{Aisle Say by Candice:} Has eloping crossed your mind?

It seems like a tempting option for the frazzled bridal couple who experience high levels of anxiety, planning nightmares, family dilemmas and huge expenses that lead up to their ‘big white wedding.’ Second-time brides will honestly admit that they ‘would never do it all over again!’ and don’t hesitate with the option of eloping. Along with all the movie stars and rock stars who seem to have made it the norm.

Photo credit: {stylemepretty.com}

To elope, literally means ‘to run away and not return to the point of origin.’ Linked to marriage, it means to run away with one’s lover in order to get married in secret and usually without the consent or knowledge of parents. Modern couples always add a new twist, and today the term is used to infer that the bridal couple are having a small celebration without any guests present and often in an exotic location away from home.

Consider it if…
- You like the idea of saving money
- You don’t want the extra stress and anxiety
- You want to avoid family dilemmas
- You have a thrill for adventure
- You are a more private couple

Definitely not if…
- You are doing it to prove a point or go against your parent’s wishes
- You don’t want to miss out on all the wedding gifts
- You want to have your ‘princess moment’ and experience the spotlight for one day
- You don’t want to forfeit the memories shared with family & friends
- You’ve got any doubts or regrets about your partner

So, if you are going to elope make sure that you are both doing it for the right reasons! It is reassuring to know that it's more accepted nowadays, with many guests favouring the practical option of saving money. You and your Fiancé are responsible for your actions and choices, remember to do what makes you happy!

Tip for the Bride-to-be: Consider making a promise to each other, the family and friends that you’ll have an awesome 1-year wedding anniversary party instead!

Contact Candice* at Live Love Dream and invest in a Pre-Marriage Course to ensure your Happily Ever After....

*With a Degree in Psychological Counselling, Candice Luck of Live Love Dream specialises in presenting fun, modern Pre-Marriage courses, that assists couples in building a marriage based on communication, transparency and connection.

Wedding styles vs wedding trends

When a bride starts planning the look and feel of her wedding, she can get confused by all the options available to her in terms of which “look” she can choose. A common question is: “What is the difference between a wedding style and a wedding trend?”

A wedding style is considered to be the “theme” of your wedding. It expresses the look and feel of the wedding as a whole. Wedding styles can include: Vintage, shabby chic, rustic, timeless elegance, classic, minimalist, modern, bohemian, country, farm style etc.

A wedding trend is something (a colour, a pattern, a motif) that is popular at a specific time, and may help you execute your wedding style. Some trends go out, and some don’t. Wedding trends can include: Hair braids, birds, the colour mint, the chevron pattern, snack stations, bunting and peplum wedding gowns etc.

Thus, brides should consider how and what trends to incorporate into their wedding style. We often hear brides say: “I don ‘t want it to look dated 5 years from now”. Integrated with caution and lending to the wedding style is probably the best way to bring a trend into a theme. For example: bunting (a vintage trend) and at a vintage themed wedding (style) may not be as timeless as the vintage brooch bouquet (trend).

Photo credits:
Styles:
Soft romantic table setup: Stella Uys Photography via Teapots & Tulle
Whimsical Alice in Wonderland style: Moi Decor via Teapots & Tulle
Romantic Elegant style: Hannalee Photography
Trends:
Bunting: Blackframe Photography via Teapots & Tulle
Succulents in chevron planter: theknot.ninemsn.com.au
Peplum wedding gown: www.bridalguide.com
Ombre wedding cake: greenweddingshoes.com

{Aisle Say by Candice:} Watch Out For These Pre-wedding Mistakes

Today’s bride lives in a fast paced world where time flies by and there's always something on the to-do-list. Now add the excitement, nerves and hype around planning the big wedding day and it's easy to understand that some things can fall through the cracks or simply catch up with the bewildered bride.

Here are some of those silly mistakes to look out for:
Choosing vendors in a rush – Do some research and take time in choosing your wedding suppliers. Go visit them personally, see the samples, taste the food and get an overall experience of the service and quality. Referrals from friends or family can be reassuring but might not be your style. Remember you and your fiancé must be happy with your final choices!

Organising your dress too late - Get your dress at least 3 months before your wedding date. Yes, you want to be slim and trim before you purchase your bridal gown but there can be unforeseen delays especially if you are importing your dress or having it made by hand. The same applies to your bridesmaids dresses.

Guessing games with guests - Make sure your venue can seat the number of guests you are inviting. Don’t assume or ‘hold thumbs’ that the distant cousins from America or Aunt Agnes are not going to attend. They just might just surprise you and then you’ve got a problem. You also need to be strict with the RSVP’s because it will affect your budget and the catering plans.

Last minute beauty treatments – If you want a tan then you’ve got to plan! Do a trial of sun-bed or spray-tan session at least 3 months before so that you can see the effect and what will work best for your skin. New lotions and potions can cause an allergic reaction so avoid starting any new beauty products in the month before your wedding day.

Missing out on Pre-Marriage coaching - There is no strict rule as to when you have to do this but it makes sense to get it done in advance and ticked off the long to-do-list. Any time after your engagement is good and it is a great investment in your marriage. You will also gain communication skills on the course that will definitely come in handy with all the planning and decision making.

Contact Candice* at Live Love Dream and invest in a Pre-Marriage Course to ensure your Happily Ever After...

*With a Degree in Psychological Counselling, Candice Luck of Live Love Dream specialises in presenting fun, modern Pre-Marriage courses, that assists couples in building a marriage based on communication, transparency and connection.

5 “off the beaten track” wedding venues in Gauteng

It's no secret that Gauteng has a number of wonderful wedding venues. Once you start your wedding venue search, the Muldersdrift wedding mile comes to mind and with it the wonderful Oakfield Farm, Avianto, Moon and Sixpence and others. Or you may come across some Country Club venues in and around Johannesburg and Pretoria. But today we want to present you with our top 5 “off the beaten track” wedding venues in Gauteng. Think palatial barns, decks overlooking ponds with ducks and quaint, enclosed patios. These venues are different from the ‘usual’ and their uniqueness lend them to being "off the beaten track". It is just a coincidence that 4 of the 5 are situated in Pretoria East!

5) Rosemary Hill
Situated on beautiful farmland just 10 minutes from Pretoria East, this venue specializes in authentic farm weddings, whether it be rustic, vintage or shabby chic. They also have a labyrinth, a barn and teagarden and it is a fully functioning organic farm.

For more info, visit www.rosemaryhill.co.za
Photo credit:{www.rosemaryhill.co.za}

4)Olive Mystery
Just 20 minutes from Pretoria, in Bapsfontein, resides Olive Mystery. Perfect rustic charm for a perfect country wedding. The charming farm surrounds make for wonderful photo opportunities and this venue is easy on the pocket without compromising on quality.

For more info, visit www.olivemystery.co.za
Photo credit:{alexandersmith.co.za}


3) Vivere Country Estate
Also situated in Pretoria East past Silver Lakes this new kid on the block combines French charm with rustic country. With attention paid to the tiniest aesthetic detail, this venue is a perfect blend of sophistication and timelessness. There is a lovely man made deck which overlooks a pond with small ducks, as well as some wildlife which roam the adjacent gardens of the estate. View the shoot at Vivere Country Estate by Hannalee Photography.

For more info, visit www.viverevenue.co.za Photo credit:{hannalee.co.za}

2) The Pudding Shop
La Cucino di Ciro, in Parktown North is a Mediterranean styled venue, inspired by the "Lale Restaurant" in Istanbul, Turkey. Due to word of mouth it became known as “The Pudding Shop” from its wide selection of desserts. The actual restaurant serves as the venue and you can take wonderful creative photos in the Pudding Shop at the back of the main restaurant. We love the textured walls, and the patio style dining option.

For more info, visit lacucinadiciro.co.za
Photo credit:{www.jeanetteverster.com}

2) Ludwigs Roses
Our number one pick for an "off the beaten track" wedding venue is a rose farm in Pretoria. Just before you reach Vivere Country Estate, you will see a sign for Ludwig’s Roses. Originally (and still) a rose farm, the one barn on the property was used to function as a wedding venue for the first time when Ludwig’s eldest daughter Heike got married in March 2011. A perfect blend of rustic farm with over the top bling, as per the chandeliers in the barn.

For more info, visit www.roseweb.co.za
Photo credit:{Elsa Young via www.roseweb.co.za}

{Aisle Say by Candice}: Groomzilla - a new kind of wedding tyrant

You will be familiar with the term 'bridezilla' which is used to describe brides-to-be who become impossible and determined to have the perfect wedding at whatever the cost. Now we have to make way for her partner, Groomzilla. This is a modern epidemic of bossy and stressed out grooms.

What is it? A heterosexual man who is over-involved in planning the wedding day and obsesses about all the small details that were once strictly the bride’s task.
The reason? Men are now making their marriage commitments a lot later and with more life experience tucked ‘under their belts’ they have had time to develop their own acquired tastes and dislikes.

Fingers also point to the wedding industry media who are now focussing a lot more attention on the groom. After all, brides have already been ‘sold’ on this fairy-tale event. Grooms are also contributing more financially and want more of a say in what happens with their investment.

The 21st century male has been shaped by society into changing his thinking when it comes to his self-image. These men feel no shame in going for regular waxes, eyebrow shaping, pedicures and hair treatments. Women have yearned for this ‘new-age’ man but where do we draw the line? I would say when you start booking liposuction and botox treatments together!

The symptoms?
- Your handsome prince charming becomes unreasonably demanding
- He throws temper tantrums with the wedding planner
- You see his internet history list is all wedding sites
- He is triple-checking all the plans that you make
- He wants his bling to be as flashy as yours
- He is considering slimming treatments to lose weight for the big day
- His competitive streak is interfering within all aspect of your relationship

How to approach it? Communication and honesty are always good to start with. Have a discussion with your Fiancé about delegating tasks, finances and clearly defining who is responsible for what. Also create a fun trigger word that will be used to snap each other out of groomzilla or bridezilla moods before it sucks you both in. Lastly, remember that planning a wedding together is an excellent coaching exercise because marriage is all about compromise!

Tip for the Bride-to-be: Get your Fiancé to plan a ‘boys night’ with his close friends. This will re-charge his masculinity and his mates will definitely sort him out!

Photo credits: {barbaraweddings.wordpress.com}

Contact Candice* at Live Love Dream and invest in a Pre-Marriage Course to ensure your Happily Ever After... *With a Degree in Psychological Counselling, Candice Luck of Live Love Dream specialises in presenting fun, modern Pre-Marriage courses, that assists couples in building a marriage based on communication, transparency and connection.

Spring/Summer 2012 Wedding Trends

With wedding season 2012 in full swing, we thought to share with you our top wedding trends for Spring/Summer 2012. In terms of looks for the bride, think sophisticated romance which draws its inspiration from THAT big royal wedding last year. Mantilla veils with lace sleeve detail are proving to be the preferred style. Cupcakes are out, macaroons and petit fours are in.

With decor, vintage and boho chic is still a style that remains popular, and can be incorporated with classic items such as candelabras and chandeliers, which adds to the romantic elegance of the overall look. Regarding colours, classic white and ivory with pops of softer colours such as mint, seafoam, peach and coral are combined in flowers, decor and confectionary. The outcome is a delicate and whimsical look which has a timeless allure.

Photo credits: {oncewed.com} {etsy.com} {moi-decor.blogspot.com} {weddingchicks.com}{moi-decor.blogspot.com} {revel-blog.com}

{Aisle Say by Candice}: How to keep the romantic buzz after the honeymoon

Every bridal couple looks forward to their romantic honeymoon after the big day. After all, it's the first holiday that they will spend together as husband and wife. Most of us can imagine the candle-light dinners, lavish food, luxurious hotel rooms, long walks together and lots of “sleep”. Everything on the honeymoon is amplified to seem more magical but sadly not sustainable.

Photo credits:{honeymoonguide.wordpress.com}

The Oxford English Dictionary indicates that while today honeymoon has a positive meaning, the word was originally a reference to the inevitable waning of love like a phase of the moon.

So how do the newly-weds keep that romantic spark alive after they return home and they have to face the reality of work, house chores and groceries…

Key points on how to keep the romantic buzz:

Variation: it is so easy to settle into a routine and that’s when boredom strikes. To keep spontaneity and the element of excitement alive, couples must vary the time, place and atmosphere when it comes to the bedroom arena.
Communication: couples who engage in regular and open discussions about their sexual enjoyment and differences are better able to understand and each other and deepen their intimacy.
Anticipation: using words and body language throughout the day as foreplay after all ‘sex begins at breakfast’*. Be creative and send a sexy sms during the day to let your partner know that you’re thinking of them or treat each other to a relaxing neck rub when you get home. All this enhances the sacred connection between partners.
Date Nights: it may be a cliché but these are great for setting aside quality time to spend together. Partners should take turns in planning the date night so that there is fun variation, you don’t want to go to the same Italian restaurant every month. Go to the theatre, a comedy show, wine-tasting or dancing, do things that you enjoy together.

Remember you have a lifetime ahead to share, explore and have fun so the sky is the limit, got for it!

*Quote taken from The Marriage Book by Nicky and Sila Lee

Contact Candice* at Live Love Dream and invest in a Pre-Marriage Course to ensure your Happily Ever After...

*With a Degree in Psychological Counselling, Candice Luck of Live Love Dream specialises in presenting fun, modern Pre-Marriage courses, that assists couples in building a marriage based on communication, transparency and connection.

Lily Young Stationers

If you are looking for unique wedding items such as custom underplates, wine name place cards and photo booth props, then look no further than Pretoria based Lily Young. Not only do they do traditional wedding stationery (invites, save the dates etc) they also provide pretty ideas for confetti, ranging from heart shaped confetti to an array of display options. They also stock Luminaries, which we featured earlier this week on our Etsy find.

Have a look at their product catalogue here or their website.

Photo credits: {lilyyoung.co.za}

{Etsy find of the week}: Add Something Extra

We came across a lovely Etsy site called AddSomethingExtra this week that is perfect for the little detailed extras for a wedding or party. Cute tags, cards, gift wrap accessories, and other paper goods that will add something extra. Give them as gifts, use them on gifts, or keep them all to yourself! We particularly love the Kraft luminary bags with scalloped detail. This can be used for wedding favours or treat bags or even to house the confetti. The decorated clothespins are also quite novel and can be used to clip name place settings onto shutters or on plain string.

For more cute items, visit AddSomethingExtra on Etsy.

Photo credits: {etsy.com}