Planning Archives | Page 23 of 39

In Destination

Get married for free in this luxury department store

January 29, 2020 No Comments

Take your love of shopping to new heights by literally getting married in a luxury London-based department store.

Luxury department store Fortnum & Mason is one of London’s most iconic landmarks. After its 313 years of business, they are now offering couples the chance to say their ‘I do’s’ in their store.

The exclusive offer is running for the month of February only in honour of Valentines Day. Couples can get married in their newly erected pop-up ‘Chapel of Love’ for free. The chapel instillation will feature the iconic Fortnum’s clock, illuminated stained-glass windows and a chiming wedding bell, as well as a neon pink ‘Chapel of Love’ sign.

The 14-metre installation will be on the lower ground floor of the department store, and is also a perfect place to propose.

“For us, Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance – we want all of our customers to share in the joy-giving gifts and unforgettable experiences that Fortnum’s has become synonymous with,” explains Fortnum & Mason’s customer experience director Zia Zareem-Slade. “That’s why, this year, we are celebrating our friends, loved ones and everything in-between by launching The Chapel of Love.”

“We hope this will bring joy to all of our customers, no matter who they love this February.”

Those wanting to get married here will have to book ahead of time and will have to obtain a marriage licence and a registrar beforehand.

The chapel is also open to the public, so anyone may swing by and capture some cute images.

Feature image: Instagram / Fortnum & Mason

In Advice

Paw-some ways to involve your pets in your wedding

January 28, 2020 No Comments

We all know that pets are part of the family! Perhaps you have adopted your furry friend as a couple, or maybe you’ve had them since you were a kid. However your fur baby came into your life, it’s likely you wouldn’t want to spend your special day without them.

While you may want to dress the little guy up in a miniature suit fitted to your pet of choice and have him be the ring bearer, this may not always be possible, or comfortable for the animal. But fret not, there are other ways you can involve your pet in your wedding day.

– Have a family photoshoot

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– Include them in a squad photo

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– Let them keep you company at the altar

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– Spend some quality time with them

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– They can keep you company while you get ready

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– Represent them on your cake / in your decor

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– Let them bring you comfort and cuddles

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– Get them some comfy wedding attire (suits may be unpleasant for some animals due to heat and other things)

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– Give them a front seat in the audience

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– Use their faces for some photobooth fun

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– Let them add some humour

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Image: Unsplash

In Advice

Top 10 wedding destinations for 2020

January 28, 2020 No Comments

If you’ve been considering a destination wedding but you’re not sure where to head to then you’re in luck. Flowercard, a UK based company specialising in floral giftcards, has compiled a list of the best places to go.

Flowercard’s list, “The 2020 Destination Wedding Index” compiles data of all things wedding. They conducted a study into the best places to get married, and their methodology was quite thorough! First, they selected destinations from a variety of sources including theknot.com, junebugweddings.com, hitched.co.uk, and brides.com. They then took into consideration the best times for wedding ceremonies in each destination. Weather was included in this consideration, of course.

Another consideration they took into account included LGBTQ+ friendliness, with their information coming from ilga.org. Instagram hashtags and searches also featured in their method. Finally, with the use of Google Keyword Planner, they figured out how many monthly searches there were for each place in relation to weddings by searching “Getting married in X”.

After gathering all the information, they ranked destinations using a weighted ranking system. They broke elements down into four categories including weather, cost, LGBTQ+ and online popularity. Each factor was weighted equally.

It is important to remember that much of the data they collected was UK specific (such as monthly google searches). This means the results may have been slightly different had the research been done in other countries. Nevertheless, the information is still very useful!

Here are their top 10 destinations and their overall scores (x/100):

1. Las Vegas, Nevada, US

Score: 70.1

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2. Sydney, Australia

Score: 68.67

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3. Majorca, Spain

Score: 67.47

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4. Perth, Australia

67.45

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5. Brisbane, Australia

Score: 67.00

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6. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Score: 64.81

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7. Loire Valley, France

Score: 64.14

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8. Valencia, Spain

Score: 63.80

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9. Cannes, France

Score: 62.10

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10. Madrid, Spain

Score: 62.01

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Find their full list with all details here.

Image: Instagram / Sydney

In Advice

Wedding processional songs to walk down the aisle to

January 28, 2020 No Comments

The bridal march is a classic, but sometimes you want to be different. Opting for a unique, contemporary song to act as the backtrack for your walk down the aisle makes for a more a memorable moment. To set the tone for the rest of your day, be sure to pick a song that fits you and your partner.

Here are some alternative options to the traditional ‘Here comes the bride”.

– 10 000 Hours – Dan and Shay

– Marry You – Bruno Mars

– Kiss Me – Sixpence None the Richer

– Songbird – Fleetwood Mac

– A Thousand Years – Christina Perry

– Lucky – Jason Mraz and Colbie Callait

– The First Time Ever I saw Your Face – Roberta Flack

– Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles

– Stuck on You – Lionel Richie

– Crazy Thing Called Love – Queen

– Love of My Life – Queen

– (They Long to Be) Close to You – The Carpenters

– My Girl – The Temptations

– Let’s Stay Together – Al Green

– Beyond – Leon Bridges

Feature image: Unsplash

In Emotional

Stunning underwater wedding photography makes waves

January 28, 2020 No Comments

A memorable image will live on forever, and this one is pretty magical. This couple combined their love for each other and the water to create a breathtaking underwater image.

Photographer Kimber Greenwood captured a stunning image of newlyweds still in their wedding attire kissing underwater at Kelly Springs in Apopka, Florida. Of the image, Greenwood says, “This is a two image composite. The current was intense so my assistant was holding me in place! I love underwater portrait work and this session was a dream come true!”

The image quickly made waves, and was even given an honourable mention in the Underwater Art category at the Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition.

Another shot from the photography session. Credit: Kimber Greenwood

Greenwood must have found a passion for underwater photography. She also offers underwater maternity shoots!

Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

Beautiful bouquets perfect for summer

January 24, 2020 No Comments

What’s a bride without a beautiful bouquet? A well-picked bunch of flowers does wonders in completing your wedding look. Every bouquet is different, and needs to be tailored to the bride and the wedding.

A summer-inspired bridal bouquet is perfect for a hot December wedding. Think big, beautiful blooms bursting with colour and vibrancy. Whatever flower is in season at that time is ideal. Mixing and matching sizes, shapes and colours gives a sense of dynamism, like the flowers are just springing to action all on their own. Here are some bunches to inspire you.

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Feature image: Unsplash

In Advice

A wedding hashtag: What it is and how to create one

January 24, 2020 No Comments

If you’re keen on social media and love sharing your cool pictures online, then this one is for you. Wedding hashtags are getting more and more popular as time goes by. They’re a great way to get guests to be more interactive at your wedding and they’re pretty convenient too.

The wedding hashtag is simple. It’s a way to collect all the pictures from your big day. All your guests pictures can be available to you, in one place, at the click of a button. It’s a perfect organisational tool and it’s a way to share the day with your guests who couldn’t make it.

So how do you create one? It’s not very complicated at all!

There are many generators online such as Shutterfly’s Wedding Hashtag Generator, which requests that you fill in your full name, your partners full name, your nicknames, and your wedding date. With this information, it creates a wedding hashtag for you. Other online hashtag generators include those found on PastBook and Random Word Generator.

While a generator is probably the simplest way to go about the task, you may end up with something a little generic. If you want your wedding hashtag to be unique, you’ll likely have to come up with one on your own.

Thinking up your own hashtag doesn’t need to be a tedious task though. Here are a few steps to follow to ensure you come up with something great:

– Gather information

Jot down all the relevant information related to your wedding, so you know what you’re working with. Include things like your full names, the location of your wedding, the year, the venue’s name, the country or city your wedding is in and the style of your wedding. These are always a good place to start.

– Include some puns or pop-culture

Get punny with your names! If your surname is Adams, you could go for #HappilyEverAdams. If your surname is Bell, you may go for #SavedByTheBell. The options are endless.

– Review what you have

Once you have a short list of wedding hashtag options, give them a look again and compare them. Ask yourself: Is it original? Is it too long? Are the words easy to spell? Is it clear?

You want to keep it original to ensure that no other couple uses it too. If that happens, you’ll get another weddings photos in your hashtag. If it’s too long or the words are easy to misspell then you’re likely to miss some of the uploads due to many variations of your hashtag. Ensure that you capitalise each word for clarity.

– Let the guests know

Now that you’ve chosen or created your perfect hashtag, you need to let people know! Include it on the invitation, ceremony programs, menus and put up some signs at your wedding.

Here are some fun examples of wedding hashtags and how couples have spread the word about them at their weddings:

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Image: Unsplash

In Advice

Stunning vineyard wedding venues in South Africa

January 24, 2020 No Comments

South Africa has an abundance of extraordinary wedding venues to choose from. From hotels to vineyards, the country is anything but lacking.

Vineyards are some of the best venues as they can add an extra fairy-tale feel to your special day. Most have amazing indoor and outdoor facilities and come with special wedding packages. If you’re looking to go the vineyard route for your venue, you’re spoilt for choice.

Here are some of our favourite vineyard wedding venues in South Africa:

– The Conservatory, Franschhoek

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The Conservatory is surrounded by vineyards and ancient oaks. The venue is largely made of glass, which means you’ll get some great lighting if you opt for an indoor ceremony or reception. You have the option to have your festivities outside in the vineyards too.

On their website, The Conservatory says “Our philosophy is simple yet stylish, inspiring but versatile, catering to all who require a blank canvas to create a unique event that transforms a space into a true reflection of themselves.”

– Zorgvliet Wine Estate, Stellenbosch

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In the Banghoek Valley near Stellenbosch, at Zorgvliet wines, you’ll have the stunning Simonsberg Mountains as the backdrop for your wedding. The estate offers several different facilities for your special day. The Oak room is the venue for receptions, but they also have a chapel and a room for pre-reception drinks.

– Highberry Farm, Somerset West

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This relatively new venue was completed in 2018. If you’re looking for a venue that hasn’t been seen hundreds of times, then this is the one for you. Views of vineyards, dams, the surrounding mountain range and horse paddocks will be the backdrop of your special day.

The venue sits 120 people, includes a dance floor and comes with facilities including a fully equipped kitchen, a licensed bar, as well as a spacious lawn on which a marquee could be erected or canapés and live music can be held. It also contains a more intimate utility area upstairs that may be used as a chapel.

– Leipzig Country House, Worcester

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At the Leipzig Country House you’ll be sure to have your fairytale dreams come true. For your ceremony’s venue you can choose from the century-old brandy cellar overlooking the vineyards or a tranquil garden with towering oaks. The wedding reception will be held in the wine cellar which seats 130 guests.

“The endless vistas, surrounding vineyards, rolling lawns of the amphitheater and rural charm of the historic buildings provide a stunning canvas to capture lasting memories,” says the Leipzig Country House.

– Marlenique Estate, Simondium area of the Winelands district

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The venue is central to Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. It can hold 350 guests with dancing and 400 without a dance floor. With mountains and orchards as your backdrop, you’re sure to have a dreamy day.

Open air weddings on the lawns beside the fruit orchards or on their private stretch of the Berg River are an option.

– Bakenhof Winelands Venue, Wellington

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About an hour away from Cape Town, the venue is situated on a hill of a private grape farm. The incredible views are out of this world and are sure to make you day even more special than it already is.

Bakenhof says, “We focus on a unique, personalised and unhurried experience. Our philosophy is that your day is as important to us as it is to you, with our mission to exceed your expectations – be it day or night, formal or informal, summer or winter, sunshine or rain.”

Image: Instagram /Bakenhof Winelands Venue

In Advice

Here’s your chance to get married on Robben Island

January 23, 2020 No Comments

Every year, the Department of Home Affairs and Robben Island Museum work together to offer a yearly opportunity for couples to say ‘I do’ on Valentines Day on the island. Here’s how you can get in on the action.

On Valentines Day, the island is transformed into a stunning venue where couples can participate in a mass wedding. 2020 marks the 20th anniversary of this tradition, making this year very special. This Valentines Day, 20 couples will tie knot to honour the anniversary.

Couples chosen will take the ferry from the Nelson Mandela Gateway to the Robben Island Museum, and their ceremony will be held at the Robben Island Chapel. Following the exchanging of their vows, couples will head off to a wedding reception for lunch and thereafter go on a tour of the Museum. The area will also be an opportunity for the couples to take their wedding photos on the beach and to capture the iconic and other scenic areas on the island. The couples will return to Cape Town in the afternoon.

Couples wishing to participate may contact Wilhelmina Booysen on 021 468 4510 or [email protected] and Yolanda Mdutywana on 021 413 4226 or [email protected]. The last day to apply is February 5, 2020.

Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

Saving money on wedding flowers: tips and tricks

January 22, 2020 No Comments

Flowers have always been an important part of wedding décor, and we assume they will continue as such. From bouquets and boutonnières to centrepieces and decorations, the wedding flowers play a big role in creating an atmosphere.

The only problem is that flowers are quite pricey; they can extensively push up your expenses list. This is the opposite of the goal…right? We all want to save some money and bring that wedding expenses down as low as possible.

Here are a few ways you can save money on your wedding flowers:

– Keep it local and seasonal

Avoiding importing your flowers will save you big bucks. A local option is definitely the better choice for your budget. A similar principle applies to in-season blossoms. While you probably could find your desired out-of-season flower somewhere, it’ll be way more pricey than picking something in-season. The flowers will be fresher too!

– Go for greens

Adding some lush leaves and greenery can do wonders for your budget and your floral arrangements. They add a whimsical feel to your decor and fill up your arrangements in a stylish way, saving you from purchasing large quantities of flowers.

– Bigger blooms

This one is simple. The bigger the flower, the less you have to buy. Save yourself some cash and opt for a larger or statement bloom.

– Limit yourself to three flowers

In most cases, a florist will order the flowers in bulk, even if you don’t need too many of a specific one. If you keep the flower variations to three or less, it’ll save you some money because a bulk purchase will be necessary and none will go to waste.

– Mix and match decor elements

Add tea lights, fairy lights and candles or whatever trimming your heart desires to your venue. Opting for some different decor elements will cut your flower expenses drastically.

– Leave flowers out where you can

Perhaps you could skip the boutonnieres and corsages. While some people might want to keep them for tradition, they are not a necessity and can be replaced with alternatives if need be.

– Forget a February wedding

Valentine’s Day pushes up the price of flowers! You’re likely to pay much more than usual for whatever flower you want in February. Best avoid this month to keep the costs down.

Image: Pexels