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    Bridesmaids trade bouquets for puppies

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    Bouquets have come to be the classic accessory for bridesmaids to carry as they walk down the aisle. A bride in Plant City, Florida, however, decided on something different. When Andee Ondina and Tina Krasinski wed on Monday, their bridesmaids strolled down the aisle with puppies instead of flowers.

    The bride, Ondina, made this unorthodox decision in the hopes of raising awareness for rescue animals and to persuade people to adopt, not shop. Adoption applications were even available at the wedding reception.

    Credit: Facebook/Andee Krasinski

    The bridal party included 10 adoptable five-week-old puppies. Ondina told WFLA-TV  that she decided to nickname her furry bouquet substitutes “puppquets”.

    This unconventional choice made the day even more special by adding an adorable flare to the ceremony. The couple’s decision to use their wedding for a good cause is likely to have an even happier ending. From stories we’ve seen in the past, these kinds of thoughtful gestures usually end with most, if not all, of the puppies ending up in happy and loving homes.

    It isn’t just the Krasinski’s getting into the puppy spirit. In 2017, North Carolina bride  Meghan Bulter also opted for puppies instead of bouquets for herself and her bridesmaids at her wedding. Like Ondina, Butler had decided on this in the hopes that she would raise awareness for puppies who needed rescuing. After the wedding, Butler told People that all the puppies had since been adopted.

    Similarly, Sally Burky told Insider that after her wedding, which also showcased adorable dogs who were up for adoption, four out of the total five dogs were adopted. On this occasion, having the puppies at the wedding not only allowed for the adoption of four puppies, but also drew a lot of attention to the rescue home that the dogs were living in. The rescue home, Haven of the Ozarks, was overwhelmed by the support they received after Burky’s wedding.

    So, to us, having bridesmaids carry puppies is cool and unconventional but also heartwarming and adorable. It may just be the pawfect decision.

    Image: Facebook/Wishing Well Barn

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    In Beauty

    How to make your fragrance last longer

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    There’s nothing more frustrating than getting a new perfume, only to find the scent will last a whole of five seconds before it fades into the wind. We give you a few simple ways to help make your fragrance last longer and stronger, especially for your big day.

    A clean slate

    Timing is everything, so spraying on your perfume after a hot shower and a layer of moisturiser is the best way to lock in that scent. After a shower, your pores are clean and skin is moist, making it more susceptible to hold onto the fragrance.

    Layered levels

    To achieve the maximum scent profile of your favourite perfume, try layering the same scent with its matching body wash and body cream. The products work in harmony to last as long as possible and also reach areas you wouldn’t normally spray your perfume on. For that added punch, lightly mist your hair at the nape of your neck with the scent as well.

    Pulse points

    These points on our bodies are where blood flows closest to the surface, i.e. behind the ears, along your neck, your inner wrists and behind the elbows and knees. It is always preferred to target these areas with the scent as the skin is thinnest here and they emit natural heat from your body. This heat helps the perfume scent to evolve as the day progresses and works with your natural body scent.

    Dab, don’t rub

    When spraying perfume onto your skin, always dab instead of rubbing it into your skin, or better yet, just leave it. While the pulse points release heat, rubbing those points together (like your wrists) has the potential to break the perfume’s molecular structure.

    The perfect distance

    As obvious as it sounds to spray more perfume if you want a stronger scent pay-off, try to not overspray your perfume in one particular area. However, in that same breath, don’t spray into the air and completely miss it landing where it should. The ideal should be the perfume bottle at an angle, half an arm’s length away from your body so that it can settle evenly onto your skin.

    Store away from light & heat

    Lastly, always keep your perfumes away from direct sunlight and intense heat or humidity. The light and heat break down the perfume itself which causes it to fade faster than usual. One would hate to spend thousands of rands on a beautiful perfume that won’t even last you the month if it’s already broken down.

    By Yashna Balwanth

    Feature image: Unsplash

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    In Fashion

    Wedding Attire: Smart Casual

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    You’ve been invited to a wedding and the dress code says ‘smart casual’, so what can you wear? If this is the dress code then you can assume that the wedding will be relatively informal.

    Keep your outfit laid-back but add a touch of elegance, it is a wedding after all! Dress smart but don’t go overly dressy.

    Men

    Wear a blazer with a button-down shirt and smart suit pants or chinos. Jacket and tie are optional. Shoe wise, wear loafers, brogues or boat shoes.

     

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    Women

    Wear a stylish mini dress or skirt or smart trousers with a blouse. You can add a tailored blazer if you’re up for it. Stick to sandals, wedges or low heels.

     

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    Feature image: Pixabay

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    In Fashion

    Dresses we love: Halter neck gowns

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    As fashion trends evolve, so do wedding gowns. One that has been relived many times and has experienced a resurgence since Meghan Markle stepped out in one on her wedding day is the halter neck. This design has a very elegant look to it, and we love the different ways you can play around with it.

    Romantic

    This lovely look is feminine and soft, with a dash of sparkle.

     

    Low-cut

    If you prefer a more sultry look, this sexy neckline plunges down but comes together at the top for a finished look.

    Applique

    Patterns are eye candy. These designs sewn onto transparent netting gives the image of the dress gently caressing the skin.

    X-shape

    If you want to flaunt some shoulder, rock this design.

     

     

    Image: Pexels

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    In Advice

    Professional bridesmaids: A trend of the future?

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    Choosing your bridesmaids can be tough. It comes with all kinds of complications like having to choose between friends, having the friend you chose be unavailable for the wedding, or not having enough people to complete your bridal party. Professional bridesmaids, it seems, are on the rise as the best solution to these complications and more.

    Kerstyn Walsh, a professional bridesmaid who has been part of more than 150 weddings, operates her very successful business (Hire a Bridesmaid) in Sydney. She explains to the Daily Mail that “Brides often need someone who is willing to do all the jobs.” Depending on the tasks required of her, Walsh’s fees range between $1000 (R101 59) and $8000 (R812 74).

    The jobs Walsh listed in her repertoire include taking on administrative tasks like consulting with vendors, helping with various chores throughout the special day so that family and friends can give their full attention to the wedding and the couple, and sometimes simply to bring the number of bridesmaids up to equal the number of groomsmen.

    This list is already attractive enough to get us interested in professional bridesmaids. When we consider the lengths Tifanny Wright, a UK-based professional bridesmaid, goes to for her clients, the option seems almost too good to be true. Wright has changed her hair colour for a bride who wanted all her bridesmaids to be brunettes. She also convinced an entire bridal party to do a bootcamp instead of the classic bachelorette party. She has even spied on a groom at his bachelor party (not that we suggest you request this service). Wright does a consultation for £25 (R475). Thereafter, her services fees could go as high as £5000 (R95 153).

    It’s clear then that a bride can ask way more of a professional bridesmaid than a regular bridesmaid. Asking too much of your best friend who is also your bridesmaid can get a bit awkward. But if you’re paying for a professional bridesmaid, you can ask her to do (just about) anything. A professional bridesmaid can’t object to the dresses you want either.

    The benefits of a professional bridesmaid seemingly starts to pile up when you consider that a “normal” bridesmaid has much less experience (if any at all) in the type of planning required for this job than a professional bridesmaid would have.

    With all of this acknowledged, we must say that the idea of a professional bridesmaid does seem much less personal than having a friend or family member as a bridesmaid. Having somebody who knows you, your story, and the in’s and out’s of how you got to your big day by your side is part of what makes things special.

    At any rate, you may struggle to find a professional bridesmaid in South Africa. So this may not be a choice you have to make any time soon. But with the professional bridesmaid market on the rise in Australia, the UK, and USA, you never know.

    Image: Unsplash

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    In Accessories

    Wedding dress shopping timeline

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    One of the most important aspects of a wedding is the bride’s dress. The marriage too, but let’s be honest, all eyes will be on the woman of the moment when she makes her triumphant walk down the aisle. With all this attention, you’ll definitely want your look to be picture perfect.

    Wedding dress shopping is an experience. Making a dress or even just having one altered takes time. To make sure you stay on schedule, follow our wedding dress timeline.

    12 months before the wedding:

    – Research: Before you begin wedding dress shopping, you have to know what you want. Having a general idea of how you want to look will make the shopping experience that much easier. Scour Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration. It also helps to make a Pinterest board so that your bridal party and shopping assistants at bridal stores can greater understand your vision.

    – Budget: Before you enter a store, you need to have a budget. If you don’t have a budget, you risk spending way beyond your means. When setting up your budget, make sure to include all the extra expenses such as alterations, shipping and accessories so that you have a ballpark figure that you cannot go over.

    10 months before the wedding:

    – Start wedding dress shopping: If you thought finding the One was tough, you haven’t gone wedding dress shopping yet. With so many silhouettes and styles available, it is easy to become overwhelmed.

    Take your time and visit a few wedding dress stores to see what they have to offer. During this time, you can also start to get a feel of the the styles that look best on you, which will make your final decision much easier.

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    8 months before the wedding:

    – Say yes to the dress: After months of visiting bridal stores, now is the time to make your choice. By 8 months, you should have your wedding dress locked down and ordered. It may seem early, but choosing your dress this early leaves enough time for alterations and fittings which can often take months to complete.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4sW8EVFgli/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    5 months before the wedding:

    –  Accessorise: remember the saying, “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue”? Now is the time to incorporate it into your wedding attire.

    Whether it be an extravagant veil or a bridal hair piece, there are so many ways to top off your bridal look. The 5-month mark is the perfect time to go shopping for shoes, jewellery and other other accessories to compliment your dress.

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    3 months before the wedding:

    – First fitting: Chances are, you’ll have two to three fittings to make sure your dress is the perfect. At your first fitting, you will cover all the alterations that need to be made, whether it be a shorter hemline or extra beading.

    It is crucial to have this fitting months ahead of the wedding to allow your seamstress enough time to make all the necessary changes. Make sure to bring your shoes and accessories along so that you can see the final look a little more clearly and make the necessary adjustments.

    6-8 weeks before the wedding:

    – Second fitting: The second dress fitting is for minor revisions. You will be fitting on your dress to see how the alterations at your first fitting came out and if any other changes need to be made. Once again, make sure to bring along your shoes and accessories. If possible, have your hair styled and your bridal makeup done so that you can see every component of your look together.

    2-3 weeks before the wedding:

    – Final fitting: All the alterations should be complete at this point, so the final fitting is simply to ensure that everything is perfect. This is the time when your entire look will come together. It is advised that you come prepared with your shoes and accessories, and have your hair and makeup done to get the big picture of your bridal attire.

    the week before the wedding:

    – pick up your wedding dress: it’s finally done! Your next task is to pick up your wedding dress and leave it somewhere safe. If you are following tradition, you’ll want to keep your dress out of your partner’s sight, so you will need to be strategic about where you will store it.

    the day of:

    Enjoy your wedding day: this one is pretty self-explanatory. The day has finally arrived, and now is the time to bask in your happiness while wearing your dream dress.

    Image: Unsplash

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    In Advice

    Groomsmen gift ideas

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    This might not be something men think about a lot, but the fact is, your groomsmen give just as much time, energy and money towards your wedding as any loyal bridesmaid. The least you can do is say thank you, and show them that you really appreciate them sharing your journey to the altar with you. Depending on your budget, you can go big or small.

    Of course, men are notoriously difficult to give gifts to. Here are some cool ideas to help you out:

    Personalized beer case
    We love this wooden case, and carving their name on it adds a personal touch.

     

    Braai kit
    You can’t go wrong with this one. Always handy!

     

    Travel mug
    For all the campers, travellers and always-on-the-go dudes.

     

    Bluetooth speaker
    With a small speaker that’s easy to carry, your boys will always be the life of the party.

     

    Liqueuer
    Not only is liqueur super classy, it actually tastes better than you think!

     

     

     

     

    Picture: Unsplash

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    In Fashion

    Bridal crocs are here

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    Let’s face it, it was always going to happen at some point. If you’re one of those people who wears crocs proudly and confidently, now is your time to shine! If you think about about, bridal crocs make sense. You’re on your feet the whole day and dancing all night. You’ll be the last to laugh when you wake up the next morning without a day-old.

    Ranging from R599 to around R1 470, they’re actually pretty affordable as far as wedding shoes go. And people seem to love them:

    And if you do prefer heels, they’ve got you covered too.

    What do you think? Will you be captivating in crocs on your wedding day?

    Picture: Twitter/ Alexandra_hoho

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    In Fashion

    Pop that tulle and say ‘I do’!

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    Designers call it the modern-day ‘frothy dress’. Known for its dramatised aesthetic, tulle dresses are now taking over the runways and have made its way into the top list of wedding fabrics with a modern design. It is referred to as an aesthetic that you wear not to only look good, but also to feel good. The layering of tulle creates a fairytale-like design, encouraging the bride to feel like a little girl playing dress-up. And isn’t that exactly what it is though?

    Tulle and organza are fabrics associated with haute couture, which leads to the end result being, what we call, ‘OTT’ – a look perfect for your big day. Tulle has been used in bridal gowns for decades but now designers are taking looks straight from the runway and creating a more wearable style for brides and their bridal party. Below are some of our favourite tulle gowns, ready to hit the aisle:

     

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    By Rojaun Devos

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    In Engagements

    Bride helps brother propose at her wedding

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    Proposing or announcing big news at someone else’s wedding is mostly frowned upon. Then again, it really does depend on the couple getting married, as some take delight in having others celebrate their own special life events on their big day.

    A Texan man proposed to his girlfriend at his sister’s wedding, and the bride was in on the whole thing.

    Sierra Mcginty-Rush spent months planning the moment with her brother Solomon McGinty II. At the customary bouquet throwing during the reception, Sierra pretended to get ready to throw the flowers over her head, then turned around and gave her flowers to her brother’s girlfriend, Baylee Gillmore, instead of throwing her bouquet into the crowd.

    And there Solomon was, waiting on one knee with a ring to pop the big question. The woman in question looks stunned, then a few words are exchanged and she happily says yes. They even got their cousin in on it to film the whole thing. Watch how it unfolded:

    In a Facebook post, Sierra wrote: ‘Doing it at MY reception that MY coins paid for was MY idea. If you know me and my brothers relationship then you would understand why I was more excited then they were! I was nervous and trying not to cry,’ she added. ‘Sharing Saturday with him just gave us more memories,’ she said.

    Picture: Daily Mail

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