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    To some, wedding colours may seem like a trivial topic. However, it is actually a tremendously important part of the planning process and in fact not much can be decided on, in terms of decor, if you don’t know what your colour scheme is.

    It’s not as easy as it sounds, though. While it should be based on your general preferred style and personal taste as a couple, you can’t simply throw together your favourite colour and your partners favourite colour and be done with it. That might lead you to a rather odd looking wedding! Don’t risk it.

    Your bridal party’s attire, table settings, flowers, and other decorative details all have to be synced to the same colour scheme. It’s likely it’ll be tough to get this sorted out if you’ve chosen colours that don’t match or even worse, if you haven’t decided on wedding colours at all.

    Despite all of this, you shouldn’t let it stress you out! Follow these simple steps and you’ll decide on your wedding colours in no time:

    – Start simple

    If there is one colour you’ve always wanted to feature in your wedding, start with that. By beginning with a base colour, the rest of your decisions will come much more easily. If you don’t have a base colour in mind just yet, that should be your first task. Look for inspiration where ever you can find it.

    – Think theme 

    A dramatic theme calls for dramatic colours, while a more low-key theme, like a bohemian style for example, calls for toned-down colours. Consider what you’d like your wedding to look like in terms of theme, and base your colours on that.

    – Season and style 

    We all know as seasons change, so do styles and colours. Some colours are best used in specific seasons. For example, coral works great in summer while silver stuns during the winter time. Thinking seasonally can easily lead you to your perfect wedding colours.

    Additionally, you’ll want your colour scheme to work across all parts of your wedding. So you’ll have to think about whether your colours are seasonally appropriate for your bridal party’s outfits too!

    – Venue 

    If you’ve already booked your venue, or have one in mind, consider what it looks like. Is it an outdoor venue with lots of greenery, or is it a warehouse with empty walls? These factors can inform your decisions on colour choices too. In fact, they can make or break your colour choices! For example, if your venue has walls decked out with wallpaper in intricate patters, it already gives a busy feel to the room. If you go with colours which are too bright, or decide to have too many different colours, it could start to look a bit messy.

    – The colour wheel 

    Don’t forget about this useful tool for colour co-ordination. The basics of the colour wheel are that colours which are opposite to each other on the wheel go well together. If you’re having trouble deciding on a second colour, consult this trusted resource.

    Image: Pixabay

    Winter is upon us and the cold has crept in to our lives, causing most of us to stay indoors. What better way to stay warm than with a good dose of love and happiness?

    Many assume that winter weddings are not ideal. The rain may ruin your perfect pictures and make it inconvenient to travel to the venue and the cold may leave your guests feeling a bit fidgety. But there are ways around all of this!

    Let’s not forget, according to folklore, rain on your wedding day is a sign of a good luck to come! Who wouldn’t want to ensure some of that on such a special day?

    Apart from the good luck you’ll receive at your winter wedding, there are some other advantages of celebrating your nuptials in the frosty season. Here’s why you should consider it:

    – Availability

    Since its extremely common to want a summer or spring wedding, venues, vendors, and everything else you’ll need for your wedding will be much more readily available in winter. You’ll get to take your pick and have everything be absolutely perfect on your big day.

    – Affordability

    Similar to the point above, you’ll get better rates for almost everything since you’re getting married outside of peak wedding season. Rates drop as demand drops, so you won’t break the bank with your winter wedding.

    – Guests who are not tired of weddings

    If you’re getting married in peak wedding season, it is guaranteed that your guests have been to at least one or two other weddings around the same time as yours. While we all love a good wedding, attending many, one after the other, week after week, gets tiring (and a bit repetitive – or boring even).

    A winter wedding almost ensures that this is not the case. Your guests are likely not invited to any other weddings at the time, which means they’ll celebrate yours with full force!

    – Romance-filled photo shoot 

    Look, we’re not saying a sunny forest photo shoot isn’t romantic. However, a kiss in the rain makes for one of the most perfect photos for your wedding album. Don’t miss the opportunity!

    – Fun with food 

    A winter menu is usually more diverse than a summer one. You don’t have to worry about spicy food that makes you uncomfortable in the heat, cold or creamy food that melts or gets soft in the heat, and the list goes on. You’ll have many more options for food in winter.

    – Comfort is key 

    No sweating in your dress or suit and no worries about melting makeup. Do we really need to say any more?

    Image: Unsplash

    In most cases, DIY is the cheaper and more fun option. Do you really need any other reason to take up a DIY project? If you do, we’re giving you one. A DIY wedding bouquet is not only quick and easy to do, but it also adds an extra special personal touch to your wedding day.

    Imagine walking down the aisle, seeing your love await you at the end. You’re already beaming with pride. Now, you get to add to that pride, knowing that the bouquet you’re carrying was hand-made by you!

    If you’re considering building your bouquet from scratch, here’s how to do it:

    – You have options, use them 

    While you may have to stick to one vendor for other aspects of your wedding, with flowers you can mix and match. This means you can go to your local market (or several markets) and hand-pick your bouquet flowers, which makes it all the more special. Choose the ones that feel perfect to you.

    -Look for inspiration on Pinterest 

    Before you go shopping, be sure you have an idea of what you’d like. This will make picking the flowers much less overwhelming when you’re there. Also keep seasonality in mind.

    – Prepare your flowers

    Once you’ve got a hold of the blooms that will make up your bouquet, remove the foliage from the stems using your hands or a stem stripper. If you’ve chosen roses, ensure that you’ve removed the thorns. Next you’ll trim the stems to ensure that they are all the same length.

    – Organise the bouquet 

    Choose about 4 flowers for the base of your bouquet, then wrap their stems together (preferably with floral tape). Ensure that you have left some exposed stem at the bottom.

    – Add as you please 

    To create your dream bouquet, add more flowers around the base flowers. Keep things like texture and colour in mind as you add, and wrap with floral tape at each layer.

    Wrap and Pin 

    Once you have decided your bouquet is perfect, give it one final wrapping of floral tape and leave some exposed stem at the top and bottom. Next, using ribbon to cover the floral tape, wrap the stems once more and pin it when you’re done.

    – Preserve

    Once the bouquet is prepped and read, over it in tissue and store it in the refrigerator. This will keep it looking fresh until you’re ready to walk down the aisle.

    Image: Pexels

    Some believe you make your own luck, others hold fast to age-old traditions and superstitions. We’re not here to judge. In fact, many cultures swear by certain dates and times as being good for marriages, while naming other months as a wedding date will undoubtedly extract a gasp from some.

    An old rhyme would guide many in choosing their wedding month through the years (although it does seem to revolve around the weather of the northern hemisphere, so you might want to take it with a pinch of salt). We take a look at some of the months that will see you have a long and happy marriage, and which months to steer clear of.

    When to say ‘I do’:

    February: “Married in February’s sleepy weather, Life you’ll tread in tune together.”

    June: “Married in month of roses – June – Life will be one long honeymoon.”

    July: “Married in July, with flowers ablaze, Bitter-sweet mem’ries in after days.”

    August: “Married in August’s heat and drowse, Lover and friend in your chosen spouse.”

    September: “Married in September’s golden glow, Smooth and serene your life will go.”

    November: “Married in veils of November mist, Fortune your wedding-ring has kissed.”

    December: “Married in days of December cheer, Love’s star shines brighter from year to year.”

    When to say ‘I don’t’

    January: “Married in January’s hoar and rime, Widowed you’ll be before your prime.”

    March: “Married when March winds shrill and roar, Your home will lie on a distant shore.”

    April: “Married ‘neath April’s changeful skies, A chequered path before you lies.”

    October: “Married when leaves in October thin, Toil and hardships for you begin.”

    The rhyme and its wisdoms sourced from Chest of Books.

    Also read: Lucky and unlucky days to get married

    Image: Unsplash

    Winter is coming. While this season might not be the obvious choice for a wedding day, it actually has many benefits.

    Winter weddings add a special feeling of cosy romance and magic to even the frostiest of days. Using decor pieces like fairylights, candles and tons of greenery, any space can be transformed into a winter wonderland.

    If you’re having your big day during the winter, remember to offer treats and favours that will warm up your guests in more ways than one. We’ve got some sweet ideas for you to try.

    Decor:

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    Drinks and treats:

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    Send-offs and favours:

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    Feature image: Unsplash

    Music inspires and brings people together. For many, music has captured their heart and created important bonds with their loved ones. If you’re one of those people, then incorporating music into your big day seems like the perfect thing to do.

    There are so many easy ways to incorporate music into your big day, from invitations all the way to your guest book. A plus is that this theme is incredibly easy to DIY. Gather some sheet music, some old records, and some creativity.

    We’ve got the inspiration covered. Here are some decor ideas that will hit the right note on your big day.

    Invites:
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    Seating chart:
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    Decor:
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    Guest book:
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    Feature image: Unsplash

    Weddings don’t necessarily have to be in fancy hotels or expensive halls. They can be beach-side, river-side, or anywhere you’d like. Similarly, the reception doesn’t have to be super formal. It could be more relaxed too. A picnic wedding is a great option for those looking for something more simple.

    Since this type of reception is not the most common, you may feel a bit lost when it comes to planning. You need not worry! It’s more simple than you think, as long as you know where to start.

    If you’re considering a picnic wedding, here’s how to go about the planning:

    – Size and Location 

    Consider where you’d like to host your picnic wedding. Is it in a park, river-side, by the beach or on the lawn in your garden?

    If you have a large amount of guests, you’ll have to think about the size of the space and whether everyone will be comfortably accommodated. For example, a backyard picnic will not work out well if you’re having 150 guests.

    Another important factor is whether you’re allowed to have events in your desired location. Often, you may need a permit to host an event in a location such as a public park. Before you start making big plans and spending any money, get in contact with a municipal official to find out how you should go about hosting the event.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BllxwaQgQP8/

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    – Decor 

    Since you’re likely to be outdoors for the picnic, decor needs to be done cleverly.

    Ensure that you’re using decorations that are not harmful to the environment, and which are easily disposable to prevent littering.

    You’ll also want to make contact with vendors who provide items such as cutlery and crockery, so that they can advise you on the most appropriate items to use at your reception. The last thing you want is broken plates and inconveniently sized items which make eating outdoors difficult. They’ll also be able to advise you on transportation of these items, since you won’t be in a hall or similar venue, the logistics may be slightly more complicated. Be prepared for that.

    Additionally, a picnic often means you’ll be sitting on the ground or much lower down than you would at a normal table. Find ways to make seating picnic appropriate but still comfortable for guests. Perhaps low tables with comfy pillows for sitting on is a good place to start.

    Finally, take the surroundings into account. You could save big on items such as flowers and table decorations if you make proper use of the area you’re surrounded by.

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    – Food 

    Ensure that you choose picnic-appropriate food. You wouldn’t want it to be too difficult for your guests to indulge in the treats you provide for them. Finger foods are a good start, but a caterer will be able to advise you on meal options that are best suited for the type of event you’re having.

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    – Weather 

    A picnic in the rain is not the most pleasant experience. A picnic wedding is best in the summer time. However, if you’re getting married in the autumn months try to find a way to cover your guests, for example by creating a tented area in your chosen location.

    It may be cute to supply blankets for later in the day when it starts to get a bit chilly, and it will show that you considered your guests while planning the wedding.

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    Image: Pexels

    The wedding exit photo is an important one! It symbolises you, as a newly-wed couple, taking your first steps out into the world as a unit. Many couples go all out for wedding exists, from leaving in a tractor to escaping in a helicopter.

    If you want to keep it simple but still make it special there are tons of options too! There’s no need to stress about an over-the-top exist that, in the end, burns an unnecessary hole in your pocket.

    Here are some simple but stunning ideas to inspire you:

    Classic: 

    (Many people are now against confetti and instead use biodegradable versions like this couple who are using “Floralfetti”)

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8R5MAjp_Dq/

    Sparklers: 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-O4IBjhNSE/

    Bubbles: 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_h1EmYHdDH/

    Through your bridal party:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Fj42jg7SD/

    Ribbons: 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_8qj8HjuLx/

    Light Sabers: 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_yI_2IFqoi/

    Pom-poms: 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAN8Szbj4NP/

    Glow sticks: 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_yJz2KJZwK/

    Sports references:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_ZwWushf7Y/

    Flower petals: 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_UwIMXFG38/

    Image: Instagram / heartandarroweddings

    Thomas Hardy, an English novelist and poet, is quoted by his second wife, Florence Hardy, saying that “Poetry is emotion put into measure”. If we consider it, poetry is one of the best means by which to express feelings. The flow of words which sound like a melody will be like music to your partners ears.

    Including poetry into your wedding vows could be a great way to elevate them and make them more special. If you’re struggling to find the perfect words to say, this is also a good work-around. You could base your vows off of the perfect quote, or add in a quote to precisely and lyrically express the message you’d like to get across.

    After all, poetry is known to cause swooning. Who better to look to for help with your vows, one of the most romantic things you should ever write, than the legendary wordsmiths themselves.

    Here are some poetry quotes to add to your vows:

    – Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda

    “I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
    I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
    so I love you because I know no other way”

    Untitled by Lang Leav

    “You were you,
    and I was I;
    we were two
    before our time.

    I was yours
    before I knew,
    and you have always
    been mine too.”

    [i carry your heart with me(i carry it in] by e. e. cummings

    “i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
    my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
    i go you go, my dear;and whatever is done
    by only me is your doing, my darling)”

    – To Be One With Each Other by George Eliot

    “What greater thing is there for two human souls
    than to feel that they are joined together to strengthen
    each other in all labor, to minister to each other in all sorrow,
    to share with each other in all gladness,
    to be one with each other in the
    silent unspoken memories?”

    Our Souls are Mirrors by Rupi Kaur 

    “when i look in the mirror
    i am looking at you
    when you breathe
    my own lungs fill with air
    that we just met but we
    have known each other our whole lives
    if we were not made as one to begin with”

    – Loves Philosophy by Percy Bysshe Shelly 

    “And the sunlight clasps the earth
    And the moonbeams kiss the sea;
    What is all this sweet work worth
    If thou kiss not me?”

    In and Out of Time by Maya Angelou

    “We see in the distance…
    our long way home.
    I was always yours to have.
    You were always mine.
    We have loved each other in and out of time”

    “La Reina” (“The Queen”) – Pablo Neruda

    “And when you appear
    All the rivers sound
    In my body, bells
    Shake the sky,
    And a hymn fills the world.
    Only you and I,
    Only you and I, my love,
    Listen to me.”

    Feature image: Unsplash

    Get ready to plan your wedding without leaving your home. SA Bridal Fairs is hosting the country’s first ever virtual bridal fair, allowing people to still plan their big day during lockdown.

    Brides and grooms can attend this virtual fair to get expert help on everything wedding, from wedding cakes, dresses, photographers, catering, venues, wedding planners, and much more, all from the comfort of your couch.

    How it works:

    On the day of the event, you will use your Registration Username & Password to enter the Virtual Bridal Fair.  Attendees will then work their way through each exhibitors page, interacting with those you wish to, entering the competitions and so on.

    There are three ‘halls’ featuring approximately 30-50 suppliers depending on province. Exhibitors at the Virtual Bridal Fair will be available to chat to brides and grooms via Live Chat channels. There is also the Bridal & Bridesmaids Gowns Show, showcasing a number of designs from local bridal boutiques and dressmakers, as well as the Bridal Information Pack Area.

    You will also find the Magazine zone and the Quick Quote System – On the last page you will be able to click on the exhibitor booth of any particular exhibitor to go back to ‘find out more’ etc.

    The SA Virtual Bridal Fairs events will take place on the following dates:

    Sunday 17th May – KZN

    Sunday 24th May – Gauteng

    Sunday 31st May – Western Cape

    Sunday 14th June – Free State

    Sunday 21st June – Mpumalanga

    Sunday 28th June – Eastern Cape

    To attend, simply register on the Bridal Fairs website and purchase your tickets. Each Registration Pass recipient will also receive a free Bridal Information Pack which includes the 75+ page Wedding Planning Template Bundle, the Wedding Planning Roadmap, the Weddings Suppliers Printable Directory, the SA Bridal Deals Ebook and more.

    Purchase your tickets HERE. Early bird tickets cost as little as R25.

    Visit the SA Bridal Fairs website for more information.

    Feature image: Unsplash