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    In Fashion And Grooming

    Grooms, put your best footwear forward

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    By Keenan Martin

    It’s become an unspoken rule for the groom to take a peripheral role at weddings. So while you may not steal the attention of those attending your wedding, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put a little effort into looking your best on the big day.

    Shoe vs Suit

    Probably the most important factor when it comes to selecting a shoe is how it will complement your suit style and colour. Traditional black suits should always be paired with black shoes, and stay away from lengthy white socks if your pants are going to be cropped above the ankle. Brown shoes tend to pair well with darker colours such as midnight blue, navy or maroon.

    Suit styles are often overlooked, so knowing more about your suit will help make choosing a shoe so much easier. Brogues tend to be the best choice for tuxedos, while Oxfords are more suited to your formal suits. Loafers are a popular stylistic choice these days but should be used with caution, these shoes are best worn when the pants have been cropped above the ankle.

    Comfort is key

    Comfort should always be of the utmost importance since weddings are long and you’ll most likely be on your feet for most of the day. Do not compromise on comfort! Your bride-to-be will not appreciate blistered feet on the honeymoon, and neither will you. Make sure you have the appropriate socks, preferably with non-slip grips to avoid them sliding down your foot. If your shoes are brand new, wear them around the house for a few days before to see if you’ll need any additional support, like heel grips or insoles.

    Consider where you’re getting married

    Another thing to consider is location – if you’re planning to be wed on a beach in the sand, perhaps the shiny brogues aren’t the best choice. Consider your environment, and particularly, the surface you’ll be strutting your stuff on for the ceremony all the way through pictures, then onto the dancefloor.

    A last thought…

    Of course not every couple prefers the traditional wedding with the traditional attire, every couple is unique and should allow for self expression. One thing is for sure, sneakers are trendy and more men are incorporating them for a touch of ‘cool’. If you are going to opt for the more casual footwear, nothing is more regal or clean than an all white Nike Air Force 1, just saying.

    Picture: Unsplash

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    Catch the Wedding Expo in Durban

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    The Wedding Expo is making its way to Durban on August 3 and 4. The event will be held at Sibaya Sun Park in Durban North. The Expo has been providing advice and great ideas to engaged couples since 2002. Old Mutual has added their voice as a sponsor and will be providing financial advice to help couples achieve their lifetime goals.

    The event will showcase various ideas and inspirations for bridal couples. The best part is the amazing competitions and giveaways. A couple stand the chance of winning a wedding that includes a venue, honeymoon and photography. The wedding expo also provides opportunities to meet with various suppliers. Vendors include catering companies, dress designers, photographers and more. There will also be discounted rates so you and your partner can score a few great deals.

    The Wedding Expo will also have a cake tasting station where you can try various cake flavours. The highlight is always the fashion show displaying designer dresses and advice from the designers themselves.

    Pop in for a mini-makeover and take valuable notes for your big day. After all the wedding rush you may need a minute relax and grab a bite to eat, the expo offers plenty of food choices.

    Tickets are available on www.wedding-expo.co.za or on sale at door.

    Dates: August 3 and 4
    Venue: Sibaya Sun Park
    Tickets: R100 per adult and R 30 per child (2 -12 years)
    Time: 9am-5pm

    Picture: The Wedding Expo

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    Amanda Knox’s out of this world wedding

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    Amanda Knox, who was acquitted of  killing her roommate Meredith Kercher in 2007, is getting married. Knox and her fiancé Christopher Robinson are planning a space themed wedding and have even created a website to ask family and friends for funding in the hope of raising $10,000 (R140,000). On the website, people are requested to donate money to various sections including venue, decor, photography, etc.

    The couple received backlash for their crowdfunding exercise. People on social media questioned the need and real reason for it. Accusations allude to it being another publicity stunt. The couple have denied claims of wanting to crowdfund their wedding. In a tweet, Knox called out those hating on them saying the wedding will be barebones if it needs to be.


    They said the reason for donation is because they ‘don’t need anymore stuff’. Unlike a normal gift registry, where the couple request kitchen appliances, homeware items, their gift registry consists of wedding sections like venue, decor, special effects, live band, photography, dinner and open bar. Under each section is a ‘donate’ option. When clicking donate, it links to a PayPal page where you can pay. There is no option for your own desired amount, there are set prices for each section ranging from $25 (R350) to $2000 (R28,000).

     

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    Last car on the ferry face!

    A post shared by Amanda Knox (@amamaknox) on

    Knox was accused of murdering her flatmate Meredith Kercher when they were both exchange students and roommates living in Perugia, Italy. They shared a flat with Filomena Romanelli and Laura Mezzetti. On November 2, 2007 Meredith’s lifeless body was found on her bedroom floor covered with a duvet.

    Knox and her boyfriend at the time, Raffaele Sollecito, were tried and found guilty of murder. They were convicted and sentenced to prison in Italy. The couple spent almost four years in jail before her sentence was overturned by an appeals court in October 2011 – after it was found that there was not enough evidence against them.

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    6 tips to secure your wedding day MUA

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    You should also read: Best wedding planning APP’s and tools for more guidance. Get your wedding makeup artist booked and secured seamlessly with these fool-proof guidelines:

    1. Do your homework

    Unless you have a make-up artist on speed dial or a trusted MUA friend, it’s best you do some proper research on who to book. Gather a list of makeup artists in your region and go to their websites or social media pages to see examples of their work. This isn’t only to see the quality of the final product, but to get an idea of their style and general aesthetic. It’s best to opt for someone who specialises in weddings as they will be more likely to provide you with makeup that will last the longest. Once you’ve seen one or two that you like, request a quote.

    2. Book early

    If your wedding date is set in stone, there’s no reason not to tick one more booking off your checklist. Most makeup artists are booked far in advance, especially in wedding season, so try to make the booking as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

    3. Always book a trial

    You might think everything will work out perfectly on the day, but to be extra sure, book a trial so that your MUA can be aware of exactly what you want. This way you can also see how quickly he/she works and what you’ll look like on the day. Make changes if necessary and see how long it lasts. Go out for dinner with your bridesmaids after your trial so they can give their opinions and so you can see how the makeup wears in between drinking and eating.

    4. Communicate

    At your trial, it’s essential to bring along photos of what you want to give your makeup artist a clear view of what you expect. It’s also ideal to show him/her photos of yourself where you really liked your makeup. Be very clear about what you don’t want and what you would like to stay away from. That said, don’t let your MUA try to convince you to do something you wouldn’t normally do. The same goes for on the day – communicate and be clear about your feelings.

    5. Be prepared

    Wear something in a similar colour to your wedding dress for your trial, and also try to wear something with a similar neckline. Although your MUA should inform you of the specifics beforehand, it’s best to try and have everything done as you would for your wedding – your hair, your spray tan, your lashes and eyebrows. Also, don’t forget your veil or hair accessories if you’re having a hair trial too.

    6. Get all the details beforehand

    Ask your prospective MUA for any specific terms and conditions, payment details, travel arrangements etc, to make sure no unwanted surprises pop up on the day. If there’s a contract involved, even better – this just makes things so much easier for both parties. They also need to provide you with a timeline of when certain people need to be ready to have their makeup done (if you book for more than one person).

    Image: Unsplash

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    Please put an end to this wedding trend

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    As much as we love hashtags and Pinterest, it’s not always the best place to find unique ideas. If everyone is looking at Pinterest or searching hashtags, that means everyone is doing it and it’s not so special after all. Some wedding trends need the boot – they are overdone and border on being corny.

    We’ve put together a list of some wedding trends you should steer clear off:

    1. Monogram everything

    It’s cute to have the couples’ initials on various wedding items to add that personal special touch. But… when it’s on everything, it is a bit too much. Less is more. If you really want to go this route, select a few special items to mark.

     

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    Sometimes all you need is a chic monogram, a classic typeface, and some yummy food courses to make your menu card dreams come true. ?? Stay tuned to see how these beauties are styled this Sunday! ? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #laceandbelle #njweddinginvitations #weddingstationery #bespokeweddinginvitations #customweddinginvitations #customweddingstationery #ceremonyprograms #njwedding #newjerseywedding #njbride #newjerseybride #engaged? #njweddingvendors #hobokenbride #princetonbride #menucards #weddingmenu #weddingmenus #handlettered #moderncalligraphy #weddingcalligraphy #receptiondetails #2019weddings #2020weddings #sneakpeek #chaunceyweddingexpo #monogramwedding

    A post shared by Meghan Shaughnessy (@laceandbelle) on


    2. Naked Cakes and unusual flavours

    They are beautiful cakes but remember it’s not different when everyone is doing it. Let’s be honest, we’re all missing that extra icing that a naked cake lacks. Give the people what they want. It’s time to bring back cake stunners – with the icing please.

    Once you’ve discussed the amount of icing on your cake, keep the flavours simple. People really don’t want to be tasting ‘daring’ flavours. Chocolate, vanilla and red velvet are crowd pleasers. Keep the apple and pear naked cake for your birthday.


    3. Rose gold and vintage themes

    No doubt, it is a beautiful colour – but so overdone. Your wedding should be a timeless affair. It should be personal and planned to represent you and your partner. Go for something completely unusual, pick colours you don’t see often. If you really like the colour incorporate it as an accent.

    Let’s talk about vintage themed weddings. It’s pretty and simple. It seems different and maybe once a upon a time it was, but not anymore. Brown string tied to everything, beverages served in mason jars and doily like finishes, not sure if you’re getting the picture.


    4. The central table

    As traditional as it is, it’s time for this wedding trend to end. Go for more of an inclusive wedding. The point is to celebrate and enjoy the evening with your partner and guests. Don’t section yourself off from the crowd. The bridal couple should be on display but don’t need to be propped on a pedestal like ornaments on a shelf.


    5. Too much signage

    We get that you want to help your guests as much as possible but over signage is a thing. You don’t have to mark and explain every aspect of your wedding. People can figure most things out for themselves. A few signs are cute and creative but when they’re all over the place with hard to read fonts, they serve no purpose.


    6. Dance entrances

    In 2009 a video of a bride, groom and their wedding party busting a move while making their way down the aisle went viral on YouTube. This idea quickly grew into a trend. But, unless you were an extra in Step Up or Take the Lead, no one really wants to see your awkward dance entrance. It is fun and cool when done by the professionals but if you can’t dance, it becomes a little laughable.

    Source: Unsplash

    7. Useful wedding favours

    You want to thank your guests for joining you on your special day. Let’s be honest, no one wants to collect useless things. It would be better to gift your guests something practical rather than a dust collector. Think outside the box. Customise the gift based on your wedding. Depending on your guests, mini plants such as cacti or spekboom are practical. These plants don’t require a lot of maintenance which is great because you don’t want to create work for your guests. Mini alcohol bottles or chocolate is a lovely idea too, keep it simple.


    Picture: Unsplash

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    It’s your wedding, wear black if you want to

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    Your wedding is fast-approaching and you love wearing black. Why not opt for an unconventional wedding dress? It’s no secret that wearing black makes you feel confident.


    A survey carried out by Buytshirtsonline found that the colour black might have connotations of death and gloom, but it’s a powerful performer in the eyes of the public, who see it as a serious, reliable and solid player. One thousand people were asked how they felt about specific colours in various situations and black had a higher percentage for most of the ‘good’ traits, for example, intelligence, confidence and sexiness. People associated the dark colour with being reliable, trustworthy and serious.

    Is there some sort of psychology behind wearing the colour black?

    It has been suggested people who wear black may be trying to guard themselves from unwanted feelings. If they have issues with anxiety by choosing one ‘plain’ colour it generates a sense of togetherness and control.

    Benefits of wearing black:

    1. Black is seen as elegant, classy and stylish. It’s an easy go to option for anyone, especially if you’re trying to impress.

    2. The monochromatic colour can make you appear thinner. It gives the illusion of a slender figure, which is why many women choose black.

    3. Time saver. Black pretty much matches anything and everything.

    4. As mentioned above, by wearing black, you may exude confidence.

    5. It works with every skin tone and hair colour.

    For those who enjoy bending the rules a little, a black wedding dress is a powerful statement. It symbolises your refusal to follow the norm and societies traditional standards.

    Did you know?
    Before the Victorian era it was normal for brides to wear various colours. Wedding dresses were expensive and some brides opted to adorn the best dress in their cupboard. On 10 February 1840, Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in a white wedding dress. The affluent followed suit and began wearing white. The pure colour stood for innocence and virginity. After the Royal wedding brides still continued to wear what they could afford.

    Your wedding dress should be a reflection of your personality. If you prefer black, white, pink or green, the choice is yours. This is your big day, you should do what makes you happiest.

    Picture: Unsplash

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    In Accessories

    Behind the veil

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    By Amy-Lee Steenkamp

    There are very few hard and fast rules when it comes to planning a wedding but there might be a very important one that cannot be overlooked – wait until you buy or finalise your wedding dress before you decide on your veil.

    Deciding on a veil to pair your dream dress with plays a major role in creating your overall wedding look. Traditionally they are passed down through generations, in which case you might not have a choice but it is pretty special to adorn your mother’s or grandmother’s veil.

    The veil has the ability to highlight your appearance and enhance the detail on your dress.

    There are tons of veil styles to choose from and the most common material used is tulle. Always consider which you would be most comfortable wearing. Comfort is key.

    For a vintage inspired feel, a birdcage veil with trench netting that covers your eyes and stops right above your chin is for you. This can be enhanced with an off white or ivory coloured veil.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz2_ib3hDyx/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BzoUo0nAbcW/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BxpDgynBj71/

    The most common is the blusher veil which covers the face and usually stops on the shoulders. It can be worn alone or with a longer veil underneath.

    Veils come in different lengths too. There are shoulder length ones, elbow length and fingertip length ones to choose from.

    Blusher veils:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BxxDK4_iJNT/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BsU3jbOBerW/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzv9-h4DTuN/

    Others styles include the Waltz veil – which is long but does not touch the floor. The chapel veil on the other hand does touch the floor. The most dramatic is the cathedral veil with a super long train ready to make a statement.

    Waltz Veil:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxna07HF5Qv/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BxaeqitDDii/

    Chapel Veils:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz-oC6-orFo/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz_N_BMHmEj/

    Cathedral Veils:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Byc1KHFj9wt/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/ByFFajsBtwn/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BxjfuWKjw4L/

    A Mantilla veil ensures a soft and dainty feel to the wedding look as it is pinned to the brides hair with a comb and wrapped alongside her shoulders.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz5DAaBASzc/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BzfNUTxgG2D/

    Get creative with your veil by attaching it to a hat and just having it flow backwards. Alternatively, you can attached the veil to the new trendy pearl slide clips for a modern feel. Consider your hairstyle first as this is key for the placement of the veil.

     

    Picture: Pixabay

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    An 83-year-old flower girl? Why not!

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    Age ain’t nothing but a number. An American bride proved this theory true when she asked her 83-year-old grandmother to be the flower girl at her wedding. Grandma delightfully accepted and immediately started her research to be the best flower girl possible.


    The bride is a registered nurse in an intensive care unit and when she heard one of her patients was a flower girl in her granddaughter’s wedding she decided to ask her grandmother.

    Growing up close to her gran, she always admired her grandparents relationship. She stated that their marriage is filled with happiness, trust and love. The elderly couple have been married for 63 years. The love birds enjoyed dancing together, sadly they can’t anymore but the grandfather still watches his girl from the sidelines.

     

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    Hooray for the holiday weekend!

    A post shared by Nicole Wagner (@custombynicole) on


    After her grandfather got sick, his wife stuck by his side. The bride believes it was her grandmother’s positive attitude that uplifts him constantly.

    After the picture of her grandmother went viral, she was reminded that people don’t need to stick to traditional rules. The wedding photographer shared the image to encourage others to reach out to those who matter to them.


    As the gorgeous granny walked down the aisle, family and friends cheered her on. As more petals were thrown, the cheers got louder.

    It’s safe to say that the 83-year-old grandmother stole the show!

    Picture: Pexels

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    Should you invite colleagues to your wedding?

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    Weddings are a huge expense which grows together with your guest list. Inviting colleagues is a frequent topic of discussion – you see them every day but after inviting family and friends, there might not be much space left on your guest list.

    Technically, you don’t have to invite anyone you don’t want to/don’t have space for, but it’s never that simple when it comes to colleagues. After all, you do spend a lot of time with them and not inviting them could turn awkward.

    With colleagues you have three options.

    1. You can either invite no-one from work and easily explain that you are just having family and friends
    2. You can invite the few colleagues that you really get on with
    3. Or you can invite your whole team which will obviously be easier if you work in a small group

    First make your guest list which includes including family and friends  is accounted for, then save your colleagues for the end of your list. If you have enough open spaces to invite all of them and that’s what you would like to do, then do that. If you only have a few open spaces then you will need to think about who you would really like to be there.

    Are you friends with your colleagues outside of work?
    If you see colleagues in your free time then they should be treated the same as your non-work friends and definitely be invited. If you handle the situation correctly, this shouldn’t cause any tension in the office. Let your colleagues that are invited know you are not able to invite everyone from the office, so your wedding should not be a topic of discussion at work.

    If you still feel awkward about the situation, explain to those colleagues who aren’t invited that your guest list is tight and as much as you would like to, unfortunately you can’t invite everyone. Most people will understand and if they don’t, well, it pretty much justifies them not making the guest list.

    If you have limited numbers, a good rule of thumb is to save your invites for friends and family. Colleagues are colleagues and if your friendship is limited to your work place, you should not feel bad about not inviting them to one of the most intimate days of your life.

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    Post wedding ceremony activities for your guests

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    So you’ve just tied the knot! Before you head to the wedding reception, you and your partner need to capture some memories. Perhaps the venue itself offers a great scenic background and is the perfect spot for your pictures, or you and your loved one are going somewhere that requires some traveling. While you’re off snapping some pics, your guests are either waiting at the ceremony venue or traveling to the reception venue to wait there. However, they don’t have to feel like they’re waiting around – here are some ways you can keep the party going while you and your spouse are temporarily gone.

    1.Picture Time!

    While you’re taking your pictures, your guests can too! Set up a photo booth and let them have some fun. Make sure there’s music playing, so it’s not awkward. You could also hire a photo booth so your guests can get their pictures on the spot to take home. You and your partner can join in on the fun when you’re done taking your romantic couple pics

    2.Happy Hour.

    Provide cocktails for your guests. Allow them to mingle over drinks and snacks. Go a step further and organise a mini alcohol-tasting section, whether it’s gin, wine, whiskey, rum, or bubbly. You can even have your family and friends make their own cocktails, or hire a bartender for a few hours.

    3.Games and activities.

    Let your guests play around! Set up various games and activities to get everyone in a silly mood. Karaoke, a How Well Do You Know The Couple quiz, old-fashioned lawn games or even some board games could prove to be a whole lot of fun. You can customise the games based on the venue, the number of guests and what you think they’d prefer.

     

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    Anyone for Jenga?

    A post shared by Scrivelsby Walled Garden (@scrivelsbywalledgarden) on

    4.Professional entertainment.

    Hire someone to keep your guests preoccupied and having a good time. A comedian, band, and caricaturists are all great options.

     

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    Check out this great caricaturist I saw a recent wedding! Really amazing work!⠀

    A post shared by Damon Bilger (@damonbilgerweddings) on

    5.Record the moments.

    Have someone film your guests giving you and your partner a lovely message.

    6.Advice section.

    Have a something set up on a table where your family and friends can leave you some words of wisdom, whether it’s a book or pieces of paper to write on place in a jar. You can even have them sign something! It’s something cute and truly special to look back on.

    It’s very important to inform your guests of the wedding schedule. There’s nothing worse than people being left lost and wondering, or worse still, bored to tears. Attach the schedule to the invitation, send an email, even have it posted somewhere at the ceremony and reception venues.

    Picture: Unsplash

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