• Category

    Planning

    Category
    In Advice

    How to keep guests happy at a summer wedding

    No Comments

    Wedding season is around the corner, and with that, lovely South African summer weddings. And although we love the warm evenings and longer days, a summer wedding does come with its fair share of drawbacks. We’ve gathered some solutions to help you keep your cool, and your guests comfortable.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Just in time for the heatwave… ? ⠀ ⠀ Themal water is excellent for refreshing, but it can dry your skin out. Try this natural DIY face mist instead! It’s perfect for the hot days, conditioned rooms, and planes: you can bring a small bottle in your carry-on. ⠀ ⠀ ? Moisturizing Rose Water DIY Face Mist ? ⠀ ⠀ You’re going to need:⠀ ? 1 part of distilled water⠀ ? 1 part of rose water⠀ ? 5-7 drops of your favorite essential oil(s), e.g., lavender, jasmine, rose geranium, tea trea, bergamot… ⠀ ⠀ ? Blend all of these together in a spray bottle or mister and spritz on your face whenever you feel like it. Oh, and don’t forget to reapply your SPF and drink another glass of cool water!⠀ ⠀ ? Keep in mind that you may have individual reaction to some essential oils. ⠀ ⠀ #thermalwater #heatwave #staycool #diyfacespray #diyfacemist #facespray #facemist #diy #naturalskincare #naturaldiy #naturalcosmetics #skincareroutine

    A post shared by NatureHub app (@naturehub.official) on

    DIY mists

    We love a good DIY project, and this one is particularly practical. It will not only help keep your guests cool (and smelling lovely), but could serve as a nifty little favour as well.  You’ll need:

    • Small bottles with fine-mister nozzles (you can buy them at most bulk plastic suppliers)
    • Distilled water
    • Glycerin (a few drops per bottle)
    • Essential Oils (a few drops per bottle)

    Combine all the ingredients in the bottles, and shake well. Try peppermint, lemongrass or lavender essential oils for a fresh, invigorating scent that repels bugs at the same time.

    Citronella candles

    No matter where you are, mosquitoes always somehow manage to join the party and bring an unwelcome annoyance. Place citronella candles or diffusers with citronella essential oil on tables inside and outside, close to food, or wherever your guests will spend the most of time, to keep the bugs away.

    Drink up!

    Yes, your guests will most likely be sipping champagne, cocktails and the like, but it’s important to also have plenty of water available too. Alcohol causes us to develop a slight flush, even if it’s not noticeable in some people, leading to higher body temperature and dehydration to some degree, and even more so in hot weather. Have jugs and bottles of ice-cold water ready at a dedicated hydration station so guests have no excuse not to stay hydrated.

    Individual parasols and fans

    If you’re having an outside ceremony, it’s essential to provide your guests with some sort of shelter against the blistering sun. If you don’t plan on having umbrellas, provide your guests with individual parasols that they can use during the ceremony. Fans are also ideal to offer your guests to give them the option of fanning themselves during the ceremony as well as the rest of the night during dance breaks.

     

    Image: Unsplash

    by
    Continue Reading
    In Gifts

    SA wedding gift registries

    No Comments

    Couples are difficult to shop for and having a wedding registry solves a whole lot of problems for guests who don’t understand your style. Gift registries are easy and effortless, and ensure you don’t have 10 of the same gifts. Here are a few local shops and websites to consider when listing your registry. You can also read: Best wedding planning APP’s and tools.

    1. Yuppiechef

    Founded in 2006, YuppieChef was created by two friends. Known as a kitchen and homeware store, the company has assisted over 5000 happy couples. They offer an easy and convenient set up and stock products from over 700 brands. The company specialises in knives, cookware, appliances and soft furnishings.

    2. @home

    This well known homeware store offers a gift registry that can be set up online. @home offers an in-store consultation if you and your partner desire this. You can also manage your registry online. They offer several brands in various homeware sections such as the kitchen, bedroom, living room, bathroom and decor.

    3. Wrapistry

    Wrapistry  have a variety of gifts and brands on their website. The website boasts brands like Carrol Boyes, Jamie Oliver, Maxwell & Williams, Le Creuset and many more. Options include group gifting, free delivery, gift tracker and cash refunds.

    4. Mr Price Home

    This store has a wide variety of homeware items at affordable prices. Have your pick of living room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and home decor items. Mr Price Home has online videos available to help assist with setting up your registry.

    5. Gift Tree

    They provide many gift registries and items to choose from. Gift Tree also allows group gifting, so if you choose something a bit more expensive, a few people can contribute to it. They customise your registry to suit any budget. Offering gifts from various sections like bar ware, decor, tableware, bedroom, bathroom and dining.

    6. Bespoke

    Founded in 2012, Bespoke offers a carefully curated collection of homeware items. Take a pick from kitchen, decor, bedroom, outdoor and living room items.

    7. From9am.com

    From9am is your one-stop online cyber destination for all things health and beauty in South Africa.  Quality products made locally and imported are available for online purchase, this includes makeup, eye, Lip, face, hair, body and feet products catering for all types of consumers! Shop the From9am.com beauty destination for makeup brush sets, blush and powder brushes, beauty blenders, makeup bags, tweezers, foundation, eyeshadows, palettes, eye makeup, lashes, concealers, contours, highlighters, bronzers, primers, setting sprays, face, body and feet products + so much more.

    Picture: Unsplash

    by
    Continue Reading
    In Advice

    Wedding fairs and expos in South Africa

    No Comments

    Planning your wedding and finding inspiration can be tough. Luckily, wedding expos and fairs are there to guide soon-to-be wed couples. Not only can you get tips, ideas and special deals by trawling these, but they can also be a lot of fun. These events showcase decor, stationary, colour schemes, cakes and more to help you envision and plan out your perfect wedding. Some expos even offer the opportunity to meet with vendors that can assist you on your big day.

    Have a look at wedding fairs and expos you can visit in South Africa:

    1.Winelands Bridal Fair

    This event will be taking place on August 3 and 4 with stunning Stellenbosch as its backdrop. The bridal fair offers everything you may need for planning a wedding all under one roof. There are even experts there who can assist you.

    2. The Wedding Expo

    This annual expo takes place in Johannesburg and Durban and sees brides- and grooms-to-be from far and wide paying it a visit. You’ll find a variety of services to help you with your wedding planning.

    3. SA Bridal Fair

    You can catch this wedding expo in Cape Town, KwaZulu-Natal and Johannesburg. The event hosts local vendors who can lend a hand in all your wedding plans. Make sure you save the dates. It will be at Makaranga in KwaZulu-Natal on August 11, the Hilton Sandton in Johannesburg on October 13 and the next Cape Town expo will be happening next year, so keep an eye out.

    4. Bridal Expo

    Hosted at the Oakfield Farm in Johannesburg, this bridal affair will be taking place on January 25 – 26 and June 27 – 28 2020. Meet with wedding specialists who can help you plan your big day. The event includes competitions, bridal fashion shows, and a big bridal gown pop-up store with the biggest wedding dress sale in South Africa.

    Picture: Unsplash

    by
    Continue Reading
    In News

    Catch the Wedding Expo in Durban

    No Comments

    The Wedding Expo is making its way to Durban on August 3 and 4. The event will be held at Sibaya Sun Park in Durban North. The Expo has been providing advice and great ideas to engaged couples since 2002. Old Mutual has added their voice as a sponsor and will be providing financial advice to help couples achieve their lifetime goals.

    The event will showcase various ideas and inspirations for bridal couples. The best part is the amazing competitions and giveaways. A couple stand the chance of winning a wedding that includes a venue, honeymoon and photography. The wedding expo also provides opportunities to meet with various suppliers. Vendors include catering companies, dress designers, photographers and more. There will also be discounted rates so you and your partner can score a few great deals.

    The Wedding Expo will also have a cake tasting station where you can try various cake flavours. The highlight is always the fashion show displaying designer dresses and advice from the designers themselves.

    Pop in for a mini-makeover and take valuable notes for your big day. After all the wedding rush you may need a minute relax and grab a bite to eat, the expo offers plenty of food choices.

    Tickets are available on www.wedding-expo.co.za or on sale at door.

    Dates: August 3 and 4
    Venue: Sibaya Sun Park
    Tickets: R100 per adult and R 30 per child (2 -12 years)
    Time: 9am-5pm

    Picture: The Wedding Expo

    by
    Continue Reading
    In Advice

    Post wedding ceremony activities for your guests

    No Comments

    So you’ve just tied the knot! Before you head to the wedding reception, you and your partner need to capture some memories. Perhaps the venue itself offers a great scenic background and is the perfect spot for your pictures, or you and your loved one are going somewhere that requires some traveling. While you’re off snapping some pics, your guests are either waiting at the ceremony venue or traveling to the reception venue to wait there. However, they don’t have to feel like they’re waiting around – here are some ways you can keep the party going while you and your spouse are temporarily gone.

    1.Picture Time!

    While you’re taking your pictures, your guests can too! Set up a photo booth and let them have some fun. Make sure there’s music playing, so it’s not awkward. You could also hire a photo booth so your guests can get their pictures on the spot to take home. You and your partner can join in on the fun when you’re done taking your romantic couple pics

    2.Happy Hour.

    Provide cocktails for your guests. Allow them to mingle over drinks and snacks. Go a step further and organise a mini alcohol-tasting section, whether it’s gin, wine, whiskey, rum, or bubbly. You can even have your family and friends make their own cocktails, or hire a bartender for a few hours.

    3.Games and activities.

    Let your guests play around! Set up various games and activities to get everyone in a silly mood. Karaoke, a How Well Do You Know The Couple quiz, old-fashioned lawn games or even some board games could prove to be a whole lot of fun. You can customise the games based on the venue, the number of guests and what you think they’d prefer.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Anyone for Jenga?

    A post shared by Scrivelsby Walled Garden (@scrivelsbywalledgarden) on

    4.Professional entertainment.

    Hire someone to keep your guests preoccupied and having a good time. A comedian, band, and caricaturists are all great options.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Check out this great caricaturist I saw a recent wedding! Really amazing work!⠀

    A post shared by Damon Bilger (@damonbilgerweddings) on

    5.Record the moments.

    Have someone film your guests giving you and your partner a lovely message.

    6.Advice section.

    Have a something set up on a table where your family and friends can leave you some words of wisdom, whether it’s a book or pieces of paper to write on place in a jar. You can even have them sign something! It’s something cute and truly special to look back on.

    It’s very important to inform your guests of the wedding schedule. There’s nothing worse than people being left lost and wondering, or worse still, bored to tears. Attach the schedule to the invitation, send an email, even have it posted somewhere at the ceremony and reception venues.

    Picture: Unsplash

    by
    Continue Reading
    In Advice

    Should you unplug your wedding?

    No Comments

    Technology is undoubtedly a massive part of our lives in this day and age. Our phones are practically extensions of our arms and we can’t go without checking in to our social media once a day. Most of our memories are made by captured moments on our digital devices and not by living in those moments. This can frustrate people who would rather be doing the latter, especially when it comes to significant occasions such as weddings.

    This might be the reason some couples choose to have ‘unplugged’ weddings, where guests along with the bride and groom must forego using their mobile devices and instead be present in the moment.

    The benefits of having an unplugged wedding is the intimacy and the lack of distraction. Take away cellphones and the guests will pay more attention to the happy couple. Everyone will be able to relish the occasion. Requesting that digital devices are switched off also eliminates the chance of unwanted disturbances during the ceremony.

    By unplugging, the photos from your wedding will also look a whole lot better – no more pictures of your beautifully-dressed guests with their eyes glued to their mobile devices. There’s just something refreshing and romantic about photographs without cellphones in sight. There also won’t be any unplanned overexposure in the pictures because five people all decided to take a photo with the camera flash on at the same time as the photographer. It will also remove any awkward encounters. We all know the aunties are going to insist on taking fifty pictures, of the same shot, with their outdated cellphones. That either means your paid-for photographer will have to compromise their shot or uncomfortably wait for the aunties to get their picture.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    How do you feel about having a #phonefree wedding? Let us know below ? #cocomelody #daretolove #weddingideas

    A post shared by COCOMELODY (@cocomelodyofficial) on

    Aunties aside, there are some positives to plugged-in weddings as well, the first being that you don’t have to wait for the professional photographs to be sent to you (there is a bit of a waiting time) before you can see pictures from the wedding. While you wait for your professional photo’s, you can enjoy Auntie Jackie’s pictures from her phone!

    Having access to social media at a wedding can also be a good thing. Using a unique hashtag just for your wedding on Instagram or Facebook is a smart way to create an online ‘photo album’ made up of pictures snapped and uploaded by you and all your wedding guests. Everyone will be able to view pictures posted with that specific hashtag, all in one place. It’s also a lovely idea to implement the hashtag from the first wedding event onward, for example, the engagement party. This will allow snapshots from every wedding celebration to be placed in one section.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Oh Snap! #gunningwedding #socialmediarequest #pluggedinwedding #diybride #diywedding #TableTents #PleaseSendPics #NPRofWeddings

    A post shared by Sharon Gunning (@shargunning) on

    Still can’t decide if you should have a plugged or an unplugged wedding? Why not do both. You can opt for an unplugged wedding ceremony and a plugged-in reception, for example. You can customise it however you want, after all, it’s your big day.

    Picture: Pexels

    by
    Continue Reading
    In Advice

    Setting a wedding budget and actually sticking to it

    No Comments

    Whether you are paying for the wedding yourselves or your parents are contributing, you will need to calculate how much money you have to spend. Once you have this figure, immediately set aside 5-10% of that for contingency.

    Establishing and sticking to your budget is the best gift you can give yourself as a couple. In order to do this, you have to ensure that all your planning is documented. But before you start crunching numbers, think about the overall feeling you want your wedding to have as this will affect how you spend within your budget.

    Do your research on vendors and get estimates on how much each thing will cost. This will include everything from venue to flowers to the dress and so on. Then get quotes from vendors and write it all down next to estimated costs.

    Now that you know what kind of wedding you would like to have and how much money you have to spend, put together a rough guest list. The number of guests determines your venue, food and alcohol.

    These are generally the largest expenses and a wise rule to follow is to allocate 40% of your budget to these three things.

    It is time to discuss your non-negotiables with your partner (try to keep it down to three). These are things that you have always dreamed of having at your wedding and are willing to spend the money needed in order to achieve them. Research vendors and get quotes so that you can allocate it to the budget and then see how much is left to spend on the rest of the wedding. If you are already over budget based on your list, or close to the end of your budget, have a look at your priorities again and see what you can reduce.

    Now that you’ve got all your quotes and guest list numbers, you can create the spreadsheet. You can get a template online or create your own but try to keep it as simple as possible. Put your overall sum in the top corner somewhere and then create these tabs: estimated, modified and actual.

    Your estimated tab will be amounts that you have found based on research.

    Modified will have real quotes from vendors.

    Actual will be the final amount that you end up paying.

    Time for a reality check – does your budget allow you to achieve what you want? If not, you may have to adjust your budget if that is an option or adjust your expectations.

    Steps to take in order to ensure you stick to your budget:

    1. Figure out how much you have to spend.
    2. Research vendors and get quotes before settling on your budget.
    3. Write a list including all researched costs and quotes from vendors.
    4. Write down your proposed guest list
    5. Create the spreadsheet and input all the relevant information.

    Image: Unsplash

    by
    Continue Reading
    In Advice

    Save the planet… one eco-friendly wedding at a time

    No Comments

    By Yashna Balwanth

    Contrary to popular belief, being environmentally and socially responsible on your wedding day is easier and possibly cheaper than you think. What could possibly be more important than protecting the Earth? Small considerations can make a world of difference – like using seasonal and local flowers flowers instead of importing them.

    Being eco-friendly is fashionable, will boost your eco-consciousness levels – and perhaps even turn a few guests into eco-warriors. We’ve put together a few conscious decisions to consider to make your special day more eco-friendly and your wallet a little happier.

    Disposable confetti
    Every bride wants to be showered in glittery confetti. In reality, you are throwing microplastics everywhere. An eco-friendlier alternative to this is to use biodegradable confetti which are made from flower petals. Or punch out confetti circles from leaves, colour them metallic and voilà. These are materials that still look as beautiful in pictures and will do exactly the same job.

     

    Re-use wedding attire
    Being eco-friendly also means finding more than one use for certain items, this includes wedding attire. By allowing your bridal party to choose their own style of dress within your colour palette, they will wear the dress again since it is something they have chosen for themselves. The bride’s dress can also be a vintage or pre-loved garment, perhaps handed down through generations. Don’t grow too attached to your wedding gown, you can have it altered once the wedding is over into two separate pieces of a top and skirt, then mix and match it within your closet for multiple uses.

     

    Potted vs cut flowers
    Cut flowers do not have a long lifespan. Why not opt for a potted centerpiece instead? These can also double up as wedding favours for guests to take home, which help save on costs. However, if you really do want cut flowers for decor, work with a company that can have the flowers reused after the function or even donated to a hospital or community centre.

     

    Digital stationery
    Let’s be real for a second… how many of us actually save wedding invites of friends and family? This is wasted paper and a waste of money printing invitations that still need to be hand delivered to guests. Besides the digital realm keeping us in touch with one another, it has also helped with invitations and notices to guests. Wedding websites can be set up for minimal costs and can also keep track of the guests who have rsvp’d and those who have not.

     

    Food donations
    It comes as no surprise that weddings attract a lot of wastage when it comes to food. Whether guests didn’t show up, or caterers over prepared, there is always waste of perfectly good food that shouldn’t be thrown away. Perhaps leftovers can be donated to a shelter for the homeless or even handed out to a nearby children’s school. Ensure your caterers are aware of your plans to donate so the food is not thrown out unintentionally.

    Picture: Pixabay

    by
    Continue Reading
    In Advice

    What to pack in your bridal emergency kit

    No Comments

    This is vital information for every bride and some grooms too. Being prepared means that you’re already one step ahead of any emergency that might pop up on your wedding day. Keep these essentials handy to ensure you’re ready for any mishap thrown your way:

    Painkillers

    No bride wants to be buckled down by headaches on her most important day, so throw some Panados or any pain medication of your choice into your clutch to be prepared for any, literal, headaches.

    Snacks

    Having a small snack on hand will keep your blood sugar levels balanced and wonʼt leave you feeling lightheaded or ill when the nerves and jitters of the wedding day take over.

    Mints

    Pack in some mints to be ready (and fresh) for that ‘you may kiss the bride’ moment.

    Lipstick

    A day filled with activities like eating, dancing and kissing will definitely lead to a lipstick touch-up being needed if you want to be photo-ready at all times.

    Tissues

    Your wedding day will of course be filled with tears of joy so be prepared with some tissues.

    Perfume

    Having a signature perfume to use on your wedding day will leave you with a cherished scent to  serve as a reminder of this special day.

    Hand cream

    Your wedding ring will look dazzling on a pair of soft and moisturised hands, especially for those close-up ring shots.

    Pocket Mirror

    An essential item to have for a quick make-up touchup during teary-eyed speeches.

    Safety Pins

    These will come in handy if you come across any snags or broken zips on your dress, or if the groom happens to lose a button.

    Picture: K-Leigh Siebritz/HSM Images; Styled by Larissa Vermeulen & Mariska van Zyl

    by
    Continue Reading
    In Advice

    My favourite wedding moment

    No Comments

    Wedding Etc asked a group of brides and grooms to share their best memories of their weddings … and whether there was anything they’d do differently.

    1. COMPLETE SURPRISE

    ‘The thing that I enjoyed most about my wedding was NOT the planning. I am blessed to have a fabulous mom who did everything for me, all based on three Instagram pictures I showed her when I got engaged. I walked into the venue on the day not knowing a thing – I was blown away and appreciated every little detail. I felt like it was done for and not by me, which only made me feel more special on my special day. It’s a cliché, but it was a fairy tale and I thoroughly enjoyed every single bit of it. Thank God for moms!’
    – Zakia

    2. LIKE A PRINCESS

    ‘Being all dressed up isn’t usually me. I’m normally a plain Jane, but on the day, I felt like a completely different person with all of the make-up, the jewellery and the dress – like a princess!’
    – Paashanta

    3. DREAM GOWN

    ‘My most memorable moment was when my father told me how proud he was of me. After that, he walked me down the aisle with the biggest smile on his face. We decided to have a small wedding, so my dress wasn’t anything glamorous. If I could turn back the hands of time, I would get my dream gown, regardless of how big or small the wedding was.’
    – Stephanie

    4. LOVE IN BRAZIL

    ‘We started dating in Rio while we were doing mission work for our church. A few months later, we got married. There with no notice, and we wouldn’t change a thing about our small, impromptu South American wedding. I would have preferred it if my husband hadn’t left his honeymoon packing for the last minute (making him late for our wedding), but at least we can laugh about it now.’
    – Verna

    5. CAUGHT ON CAMERA

    ‘I enjoyed how relaxed the atmosphere was, despite it being my wedding. We had a destination wedding, so our entire family was on this relaxed holiday buzz. It was so refreshing and it made everyone that much more present. If we could change one thing, it would probably be our video. We spent so much time, money and effort on the photographer that, come time and budget for the videographer, we were quite limited. Our video is beautiful and captures the memories, but seeing how professionally done it could have been, with the fantastic technology nowadays, we secretly want to redo ours!’
    – Hassan

    6. RAIN DANCE

    ‘We got married in late December, and in a rain-starved Western Cape, so we didn’t really think we needed to have a plan in case the skies opened up. Well, they did – our wedding day was the only day it rained that whole summer. It was a blessing in disguise, though, because our very small wedding party all ended up huddling under a garden umbrella together, drinking wine (and the odd shot of tequila), laughing, smiling and taking turns to dance in the rain. Weddings don’t always go to plan, but they often turn out better than you could’ve ever imagined.’
    – Andrea

    7. LAUGHING ALL THE WAY

    ‘The best part of my wedding day was how much fun I had. I expected it to be a stressful day, but that wasn’t the case at all. My husband and I laughed so much and we weren’t stressed at all. The only thing
    I regret is that we didn’t take enough photos and I wish we had planned a bit better when it came to time management.’
    – Yumna

    8. THE FIRST LOOK

    ‘The best part of my wedding day was when I saw my wife for the first time. She looked absolutely angelic. It was at that moment that I realised that I would be spending every day with the most beautiful woman in the world. I don’t think there’s anything I would change about that day.’
    – Rameez

    Image: Unsplash

    by
    Continue Reading