Are you the 2010 Bride of essence? enter to Win surprise Wedding prizes choose the Bride of essence photogrApher for 2010. VieW their exclusiVe photo essAys
true life Weddings in sA And nAmiBiA fABulous Jozi fAshion shoot At AViAnto honeymoon in mozAmBique 50 yeArs of mArriAge 48 yeAr old Wedding dress in the KAroo
locAtion locAtion locAtion
With three cities Wedding Venues from
the drAKensBerg
to the gArden route
reAd these exciting 66 pAges of Wedding colour, fun, And the Very lAtest in BridAl fAshion And more... online... noW for free
ISSN 2079-5815
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contents
Contents editors Voice our green initiative celebrate your love with fair trade About sABiA Visit the little Karoo the Wedding dress is 48 years old Avoid wedding day blues Weddings in the midlands lythwood lodge romance in the African Bush Weddings in Jozi Brides essence fashion shoot select your winning photographer going to the chapel in the 60’s golden years christian Weddings What do overseas couples need... What can i get for my wedding budget... mozambique flamingo Bay Water lodge namibia sharing dreams in namibia imago therapy Wedding shows in south Africa... Brides essence competition three cities - Jatinga country lodge three cities - plettenberg park hotel & spa three cities - Alpine heath mAmmA miA! design your interior your way colour is set to play a starring role... customs, traditions & symbolisms contributors
2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 - 10 11 14 15 – 29 31 – 37 38 40 - 41 42 - 43 43 44 - 45 46 47 48 49 - 50 52 53 - 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 - 63 64
Are you the 2010 Bride of essence? enter to Win surprise Wedding prizes choose the Bride of essence photogrApher for 2010. VieW their exclusiVe photo essAys
true life Weddings in sA And nAmiBiA fABulous Jozi fAshion shoot At AViAnto honeymoon in mozAmBique 50 yeArs of mArriAge 48 yeAr old Wedding dress in the KAroo
locAtion locAtion locAtion
With three cities Wedding Venues from
the drAKensBerg
to the gArden route
reAd these exciting 66 pAges of Wedding colour, fun, And the Very lAtest in BridAl fAshion And more... online... noW for free
Venue: Avianto Model: Bontle Matjila Models supplied by Pro Model cc. Photography: Ricci Campos & Marco Campos, Zoom Photography Bridal Gown: Olivelli Bridal Design Make up & hair: Justine Weddings in Africa
Index to Advertisers, Contributors and Sponsors plettenberg park hotel & spa fair trade sABiA south African Bridal Academy de denne guest house plan B Wedding insurance lythwood lodge ulusaba private game reserve Jatinga country lodge olivelli Bridal & evening design gf Bridal menswear - multiflora decor mechanics – multiflora the flower centre – multiflora zoom photography Weddings in Africa Avianto pro modelling Agency
ifc / 57 3 4 5/6 7 8/9/10 11/12 13/54 15 – 29 / 32 15 – 29 / 54 15 – 29 / 54 15 – 29 / 54 15 – 27/31/33/35 55/65 15 – 29 / 32 15 – 29
Adele Kok photography 31/31/34 pamela christine-feiersinger-van heerden 31/32/38 star photography – denize nazilowski 31/33/37 pastor Jaco Venter 42/43 Barra resorts -flamingo Bay Water lodge 46/47 uris safari lodge 51/55 mythos Afrika safaris 51 minister rudolf smit 51 imago therapy petro de Wet 52 the Wedding expo 53/54 cazabella 55 mAmmA miA! 61 three cities group ifc/13/56 /57/ 58/68 -Bp print Wild 65-iBp Alpine heath 58/ 68 -Bp
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editors Voice
hello!
is definitely my most exciting project to date and i am delighted to share with you south Africa’s first online Wedding Magazine. A magazine that allows you the reader, and visitor to bridesessence.com, to digitally page through, and read our first issue, from cover to cover online. Kwazulu Natal Midlands, weddings in the dunes of Namibia, exotic beach honeymoon destinations and the romance of the bushveld.
The emphasis is visual and we hope you will enjoy the fabulous photography, although our contributors have provided you with some interesting reads. True Life weddings are on everybody’s interest list and where better than one here at home. Today 50 years of marriage is a blessing and we can all learn a little something from the successful marriage of Ernie & Jean Bailey, and enjoy a little bit of their history as we reminisce on their wedding in the Sixties. In this issue we bring you Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa and offer you some South African temptation - weddings in the Karoo on an ostrich farm, weddings in the scenic
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Enjoy Elize and John Barkers wedding in Namibia and learn more about what Southern Africa has to offer you. We are proud to be South African and we are proud to showcase to you the incredible beauty of our country and continent. Thank you to all our advertisers that have supported us in showcasing their fabulous destinations and services to prove to you that Southern Africa is truly the wedding and honeymoon destination of choice. We hope you enjoy our fashion shoot. What a great day, and what a pleasure to work with enthusiastic, passionate individuals that help to make up our SA wedding industry. Thank you all for your exciting contributions and support to ‘your’ magazine – Brides Essence. Enter our Bride of Essence competition; choose your favourite photographer, difficult I know,
they are all so talented. We invite you to tell us what you want to read about and share your own special wedding day and wedding dreams with us, whether it is already past or if you are looking to spend it on our fabulous continent, we would love to hear from you. Keep an eye out for our next issue in October and enjoy learning more about us here in Southern Africa; and do not forget to enter our competitions and book those tickets to SA’s MAMMA MIA! We hope to see you on our sunny shores, in the months ahead over the FIFA World cup 2010. May the hype and fever never die - GO Bafana Bafana, we are cheering for you! Thank you one2love for your patience and for knowing exactly what we wanted to achieve and making it happen. Thank you to my wonderful husband and children and family members for everlasting support and all the encouragement from friends. I love you all. God Bless. Justine
look out for this symbol > interactive element
Publishers Maiden Key Communication cc, Johannesburg, South Africa editor: Justine Engelbrecht Advertising: Justine Engelbrecht editorial Design, Concept, Production & layout: one2love.co.za Website design: (www.bridesessence.com)
one2love.co.za Contributing Writers: Gina Hartoog, Wilbyn Palvie, Hendrina Westoll Contributing Photographers: Zoom Photography SA Adele Kok Photography SA Star Photography Namibia Pamela-Christine Feiersinger-van Heerden Photography Namibia e-Published 2010 © bi-Annually by Maiden Key Communication cc CK 2008 026 907 23, All rights reserved
CONTACT email: info@bridesessence.com Advertising enquiries: info@bridesessence.com justine@weddingsinafrica.com Mobile: 0744408668 Brides Essence is registered by Maiden Key Communication cc ISSN 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, fashion shoot sponsors, advertisers and all parties involved for this fantastic first edition.
Green
Our Green Initiative Brides essence is a Green initiative; we are an online publication, bringing you high resolution, full colour, glossy magazine quality. We are a location based magazine, showcasing Southern Africa to the global wedding market, the beauty is brides and grooms from all corners of the world are reading this right now and we are so proud to be able to show you some beautiful destinations and tell you more about our incredible continent, its affordability, its diversity, contrasts, people, passion and its enthusiasm. We encourage you to consider Eco friendly weddings; you do not necessarily have to go to a Green hotel www.greenhotels.com although they are worth considering, you just have to be eco friendly and environmentally conscious.
here Are A feW ideAs on hoW your Wedding cAn Be eco-friendly? • You can use silk or organic cotton or hemp in your wedding dress. • You can offer money to charity, instead of a gift registry. • You can get your guests to buy you eco-friendly gifts, organic towels and sheets, hemp rugs, Fair Trade products. www.fairtrade.org.za • Use locally grown flowers at your wedding. • Donate your flowers after your wedding. • Use Beeswax candles. • See www.ecofetti.com • Recycle from the Bar, check with the venue and arrange bins to recycle. • Serve an organic, locally grown meal or a vegan menu. • Choose eco friendly favours. • Include a tree planting ceremony – give guests seeds for trees to take home. For more info contact Email: info@bridesessence.com
The idea is to help eliminate waste and to protect the environment.
Celebrate your love with Fair Trade socially conscious consumers have been increasingly asking for ways to celebrate their life’s most magical moment in an ethical way. Having a fair trade wedding is an ideal opportunity to make your big day a great day for other people too. Fair trade is global movement that aims to achieve better trading patterns and working conditions for the most disadvantaged workers and producers, especially in the South. Too often we come across conditions of exploitation and unfair sharing of benefits in the production and trade of commodities as well as in the service industry. Fair trade tackles such problems by offering its producers and workers a system that ensures high labour standards, the protection of the environment and the sustainability of a business. Fair trade offers a wide variety of South African ethically produced goods that can make your
ceremony even more special! You can get your guests buzzing from delicious fair trade wine, which will also contribute to local farming communities, who use the fair trade added-income for social projects such as building schools or improving the community’s housing. Or, for the non-alcohol drinkers, there is all-African fair trade coffee and rooibos tea! Need some small gifts for the guests? Fair trade also includes all kinds of handcrafted goods, such as jewellery or art pieces that are made by various artists coming from townships or rural areas and that are highly benefiting from the skill transfer projects and market access granted by fair trade.
Last, but not least, there are also beautiful venues, farms and hotels that are part of a countrywide fair trade in tourism initiative, the first of its kind in the world. Add fair trade to your ceremony and make your day even more special!
For more information please contact Fair Trade South Africa 021 4488911 info@fairtrade.org.za
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AssociAtions
About SABIA south African Bridal industry Academy SABIA was created in 2009 to provide a standard of excellence ©, in the wedding industry. The standard is created by brides evaluating the performance of their wedding industry service providers. In recognition of these behind the scene achievers of excellence in their chosen fields SABIA has organized the VOW Awards to officially and publicly acknowledge their efforts. Some of these merchants have chosen to become members of SABIA, as membership grows, so does the recognition of the SABIA brand name in the consumer market and the media. The strength of SABIA lies in its ability to brand SABIA members as the “Brides Choice” of wedding supplier. As pub-
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lic awareness of SABIA grows, so does its branding of its members. Brides and grooms will seek out SABIA’s “Brides Choice” members as their wedding service providers to ensure their suppliers have the proven ability to deliver the couples expectations on their wedding day. This means more prestige for SABIA members and peace of mind for brides and grooms. The SABIA website will list our members and after the VOW Awards in June will also list their Award Status e.g. Finalist, Winner and their range of services in detail. Brides are able to view information on their selected wedding suppliers with
ease for confidence and peace of mind when selecting their suppliers. The wedding day is a “One Off ” event which cannot be repeated i.e. if one wedding provider gets it wrong on the day, you can’t come back the next day and do it all over again. Therefore it is imperative that each wedding supplier who applies and is accepted as a SABIA Member has the expertise and experience to deliver the expectations of each bride and groom.
LittLe KAroo
Visit the Little Karoo ...for a true south African experience and celebrate your wedding on an ostrich farm. Within the Little Karoo region lies Oudtshoorn with its 80,000 plus inhabitants and the world’s largest population of ostriches. Oudtshoorn produces the world’s best feathers, leather products and ostrich meat, and the region is a unique ecological hotspot where three distinct plant biomes meet. The Swartberg Mountain is South Africa’s most recent world heritage site and Oudtshoorn boasts a hot climate for 90% of the year, making it a perfect destination for warm and sunny wedding days. Enveloped in the farmlands in the heart of the Little Karoo, you will find De Denne Guest House and wedding venue, a tranquil haven, offering cosy four star accommodation. De Denne is situated on a working ostrich and Alfalfa farm, with around 6000 ostriches on extensive Alfalfa fields, and spectacular views of the Olifants and Swartberg mountain range. Johan & Louise of De Denne welcomed us for a fabulous weekend of quiet, relaxation, personal service and attention to detail. This wonderful venue and team invite you to celebrate your romantic and intimate wedding with them. Amidst breathtaking views, magnificent surroundings and spectacular sunsets, your wedding photographs will be out of this world. They will coordinate, organise and plan your wedding day from inception to the final hour with the emphasis on making your wedding dreams come true. Guests will have close contact with the natural surroundings and enjoy walks between the Ostrich camps, only adding charm and solace to the unique experience of De Denne. Contact Louise on 083 653 0838 for more about De Denne and to book your special day. www.dedenne.com Photographs supplied by De Denne Guest House, bridal pics taken by Hans van der veen
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LittLe KAroo
the Wedding dress is 48 years old Johan Keller, owner of de denne Guest House, went looking for a family wedding dress for their de denne fashion shoot and in the process found a family heirloom. His mothers wedding dress, which she had worn 48 years ago, was again worn 15 years ago by his sister-in-law Hanlie. On the wedding day of Viljee and Hanlie the beauty of a yesteryear wedding was captured, passing a blessing onto the newly-wed couple. Hanlie agreed to relive her special day and be the model for the De Denne bridal fashion shoot. The dress, to Johan and Louise’s delight still fitted Hanlie like a glove, and although fragile is still as beautiful as it was for both Hanlie and Johan’s mothers wedding 48 years ago. They would like to share with you, precious moments, special memories and love captured from one generation to the next. Discover and enjoy the beauty of De Denne and past dreams come true... www.dedenne.com Photographs supplied by De Denne Guest House taken by Hans van der veen
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insurAnce
Avoid the wedding day blues... For most people, their wedding day is one of life’s highlights. It often involves a significant financial investment. When wedding plans are made, one has to take into account most eventualities. But… how do you plan for the unthinkable? The simple fact of the matter is that you can't. Lost deposits, non‐appearance of suppliers, loss or damage to wedding attire. The Plan B wedding insurance product was created a year ago, after much research, Marilyn Nolan and Jeanine Begg discovered the many calamities
that have actually taken place on wedding days. They realised they had identified a niche in the market for a specialised insurance policy in SA. “Weddings can be stressful, because there are so many variables that come into play,” says Plan B ceo Marilyn Nolan. “Wedding costs have soared in recent years and the global recession is placing an enormous strain on people’s finances. Combine these two facts with the unpredictability
of the factors influencing a successful wedding, and the need for a product such as Plan B becomes immediately apparent.” Available not only to the individual but to all wedding providers throughout SA, the policy offers cover for lost deposits and unexpected eventualities. Wedding Planners / Coordinators who suggest having a back‐ up, such as Plan B, will be providing the best advice to their clients, making them aware of unexpected eventualities. Plan B will protect the often large financial investment involved in creating an unforgettable day. Plan B Wedding Insurance, underwritten by Mutual and Federal Risk Financing Ltd, is an affordable solution suitable for most couples and entails four packages. Cover ranging from R75 000 to R200 000. With a one‐off premium, the cover commences seven days prior the wedding, and continues until midnight at reception. Plan B will help to minimize any financial loss incurred by the many unforeseen events that can ruin a perfect day. Considering that the wedding insurance premium is negligible compared to the cost of the wedding itself, wedding insurance is inexpensive. www.planbinsure.co.za contact marilyn@planbinsure.co.za or jeanine@planbinsure.co.za
FROM AS LITTLE AS R2750 YOU CAN GET WEDDING INSURANCE FOR: CANCELLATIONS to recover deposits paid in case of failure of key wedding services. RE-ARRANGEMENT COSTS for arranging equivalent alternate services to avoid wedding cancellation. PERSONAL LIABILITY including all legal costs arising from injury, deaths and property damage. LOSS OR DAMAGE to cakes, wedding rings, wedding party,s attire, flowers and gifts.
Visit www.planbinsure.co.za for more information
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KWAzuLu nAtAL MidLAnds
Weddings in the Midlands
this fertile cradle of land is located between Kwazulu natal’s sunshine coast and the rocky crags of the awe-inspiring drakensberg Mountains. This area offers the visitor access to not only the cultural richness, but a diversity of natural splendours from waterfalls, dams and lakes (perfect for the art of fly-fishing) to game reserves. Take a peek into the Zulu way of life and culture and learn more about the history and the historical battle sites of the area. Crystal water, rocky mountains, antiques, art -galleries, and some of the country’s most excellent venues, make this the perfect destination to enjoy peaceful and magnificent wedding days. Lets learn more about the fabulous five star Lythwood Lodge
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KWAzuLu nAtAL MidLAnds
Lythwood Lodge The approach To LyThwood Lodge is aLong a Tree-Lined counTry road ThaT Threads iTs way up Through The hiLLs of The KwaZuLu naTaL MidLands. as you cLiMb Towards This sTaTeLy wedding and conference venue in The LidgeTTon area, you pass oLd faMiLy farMsTeads and a nuMber of MidLands Meander aTTracTions, driving Through foresTs and over sTreaMs unTiL you reach The Lodge nesTLing in The crooK of a curved hiLLside. (conTinued overLeaf)
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KWAzuLu nAtAL MidLAnds
LytHWood LodGe continued The original Lythwood Lodge was built in 1944 by Dr Pearson, as a grand farmhouse and refuge in the country. Its position is well chosen, looking back the way you came over the undulating country-side. With the forested, amphitheatre-shaped hill at your back and sweeping vistas before you, it is almost impossible not to relax. The purpose-built 200 square meter Khaya Wedding Centre (named after the owner’s spaniel) has two reception areas – the larger will seat up to 200 guests while the smaller holds up to 100 guests. The rooms can be opened up into one big hall that, with its lofty 4.5m high ceilings, is the perfect venue for weddings. Outside there is a large patio that allows for the seating of a further 100 guests and see-through blinds and heaters ensure warmth for the occupants of that area even in the coldest of weather. The décor has been sourced almost entirely from local craftsmen, and this is evident in the imposing wrought-iron chandeliers. Lythwood Lodge Wedding Centre has a back-up generator that ensures uninterrupted power, and Lythwood policy of upgrading is ongoing. The chapel is unique having been converted from an old dairy; its rustic character adds an element of solemnity that hallows the service. Couples can choose to have a Garden ceremony, in the beautiful gardens of Lythwood Lodge. This area brags beauty and tranquillity. Cuisine is of paramount importance, and Lythwood’s reputation for providing delectable food is second to none, the wedding menu has a great selection of starters, mains and desserts from which to choose. If recuperation and recreation is what you need, there is the onsite salon offering a number of fantastic treatments, including make-up for the big day. Other activities include croquet on the front lawn, beautiful walks, and a huge selection of books and board-games from the library. Alternatively the Midlands meander is on the doorstep for those who enjoy shopping and meandering, and an excellent Golf course is nearby to tempt those golf enthusiasts. Lythwood sleeps a total of 64 guests; each room is en-suite and boasts a beautiful view. If an over flow for wedding guests is required, there are nearby B & B’s that can be recommended. The In-house Wedding liaison officer is able to assist you throughout the wedding preparation. Lythwood’s warm hospitality and friendly, well trained staff will ensure that your Wedding will be a day to be remembered for all time. Lythwood is proud of the many comments from brides and their guests who continually confirm their excellent and personalised service. For further information, phone our wedding liason officer at 071 686 5141 or 033 -234 4666 or email info@lythwood.com . www.lythwood.com
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AfricAn BusHVeLd
roMAnce in tHe AfricAn BusH
the African bushveld is home to many private game reserves and these remain increasingly popular as wedding and honeymoon destinations. enjoy a small intimate ‘Just us’ wedding or include your closest friends and family to join you in natural and peaceful surroundings. There is an element of romanticism in the African bush that is incomparable to anywhere else in the world. South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Mozambique and Swaziland each country, destination and venue offers the traveller and wedding or honeymoon couple, something unique and spectacular.
Encounter a once in a lifetime adventure that is both colourful in diversity and experience. The wildlife is prolific, the venues are superb and we home some of the world’s top and renowned destinations. The African continent is the perfect place for a romantic sojourn, why not allow time to stand still for just a moment and picture yourselves
on this rich continent where culture is diverse and the land is so contrasting that the choices of a perfect location are endless.
Photograph supplied by Ulusaba Private Game Reserve
Consider Ulusaba, Sir Richard Branson's Private Game Reserve set in the heart of the Sabi Sand reserve on the border of the Kruger National Park in South Africa.
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AfricAn BusHVeLd romAnce in the AfricAn Bush
Photo supplied by Zoom Photography
wild Weddings & Honeymoons in THe sABi sAnd
Start planning an intimate safari ceremony for two, a dream wedding celebration for up to 40 of your closest friends and family, or a romantic honeymoon escape! ContaCt uS for more information and our lateSt tempting offerS: issue 1 080012 056| 343 enquiries@ulusaba.virgin.com www.ulusaba.virgin.com
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Jozi
WEDDINGS IN JOZI Many visitors to south Africa enter Johannesburg via the o.r. tambo international airport and as with so many large cities, seemingly offering only a gateway to the rest of the country and little else, stay overnight and then move on to either the bushveld, the Western cape or Kwazulu natal. Why would we at Brides Essence choose to have our Bridal fashion shoot here and why would you as a wedding couple linger in the heart of industry and mining, the hub of SA's most densely populated area?
let us tell you! Consider arriving at the airport and being collected by a guide and transferred to an African day spa for a day or two of opulent splendour, and then move on to one of the luxurious private game reserves. Celebrate your vows at one of the most unique wedding venues in the country like Avianto the home of our Jozi Fashion Shoot or stay at one of the many top hotels. Visit National museums, go on cultural tours, and enjoy the bird sanctuaries, zoo's, entertainment parks, art galleries, theatres, exhibition centres, nature reserves, cheetah research centre, dams, Lipizzaner centre and caves. TOP: Johannesburg, Gauteng province: A view of the city centre skyline at sunset from the rooftop of the Oribi Hotel in Troyeville. Photo: Chris Kirchhoff, MediaClubSouthAfrica.com THIS IMAGE: Picture of bridal couple taken from Brides Essence Fashion Shoot, see contributors page for more details
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the banks of the Crocodile River, just half an hour from Johannesburg and Pretoria. This European inspired village has established itself as the creative stimulus for gorgeous weddings, celebrations, and intimate glittering functions and getaways. Avianto is home to a village hotel, banquet hall, charming and beautiful nondenominational chapel, magnificent ballroom as well as the Fireside room for more intimate occasions. Conference rooms, Qolf course, clubhouse and the new Cafe’ Cielo complete your Avianto experience. South Africa offers the wedding couple and the honeymoon traveller so many exciting options and opportunities that when considering your destination wedding or honeymoon travel, do not rule out the city lights.
There is an abundance of entertainment for visitors willing to spend a few days and discover the delights that surround the big city.
In Jozi there is something for everyone and every couple, bearing in mind that no two wedding couples are the same, no two brides have the same dream and no one special day can ever be repeated.
Avianto ‘a village made in heaven’ is surrounded by the Zwartkoppies hills, on
Welcome to Johannesburg, the heart of South Africa.
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//Brides essence //fAsHion sHoot
Venue: Avianto www.avianto.co.za | Photographer: Zoom Photography www.zoomphoto.co.za, Ricci & Marco Campos Model(s) supplied by Pro Model cc. www.promodelling.co.za | Bridal Gown: Olivelli Bridal Evening Design www.olivelli.co.za Groom and Boys attire: GF Men’s Wear www.gfbridal.co.za/menswear | Floral Bridal bouquets Supplied by Decor Mechanics www.decormechanics.co.za &The Flower Centre, Multiflora | Make-up & Hair by Justine Weddings in Africa ď ź
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Model Bontle Matjila supplied by Pro Model cc, Bridal Gown: Olivelli Bridal Evening Design Flowers: Decor Mechanics & The Flower centre Venue: Avianto
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Model Michelle Brown supplied by Pro Model cc, Bridal Gown: Olivelli Bridal Evening Design Flowers: Decor Mechanics & The Flower centre Venue: Avianto
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Model Daniel Correia supplied by Pro Model cc, Child Models: Keagan Lamb, Cora Jayne Engelbrecht Cora Jayne’s Gown: Olivelli Bridal Evening Design, Groom and Boys attire: GF Menswear Venue: Avianto
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Models: Michelle Brown, Daniel Correia supplied by Pro Model cc Child Model: Keagan Lamb, Bridal Gown: Olivelli Bridal Evening Design Groom and Boys attire: GF Menswear Flowers: Decor Mechanics & the Flower centre, Multiflora Venue: Avianto ďƒĄ
Model Bontle Matjila, Daniel Correia supplied by Pro Model cc, Bridal Gown: Olivelli Bridal Evening Design Grooms attire: GF Menswear. Venue: Avianto 
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Michelle Brown, Daniel Correia supplied by Pro Model cc, Child Model: Keagan Lamb Bridal Gown: Olivelli Bridal Evening Design Groom and Boys attire: GF Menswear, Flowers: Decor Mechanics & The Flower centre. Venue: Avianto
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Models Bontle Matjila, Michelle Brown, Daniel Correia supplied by Pro Model cc, Bridal Gowns: Olivelli Bridal Evening Design, Grooms attire: GF Menswear, Venue: Avianto
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Model Michelle Brown supplied by Pro Model cc, Bridal Gown: Olivelli Bridal Evening Design Flowers: Decor Mechanics & The Flower centre. Venue: Avianto
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Models Bontle Matjila, Michelle Brown supplied by Pro Model cc, Bridal Gown: Olivelli Bridal Evening Design. Venue: Avianto
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Venue: Avianto , Photographer: Zoom Photography, Ricci & Marco Campos, Models supplied by Pro Model cc Daniel Correia and Michelle Brown. Bridal Gown: Olivelli Bridal Evening Design, Make up & Hair by Justine Weddings in Africa, Grooms Attire GF Men’s Wear
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olivelli
bridal evening design Imported Wedding Gowns
Mother of the Bride
Bridesmaid
Accessories
Bridal Make-up
Randburg head office: Karen +27 82 852 6285 karen@olivelli.co.za / Barbara +27 84 657 4515 barbara@olivelli.co.za
www.olivelli.co.za
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Select your winning Photographer
...for the Bride of essence competition. The winning Photographer will be the chosen photographer for the BRIDE OF ESSENCE Competition, and they will receive national media exposure, and the winning Bride will have the pleasure of working with them. South Africa
zoom photogrAphy-ricci cAmpos & richArd streVer Vote or
Adele KoK photogrAphy Vote or Namibia
stAr photogrAphy窶電enize nAziloWsKi Vote or
pAmelA-christine feiersinger-VAn heerden. Vote Look at their adverts, photo essays and spot their pictures throughout the magazine and website. There can only be one winning photographic company, help us choose the best of the best! Visit www.bridesessence.com to VOTE for Rich and Ricci, Pam, Denize or Adele. Photographs taken and supplied by Adele Kok Photography
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true Life
Writer: ginA hArtoog
IMAGES ~ Clockwise starting top left > The couple on their honeymoon in Durban. Jean’s bridesmaid attends to the two flower girls. The groom and best man share a word before the ceremony. The wedding party outside the bride’s home. Ernie and Jean Bailey outside the chapel on their wedding day.
Going to the chapel in the
60
’s
Weddings of the 60’s were elegant and musical, a classic analogy of the time. It was dubbed the decade of cultural change and political upheaval, a time of war and a time of peace, when love blossomed and the world became a different place. Welcome to the Sixties.
and her mother, Georgina. “We settled on an intimate wedding with about 50 close friends and family,” recalls Jean. Finances were carried by the bride’s parents and Ernie paid for the drinks, a tradition for the groom at the time.
One of the most famous weddings of the decade was that of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu, a stunning Las Vegas affair complete with silk chiffon wedding gown and six-tier wedding cake. Another notable ceremony was the nuptials of Johnny Cash and June Carver, a classic love story that would stand the test of time.
The colour scheme, says Jean, was an easy choice. “Soft tones and rainbows colours were in fashion and I selected pink, blue and lemon as our colours. My bridesmaid, a close friend, wore blue and the two flower girls were in pink and lemon,” she adds.
Let’s turn back the clock and take a walk through a 60’s wedding in south Africa. It was late in autumn of 1960 when Ernie and Jean Bailey tied the knot at the Anglican Church in Kempton Park. Now, 50 years later, they share details of their special day.
mAKing plAns The wedding plans were handled by Jean
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Jean priced the fabric and lace for her wedding dress, when her future motherin-law suggested that she hire the gown, the idea made financial sense. ‘Hiring’ was a relatively new concept at the time, Maude Bailey knew of an elegant Johannesburg bridal boutique which rented out the latest in bridal fashion. After trying on several dresses, Jean finally found a gorgeous white lace dress with a full-skirt and elegant bodice, a popular wedding look of the early 60’s. Roses, orchids and carnations were chosen for her bouquet.
on the dAy Weddings were a time for dressing up and no elegant lady would be seen without her hat, gloves and matching handbag and shoes. Gentlemen attended in suits and ties and sported shimmering ‘ducktails’. This was an era where women frequented the hair salons and no out-
fit was complete without the perfect ‘up style’, requiring loads of patience...and hairspray! The Bailey wedding ceremony was a Christian service and the couple exchanged traditional vows. “At the time it was tradition to hold the reception at the house of the bride’s mother,” says Ernie. “The lounge and any adjacent rooms were cleared to accommodate the guests and food.” A family member took care of the photographs on the day and they also hired a cameraman with an 8mm cine camera to record the event. The wedding took place in the late afternoon and dinner was prepared and served by Jean’s family. Her sister and brother-inlaw were in charge of the evening’s music selection and the tunes that played on the radiogram that night were top of the charts. No reception would be complete without Jim Reeves, Mario Lanza, Pat Boon, Bing Cosby and Elvis Presley belting out their latest hits. Their wedding cake was a three-tier fruit cake, iced in white and pink, and made by Jean’s aunt. The couple cut the cake to the Elvis Presley song ‘Love me Tender’ and guests were each served a slice. One tier of the beautiful cake was carefully wrapped in aluminium foil and kept for the couple to cut on their first anniversary. The Baileys honeymooned in Durban.
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true Life
Writer: ginA hArtoog
golden yeArs ernie And JeAn BAiley celeBrAte their 50th Wedding AnniVersAry A fAmous quote By french Actress simone signoret reAds, “chAins do not hold A mArriAge together. it is threAds, hundreds of tiny threAds Which seW people together through the yeArs.” it’s A quote thAt sums up the mArriAge of ernie And JeAn BAiley. the couple tied the Knot in the Autumn of 1960 And this yeAr they celeBrAte their golden Wedding AnniVersAry. Looking back over the past, half a century, the couple muse on the ups and downs of marriage life, sighting love, trust and spiritual guidance as the glue that has held them together for so many years. Together, they have raised three sons and two daughters, and today have 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Brides Essence writer Gina asked Ernie and Jean Bailey to share their advice on standing together through the years, braving the difficult times and making marriage work. Q: How did you know that he was ‘The One’? Jean: I think you never really know for sure but you go by what you feel. You know your heart skips a beat when this person is around and you know you want to be with the person. As time goes by you realise that there is something more there than just friendship. Q: What is the most challenging thing a couple faces within the first few years of marriage? Ernie: The first few years are very challenging because of the differences in each person that one needs to learn about the other. These likes and dislikes can cause
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problems. The best is to try to avoid issues and try to do things that please your partner. Q: How do children change the dynamics of a marriage? Jean: Children do change things because it is no longer just the two of you to consider, but at the same time I believe that children help to make the bond stronger between you. Raising children shouldn’t be a one-sided responsibility placed on the mother’s shoulders. Fathers need to be involved with their children as well. Q: What is your advice to newly married couples? Ernie: My advice to couples is to avoid conflicting opinions. Accommodate one another in differences and respect each other’s feelings. From a Christian aspect, my wife and I have always put God first in our marriage and I believe that in doing that, we have served Him and served each other. Q: What is your advice on coping in troubled times? Jean: There will be difficult times, things are not always a bed of roses and every family and marriage go through troubled patches. We have an anchor in our faith that that has been our rock. Marriage isn’t a 50/50. It is 100 percent from both partners, and you have to work at it. Ernie: When times are tough my advice to couples is to trust each other and stand as a united front. Do not assign blame and be forgiving, anybody can say: ‘I love you’ but saying: ‘I am sorry’ at times is just as important. Q: Is there a secret to a happy marriage? Ernie: (laughs heartily) I guess it is a secret, when I find out what that is, I’ll let you know!
IMAGES ~ Clockwise starting opposite page Five decades together Engaged to be married - downtown Johannesburg in early 1960 A moment in time Ernie and Jean with their three sons in 1965
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cHristiAnity
This article is taken from an Interview Pastor Jaco did on Spirit Sunday. For more information contact Pastor Jaco Venter email: jaco@wedbyjaco.com Marriage Officer www.wedbyjaco.com Anti-aging & Wellness Consultant www.nsoverview.com www.ns-spa.com www.jacoventer.nsedreams.com
Brides essence AsKed pAstor JAco Venter to tell us more ABout
Christian Weddings Many of today's popular wedding ceremonies and reception traditions can be traced to ancient egyptian and european customs. these were often based on symbolism, superstition, folklore, religion, and even the belief that evil spirits could bring disease and death to newlyweds and crops, which was very important in many farmbased early cultures. 42 | issue 1
in BiBlicAl terms White symBolises purity. Isa 1:18 ANT (18) Kom tog, laat ons die saak met mekaar uitmaak, sĂŞ die Here: Al was julle skarlakenrooi van sonde, julle sal wit word soos sneeu. Al was julle purperrooi, julle sal wit word soos wol. Isa 1:18 MSG (18) "Come. Sit down. Let's argue this out." This is GOD's Message: "If your sins are blood-red, they'll be snow-white. If they're red like crimson, they'll be like wool.
WhAt is the significAnce of the Veil? According to tradition the veil has the same meaning as the white dress, symbolizing purity of heart and virginity.According to history, when marriages were arranged by family members, the newlyweds very rarely were allowed to see one another. Family members exchanging a dowry were afraid that if the Groom didn't like the appearance of the Bride's face, he might refuse to marry her. This is why the Father of the Bride "gave the Bride away" to the Groom at the actual wedding ceremony. Only after lifting her veil just prior to the ceremony did the Groom see the Bride's face for the first time! In our day the Father giving her away is a symbol of the family’s consent to the wedding, and that she now leaves the family in a sense to start her own.
WHAt do oVerseAs coupLes need WHen coMinG into soutH AfricA to Get MArried? Well known Minister Pastor Jaco Venter of Pretoria, South Africa answers this question for us. • Clear certified Copies of your Passport, the page with the photo plus the page of the Visa / Temporary Resident Permit. • Form Bl 31 to be completed by ALL Non South African Citizens without South African Identify Documents. Bride and Groom separately. • Letter from your Lawyer if you have set up an Ante-Nuptial Contract. • NB: Ante-Nuptial Contract MUST be signed at a lawyer BEFORE the date of the wedding. • Form Bl 32 to be completed and signed by either parents or legal guardians for each party under the age of 18. • If the Bride is younger than 15 and/or the Bridegroom is younger than18, permission for the marriage is needed from ‘The Commissioner of Child Welfare’. • If any party is divorced a certified copy of the final decree of divorce is required • If any party is a widower or widow a certified copy of the death certificate is required. • Two witnesses, one for each of the couple to sign the register. Must be 18 or older. Please make sure that the witnesses either know their ID numbers or have their ID documents with them on the day of the wedding. Passport Numbers required for Non SA Citizens.
Why is mArriAge importAnt in the christiAn fAith? Marriage (commitment) is important for the spiritual, emotional, physical and personal welfare and well-being of both parties and the family unit. For God Marriage is so important that He started the creation of Mankind with a marriage – Adam and Eve, as a unity from where they were to multiply and fill the earth. Jesus started His ministry on earth at a wedding, performing His first public miracle. The end of mans history on this earth ends with the Marriage Feast of The Lamb of God and His Bride The Church of Christ being every person who believes in and follows Jesus Christ as their Saviour, Messiah and Lord. Paul compares a Christian Marriage the same way when he says that The Bible also compares the relationship between Christ and Christians as Christ being the Groom and Christians as His Bride.
wives, exactly as Christ did for the church-a love marked by giving, not getting. (26) Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, (27) dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. (28) And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They're really doing themselves a favor-since they're already "one" in marriage. (29) No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That's how Christ treats us, the church,(30) since we are part of his body. (31) And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become "one flesh."
WhAt is the significAnce of the BridesmAid? A bridesmaid is often a close friend or sister. Often there is more than one bridesmaid; in modern times the bride chooses how many she will have, a bridesmaid is a girl or young woman
Eph 5:21-31 MSG (21) Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. (22) Wives, understand and support your husband’s in ways that show your support for Christ. (23) The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. (24) So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands. (25) Husbands, go all out in your love for your
who attends to the bride during or after a wedding or marriage ceremony. Traditionally bridesmaids were chosen from unwed young women of marriageable age. In early Roman times, bridesmaids formed a kind of bridal infantry as they accompanied the bride to the groom's village. This "protective shield" of similarly outfitted bridesmaids was supposed to intervene if any wayward thugs or vengeful suitors tried to hurt the bride or steal her dowry.
Why Are the mArriAge VoWs importAnt? They are the covenant agreements made to one another that are supposed to speak the heart and commitment of the one to the other.Marriage vows are promises a couple makes to each other during a wedding ceremony. In Western culture, these promises have traditionally included the notions of affection ("love, comfort, keep"), faithfulness ("forsaking all others"), unconditional ("for richer or for poorer", "in sickness and in health"), and permanence ("as long as we both shall live", "until death do us part"). Most wedding vows are taken from traditional religious ceremonies.
WhAt is the significAnce of the Wedding rings? Rings are endless and speak about endless commitment, and they are reminders to self and others that you live in a covenant relationship of commitment to someone.
WhAt is the significAnce of ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe’’ A sixpence is a coin that was minted in Britain from 1551 to 1967. It was made of silver and worth six pennies. So this wedding tradition is definitely English, and many sources say that it began in the Victorian era. Each item in this poem represents a good-luck token for the bride. If she carries all of them on her wedding day, her marriage will be happy. "Something old" symbolises continuity with the bride's family and the past. "Something new" means optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead. "Something borrowed" is usually an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride. The borrowed item also reminds the bride that she can depend on her friends and family. Something Blue: In ancient Israel, blue was the border colour of the Bride's dress, symbolizing purity, faithfulness and fidelity. Fidelity implies the unfailing fulfillment of one's duties and obligations and strict adherence to vows or promises: fidelity to one's spouse.
image supplied by Star Photography
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info
WHAt cAn i Get for My WeddinG BudGet in zAr? The wedding budget varies according to exactly what it is that the wedding couple require. Every bride and groom to be, have different ideas and individual extravagances and by this we mean, that one couple are willing to spend more on a photographer while another will spend more on the catering. The amount spent should be within realistic parameters and no couple should at any time feel that they have been treated unfairly, no matter where in the world they are marrying. Brides Essence editors have had extensive experience in the SA wedding market over the last decade and the suggested spend for 2010 is as follows:
50 Guests – Around zAr 70 000 minister - zAr 3000 From R1500 – R3000 (this should include legal documents, including unabridged certificate and possibly an Apostil and transport within 30km).
There are certain times of year i.e. around Valentine’s Day where the cost of flowers escalates substantially, especially roses.
photogrApher - zAr 10000 Depending on choice and location, experience and popularity, SA photographers are charging anything from R3500 for a small package and up to R25, 000 for luxury packages. The average cost for a location wedding with a good photographer should be around R10, 000.
Wedding cAKe - zAr 3000 The question is do you want one tier or 5, do you want fruit cake or sponge, do you want rich chocolate or plain vanilla. These are all things that increase the cost of your cake. The use of dummy layers can help to bring the cost down and of course the decoration intricacies and the time it takes. We have some talented cake makers in SA and wedding cakes have been made from the bizarre to the absolutely unbelievable. Do not expect to pay less than R500 a tier and this would be for a basic cake, for something memorable look at paying no less than R3000 and be willing to spend up to R5000 if this is where your extravagance lies.
floWers - zAr 4500
Wedding menu’s zAr 17 The cost of flowers does depend on 500 flower choice and seasonal availability but you should not pay more than: R600 for your bridal Bouquet (posy or trailing) R50 -R150 for a button hole R500 for a ceremony arrangement of standard size R250 for one box of rose petals R300 – R600 for table arrangements. (5 table arrangements R3000)
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At the moment from three stars to five star venues the costs are coming in from R220 per person per head to R600 per head depending on the venue and the three course menu. In the mid 1990’s you could pay R50 – R100 per head at a five star venue today you would pay R350 per head for the same menu. This is a good price for a dinner menu that your guests will remember.
Wedding coordinAtors zAr 1500 plus 15% of confirmed serVices@ r60000 (r9000). Your wedding coordinator should save you money or at least give you a wedding exactly within your budget and this includes their costs. I.e. if you have R35000 for a small intimate wedding then their fees should be built into your budget. They should charge you a deposit i.e. R1000 – R1500 (this covers copious amounts of admin), they then quote you according to your budget including their 15% fee of confirmed services. For example if a photographer’s quote is R1000 then your wedding coordinator will quote you R1150. They will then act as liaison between yourself and the photographer and ensure he/ she arrives on the day. The wedding coordinator is there to make you feel special and ensure your wedding day is within your budget and as close to your dream wedding as humanly possible.
mAKe up Artist & hAir zAr 4000 R1500 for a Make-up Artist seems reasonable these days, with hair it is all about length and style, up styles are time consuming, highlights do not come cheap budget R3000 for both hair and make-up, add an extra R500 for nails and an extra R500 for any other treatment that may ensure you feel truly indulged. You are the bride after all.
Wedding dress - zAr 2500 For an evening gown, R5000 to hire a dress for a day or R15000 for something designed especially for you. This will depend on your needs and your thoughts. You can
look beautiful in an evening gown, you can feel like a princess in a hired wedding dress and you can feel special in something made for you, this is an individual preference.
music / dJ zAr 3500 – 5000 Venue fee est. - zAr 6000 Second time around or first time bride the parameters are the same, you will still want to feel special, it is all about love and togetherness and you still dream the same dreams, no matter your age...why not then do everything you can for as much as you have to spend.
50 Guests Around zAr 35 000 Find an outdoor venue – beach, forest, garden. (No charge) Get a permit from the local municipality R150 Hire 5 white parasols, 50 white chairs,1 x bridal arch, white/red carpet – this should not come to more than R4000 including delivery within 30km. Drape the arch in some white cotton and a few flowers or Ivy – R350 Hire a small (50 man) marquee/ gazebo to erect in the event of inclement weather R3000 (do not use it if you don’t have to – you are just buying peace of mind)
minister – zAr 2500 floWers Bridal Bouquet keep it simple, 2 flower types and some greenery, if you are tall go for a posy, and if you are short have a trailing bouquet. Use ribbons (R50), it is easier than you realise to do it yourself. A good florist will assist you for R350. Grooms buttonhole – 1 rose or other flower, some ivy, florist wire, pearl edge pin R50.
cAKe Buy 50 cupcakes and hire a stand R2000.
music Play Music on your IPod (no cost)
mAKe up - zAr 1000 (there will be someone willing to do it for this price)
Wedding dress There are some gorgeous boutiques that sell fabulous dresses, it is worth the search and why not be a little different if not daring R3500.
photogrApher Go for a local person who comes recommended with a smaller package at around R3500 plus R1000 for extra prints.
Venue Find a restaurant that has a section you could use and is willing to arrange a set menu of R250 per head for 50 guests. R10000
Wine Supply one white wine and one red wine and one sparkling wine per table (3 bottles per 5 tables at R70 per bottle). R500 for the kids and juice and the rest is cash bar. R1550.
decor Make your own order of service, and buy 2 candles for the tables (R500), choose a restaurant that has the decor that suits your personality. There may not be much else to do on the table other than a small gift. Look at R25 per person –a candle with a note, glass figure and chocolate or other R1500. This would not include accommodation, but keep all your extra money for a night of sheer indulgence and passion and a honeymoon week to remember. On the day, do not fret the small things...just relax; your guests will be doing the same!
*please note no advertiser, or supplier found in Brides Essence magazine or website or any other advertiser or supplier in SA is obligated to offer/honour the rates suggested in this article. This is merely a guideline for brides local and international getting married in SA.
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MozAMBique
MOZAMBIQUE Mozambique is found in south-eastern Africa, it is bordered by the indian ocean to the east, tanzania, Malawi and zambia to the northwest, zimbabwe to the west and swaziland and south Africa to the southwest. While travelling to Southern Africa due to its location, Mozambique is an absolute must on the itinerary for holidaymakers and it is a beautiful wedding and honeymoon destination boasting 2500 km of coastline. Mozambique is home to numerous venues from which to choose and these vary from the romantic and intimate to the family resort. For both wedding and
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honeymoons Mozambique is a fabulous choice, offering diving, snorkelling, dhow-sailing through mangrove channels, big game fishing, and numerous water sports. It has it all for the fun filled couple that wish to enjoy languid sunny beach days, discover culture and history from precolonial Maputo, relax at a sidewalk cafe,
and take trips to the magnificent Islands off the coast of Mozambique. The whole country beckons the sun seeker, the beach lover and the romantic. A wedding blessing can be arranged for both South Africans and international visitors to Mozambique. It is possible to have a legal wedding in Mozambique for non-Mozambicans but we strongly suggest you have your legal wedding in your country of origin and then come to Mozambique to enjoy a celebration and blessing of your marriage. Stop for a moment to discover the magic of Flamingo Bay.
flamingo Bay Water Lodge flAmingo BAy WAter lodge is situAted in the pristine tidAl BAy of inhAmBAne 485Km north of mAputo, the cApitAl of mozAmBique.
The sunsets at Flamingo Bay are nothing less than breathtaking.
conies, wide opening sliding doors and air-conditioning. The chalets and furniture are constructed from beautiful local hardwoods from Mozambique. Each chalet is situated on stilts in the crystal clear tidal waters of Inhambane Bay. Sunbathing, swimming, snorkelling and boating may be enjoyed directly from each chalet.
Our luxury water chalets are spacious and well appointed with bal-
The main building and chalets are connected by wooden walkways
The lodge is situated on stilts on the crystal clear waters of the warm Indian Ocean. This eco-paradise is home to flocks of flamingo’s, tropical fish and the very rare dugong.
where golf carts are available to ferry guests. The main building can also be accessed from the land and is fronted by the tidal waters of the bay. A secure parking area is available for guests vehicles.
is a gathering point attracting guests to share their days experiences and enjoy the magical sunsets.
An elegant restaurant overlooks the inviting swimming pool which merges into the view across the bay. Enjoy cocktails on the spacious pool deck while watching the sunset or enjoy your meals in the morning or evening either indoors or outdoors.The gourmet restaurant offers sumptuous meals specialising in local dishes of Mozambique including fresh prawns, fish, crabs and calamari,which are all caught locally. The well stocked bar
other serVices offered
An upstairs area enhances the view as the day draws to a close. Conference Facilities: Seating up to 60 cinema style, audio visual equipment is available. Weddings: We also cater for weddings, cocktail parties and special functions. Sparkling swimming pool on site. Spa: daily treatments and massages Curio Shop: Basic toiletries, clothing and curios. www.barraresorts.com
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nAMiBiA
Namibia
Weddings in the desert
This country on the South Western corner of Africa is surely one of the most colourful, diverse and fascinating. War and genocide have been the character of the German attempt at creating a colonial empire and a legacy of forts and castles remain throughout the land. Drive or fly from Cape Town to Windhoek, and then travel on with stop over’s in the Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and on to Etosha National Park. This is a land of shadows with rivers of sand, diamonds, skeleton and fog haunted coasts. With its rock art, crafts and culture, harbours,
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mining towns and desert creatures is just an incredible experience and a land that you simply must visit, explore and enjoy. Consider a wedding in the desert, there are venues and service providers that specialise in assisting you in setting up a ceremony and/or reception marquee in the dunes. White cloth adorned tables, palm fronds swaying in the yellow desert, champagne sundowners celebrated with the delightful interruption of skydivers to congratulate you after your ceremony. Honeymoon options could include a visit to the far North, Etosha National Park the
place of mirages or ‘land of dry water’, this great white pan is the remains of a prehistoric inland sea, it is 130km from east to west and runs 72km from north to south. You may be fortunate to see Flamingos drinking from the glistening low waters on the pan or enjoy the absolute pleasure of watching the flight of the flamingos as they lift from the pan in a sheet of sheer pink. Visit Namibia and discover its incredible beauty for yourselves or share your dreams in Namibia like Elize and John Barker.
SHARING DREAMS IN NAMIBIA
Wedding Destination: Namibia Brides Name: Elize Barker (Rheeder) Grooms Name: John Barker Wedding Date: 18 December 2009 Name of Venue: Okapuka Ranch
Brides essence interviewed John & elize Barker of south Africa
Photographs of John & Elize’s wedding were taken by Pamela-Christine Feiersingervan Heerden
Describe your chosen venue: Okapuka Ranch is a large game farm with luxury accommodation with spectacular views of the landscapes and abundant wild life. The food is superb and the hospitality rates amongst the best. Personal attention to detail is given at all times. Time of ceremony: 16h30 Weather: Very Hot
Which service providers did you use and rate them from 1 - 10 out of 10, 1 being poor and 10 being excellent. Weddings in Africa 10/10 Pamela-Christine Feiersinger-van Heerden (photographer) 10/10 Pastor Rudolf Schmit 10/10
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nAMiBiA
Describe the setting for your wedding ceremony: In the bush between huge thorn trees with the most beautiful setting of covered chairs, candles and rocks. Champagne and orange juice with canapés were served, and all this while game was grazing in the back ground. Awesome! Is there anything really special you would like to share? Being transported by game drive vehicle to the wedding ceremony and enjoying the game drive, while being followed by white rhino and giraffe and watching warthogs playing in the mud. It was an unforgettable experience. Please describe the setting for your wedding reception/ dinner: We enjoyed a cosy candle-lit three course dinner. The table setting was complimented by hand crafted menus, decorated with porcupine quills and guinea fowl feathers adding to the magical ambiance of grazing antelope on the floodlit lawns. Who shared your special day with you, tell us more about your guests: We shared the day with four close friends from Johannesburg. Being my bridesmaids, ring bearer and witnesses. What was on the dinner/reception Menu? Tell us about the food: The menu was exceptional with true African
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cuisine; oak smoked salmon rosette, presented on a carrot and beetroot timbale and classic Oryx “Wellington” dressed with sauce béarnaise. Tell us about your flowers: My bouquet was a magical wand made-up of silk beaded flowers, ostrich feathers and dangling crystals. How did you get to your wedding ceremony and/or reception? Our group was transported on an open game drive vehicle. Why did you choose Namibia? To explore a land of beautiful contrasts with abundant wildlife and remote desert landscapes. Friendly people with amazing diversity. Where are you from and how did you travel to Namibia? South Africa, Johannesburg, self drive safari. If you had a chance would you change anything about your wedding day? No absolutely not, it was picture perfect. Do you have advice for other brides and grooms planning a destination wedding? Make use of professional destination wedding planners. They will locate the perfect venue that is within your preferred area and will assist you with your special day.
namibian Marriage officer If you are planning to marry at the coast in Namibia, I have a Marriage license 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 Afrikaans, English or German and can be held at the beach front; dunes near Swakopmund or lodge’s or guest houses in the area of Swakopmund and Hentiesbay. Contact: Rudolf Smit +264-81-288-4060 email: rudolfs@mweb.com.na
Mythos Afrika safaris Mythos Africa Safaris caters for your Wedding in Namibia, providing you the opportunity to enjoy your vows in Africa’s natural surroundings . For more information and to book your own unique package tour to Namibia, please visit our website www.mythosafrica.com or contact us today on Tel: +264 (0)61 226628. Fax: +264 (0)61 226628. Cell: +264 (0)81 229 5309. E-mail: info@mythosafrica.com
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seMinArs And expo’s
om e fr mm t e rA e Wrog d p o tr ion e t t p cA ou edu B A l re itA o r u me-mA o s y pr ll er e et dh nc An e ss Apy s e her e id t Br Ago im
Imago Therapy
Petro de Wet has a background of 23 years at senior management level in a corporate environment. She became involved with Imago when a couples’ workshop turned around her own marriage, and she and her husband Dawie both subsequently underwent training as Imago educators. Petro currently serves on the executive committee of Imago Africa, the local representative body of Imago Relationships International, where she now assists other couples in understanding and enriching their relationships. She is a regular speaker at various events, participates in radio and TV programmes on the subject of relationships, and articles on her work have appeared in various publications.
getting mArried, stAying mArried Premarital education programme for couples preparing to get married. Based on Imago theory. When approaching your wedding day, you feel more excited than ever about being together. For most couples, there is also a seed of doubt. Latest statistics show that more than half of all
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marriages end in divorce, with the average marriage currently only lasting around 7.5 years. Experts also reckon that about 60% of men and 40% of women will have an adulterous affair at some point in their lives. You might even have friends, family or colleagues who respond to your current excitement with rueful smiles and cynical comments about how love never lasts. Getting married can feel like embarking on an expedition into hostile, unknown territory. True, enduring love does exist and you can make a wonderful marriage better, deeper, richer and stronger as the decades pass. The smarter you start your marriage, the better chance it has of being everything you both hoped for. That is what this workshop is about. This programme will introduce you to the natural stages of a committed relationship. You will also discover practical steps and habits to help you move from instinctive to enlightened love. (Paraphrased from a message from the founders of the Imago theory, Dr Harville Hendrix and his wife Dr Helen LaKelly-Hunt.)
WeddinG sHoWs
WorKshop content
ABout imAgo The Imago theory was co-developed in the USA by Harville Hendrix, Ph.D. and his wife, Helen LaKelly Hunt, Ph.D, in the early 1980’s to help couples deepen and transform their relationships. Imago is based on a number of leading psychological, behavioural, philosophical and spiritual disciplines, and more than 30 years’ experience of relationship therapy, and also integrates the latest neurological findings as these pertain to relationships. It is available in 25 countries, as well as in SA for the past 15 years, with 170 trained and accredited therapists and educationalists countrywide.
options And costs Group seminars Presented in Pretoria once a month on a Saturday, or elsewhere on request. Cost: R600 per couple.
in south AfricA And Around the World Writer: WilByn pAlVie // photogrAphs courtesy of the Wedding expo (sA)
Subjects to be covered include the following: • The chemistry of love – or why and how I (really) chose my partner • Why happy ever after hardly ever happens • The root of current and possible future conflict in our relationship, and finding the hidden gold in this • My responsibility in our relationship • Creating emotional safety for one another • Mature communication • Important conversations before we say “I do” • Affair prevention 101 • An invitation to possibilities: Living together with love, joy, passion and intimacy.
Seminars for individual couples Presented on request. Cost: R1000 per couple on weekdays, and R1200 per couple on Saturdays or Sundays. Duration 4 - 6 hours per seminar, depending on the group or couple.
WhAt others sAy “More than we ever expected – really get to know yourself and your partner.” “Everyone should attend this - it enriches your relationship 100%.” “It’s great to know that we will not become part of the divorce statistics.” “Now I appreciate my future wife even more.”
It is every girl's dream, to walk down the aisle and say ‘I do’ to the special person in her life. Your groom has popped that long awaited question, now you can start planning your big day.
for enquiries And BooKings
Your wedding day - but where do you start?
Contact Petro +27 (0)82 740 1956 Email: petro@cybiz.co.za
All over the world wedding suppliers come together at least once a year to offer you spectacular wedding shows and introduce wedding vendors
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seMinArs And expo’s
south AfricA The Wedding Expo is every SA brides dream and best friend, it is held at the Coca Cola Dome in Johannesburg, which gets transformed into a magical fair of rows and rows of wedding suppliers, showing brides-to-be what is available to make their big day a special one. This show is now also hosted in Cape Town. Workshops are offered to help you make the planning process a little less stressful and the spectacular fashion show allows you to view and choose from the latest designs in bridal gowns. Bridal Africa: Later in the year Gallagher Estate in Midrand offers you Bridal Africa. This show runs over three days bringing you everything you need for your special day. Bridal Africa boasts the “Romantic Couple of the Year Competition” with exciting prizes to be won. Expo4Brides: This expo is held in Pretoria at the Pretoria Show Grounds. All brides are invited to come have a look at photographers, florists, venues and more as they present their latest packages and services to future brides. Multi Flora Wedding Expo – A first for 2010! MultiFlora. Flower Market, Benrose 25th & 26th June 2010. Multiflora would like to introduce the new trends for 2011. Focusing on the Bride and Groom and allowing them to gain as much information as possible to make their wedding day perfect. Specialists will share their knowledge on table setting, flower arranging, colour trends and new decor ideas. Different exhibitors will share their knowledge and display their products. To introduce the new wedding dress and suit styles, a runway will be held every day.
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united stAtes of AmericA American Bridal Shows & Expo's are held in New Jersey (NJ) and New York (NY). What makes these expo's so very unique is the wedding and bridal professionals that exhibit at them. Potential brides are encouraged to interact with them, to find out what is available and get advice.
united Kingdom British Bridal Exhibition: Well known as one of Europe's favourite bridal expos, it is held in March and September at the Harrogate International Centre. It is a very convenient get together of Britain's best bridal manufacturers, designers and wedding suppliers. London Wedding Show is held at one of the UK's fastest growing venues, Excel, London. The show hosts both local and national suppliers, showcasing their services for your wedding day. Fashion shows on the Catwalk reveal the finest and most trendy fashions for the bride and her bridal entourage.
Omaha Bridal Showcase: This wonderful showcase is produced by a mother and daughter team and who better to know exactly what a bride wants. Their main objective is to provide a cost-effective way for retailers to directly interact with the bridal market and at the same time give brides the opportunity to see all the best suppliers under one roof. No matter what country you live in, there are local, national and international wedding shows throughout the Globe. Good luck with the arrangements of your special day!
coMpetition
coMpetition enter noW:
Are you soutH AfricA’s Bride of essence? stand to win ‘surprise’ Wedding prizes’ (see our october issue for more detail) plus prizes With Wedding in AfricA, uris sAfAri lodge And cAzABellA to the VAlue of r10, 000. THIS INCLuDES: • Online wedding coordination from Weddings in Africa www.weddingsinafrica.com for a wedding held anywhere in South Africa or Namibia. • Fabulous Honeymoon week-end in Namibia at uris Safari Lodge - This includes Accommodation on a Dinner Bed and Breakfast basis for the Bride and Groom, 1 bottle of house wine (red or white) each night, Individual Bush Spa Treatment for both Bride and Groom, Sundowner Nature drive for the couple on night of their choice. www.uris-safari-lodge-namibia.com • A stunning crystal bracelet from Cazabella for the Bride www.cazabella.co.za Tell us in no more than 250 words why you are SA’s Bride of Essence, submit a head and shoulders and full length pic of yourself as well as your contact details. In order to qualify you need to be planning on getting married in South Africa in 2011 from March to December. Email your entry to info@bridesessence.com. Closing Date 01 January 2011. *Final Entries drawn on the 14th February 2011. *Judges decision is final *Prizes are not redeemable for Cash.
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WeddinG Venues
Brides Essence and the Three Cities Group, bring you romantic wedding venues from the millionaire’s playground of Plettenberg Bay to the picturesque town of White River and the Alpines of Northern Drakensberg.
JATINGA COUNTRy LODGE
Jatinga country Lodge is located on the outskirts of the picturesque town of White river, 38 km from the world famous Kruger national park and a mere 4,5 km from Kruger Mpumalanga international Airport. the Lodge is nestled in over 30 hectares of magnificent gardens with the pièce de résistance being the White river winding its way through the bottom of the property. experience luxury And old World romAnce At JAtingA country lodge – host to dreAm Weddings.
Jatinga is undoubtedly one of the most romantic venues in the Lowveld at which to exchange your wedding vows. Whether it’s a small and intimate affair for close friends and family or a lavish wedding banquet, they are able to offer a tailor-made wedding package that will fulfill your dreams and meet all your needs. Their quaint open-sided chapel is a romantic affair built on the banks of the White River. The minister, bride and groom are accommodated under the chapel roof while guests are seated on the open-air flagstones with the White River quietly meandering behind them. The versatile banqueting room lends itself to small or bigger groups and has foldaway doors opening onto a private garden with a view of the pecan orchard in the distance. The temperate climate often lends itself to outdoor weddings and celebrating your special day in the gardens or on the open air flagstone area is a very attractive option. An elegant marquee can be set up in the gardens or the elevated wooden deck, overlooking the White River, offers a venue with a difference for smaller, more intimate functions. Alternatively the dining room or adjoining covered Colonialstyle verandah is a popular choice.
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The elevated deck is a fashionable choice for your guests to enjoy a pre or post wedding drink while your photographer captures this auspicious occasion. Your wedding night is one that you’ll want to remember forever and the honeymoon suite is an experience in itself, completely open-plan, the gloriously decadent four-poster bed has ‘pride of place’ in the suite that is furnished in romantic furnishings and fabrics. A private garden with a splash pool and outdoor shower ensures complete and total privacy for newly weds. The services of the management and banqueting team are available to you throughout the planning stages of your function right up to the final hour of your the wedding day. They will happily set up appointments for you to meet with the individual suppliers and obtain relevant quotes for: flowers, hairdresser and beauty treatments, photographer and videographer, wedding cakes, music and the like. The culinary team, under the expert guidance of the Executive chef, will prepare a wedding feast par excellence for you and your guests to enjoy. From mouthwatering canapés for pre- or post ceremony drinks – to a three, four or five course wedding banquet, accompanied by the finest estate wines available.
WeddinG Venues
plettenberg Bay is the millionaires Mecca and a highly sought after destination for both locals and visitors to south Africa. Brides essence venue of choice for the Garden route is the
plettenberg park Hotel & spa this luxurious hotel, set high on mAJestic cliffs is the most exclusiVe priVAte nAture reserVe in the cApe.
This award winning internationally acclaimed hotel not only offers you fivestar service and hospitality but impeccable cuisine, luxurious suites with sea or lake views, and discerning services which include in-room private dining and a luxurious spa.
bered by you and your guests forever. The hotel will accommodate you in separate rooms the night before should you wish to honour this tradition and on the wedding night the honeymoon suite will be transformed into a romantic world filled with rose petals, candles and romantic music as well as a candlelit Jacuzzi complete with complimentary sparkling wine. A personal touch includes robes and slippers with the Bride and Grooms names.
The Plettenberg Park Hotel & Spa; just minutes from the town of Plettenberg Bay, is the place where luxury and comfort combine. The hotel offers you rooms that have extra long sleigh beds with white linen. The décor is simplistic with a pristine Calvin Klein feel, only for the most discerning traveller. The interior of the hotel has an afro-Colonial look which is very contemporary, reflecting the philosophies of the nineties. Comfort, restraint and romance make this the perfect wedding venue.
The hotel offers various options from which to choose; traditional church weddings in Plett, exchanging your vows on a remote cliff top 300 metres from the hotel, with 180 degree views of the Indian Ocean spread out before you, or the Sundeck, which is a beautiful venue in front of the main lounge area of the hotel, and offers panoramic views over the ocean below. The sundeck is perfect for couples who want stunning views and the scent of the sea, while still retaining the modern fresh feel of the hotel.
Experience gained by hosting a number of successful and unique weddings at Plettenberg Park, their professional team can arrange everything for you, ensuring a five star occasion that will be remem-
Or consider the private beach, a beautiful ocean sunset, a pristine sandy shore, and the feel of exchanging your vows far away from civilisation. This venue has such an impressive atmosphere that very little is
required when it comes to décor, and is suitable for intimate group’s, alternatively the Lake Side on the northern side of the hotel is an inland lake that hosts a number of wild ducks and other natural fauna and flora indigenous to this part of South Africa. The hotel also boasts a Cocktail Lounge which is highly recommended for groups of up to 50 guests as an indoor venue at the hotel. The lounge will be transformed into a room filled with white silk drapes and chairs, contrasted with a lively selection of fresh flowers and flower petals. Menus at the Plettenberg Park Hotel include dishes to tantalise; Foccaccio with pink peppercorn mascarpone and caramelised peaches Amarula Chocolate Mousse; Giant Black Mushroom smothered in Creamed Spinach and Escargots; Fillet stuffed with Camembert and Jalapenos with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, and a hint of South Africa with Traditional Malva Pudding with a Rooibos Crème Anglaise. Plettenberg Park Hotel and Spa is without equal the wedding destination of choice on the Garden Route for 2010.
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WeddinG Venues
Brides essence editor Justine and her family took a drive to the northern drakensberg, and discovered the magnificence and radiance of the mountain, a quiet natural beauty, and the peaceful charm of a tranquil setting!
ESCAPE TO THE DRAKENSBERG for the ultimate wedding Nestled in a valley below the majesty of the Drakensberg Mountain range, lies Alpine Heath South Africa’s premier resort destination. This peaceful and sublime venue offers a welcome respite from the maddening crowds of the big city and the busy schedules of day to day life. It promises guests the option of complete secure privacy, in well appointed four star self-catered chalet comfort, with the option to join in the many activities offered on a daily basis. There is the personal touch and indelible smiles at all times from the many staff that are there to welcome and ensure all your needs are well catered. Guests are ensured pre-and-post wedding recreation with a choice of facilities to choose from, horse rides, mountain biking, swimming pool, bar and tavern, gym, spa and games are available or they can enjoy the natural splendour that surrounds and beckons. River and waterfall walks have been demarcated, providing guests with the opportunity to realise the majesty and immensity of this breathtaking part of our country that truly reflects the contrasts of our land. Children that are a part of the wedding party will not be found wanting, as the Captain of the ‘Fun Crew’ and his team, inspire to delight even the most challenging child, with ice cream eating competitions, games, entertainment room, movie house and kiddies meals, they are ensured to not get in the Brides way. The Bride and Groom will receive a wedding gift from the resort, a complimentary honeymoon suite with breakfast for the morning after the wedding, a complimentary bouquet of flowers for the bride, a full body massage for the Bride and Groom and to top it all they will offer you
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a complimentary one night stay for your first wedding anniversary. All of this combines with their Brunch, Cocktail or European Packages with a minimum of a 2 night stay for 30 guests. The Wedding can be held in the gardens with the incredible scenery and the Drakensberg Mountain majestically placed as the perfect backdrop to your special day, this is a magnificent option ensuring a picture perfect wedding. The cosy Alpine Heath chapel is available for more intimate weddings with a maximum of 70 guests and use of the Alpine horses for wedding photographs add a finishing touch. You and your guests will enjoy delicious Buffet menus while indulging in crisp mountain air, as your wedding reception promises to be a night to remember. Wedding and banqueting staff are there at all times to ensure your special day is planned according to your exact personal requirements, and they will put you in touch with ministers, florists, photographers and other wedding vendors that will work with them to ensure your dream wedding is a reality. Alpine heath is located in the Northern Drakensberg and is positioned midway between Durban and Johannesburg making it the perfect wedding venue to share your vows. Become one with nature, rest the body, rejuvenate the soul and enjoy being together in a piece of South Africa that offers you solace and tranquillity, from which to begin the most important journey of your life. Make your dreams a reality and enjoy the ultimate in Alpine weddings! www.threecities.co.za
proMotion
MAMMA MIA! A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads, And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago! Experience the wonderful, irresistible story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs in the world’s number one smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! Enjoyed by over 40 million people in more than 170 major cities around the globe, MAMMA MIA! is the most successful theatrical production ever! From sets to costumes and the multi-talented artists themselves, MAMMA MIA! is proudly South African. Award winning actress Gina Shmukler is the mother of the bride, Donna Sheridan. Joining her on stage is South Africa’s youngest theatre sensation, 19 year old Carmen Pretorius cast as the bride-to-be, Sophie; theatre and television award winning actress, Ilse Klink is the no-nonsense Rosie and acclaimed stage and television star, Kate Normington plays the role of the wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya. Cape Town actor and 2008 IDO Hip Hop World Championships team finalist dancer, Stephen Jubber plays Sophie’s fiancée, Sky. Popular Afrikaans actor and soapie-star Anrich Herbst who began his television career as the young son, “Wimpie” in the hit series Orkney Snork Nie and went on to play major roles in Egoli and Isidingo, will delight audiences in the role of the charismatic, Sam Carmichael, one of Sophie’s three possible fathers. Murray Todd is Bill Austin and Neels Clasen as Harry Bright, another possible father of the bride. MAMMA MIA!’s broad appeal to audiences of all ages guarantees everyone at every performance of this world-wide MEGA-hit will be “having the time of their lives” and singing along to all time favourites such as “I do, I do, I do”. This enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship premieres at Artscape on Sunday, 15 August 2010 for a limited season, thereafter moving to The Teatro at Montecasino opening on 2 October 2010. Book now by calling Computicket on 083 915 8000, book on line at www.computicket.com or visit your nearest Computicket outlet. Cape Town hospitality bookings contact lauren.bigconcerts@ wol.co.za.For all Teatro group hospitality bookings contact Montecasino Hospitality & Corporate Events on 011 510 7905 or montecasino.hospitality@tsogosun.com Keep up to date with MAMMA MIA! on Twitter and Facebook or visit www.mamma-mia.com
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coLour
Writer: ginA hArtoog
coLour is set to pLAy A stArrinG roLe on your BiG dAy colour your Wedding BeAutifully With pretty pinK or rAdiAnt red the same or different hues can provide an eye-catching contrast. Metallic colours are popular accents and work well with many different colours. Do not overlook the neutrals – ivory, tan, grey and even black - as options for accent colours.
colour inspirAtion Photograph courtesy of Denize Nasilowski
Colour therapists say colour can affect our moods, raise our energy levels and even influence our emotions. It is one of the reasons why we carefully consider colour in almost every aspect of our lives, from the clothes we wear, to the way we decorate our homes, colour is an important choice. When you plan your wedding, colour is one of the first major decisions you will have to make and it is the one choice that will have a telling impact on the event.
your guests Will sAy, oh, WhAt A BeAutiful Wedding. Whether it is the bouquets your attendants carry, or the colour of the table cloths, colour will make its mark.
Wedding colours
Colours you love A favourite colour is a popular choice; before you make a final selection discuss it with your groom. Consider the hair colour and skin tone of your maid-of-honour or bridesmaids, obvious clashes should be avoided. Look at the location Wedding venues may help to accentuate your theme and colour selection. A bushveld venue may suggest an African theme in neutral colours. The decor at some venues may clash with your choice, so always make sure you’ve considered the venue (and seen it) first. A themed wedding Themed weddings, where a specific motif or idea is carried through from the invitations to the cake, are still popular. A theme may dictate your choice of colour or could fit in with any colour scheme you like. Popular motifs are butterflies, horseshoes, hearts, doves and rings.
Selecting a common colour for your wedding is as much practical as it is aesthetic. Colour brings unity to various aspects of the day and forms continuity and coordination between the people, places and items that form the centre of your wedding.
Seasons and nature It is imperative to consider the season: Spring and summer weddings are bright and vibrant, use pinks, yellows and greens.
Avoid using one single colour. A main colour with several different shades in
Mimic the cold of winter with an icy blue. Use Red Roses and dark chocolate, with
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Dress your autumn wedding in burnt orange, golden yellow and classic brown
fireside romance to warm a cold evening wedding. No matter the season your wedding can be exciting. Fabulously in fashion Keep an eye out for the colours that are ‘in vogue’. This may give you an idea for a colour combination that’s unusual or daring.
finishing touches Before making a final decision, check that your selection is practical. Will your man and his attendants get suits to match? What flowers are available in your wedding season and will you get the colours you need? What about shoes for the bridesmaids? Put that final personal stamp on the day. A perfect colour combination has the ability to create a lasting impression that will stay with your guests long after the cake’s cut and the flowers fade.
“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolour, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.” Stanley Horowitz
desiGn And decor
Writer: WilByn pAlVie
DESIGN yOUR INTERIOR yOUR WAy! Any designer who does not appreciate or know about good food is not a very good designer. the planning of a meal and it presentation - the texture, the colour, the tastes, the hot and cold temperatures - are the same concerns that affect an environment. Robert Kime, Architectural Digest diy interior design Whether you hAVe Just Bought your first house or WAnt to spruce up your existing spAce, here Are A feW tips: CREATE A DECOraTING PLAN The plan will enable you to work out what you need to purchase, where you need to shop and most importantly, how much you will spend. PuRCHASE TIMELESS, ELEGANT AND PraCTICAL PIECES. That very modern lounge suite in the funky colour of the season will look very outdated in a season or two, and then you have to start the process all over again. KEEP TO MONOTONE PIECES. You can always add wonderful accessories and scatter cushions to liven up your room, then next year or season when you are tired of the colour or theme of your room you can buy a few new scatters and accessories. Voila’ you will have a totally new looking room. CHOOSE PraCTICAL COLOuRS Darker colours have the effect of making a room look smaller. Choose colours that will go with the décor you plan on using in the room, and curtains and drapes that match the colours of your walls. MAKE uSE OF MIRRORS Use mirrors to make smaller rooms and spaces look bigger.
CHOOSE A PART OF THE ROOM THAT CAN BE THE FOCAL POINT. It can be something as simple as a large and beautiful vase of flowers or an architectural feature. uSE LIGHTING Use lighting to create ambience, use your lights and lamps in a way that accentuates your room and accessories. Ensure the atmosphere that you would like to create in the room is enhanced. PuT THE STAMP OF YOuR PER SONALITY IN YOuR HOME. When your friends come over they will immediately be able to tell how proud you are of your new house and recognise you in your home. Make use of pictures of you and your family to add that personal touch. Always choose frames that are good quality and that will go with the rest of the décor of the room.
never look back, except for an occasional glance, look ahead and plan for the future. success is not built on past laurels, but rather on a continuous activity. Keep busy searching out new ideas and, experimentally, keep ahead of the times, or at least up with them. Dorothy Draper Photograph courtesy of Denize Nazilowski
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trAditions
Writer: hendrinA Westoll
customs trAditions symBolisms
you are about to “tie the knot”, take some tips from the roman maidens of yesteryear who would tie dozens of knots into their girdles, which the passion-enthused groom then had the pleasure (and no doubt the frustration) of untying in anticipation of consummating the marriage.
t
his is one of the delightful traditions that are woven into the fabric of our western white wedding that make our ceremonies so rich and meaningful. Add the fairy dust to your own magical ceremony as you appreciate the centuries of folklore that illuminated the traditional marriage rituals. Many of these customs hark back to the times when brides were either stolen or bought by future husbands. For instance, the engagement ring was originally a down-payment on a bride and also indicated the husband’s sincerity in wanting to marry. It was the romantic Italians who first introduced the diamond– hard as rock and “forged in the flames of love”. The wedding ring itself, which was made of gold, symbolised purity and represented ever-lasting love, as it has no beginning or end. Romans started wearing it on the fourth finger of the left hand (ring finger), because they believed that the vein in that finger runs directly to the heart, known as the vena amoris, vein of love. In that dim and distant past, women were the goods and chattels of the men, first of their fathers and then their husbands. Marriages were
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often arranged, and “giving away” the bride was a formalised ceremony to indicate the passage of male authority from father to husband. Now, fortunately, it is seen as a statement of the blessing on the union.
bouquet, stands for purity and eternal love. Bridal bouquets were first made up of herbs and spices, such as garlic and thyme each selected to repel demonic forces, and flowers began to be incorporated even before the Middle Ages.
The veil indicated the bride’s submission and modesty and was associated with youth and virginity. When the father lifts the veil from his daughter’s face, he is proclaiming that he is passing his ownership over to the husband. It also had a more practical purpose; it hid the bride from the attention of evil spirits! Interestingly, the veil was originally red in Rome, and yellow in Ancient Greece.
The main reason our traditional weddings are called ‘white’ stems from the enchantment of the white wedding gown, which radiates a myriad of traditions dating back almost too pre-history. Red was initially the most popular colour; but wearing green, was the symbol of a loose woman.
The ‘best man’ concept also originates in these more violent times of warfare and capture, when men stole brides from their families. The groom’s most trusted (and strongest) friend came along to help him grab the prize and fight off resistance from her family. In later Anglo-Saxon times, his responsibility was extended to accompanying the groom up the aisle to help defend the bride. Flowers have always played an integral part in our culture. From the very beginning they have represented both fertility and the power to ward off evil spirits. Each colour has a particular meaning and specific flowers were chosen to formulate special bridal messages. Red roses signifying love, while white roses mean innocence. The traditional orange blossom, a favourite in the bridal
It was Queen Victoria who really established white as the colour for weddings, and in those pursed-lip times, it immediately came to mean that the bride was a pure virgin. Traditionally, white has always been a colour that shouted joy and celebration. It was believed that a bride should never make her own dress, nor should she wear the whole outfit together, even while fitting until the day she is to be married. To avoid the most horrible luck, the last stitch should be put in just before she is due to leave for the church and her husband must never see her in it until she walks up the aisle. Here we have barely breathed on the surface of our treasured customs, in future issues; we may bring you some more customs, traditions and symbolisms from the days of yore.
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contributors
more ABout our Writers
WilByn pAlVie
“I am passionate about the things I do; I understand people and I like to find their points of interest, so that I can develop relationships. I love to entertain people’s thoughts and hold their interest. I best achieve this by investigating subjects and researching their possibilities extensively to bring out various levels of facts and to find consistencies that will draw interest, captivate minds and challenge thoughts. I am worldly yet from a conservative home therefore I am able to form opinions from every view point and in so doing am able to attract a wider audience. I have a passion for sharing information and getting all the facts to make sure that everything that I research makes sense and that I can simplify the facts to make it more comprehensible to a wider audience.”
hendrinA Westoll
“From weddings to engineering, healthcare to financial services, human resources to entertainment and sport, everything is grist to the mill for Hendrina Westoll’s writing skills. Her expertise covers everything from press releases to profiles, from brochures to books, spanning almost every business and industry sector in the country. “Writing is a road to constant growth, deepening your understanding of people, what they do, how they think and how they interact to create societies. It’s an ongoing experiment to find the right words and tone to convey an infinite spectrum of concepts, achievements, theories, realities and dreams, the visible and invisible to cover the entire human experience. There’s not an aspect of life it can’t plumb. So yes, it’s a passion!” Hendrina is a freelance writer and among her clients are a number of business-to-business publications, PR agencies, organisations in both public and private sectors.”
ginA hArtoog “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. My husband Bram and I have been married for 13 years and still going strong! He is the love of my life and between him and my kids – they’re my reason for getting up in the morning!”
Brides essence supports locAl sA, innoVAtiVe, enthusiAstic And tAlented Writers And inVites you to suBmit Written, neWsWorthy, suBJect relAted, Articles for perusAl And considerAtion. emAil: suBmissions to info@Bridesessence.com 64 | issue 1
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Your dream is our inspiration Maidenkeycommunication cc | P.O. Box 8373 | Edenglen | 1613 | Johannesburg | South Africa www.maidenkeycommunication.com | justine@maidenkeycommunication.com South Africa: +27-74-440 8668 | Germany: 49-170-2180 720 | annett@maidenkeycommunication.com