Planning Archives | Page 3 of 31

In Emotional

Valentine’s Day ideas to bring you and your loved one closer

January 27, 2021 No Comments

Valentine’s Day is drawing closer, and that means that you need to find the perfect present for your lover before time runs out.

The past year has been tough, and it’s fair to say everyone deserves a bit of pampering. If you were planning a wedding or forced to postpone one during the madness of 2020, you are in even greater need of a special treat.

This year, Valentine’s Day may look a little different since so many experiences and places are off the cards amid the pandemic. However, there are still some items that will stimulate and inspire intimacy in your relationship. For the most intensely intimate Valentine’s Day ever, choose from one of these amazing and affordable experiences.

The sensual spa day

You could easily book a couple’s massage, or you could opt for the more sensual, do-it-yourself approach. Run a bath with rose petals and light it up with candles to set the mood and get the relaxation going. Next up, pour some aromatic oils onto your partner and give them a massage from top to bottom. Not only will you be easing their strained muscles, but it will also bring you much closer, quite literally.

A cooking class

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Regardless of gender, however, everyone loves a good meal. The satisfaction of knowing you made it yourself is even better. There are many cooking classes available in Cape Town, all you need to do is pick your favourite cuisine and roll up your sleeves. If you don’t have the cash right now, simply pop on your favourite Food Network show and recreate a dish at home. Learning a new skill together is a great bonding experience, and will encourage team-building skills as you work together.

A photoshoot

Selfies are great, but sometimes you need a professional to capture your true beauty. Hire a local photographer to take sweet images of you and your loved one. You could opt for an outdoor sunset shoot or a more intimate boudoir aesthetic, the style is completely up to you. In the years to come, you’ll look back at these images and reminisce on how in love you were (and hopefully still are!).

Play the We’re Not Really Strangers card game

We’re Not Really Strangers is a purpose-driven card game and movement all about empowering meaningful connections. There are three carefully crafted levels of questions and wildcards that allow you to deepen your existing relationships and create new ones. The original game offers questions suitable for friends, family and partners, while the relationship expansion pack delves deeper into being in love and what that means for you.

Have a movie marathon

We know, we know, you’ve probably spent all of 2020 watching movies in the comfort of your home. However, you can easily elevate the experience to make it more romantic. Build a fort, pop some popcorn and gather your favourite snacks, and find your cosiest blanket to cuddle under. Create a playlist of your favourite romantic films to get in the mood for love.

Games night

If you’re the competitive type, games may be right up your alley. From Scrabble to Trivia, it could be cute to challenge each other’s minds. Raise the stakes by making a bet: Whoever wins gets a romantic massage.

Picture: Pexels

In Planning

Four perfect e-invites for your wedding

January 27, 2021 No Comments

Wedding invites used to be printed and delivered to each address but technology is now helping us save the trees and our time.

While e-invites used to be tacky, these days they are the most practical and often better solution. They have expanded beyond the standard, unflattering email. Now you can send beautifully designed invitations and have guests RSVP all through the same programme.

The RSVP can also include important information you need from guests like food preferences, plus-one details and even a song request. You can then easily access these spreadsheets without having to have put them together yourself.

Here are a few online sites that will do it all for you:

E-Vite

E-Vite offers free and premium invite options. The free versions are a bit simpler and don’t offer quite as much customisation but are a great option if you’re trying to save.

Greenvelope

Greenvelope allows you to upload your own custom design or use one of their templates. It has a built-in RSVP tracker which even reminds guests about RSVP deadlines if they are about to miss them. The pricing is scaled for the number of invites starting at R350 up to R1050.

Paperless Post

Paperless Post is one of the most popular e-invites on the market. You can add links to gift registries, to your wedding website and even guest accommodation options all within the beautifully designed online invite.

Rsvpify

RSVPify focuses more on the backend. While it has customisable design and you can create the perfect invite. It has a strong engagement tracking, You can see if who and how many people have opened the invite, who RSVPd and easy follow-ups.

Picture: Pexels

In Guys

How to get your groom involved in wedding planning

January 22, 2021 No Comments

When it comes to weddings, the groom is often relegated to honeymoon duty. But there’s so much more your beau can take charge of – and he may even enjoy it.

If you’re struggling to encourage your partner to take an active role in wedding planning, the best thing to do is to start small. Here are ways to get them talking.

The food

We all know the saying ‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’, so what better way to get him into wedding prep than by roping him in when it comes to your reception menu. Whether you’re having a totally over-the-top do or a rustic country affair, he’s sure to have dishes in mind that he’d love to sink his teeth into on the day.

The bar

Cocktails may be your cuppa, but a pint or two may be more to your male guests’ liking. This is exactly why you should have your significant other organise the bar. He’ll add drinks that he knows you love (hello, basil and cranberry mojito!), as well as ensure there are plenty of craft beers and single malts for the boys.

The suits

Your beau will want to make sure you have your dream wedding day, so tell him exactly what you are planning for your and your bridesmaids’ dresses, and ask him to coordinate his groomsmen accordingly. You’d be surprised how stylish he can be when left to his own devices.

The gift registry

Many couples who’ve been living together may not need – or want – gifts for their home, but whether or not you do, it’s important to allow your guests the option of getting you something. Decide what types of gifts you’d like together, then have your beau register and select them or set up a honeymoon fund where guests can deposit monetary gifts.

The vows

If you plan to write your own wedding vows, present your fiancé with mementos that will remind him of your relationship. This will help spark some memories that could kick-start the process for writing his own vows.

The music

A DJ or band might be the last thing on your mind right now, but your man will be counting on some tunes he won’t need to waltz to. Make sure he knows the type of atmosphere you envision for your reception, then let him have at it and be surprised when the DJ hits play.

The ring

The ring is perhaps the most important item on this list as it is a symbol of your love for each other. You might have given him the inspiration for what you’d like, but it’s his duty to hunt down the perfect one and take care of logistics and safekeeping before he finally slides it on to your finger.

Picture: Pexels

In Advice

What couples should discuss at pre-marital counselling

November 24, 2020 No Comments

Counselling might seem like it’s only for those who have been married for a while and are struggling. However, if you’d like to avoid this fate, it is recommended you try pre-marital counselling.

This isn’t to say you need it because your marriage is likely to be doomed but rather, it can help couples identify their stances on some important things that many often don’t realise they even need to discuss.

Here are some areas you should consider talking about with a therapist before getting married:

Conflict resolution

While it is likely you’ve been together for a bit of time and had your fair share of fights, conflict is a bit different when you’re married. This is mostly because you can’t just break up, you have to stick it out.

With your counsellor you can discuss how you can fight and resolve your fights in a more constructive manner than you may have previously been doing.

Sex expectations

Again, you may have been having great sex for a while but going into a marriage can mean different expectations, especially since this is the most time you’ll be spending together.

A counsellor can help you openly discuss the expectations you have for sex in married life and work on ways to carry communication in this arena forward.

Division of labour

Some couples move in together before marriage so discussing how to divide up the chores but for those who don’t or those who haven’t managed to communicate this properly, discussing it with a counsellor can help.

Even though you could do this on your own, having a third neutral party makes it easier in the case you feel that the other person is being unfair or not shouldering enough responsibility.

Finances

This is a big one. No matter what kind of contract you sign, discussing finances is vital. Money is a hard topic for most people and not knowing your partners’ financial situation and expectations is guaranteed to cause problems later down the line.

Since money is such a touchy subject it is a lot easier to discuss it with another person who can help you set boundaries and find a common ground to build from.

The kid question

While the big overarching question of whether you should have kids might have been broached, more nuanced discussions on whether you want more than one and how you hope to raise them can be discussed with a counsellor.

You can also look early at how kids will affect your life, without just being thrown into it.

Picture: Pexels

In Advice

Pros and cons of moving in together before marriage

November 12, 2020 No Comments

In previous decades, living together before marriage was a big taboo and completely unheard of. Following the sexual revolution of the 1960s and the growth of women’s autonomy, many couples choose to move in together as a step before marriage.

While some believe that moving in is a logical step before marriage is even considered, others still stand firm that it can hurt a relationship more than it can help. Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to move in.

Pros

– It is a good way to test a relationship

-You get to know your partner incredibly intimately

-It can be a step towards marriage if that is what you’re discussing

-Helps financially so you can split living costs

Cons

-It sometimes confuses the situation as one partner may expect it to mean marriage while the other just sees it as the next step

-It can break your relationship if you’re not ready

-It takes a little shine off the newlywed sparkle since you’ve already experienced living together

So? Should you do it?

While there are studies regarding the statistics on whether couples who move in make it, there is no real way to quantify or decide for each couple. A couple who has never moved in together could get married and realise they can’t stand living together just as easily as a couple could move in, get married later and live happily ever after. It is really about the two individuals and their relationship.

If you’re concerned, ask the following questions regarding the move before making the leap:

Why do you want to move in with your partner now?
If you don’t, consider asking yourself why not
Have you discussed what moving in signifies to each of you?
Are you prepared for the possibility that you may break-up even after moving in?
What are some deal-breakers you need to discuss before making this decision?

Picture: Pexels

In Advice

How to include your blended family on your wedding

November 12, 2020 No Comments

Parenthood doesn’t require DNA and some people already have children, either from a previous relationship or before marriage. When they decide to marry other people and bring their families together, they create a blended family.

Bringing your families together and including them in your big day is a sweet way to honour them. Here are some ways to do it, and make sure no one feels neglected or left out.

Have a unity Ceremony

Unity ceremonies are meaningful rituals performed during your wedding to represent becoming a union and the joining of lives, families and communities. Being highly symbolic, there are multiple ways you can do this, which can be personalised to your new family. One idea is to write meaningful letters to each other and read them out during the ceremony, then put them in a jar to keep as a family symbol.

Give them roles

Another way you can include your blended family is by assigning them roles. From a ring bearer to a flower girl, the possibilities are endless. This is guaranteed to make them feel included in the ceremony and when you are all looking at the wedding album, they will be delighted to see themselves featured and having participated.

Give them gift

Gifting is one of the five universal love languages, it shows the next person that you have thought of them and value them enough to gift them. Give them the same or similar gifts to your biological kids, or get them something they have always wanted.

Presenting something special to your new child/children is a wonderful gesture to symbolise that they are an important part of this new family.

Include them in the planning

Kids love doing exciting things, to them everything is playtime and by including them in the planning process, you get the chance to bond with them. Let them participate in everything from cake tasting to licking invitation envelopes.

Encourage them to invite a few of their best friends and their family members to the wedding so that they have familiar faces apart from you.

Have a family dance

After the first dance, invite the kids to come out and join you on the dance floor to their favourite tune. It would be extra fun and special if you practiced a dance prior to the wedding. You can even give them the task of coming up with the steps to our dance routine as the kids of the family.

Picture: Unsplash

In Planning

Active bachelorette party ideas your besties will love

November 3, 2020 No Comments

Bachelorette parties are best known as a night out with your best friends, drinking at a bar while dressed up in all sorts of bright and fluffy accessories. While this is appealing to some, others may not find running from bar to bar to be a good night out.

Luckily, bachelorettes don’t have to conform to any plain standard anymore. If you’re more of an active person who likes to get out there and do some exciting activity, why not make your bachelorette about that. Group activities are also a great way to bond with your friends before the big day.

Zip-lining

Flying through trees or over large ravines is always a thrill but isn’t quite as high risk as bungee jumping which makes it perfect for the thrill-seeker who may have friends who aren’t quite as adventurous. There are many zip lining experiences all over South Africa so you won’t be out of options when it comes to the kind you would like to do.

Stand-up paddle boarding

A more recent sport that has risen to popularity, stand-up paddle boarding gives you all the excitement of surfing without the stress of having to learn to pop-up. You can paddle your way through a canal or out in the ocean beyond the break with your friends and an instructor. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you could even try paddle-board yoga before a relaxing brunch.

Hike

This one is quite simple, if you’re into hiking why not pick your favourite hike and go with your friends. Try keep the route do-able for everyone and take some snacks to have a picnic at the top before making your way down. Hikes give you loads of time to catch-up and talk as you marvel at nature around you and don’t leave you with a painful hangover.

Paintball

Who said paintball is just for the men. Traditionally part of many male bachelor parties, this could be a great way to get out some wedding stress and have fun with your friends. While going with a mixed group can often be stressful when things get competitive, you can set the tone when it comes to your paintball day.

Kayaking

Whether it’s down a river or out in the ocean, kayaking is a really peaceful activity that can be done by most people. There are many companies that give you all the tools you need and instruct you on how to paddle properly so you don’t get stuck in one place. It makes for a great morning or afternoon out and can be followed by a lunch, brunch or drinks.

Pole Dancing Class

This one is almost a staple for the adventurous bride who has a decent amount of upper body strength. Pole dancing studios have been popping up all over the place and many offer a bachelorette package to show you some sexy, and acrobatic moves. Partially a workout, partially a laugh with your friends when you struggle, this is a great time to try if you’ve never done it.

Picture: Unsplash

In Decor

A rocking time: All you need to know about boat weddings

October 23, 2020 No Comments

There are many different venues and locations to host your wedding. Some prefer destination weddings, or indoor weddings, while others wish to say ‘I do’ while at sea.

A boat wedding can be anything from a yacht, a small boat, or a cruise ship. Boats come in different sizes, and it depends on which one you think is best for your special day.

If you’re leaning towards exchanging vows on board, you may want to consider the pros and cons below in order to understand what you’re getting yourself into and whether it’s the right choice for you personally.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFcRA2ynn9I/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The pros:

Affordability

Cruise weddings are generally affordable for yourself and your guests. Many cruise lines offer a range of packages per guest. Most things like the decor and catering is included in the package, so you won’t have to fork out extra for decorations.

You can request to adjust the packages to fit in with your wedding budget and the budget of your guests.

Accommodation and Food

The getaway wedding on cruise ships already comes with space to do everything. There are bars, restaurants and sleeping cabins.

Yacht weddings often have a whole team of vendors they work with which might make you feel more at ease.

Beautiful views

If you have a wedding onboard, no matter what kind of boat you take, you are guaranteed views.

The Cons:

Small spaces

Depending on the type of boat you are using, space could be limited. The floors usually carry no more than 50 people maximum.

Sickness

Some people suffer from sea sickness, so you might have a case of illness on your hands and that could derail the proceedings. You will also probably need to pay for the first response services.

Picture: Unsplash

In Advice

Should you have a live band or a DJ at your wedding?

October 13, 2020 No Comments

Music is one of the important parts of your wedding reception, because people come together on the dance floor. It’s the music that truly has the power to make or break the wedding reception so choosing what should be played at your wedding is a big decision to make.

At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference and costs, so here’s a look at the pros and cons of a live wedding band or DJ.

A live band

In South Africa, a live band at a private function like a wedding costs roughly R 12 000 to R30 000. Prices vary based on your location and other factors, like the size of the band.

Pros

– Live song requests – people and the couple can ask the band to play their favourite songs

– It is more personal than a DJ

– It appeals to younger and older guests

– You and your guests will experience the pleasure of a live performance

Cons

– The big disadvantage of hiring a band is that they tend to be a tad expensive

– Bands also take up more space than a DJ

– The travelling cost and accommodation might be your responsibility if the band is not local

– A band might have one genre of music throughout

A DJ

Private function DJs can cost anywhere between R6500 to R12 000, while celebrity DJ prices range from R20 000 to R45 000. Plenty of couples hire a wedding DJ and prefer the diversity of music over a live band.

Pros

– A DJ can play different genres of music to appeal to a larger crowd

– They don’t require much space to set up

– They are usually local unless you want a celeb DJ

Cons

– Your wedding reception lives and dies depending on the DJ

– Since DJ equipment is usually a bit more “techy” it comes with a lot of wires – and sometimes it can look a little messy

– The equipment could crash and that would be the end of music and the vibe it brings

Some people prefer to have both, a DJ and a live band, to cater to everyone. The band is usually reserved for the romantic first dance. If this is the kind of vibe you want, then you should look into the cost of it all.

Pictures: Unsplash

In Advice

How to create the perfect sanitising station for your big day

October 13, 2020 No Comments

Stop, drop and sanitise is the new motto of life in the time of coronavirus. While large events are discouraged, weddings are allowed to continue as long as everyone in attendance follows strict health and safety protocols.

Lathering up on hand sanitiser is not the most glamorous thing to do, but there are ways to make it a bit more fun and interesting for your guests. Instead of plonking some sanitiser on a table, consider setting up a dedicated sanitising station.

Sanitising stations are trending in the wedding world at the moment. Here are some tips to put your own together.

Placement:

Speak to your wedding venue to have your sanitizing stations set up at all entrances and exits. Remember to also consider spots your guests are likely to congregate at, like restrooms or the bar area. Assign someone the job of monitoring the stations and refilling them when the need arises.

Touchless sanitisers are best, to reduce the amount of contact your guests make with items. They are, however, the more expensive option. If you cannot afford that, simple pump bottles are perfect to get the job done. Make sure to have wipes on hand as well in this case, so guests can use them to wipe the pump bottle down before or after use.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFj4dNAjFsl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Punny:

Have a little fun with your station by creating a punny sign to stand alongside your sanitiser. Here are some ideas:

– Spread love, not germs

– Stop, drop and sanitise

– You can’t touch this (unless you’ve sanitised)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCqmBu-HipB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Dress it up:

You don’t want a boring table that looks like it belongs in a hospital. Give it life by placing it on a fancy drinks cart, and dress it up with some flowers that match your wedding colours and aesthetic.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CC7o3Ozqan_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Picture: Pexels