{Aisle Say by Candice}: What’s Your Marriage Recipe?

There are no more excuses in the 21st century for not being able to create and have the marriage you want. With greater equality and information available, the choice is now yours. You are the chef in the kitchen and can decide what ingredients you want to put into your marriage recipe.


Like most new relationships, it starts off spicy and delicious, you just can’t get enough. Over time, having the same dish repetitively becomes boring unless you add something different. They key is variation to keep it interesting. Often it is just that pinch of salt or sugar that can make all the difference just like the little gestures of love in your relationship that count and keep it together.


Photo credits: { www.elizabethannedesigns.com}

After several years together, you will need to work a bit harder to keep the flavours alive. Remember to experiment with your recipe and be spontaneous. Adding new herbs can spice it up and improve it for the better. Also take note of the quantities you are mixing together because ideally you want to create a wholesome, balanced meal.

Just like a refined whiskey or smooth red wine, so too will your marriage recipe get better with time.

You and your husband get to define and create the recipe of the marriage you want. Whether it is spicy, sweet, savoury or zesty…enjoy concocting your unique mixture that will bring you fulfilment.

M- Make quality time for each other
A- Always be committed & honest
R- Respect, trust & love openly
R- Remember the power of communication
I- Initiate fun and spontaneity
A- Appreciate and accept your differences
G- Gratitude for each day
E- Evolve and share your dreams

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.

Lauren & Kyle's Perfect Pizza Party

It isn’t every day that you profile a wedding where the reception was held at a pizzeria! But, then again, there is a first for everything! Lauren & Kyle got married in Pretoria in September and their photographers at 5 Talents Photography captured their ceremony and quirky reception at the famed Toni’s Fully Furbished Pizza Co. perfectly.

With mosaic patterns playing a role due to the venue’s incorporation of this design element, Terry from Ribbon Weddings made sure this and the green, blue, brown and yellow colour palette came together seamlessly. Admittedly, this wasn’t an easy colour combination or design theme, but Terry pulled it off, by incorporating a “Secret Garden” look with plenty foliage and fairy lights.

For more on this wedding, visit Terry’s post here or the post by 5 Talents Photography.

Photography: 5 Talents Photography
Reception: Toni's Fully Furbished Pizza Co.
Ceremony: Christ Church, Arcadia
Dress: Olivelli
Stationery: Ribbon
Flowers and Decor: Ribbon
Decor Hire: Moi Decor; Nici's Decor Hire; The Decor Hire Company

{Aisle Say by Candice}: Quick A-Z Wedding Tips

A- Attitude: Keep a check on each other so that neither of you become the dreaded ‘Bridezilla’ or ‘Groomzilla’

B- Budget: It is good to have a guideline right from the start and stick to it if you want to avoid financial burdens.

C- Children: You must decide if you want these little people and if your venue is child-friendly. Arrange a play corner to keep them busy.

D- Dress: Don’t rush, try on a variety and choose the gown that compliments your curves. You want to look and feel like a princess but still be comfortable.

E- Eco-friendly: Be practical and support local shops/markets with your selection of food, flowers and décor. Select food and flowers that will be in season on your wedding date.

F- Family: Be prepared for a few upsets but remember that on the day everyone will get on just fine. Nobody has the perfect family.

G- Gifts: Modern bridal couples prefer to have money as they’ve already organised their ‘nest’. It is more accepted to mention this in the wedding invitation.

H- Honeymoon: Ensure you have valid visas/passports and find out if you need any special injections beforehand.

I- Invest: It’s worth the time and money to do a Pre-Marriage Course, it will enrich your relationship.

J- Jealousy: Be aware that this can flare up between your bridesmaids. Allocate tasks and put boundaries in place so that each lady knows what’s expected of her.

K- Kit: Be prepared for any little glitches by having a Bride and Groom emergency box with headache pills, safety pins, plasters, anti-bacterial cream etc.

L- Love: Take a step back from all the planning and stress to reflect on what this day is all about. Your wedding is a celebration of a special commitment to the love of your life.

M- Mother of the Bride: Your Mom wants to look and feel amazing for this special occasion. Give her (and Mom-in-law) guidelines with the colours and styles that will compliment your theme.

N- Numbers: Everything comes down to this and guests can be slack about RSVP’ing on time. Have a list/file so you can continuously keep track of your guests and budget.

O- Old traditions: They have got deep origins and no wedding is truly complete without them. You can create your own new traditions too.

P- Priest: Choose a minister/wedding celebrant that you know or who has been referred. It’s a special ceremony and would be impersonal to experience it with a stranger.

Q- Quest: There is a lot of pressure to make the wedding night spectacular. Talk about how you feel and what you would like to do, remembering you have a lifetime ahead together to explore.

R- Rings: The Bride’s ring is all about the sparkle and bling. The Groom’s ring must be durable and comfortable to wear while working, exercising etc.

S- Signed: Your wedding contracts should be sealed and done before you walk down the aisle. It can feel awkward.

T- Toasts: Ensure that all the right people are thanked and acknowledged. Modern Brides are also starting to say a little speech.

U- Union: You may be joining together to form a single unit but you are both unique individuals. Learn to embrace these differences and how it can strengthen your marriage.

V- Vows: more couples are choosing to write their own as it is more personalized and from the heart.

W- Wedding planner: Save yourself a lot of stress. They can get quotes, samples and meetings planned for you as well as keep a budget and timeline check.

X- X-treme weather: Always have a plan B. Our weather patterns are busy changing and with nature there is no guarantee.

Y- Your Bachelor/ette: Discuss the boundaries when it comes to the cost, where and how. You both want to have a fun time but also need to make safety a priority.

Z- Zest: Remember you put the ingredients into your marriage so you have to keep checking the recipe and sometimes you have add in a new spice or try something different.


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

Magnificent wedding at Moon & Sixpence

Ilana & Herman got married in October at the wonderful Moon & Sixpence. Joburg based photographer Melanie Wessels captured their magical day. Ilana’s cousins Kari & Elmari are the brainchilds behind one of our favourite blogs Lovilee.co.za and Ilana is the owner of Cosmetiek, a professional make up company which she runs. She also did her own make up for her big day, so this is one talented bunch! We love how she incorporated orange and coppers into her wedding even going as far as having carrot cupcakes! Ilana chose some of Moi Decor’s table number frames and planters as decor for her tables. To view more of this lovely wedding, visit melaniewessels.com.

Photo credits: {melaniewessels.com}

Quaint wedding at Morrell's

We simply love the idea of quaint, intimate weddings that incorporate a cocktail evening into the mix. Today’s wedding is one that pulled it off superbly at Morrell’s Boutique venue in Northclif. Nichola and Kayne got in September 2011. Nichola, owner of Lila'ssence in Douglasdale, absolutely loves vintage and fell in love with Morrell’s the first time she went to visit the venue.

The couple opted for a small, cosy wedding with family and close friends with a relaxed cocktail style reception. And instead of going traditional, they chose a quirky cake which was inspired by Chockywockydoodah and was custom-made by Magnolia Cake & Bake in Helderkruin. (View the original cake here in one of our earlier T & T articles). It was definitely a winner with their guests! View some shots of their special day taken by Joburg based photographer Christopher Munton.

Photo credits:{www.chrismunton.co.za}

{Aisle Say by Candice}: Opposites Attract

No matter how in love you are, the reality is that you are both unique and you are definitely going to have your differences. The aim is to not resist or try to convert one another but rather learn how to embrace, appreciate and allow these differences to compliment your relationship.

Now, we tend to assume that we know all our differences but to make sure you’re on the same page, here is a little exercise to do together. It clearly highlights some of the important aspects where your differences can cause possible problems. Generally, you will see how being opposite actually balances your relationship.

Together go down the list and make a mark against each issue where your preferences lie.

Example:
J = John and S = Sarah
Money: Spend S ________________________ J Save
Holidays: Adventure S J ________________________ Rest

Issue:
Money: Spend ________________________ Save
Holidays: Adventure ________________________ Rest
Sleeping: Stay up late ________________________ Get up early
Disagreements: Confront ________________________ Keep peace
Planning: Stick to plans ________________________ Flexible, change easily
Exercise: Active and regular ________________________ Chill and do little
Tidiness: Tidy and organised ________________________ Messy and relaxed
Decisions: Spontaneous ________________________ Cautious
Socially: Extrovert ________________________ Introvert
Change: Easy and enjoy ________________________ Difficult and resist

It is advised that you and your fiancé discuss the major differences that are revealed. How can you compromise and learn to not let these differences become triggers for future arguments? Being aware and thinking about solutions is an advantage that will create more harmony in your marriage.

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.

{Aisle Say by Candice}: Going Green

An eco-friendly wedding involves your awareness and effort in reducing the impact of pollution and waste from your function. You can still have a modern, glamorous event that respects the Earth and has a unique charm that guests will remember forever.

This is how you can incorporate some earth-friendly ideas into your wedding:

Invitations: nowadays there is a lovely variety of recycled paper to choose from. Modern couples are also embracing technology and rather having their own unique wedding website, keeping it all online and saving many trees in the process.

Flowers: choose flowers that will be in full bloom and readily available on your wedding date. Remember that ‘local is lekker’ so order from a local supplier and preferably one who stocks home-grown blossoms.

Photo credit: {www.laurajanephotography.co.za}

Dress: do vintage… Re-use your Mom’s, Aunt’s or Gran’s wedding gown. You can re-style it by adding some lace, bows, ribbon or beads to create a completely new look. This is can be very special and sentimental.

Table décor: you can get creative with your centre-pieces by using different coloured wine bottles, recycled glass dishes, locally made weave baskets or funky cookie tins that can be used again for storage.

Food: many venues/caterers are choosing to go organic. Select vegetables and fruits that will naturally be in season and available, this will save some pennies too. You can also make a request that any left-over food must be given to a nearby shelter/charity/old –age home.

Gifts: ‘green’ wedding favours can be in the form of seeds, a herb plant or little bush that guests can re-plant in their garden. It’s a lovely symbol of how your new marriage will also grow and blossom.

Photo credit: {botanyfloralstudio.blogspot.com}

The number of earth-friendly products and services is definitely on the increase, making it more accessible for brides and grooms to do their ‘green bit’ by giving something back to nature on their special day.

Tip for Bride-to-be: If your wedding venue doesn’t recycle, make a plan with the groomsmen or friends who are willing to help organise the collection of wine bottles and tins from your function. It may seem like a mission, but it will be a great feeling to know that you’re making a difference.

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.

Wood words for your wedding....

Are you looking for a few trendy wood words for your wedding? Look no further than Moi Decor, who have just added some new wood words to their rental catalogue... Have a look at how you can use them below. They are fun, versatile and are the perfect detail for your photos!

Photo credits:
First three pics: {moidecor.co.za}
Last pic: {etsy.com}

{Aisle Say by Candice}: After you say ‘I do’…

Now it's time for your ‘happy ever after’! The gauntlet has been laid down before you and your handsome ‘knight’ as your spectators now stand back to observe how the REALITY of marriage slowly creeps into your fairy tale. There is a huge difference between a wedding and a marriage and many couples feel a harsh shock as they crash back ‘down to earth’ after all the romantic enchantment.

Photo credit: {barbaraweddings.wordpress.com}

Your armour for this challenge is to be equipped with realistic EXPECTATIONS. We all have them but they lie dormant in our sub-conscious mind and then expose themselves in moments of anger or frustration. Many relationship books highlight that unmet expectations are the common denominator in many arguments.

To increase your chances, you need to define and explore your assumptions about one another and what you intend for your marriage together. For example: If your partner really doesn’t want to have children but you’re just ‘hoping’ they will change their mind after the wedding. Making presumptions is a big mistake and important factors (like having children) must be clarified before you walk down the aisle.

You should have your ideals and GOALS lined up because this will determine a happier forecast for your marriage. Along with respect, love and good communication, this becomes part of the foundation for a strong partnership. Happy unions also require individual and joint goals, spontaneity, fun and wonderful experiences and achievements to look forward to. These all form the glue that will keep you together and get you through the rewarding quest of marriage.

Tip for the Bride-to-be: A Pre-Marriage Course is the perfect platform to discuss, share and learn about many relevant topics. You and your Fiancé will gain the knowledge and skills you need to create the successful, happy marriage that you want. If you missed out on this beneficial opportunity, it is not too late to complete the course as newly-weds. We all deserve a ‘happy ever after’!

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.