Weddings Archives | Page 43 of 190

In Advice

Simple yet elegant dresses guaranteed to wow a crowd

September 28, 2020 No Comments

Many believe a wedding dress is the most important outfit one can ever wear. It’s the attire you choose to make an eternal promise to your love, so you’ll want to look your best.

With such weight and importance attached to an outfit, it’s easy to see why people opt to go big and bold for their special day. While lace, beading and applique detail are popular finishes to make a splash, it’s not necessary and can often times be quite costly. Sometimes, the most simple design is the most effective.

For those not into dramatic detail or for the budget conscious, there are many ways to still stun in a simple gown. The focus should be on the cut and fabric of the dress to make it appear more luxurious. An off-the-shoulder gown oozes sophistication, while small stylistic choices like adding a cape or twist detailing on your waist easily elevates a look.

If you’re in need of some inspiration, you’re in luck. Here are a few of our gowns sans-lace that are anything but boring:

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Feature image: Pexels

In Celebs

Emma Stone secretly tied the knot with Dave McCary

September 28, 2020 No Comments

Emma Stone is a married woman! After months of speculation, it has been confirmed that the Oscar-winning actress secretly tied the knot with her Saturday Night Live writer, fiance Dave McCary.

People Magazine reports that a source can confirm the couple are married, although no further details were provided. Neither of them has publicly addressed their nuptials, but they have been spotted out wearing matching wedding bands.

Stone first got the rumour mill running when she wore a wedding band very different to her engagement ring during an interview with Reese Witherspoon and psychiatrist Harold S. Koplewicz on the Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine YouTube channel back in May.

The couple got engaged in December 2019, after being together for about two years. McCary announced the engagement on Instagram.

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The couple met on the set of Saturday Night Live (SNL) when Stone hosted the show in 2016. According to a source, McCary took the actress ”back to the hallway where they first locked eyes” for their romantic proposal.

“He had rose petals scattered all over the floor, dropped to one knee and asked Emma to marry him,” they add. “Of course, she said yes. Emma’s found her dream man, and now, she’s getting her dream wedding!”

Feature image: Instagram

In Advice

Adorable ‘Just Married’ signs to announce your marriage

September 25, 2020 No Comments

It’s a time-honoured tradition to display your new relationship status on the getaway car on your big day. Passersby rejoice at the familiar sight of the ‘Just married’ sign trailing tin cans or colourful ribbons in its wake as your car heads from the ceremony to the reception.

Why limit yourself to just your car? You can announce your marriage on pretty much anything you’d like. Go as big, or as small, as you’d like, it’s your day!

Modern couples have taken to creating custom pieces they can keep forever to let the world know they’ve tied the knot. From custom leather jackets, parasols or even a neon sign to light up the night, anything goes. We love that these alternative items can be preserved for decades and act as a special tangible memory to look back on as the years go by.

Here are some traditional and trendy ideas to be inspired by:

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Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

Planning a destination wedding in lockdown?

September 25, 2020 No Comments

International travel is back on the cards! Now that South Africa has shifted to lockdown Level 1, our borders will reopen to visitors from October 1.

With this, couples now have the option to once again host a destination wedding in another country. Of course, this comes with its own difficulties as other countries also have lockdown measures in place. Here is what to keep in mind:

Travel restrictions:

Only three airports are open for international travel in the country: OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town International Airport. There are 18 land borders open to the public, and the other 35 will remain closed. Every flight, bus, cruise and train ride carries with them a risk of further transmission. Thus, there will be strict protocols implemented to limit the risk.

While the borders are open, not every country is accessible. All travellers from the African continent and from countries outside the African continent with a low rate of infections and transmission may travel to and from South Africa, subject to them having a health clearance certificate and the directions by the relevant ministers.

In the event of the traveler’s failure to submit a certificate as proof of a negative test, the traveler will be required to quarantine at his or her own costs.

To temporarily control entry into the Republic from countries outside the African Continent, the relevant Cabinet members shall, after consultation with the Cabinet member responsible for health, determine in directions

– criteria for controlling entry into the Republic, from such countries with a high COVID -19 infection and transmission rate;

– the list of such countries with a high COVID -19 infection and transmission rate, which may, from time to time, be amended.

Countries with high infection rates will not be allowed to enter until their infections come under control.

Visa applications will reopen and long-term visas will be re-established from October 1.

Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

Cool ways to heat up your hair this Spring

September 25, 2020 No Comments

Spring has sprung, so why should your hair still be stuck in winter? From a subtle trim to a dramatic colour change, we’re showing you four ways to up your hair’s cool factor this Spring.

A cut above the rest

It doesn’t take a dramatic change or a major snip to have a transformational hair moment, so before you reach for the scissors, listen up. An easy way to completely change your look without any long term commitment, is by going for some well-placed layers, or better yet, bangs. These options won’t require you to change the overall length of your hair, but will still give you some new-found movement. You could also try changing up the style of cut you’d normally get, like going for a blunt cut rather than feathered, or something leaning more towards asymmetrical. Small changes can make you feel like a brand new person, and isn’t that what spring is all about?

Pin-up girl

This Spring, it’s all about bringing retro back. Opt for slicked back hair with a few pins, slides or barrettes keeping it all together. Alternatively, wash and blow-dry hair into a smooth, voluminous ‘do, making use of some mousse, a blow-dry cream and a big barrel brush. For the curly girls, take it up a notch and really celebrate those curls by grabbing a curling cream or gel, and working it through damp hair to define curls without weighing it down.

Dive right in

Even though it’s not quite warm enough to go for ocean dips yet, we can still achieve beachy waves without needing the actual waves. Surfergirl hair is not only effortless and cool, but saves on unnecessary heat damage and mechanical wear and tear as well. Regardless of your hair texture, beachy waves is all about working with the texture you have and creating a more tousled, natural effect. Work a small amount of sea salt spray through the lengths of your clean, towel-dried hair and comb through to distribute evenly. Scrunch the hair to encourage a tousled effect, or plait hair into a few rough braids and leave to air dry.

Hot or cold

But in this case, why not both?! Science has revolutionised the beauty industry, and it isn’t stopping any time soon. So why not jump on the bandwagon and try out, not one, but two tones for your locks this Spring? Wella’s Opal-Essence range gives you one colour result with both warm and cool light reflections and a milky metallic sheen, thanks to a proprietary artificial intelligence process where unique colour desire is captured. From copper peach to silver mauve, the 5 no-depth permanent shades means the light is less absorbed, producing warm and cool hues depending on the bend of each hair.

For a completely unique colour update, visit your nearest Wella Professionals salon near you: https://linktr.ee/wellaprofessionals_sa

Feature image: Unsplash

In Fashion

Kim Kardashian launches SKIMS bridal shapewear

September 25, 2020 No Comments

Kim Kardashian is entering the wedding world! The mogul just expanded her coveted shapewear brand SKIMS to include something new for brides.

The SKIMS bridal collection features their popular solutionwear styles like bodysuits, briefs, bralettes and more to wear underneath your dress for a seamless finish. All pieces come in soft blue.

“From something silky to something blue: we’ve got you covered with our most loved Solutionwear styles in a new soft blue color and a limited edition, embroidered silk robe,” they explain on their Instagram page.

Sizes range from XXS to 5x, and the line launches Firday, September 25 on the SKIMS website.

Take a look at the collection:

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Feature image: Instagram / SKIMS

In News

Increase in wedding bookings after Level 1 was announced

September 23, 2020 No Comments

South Africa is officially in Level 1 of the nationwide lockdown, bringing a further easing of restrictions. This shift has inspired a greater interest in wedding bookings.

While weddings have been allowed since Level 2, the restrictions on public gatherings meant that only 50 people may attend. Under Level 1, a maximum of 250 people are allowed at an indoor venue, and 500 for an outdoor venue as long as a 1.5metre distance can still be applied.

The wedding industry has experienced a spike in bookings from couples looking to still tie the knot this year. According to EWN, many couples have booked venues to host their weddings in the last few months of the year.

“You finding a lot of last-minute people who are taking advantage of level lockdown regulations,” explained wedding specialist Khali de Villiers.

Many venues and vendors will be offering specials as the industry opens up, enticing more and more couples to place a booking.

All weddings will be under strict health and safety regulations, and guests will be required to wear masks at all times unless eating or drinking.

Picture: Pexels

In Celebs

Food Network star Ree Drummond shares new image from 1996 wedding

September 22, 2020 No Comments

It’s been 24 years since Food Network’s Ree Drummond aka the Pioneer Woman, married husband Ladd. Over two decades, later, the couple have four kids, a ranch and an empire.

The pair married on September 21, 1996 and Ree recently took to social media to share a never-before-seen image from their special day in honour of their 24th wedding anniversary.

‘I never got around to ordering my wedding photos. I’m an enneagram 7 like that. Anyway, I found this snapshot last week because Alex wanted to see my dress. It had a corset tie in the back with a little bunch of silk flowers at the waist. All business on the front, though. ? I love you, Ladd Drummond! Happy anniversary, and thank you for getting me pregnant within a week of this photo being taken,” the chef wrote on Instagram.

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Ree and Ladd met during a girls night at a bar in her hometown, according to The Pioneer Woman’s website.

“When Ree headed out for a casual girls’ night in her hometown, her expectations were low,” it said. “She had just moved back from Los Angeles and was making a pit stop in her hometown of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, for a few months before moving to Chicago. Desperate for a fun time with old friends, Ree agreed to meet her childhood buddies at a local dive (and didn’t even bother to put on eyeliner before rushing out the door!). The only thing on her mind was a much-needed glass of chardonnay.”

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They locked eyes at the bar and have been together ever since. They now share four children: Alex (23) , Paige (21) , Bryce (18) and Todd (16). Their eldest daughter Alex recently got engaged.

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Feature image: Instagram/Ree Drummond

In Emotional

Bride drives over 300km to show off wedding dress to grandad

September 22, 2020 No Comments

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced families apart as a form of protection. As life goes on, we miss more and more important milestones to the virus. However, this bride was determined to have her beloved grandfather see her in her wedding dress and put the pedal to the metal to make sure he did.

UK couple Alex Pearce and her new husband Philip married on August 29 in a micro-wedding with only 30 guests in attendance and in line with coronavirus restrictions. One of her most important family members, grandfather Graham Burley (87) unfortunately could not attend as it was too high-risk.

So Alex and Philip recently set off on a three-hour, 200 mile (321.869km) road trip to Hampshire to surprise her grandfather at his care home. They wore their wedding gear to relive their special day with Burley.

Upon arrival at the care home, the pair had their temperatures checked before sitting behind a clear screen and and toasting to their big day with the grandfather. Champagne and a slice of cake was on hand for their impromptu celebration.

“When we turned up at the care home it was a complete surprise for grandad, but obviously the staff knew about it. He burst into tears as soon as he saw us. It was incredibly special to visit him,” Alex told Metro UK.

Mr Burley added: “It was very emotional and I did shed a few tears. ‘It meant so much to get to see Alex in the beautiful white wedding dress she wore on her special day.’”

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

Snack bar ideas for your guests to enjoy

September 18, 2020 No Comments

If you’ve ever been a guest a wedding, you’ll know there’s a weird waiting period between the wedding ceremony and the reception. While the bride and groom are take photos, the guests make their way to the reception venue and hang around until the bridal party arrives.

To make this period a little more fun, why not have a snack bar for you guests to indulge in? That will take care of that slight rumble in their tummy. It also gives them the opportunity to interact with each other at the same time.

To keep the hunger at bay, delight your guests with a snack bar. Here are some cool ideas.

Movie theatre popcorn

Popcorn is easy to snack on and you can make tons of it at once. You can even offer various flavours, from caramel corn to butter and icing sugar. Make sure to offer your guests tons of toppings and sides, like Astros, mini chocolates and nuts to mix in their bags.

Sophisticated seafood

Oysters are chic and sophisticated. Have them displayed with some lemons and lime, and of course some sauce to pair. If you want to be even more extravagant, have some champagne on hand to pair them with.

Donut wall:

Donut mind if we dig into this station! Donut walls have been trending in the wedding world for years. It doubles up as a snack station and a visual attraction.

Candy station

Get your sweet on with a colourful candy station. Incorporate all your favourite sweets and throw in some sour candies for balance.

Ice cream bar

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. Buy a few of your favourite ice cream lollies in bulk and keep them cold in a cooler box, or have tubs and cones ready for your guests to help themselves. This is perfect for a summer wedding, when your guests will be desperate for something to cool them down.

Feature image: Pexels