Weddings Archives | Page 187 of 194

In Stationery

5 Things You Need to Know About Mailing Your Wedding Invitations

June 25, 2018 No Comments

You’ve got each of your big day invitations signed, sealed, and ready to be delivered to the final destination in one pretty little piece — that’s the hope, at least! After spending a few months working on your stationery, you probably feel like you know everything there is to know about those paper products. But before you head to the post office to ship out your invitations, there are a few major thing you need to consider that may have never crossed your mind. So, without further ado, here are five things to do to make the most of your mailing.

1. Tissue paper inserts aren’t just for good looks. While placing tissue paper between the layers of your stationery suite can increase your costs, it also helps prevent the ink from smudging. If you chose to use a darker colored ink on your invitations or you went with thermography, your cards could rub together as they make their way through the mail. If it’s not too late, add a bit of tissue paper to ensure your pretty paper arrives in pristine shape.

Photo Credit: Esmeralda Franco Photography on Wedding Chicks via Lover.ly

These GIFs Show You Exactly How to Assemble Your Wedding Invitations >>

2. Square invitations require more postage. Due to the abnormal shape, square envelopes require more postage to mail. While this isn’t a huge monetary difference (about 20 cents per card, depending on the size) you can easily cut a couple of extra dollars by opting for a regular ol’ rectangular envelope. If you’re looking for other ways to save on your invitations, opt for an RSVP postcard rather than a traditional mail-in response card, as the cost of a postcard stamp is less than a normal stamp.

Photo Credit: Ben Q Photography on Wedding Chicks via Lover.ly

4 Ways to Showcase Your Signature Wedding Style with Your Stationery >>

3. Never lick the adhesive to close your envelopes. To avoid having one of your precious invites open en route, reinforce the closure method on your envelopes by using glue or some other super strong adhesive. Licking is not only hard on your mouth (the taste! paper cuts!), it also doesn’t guarantee the package will arrive in one piece. For a pretty touch, add a sticker or piece of washi tape, but don’t rely on these things as the main closure method. They can fall off or catch on other items during delivery.

Photo Credit: Katelyn James Photography on Grey Likes Weddings via Lover.ly

Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Invitation Wording >>

4. Always take your cards inside the post office. For extra peace of mind (and to avoid risking your invitations having to battle the elements), never drop them off in a street-side mailbox. If you hand them to a person at the post office directly, they are less likely to get damaged in transit, and you can ensure you’ve done everything correctly, from the postage to the writing of the addresses. This is an especially important step if you’re using vintage stamps — they can be tricky!

Photo Credit: Pat Moyer on Inspired By This via Lover.ly

This Typo Is a Reminder to Proofread Your Big Day Stationery Carefully! >>

5. Ask the post office to hand cancel your stamps. Instead of letting the post office run the invites through a machine-operated sorting system (which marks the envelope with thick lines in the top right corner and may damage the envelope in the process) ,ask them to “hand cancel” your invitations. This means that they’ll use a special ink stamp to mark your invitation, and they’ll sort it by hand, reducing the risk of the damage. While some post offices refuse to do this, most are flexible if you pop in during a slow time.

In Advice

Why getting cold feet is normal and how to overcome it

June 21, 2018 No Comments

We’ve all heard of or experienced getting cold feet before big, life-changing events, and it’s a relatively common occurrence when it comes to a few days before your wedding. You may feel that in your heart you are destined to be with your significant other, but still have those fears of taking the step towards marriage.

And it’s completely normal!

Pre-wedding stress after months of planning and organising is no cause for concern. You’re worried about things going wrong on the day, how you’ll look and also taking the steps to legally wed your partner – it can all be a bit overwhelming.

If you’re experiencing cold feet, here are a few tips to help you ease the stress.

1. GIRL TIME

Spend the night with your bridesmaids or some close girlfriends watching movies and pampering each other to take your mind off of any pre-wedding jitters.

2. RELAX

Enjoy a relaxing massage scheduled at your favourite spa for later in the evening the day before your wedding to help you unwind and sleep more easily.

3. MEMORIES

Look back at some old photographs of you and your partner to remember all the incredible times you have spent together, and all the amazing memories you have yet to make.

4. COMMUNICATE

You may not be spending the night with your future husband or wife, but if you really feel you need to, give them a call or message them to let them know how you’re feeling. They are probably feeling the same and you can talk it through with each other.

5. MEDITATE

If it works for you, put on some ocean songs or rainfall sounds and sit or lie down in a comfortable position while practising breathing exercises to clear your mind.

Image: Unsplashed

In Advice

10 steps to write your own wedding vows

June 7, 2018 No Comments

Whether you’re someone who likes to plan things down to the last detail or you just like to let things flow naturally, you should definitely try to write your own wedding vows. It will be so worth it!

We all wish it could be like the movies, where the bride or groom throws away the paper with all the notes they made and speak beautifully from their hearts, but it’s not that easy when it comes down to standing at the altar with all your family and friends watching.

So why not try a few of these tips in preparation for the big day and let your dream partner know exactly how you feel.

1. Jot down words describing how your significant other makes you feel.
2. Write down your favourite memory with your S/O, and tie it into how you knew you wanted to be together forever.
3. Think about all the qualities your partner has that you absolutely love, and write those down too.
4. Write down any promises you want to make to your S/O throughout the rest of your lives, but try to avoid cliches and keep things realistic.
5. Once you’ve gathered enough notes on your partner and your relationship, you can write your vows in a set format, or try to style it so that you are telling a story.
6. If you and your S/O are planning your vows together, try to set a tone and structure, but don’t worry about being formal. You want your feelings for each other to sound natural and not rehearsed.
7. While you may have endless amounts to say to your partner, you should try to keep it short and highlight the most important things you want to say to them.
8. Your vows are basically a public declaration of your love and promises to your S/O, so if you are struggling to find a way to structure your vows you can look for inspiration online, or even from movies (as long as it’s not too cheesy, unless you like that kinda thing).
9. Once you think you have written your vows the way you wish to say them (this can take you a number of tries), make a clean copy and practice them out loud.
10. If you want advice, and you aren’t worried about your partner knowing what you’ll say, you can even practice your vows with your partner to see if it works.

Image: @vsdartistry // Instagram

In Decor

Look book: A modern art themed wedding

May 22, 2018 No Comments

Inspired by artists from Kandinsky to Mondrian, give your food, tableware and stationery an expressive update. Take inspiration from our modern art themed wedding shoot today.

Menu and name tag, both Secret Diary; plates stylist’s own; red-wine glass, Sauvignon Blanc glass (set of 2) and Pinot Noir glass (set of 2), all Wine Essentials; white-and-gold cutlery to hire, Check My China; napkin, Mr Price Home

Malva pudding with naartjie jelly, chocolate caramel sauce and a caramelised red cardamom sugar crisp, Cakes by Wade

Save the date, invitation and name tag, all Secret Diary

Table number, Secret Diary

Orange pound cake with chocolate filling, Cakes by Wade

Sign, Secret Diary; favour box, @home

Mobile stylist’s own; chairs to hire, Urban Tonic; candles each, Sobeit Studio; candle-holders, Indigenous; menu and name tags, all Secret Diary; white-and-gold cutlery to hire, Check My China; napkins, Mr Price Home; plates stylist’s own; red-wine glass, Sauvignon Blanc glass (set of 2) and Pinot Noir glass (set of 2), all Wine Essentials

Styling: Francoise Jeanne de Villiers
Photography: Andreas Eiselen
*Products subject to availability

In Planning

5 ways to include your furbabies on your wedding day

May 17, 2018 No Comments

Nowadays, pets have become one of the most important parts of everyday life, so much so that they have even become a part of bigger life events, such as weddings. If you’re planning your big day and would love to have your furbabies join the party, here are a few adorable ways that you can include your pet.

FLOWER GIRL

Adorn your furchild with ribbon, dog jersey, tutu or even a flower crown and let them lead the way as you walk down the aisle.

RING BEARER

Give your pet the honour of bringing you the rings, which can be placed securely in a basket or on a ribbon around your their neck. If your pet isn’t well-behaved enough to walk straight down the aisle themselves, ask a family member or friend to assist by walking your furchild to you and your soon-to-be spouse.

THEMED SAVE-THE-DATES

Surprise your future guests with DIY save-the-dates including a photograph of your pet/s that will have them ‘aw-ing’ at the cuteness

VIDEOGRAPHER

Want to get a unique view of your big day? Strap a GoPro camera to your pet’s back and allow them to wander around your wedding venue and amongst your guests. You can look back at it after your big day and share some laughs at what your pet got up to! Ask your official videographer to include the footage in your wedding video.

FAMILY PORTRAIT

If you just want a simple reminder that your pets shared in your day, ask your photographer to take some shots of you and your pets during your shoot time. You can even dress them up in little suits, bow ties, tutus or flower arrangements to have them fit with the theme!

Having your pets join you in celebrating your big day is definitely an exciting time, but also remember to be aware of your pet’s personality and behaviour to ensure that they are not overwhelmed or mistreated at the event. If you can, assign a pet-nanny for the day to make sure they are comforted, fed, watered and not getting up to mischief.

Header image: instagram.com

In Decor

How to fold a linen napkin into a bow tie

May 15, 2018 No Comments

If you don’t already know how, we’re teaching you how to fold a linen napkin this week. With minimal effort and maximum style, these bow ties make for perfect modern table decor.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Square napkins
Napkin rings

STEP 1

Iron out a square napkin.

STEP 2

Fold the napkin in half once from opposite corners. Turn it so the longest side is at the top and the point faces down.

STEP 3

Fold up the bottom point about 2–3 cm.

STEP 4

Fold over the top towards the point twice.

STEP 5

Turn the bottom half up and over the top, then turn the napkin over.

STEP 6

Fold the napkin at the two diagonal folds in the middle then fold in each end. Make sure that the folded section lies parallel to the diagonal fold line.

STEP 7

Pinch the napkin into a rough bow shape with your fingers and slide it into a napkin ring. Neaten, then repeat with the rest of your napkins.

In Fashion

How to recycle your wedding dress and decor

May 8, 2018 No Comments

Your wedding day is a joyous occasion, but all your leftover decor items can take up tons of space if left to collect dust in your home. And throwing them away is no good either. Take a look at some of our tips on how to recycle all your beautiful items to ensure they don’t go to waste.

1. MAKE A SCRAPBOOK

Keep all your wedding memories together by crafting a scrapbook filled with a copy of each stationery item, pressed flowers and any other decor items you can flatten and add in. Plus all your favourite wedding photos and any other bits and pieces you want to keep close.

2. THE WEDDING DRESS

If you aren’t too keen on keeping your dress in the back of your cupboard, you can sell it as a second-hand garment, or donate it to a charity. But rememeber to keep a piece of the fabric to add to your scrapbook!

3. THE FLOWERS

If you’re stuck with bunches of flowers from the wedding arrangements, gift them to your loved ones as thank yous, or liven up a hospital or old age home by creating beautiful bunches to donate.

4. THE STATIONERY

Leftover stationery items such as coloured paper, ribbon and other decor features can be sent to underprivileged schools and used for arts and craft classes. You can also use them in your scrapbook or hand them over to friends who are avid scrapbookers. If you are going to throw them away, make sure you are recycling them.

5. THE DECOR

Any wedding decorations such as fairy lights, ornaments, etc can always be put to good use, whether for special occasions or even just to brighten up your home. Alternatively, if you really don’t want to keep the items, you can always market them on various Facebook groups or local second-hand stores.

Image credit: Instagram

In Accessories

Take inspiration from Indian bridal styles

May 2, 2018 No Comments

We’re taking things to the east with some Indian bridal inspo! Feast your eyes on these gorgeously detailed outfits from some of our favourite international designers.

1. Sabyasachi Mukherjee

2. Vasansi Jaipur

3. Tarun Tahiliani

4. Manish Malhotra

Images: instagram.com

In Do's And Don'ts

The pros and cons of hiring a wedding planner

April 26, 2018 No Comments

It seems like an easy option to hire a professional to take care of all the stressful wedding planning while you sit back and supervise, but is it really worth it? There a quite a few advantages and disadvantages to hiring a wedding planner, so we’re here to help you navigate what will be best for you.

THE PROS

1. Your wedding will have the magical touch of an expert giving it that extra flair for beauty and glamour.

2. Planners often know the local market, and already have a contact list of reliable vendors lining up to make your big day amazing. It may be more challenging to do this on your own without prior knowledge or contacts.

3. Everything down to the last detail will be taken care of, with your input of course. This is a big help when you are short on time.

THE CONS

1. Wedding planners’ services can be extremely costly, and if you choose to go for a cheaper option, you may just end up sacrificing quality as well.

2. You won’t be in full control. This can be especially difficult to handle when you have a certain vision in mind, but try to remember that the wedding planner also wants you to have the perfect day.

3. The experience of planning a wedding is a special one, and to allow someone else to take charge can often leave you feeling distanced and uninvolved in the process. This can be disappointing, especially if you feel that your day lacks a personal touch.

Ultimately the choice to (or not to) hire a wedding planner is all yours. If you feel that you may be keen to use a wedding planner for your special day, book consultations with well-known and reliable agencies. But if it’s not for you, try to get others involved in helping you make your dream a reality, as it can become quite overwhelming to do everything yourself.

Image credit: @parisalacarte (Instagram)

In Engagements

DIY floral seating chart

April 24, 2018 No Comments

Enchant your guests with a floral seating chart that’s in full bloom! Just be sure to let your stationer know your plan, so that they can create the design accordingly.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Floral design of your choice
Cardboard
Scissors
Paper punch
Ribbon
Floral fabric
Large polystyrene board
Flat-head pins

STEP 1

Choose a floral design and create seating cards with the table number on the front and guests’ names on the back. Print these on cardboard and cut them out.

STEP 2

Punch a hole in the top of each card.

STEP 3

Thread a piece of ribbon through, knotting it at the back. Make sure every piece of ribbon is a different length.

STEP 4

Pin the fabric on to the polystyrene board, ensuring it is stretched taut. You’ll use this as the backboard.Hang each numbered card over the front of the floral board. Pin the ribbon in place at the back.