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    In News

    The strange origins of the garter and bouquet toss

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    A sign of good fortune, catching the bridal bouquet or garter predicts that the recipient will be the next person to get married. But have you ever wondered where this tradition comes from? Turns out, they have an incredibly odd origin story…

    You know the scene: the emcee calls all the single ladies to the dance floor for the traditional bouquet toss. Bridesmaids and guests jostle each other in preparation of the momentous occasion. The bride turns her back on her guests and hurls the bouquet, causing eager women to leap into a frenzy to catch the floral arrangement. It’s a fun, lighthearted moment during ones big day. However, it wasn’t always that way.

    Back in the day – medieval England to be exact – wedding guests were desperate to have a piece of the bride, literally. Wedding dresses were seen as positive signs of fertility and good luck, so obviously everyone wanted to get their hands on one. After the wedding, guests would clamour around the bride and rip pieces of her gown off her body as a keepsake. Guests in those days were pretty intense and would even follow the newlyweds into their bridal chamber and egg them on as they prepared to consummate the marriage. Yes, really. Understandably, newlyweds weren’t really into this.  To ward them off, the bride would hurl her bouquet into the crowd as a distraction before she made a quick exit with the groom.

    The garter was a popular piece guests aimed to grab from the bride. After the newlyweds consummated the marriage, the groom would toss the garter to the waiting crowd as proof that the deed was done. This piece of lingerie thus came to symbolise fertility and good fortune.

    In the 1919 book, “Wedding Customs Then and Now”, Carl Holliday writes, “The bridesmaids start with the weary bride to the wedding chamber when suddenly the cry arises, ‘Get her garter’… If the woman has been thoughtful, she has fastened it loosely to the bottom of her dress so that it drags in plain view of the scrambling ruffians; if she has not been a wise virgin, she may find her clothes in rags after the struggle.”

    Luckily, times have changed. Although I don’t know if a groom lunging underneath a skirt to retrieve the garter with his teeth makes this tradition any better. Think of the children…

    Image: Pexels

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    In Destination

    You can now get married by Chris Harrison at The Bachelor mansion

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    Fans of The Bachelor will be ecstatic to know that the venue where the famous reality show is set is now also available for hire as a wedding venue. To top it off, you can even ask celebrity host of the series, Chris Harrison, to officiate the marriage.

    Credit: Instagram/Chris Harrison

    Having been ordained as a minister, Harrison has since wed many a lucky couple who hit it off on The Bachelor or The Bachelorette.

    The famous Villa de la Vina in Malibu, US, is a 200-years-old Mediterranean-style building with a range of luxury features that will make for the perfect wedding venue. The venue, that can host 350 people, has an infinity pool and picturesque views of the surrounding canyons.

    If you want to have an extravagant wedding at this lavish venue, you’ll have to contact them for official quotes, but according to Wetpaint, you can rent it out for an icy $2,100 (R17 745) a night for personal use so we can only imagine what a wedding might set you back.

    Picture: Instagram

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    In Fashion

    Trending: The bridal backlace

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    You’ve seen it, you’ve loved it, but you keep thinking: ‘Can I wear it?’ The answer is yes! Wedding gowns that come with a backlace is the epitome of elegance. The fun part is, if your dress does not come with one, but you have an open back, you can opt for a necklace with a back. That means it will be short at the front and have a backdrop hanging down your back. Here are some inspiration from different kinds of backlaces, suited for different styles.

    Dainty

     

    Pearly

    Glitzy

    Layered

    Rustic

    Pendant

    Picture: Etsy.com

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    In Accessories

    Dresses we love: Applique

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    Applique – various fabrics sewn onto netting or other transparent fabric – creates a lovely, romantic appearance for your bridal look. It allows you to show some skin and yet still look classy and tasteful. It suits brides with a feminine style and a love for detail. Applique designs can feature anywhere, like the back, sleeves, neckline or veil. Here are some of our favourites.

     

    Picture: Unsplash

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    In Advice

    How to avoid family drama at your wedding

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    Everything is organised: Your dress, your hair and make-up. The catering and photography are all systems go and you and your spouse-to-be are super excited for the big day. There’s just one issue left to tackle: the guests. You both love your families, but they can be a handful. This cousin is angry with that aunt, and that uncle hasn’t spoken to this one’s dad in years. Hopefully, you or your partner’s family members are mature enough to behave well at the wedding for your sakes and not ruin your day. But you never know!

    So how do you handle family feuds on what’s supposed to be the happiest day of your life? Here are some things to keep in mind to help you prevent the much-dreaded drama:

    1. Be smart with seating arrangements
    When it comes to practical things like seating, be mindful of who sits next to whom. Of course, it might not be possible to keep everyone happy, but you can at least try to arrange it in a way that arguments will be least likely to break out.

    2. Never get involved in the details
    Remember, if it’s not your fight, it’s not your place to intervene. You have bigger things to worry about! For you to try and get in between will waste energy and emotional resources you’re supposed to save for joyous moments. Keep out of it as far as possible. When either of the parties involved try to drag you in, just calmly but firmly say something like “I understand that it’s tough for you, and I really appreciate that you’re here for me. I will not be able to talk to him/her about this, but why don’t you join me on the dance floor? I love this song!” This way, you move the attention away from the issue and hopefully remind them that you’re all there to enjoy the wedding.

    3. Try to give everyone equal attention
    Again, don’t choose sides. It’s important that you show everyone you are happy for them to be there for you and that you appreciate and love them all equally. Avoid spending too much time with any particular person or table so as not to create more friction.

    4. Communicate beforehand
    If things are that serious and you’re worried it might actually get out of hand, it might be wise to talk to each of the parties involved separately before the wedding day. Schedule a coffee date or write them a personal email explaining that you are looking forward to spend time with them but that you also expect them to behave a certain way on the day out of respect for you. Make it clear that you want them to be comfortable, but that you can’t control everything. Ask them to consider you and your partner during the day and set their differences aside.

    5. Enjoy your day – regardless
    At the end of the day, you have to choose whether you will allow other people’s behaviour to upset you or not. We know this isn’t always easy, but for one day you are allowed to focus on you and your own joy. Focus on the happy moments and the well wishes, the delightful food and beautiful surroundings. This is meant to be a celebration of love and all you should really be concerned about is the fact that your partner can’t stop smiling at you.

    Picture: Pexels

     

     

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    In Celebs

    Pinterest shadow bans plantation wedding content

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    You won’t be seeing any images from Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ 2012 nuptials on Pinterest and The Knot anymore. The prominent websites joined other platforms taking a stand by placing a shadow ban on all images relating to plantation weddings.

    Pinterest, The Knot Worldwide, Brides and Zola recently announced that they would be making changes to their platform that would restrict all references to plantations, as well as any language attempting to romanticise these locations as wedding venues.

    Those searching for such content will receive a notification that the images may violate Pinterest’s policies. The sites will no longer work with vendors that are plantations or attempt to romantacise such locations.

    This means that images from Ryan Reynold’s and Blake Lively’s 2012 wedding held at Boone Hall Plantation in South Carolina, have now been shadow banned from these popular sites.

    This move is in response to a campaign led by racial justice organization, Color of Change, who argued that the weddng industry was glamorising and capatalising sites of human rights atrocities.

    “The decision to glorify plantations as nostalgic sites of celebration is not an empowering one for the Black women and justice-minded people who use your site,” Color of Change wrote to the Knot Worldwide executives. “Plantations are physical reminders of one of the most horrific human rights abuses the world has ever seen. The wedding industry routinely denies the violent conditions Black people faced under chattel slavery by promoting plantations as romantic places to marry.”

    Many plantations in America thrived off slave labour and became places of human rights abuse for the people forced into these demeaning positions. As such, they’ve become painful reminders of a dark and sordid history for many African Americans who descended from such slaves.

    “Weddings should be a symbol of love and unity. Plantations represent none of those things,” said a Pinterest spokesperson. “We are working to limit the distribution of this content and accounts across our platform, and continue to not accept advertisements for them.”

    “We want to make sure we’re serving all our couples and that they don’t feel in any way discriminated against,” The Knot’s chief marketing officer Dhanusha Sivajee told Buzzfeed News.

    Image: Instagram / Ryan Reynolds

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    In Decor

    Alternative outdoor wedding arches

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    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

     

     

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    In Advice

    Now trending: ruin wedding venues

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    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.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B47c4svhwN2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    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.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5LU3GxhC_z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    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.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxf8GRoHs6p/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    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.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5i0xQyBYP2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    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

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    In Guys

    Groom skydives into his wedding

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    It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a…groom? This groom’s head was in the clouds, literally, on his wedding day. Instead of walking down the aisle, he decided to make a grand entrance by skydiving to his wedding venue.

    Akaash Yadav married his bride Gaganpreet in spectacular fashion at their Los Cabos, Mexico wedding. A video of the groom skydiving into his wedding was posted to Instagram page ‘wedmegood’, and quickly went viral. It currently has over 11 000 likes.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5VXF-_px7a/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Talk about taking a leap of faith! Yadav shared a video on his personal account, writing, “It’s a bird, it’s a plane…it’s me. On 11/25/19, I skydived into my baraat and into hundreds of screaming people. It ended up going viral and getting shared all over the world, which is insane in itself. But more importantly, it ended up being one of the craziest, most amazing experiences in my life.⁣”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5qPBDyFGx8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Image: Instagram / Akaash Yadav

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    In Advice

    Modern wedding cake trends

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    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.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5TF8akl3JT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4YImNjD3VR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Sux1zlH_5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    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.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4s5K-3ht00/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4lFMA_gtKs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2jL41UlNAB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    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.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4HYmBOIg3y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3_vQR5A2NY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2R12F-jun_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    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.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B32oOB9JfrA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3LR2Nkly05/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3TwTRVAeb6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    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.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxf23NKnBls/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4vG_g1hY5x/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5iDxApgRp6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Image: Unsplash

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