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Beach waves are no longer a trend but an iconic hair style that is doable on almost all hair types. With travel in question this summer, you might not be able get to the ocean, but don’t let that stop you from getting minimal effort beach hair.

Bring the beach to your hair with Wella Professional EIMI Ocean Spritz, which creates texture and grip for sexy movement synonymous with beach waves.

Here are the best ways to get the look (at home).

Beach waves for straight hair  

First tackle flat roots with a root lifting product like Wella Professional EIMI Root Shoot, target the root with this volumising mousse and then apply a texturising product to the rest of the hair. EIMI Pearl Styler creates that “tack” in the hair, this is needed for slippery straight hair that doesn’t hold onto curl easily. Apply away from the roots, and distribute evenly through hair, the gel-like formula protects hair from UV and adds shine for healthy looking locks.

Blow dry hair upside down, using a large paddle brush lifting the roots to maximise volume. When hair is dried through, use a hair tong to curl sections. You don’t want anything too uniform here, so change the direction you are curling the hair with every section. This will give texture rather than ringlets.

Another trick to keep hair looking modern is to curl from mid-shaft rather than from roots to ends and leave the ends out so they are straight. Once all hair has been curled, open up the sections of hair and shake to loosen the curls. Finish with a spritz of Wella Professional EIMI Ocean Spritz for salty texture.

Beach waves for curly hair

If you already have curly hair, but want a more beachy texture, one of the simplest ways to achieve this is by spritzing Wella Professional EIMI Ocean Spritz onto freshly washed and conditioned hair, if your hair is particularly dry, add a few drops of hair oil too.

Brush out any knots and divide the hair into two sections and loosely braid to each side. Smooth the top of the hair as much as possible, you can even apply some heat from the hair drier to smooth out the front and top sections. Sleep on the braids and when you wake up check that they are dried through, if not blast with a hair drier for a few minutes. When dried thoroughly, unravel the braids and gently pull out the curls using your fingers. Use EMI Curl Shaper to tame any flyaways and give separation.

Picture/s: Supplied

Music can make or break an event and with a party as important as your wedding, you better make sure you play the right beats.

Some songs reign supreme in the wedding world, and have done so for decades. According to data from Spotify, these songs are still on the top of the list for couples tying the knot.

Spotify recently exclusively shared with Brides their most streamed songs of 2020 at weddings and wedding-related events.

Of course, classics like “At Last” by Etta James, “Your Song” by Elton John and “Thinking out Loud” by Ed Sheeran made the playlists.

Ed Sheeran topped the list as the most globally streamed artist for weddings and related events in 2020, followed by Bruno Mars and Dan + Shay.

Here are the top songs for Bachelorettes, Bachelor parties, Father-Daughter Dances and First Dance playlists, according to Spotify.

Top 20 Songs From Bachelorette Party-Themed Playlists:

  • “Wannabe” – Spice Girls
  • “Jumpin’, Jumpin”– Destiny’s Child
  • “Truth Hurts”– Lizzo
  • “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper
  • “WAP (feat. Megan Thee Stallion)” – Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion
  • “Crazy In Love (feat. Jay Z)” – Beyoncé, Jay-Z
  • “We Can’t Stop” – Miley Cyrus 
  • “Glamorous” – Fergie, Ludacris
  • “Run the World (Girls)” – Beyoncé
  • “Any Man of Mine” – Shania Twain
  • “SexyBack (feat. Timbaland)” – Justin Timberlake, Timbaland
  • “Yeah! (feat. Lil Jon & Ludacris)” – Lil Jon, Ludacris, Usher
  • “No Scrubs” – TLC
  • “Bootylicious” – Destiny’s Child
  • “Buttons” – The Pussycat Dolls
  • “Get Low” – Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, Ying Yang Twins
  • “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” – Whitney Houston
  • “Fancy” – Charli XCX, Iggy Azalea
  • “Super Bass” – Nicki Minaj
  • “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” – Beyoncé

Top Songs From Bachelor Party-Themed Playlists:

  • “Post Malone (feat. RANI)” – RANI, Sam Feldt
  • “Shotgun (The Wild Remix)” – George Ezra, The Wild
  • “Higher Love” – Kygo, Whitney Houston
  • “Body” – Brando, Loud Luxury
  • “Wow.” – Post Malone
  • “South of the Border (feat. Camila Cabello & Cardi B) – Cheat Codes Remix” – Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Cheat Codes, Ed Sheeran
  • “Ride It – Jonas Blue Remix” – Jonas Blue, Regard
  • “Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd
  • “SICKO MODE – Skrillex Remix” – Skrillex, Travis Scott
  • “I Don’t Care (with Justin Bieber) – Loud Luxury Remix” – Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Loud Luxury
  • “Insomnia – King Arthur Remix” – Daya, King Arthur
  • “High Hopes – Don Diablo Remix” – Don Diablo, Panic! At The Disco
  • “SOS (feat. Aloe Blacc)” – Aloe Blacc, Avicii
  • “The Rhythm of the Night” – Corona, Sean Finn
  • “Better Now” – Post Malone
  • “Ni**as In Paris” – JAY-Z, Kanye West
  • “Low (feat. T-Pain)” – Low (feat. T-Pain)
  • “Old Town Road – Diplo Remix” – Billy Ray Cyrus, Diplo, Lil Nas X
  • “Sweet but Psycho – Morgan Page Dance Remix” – Ava Max, Morgan Page
  • “Everytime We Touch – Radio Edit” – Cascada

Top 20 Most Streamed Songs in Father & Daughter-Themed Playlists:

  • “Father and Daughter” – Paul Simon
  • “I Loved Her First” – Heartland
  • “You Are My Sunshine” – Johnny Cash
  • “Wildflowers” – Tom Petty
  • “My Little Girl” – Tim McGraw
  • “Sweet Pea” – Amos Lee
  • “Daughters” – John Mayer
  • “First Man” – Camila Cabello
  • “My Wish” – Rascal Flatts
  • “Landslide” – Fleetwood Mac
  • “Butterfly Kisses” – Bob Carlisle
  • “Don’t Blink” – Kenny Chesney
  • “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” – Darius Rucker
  • “Fathers and Daughters” – Kristin Chenoweth
  • “You’ll Be In My Heart” – Phil Collins
  • “Daddy’s Little Girl” – Michael Bolton
  • “The Way You Look Tonight” – Frank Sinatra
  • “Daddy Dance with Me” – Krystal Keith
  • “Lights” – Journey
  • “God Gave Me You” – Blake Shelton

Top 20 Most Streamed Songs in First Dance-Themed Playlists: 

  • “Conversations in the Dark” – John Legend
  • “You Are the Best Thing” – Ray LaMontagne
  • “Yours – Wedding Edition” – Russell Dickerson
  • “Beyond” – Leon Bridges
  • “At Last” – Etta James
  • “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Haley Reinhart
  • “Marry Me” – Train
  • “How Would You Feel (Paean)” – Ed Sheeran
  • “Thinking out Loud” – Ed Sheeran
  • “Greatest Love Story” – LANCO
  • “How Long Will I Love You – Bonus Track” –Ellie Goulding
  • “From the Ground Up” –Dan + Shay
  • “Speechless” –Dan + Shay
  • “Perfect” –Ed Sheeran
  • “I Won’t Give Up” –Jason Mraz
  • “Everything” –Michael Bublé
  • “Say You Won’t Let Go” –James Arthur
  • “Then” –Brad Paisley
  • “I Don’t Dance” – Lee Brice
  • “Your Song” – Elton John

Picture: Unsplash

Traditionally, a woman’s father walks her down the aisle. This is an old tradition which stems from the days of arranged marriage but today can be a bonding moment between father and daughter. However, not everyone has a father they can walk down with.

If you’re someone whose father has passed away or you have a strained or uncomfortable relationship with your father, here are a few ways to ask that special person to make their way down the aisle with you.

Personalised Card 

This is the best choice as it gives you the space to write out exactly how you feel and express to the person how much they mean to you. It is also simple and easy to do, so you don’t have to splash out on anything too expensive.

Tie in a box 

This works if the person you’re asking is a man but this doesn’t have to be the case. Whoever you’re asking, you could surprise them with a little gift they could wear on the day as a gesture of their role in your wedding. A tie is great for a man as it could match your decor ideas but think of something that’s special to your relationship with that person.

Flower arrangement

Not to make flowers gendered but it is likely this would be for a woman you pick to join you down the aisle. Although, if there is a man in your life who you know likes flowers then this works too. Most flower companies can deliver your bouquet with a note. This makes it a great option if you’re asking someone who lives far away.

A one-on-one chat 

This is actually the simplest option. You can express everything with no limitations and it’s a great way to have some alone time with this person, who must fill a significant role in your life. Take them out for lunch or an activity you both enjoy and bring up the idea with them while you’re at it.

How to tell your father it’s not him

This is a very tricky situation. If your father is still alive but you would rather he didn’t walk you down the aisle, this is a conversation you will need to have. This is because the expectation is set as a result of tradition.

While there is no perfect way to let him down, if you have to go through the motion try to make it as unantagonistic as possible. Do it in a space he will feel safe, like his home, so he doesn’t become embarrassed and lash out. Clearly structure what you’re going to say so you don’t end up becoming emotionally overwhelmed and ultimately go into the experience understanding he may be hurt and there is nothing you can do about that and it is something he will have to deal with.

Picture: Unsplash

Love may be the same in any language, but these wedding customs at home and across the globe are refreshingly novel.

No matter where in the world you are from, marriage ceremonies usually consist of a standard set of procedures. There’s a couple deeply in love, an officiant who’s seen his fair share of doe-eyed lovers, a congregation eagerly anticipating the feast to come, and a celebration of some sort. But the similarities often stop there.

Here are four unique traditions from Asia to Europe.

INDIA – Joota Chupai

According to South-Asian custom, the groom is required to remove his shoes, called joota, during the ceremony. The bride’s single female relatives will attempt to steal the groom’s shoes and the groom’s family must then thwart their efforts. If the bride’s relatives are successful, the groom must negotiate payment for his shoes to be returned. The tradition is seen as a means of uniting families in a fun way.

JAPAN – San-san-kudo

In a ritual integral to traditional Japanese weddings, the bride and groom are presented with three stacked cups in which sake, a Japanese rice wine, is poured. Both must drink from each cup three times, hence the ritual’s name, translated into English as ‘three-three-nine-times’. The three sips represent three couples – the bride and groom, the bride’s parents and the groom’s parents – and many believe the ritual strengthens bonds between the two families.

PERU – Cintas de torta

Roughly translated from Spanish as ‘cake ribbons’, cintas de torta is the South American variation on the bouquet-throwing custom. When the cake is made, ribbons are placed beneath it or between its layers with one of them attached to an inexpensive ring. Before the cake is cut by the couple, the single females in attendance gather around and choose a ribbon to pull. The one to pull the ring is next in line to be engaged.

ITALY – Confetti

No coloured paper here. In Italian, the word ‘confetti’ denotes sugar-coated or Jordan almonds, which are given to guests during the reception, often in bags made from tulle. The bags usually contain five almonds as this number is not divisible by two (and marriage is a union between two people). The combination of bitter nut and sugar coating represents the bittersweet nature of marriage and life. This tradition is also kept alive in Greece.

Picture: Pexels

Weddings are exciting, but they can also be super stressful. Brides are often so wrapped in the planning and details of their big day that they forget to take care of the most important detail, their health – and more specifically, their sleep.

Sleep deprivation can trigger anxiety and stress, making it difficult for you to feel your best on your wedding day, as well as the weeks and months leading up to it. Preparing for your wedding is a joyous time, and you should enjoy it well-rested.

Of course, stress itself also contributes to difficulties with sleep. You may find yourself lying in bed, thinking about what you need to do next, worrying about vendors and so much more. It’s important to let these anxieties go so that you can get the rest you need to function at your best.

Try these tips and tricks to reduce stress and get a better night’s sleep, especially on the eve of your big day.

Ask for help

Staying up late working on decorations can seriously cut into sleep time. Instead of trying to take it all on by yourself, get help. Ask your bridesmaids, family and friends to come over and work on wedding craft projects to take some of the load off.

Pass off duties that other people can handle. Ask your fiance to arrange the tuxes and take on some of the planning. Letting go of some duties may be difficult (we know you want to be in control), but it will also reduce your own workload.

Keep a journal for your thoughts

If you’re plagued by stressful thoughts and lots of what-ifs when you’re trying to get to sleep at night, consider keeping a journal by your bed. You can write down any thoughts that pop into your head. This process allows you to let them go so you can go to sleep knowing you’ll have that reference to take care of it in the morning, without having to remember it yourself.

Practice meditation and mindfulness

Relaxation techniques are one of the best ways to help you calm down and drift off to sleep at night. Consider mindful deep breathing and meditation. Take a warm bath, practice yoga, or try any other relaxation technique you know works for you.

Talk it out

If you’re feeling anxious or stressed about your wedding, or anything else, reach out. Therapy can be helpful, but even just calling up a friend to chat and vent will make a huge difference. Lean on your fiance and talk through what’s stressing you out. You will feel better just having laid out any issues that are causing you stress.

Try aromatherapy

Aromatherapy can make your sleep environment more relaxing and healthy. Consider using essential oils aimed at relaxation, like lavender.

Maintain healthy sleep hygiene

Create a comfortable, healthy sleep environment. If you need to buy a new mattress or blackout curtains to help, both are great investments in your health. Also avoid caffeine, heavy exercise and large meals right before bed. Maintain a regular sleep schedule and keep a consistent bed time to encourage you to sleep more easily.

Picture: Pexels

Looking to have a trendy vibe and capture some beautiful memories at your wedding? Incorporating technology into your wedding is sure to make it a unique experience that you will be able to look back on and cherish forever.

Here are five easy ideas that are worth the extra cost.

1. GO-PRO CAM

Go-Pro cameras are a big trend at the moment and are intended to be used in creative ways. If you want to get some interesting videography or photographs, you can attach a Go-Pro to your flower bouquet to capture some hidden moments, or strap it your dog’s collar and let them wander around to all of your guests. You’ll be able to look back and laugh at some incredible moments you wouldn’t have captured otherwise.

2. SELFIE STATION

Instead of a simple photo booth, set up a selfie stand kitted out with a themed background, selfie sticks, phone chargers and props that your guests can use to take pictures they will cherish. You can also include a personalised hashtag to use in social media posts, making it easier to get all the wonderful photographs together.

3. LIVE STREAMING

If you have guests who are unable to attend the big day, an option is to live stream the event on social media or on a website where your loved ones can watch at home or wherever they are. This way they won’t miss out on any of the incredible moments at your wedding.

4. DRONE FOOTAGE

Drones are able to cover a wide range, which is what makes them so suitable for big events. However, they also work well to add a creative aspect to small spaces. You’ll be able to get up close to your guests and catch them all having a great time on the dancefloor from afar. This works well with a Go-Pro.

5. SATTELITE BAR

Want to impress your guests? Get a portable and automatic cocktail machine to serve a signature cocktail at your wedding. The robotic machine can be programmed to make a specific drink, and then serve it to your guests. This will be in addition to your cash-bar for other drinks.

Picture: Unsplash

Trial and error is the key to success and, in this case, a guarantee you’ll look and feel your best on your big day.

If you plan on hiring a make up artist to do up your face, it is imperative that you do your research. It’s not as simple as booking and enjoying the experience. Here are a few things you need to do to prepare for your make up trial.

1. BOOK NOW!

To avoid disappointment, book your dream make-up artist and hairstylist as soon as you know the date of your wedding. This is especially important if your wedding is taking place in the summer months or another busy time of the year.

Ideally, you should go for a trial one to three months before the big day, depending on how soon you finalise your dress and veil, as these will determine the look and feel of your make-up and hair. If you don’t like the look, this gives you enough time to tweak it before your wedding.

2. GET INSPIRED

Spend some time browsing through Pinterest, Instagram and Wedding ETC (of course) to find references for hairstyles and make-up looks you adore and would like to recreate. Bring these with you to your trial and discuss them with the professional. Photos of your dress and veil will also come in handy.

While having an idea of what you like is important, keep an open mind to your expert’s suggestions too, as they may see your face and hair in a way you haven’t before. When in doubt, go for a more polished version of your signature look instead of trying something completely out of your comfort zone.

3. PUT IN THE GROUNDWORK

Prepare for the trial the same way you would for your big day: This means applying self-tan to your face, neck, chest and arms if you’ll be wearing it; having your eyebrows shaped by a professional, and removing any unwanted facial hair beforehand.

The same goes for your hair: Make sure it’s freshly washed, cut and coloured the way you want it to look on your wedding day. Cut the neckline of a cheap white T-shirt to match your wedding gown and wear it on the day of the trial for a more realistic representation of the look.

4. STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF

Having a large, loud gaggle of girls with you at your trial is a big no-no – they’ll only end up confusing you. If you don’t want to go alone, ask a close friend or family member whose opinion you trust – not your overbearing mother. At the end of the day, your happiness comes first and you need to love how you look on your wedding day, so speak up if you have any concerns.

5. DISCUSS THE DETAILS

The trial is the perfect time to find out everything you need to know for a well-run wedding. Ask the stylist to go through their game plan for the day, including what time they need to start and how many assistants they’ll be bringing and if they will be styling the rest of your bridal party. Ensure you’re aware of all the costs to avoid nasty surprises. Take note of any products you need to buy for touch-ups on the day. You’ll definitely want to have the same shade of lipstick in your clutch.

6. PLAN A TEST RUN

Once the trial is complete, it’s time for some fun. Grab your girlfriends and take them out for a night on the town. Eat, drink and dance to see how well your make-up and ’do last. Comfort is imperative on your wedding day, so it’s a good idea to wear the look for a while to see how it feels.

Take note of anything you aren’t satisfied with and report back to your expert. Ask a friend to take a few pictures of you, both in natural light and with a flash, from different angles to see how your look will appear in photographs.

Picture: Pexels

An unidentified woman in the US is working hard to sell a vintage wedding dress she found in an abandoned old gold rush town while hiking.

Since returning home with the dress, she claims strange things have been happening to her. The bride is now trying to sell her dress on Facebook Market place for $600 (about R8 900).

In the Facebook advert for her dress, the bride explains that the minute she returned home with the dress, everything changed.

“While my fiancé and I were hiking through a small town between Fairfax and Carbanado, Washington, we came across an old gold rush town that was completely abandoned,” she wrote. “Needless to say our curiosity got the best of us and we started to explore the ruins of this ghost town. In one of the rundown remnants of a small cottage we shimmied up into, I came across this dress.

“It was so gorgeous, I froze at the sight of it. And if I’m being completely honest, it scared the crap out of me all at the same time, but something about its ethereal beauty just begged me to bring it home with me.”

“First small things like a sock, and my closet door being open in the morning when I specifically remember closing it before bed. Then my cat’s food tray would get thrown at such velocity it would knock things off of the shelf hung on the wall it strikes. This happened relentlessly.”

Doors would slam, lights would turn on and off, and the couple heard footsteps all over their apartment. If that wasn’t bad enough, their home also began to smell.

“And then came the smell of rotten eggs and fire that would fill our bedroom. Night after night. Then flies started to pile up against my back windows and swarm around my front door.”

Life began to calm down after the woman gave the dress to her future mother-in-law for cleaning and tailoring.

“During the two months that she had the dress it was complete peace, no more tension in the room, no more arguing between me and my partner, no more objects moving or footsteps and my cat was back to her affectionate playful self,” she said.

“She never got it dry-cleaned and begged me not to get married in this dress because of the energy surrounding it and I hadn’t even told her about what was going on at home because up until that point, I hadn’t even connected the two.”

The bride is now keen to find a new owner for the cursed dress. However, her Facebook post did not get the reaction she was expecting. Many accused her of stealing the dress, and said she deserved to be haunted for taking something that did not belong to her.

Others said instead of selling and making a profit off of it, she should return the dress wear she found it to hopefully break the curse.

Picture: Unsplash

A fascinating wedding tradition that’s present across many cultures is the Money Dance. Although it’s slightly different in each iteration, the basis of all the customs is that at the wedding reception, guests offer the newlyweds money while they are dancing. This is meant to help establish their life together and express everyone’s appreciation for them.

In some traditions, the money is pinned to the bride and groom as they dance with guests while in others, it is thrown over them on the dance floor like confetti.

Here are some of the ways different cultures practice this tradition with cash:

Nigeria

A Yoruba tradition, to begin with, it has spread across Nigeria with all different groups participating. Called a Money Spray, the bride and groom are encircled by guests on the dance floor before each comes forward to place the bill on their head, letting it fall down around them. The practice symbolises happiness, good fortune and affection.

Phillippines

For Filipino people across the world, the tradition has the male guests pin money to the bride while the women pin money to the groom. This adds an element to the bride and grooms outfits, with cash being made into sashes, garlands, crowns and even decorating the bride’s veil.

Greece

There is an old tradition in Greece to pin money to the brides dress and this has followed some Greek nationals across the world. It has changed among immigrant communities, with some practising a money shower while others still prefer to pin.

Poland 

In Poland, there is an even more elaborate tradition. Guests like up to dance with the bride and hand over cash to the bride’s father who is carrying a special apron. The Pani Mloda Polka is traditionally played and guests get a drink, in the form of a shot, as thanks for their contribution.

Portugal 

Another unique twist, the male guests dance with the bride while the women dance with the groom. During this part of the event, the bride removes her shoes into which guests put their money as they pass them around.

Picture: @WestinSanJose/Twitter

Power-couple Connie and Shona Ferguson recently celebrated a whopping 19 years of marriage. The actors, who run production company Ferguson Films together, have had a beautiful romance over the nearly two decades of their relationship and are always keen to share it with their fans.
Naturally, the social media-loving couple took to Instagram to express their love for one another on their special day.
“I have no idea what you were saying here, but the fact that 19 years later you still manage to make me laugh is everything I’ve prayed for and more! Happy Anniversary my skeem!????? I love you more each day, and thank God for you!” Connie wrote on Instagram.

 

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“We are 19. Happy anniversary my love. This life journey is super easy with you by my side. There is nothing we can’t take on together. I love you melaiti,” Shona wrote.

 

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Shona, real name Aaron, met Connie at her Johannesburg home in 2001. At the time, she was already a household name thanks to her iconic role as Karabo Moroka in Generations. Shona was there to drop off mutual friends meeting Connie’s sister Lorato. As he sipped on a glass of water, Connie came out out of her room to greet him and their love story began.

It was a whirlwind romance for the pair. After only two months of dating, they tied the knot in a traditional wedding. Their white wedding was held soon after and appeared on the December 2001 cover of Drum.

 

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In 2011, the pair renewed their vows in a lavish ceremony in front of 70 guests at top Johannesburg wedding destination Avianto.

For the big day, Connie wore an ivory sheath gown designed by Biji, who also designed her first wedding dress back in 2001. The gown’s corset-style top featured Swarovski crystals, pearls, silver beads and lace.

 

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Throughout their marriage, the pair have built an empire that has brought much luxury to their lives. Aside from their production company, Connie also owns a beauty line called Koni Multinational Brands. She is also among the highest-paid actors in the country.

Picture: Instagram / Connie Ferguson