Test Canva Magazine

Editor's Note

Wow here we are again, no sooner than the first issue was rushed out the door am I sitting down again writing my introduction to our second issue. And what an Issue!

This last month has been a flurry of wedding dresses and wedding photographers smothered in a healthy dose of Zombies. And on that note, Zombie themed engagements shoots and Zombie themed weddings are making an impact in the US and Australia and are creeping in {did you see what I did there } to the UK. We are being overwhelmed by the undead and are creating fantastical, personal and creative weddings.

Through expressive makeup and a few gory details Zombie weddings are gaining popularity. Photographers are getting involved with their couples and are help ignite ideas and playful ways that Brides and Grooms can create a fun, personal day, like Amanda Ryndas Zombie engagement shoot.

Wedding photography is also changing it’s ways and we are seeing a surgence of beautiful, fashion inspired, editorial type wedding photos depicting Brides as glamorous models rather than ‘normal’ Brides and it’s so exciting.

Throwing an Engagement Party

Whilst engagement parties are characterised by their sense of humming excitement and guaranteed fun, they are a little more involved than throwing some cocktail weiners on toothpicks and calling it a day.

We've broken down all elements of how the party should proceed, as well as the pros and cons of throwing this potential event. So don't dial your party planner until you've read through our basics!

Before proceeding any further, it's worth taking a step back and asking yourself whether it really is worth the time, money and effort to set up an engagement party. An engagement party is by no means mandatory, so this is a case of dancing to the beat of your own drums.

This depends mainly on two things; the date of the wedding and the seasonal opportunity. Some people have their party literally on the same day as the engagement, but more commonly, it's held within one to three months of the announcement. Those who are having a more formal engagement party may leave it for later on, as the general rule.

Although traditionally the enagement party is hosted either by the bride's parents or a close friend of hers, these rigid customs are becoming very relaxed. Today, the part can be held by either the bride or groom's parents, a close friend of the couple, or the couple themselves.

If no one volunteers to host the event, you should host it yourself. Again, this is considered to be within the parameters of modern etiquette and a very common practice. You shouldn't impose on anybody by asking them to hold an event for your benefit if they don't express the natural and unpressured desire to do so themselves.

There are no rules or norms for engagement parties- this will depend solely on your personal style and budget. It can be as formal or informal as you choose, and at any time of the day.

The engagement party is a great opportunity for members of the bride and groom’s respective families to meet and get to know each other. Invite the same people you're intending to invite to the wedding.

If you forget to invite anyone to the engagement party, you can still invite them to the wedding without coming off as rude, but do not invite anyone to your enagagement party whom you know you will not be inviting to the wedding- that is considered a clear etiquette no-no.

Apart from family, often there are work and sport colleagues that you may want to invite. Obviously the guests will need to be invited one way or another. If you are organised enough, you could include engagement party invitations with your stationery order, save a few dollars and be consistent with the other wedding events.

ON THE BRIDE: Veil from McKinsey. $281 Dress from Celine Perez Collection