After a hiatus from print, Wedding Etc is back with a beautiful 178-page issue designed to inspire every couple, no matter where they are in their wedding journey. From finding your dream venue and choosing your wedding-day fragrance to planning the perfect honeymoon, here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll find inside.
We all know how stressful planning a wedding can be, making wedding planning burnout a very real possibility. Whether you’re trying not to pull out your hair as…
At QWABI Private Game Reserve, a wedding begins long before the ceremony itself. It starts in the quiet of the Waterberg – in the shift of pace, the openness of the landscape and the time spent together before anything is said or done.
Set within a private Big Five reserve in the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere, QWABI offers a setting that feels expansive and uninterrupted. The horizon stretches endlessly, wildlife moves freely through the terrain, and the rhythm of the bush gently takes over. Here, celebrations are not confined to a single moment – they unfold gradually, guided by the place as much as by the people within it.
With two lodges set within the reserve, the experience naturally accommodates different energies. LETAMO brings a sense of ease for families and groups, where shared spaces and flowing moments create a lively, connected atmosphere. BABOHI, reserved for adults only, offers something quieter – more contained, more intimate, where the focus shifts inward and every detail feels considered.
Together, they allow a wedding to take on its own pace.
Days unfold by experience rather than schedule. Early mornings begin with game drives, where the landscape reveals itself slowly – soft light, distant movement, the quiet anticipation of what might appear next. Afternoons stretch into golden hour, where time seems to loosen its hold and conversations carry on without interruption.
By the time the ceremony arrives, there is already a sense of connection to each other and to the setting itself.
Ceremonies are framed by the natural surroundings rather than designed around them. Open plains, distant mountains and uninterrupted views become part of the moment, creating a backdrop that feels grounded and cinematic. The landscape speaks for itself.
From there, the celebration moves seamlessly into evening.
Long tables set under open skies; soft lantern light and the distant sounds of the bush create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive. It’s a setting where celebration and stillness exist side by side – where laughter, conversation and quiet pauses all carry equal meaning.
Throughout it all, QWABI’s team remains present in a way that feels supportive rather than directive. The focus is on allowing the experience to unfold naturally – ensuring every detail is in place, while leaving space for the unexpected moments that make a wedding truly personal.
What sets a wedding at QWABI apart is not just the setting, but the sense of continuity it creates.
The experience extends beyond the ceremony into the days surrounding it – slow mornings, shared game drives, time spent together in a place that encourages presence. It becomes less about a single day and more about a series of moments that build into something lasting.
At its core, QWABI offers a wedding that takes its cue from the environment – by space, by time and by the quiet presence of the African wilderness. It is a beginning that doesn’t feel staged but lived. One that belongs entirely to the people within it.
One minute you’re admiring a ring on your finger. The next, everyone wants to know the date, the venue, the dress, the flowers, the guest list and whether…
Every bride dreams of luminous skin, flawless makeup and hair that looks effortlessly healthy from the first photograph to the last dance. Yet in the months leading up to a wedding, many women notice their hair behaving differently. Increased shedding, reduced volume, lacklustre strands or increased breakage are common concerns—and often arrive at the very time confidence matters most.
While there is no single cause of hair thinning or increased hair shedding, understanding the science behind healthy hair allows brides to make informed choices about the products they use every day. Increasingly, experts recognise that healthy-looking hair begins not with a quick fix, but with consistent scalp care supported by scientifically selected cosmetic ingredients.
Why does hair seem to shed more during stressful periods?
Hair follicles continuously cycle through three distinct phases: the active growth phase (anagen), a short transitional phase (catagen) and the resting or shedding phase (telogen). At any given time, approximately 85–90% of scalp hairs are actively growing, while the remainder are naturally progressing towards shedding.¹
Emotional stress, significant life events, changes in diet, rapid weight loss, illness, hormonal fluctuations and sleep disruption can all influence this natural cycle. In some individuals, a greater proportion of hair follicles may enter the telogen phase simultaneously, resulting in increased shedding approximately two to three months later—a phenomenon known as telogen effluvium.²
Fortunately, for many women this is temporary, and maintaining a healthy scalp environment while minimising hair fibre damage can support the appearance of fuller, healthier-looking hair as new growth emerges through the normal hair cycle.
Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp
Just as healthy skin relies on a balanced skin barrier, healthy-looking hair begins with a well-maintained scalp.
Daily exposure to styling products, environmental pollutants, excess sebum and hard water minerals can accumulate on the scalp over time. These deposits may leave hair feeling heavier, duller and more difficult to manage. Gentle yet effective cleansing removes this build-up while preserving the scalp’s natural moisture balance.
The new Fresh Cell Shampoo formulation boasts mild sulphate-free surfactants, including Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate and Lauryl Glucoside, which cleanse effectively while helping to minimise unnecessary stripping of the scalp’s natural lipids.³
The formulation is further supported by ingredients selected for their recognised cosmetic benefits.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is increasingly used in advanced scalp care formulations for its role in supporting the skin barrier and improving scalp condition. A healthy scalp barrier contributes to improved moisture balance and overall scalp comfort.⁴
Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) is one of cosmetic science’s most extensively studied conditioning ingredients. It penetrates the hair shaft, improves moisture retention, enhances shine and elasticity and reduces the appearance of surface damage, leaving hair softer and more resilient to everyday grooming.⁵
Salicylic Acid provides gentle exfoliation of the scalp by helping remove excess sebum and accumulated surface debris. Maintaining a clean scalp environment is recognised as an important component of overall scalp care and may improve the performance of cosmetic conditioning systems applied during regular washing.⁶
Hydrolysed Pea Protein forms a lightweight protective film over the hair fibre, helping reduce moisture loss while improving tensile properties and the perception of thicker, fuller hair. Protein-based cosmetic ingredients are widely used to improve hair strength and reduce breakage associated with repeated styling.⁷
Botanical science meets modern cosmetic formulation
Fresh Cell Shampoo and Conditioner also incorporate a carefully selected blend of botanical extracts traditionally associated with scalp conditioning and antioxidant support.
Extracts of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Centella asiatica, Houttuynia cordata and Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) are rich in naturally occurring polyphenols and antioxidant compounds that help protect cosmetic formulations while contributing to scalp conditioning. Although research into individual botanicals continues to evolve, these ingredients are widely valued within cosmetic science for supporting scalp comfort and maintaining healthy-looking hair.⁸–¹²
The accompanying Fresh Cell Conditioner complements this approach by focusing on protecting the hair fibre itself.
Conditioning agents such as Dimethicone, Amodimethicone and Dimethiconol smooth the hair cuticle, reducing friction between individual strands. This decreases combing forces, improves shine and helps minimise mechanical breakage during brushing and styling.¹³
Natural emollients including Batana Oil, Argan Oil and Glycerin replenish moisture, soften the hair fibre and improve manageability, while botanical extracts including Tea Tree, Rooibos, Chamomile, Lemongrass and Olive Leaf provide additional scalp-conditioning benefits.
Why consistency matters
Hair grows slowly—on average around one centimetre per month—and the complete hair growth cycle extends over several years.¹ As a result, cosmetic haircare products should be viewed as part of a long-term daily routine rather than an overnight solution.
Clinical studies investigating cosmetic shampoos containing ingredients such as niacinamide, panthenol and salicylic acid have demonstrated that measurable improvements in hair parameters generally become more apparent after several months of consistent use rather than a few weeks.¹⁴
Regular cleansing maintains a healthier scalp environment, while repeated conditioning protects the hair fibre against cumulative damage from heat styling, UV exposure, colouring and daily grooming.
A smarter alternative to costly interventions
Modern consumers are increasingly seeking effective, science-led haircare without immediately turning to expensive salon programmes or invasive procedures.
Fresh Cell Shampoo and Conditioner offer a practical, everyday approach built around thoughtfully selected cosmetic ingredients with established roles in scalp care, hair conditioning and fibre protection.
For brides preparing for one of the most memorable days of their lives, healthy hair is not created overnight—it is cultivated through months of good habits, informed choices and products designed to work with the biology of the hair and scalp. Because when the foundations are healthy, confidence follows naturally—and that is the most beautiful finishing touch any bride can wear.
Where Can You Purchase Fresh Cell?
To find your nearest stockist, visit www.freshcellshampoo.co.za and use the Find a Stockist locator to discover a retailer in your area. Fresh Cell is available nationwide through selected dermatologists, aesthetic practitioners and authorised stockists.
Romantic, refined, and irresistibly addictive, Ariana Grande Love Notes is a floral gourmand fragrance that celebrates beauty through contrast. The scent opens with an unexpected burst of rich…
Weddings are filled with moments that deserve to be remembered, not just how they looked, but how they felt. The quiet anticipation before the ceremony, the laughter shared between loved ones, the stillness of a glance exchanged when everything else fades away.
At Myphotocorner, we believe the most powerful way to capture these moments is by placing them in an environment where they can unfold naturally. This is where nature-based wedding photography becomes more than just a visual style — it becomes an experience.
Why Nature Changes Everything
There is a noticeable shift when couples step away from structured indoor settings and into the openness of nature. The pressure to perform falls away. The environment creates space — space to breathe, to connect, and to simply be present.
Whether it’s the soft glow of a Cape Town sunset, the texture of a mountain backdrop, or the calm of a coastal setting, nature has a way of grounding people. It brings authenticity to a moment that cannot be staged.
The result is photography that feels real. Unforced. Timeless.
How It All Began
Our approach to nature-based photography didn’t start with weddings — it started with a passion for chasing light. Early mornings spent capturing sunrises along the Western Cape coastline, late afternoons following the last light as it disappeared behind the mountains — these experiences shaped how we see the world through a lens.
Over time, we began to understand how powerful natural light and open spaces can be. It wasn’t just about capturing landscapes; it was about capturing a feeling.
Bringing this approach into weddings felt like a natural evolution — an opportunity to offer couples something different. Not just photographs, but an experience that allows them to feel comfortable, connected and completely themselves.
Cape Town: The Perfect Backdrop
Few places in the world offer the diversity and beauty that Cape Town does. From the rugged coastline and iconic mountains to lush gardens and wine estates, every location offers its own unique character.
This allows us to create imagery that feels personal and distinctive to each couple. No two weddings look the same, because no two stories are the same.
We work closely with our couples to understand the kind of setting that resonates with them — whether that’s something dramatic and bold, or soft and understated.
More Than Just a Photoshoot
At the heart of what we do is a simple principle: comfort creates connection.
We don’t believe in overly posed or rigid photography. Instead, we guide gently, allowing moments to unfold naturally while ensuring our couples feel relaxed and confident throughout the process.
This approach creates a completely different experience on the day. Couples are not focused on the camera — they are focused on each other.
And that is where the most meaningful images come from.
The Experience We Aim to Create
For us, it has never been just about delivering beautiful photos — it’s about how our couples feel when they look back on them.
We want them to remember:
- The calmness of stepping into nature
- The ease of being themselves in front of the camera
- The joy of being fully present in the moment
And ultimately, we want them to feel wowed — not just by the final images, but by the journey of creating them.
Because when you combine the beauty of nature with genuine human connection, the result is something far more powerful than a photograph.
It becomes a story — one that feels as real years later as it did in that very moment.
Your Story, Naturally Told
At Myphotocorner, we see every wedding as an opportunity to create something meaningful, personal and timeless. By blending the natural beauty of Cape Town with a relaxed and thoughtful approach, we ensure that your wedding photography is not just something you receive — but something you experience.
Because the most beautiful moments are not created.
They are simply allowed to happen.
Latest addition to the Montblanc women’s fragrance line in its most intense and captivating Just as a signature inked on paper is a personal expression on one’s identity,…
2024 saw the launch of Lacoste Original, an intense and addictive men’s fragrance symbolising French elegance. A subtle nod to Lacoste’s first fragrance, released in 1984, it is fully in keeping with the brand’s timeless heritage and instantly established itself as a new pillar of the Maison’s olfactory wardrobe.
Lacoste is now launching its female alter ego: Lacoste Original Pour Femme.
Over the decades, the brand’s iconic style has constantly evolved to create increasingly bold and sophisticated designs. Season after season, the women’s collections have been elevated with elegant and sensual silhouettes, reinterpreting Lacoste’s unmistakable French touch with finesse. This new energy has now been captured beautifully by Lacoste Original Pour Femme.
LACOSTE ORIGINAL FOR WOMEN
Lacoste Original established a design with status, and now its female counterpart, Lacoste Original Pour Femme, is revisiting these codes.
Sporting the same refined, contemporary look, this new bottle has a sleek, graphic silhouette. The colours have been updated for a more feminine look: pink glass reveals the fragrance within, while the label’s border and the ring on the cap are in gold. Echoing the men’s version, the legendary crocodile appears on this new creation, embossed on the label and engraved on top of the cap.
Elegant from all angles, the Lacoste Original Pour Femme bottle slips into a box that incorporates all these distinctive details.
ELEGANT, CAPTIVATING FRESHNESS
Lacoste Original Pour Femme is a charmingly French fragrance that is elegant and relaxed, spontaneous and sophisticated at the same time. Adriana Medina and Louise Turner are the two female perfumers behind this new fruity floral amber composition.
“For us, Lacoste is a resolutely modern brand that has mastered the art of combining chic and comfort, always with a bold touch. It’s this energy that we wanted to capture through Lacoste Original Pour Femme, an ultra-contemporary fragrance that reflects the Lacoste woman. We chose to work with vanilla, which we enriched with a bright floral bouquet with sunny accents for a powerful, dazzling signature scent.” Adriana Medina and Louise Turner
The new fragrance opens with tart, juicy pear, enhanced by the liveliness of a touch of ginger and mandarin. This fruity freshness contrasts with the sensual floral heart, a radiant bouquet of jasmine and rose elevated by a warm, sunny accord. Finally, vanilla, a timeless ingredient in Parisian perfumery, appears in all its duality: sweet at first, before revealing a subtly sensual contrast against amber notes, weaving a powerful, lingering sillage.
Lacoste Original Pour Femme is the expression of chic, carefree and spontaneous femininity. A clever blend of elegance and energy, in the brand’s finest tradition.
FRENCH ELEGANCE, PURE AND SIMPLE
Appearing in the Lacoste Original Pour Homme film campaign with Pierre Niney – the face of the men’s fragrance – French actress and model Eva Danino is naturally the ambassador of Lacoste Original Pour Femme.
French charm personified, she has been photographed for this campaign in an instantly recognisable setting: a Parisian apartment with a window opening onto the rooftops of Paris, which stretch as far as the eye can see.
With her hair down, her face au naturel and wearing a man’s shirt that she seems to have put on in a hurry, she perfectly embodies the Lacoste spirit, with its eternal freshness and timeless elegance.