a family member or friend’s property.

     

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    Say yes to the affordable dress:

    A large chunk of one’s wedding budget often goes towards the dress. Spend your money wisely by searching for sample sales, repurposing a family member’s dress, picking something off-the-rack or even thrifting a wedding dress. Remember that any dress can be good as new with some custom-additions. Think of it as your ‘something old’!

     

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    Get a personal officiant:

    Have a friend or family member become ordained online so that they can marry you and your partner, saving you money and giving your wedding a personal touch.

     

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    DIY the day away:

    There are so many simple DIY’s that will save you money and personalise your wedding. Use thrift shopped mirrors, chalkboards or window panes to create one big wedding program. Besides being cost-effective, it’s also better for the environment to not print out individual programs.

     

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    Go out-of-season:

    Off-peak dates can get you your dream venue at a cheaper price. As most weddings are held on Saturdays, consider having your wedding on a Friday or Sunday to cut venue and food/drink costs.

     

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    Mix-and-match:

    Use more affordable flowers as decoration. Mismatched, smaller centerpieces are cost-effective and cute. You can also add bulk and dimension to your bouquets by using foliage.

     

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    Give power to your flowers:

    Flowers are expensive. Make sure they work double-duty by reusing them throughout the day. Consider reusing bridesmaids bouquets after the ceremony to create one large centerpiece or add them to table decor.

     

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    Strategically plan out your Big Day:

    We get, it, sometimes things can run overtime during your wedding. However, photographers and musicians will charge extra if they have to stay longer than originally agreed, or wait around unnecessarily. Ensure you stick to a swift schedule between your ceremony and reception to avoid paying more than you bargained for.

     

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    Make your wedding family style:

    Shareable family-style meals are more cost-effective and interactive than 3-course sit-down meals. Consider designing a shareable menu filled with fan favourites that will cater to every diet.

     

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    Be wise with your wedding favours:

    Wedding favours don’t have to be extravagant. Something small and travel-friendly is ideal. Think mini-wine bottles, handmade soaps, individual succulents or tiny jars of your favourite sweets. You can also offer shareable favours for couples, such as a bottle of wine, to cut costs. You can also read: Best wedding planning APP’s and tools

     

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    In Advice

    Hilarious 1950s advice on how to snag a man

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    The 1950s were a wild time. The Cold war was escalating, Elvis and his pelvis were gyrating to the amazement of adoring fans and television had not even been introduced to South Africa. It is also in this time period that women were being given some, uh, interesting advice on relationships.

    A 1958 article published in American Women’s Magazine, McCall’s, titled “129 Ways to Get a Husband” gives us insight into what life was like for women in the 1950s:

    The magazine article advises women on the best ways to find a man.

    Kim Marx-Kuczynski from Madison, Wisconsin found the article in a rummage sale and was fascinated by its contents. “I think the article is reflective of the social mores of the era, and I found the comparison between what was acceptable then and what is acceptable now fascinating. It also made me grateful that so much progress has been made,” she told Bored Panda.

    “It’s outdated and absurd and funny, but it had serious intentions,” Kim concluded. “Society has changed so much in the last sixty years, and this article exemplifies the differences between what our moms and grandmas grew up with compared to ourselves and the coming generations. It’s fascinating.”

    The article had invited 16 “experts” to analyse what the “sixteen million women over the age of seventeen who are not married,” and who would presumably like to be married, according to the article, could do to find a husband. The results are nothing short of hilarious. Here is some of the funniest advice from the article:

    On where to find Mr. Right:

    – Have your car break down at strategic places.

    – Look in the census reports for places with the most single men.

    – Read the obituaries to find eligible widowers.

    – Become a nurse or an airline stewardess – they have very high marriage rates.

    – Be nice to everybody – they may have an eligible brother or son.

    – Be friendly to ugly men – handsome is as handsome does.

    – Don’t be afraid to associate with more attractive girls; they may have some leftovers.

     

    How to let him know you’re there:

    – Wear a band-aid. People always ask what happened.

    – Stand in a corner and cry softly. Chances are good that he’ll come over to find out what’s wrong.

    – Buy a convertible. Men like to ride in them.

    – “Accidentally” have your purse fly open, scattering its contents all over the street.

     

    On how to look good to him:

    – Get a sunburn.

    – When you are with him, order your steak rare.

    – Don’t tell him about your allergies.

    – Don’t whine.

     

    On how to land him:

    – Talk to his father about business and agree that taxes are too high!

    – If he’s rich, tell him you like his money – the honesty will intrigue him!

    – Never let him believe your career is more important to you than marriage.

    – Point out to him that the death rate of single men is twice that of married men.

     

    Wild ideas:

    – If your mother is fat, tell him you take after your father. If he’s fat too, tell him you’re adopted!

    – Rent a billboard and post your picture and telephone number on it!

    – Paint your name and number on the roof and say, “Give me a buzz, pilots.”

    – Stand on a busy street corner with a lasso.

     

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    In Advice

    Old school songs you need in your wedding playlist

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    Wedding receptions are the time to celebrate and rejoice the new marriage. They usually consist of food, tearful speeches, fun and dancing. When it comes to the dance floor, everyone knows great music makes the party. Here are a few old school songs you need in your wedding playlist:

    50s

    Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra (1954)

    70s

    Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder (1976)

    Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry (1976)

    Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees (1977)

    Y.M.C.A – Village People (1978)

    What you won’t do for love – Bobby Caldwell (1978)

    Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson (1979)

    80s

    Celebration – Kool & The Gang (1980)

    Just The Two Of Us – Grover Washington Jr. (1981)

    Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey (1981)

    It’s Raining Men – The Weather Girls (1982)

    True – Spandau Ballet (1983)

    Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper (1983)

    Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham (1984)

    Love song – The Cure (1989)

    90s

    End of the Road – Boyz II Men (1992)

    Macarena – Los del Río (1993)

    Wonderwall – Oasis (1995)

    Gettin’ Jiggy With It – Will Smith (1998)

    I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys (1999)

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    In Advice

    How to pick a great wedding gift

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    What do you get a couple that has everything? You may not get lucky and receive an invitation with a wedding gift registry or a request for monetary presents. If that is the case, here’s how to pick a great wedding gift:

    Budget 

    Firstly, you should establish a budget. How much would you like to spend on a wedding gift? The amount you decide on will help with what you can get. For example, if you want to spend R500, you obviously wouldn’t look at high-end kitchen tools.

    Relationship 

    How do you know the couple? Is it family, close friends, friends or co-workers? This is important because you’d put more effort into a gift if it was someone close to you.

    Know the couple 

    What do they like? What do they do? For example, do they enjoy cooking, wine, camping, hiking, or traveling? Try to choose something that the couple can both use or do together.

    Receipt 

    We were always told to take the price off a gift before giving it to someone because someone shouldn’t know how much you’ve spent on them. In this case, however, giving the gift along with the receipt is a great idea. For example, if you’ve bought something too small or perhaps the colour is wrong, they have the option of exchanging it.

    Ask

    You could just simply ask the couple what they’d like or need.

    Have a look at these great wedding gift options. 
    For those who enjoy cooking or baking:

     

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    Engraving a cookware item like a cutting board is something special and practical.

     

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    Couples who love camping:

     

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    Cute camping items are a great option for those who enjoy the outdoors. Anything practical that they can use while camping is great.

     

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    Alchohol enthusiasts:

     

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    Don’t just get them normal glasses, opt for special sets. Glasses that will only be used for special occasions.

     

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    Travel lovers:

     

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    These scratch maps are really trendy but great too. The couple can look at the map and see all the places they’ve traveled together.

    Decor

     

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    Some couples take a lot of pride in their home and enjoy decorating it with beautiful items. You could always find a great addition to add to their coffee table or bookcase.

     

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    In Advice

    How to tie a bow tie

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    Bow ties are a classic option that will add the finishing touch to your wedding day outfit. As dashing as they are, the sophisticated embellishment is a bit tricky to pull off. If you’re unsure and want to pull off the tasteful look yourself, here’s how to tie a bow tie on your wedding day, or any other day you want to look extra dapper:

     

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    Step by step

    Choose a great bow tie 

    Black is a classic colour to choose but if your wedding vibe allows for it, consider opting for a funky colour, pattern or material.

    Sizing 

    To ensure you get that dashing and sophisticated look, adjust the bow tie according to your neck size. Ask a sales assistant to measure your neck when purchasing a bow tie. There should be an adjustable slider or a hook and holes that will allow you to make the bow tie bigger or smaller.

     

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    How to tie 

    The most popular choice is the butterfly bow tie.

    First place your bow tie around your neck facing up. Make sure that the right side is shorter than the left. Your left end is A and the right end is B.

    Move A over to the right. It will be across from B. It should form an X shape.

    Move A under B and bring it up through the neck loop.

    You can now fold B towards the right and finally to the left, which will then create the bow shape.

    The A side can now move straight down over the middle section (the bow shape)

    A can be folded towards the chest.

    Pinch the fold.

    You need to push A through the loop behind B.

    Finally, pull on the folded parts which will tighten it. Adjust the bow tie to be balanced on both sides.

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    In Advice

    How to clean your wedding dress after the big day

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    Wedding dresses are one of the most spoken about elements of any wedding. After having such a big role in your big day, preserving the dress may be your decision. If you decide to store your dress, it may need a polish after a couple of years. Here’s how to clean your wedding dress after the big day, to keep it beautifully preserved and in tip-top condition.

    Ask your sales consultant 

    When you purchase your wedding dress from a boutique, be sure to inquire about the cleaning. Your sales consultant should be able to advise on how to properly clean it. There may also be special instructions that come with the gown on how to clean it.

    Sooner the better 

    If you do decide to store the dress, it’s very important to clean it before packing it away.

    Dry cleaners 

    If you’d rather not chance it or perhaps don’t have the time, you could always look for a special dry cleaner. They should know how to clean the wedding gown and the specific materials used correctly.

     

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    Simple dresses 

    If your gown is made from simple materials and fabrics, you could clean it yourself – just be sure to do some research before attempting it.

    Light

    When your gown is drying, keep it away from natural and artificial light.

    Know your fabric 

    If you decide to wash it yourself, know what type of fabric the dress is made of. Be aware of what type of embellishments are on the gown. Odds are, you can probably gently wash it by hand. Also, be aware that some fabrics can stretch when hung up, and because a wedding gown is particularly heavy, it’s best to let it dry while flat.

     

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    Spot clean 

    If your wedding gown is very detailed and large, you may have to opt for spot cleaning. This would involve pinpointing the stains and just cleaning those instead of the whole dress.

    Whatever option you choose, just make sure you know what your wedding dress consists of and what it’s made of. Lastly, be gentle with your gown, especially if it’s big and consists of lots of detail (for example beads).

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    In News

    Indonesia may ban sex outside of marriage

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    New criminal laws have been proposed in Indonesia, and means that citizens and tourists may face jail time or receive fines for engaging in pre-marital sex. The densely populated Islamic country believes that they must protect their citizens from behavior that ‘contradicts God’s word’.

    If passed, the law states that sex may not take place outside of marriage which includes same-sex couples. It will also prohibit couples from living together before marriage and adultery will also become a criminal offense. The criminal code also includes jail time for women who have an abortion. The only time abortion is deemed permissible is if there was a medical emergency or the pregnant woman has been raped. Fines will be given to those promoting contraception to minors.

    Parents, a child or a spouse can inform officials of the criminal offense. Jail time may range from six months to one year.

    Blasphemy laws will also be tightened and insulting the president or vice president will be criminalised.

    Same-sex marriage is not recognised in Indonesia. This means that the LGBTQIA+ community would be heavily affected if the law is passed. Even though homosexuality is not illegal in Indonesia, it is frowned upon. Their law does not protect the LGBTQIA+ community from discrimination and hate crimes.

    The proposed criminal code has caused uproar among many. More than 300 000 people have signed a petition urging president Joko Widodo to not pass the law.

    Australia has already updated their Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website to warn their citizens about the possibility of the laws being passed. They have warned citizens and possible travelers of the new laws that may be passed.

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    In Fashion

    Bridal capes

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    Bridal capes are a great option for brides that are looking for a little something extra and for those that are looking to break away from the norm. Bridal capes are elegant and very stylish plus they’re trending! Gain some inspiration from these tasteful bridal capes.

     

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    As you can see bridal capes can come in various styles, lengths and materials. It’s your day to shine, so choose to embellish your bridal look with a fashion forward cape.

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    In Celebs

    Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters needs your help

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    Former Miss Universe, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters and her fiancé Tim Tebow have reached out to their followers for help. They’re struggling to come up with a wedding hashtag, so on September 17, 2019 the couple took to Instagram to explain their predicament:

     

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    They explained that they haven’t come up with any wedding hashtags and sarcastically joked that the search is going really well. “Please guys, don’t you have any ideas,” said Demi-Leigh.

     

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    The pair have been together since her reign as Miss Universe in 2017. During her farewell at the 2018 Miss Universe, she thanked Tim for all his support. Tim got down on one knee on January 9, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida.

     

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    Their followers have come up with some creative hashtags so far. One follower suggested #TyingTheTebow, while another said #YouHadMeAtTebow.

     

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    Demi-Leigh celebrated her bachelorette party over the September 13-15, 2019 weekend. The bachelorette fun took place in New York.

     

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    She shared her bridal shower pictures on Instagram on August 15, 2019 as well:

     

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    The happy couple have not released their big day’s date, but with all the wedding festivities in full swing, it may be soon!

    We wish Demi-Leigh and Tim all the best for their future!

    Feature image: Facebook/Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters

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    In Decor

    DIY Origami hearts

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    A cute and fun DIY idea for wedding decor – create origami hearts that you can place on tables or arrange them on a photo frame for a focal piece.

     

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    Supplies (find them at your nearest craft shop):

    • origami paper R78/24 sheets
    • glue R50/100ml
    • photo frame R190/300 x 500mm
    • double-sided tape R30/18mm

    Steps:

    1. Fold the origami paper up and down, left and right.

    2. Open the paper again and fold left and right into the centre. Keep it there.

    3. Fold the top and bottom into the middle and fold the top down.

    4. Fold the bottom up in the same way.

    5. Fold the bottom part to the left and right according to the crease.

    6. Similarly, fold the upper part to the left and right according to the crease.

    7. Fold in the top and bottom corners

    8. Fold the upper right and the lower left so that they widen.

    9. Fold the top and bottom so that the front is a solid.

    10. Push in the left and right corners and the centre of the 3D part

    11. To complete the 3D heart, tuck in the folds at the bottom so that they fold over one another and stay in place.

    12. Then glue the open sides of the heart. If you’d like to scatter the hearts around, then this is the last step.

    13. If you’d like to arrange the hearts on a photo frame then take the empty frame with a backing and use double-sided tape to attach the hearts to the frame in an arrangement of your choice.
    14. There you have it!

    Feature image: Pixabay

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