Planning Archives | Page 10 of 31

In Advice

Don’t cancel your wedding, live stream it

March 19, 2020 No Comments

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in countries getting locked down and many others placing restrictions on gatherings. Unfortunately this means many weddings have to be cancelled. If you’re considering cancelling your wedding, why not live stream the service instead?

Previously, live streaming was used at weddings for relatives who couldn’t make it but wanted to be part of the ceremony all the same. Here is how you can adapt your wedding for these quarantined times.

-Decide what to live stream

It is considered best practice to only live stream the ceremony as the reception is not as important or interesting to those who aren’t there. This especially applies if you are going to have very few people in attendance so keep the camera rolling until the end of the I do’s only.

-Where should I live stream?

There are many options when it comes to a live stream. While social media channels offer this as an option, it might be easier to use an “open” platform that anyone can click onto rather than needing a specific account. This means that with a little help Granny and Grandpa can watch too!

A great option is creating a YouTube channel for your wedding and making it private. You can send the link of the channel to your guests via email or WhatsApp specifying the time you will begin the ceremony so they know when to be ready to watch.

– How should I set up the live stream?

To live stream you will need either a computer with a webcam or a mobile with the YouTube app, whichever you choose will need an internet connection.

A good idea would be sourcing a smartphone with a decent camera and a tripod that you can fix it to, preferably with a charging connection. This means you won’t need someone to hold the camera, thus avoiding the handshakes.

-Tech maid of honour

While you are trying to keep the number of people in the room down, it would be beneficial to have a designated person who can keep an eye on the live stream and make sure nothing goes wrong. They could also be put in charge of setting it up so you don’t have to worry about it.

-Check with your venue

If you are going to live stream at the venue you originally planned, with a downscaled guest list, confirm that you will be allowed to live stream as some venues have specific rules with regards to their space.

Image: Unsplash

In Planning

Ideas to make receptions fun for everyone

March 12, 2020 No Comments

A great reception will make for lasting memories, but will take some careful planning. Here are some top tips to ensure your wedding party will be the celebration of the century.

Have a lounge area

Not everyone can keep dancing for hours on end, even if you can. Why not have a lounge area where those with tired feet can sit back and recharge? Have a corner with two or three couches. It’s more comfortable than dining chairs, and dance-weary legs and feet can have a break.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5IsGo1niLM/

Child-care area

If there are kiddies at your wedding, they’ll soon get bored and tired at the reception. Hire a professional child-minder and set up a separate area where they can play and rest. They’ll be happy and entertained, and their parents can rest assured that the children are safe and looked after while they dance the night away.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9mSLf4JIsD/

Build-a-bouquet

If you have a little leeway in your budget, a fun idea to entertain guests and beautify the venue at the same time is to have a table with pots of different flowers in where guests can pick their own and create unique bouquets. They can either put it on their tables, gift them to each other or take them home as a reminder of the special day.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh7BX95nRSr/

Create-a-cocktail station

Nothing says “good times” like a drinks station. Cater for every taste with an array of different ingredients for making DIY cocktails. You can have a section for this at the bar so everyone can pay for their own cocktails, or have a separate station and let the guests go wild. Remember the nitty-gritty essentials like easy recipes, tot measures, enough ice and stirrers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Ie7wohZt4/

Image: Pexels

In Advice

Weddings in the time of coronavirus

March 12, 2020 No Comments

The coronavirus pandemic has swept the world, affecting more than just our health. From travel to the economy, the outbreak has affected almost every industry around the world. Even the wedding industry cannot remain unscathed. Here’s what you need to consider in our new reality.

Destination weddings:

If you’ve planned a destination wedding, you might have to rethink it. The disease has reached over 100 countries, with the worst affected being in Europe and Asia. Wuhan, China, the centre of the outbreak, as well as the entire country of Italy have been quarantined.

If you’ve planned a destination wedding in any of the coronavirus-affected countries listed by the World Health Organisation, you’ll have to research any government advice, travel bans or restrictions to determine whether you’ll even be able to make it to your wedding. Stay in contact with your vendors to discuss your options. Importantly, make sure you have wedding insurance to cover any last minute changes. Instead of cancelling, postponing your wedding for a year might be a good plan.

Wedding dresses:

Some brides might be without their dream dress come wedding day. James Marcum, CEO of the largest seller of wedding gowns in the United States, David’s Bridal, told CNN that the situation in China will most likely cause a great disruption to the production of wedding dresses as well as bridesmaid dresses. With the coronavirus outbreak, many factories have temporarily closed their doors to help curb the spread of the disease. Some factories are slowly reopening, but the loss in work has created a production delay which will slow-down the already intricate, time-consuming process of making a wedding dress.

To ensure your dress is done on time, consider having your dress made local and don’t have any fabrics imported. Make use of the fabrics already available.

International guests:

If you have friends and family living abroad in areas that have confirmed coronavirus cases, you could put your own guests at risk. Remember: a wedding gathers a large amount of people in one confined location, and there’s a lot of hugging and kissing happening.

Make sure to stipulate that if your guests have been experiencing flu-like symptoms or have come in contact with anyone who has recently travelled to China or Italy then its advisable that they do not attend the wedding.

Honeymoon:

Your international honeymoon might have to wait a bit longer. With the travel bans / restrictions being put in place in various countries, many newlyweds are ringing in their honeymoon in quarantine. Mauritius, a popular honeymoon destinations, has placed travel bans for anyone coming from South Korea or the three northern Italian provinces most affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. 34 South Korean newly-weds were recently placed in isolation by authorities due to fears over the coronavirus, according to Seoul officials.

If you’ve planned an international honeymoon, do your research into their travel restrictions. However, many governments have advised against non-essential travel, so realistically you might have to postpone your honeymoon.

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

5 ways to get more spray for your pay

March 11, 2020 No Comments

Perfume is expensive. How you smell is priceless. What most don’t know is that there is a right and wrong way of using a fragrance. You need to get your money’s worth out of each bottle and we are here to tell you how…

Apply to hotspots:

Don’t spray your neck. Let your body work its natural magic and apply perfume to certain heat points. Your belly-button, the small of your back, inside your elbows and the back of your knees and neck are places that work best. Heat points create a sillage that will develop your fragrance as you go about your day.

Oscar de la Renta’s Bella Blanca (exclusively available at Dis-Chem Pharmacies) is a scintillating floral fragrance with notes of fresh jasmine, tuberose and freesia – and further develops to grounding sandalwood and musk as it warms.

Spray, don’t rub:

Ever notice how your scent changes throughout the day? Don’t interrupt the natural process by rubbing your skin. Rather let it simmer to maximise results. Heat-activated enzymes from rubbing prevents your scent from developing properly within each note stage.

Keep it shady:

This is important. Don’t expose the bottle to heat. While your fragrance looks beautiful perched on your bathroom cabinet, it won’t last very long. Fragrance is sensitive to light and heat.

Spray wisely:

Concentrated fragrances, like Eau de Parfum are slightly more intense than lighter Eau de Cologne or Eau de Toilette solutions. Choose something a little more potent and save on the sprays. Less is more when your fragrance is beautiful and bold.

A good kind of clingy:

Spraying perfume onto dry skin or clothing is pointless. Fragrance needs moisture to hold onto, so apply your scent to clean, well-moisturised skin to give it maximum staying power.

Written by: Robyn Simpson

Feature image: supplied

In Advice

Advice for buying your first property together

March 10, 2020 No Comments

For a first-time property buyer, when you don’t yet have a solid understanding of the ins-and-outs of the property industry, taking that first step towards home ownership can be daunting.

There’s a lot to consider before stepping onto the property ladder. And it isn’t as simple as going from the bottom to the top. You have to climb one ring at a time: do your research, ask questions and put yourself in the hands of people with in-depth industry knowledge.

One concern that comes up for most potential property buyers is the issue of affordability. Carl Coetzee, CEO of BetterBond, says that it might be wise to consider co-ownership ‒ an accessible and certainly a more cost-effective way for people to enter the property market.

“Assessing affordability is the first rung on the ladder to qualifying for a bond. One way to make it more affordable is to purchase property with a friend, partner or parent,” says Coetzee.

The bond originator encourages people to apply for pre-qualification as the very first step to securing a bond. Pre-qualification is the process whereby the size of the bond the individual qualifies for is determined. A pre-qualification certificate can be issued within 24 hours and is typically valid for three months, assuming your financial position remains the same in those three months.

Coetzee adds that a key benefit of pre-qualification is that it demonstrates to sellers that you are a serious buyer as you have already gone through the process of thoroughly assessing how much you qualify for.

BetterBond handles clients’ home loan applications (at no charge), submitting to multiple banks to find the best deal available. They also offer free services online, including an affordability calculator which calculates the size of bond you could potentially qualify for based on your current income and expenses.

So, what are the pros, cons and considerations of property co-ownership?

According to the Stats SA General Household Survey 2018, around 35% of South African households own their property (with 18.3% owned by an individual and 17% owned jointly).

Coetzee explains that there are obvious benefits such as sharing the costs and maintenance of a property, but it is very important for applicants to know exactly what they are getting into.

“There are certain things you should consider when deciding if co-ownership is for you. For example, is the person you are looking to purchase property with someone you are willing to enter into a financial agreement with? Trust is very important,” he says.

“You have to ask the right questions and ensure you are well informed before going into this kind of partnership. Once you have decided to go ahead, a written agreement must be drawn up at the outset outlining every detail of the arrangement,” Coetzee explains.

“All terms must be agreed upon in this legally binding contract to avoid any potential issues or confusion down the line, especially if all partners are equal in the contract as no one party then has the authority to make decisions unless all are in agreement.”

The co-ownership agreement should entail who will live on the property; who will pay or contribute towards deposits and initial payments for the property; how ownership will be shared (it is automatically equal if not stated otherwise); who will be allowed to draw funds from the bond; what will happen in the event of the death or incapacitation of one of the co-owners; what will happen if one or more parties in the contract wish to part ways or sell the property; how profits or losses on the property will be split; and anything else that might result in potential disputes.

“Co-ownership makes it significantly easier to enter the property market, especially in light of the current economy where money is tight for most. But before entering into such an agreement, you have to consider all factors of the arrangement carefully and in great detail,” says Coetzee.

“Clarity is key to a successful co-ownership agreement. All co-owners must agree on how things will work upfront, leaving no room for ambiguity.”

Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

Wedding plus-one etiquette: Rules for the couple

March 10, 2020 No Comments

You’re sitting with your fiancé, on the couch with a glass of wine, and chatting about your upcoming wedding. The two of you have compiled lists of people who are to be invited and it’s time for you to combine your lists. Shock and horror ensues as you realise how large your guest list really is!

You quickly try to find ways to shorten the list. Now you’re wondering (about the age-old question), “who really needs a plus one?”.

Here are some quick rules to help you decide:

– Married, engaged, or living together

If your friend – whose partner is unknown to you – is married, engaged, or living with their significant other, then they traditionally receive a plus-one on their invitation.

– The bridal party

The previous rule does not apply to those who are in your bridal party. They should always receive a plus one, no matter what their relationship status is.

– Be clear about plus-ones

Make sure that it is explicitly clear whether your guests are allowed plus-ones. You should indicate this information on the invitation. If you can, add the name of the person you expect that they will bring on the invitation.

– Seating

If you’re being strict about plus-ones, you have to ensure that everyone will be comfortable where they are seated. Don’t seat one individual with only couples. It’s best to have a table or two dedicated to those people who have not be given the privilege of bringing a plus-one. This will make things much less uncomfortable.

– People who don’t need plus-ones

There are certain people who never need a plus one, no matter what the rules are about being married, being engaged or whatever the case may be. Coworkers never need plus ones, guests who are close to you and will know other guests do not need plus ones, and those guests who have a partner who they are only casually dating do not need plus ones. You don’t have to feel bad it!

– Consider people who do need plus ones

This is another one where the previous rules may not apply. If a guest requires assistance, perhaps they are disabled and need physical assistance for example, then they should be given a plus one. You have to be considerate of your guests, you wouldn’t want them to have a horrible time at your wedding.

Image: Unsplash

In Advice

Where to register for wedding gifts in South Africa

March 5, 2020 No Comments

Although you may hope that those people attending your wedding would know you well enough to get a gift you’ll like, its better not to risk it. Your best bet at getting great gifts that you need (and actually want) is to opt for a registry.

For those of you who are registry first-timers, as most people are, there’s nothing to be intimidated by. South Africa has some great options for wedding registries, and most are user friendly too.

Here are some you may want to consider, to get the best gifts for you:

– BANKS Kitchen Boutique

BANKS was established in 1939 in District Six, Cape Town. It was started by Avraham Bank and his son Abba Bank. Today, the store has one of the widest ranges of kitchen appliances, stylish pots and pans, crockery, cutlery, glassware and more. If you’re a couple that loves cooking up a storm, this is the one for you!

Their registry process is quick and simple too. All you need to do is create an account, add the gifts you’d like to your registry and you’re good to go. For those buying you gifts, BANKS is convenient as they have the option of buying online or in store and they offer delivery as well!

If that wasn’t enough, BANKS also allows you to have a change of heart. If you’ve registered for and received a gift, but no longer want that item, you’re allowed to exchange it if you so please.

– Wrapistry

Wrapistry carries a variety of brands including Carrol Boyes, Sorbet, Le Crueset, Smeg and many more. If you’re looking for something brand specific, check here first.

– Yuppiechef

Stocking over 8 600 products from 700 of the world’s leading brand, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for.

– Gift Tree

This online gift store is a one-stop-shop for handpicked gifts. They carry both leading brands and unique designer pieces, and you can shop from the comfort of your own home.

– Mr Price Home

For homeware at affordable prices, this one is for you. Offering decor, kitchen appliances, and items for your bedroom, bathroom and living room, you can’t go wrong with Mr Price Home. It’s a store that everyone is familiar with too!

– Bespoke

Founded in 2012, Bespoke is known for its distinctive finds and accessible luxury. This store carries a curated collection of home decor items and is perfect for those who prefer unique, hand-picked items.

– @home

@home is a popular homeware store in South Africa, and their outlets can be found all across the country. You can set your registry up online and it can be managed from there. The store also offers in-store consultations.

– Hirsch’s

Hirsch’s started as a family business. Allan Hircsh and his wife Margaret opened their appliance business in Durban in 1979. Today, it is a huge appliance and home furnishing store and has branches in KZN, Cape Town and Gauteng. They offer the option of an online registry that’ll make your life super easy!

Also read: Registry mistakes you might be making

Picture: Unsplash

In Guys

A guide to groom cakes

February 25, 2020 No Comments

As with many practices surrounding weddings, the groom cake comes from deeply rooted traditions. Beginning in the late 19th century in England this form of cake gained popularity across the world quite quickly.

It started as a result of perceptions that the traditional wedding cake appeared much too feminine for the groom. As such, a special confectionary treat was made for the man. It was often a liquor-infused fruit cake.

At the time the tradition started, a legend formed. The story goes that single women would take a piece of this cake home and put it under her pillow as she slept, in the hopes of dreaming about her future groom. Sleeping on a slice of cake doesn’t seem too appealing, but hey, perhaps it’s worth it for a glimpse into the coming years.

These days the groom cake serves as a gift to the groom from his partner. They should have the cake made especially for him, ensuring that it incorporates his personality, interests, and favourite flavours. At the end of the wedding, the cake is cut up, boxed, and given to guests to take home.

If you’re planning on getting your groom a special cake, here is some inspiration:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Lf6OgH63E/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7hzuF7BP6H/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7b6OlsA_bE/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Byvr_3Hg6An/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Butr8RcnaQ1/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7RIt0CF06m/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6wBjOeHEs5/

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/B59Sg4bhT4i/

Image: Pixabay

In Advice

The ex-factor: Should you invite them?

February 25, 2020 No Comments

The million dollar question! If you were in a serious relationship before dating your current partner, you might wonder how to go about it. You can’t deny that they were a significant part of your life, but you also don’t want to create unnecessary tension or make anyone uncomfortable, least of all yourself or your new partner.

So, if it’s something you’re considering, it largely depends on a few factors. Keep these in mind when making your decision:

Do you have a relaxed friendship with them? If so, and hopefully in that case they are friends with your current partner too, of course you should invite them. That probably means you broke up on good terms and have put the past behind you. We say go for it.

If, however, things did not end on a good note and there is unfinished business, or unresolved feelings from their side (hopefully not from yours!), then it might be a no-go. You might think you are just being polite, but the truth is, you don’t owe them anything. Having them there might just create opportunity for a scene you don’t want.

If they are the plus-one of an invited guest, but you did not actually plan on inviting your ex, discuss this with your partner and the invited guest. If it makes you or your spouse uncomfortable, you can talk to the guest and sensitively explain why you don’t think it’s a good idea. Any reasonable person would understand if they are made aware of the situation.

Lastly, in which ever scenario you find yourself, avoid two things: Trying to make your ex jealous with your new partner, and disregarding your new partner’s feelings. If you’re trying to make anyone jealous, you might have to work on some issues and make sure you really are over your ex. Remember, your new life with your new partner should kick off with a happy start and if it would hurt them, we say don’t go there. It’s not worth it.

Image: Unsplash

In News

A magical Harry Potter-themed wedding

February 25, 2020 No Comments

Adored across the world, the Harry Potter franchise has inspired many. This couple loved the story of the boy who lived so much, they decided to incorporate it into their big day.

Kim Dao and husband Eric from Sydney are huge Harry Potter fans. The pair got engaged at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Osaka, Japan back in 2018, and knew they wanted to continue this magical theme into their big day.

“Initially, we wanted everything to be ‘Harry Potter’-themed, but as time went on, it turned more into a Western-style wedding with some ‘Harry Potter’ touches,” Dao told Insider.

The wedding itself, held at Sydney’s Caversham House Hidden Gardens, was more traditional in style with smaller touches to represent their love for the film franchise. Their tables had floating candles just like the Hogwarts Great Hall, the menu had a tiny Hogwarts illustration and guests were given light-up wands.

As a party favour, Kim andEric chose a small key in ode to the enchanted key from “Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone”.

The wedding cake featured a Deathly Hallows topper, as well as the word “always,” in reference to Severus Snape’s famous line about his love for Lily Potter.

Taking things to the next level, the couple and their bridal party wowed the crowd with a choreographed dance routine using their light-up wands. Naturally, they wore wizard robes.

Watch their magical wedding video below:

Feature image: Youtube / Kim Dao