PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION 2011 + ROYAL WEDDING
STUNNING WEDDING AND HONEYMOON VENUES
2011 BRIDE OF ESSENCE KIRSTEN MUMFORD EXCLUSIVE FASHION SHOOT
BOUQUET TRENDS, WEDDING COORDINATION, INSPIRATION, FINANCIAL ADVICE, GREEN WEDDINGS, SPA’S, SHOPPING AND MORE...
ISSN 2079-5815
CELEBRITY WEDDING
The Royal Wedding HRH Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton were married on the 29th April 2011 by the Archbishop of Canterbury in front of 1900 guests at Westminster Abbey, London – ‘a spectacular fairytale wedding’. The Veil: Layers of soft, ivory silk tulle, a trim of hand-embroidered flowers and a Cartier tiara lent to Catherine Middleton by the Queen. Her Jewellery: Earrings are diamond-set oak leaves with a pear shaped diamond set drop with a pavè set diamond acorn suspended in the centre. The Middleton family’s new coat of arms includes acorns and leaves. Her Shoes: hand made by the team at Alexander McQueen, made from ivory duchesse satin and lace hand-embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework. Her bouquet: Shield shaped bouquet of myrtle, lily of the valley, sweet William and hyacinth. Designed by Shane Connolly.
MORE ABOUT KATE AND WILLIAM
HER ROYAL GOWN
Sources: The RoyalWeddingGuide 2011 princewilliamkate.com http://windsorknot.today.com
The Gown: Long Sleeved Ivory Lace and Satin, designed by Sarah Burton, Creative Director of Alexander McQueen. The Design: Flowers hand cut from lace and handengineered onto ivory silk tulle, incorporating a thistle, daffodil and shamrock. The Fabrics: French Chantilly lace and English Cluny lace, hand-worked in the Irish Carrickmacross needlework tradition. Her Hair: Styled into a demi-chignon by James Pryce, Salon Richard Ward of Chelsea, London.
2001 September Prince William and Kate Middleton first met while studying at St Andrews University. 2002 September They moved into a student house together 2003 Christmas The beginnings of a romance 2004 March First photographs of the couple are taken 2006 January First Public Kiss 2006 Summer The Prince begins Army Training at Sandhurst 2007 April The couple confirm they have split 2010 June The Couple move into a cottage together in Anglesey near to Prince Williams RAF Rescue Posting 2010 October 19th The Proposal at Lewa Game Reserve near Mount Kenya
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GREEN WEDDINGS
Green Weddings At the mention of green weddings, you might find yourself wondering if they clash with style. But this is a myth! Eco-friendly weddings are not about bare necessities or drastically cutting back on your wedding plans – they are the fusion of glamour and eco-consciousness.
GREEN BENEFITS According to Kirsty Marmarellis and Beverley Brentnall of Green Weddings South Africa, a wedding co-ordination company, there are many benefits to having an eco-friendly wedding. These include bringing awareness to environmental issues, supporting local suppliers and showing that being environmentally friendly doesn’t mean dull or boring! Here are ways to incorporate eco-friendliness in four main areas of your wedding:
FLOWER POWER Weddings usually result in a large amount of flower decorations, so try to choose locally grown flowers that are in season and don’t have to be imported. It’s a great idea to use potted plants instead of cut flowers wherever you can as this will be more long-lasting. You
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could even hire plants for table décor or use table décor as guest favours, suggests Marmarellis. Keep the floral displays to a minimum as this decreases waste.
GREEN GOWNS Your wedding dress is a crucial element of your special day. You want to look gorgeous and ensure that you have invested in a dress which will always provide you with fond memories when you look back on your day. Vintage wedding dresses offer a unique element that can’t be found in modern gowns. Similarly, a handed-down wedding dress that is a family heirloom can add a special touch. If you don’t want to wear a vintage dress, choose a new dress that is made from sustainable materials. Designers who use organic fibres include Lunar (www.lunarlife.co.za) and Dimity (www.dimity.co.za). When choosing a dress, keep an eye out for green materials such as organic cotton, hemp and bamboo fibres.
EAT, DRINK AND SAVE THE PLANET When considering the food requirements for your wedding, think local! According to Kate L. Harrison, author of The Green Bride Guide: How to Cre-
BY GIULIA SIMOLO
ate an Earth-Friendly Wedding on Any Budget, when you buy locally produced food, you are injecting money to nurture your community and decreasing your carbon footprint because you are not requiring the food to be shipped thousands of miles to reach you. Try to limit food wastage by donating leftovers to people who are in need of food. Also try to recycle empty bottles and paper products instead of throwing them away.
LOCATION, LOCATION! According to Harrison, the average couple spends about forty percent of their wedding budget on the reception, so choosing an eco-friendly location can reduce your budget and play a large role in your wedding’s impact on the environment. With the eco-friendly spirit in mind, consider having your ceremony and reception in the same location, suggests Marmarellis. This lowers the travelling emission of guests who have to move from one location to another. Also choose a spot that allows most of your guests the chance not to have to travel far to get to your wedding.
PUBLISHERS
FROM THE EDITOR
Cherry Berry Blue Publishing SA cc, Johannesburg, South Africa Editor: Justine Engelbrecht
ADVERTISING:
You are a woman of worth and this anniversary issue of Brides Essence celebrates women! We are incredibly excited to introduce you to our Charity of Choice the Breast Health Foundation and Perfectly Pink and we hope that together we can create awareness, educate men and women and save lives. Please support us so that we can help them! We would like to congratulate Kirsten Mumford our Bride of Essence Winner for 2011 and Denize Nazilowski our Brides Essence Photographer for 2011, both these women are amazing and have so much to offer and give...they are an example for us all. In this issue we also have some amazing women contributors and women owned businesses that have worked with us to offer you their inspiration and advice. Ingrid - Lavender Lane, Naomi - From this Moment, Lisa our financial expert, Gina mother of three and published Author, Guilia Freelance journalist, Penn Freelance writer, Nicky owner of Jolie Papeterie, Tamsin owner of GF Bridal Couture, Caron from Classique Spa, Carmen from Sarah Madison, Carmen from the Breast Health Foundation and Desire - Makeup Artist. Other contributors include Paul Fouche from GF Menswear, Haswell Guest House, and our very own Photographer Luke Engelbrecht. In addition this issue brings you some incredible wedding venues from which to choose, and believe me they are all beautiful and unique. Indulge with us in our Wedding Destination of Choice – the Seychelles Islands and special thanks to Seychelles Tourism for inviting Brides Essence to experience their little piece of paradise and showing us that dreams do come true. It’s your day to listen, to walk and to share your blessings with those around you. Do it with grace and a smile Justine
CONTENTS The Royal Wedding
3
2011 Stationery Trends
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Green weddings
4
Bouquet Styles
25
Shopping
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Brides Essence supports Breast Health Foundation & Perfectly Pink
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Winning Bride of Essence 2011
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Brides Essence Fashion Shoot
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Wedding Destination of Choice for 2011 – Seychelles Islands 28 Financial Advice for Newly Weds 32
Spa feature
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Inspiration by Naomi
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Winning Brides Essence Photographer 2011
Wedding Venues
34
Wedding Coordination Tips
43
Book Reviews
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Cover Image : Photograph by Luke Engelbrecht, Venue: Haswell Guest House, Houghton Johannesburg, Make up & Hair: Desire Fouche, Bridal Gown: GF Bridal Couture
Sales Director, National: Luke Engelbrecht Freelance Sales, Western Cape: Penn Editorial Design Concept, Production & Layout: one2love.co.za, Plettenberg Bay Website design: www.bridesessence.com, one2love.co.za, Plettenberg Bay Contributing Writers: , Naomi Lewis, Lisa Sehannie, Gina Hartoog, Penn Jolliffe, Guilia Simola Contributing Photographers: Luke Engelbrecht, Denize Nazilowski e-Published 2011 © Bi-Annually by Cherry Berry Blue Publishing SA cc CK 2008 026 907 23, All rights reserved Email: info@bridesessence.com Advertising enquiries: sales@bridesessence.com luke@cherryberrybluepublishing. com bridesessence@telkomsa.net Mobile: 0744408668 Brides Essence is registered by Cherry Berry Blue Publishing SA cc ISSN 2079 - 5815 While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information in this edition of Brides Essence, no responsibility can be accepted for quality of goods and services supplied by advertisers. The publisher accepts no responsibility for material submitted by any client for reproduction, in regard to all relevant laws and regulations. Concept, text, covers and title of Brides Essence is Copyright © and may not be reproduced by any process without the prior written permission of the publisher. The Publisher would like to thank all photographers, contributors, advertisers and all parties involved for this fantastic first edition of Brides Essence Travel.
CHARITY
charity of choice!
Cherry berry blue publishing sa inc. Brides Essence, Brides Essence Travel and Travelmagsa magazines are proud to introduce the breast health foundation and perfectly pink as our charity of choice! IN SUPPORTING OUR MAGAZINES YOU SUPPORT THIS INCREDIBLE INITIATIVE - HELP US TO HELP THEM EDUCATE WOMEN AND MEN - CREATE AWARENESS – AND SAVE LIVES!
MORE ABOUT THE BREAST HEALTH FOUNDATION VISION “Our vision is to redefine the face of breast cancer as perceived by South Africans in general and patients in particular; promoting a positive mindset of survival, recovery and quality of life”
MISSION “Our mission is to be achieved through the promotion of a multi-disciplinary approach to breast cancer specifically via the establishment of a “BREAST CANCER CHAIN OF SURVIVAL”*
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• Early awareness of the disease • Early access to both information and appropriate awareness • Early support • Early diagnostic intervention • Early definitive care • Early and ongoing analysis of care *This concept originates from the CARDIAC CHAIN OF SURVIVAL as promoted by the American Heart Association World Resuscitation Council and the Southern African Resuscitation Council.
SCOPE OF OPERATIONS 1) Education and Awareness • Join forces and work together as a co-operative forum, united in our passion for creating awareness and educating women about breast hygiene issues • Identify areas of greatest need amongst female communities in South Africa • Focus on select key projects with clear deliverables 2) Render Assistance to Breast Cancer Patients • Provide assistance to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer 3) Diagnosis Timeline • From a long-term perspective, to decrease the time between the onset of breast cancer and the diagnosis thereof, thereby greatly increasing a patient’s chance of recovery and survival
WINNING BRIDE OF ESSENCE 2011
COMPETITION
CONGRATULATIONS KIRSTEN MUMFORD
COURT CLASSIQUE
You can enter the Bride of Essence 2012 Competition in the Brides Essence October 2011 Issue and the finalist will be announced on February 14th 2012.
Kirsten won a 8 day Honeymoon in South Africa and Namibia including return flights, to the value of R35, 000. In addition she also won jewellery, a spa voucher and a spa hamper, a personalised fashion shoot including breakfast and one nights’ accommodation. Thank you to our Sponsors for their incredible prizes and making this fantastic competition possible.
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ABOUT THE SHOOT Venue: Haswell Guest House, Houghton, Johannesburg | www.haswellguesthouse.co.za Models: Winning Bride of Essence Kirsten Mumford and her groom Ryan Purvis Make up & Hair: Desire Fouche | oakelfrost@yahoo.co.za Brides Couture: GF Bridal Couture | www.gowns.co.za | bride@gfbridal.co.za Grooms Couture: GF Menswear | www.gfmenswear.co.za | creativehands@telkomsa.net Photographer: Luke Engelbrecht | www.cherryberrybluepblishing.com | luke@cherryberrybluepublishing.com Wedding Cake: Gateau de marriage, specialising in wedding, party and special function cakes | creativehands@telkomsa.net
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HEALTH & BEAUTY
The Classique Spa If you are looking for an escape from reality and a treatment Fit for Royalty then a visit to the Classique Spa in Norwood Johannesburg is an absolute must. Friendly staff will allow you the privacy and indulgence of their Victorian Style salon which invites tranquillity and relaxation the minute you enter the door. We can highly recommend the sheer relaxation of the Classique Spa sensation which will leave you feeling not only relaxed but renewed and rejuvenated. Allow all your wedding worries to fade away as you and your groom to be, indulge in A Royal Betrothal and allow yourselves to be pampered from head to toe before your special day. Enjoy the quiet tranquillity of the Dead Sea Floatation Pool as you float buoyantly
letting the salt detox the body, enter the Rasul chamber and use the warm steam to open the pores and release toxins, with the use of Dead Sea Salts and Dead Sea Mud this elevates the mind and the muscles and will allow you to enjoy exotic relaxation. Together with a head and body massage a Classique facial as well as a manicure and pedicure you are guaranteed to be ready for your special day. While in Johannesburg a visit to the Classique Spa is essential they are open Monday to Saturday 9am – 6pm. Tel: 011 728 4542 / Cell: 082 600 6500. info@classiquespa.co.za / www.classiquespa.co.za – Winner of the Best Day Spa 2010.
Sarah Madison Beauty Boutique Champagne and orange juices and canapés welcomed us to this special little salon in the heart of Bedfordview, the perfect escape from the maddening crowd and the bustle of Johannesburg traffic. Sarah Madison Beauty Boutique offers brides delightful packages as well as services ranging from massages, facials, waxing and make up. It also boasts a fabulous hair, beauty and nail salon and from your hair to your nails, you will find the service incredibly friendly making you feel immediately at home, professional and efficient, relaxing and tranquil and the result perfect with no need for comparison.
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This wonderful salon allows you to feel completely renewed and rejuvenated without you feeling the pinch. Sarah Madison in Bedfordview is 15 minutes from the Airport, a stone’s throw from Bedford Centre and near to Eastgate Shopping centre providing the perfect stop over for some beauty indulgence, book your Bridal Make over and from your hair, makeup, and accessories they will ensure that you are ready for your special day. What makes you different ...makes you beautiful. Tel: 011 615 1082, info@sarahmadison.co.za | Visit Sarah Madison on facebook.
INSPIRATION FROM NAOMI ‘Ball and Chain’ or ‘a Beautiful Thing’ How on earth did we get from confetti and congratulations, the beaming bride, the happily ever after... to ‘the old ball and chain’? I mean seriously. Have you ever seen one of those? An ugly iron contrivance locked around the ankle, fettering the unfortunate soul to a veritable 10 kilogram cannon ball. Used to stop prisoners from escaping - or to impede the movement of slaves. I mean... seriously?
danger! Psychologists substantiate that our experiences as humans are largely shaped by our own expectations. A lot of what we see and take notice of is what we expect to see. A large portion of what we experience is what we expect to experience. This little truth will have quite a significant bearing on this marriage you’re about to embark on if you belong to this second school of thought.
It seems that unhappy marriages have become as standard as petrol price hikes and that we mourn a divorce almost as often as we celebrate a wedding. In fact, research shows that more than half of all marriages will end in divorce. By the time you reach your third marriage, you’re almost 75% likely to top that with your third annulment. That’s HUGE. And what’s more, 50 years ago it was less than half of that. Have our lives changed that much?
The other side of the coin is that if your expectations are too improbable and idealistic (Team ‘made in heaven’), you are set on a sure course for bitter disappointment.
It is true that the very fundamentals of our lives change when we get married. While a number of these adjustments might be immediately gratifying, others will be unexpectedly tough. Unfortunately as one author has said, we too often view the difficulties as the “natural end to our romantic dream.”1 How then do we approach this exciting and daunting thing called marriage? What exactly can we expect for this future we now have to compose together? The question is what should we expect? There are two main schools of (erroneous) thought that we first need to avoid. The first is under the banner ‘Made in Heaven’. We tend to believe (expect) that as we have never felt like this before, this time the romance could not possibly end. This marriage is going to be made in heaven, the proverbial ‘bed of roses’ - lucky me. Danger... The second is ‘Oh well, if it doesn’t work out we can always just split.’ Uh...
So before you break your engagement thinking either way you’ve got no chance, know that marriage is a beautiful thing. It is in a way sacred. So as you take the longest short walk of your life down that aisle, arm yourself with two things. First Awareness - Awareness that this is going to be a challenging journey, and will require a little effort on your part. Second, the best expectations possible – you are getting married because you are better together, and will both thrive for a lifetime alongside the one you love. You will be someone who after 35 years of marriage to the same person still asserts with a smile “love is a beautiful thing”. Or like my own Nanna who with 53 years of marital wisdom and a twinkle in her brown eye affirms her marriage is to this day “loving, exciting and fulfilling”. I’ll take that over the old ball and chain any day! 1 Anonymous. http://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/marriage/not-just-a-balland-chain-affair-1.1048793 NOTE to the reader: Marriage counselling is viewed by many as a sign of failure, but on the contrary it is a concrete step towards a more fulfilling marriage. If your marriage is struggling, or
INSPIRATION
even if you consider it good and just want it to be better, don’t hesitate to seek out a good marriage counsellor, or marriage enrichment programme. You will be provided with wonderful insights and concrete tools to help you grow as a person, and together build a more satisfying marriage into the future. For those just starting out premarital guidance is a wonderful tool in preparing you for the practical, emotional and spiritual challenges of marriage, and how you can grow a fruitful and enjoyable marriage from day one.
MORE ABOUT ‘FROM THIS MOMENT’ In today’s world, wedding coordination is no longer a luxury. It is increasingly becoming an essential service for every bride-to-be. From This Moment, established by Naomi Lewis three years ago, is a leading coordination company in Gauteng that makes professional wedding planning affordable for everyone. Each wedding is expertly crafted into a dynamic and unique occasion that brings to life the motto of Elegance; Style; Perfection. “Our clients are treated to two fundamental beliefs: • Every single couple is unique, and therefore every wedding should be unique and reflect the couple and their personalities. We take time to get to know you, and work hard to create a day that is “just you”. • Every moment of your engagement and marriage should be amazing. The stress and hassle of planning such an important function often steals that away, but our aim is that you enjoy each moment of it all, From This Moment on! ” www.fromthismoment.co.za , info@fromthismoment.co.za
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PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION 2011
PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION 2011 And the winner is Denize Nazilowski, Star Photography Namibia Congratulations Denize and thank you to Samara Private Game Reserve for the fabulous Prize. To contact Denize: Tel: +264 81 275 1194, email: denize@starphotonam.com , www.starphotonam.com *You can enter the 2012 Brides Essence Photography Competition in our October issue. 20 | ISSUE 03
PHOTOGRAPHY
BRIDES ESSENCE FOUND OUT A LIT TLE MORE ABOUT DENIZE NAZILOWSKI OF STAR PHOTOGRAPHY
Brides Essence: Why do you live in Namibia and what is it about Southern Africa that inspires you?
Denize: The sun/the warmth, the scenery, the people my list can go on… Namibia has absolutely the best of everything for photography, from sea, dunes – red & gold dunes in different parts of the country, old German buildings, stunning sunsets, wrecks etc… and the atmosphere is so calm, what more could you ask for. Brides Essence: Do you travel with your photography and what has been your most incredible photographic experience to date?
Denize: Traveling in Namibia yes, my most incredible experience is every time I do a wedding at Na’ankuse Lodge, we can go into the cheetah
enclosure to do the couple shoot, and it’s an amazing experience every time Brides Essence: What has been your greatest challenge thus far in your work?
Denize: Well it does get better in time but it’s always a challenge for myself to stand up in church in front of all the guests and walking to the front, luckily it feels like I can hide behind my camera. Brides Essence: What captivates you and what is it that you most want to capture?
Denize: Genuine happiness and true feelings and I always want to capture that Brides Essence: Why weddings?
Denize: I love working with people and a wedding is so special everyone
is always happy, smiling and the brides are always beautiful and here you get true feelings. Brides Essence: What advice would you give to brides when they are choosing their photographer?
Denize: Choose the one you feel most comfortable with and always view the portfolio. Meet him/her beforehand and do a engagement shoot if possible that way you will get a feel of the photographer – the style of her/his photos and his/her personality Brides Essence: What are your plans for the year ahead?
Denize: To express myself as “best bridal photographer of the year” to show to the rest of the world why I was chosen.
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PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION 2011
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Wedding & Honeymoon
PRIZE VENUE
at Samara - Every girl dreams of her wedding…the dress, flowers, food and of course, the venue.
Samara Game Reserve is an internationally renowned, multi-award winning game reserve comprising 70 000 acres of Karoo bushveld. Owned by Mark and Sarah Tompkins it has been restocked and is home to cheetah, white rhino, zebra, giraffe, springbok, black wildebeest and the elusive aardvark to name a few species. Only two and a half hours drive from Port Elizabeth, Samara Game Reserve provides the perfect wedding and honeymoon destination. The game reserve offers the exclusive choice of flying directly to its private airstrip. Samara also offers guests a choice of three accommodation options, namely the Lodge, Manor House and the Mountain Retreat, all providing private and personal attention to their guests, who may arrive as strangers but always leave as friends. For your important day, Samara offers a unique location for intimate weddings, situated at the base of the Sneeuberg Mountains and on the edge of the
legendary Plains of Camdeboo. There is a choice of venues to suit the style of your special event and perfection is ensured by the professional team who will offer you and your guests’ personal, but unobtrusive service.
but relax. Under the experienced hands of their professional therapist, all tension and stress will be eased away and with body and facial treatments available, you will soon be as tranquil as the surroundings.
The venue choices include: Early morning wedding ceremony at the Karoo Lodge or Manor House, followed by breakfast and a game drive; mid-morning ceremony and brunch on the mountain top overlooking the plains of Camdeboo followed by a sun downer game drive; late afternoon wedding ceremony at Karoo Lodge and dinner on the verandah, pool side or boma braai under the stars; or late afternoon wedding ceremony in the bush and dinner surrounded by flickering hurricane lamps at a bush venue.
You can have luxurious relaxation in the heart of the Karoo amidst endless panoramic views over the plains of the Camdeboo. Enjoy the sounds of silence in the African bush during daily game drives and indulge in pampering sessions for two in a luxurious spa. Personal attention and “that little added extra” from the conscientious staff will create lasting memories. Romantic nights under the stars with your loved one; mouthwatering cuisine, well appointed staff and opulent accommodation are just a few reasons to head for Samara, the wedding and honeymoon heaven of game reserves. For wedding and honeymoons contact Samara lodge on lodge@samara.co.za or +27 (0) 49 89 10 880. Visit their website at www.samara.co.za.
For the most romantic honeymoon, Samara Game Reserve invites you to unwind, relax and rediscover old-fashioned romance amongst the timeless beauty of the Great Karoo. You will be treated to the most luxurious accommodation and special honeymoon treatment.
Information and Photographs supplied by Chantal Matthee, General Manager Lloyd Orr Communications – on behalf of
For the ultimate relaxation on your honeymoon, the spa at Samara offers guests the perfect opportunity to experience pure bliss. With spectacular views of the mountains and a magnificent watering hole where the game and birds regularly come to have a drink and play in the water, you cannot help
Samara Private Game Reserve
Tel +27 11 7029601 Fax +27 11 463 4830, Email chantal@lloydorr.com
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STATIONERY TRENDS
STATIONERY TRENDS 2011 Specialising in modern but budget-conscious wedding invitations, Canadian custom design house Jolie Papeterie Boutique has identified its most popular themes and unveiled some of the latest 2011 stationery trends. Jolie Papeterie Boutique is located in Burlington Ontario but ships worldwide, and is familiar with what’s current on a global scale. From the hottest themes to inspiring ideas in well-loved colors, any of these ideas is sure to be perfect for your wedding.
MOST POPULAR HUES: • Lemon and Lime: These colours are refreshing and modern. The colour palette is inviting and fun, ideal for outdoor summer weddings. Yellows and greens are also an easy element to carry over into place settings, décor and floral arrangements. • Pale Pinks and Lavender: Teaming these colours up with candy tones will create a cheerful palette. Together they are soft and elegant which is the perfect colour combination for early spring weddings. • Lilac and Violet: Purple is considered the colour of royalty and never goes out of style. The deep, rich jewel tones create invitations that are sure to receive attention. Expect to see deep shades of purple being a prominent colour later on in the year. • Bright Tones: This season brides are opting to use many of their favourite colours from mustard yellow and aqua blue to bright pinks. Gray shades will remain popular as an accent colour throughout 2011.
TRENDY INVITATION DESIGNS: • Vintage Circus or Carnival: Carnivals evoke fun, nostalgic memories of cotton candy, fun houses, popcorn and rides. Recapture that sense of fun with a unique carnival themed wedding, ideal for the whimsical bride. Bold typographic fonts and colours illustrate this particular style. • Chandeliers: A classic symbol of elegance they remain popular in 2011 and can be used to convey a variety of themes including trendy, elegant and eclectic. • Elegant Eras: Couples are opting for a modern spin on vintage era inspired invitations ranging from the Roaring ‘20s to ‘60s retro.
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• Custom Illustrations: Show off your individuality this year with a custom illustration on your stationery on your save the dates, elaborate invitation designs or intricate maps. • Monograms: Brides and grooms have taken an interest in personal branding which has been making its way into the wedding scene. Monograms are a great way to brand all of your stationery, since they tie each element into your theme. Monograms can be carried over into engravings, invitations, favour box tags, cake toppers and thank you cards. • Flat Printing: Many other methods are making way for flat printing which is less expensive and much more conducive to intricate graphic designs.
ABOUT JOLIE PAPETERIE BOUTIQUE Invitations are the first thing a bride and groom’s guests will see, Jolie Papeterie is dedicated to providing affordable highquality wedding stationery and accessories that make a statement. Mass production invitation services can’t compare to the way Jolie Papeterie considers your input and takes the time and effort to make sure you are completely satisfied with your order. A selection from our line of contemporary, handcrafted designs is sure to make a memorable statement for your event. No matter your budget, our consultants will be happy to craft a unique solution to fit your personal sense of style. Jolie’s service policy and design elements are carefully crafted to ensure you are delighted with your stationery and accessories. When you choose Jolie, uniquely beautiful– yet fresh and contemporary designs will set the tone for your wedding. You may choose from our wide range of pre-made designs–or tell us what you are looking for, and we will create something specifically for you. It’s not only what we do, it’s our passion. Jolie Papeterie Boutique 905-220-0979 Email: info@joliepapeterie.com Website: http://www.joliepapeterie.com http://www.facebook.com/JoliePapeterieBoutique Photographs supplied by Heidi Ram Photography
FLOWER TRENDS
Bouquet Styles by Ingrid of Lavender Lane Florists and Bridal Boutique As the church doors open, your guest’s eyes initially fall upon you standing in your carefully chosen wedding dress. Then the focus moves to your floral arrangement, making your bouquet the second most important aspect of your day. The style of your bouquet reflects a lot about you. A more traditional bride would choose a trailing bouquet with volumes of blooms. However, these can be expensive. The hand held posy is the current trend; these are equally beautiful and contain minimal flowers with more greenery. The greenery is manipulated into whimsical designs which are long lasting, eye catching and economical. There is a move towards non-floral arrangements where feathers and felt flowers are being used. Although, these are not more economical they
are modern, and can be kept as a keepsake. The colour of the bouquet relates strongly to the season in which you are getting married. In Winter you would choose dark colours to create an atmosphere of warmth. In Autumn you would choose colours such as oranges and browns to imitate the colours of the changing seasons. For warmer months, such as Spring and Summer, choose cool pastel colours to beat the heat of the African sun. The style of arrangement should suit the location. For a Cathedral Wedding, masses of flowers arched over the entrance with 2 large pedestals on either side of the priest, completed with individual pew ends may give a feel of a Royal Wedding. Flowers such as Saint Joseph lilies, Roses and Lisianthus, may be used. The colours, mainly white, green and perhaps a touch of pastel. Your dress could be a fairytale ball gown in which case you would choose a trailing bouquet. For a beach wedding you would choose tropical flowers, bright oranges, yellows and reds with some in the hair and perhaps a garland of flowers. To create an aisle to the altar, scatter some petals on the beach sand. Your dress would be a thin strap sheath dress, with you holding a single stem flower. A quaint garden ceremony may be whimsical with little hanging containers filled with summer flowers. Perhaps a mermaid style dress and a hand held posy would complete your look. It is advisable to meet with your florist a few months prior to your wedding to discuss flower availability & designs. Ask to view his/her portfolio to get insight into their work. Ultimately, it is your decision to make regarding your wedding couture and floral designs which will be remembered in your photographs for years to come. www.lavenderlaneflorists.co.za Mobile: 082 300 2521 info@lavenderlaneflorists.co.za
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SHOP BUY HERE NOW
BRIDES ESSENCE ONLINE WINE SHOP BUY WINE HERE NOW!
In association with grapefuel.co.za Brides Essence can now offer you instant access to South Africa’s latest and arguably the user-friendliest online wine shop. Internet shopping is starting to take off in our country and buying wine online is enjoying its fair share of consumer interest out there … People, however, are still reluctant to part with their credit card details when shopping online. We acknowledge this fact, so when buying wine online you can keep your credit card in your wallet. The day after you have placed a wine order a friendly human being by the name of Bridgette will give you a call to confirm grapefuel.co.za banking details for you to process an EFT at your leisure. Easy as that! The site is a pleasure to navigate and prices include VAT and delivery to your doorstep. In other words, the price you see is the price you pay, making your wine buying experience simple and easy. With almost 1000 wines to choose from and new wines and vintages being loaded constantly, we focus on bringing you the best, the South African wine-lands has on offer. If you are looking for a specific wine that is not on the site? No problem. All you have to do is send an email to fillup@grapefuel.co.za and post your request. Someone will answer you the same day and before you know it your favourite wine will be on your doorstep. Shopping online has many benefits, not least of which is convenience - no parking hassles or getting to the store only to find your favourite wine is out of stock. Not to mention carting and carrying cases to your car and then into the house … A wine experience has to be exciting and fun. Now you can buy when it’s convenient for you, whatever time of day or night, with the freedom to browse and seek out new finds! One thing is for sure – all the wines on the site are in stock, ready and waiting for your click, to be delivered to your home. Brides Essence makes wine shopping for both your wedding or personal pleasure, just that little bit easier… Enjoy!
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We offer romantic self-drive honeymoon packages in the Western Cape and Garden Route area combining unique accommodation with romantic and/or adventure activities to create a magical stay! Accommodation package cost for 2 people for 7 nights B&B ranges from Bronze Belle (R6500 – R7900) up to Platinum selections (R15 000 – R25 000). 5 nights and tailor-made packages are also available. Bronze Belle example package: 3 nights at A Lodges Knysna 2 nights at B Lodge Wilderness 2 nights at F Ferns Tsitsikamma Cost for 2 people for 7 nights B&B Jan – April and Sep, Oct 2011 – R6906 May – August 2011- R5816 Activity package: *Sunset lagoon cruise with a glass of sparkling wine *1 hour horse ride *3 course dinner - Knysna *Chalet braai dinner *45min couples back massages *Picnic -Wilderness *5 course dinner - Wilderness Cost: R2988 for 2 people *Note: We do not charge booking fees.
www.honeymoonsolutions.co.za ross@honeymoonsolutions.co.za Tel: + 27 021 853 6401 mobile +27 82 563 9491
SHOP
BEAUTIFUL ORGANZA GIFT BOXES IDEAL FOR STORAGE, GIFTS AND PARCELS CONTACT: 0725784685/0721486126
GETTING MARRIED IN NAMIBIA Look no further than Rudolf Smit, Namibian Marriage Officer. If you are planning to marry on the coast in Namibia, I have a marriage licence from the Namibian Government and can assist you. Wedding services include 30 minutes preparation meeting for admin, marriage ceremony and issuing of the marriage certificate. Marriages are conducted in English, Afrikaans and German and can be held at the beach front, dunes near Swakopmund or lodges or guest houses in the area of Swakopmund or Henties Bay. Contact: Rudolf Smit, +264 – 81 – 288 – 4060 / rudolfs@ mweb.com.na
FIRST FOR CAR RENTAL & FIRST FOR WEDDINGS Book your wedding, holiday or honeymoon car rental, here now in real-time by clicking on the logo
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DESTINATION WEDDINGS
DREAM WEDDINGS ARE POSSIBLE IN THE SEYCHELLES
Almost everyone dreams of a wedding on an island, white silken beach, turquoise ocean and coconut palms fringing the outline of the pictures that conjure the perfect wedding destination, the reality is that this dream seems impossible and it gets pushed aside and replaced with a seemingly more logical option. Dream weddings are possible and the Seychelles is the perfect destination to make the dream of an idyllic island beach wedding come true.
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ELITE CLUB WEDDINGS The Elite Club tailor makes weddings according to budgets and dreams and no matter what country you are travelling from you can have a legal wedding in the Seychelles that will be recognised in your country of origin. Certain documents are required between 3-6 months in advance and you are required to be in the country at least 3- 4 days before the special day. The Elite club specialises in ensuring that nothing is too much trouble and they will attend to your every need and answer every question. The Elite Club can assist you with weddings on any of the Islands on the beach or even in the mountains, overlooking the Indian Ocean Seychelles Archipelago, the views are spectacular and whether you require local flowers of frangi pangi or orchards, sparkling wine or French Champagne, there is nothing that is too much trouble for the Elite club. They realise that a wedding is an incredibly special occasion and their passion and enthusiasm to assist you in making your dream come true is apparent in their wonderful service, no matter which setting you choose it will take your breath away.
SEYCHELLES
MAHE’, BANYAN TREE SEYCHELLES You can also have your special wedding day at one of the fine hotels, on Mahe’, Banyan Tree Seychelles is one such option the Hotel will ensure your day is perfect from beginning to end. From the ceremony set up on the beautiful beach in front of the hotel to the private and intimate wedding reception dinner, you will feel like royalty.
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DESTINATION WEDDINGS
L’ARCHIPEL On Praslin, look no further than L’Archipel, your ceremony will be held in the beautifully decorated beach front gazebo which is then transformed into a magical and romantic dinner venue, fluorescent candles, instrumental guitar, local Creole’ or contemporary music in the background, the shoreline lapping the tree -lined cafe style terrace, you will be treated to a magical four course dinner allowing you to indulge in some of Seychelles finest cuisine.
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SEYCHELLES
DENIS ISLAND On Denis Island you can enjoy the romanticism of being on a Robinson Crusoe type island with 5 star luxury to ensure your satisfaction. The little ‘chapelle’ on Denis island was opened in 1977 and is the only chapel in Seychelles blessed by both a catholic and an Anglican priest, and it makes a perfect location for a romantic wedding ceremony. Sundowners on the beach before a lavish dinner are a definite as here the water is turquoise, the white sand is silken and your dreams are certain to come true.
Photographs supplied by L'Archipel and Luke Engelbrecht
SEYCHELLES ACCOMMODATION: Banyan Tree Seychelles – Mahe’. Contact - tinaz.wadia@banyantree. com , www.banyantree.com L’Archipel – Praslin Island. Contact: archipel@seychelles.net, marketing@larchipel.com , www.larchipel.com Denis Island - Contact: reservations@denisisland.com , www.denisisland.com
SEYCHELLES SPECIALISTS: Elite Club Ltd – Contact: priscilla@hostandguest.travel , www. hostandguest.travel Air Seychelles - Contact: cathleen@airseychelles.co.za , www.airseychelles.com The Holiday Factory - Contact: Flora Fubbs Tel: +27 011 233 2300 Email: flora@theholidayfactory.co.za, www.theholidayfactory.co.za Seychelles Tourist Office - Contact: seychelles@stoza.com, www. seychelles.travel.com *Special Thanks to Marsha Parcou from Seychelles Tourist Office and Seychelles Tourism Board for inviting Brides Essence to discover the Seychelles Archipelago.
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FINANCE
Financial Fitness How to have a Financially Fit Marriage Many women imagine the perfect wedding. After months, and sometimes years of planning, the dream wedding is achieved. And just like that, the big day comes and goes so quickly. Once the wedding is over though, then what? After the wedding, a marriage begins. The wedding is a short term event, while a marriage lasts a lifetime. Planning for the marriage and how to handle your new life as man and wife is necessary. One major component of a marriage is financial fitness. Finance and fitness have many similarities. There are many physical exercises that can transform your body and help you be in good physical shape. This transformation does not occur overnight. But practiced over time, you can expect to see wonderful results. Finance works very similarly. There are many financial exercises that will leave you more financially fit. And this transformation, again, may not happen instantly. But if you practice your financial exercises over time, you can expect to see positive results. This article outlines five of the financial exercises that could transform your financial fitness as a new couple. In truth, these financial exercises can work for you if you are getting married, are a newlywed, or have been married for years. It is never too late to sit down and have a conversation about your finances and turn them around for the positive. The five exercises below give sound and basic financial advice that will help you move closer towards financial fitness.
FINANCIAL EXERCISE # 1 FINANCIAL GOAL SETTING: Financial communication is the secret to a being a financially fit couple. You should review your finances at least once every six months in order to maintain a financially fit marriage. Start with your current financial situation, including your incomes, the debt you owe, and how much you have in savings. This lets you know where you are. Then look at where you want to go, which is known as financial goal setting. Be sure to break your goals into short term (no more than one year), midterm (within one to five years), and long term goals (more than 5 years). This is an opportunity to develop goals together. For example, you can think about when you
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would like to purchase a home. This can help to bring you closer together, because now you are both working towards the same goals. In addition to a goal, you must also determine a deadline to achieve the goal. Financial communication and goal setting is the first step towards financial fitness. GOAL SETTING ACTION STEP: Schedule a time to sit down as a couple to review your current financial situation and set financial goals together. Be sure this time is scheduled, so you have no interruptions.
FINANCIAL EXERCISE # 2 Create and Implement a Budget: Creating a budget is very simple, but sticking to the budget requires a little discipline. Following a budget though can help you move towards financial fitness. The most important outcome of the second financial exercise is that you create an awareness of your cash flow during any given period of time, typically over a month. Your cash flow is the money you have coming in, such as income, versus the money you have going out, such as a house payment, credit card bills, etc. It is important to make note of all money coming in and all money going out. Through this exercise, you can be aware of the little purchases that add up over time, to a more significant amount. For example, a McDonald’s coffee at the drive through everyday can make a dent in your money. Through awareness, better decisions can be made with money. One of the most important parts of creating a budget is the Pay Yourself First Category. Just as you allocate money towards your monthly bills, you must also set aside part of your income to pay you. BUDGETING ACTION STEP: Sit down as a couple, and create a budget. This will require you being very honest, and bringing to the table what your income is; and what expenses you pay every month.
FINANCIAL EXERCISE # 3 PAY YOURSELF FIRST: Every month you have financial obligations, such as paying your car and your
mortgage payment. These are all important and must be kept. However, a priority every month must be to pay you, and do it first. Many people pay their bills, and then whatever is left over at the end of the month, if anything, is what they pay themselves. Paying yourself must be done before any other things are paid. As a financial professional I am often asked how much should be saved. My recommendation is to save a bare minimum of 10% of all income earned. Once the saving habit is developed, you should consider increasing this percentage. Of course there is no such thing as something for nothing. This may mean eating at home a few more days in the month or taking your lunch with you to work. However, living below your means for a short while will pay off. PAY YOURSELF FIRST ACTION STEP: Look at your total incomes on a monthly or biweekly basis, and calculate how much 10% of that income will be. This will be the amount you set aside, either monthly, or biweekly, depending on how frequently you get paid. This money should be saved in an account that will remain untouched.
FINANCIAL EXERCISE # 4 SAVINGS: Savings is the one exercise alone that if practiced over a period of time will transform your financial fitness. The Savings Exercise goes hand in hand with the Pay Yourself First Exercise. The first step in the Savings Exercise is to examine the different types of savings accounts. The first account is an emergency fund, which is set up for unexpected expenses. There are differing opinions on how much to have saved in an emergency fund. The safe amount to start with is 3-6 months of your income. This money should be saved in a liquid account, where the money can be easily and quickly accessed. The next accounts to look at are short term, midterm, and long term savings. It is important to take the money saved in Exercise # 3, and apply it to these four accounts. The long term account will be earmarked for retirement. For many of you the idea of retirement is a long way off. But the cost of waiting is severe. Commit to saving at least 10% of your incomes and start now. SAVINGS ACTION STEP: From Exercise # 3, you already have an idea of what 10% of your income looks like. The next step in this exercise is to establish the four accounts necessary for saving, and to make the saving automatic. This way when you get paid, the money will
automatically be transferred to the designated accounts, instead of you having to manually make these transfers each time you are paid.
FINANCIAL EXERCISE # 5 DEBT: Eating excessive sugary foods, such as chocolate and cake, is considered nutritional suicide, and can be the demise of a healthy and fit body. The week before the wedding, you tend to swear off these foods, in order to look exquisite in that glorious dress. Debt is equally as treacherous to becoming and remaining a financially fit couple. Debt can be financial suicide. The first step in this exercise is to review all the debt you have as a couple. Evaluate if the debt is revolving or fixed. An example of a revolving debt would be a credit card, where the amount of the debt payment can change from month to month. As you pay an amount of the total debt, more credit becomes available, and the next monthly payment should be less. An example of a fixed debt would be a house payment, whereby every month you have the exact same amount due. DEBT ACTION STEP: This step requires that you sit down as a couple and note all of your debts. Be sure to note if they are fixed or revolving. Next you must develop a plan to get out of debt. Pay attention to which accounts should be paid off first, based on the interest rates. There are differing professional opinions, but typically paying off the higher interest rate accounts first will allow you to pay out less money over the lifetime of the debt. The final step in the Debt Exercise is to determine your debt free date and then start working towards that goal.
Practiced over time, these five financial exercises will transform you into a financially fit couple. In closing, the best advice I can offer you is to begin your journey to financial fitness today. Financial fitness is possible for anyone who is willing to participate in the necessary financial exercises. Take control of your financial future today and start exercising those financial muscles! For more information, please contact Lisa Sehannie at lisa@wealthwatchers.biz
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WEDDING & HONEYMOON VENUES
Weddings Steeped in Romance and Luxury at Lukimbi Lukimbi Safari Lodge is a private lodge in the world renowned Kruger National Park in South Africa; if you are looking for a wedding or a honeymoon steeped in romance and luxury then Lukimbi is the perfect choice. The suites overlook the Lwakahle River and the open plains beyond it. Each suite is individually decorated and boasts a lounge and an outside deck, ideal for relaxing on hot sunny afternoons. The bathrooms allow for a very special kind of game viewing as they too overlook the bushveld. Lukimbi has a private chapel which is built in the extensive gardens; it has open sides in order to enhance the entire ceremony with the peace and the tranquillity of the African bush. ‘Imagine being driven to your wedding in an open vehicle, getting married under a Jackalberry tree, whilst being serenaded by an African bush choir. Once your vows and rings have been exchanged and a gourmet celebratory meal enjoyed; you and your partner can dance under the Southern Cross with your honeymoon suite only a few steps away to welcome you as a perfect end to your unforgettable day.’ For more information or to book this romantic bushveld sojourn - Contact: info@lukimbi.com / www.lukimbi.com Photographs supplied by Lukimbi Safari Lodge
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VENUE
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WEDDING & HONEYMOON VENUES
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VENUE
Weddings in the Waterberg at Jembisa African Bush Home
A wedding at Jembisa is the quintessence of memorable occasions providing the perfect location for close family and friends to gather among the combination of home from home comforts and luxury. Jembisa African Bush Home is graced by the pristine Palala River and unspoilt plateau scenery, the deck provides unparalleled panoramic landscape that will ensure that the wedding day is a photographic delight and memories will not only be entrenched in the minds and hearts of the guests and wedding couple, but in the printed pictures that will tell a story for generations to come. Unspoilt nature and romance combined with personalised attention to detail will ensure that guests enjoy an adventure of family entertainment while the wedding is a bride and grooms dream come true. Jembisa offers other tantalising locations for the ceremony and wedding reception -
JEMBISA WEDDING FACT FILE • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
3 hours drive from Johannesburg S23° 57.596 - E28° 23.029 Host weddings up to 40 people Five luxury Private Bedrooms, three with balconies, Children’s Bunk room Bathrooms have showers and baths Honeymoon Cottage Overflow self-catering accommodation Children Welcome Assistance with planning flowers, decoration, ceremony and wedding banquet. Children Welcome 7km of the Palala River meanders through the reserve Picnics in the bush, lunch on the terrace, dinner under the stars Rhino, Leopard, Hippo and more Abundant Birdlife, Massages Tennis Court & Swimming Pool Game drives, Bush walks & Camp Outs Reading room and Games Room
www.jembisa.com | reservations@jembisa.com
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WEDDING & HONEYMOON VENUES
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Khaya Ndlovu Manor House the perfect Wedding and Honeymoon destination. Khaya Ndlovu Manor House boasts magnificent colonial style gardens as well as unsurpassed views of the Drakensberg Mountains and surrounding bushveld. Situated in the pristine Blue Canyon Conservancy it is the perfect destination for an intimate boutique wedding and a honeymoon with the promise of relaxation in the South African bush.
Khaya Ndlovu Manor House welcomes you to enjoy its understated colonial style luxury while delighting in the personalised attention and homely charm that is the quintessence of this spectacular venue. Photographs supplied by Khaya Ndlovu Manor House
This beautiful venue stunning Leadwood moon Suite and with statements and clean
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has the Honeyits bold lines, it
offers the romantic couple a spacious and luxuriously refreshing colonial style room. Floor to ceiling windows opening onto the landscaped gardens offer natural light and a romantic indoor/outdoor feel. This combined with creature comforts and the indulgence of a private glass walled en-suite bathroom with Spa bath; add to the experience that is unique to Khaya Ndlovu Manor House.
ments and include wedding coordination as well as all service providers. Khaya Ndlovu Manor House staff ensures the wedding couple their attention to detail at all times.
Personalised service ensures the romantic couple are attended to according to their individual needs and requirements. This stylish bushveld wedding venue offers the perfect setting and backdrop for your special day.
To book your bush wedding venue contact: Ronel Lawrie on reservations@jordanprops.co.za Contact: Khaya Ndlovu Manor House, Mobile: 073 301 1913, Lodge: 015 793 0605
Wedding packages can be tailor made to each couples individual needs and personalised require-
Honeymoon couples can discover and enjoy the many activities in the lowveld area or enjoy a peaceful respite in luxury at Khaya Ndlovu Manor House in the South African Bushveld.
www.khayandlovu.co.za
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Knysna Elephant Park
BY PENN JOLLIFFE
A Wedding Celebration at the Knysna Elephant Park, situated in the heart of the Garden Route, is quite an unforgettable experience. Enjoy an extraordinary moment where wedding blessings by Elephants, create a very special union. The Knysna Elephant Park is a wedding venue with a uniquely African Elephant style. The chapel and lapa reception area are magnificently situated, with views of the Ttsitsikamma and Outeniqua mountain ranges and indigenous forest, ensuring a spectacular setting for the wedding photographs and videos. The lapa created with an open flow design with rustic finishes has a splendid 180 degree view and can be adorned according to your particular taste. KEP can host ‘Just Us’ weddings or up to100 guests. Guests can mingle on the deck and enjoy cocktails while feeding the Elephants; this is a unique way to begin the wedding reception celebrations. Renowned chef, Simon Ash creates the delicious menus, either plated or buffet, which are unique to your individual needs and sensual to your tastes. He specialises in using only fresh ingredients in his scrumptious meals. The resident Elephants can pay tribute to your wedding during the celebration. These gentle giants look forward to blessing your wedding and making your lifetime commitment an unforgettable experience. The Elephant Lodge offers luxurious African Elephant themed accommoda-
“Ambassadors of Wildlife” Wedding Blessings by Elephants. tion and you have the unique opportunity to experience the Elephants going to bed, whilst you spend the evening viewing them from the Elephant lounge. By morning you will be able to answer the question –
DO ELEPHANTS LIE DOWN WHEN THEY SLEEP? The Knysna Elephant Park was founded in 1994 by Owners Ian and Lisette Withers to help rescue orphaned Elephants. Today the park has many offerings; visitors can enjoy daily tours where they will feed the Elephants fruit and vegetables and walk and interact with them or enjoy sunrise and sunset Elephant Back rides or exclusive Elephant Safaris. Volunteering at the African Elephant Research Unit which is dedicated to researching captive Elephants is also available. The main vision of the Knysna Elephant Park remains to rescue and rehabilitate Elephants who need help. The Elephant Orphanage is in Alexandria. Through you choosing to visit or have your wedding celebration at the Knysna Elephant Park, you are also contributing to preserving and saving Elephants in need. Imagine arriving on the back of an Elephant to wed your true love….. Allow KEP to make your dream become a reality. To know US is to be TOUCHED by Us. We look forward to organising your unique once in a lifetime Wedding experience. Wedding packages can be tailor-made to your specific needs.
Please contact Charmaine Bright, the Knysna Elephant Park Function Manager email: functions@knysnaelephantpark.co.za , www.knysnaelephantpark.co.za www.knysnaelephantpark.co.za
KNYSNA ELEPHANT PARK FACTS Tours and Elephant Back rides – email:info@knysnaelephantpark.co.za Daily Tours: Elephant Back rides or walks. Sunset or Sunrise Elephant Back Rides. Sundowners & Snacks. Elephant Back Safaris Restaurant – email: eat@mweb.co.za Elephant Park Restaurant Accommodation –email: info@ knysnaelephantpark.co.za Elephant Lodge Accommodation Conferences – email: functions@knysnaelephantpark.co.za Conferences at the Elephant Lapa Film Shoots & Photography – contact General Manager In-House Photographer – Photographs and Videos, Film Shoots Clubs –email: info@knysnaelephantpark.co.za Knysna Elephant Park Club. Big Foot Kids Club Theatre – email: info@knysnaelephantpark.co.za Manzovo Theatre Research & Conservation – email: research@ knysnaelephantpark.co.za African Elephant Research Unit. Conservation through Education. Become a Volunteer. Alexandria Orphanage
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WEDDING & HONEYMOON VENUES
BRIDAL INDULGENCE AT ENGEDI
...the oasis in the Cradle.
EnGedi is a multi-purpose venue tucked away in The Cradle of Humankind in Johannesburg South Africa. EnGedi’s team is dedicated to ensure that guests wedding experiences are both memorable and spectacular. This beautiful and tranquil venue is designed to host celebrations and with the many reasons to celebrate, they host weddings, birthdays and all annual and calendar events. Engedi is a classically designed and exquisitely decorated venue which offers a very special environment in which you can celebrate with family, friends or colleagues. Engedi has a classic and graceful chapel which takes centre stage in the garden with picturesque views of the mountain range – literally making it The Oasis in the Cradle. The Chapel has magnificent coloured stained-glass windows surrounding the doors which lead into the superbly designed double-volume chapel which is large enough to host up to 180 guests in comfort. Engedi has winding stoned-tiled pathways across the lawn leading to the impressive wooden gazebo, a perfect chapel for those wanting an outside ceremony surrounded by lush green gardens, exquisite flowers and shrubs. Engedi also boasts a commanding banqueting hall, with pillars and drapes it provides the perfect wedding setting
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and the ability to cater for any size occasion. This versatile and tastefully decorated venue can be adapted for small intimate weddings or a more fabulous occasion for up to 500 guests. The banqueting rooms and dance floor can accommodate the individual and personal needs of every bride and groom. Engedi has a special bridal suite with a lounge area dedicated and designed specifically for the bridal entourages’ pre-ceremony preparation. A sumptuous bath in the centre of the room set against a triangular designed mirrored wall allows the bride to bathe and relax in absolute opulence before preparing for her wedding day and a hair-washing basin forms part of the room along with a hairdressing and make-up station and a full length pillar-walled mirror, ensuring all the Brides needs are well catered. At Engedi the beautiful bride to be will be surrounded by tranquillity while indulging in the opulence of this oasis venue in the heart of the Cradle. Contact: Engedi Office - (+27) 011 589 3495 / Mobile (+27) 076 681 7295 / Fax (+27) 086 644 9867. Email info@en-gedi.co.za , Plot 22, Protea Ridge Road/Honingklip Road, Kromdraai. www.en-gedi.co.za
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WEDDINGS AT THE GEORGIAN COUNTRY ESTATE Photographs supplied by Luke Engelbrecht
The Georgian Country Estate on the Hekpoort rd, Magaliesberg is a mere 60km from Pretoria and Johannesburg and it provides brides and grooms to be, with the ideal venue from which to enjoy their special wedding in a peaceful and spectacular setting. Views over the large expanse of garden to the Magaliesberg mountain range in the distance give the feeling of space and tranquillity, the only sounds to disturb will be the grunt of the few resident ostriches. Beautifully draped gazebo’s and the crystal pool ensure photographs are filled with memories. Couples can enjoy spa treatments in their room, from full body massages to manicures and pedicures, Indian head massage and hot stone treatments, you are ensured to be relaxed and ready for your special day. The Georgian Country Estate has 24 Comfortable Executive rooms,
3 Executive Double room suites ensuring there is space for your guests to relax and enjoy the entire event with you. The country style restaurant offers delicious country cuisine at the stylish Georgian Country restaurant which is situated in the stately main building of the estate. The meals are beautifully presented with a great deal of pride by the Mauritian Chef Denis and his professional team. Breakfast Buffets are served daily in the dining room and A la Carte lunches can be ordered on the patio overlooking the majestic Magaliesburg Mountain range. Dinners are catered for as per the guests needs and from the occasion of your group wedding too an intimate and romantic dinner for two they will ensure it is a memorable occasion. While the Bride and Groom are indulging in the spa treatments and getting ready for their special day, the Georgian Country Estate
will ensure your guests are well attended with their cosy bar, pool table, table tennis, flat screen TV with DSTV, wireless internet, tennis court and swimming pool. If you are looking for a little adventure then The Georgian Hotel can arrange a Hot Air balloon Trip for you, where you can take off and land right there on the lawns of the estate, imagine taking your vows on the hot air balloon or taking a pre or post wedding adventure into the tranquillity of the skies above the Magaliesberg. Discover serenity and classic comfort at The Georgian Country Estate. Phone: 087 942 2677 Email: reservations@thegeorgianhotel.co.za GPS Coordinates S 25'56,437, E 027'35,306 www.thegeorgianhotel.co.za
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WEDDING & HONEYMOON VENUES
PORCUPINE PIE BOUTIQUE LODGE
4 STAR LUXURY ACCOMMODATION, WITH SILVER AWARD FOR BEST HONEYMOON DESTINATION. THE AWARD. Porcupine Pie Boutique Lodge is proud to have achieved Silver in the category “Best Honeymoon Destination” for the second year in a row. The annual award is made by the South African Bridal Industry Academy and is based on ratings by Honeymoon couples who have honeymooned at the establishments in question – not by some invisible panel of judges.
THE LODGE. Porcupine Pie is situated in Wilderness Heights – bordering the beautiful Touw River and Wilderness National Park. A perfect location for hiking, riding, bird watching or simply getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life The lodge has been custom designed and built with guest privacy and comfort as our top priority. We have 3 individual chalets and a central “lapa” with a bar, lounge and dining room, all surrounded by spacious decks overlooking the swimming pool. The lodge is North facing (correct for Southern Hemisphere) and is usually sunny & warm – even in winter. All 3 chalets are carefully positioned to offer maximum privacy. They all have kingsize extra length beds, and linen is the finest Percale cotton. The chalets have
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ceiling fans for balmy nights, and heaters as well as electric blankets for chilly winter nights. All have stocked bar fridges and satellite television. The en-suite bathrooms have showers and baths – all with large picture windows offering spectacular views of the river and Outeniqua Mountains. Rates include sumptuous full breakfasts, served either in the lapa, or on the decks overlooking the swimming pool and valley (weather permitting). Dinners are served most nights excepting Wednesdays and Fridays which are good nights to head on down and enjoy the excellent restaurants in Wilderness Village. For those wishing to explore the Garden Route, Porcupine Pie is perfectly located with Mossel Bay (renowned for Shark Diving), Oudtshoorn (Cango Caves) and Knysna (The famous Heads) all being easy day outings. Contact Details: 10 Mile Lane, Wilderness Heights, Garden Route. GPS Co-ords: S 33 58 34, E 22 35 54 Mobile: +27 (0) 83 447 6901 Fax: +27 (0) 86 510 9596 Email: john@porcupinepie.co.za Web: www.porcupinepie.co.za
VENUE
WEDDING COORDINATION
Wedding Coordination with Lavender Lane
Once the ring the symbol of his everlasting love is slipped onto your finger, you will begin planning your wedding. For many, this entails bringing your childhood fantasies to life. This is no small feat and although planning your wedding is one of the most exciting and dreamt about events in your life it can be stressful and extremely complicated. With the modern working women there often isn’t time to balance a busy work schedule with the enormous task of cocoordinating your own wedding. There is of course, the added risk of using unknown vendors which may lead to possible disappointment on your special day. In order to avoid catastrophe many brides use a wedding coordinating service. This has the added advantage of not only using accredited vendors but also reducing the amount of work and stress that you will experience should you make all the arrangements yourself. This is where Lavender Lane coordinating service will ensure that you have a beautiful wedding without the stress involved. Wedding coordinators mediate between different ideas which couples may have based on various ideas and cultures. Our creativity allows us to combine all ideas into one magical event. Our continuous dealings within the wedding industry allow us to keep up to date with current trends. We have the expertise which enables us to prevent any unforeseen situations that
inevitably arise, assuring you of many fond memories. At our first meeting we will discuss, amongst other things, venues, floral designs, themes, wedding cake options, and bridal couture. The following visit we will accompany you to all the suppliers to discuss what you envisage for your day. We have reliable vendors whom we trust to uphold our image, and they will ensure a magical day, from the most elaborate wedding to the quaint garden ceremony. Working within any budget, Lavender Lane will be there with you from the beginning, right up to the point we say Bon Voyage as you leave on your honeymoon. www.lavenderlaneflorists.co.za
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CONTRIBUTORS NAOMI LEWIS
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Naomi Lewis followed an unexpected inspiration over three years ago and started a successful wedding planning company in Gauteng, of which she is owner and head-coordinator. She loves the challenge and creativity of helping make her clients dreams come true. Naomi lives in Johannesburg with her gorgeous husband and two adorable Jack Russels. She also holds a degree in psychology, and is incredibly passionate about people and seeing them reach their full potential. She is passionate about God, and her faith forms the solid foundation of her life. She says “I have peace. I have hope. I have purpose. I have Jesus. In her spare time she is a rather adventurous traveler, and loves cooking, photography and writing.
LISA SEHANNIE
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Lisa is a member of the financial services industry, and is known for her message of financial empowerment. She is a financial advisor and financial columnist, with a focus on financial education. Lisa is the host of Financial Fitness Radio on Women’s Radio, and is acclaimed for her message of financial empowerment for women across the globe. She has created a Financial Fitness Series, which includes Financial Fitness for Couples, Singles, and much more. These programs spread a message of financial hope. She is a strong advocate of financial literacy and plans to expand her financial educational programs around the globe. On a more personal note, Lisa grew up in Johannesburg, and attended Jeppe High School for Girls. After matriculation, she was offered an Athletic Scholarship at a major university in the U.S.A, where she completed an undergraduate and a graduate degree.
GIULIA SIMOLO
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I’m a freelance journalist based in Johannesburg. I write for local as well as international publications, and I always shock people when I say I love my job. But I can’t help it; I really do! I can’t imagine doing anything other than writing because it has always been my passion and I feel blessed to be able to do it professionally. When I’m not in front of the computer working on a deadline or brainstorming creative ideas for future articles, I enjoy reading a thought-provoking book, photography, shopping for shoes, listening to music and watching great movies.
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GINA HARTOOG
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I started my career as a photographer but my passion for the written word soon wiggled its way to the surface and eventually I had to put pen to paper. Journalism was an obvious starting point and looking back ten years later I have about 700 published articles and a fiction novel. I am currently a full time freelancer and mother of three – two daughters and a son. I am an avid reader, devouring anything in the mystery/super sleuth genre –Patricia Cornwell, Sue Grafton and James Paterson being favourites.
DESIRE FOUCHE
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Desire has been a make-up artist for 2 years. She has worked on publications such as Cosmopolitan, Longevity, Soccer Life, FHM, a variety of Caxton publications such as Bona, Food & Home, Woman & Home and many more … and now Brides Essence! Her experience also includes runway and TV shows and weddings! Her favourite type of work includes the rush of runway/catwalk, lifestyle, fashion and bridal! You can see examples of Desire’s work in this issue’s Bride of Essence Fashion Shoot.
PENN JOLLIFFE
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Originally born in the United Kingdom and having spent most of her youth and adult life in South Africa, she has an intense passion for Africa and its wildlife. Having travelled to Kenya a few times and around South Africa just enhances this. Having had experience in various industries, marketing and IT mainly, she now resides in Cape Town and is a freelance writer, photographer & artist. Always having had a love for wildlife, conservation and travelling, experiencing the diversity of South Africa makes for fascinating subjects. Fashion Shoot.
bridesessence.com | 45
BY GINA HARTOOG
Book Reviews BEAUTIFUL WEDDING FLOWERS
(More than 300 Corsages, Bouquets, and Centerpieces) By Diane Wagner is must-have floral companion for every bride. Learn more about roses, freesias, lilies and other flowers that can be used to create beautiful arrangements for your wedding day. The book contains 350 breathtaking wedding bouquet designs. The author also gives advice on choosing colours, accents and how to group flowers for the wedding party, the church and the reception. Hearst 2011. ISBN: 9781588167989. R211.
na Moyle, Eunice Moyle and Shana Faust, is a clever, creative and budget friendly craft guide for brides. The book contains 50 wedding projects to make - from classic looks to something with a little more pizzazz. You’ll find crafts and inspirations to add charm and style to your wedding, all with a personal touch. Projects include handmade wedding invitations, a cupcake stand, party favours, menus, a ring pillow, a pegboard seating chart and much more. Chronicle Books 2011. ISBN: 9780811874502. R240.
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THE DIY WEDDING MANUAL
FATHER OF THE BRIDE
HANDMADE WEDDINGS
(More Than 50 Crafts to Style and Personalize your Big Day) By Sabri-
make it extra special for your princess. Find tips and advice on writing your speech, keeping tensions and conflicts in check and conveying a good message to your daughter and new son-inlaw. How to Books Ltd 2010. ISDN: 9781845284008. R150
By John Bowden is a modern guide for the bride’s father. Is your ‘little girl’ getting married? Do you know the role of the father of the bride in a modern wedding? The author provides answers on how Dad can help – both emotionally and practically. Walking your daughter down the aisle is just one aspect of your duties on the day. It’s a big day for your family and your presence can help to
By Lisa Sodeau is a guide to planning the perfect wedding on a tight budget. It gives couples insight on how to save without compromising on the things which make your wedding a day to remember. Modern weddings can cost as much as a deposit on a house but starting a marriage with debt isn’t ideal. The author reveals how couples can plan a stylish, special day without breaking the bank. Find over 100 tips and money-saving ideas on stationery, flowers, venues, hair, transport, photographers, food and more. How to Books Ltd 2010. ISBN: 9781845284053. R159. All books are available in South Africa from Exclusive Books or can be ordered from their website.
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