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South Africa’s very own Zozibini Tunzi has just been crowned Miss Universe for 2019. Her beauty, strength and intellect have inspired us all to be a little bit like her. Take some style tips from our reigning queen this upcoming wedding season by taking a page from her fashion diaries.

Wedding dress:

Zozibini strutted down the Miss Universe stage wearing a stunning white caped gown representing her Xhosa heritage, designed by Biji – La Maison de Couture. Modern and structured, this dress makes a powerful statement.

Bridal capes are a great option for brides that are looking for a little something extra and for those that are looking to break away from the norm. If you’re not into the super modern look, you can soften the cape by going for lighter fabrics to give an airy finish.

Credit: Instagram / vera_kayy
Credit: Instagram / lovestoryfilms
Credit: Instagram / oksana_mukha_official

If you’re daring, why not go for an illusion gown wedding dress? Zozibini wore this Biji – La Maison de Couture to the Fairlady Santam Woman of the Future Awards earlier this year and gave us major #outfitgoals.

This lace applique gown is delicate yet sexy, perfect for the bride wanting to strike a balance. If you’re scared of the full illusion look you can always line certain parts.

Credit: Instagram / Pnina Tornai
Credit: Instagram / Berta Bridal
Credit: Instagram / Miss Hailey Paige

Crowns:

Zozibini’s ornate crown, named ‘The Power of Unity’, celebrates the complexity, diversity, unapologetic ambition and strength of women. With more than 1,770 diamonds set in 18-karat gold, the crown features interconnected leaves and flowers. A 62.83 carat golden canary diamond is the stunning centrepiece.

While you might not have the budget to replicate this specific crown, there are so many ways to get the look. Give off regal romance with these stunning crowns.

Credit: Instagram / Minas Florals
Credit: Instagram / Elizabeths Events
Credit: Instagram / Mark Jay Photography

 

Feature image: Instagram / Zozibini Tunzi

The new decade is soon approaching, bringing with it new trends in the wedding industry. The Knot’s recently released 2020 Wedding Report predicts the biggest trends expected to hit the industry within the new year. Food in 2020 is expected to be bigger and better. From more inclusive menus to interactive eating, this is how people will be dining on their big day in 2020.

Inclusivity:

Couples are moving towards being more inclusive with their menu’s, offering plant-based, vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian options for their guests. Don’t forget to also offer fun non-alcoholic drinks other than soda. This adds a personal touch to your wedding, showing that you care for your guests and their dietary requirements.

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Childhood favourites:

Take a trip down memory lane by incorporating childhood favourites into your wedding menu. Rather than stuffy hors d’oeuvres your guests can barely identify, serve what you love. Today’s couples are creating unique twists on old faithfuls like grilled cheese, sliders and fries.

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Interactive eats:

We’ve loved the donut wall for the past few wedding seasons, now it’s time to take it up a notch. Interactive food options like conveyor belts or dessert stations throw a unique spin on food presentation. Consider having an ice-cream roller on site or a crêpe station for guests to pick and choose their desserts.

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Self-serve bars:

Let your guests in on the action with self-serve bars. Rather than having to line up and wait for the mixologist to catch your eye, a self-service bar gives your guests something to do and some creative options. Think of offering a gin bar, with all the ingredients neatly set out for partygoers to help themselves to a custom drink.

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Image: Unsplash

Weddings in 2020 will definitely be featuring something blue. Pantone has just announced their 2020 colour of year, and it’s a brilliant blue loaded with beautiful meaning.

For 2020, Pantone has selected PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue as their Colour of the year.

“A timeless and enduring blue hue, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is elegant in its simplicity,” explains the company. “Suggestive of the sky at dusk, the reassuring qualities of the thought-provoking PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue highlight our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.”

“Imprinted in our psyches as a restful colour, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue brings a sense of peace and tranquility to the human spirit, offering refuge. Aiding concentration and bringing laser like clarity, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue re-centres our thoughts. A reflective blue tone, Classic Blue fosters resilience.”

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With such beautiful symbolism, this hue works perfectly for weddings. Here’s how to bring on the blue on your big day.

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Image: Unsplash

Wedding arches have come a long way from the simple dome structures they used to be. Now popular in both indoor and outdoor weddings, the wedding arch can be a beautiful symbol of the home you and your partner will build together. This tradition is, of course, one more way for you to decorate and create a focal point. Here are some creative ideas that are perfect for your outdoor wedding.

Tree hugger

Full circle

Blown away

Free spirited

Modern vintage

Draped in love

Rustic flair

Floral fun

Feature Image: Instagram/Foreverlyafter

 

 

We are on the brink of entering the new 20s so it’s only right we take a look back at the glamorous style that epitomised the Jazz Age. A time of decadent fashion, the roaring 20s was extravagant, over-the-top and exciting. Fashion featured art deco-inspired geometrical prints, stunning embroidery and beading galore.

It’s almost a century later and these styles are still just as relevant and timeless today. If you want to channel your inner Daisy Buchanan, take notes from these glamorous gowns.

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Picture: Pexels

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. While they may not be for everyone, abandoned buildings and structures have been trending in the wedding world recently. Couples have been opting for outdoor venues featuring crumbling walls, open ceilings and overgrown bushes for a memorable venue guests are sure to marvel at.

While it may seem macabre and weird at first, these venues offer their own kind of romance. There is something special about a place left behind. Venues like these have a history, a story to tell.

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Take, for example, this ancient convent in the Amalfi Coast. The stunning architecture still stands, giving a glimpse into a time once lived. You barely need any decor: the venue itself is the masterpiece.

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The spaces don’t have to be abandoned, they just need to give off an old world spirit. It’s even better if they’ve existed for decades and once had a different use. This stunning venue was originally an icehouse.

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This building is reminiscent of a rundown castle that once existed. You can almost hear the clipping of horse hooves, the rustling of trailing medieval gowns.

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These wedding venues are timeless, unique spots to say ‘I do’. If you want your wedding day to stand out, this just might be the type of venue for you.

Image: Instagra / Emily Battles

A bride is usually very easy to spot. She wears a wedding gown that stands out from the crowd, and there is absolutely no chance she’ll be mistaken for a bridesmaid. The groom on the other hand, may get lost in a sea of suits.

This seems a bit unfair. It would be a shame for a groom to not be seen on his big day. There are ways (some more subtle than others) for a groom to stand out from his groomsmen. Have a look at these ideas:

– Different neckwear 

If you’re wearing a tie, have your groomsmen wear bowties or vice versa. You could even switch it up completely by having your groomsmen sport classic neckwear while you wear an alternative neckpeice. There are way more alternatives than you think.

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– Vary in suit colours 

The colour of your suit makes a tremendous difference. This is one of the easiest ways to stand out from your groomsmen. You’ll be the main focus, without a doubt. This works especially well when your groomsmen wear more dull toned suits while you wear something brighter.

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– Accessorize

Add something extra to your outfit. You could add a hat, a pocket watch, a brooch, or really anything you want. All you need to do is find the best way to incorporate it.

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– Play with patterns

If you really want to make a statement, you should consider adding some patterns. Keep your suit the same colour as your groomsmen, but add some pizzaz by adding a pattern. Alternatively, you could do this on a smaller scale by simply wearing a shirt with pattern or print while your groomsmen wear plain shirts.

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– Smart-casual groomsmen

By simply having your groomsmen ditch their blazers, you’ll be the centre of attention instantly.

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– Switch up your tie colour

If you’re the type of groom who wants to be set apart, but does’t want too much attention, simply switch the colour of your tie. This one is very subtle, but very effective.

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– Get creative with your boutonniere

Similar to the tie switch above, you could keep it simple and just vary in the colour of your boutonniere. You could also personalise it and get creative, there are endless possibilities. Have your groomsmen wear the classic flower, and hand craft your own boutonniere.

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Image: Pixabay

Crowns have made a resurgence in the wedding industry. As royal brides walk down the aisle with their crowning glory, we cannot help but covet this regal accessory. Crowns, however, can seem a bit…dated. Instead of the traditional glitzy headpiece, todays brides are opting for accessories lined with crystals, celestial shapes and unique stones. Here’s how to modernise this traditional accessory.

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Also read: Stunning bridal hair pieces

Image: Unsplash

Weddings are expensive, and saving money where you can is crucial. But have you ever considered saving the earth to save money? This couple did, and they were rewarded in more than just monetary value.

Ellie Toohill and Darren Auth Duke from Western Sydney decided to save money in an inventive way by recycling bottles to pay for their wedding. They travelled across Sydney collecting rubbish to deposit into a bottle vending machine. For every bottle they collect, they earn 10cents. While it doesn’t sound like much, it can add up very quickly.

Ellie Toohill and Darren Auth Duke Credit: Daily Mail
The couple collected bottles to fund their wedding. Credit: Daily Mail

They turned their backyard into a storage space where they separated their rubbish into special compartments for recycling. They also got their neighbors involved too, having them donate bottles to add.

Ellie and Darren even used social media to spread their cause. They created a Facebook page, called A recycling wedding Sydney, and used it to document their process.

They used an app to track their progress, through which they earned $7581, and another $3000 in printed receipts. With the money they were able to fund their wedding reception (planned for April 2020) and purchase their rings. They plan to do it all again to fund their honeymoon. Talk about something old, something new…

Image: Unsplash

Modern couples are bold and not afraid to take risks, even with their weddings. The result? Unique elements that personalise their big day into memorable experiences, from the choice of shoe all the way to their wedding cakes.

Wedding cakes have been mainstays for decades, but their styles have changed so much. The simple, two-layer buttercream sweet treat doesn’t cut it any more. Modern times have seen multiple new wedding cake trends exist concurrently, each one appealing to specific tastes. From geometric designs to abstract art, wedding cakes are taking on a life of their own.

Geometric designs:

Characterised by geometric designs and bold symmetry, art deco has been given new life in this decade. Rather than the over-the-top, shiny look of yesteryear, this trend is much more simple to allow the geometry to stand out. Stick to no more than three key colours to maintain the sleek look.

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Square cakes:

Round cakes are so last decade. Square cakes have been trending for the last year, offering up an alternative shape and design that is wonderfully modern. Add florals to soften the look.

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Modern florals:

Florals and weddings go hand-in-hand. However, cake artists have taken this design to new heights, creating stunningly delicate sugarflowers placed artfully. The result is a stunningly modern yet soft cake.

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Texture:

Adding dimension is a simple way to elevate a cake. Take inspiration from these cakes that feature delicate ruffles and draping to add interest and sleek flair. This style is perfect for the understated couple who still want a showstoppingly unique cake.

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Abstract designs:

Abstract design is a hallmark trend of modernity. With simple yet impactful brushstrokes, a blank canvas can be transformed into a masterpiece. Keep the design to a specific spot or have it appear small with lots of white space to maintain a sleek, modern look.

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Image: Unsplash