We got together with some of the best local bakers around to show you six of our favourite wedding cake trends to help you make sure that your wedding cake… takes the cake!
1. METALLICS
Metallic studs – like the ones we see on shoes and clothing on the runway –add dimension and texture to a cake.
This season sees wedding cakes relieved of too many decorations and intricacies. A move to simpler yet striking designs like monotone or two-tone cakes is the style of choice. Watercolours and pastels reinforce this idea of less is more.
Think drama and flair with strokes painted in chocolate or fondant forming a beautiful portrait. Combine them with natural elements – another top choice – adding a flower or two for a softer, whimsical look.
Marble hasn’t left just yet! Apply it interestingly by having a pink, green or even blue marbled tier. Add some metallic ombré or gold dust and have fun with the design!
Along the theme of greenery and the environment, bakers are having fun playing around with different elements such as bark, birds, feathers and leaves (real or edible). These will take your cake from pretty to memorable.
Planning your big day is both an exciting and stressful time, with immense pressure to be at your best. Don’t forget to break away from all the organising every now and then for some me-time. These relaxing DIY face masks are the perfect way to take time out for yourself and keep your skin glowing and ready for the wedding.
Create easy facemasks with simple ingredients in your kitchen for a quick escape that will leave your skin feeling fresh and renewed.
THE METHOD
1. Mix all the ingredients together. 2. Use your hands or a clean make-up brush to apply the mask to your face. 3. Leave for 15-20 minutes. 4. Wash off and cleanse and moisturise.
THE MASKS
1. Aloe vera mask
1 tsp aloe vera gel
2 tbsp rosewater
2 tbsp coconut oil
2. Turmeric mask
1 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp coconut oil
3. Home clay mask
2 tbsp bentonite clay powder
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp vitamin E oil
2 drops tea tree essential oil
With all the details you have to think about while planning your big day, one thing many couples often overlook is the grand getaway. After you’ve wowed your guests with your big entrance, the delicious meal, and that epic dance party, you probably won’t want the night to end. So sweeten the deal and go out with a bang! Here are 6 unique ways to bid adieu to your guests and ride off as newlyweds in style.
1. Own your exit with an old-fashioned car. Consider renting an old-fashioned car for your grand exit. Tie a few empty cans to the bumper and hang a home-made “just married” sign in the window, and you’re set for a classic sendoff…just like in the movies. The pictures you’ll get from this getaway will look great at the end of your wedding album, hung on the wall of your entryway, or on your thank you notes!
2. Hop in a horse and buggy. If you love horses or are just into the classic, romantic charm of a horse-drawn carriage ride, this is the getaway for you. Just be sure to have the driver bring a heavy blanket to keep you and your new spouse warm as you leisurely make your way home.
3. Take a trolley. For couples getting married in a city where trolleys are iconic fixtures (think: New Orleans or San Francisco), leaving in a trolley can be the perfect way to bring your wedding locale’s personality into your wedding. The best part? All of your nearest and dearest can join you when you depart if you’re not ready for the night to end just yet.
Like many of us dog lovers, I have a tendency to spoil our family dog, Bailey. How can you blame me, when he buries his nose in my couch looking for his old toys in such an adorable way? I love our guy, but the thing is, I’m skeptical about getting him new toys because he’s very particular: he only buries his favorite toys in the couch, but many of the rest of them just sit on the floor. When he was a puppy, I used to spend $40 per month on toys and treats alone (those bully sticks can get expensive)! But, in trying to find a (much) more wallet-friendly way to keep Bailey entertained, I found the absolute best gift you could get for any dog, any size, any personality.
We’ve all imagined what our ‘perfect dress’ would look like and have idolised certain styles that would suit our body type, but sometimes what we want doesn’t always match up to the real thing.
When it comes to choosing a wedding dress, there are a couple of things to consider (see how to find your perfect wedding dress according to experts), but a good way to start is figuring out your body type and what styles will suit you best.
THE BODY TYPES
1. Apple – Full bust with rounded torso and hips 2. Athletic – Tall, slim and a straight waistline 3. Curvy/hourglass – Defined waist, full bust and rounded hips 4. Pear – Wide hips and slim shoulders with a small waist 5. Petite – Slim and small frame 6. Tall – Over 1.75 m with a varying frame 7. Triangle – Broad shoulders and slim hips with a straight waist
THE DRESS TYPES
Mermaid
This style is perfect for an hourglass shape as it will accentuate your curves.
Sleek
Those with a tall and slim frame will suit this look beautifully and elegantly.
Tea-length
Tea-length dresses are perfect for those with an apple shape. They accentuate the frame and provide the look of having a longer torso and legs.
Ballgown
This stunning princess-inspired look will let athletic and pear frames shine by balancing the proportions of bust to hips.
V-neck
This particular neckline flatters larger busts, complementing an hourglass shape.
Halter neck
Having the focal point be your neck, halter necks give the allusion of narrow shoulders, suiting tall and athletic builds.
Strapless
Elegant and sweet, strapless dresses allow petite shapes to appear taller, while also flattering a smaller bust.
A-line
This style suits triangle shapes by balancing out the hips-to-bust ratio and giving a more defined waist.
Sweetheart
The sweetheart gives the allusion of smaller shoulders, suiting those with broad shoulders and fuller busts.
Monochrome suits are making a big comeback and wearing them correctly head to toe can result in a super sleek look. Pairing formal and more casual pieces together is the #1 rule for this top trend.
Belief has compiled a selection of the top 15 destinations for weddings based on its Belief Awards. The Belief Award is an online contest created to celebrate wedding planners around the world.The main goal is to spread the talent worldwide and to honour the professionals’ knowledge and experience. Winners are selected by an array of experienced judges with adequate knowledge and experience within the wedding industry.
For most brides-to-be, deciding where to get married has and will always be a stressful topic and tough decision to make. However, the latest trend in the wedding industry has been destination weddings.
1. Lipari, Aeolian Islands, Italy
Photography: Stefania Paternostro; Wedding planning: Francesca Casamento – Eolie in Love
Lipari is one of the biggest of the Aeolian Islands in Italy. Its beautiful sea views and stunning landscapes make Lipari a perfect wedding destination. Its natural beauty speaks for itself and will definitely add romance to any wedding.
2. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Photography: Sylvia Guardia|; Wedding planning: Meghan Cox – Mil Besos
Situated on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio encapsulates the beauty of a rugged rainforest, coral reefs and white-sand beaches. Its tropical plants add to its amazing aesthetic, perfect for a wedding day. This wedding destination definitely has a romantic style but also a touch of elegance.
Looking for a unique beach wedding destination? Placencia is the perfect place. Situated on a beach resort on the Caribbean coast of Belize, this is where you’d want your wedding day to be. Perfect sea views and stunning palm trees are all the decor you’ll need.
4. Kefalonia, Greece
Photography: Ben Rigas – Wedding Stories; Wedding planning: Donna Palimeri – Kefalonia Weddings
An island west of mainland Greece, in the Ionian sea, Kefalonia is a beautiful wedding destination. Overlooking a harbour it would definitely add a touch of uniqueness to your special day.
If you and your partner are more adventurous and love the thrill and rush of exploring, the Bruararfoss in Iceland is the perfect location for your wedding day. Its spectacular waterfall views speak for itself, adding nothing but nature’s beauty for amazing wedding snaps of you and your loved one.
Looking for a chic and rustic yet stunning wedding destination? Playa Paraiso in Ecuador is the perfect location. Filled with activities to keep guests occupied, it’s without a doubt the kind of place where two can become one. It’s both peaceful and tranquil, which is what every bride wants for her and all her guests.
7. Gloucestershire, UK
Photography: Albert Palmer Photography; Wedding planning: Mary Cushen Wedding Planner
If you love the outdoors, you’ll definitely love this wedding destination. Situated in South West England, Gloucestershire is a stunning location. With views of the valley of the River Severn, it allows for an amazing outdoor setting.
8. Lake Maggiore, Italy
Photography: David Bastianoni; Wedding planning: Valentina Lombardi – Italian Wedding Company
If you and your partner want a traditional Roman Catholic wedding ceremony in a traditional Italian chapel, Lake Maggiore in Italy is the perfect destination for you. With breathtaking views and picture-perfect vistas, Lake Maggiore will add the Italian romance your wedding needs.
Need some Mexican beauty for your wedding day? San Miguel de Allende in Mexico is the perfect place for you. Its architecture, art and cultural festivals will add all the spice your wedding day needs.
10. Crete, Greece
Photography: Andreas Markakis Photography; Wedding planning: Anna Laudanska – Crete For Love
Greece’s largest island, Crete is both an elegant and scenic wedding destination. Its natural fine-sand beaches and white mountains create a perfect setting for a wedding.
11. Evora Boat, Lisbon, Portugal
Photography: Pedro Bento Photography; Wedding planning: Rui Mota Pinto
Ever dreamed of getting married on a boat? In Portugal, Lisbon the Evora Boat is perfect. Having your guests on board with you exploring the beauty of Lisbon will definitely make your wedding day one to remember.
Looking for a wedding destination with charming views and a breathtaking setting? Djupavik in Iceland is the answer. It will definitely make your wedding day the dream that will exceed all your expectations.
13. Alberobello and Polignano a Mare, Italy
Photography: Ivan L’Astorina; Wedding planning: Serena Ranieri – Italian Event Planners
Are you and your partner down to earth, sweet and romantic? The Alberobello and Polignano a Mare, Italy is the place you’re looking for. With perfect sunsets, it’s definitely a destination you’d want to consider.
If you’re looking for architectural show-pieces to make your wedding images stand out, Murcia and Granada, Spain is the perfect location for your wedding day, no decor or added extras needed. The place itself speaks volumes.
If you and your partner love modern art, the Verbeke Foundation in Kemzeke, Belgium is the perfect location. All kinds of art can be seen, from contemporary to modern. An art lover’s dream!
Afrique is a new collection that is bold, raw, connected to earth and proudly South African. Each jewel tells a story and evokes captivating mystique and elegance, which is perfect for a bride who wishes to honour and remember her culture or heritage on her wedding day.
If you’re a bride who prides herself on her culture and heritage and you’re looking for an outstanding element along those lines to complement your wedding day, keep reading.
Black Betty Jewellery and Design has been around since 2012. Created by designer Kristin Weixelbaumer; the concept stems from her constant enthrallment with the relationship between natural elements and the human experience.
The key component in their creative process is handcraftsmanship and they truly value the essence of humanity inherent in imperfection. All their jewellery is designed by pen and paper and is brought to life by the handiwork of artisans in South Africa, India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
Due to its core value, every piece of jewellery is unique and each has their own story to tell, with its own personality. They have a wide range of jewellery; from earrings, necklaces, pendants, rings and bracelets which is perfect for any age, occasion and mood.
Their new collection, Afrique, is bold, raw, connected to earth and proudly South African. Each jewel tells a story and evokes captivating mystique and elegance, which is perfect for a bride who wishes to honour and remember her culture or heritage on her wedding day.
Although some jewellery pieces may look familiar they have taken a new approach and have added a variety of new materials such as sterling silver and gold vermeil in order to keep their jewels both fashionable and chic.
The Afrique jewellery is elegant enough to make the simplest wedding dress breath-taking and beautiful. To all the brides finding it hard to choose jewellery for the big day, have a look at Black Betty’s new Afrique collection, it’s definitely one to be considered.
How you tell your guests about the big day is pretty, well, crucial. Do it in style by taking advantage of one of these wedding stationery trends.
GREENERY
It was Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2017, so it’s no surprise that greenery is making a huge appearance on wedding stationery. Whether it’s wreaths of rustic leaves printed around the edges, or fresh foliage attached with twine, this trend is still here two years later.
LASER CUTTING
With this modern technique, couples can really get creative with the way their stationery opens up, by incorporating layers of beautiful artwork.
METALLICS
They’re huge in the fashion and beauty world, so it was only a matter of time before wedding stationery followed suit.
TWINE
Going for a rustic feel is as easy as attaching greenery, flowers, tags or treats with twine. Or you can just use it to tie your invites closed.
