Here you’ll find all the wedding tips and advice you’ll ever need. We’ll advise you on style, decorations, budget advice and location advice. If you’d like us to research any topic for you – let us know. We’re always wanting to help a hand to our gorgeous brides-to-be, so just drop us an email! Happy wedding planning!
So you finally made it down the aisle, and now you’re officially someone’s wife, and diving into a new chapter with them. Enjoy your honeymoon to its fullest, and wait until you are back home to start cleaning up the aftermath of the big day. A lot of people know how much work goes into preparing for the wedding, but rarely do people mention how large of a job cleaning up after it can be. You’ve had the engagement party, the hen do and of course the wedding but its not over yet.
Sorting through your gifts
Now unless you are a celebrity, I highly doubt you are going to have the abundance of gifts piled up as say, (72 day wife) Kim Kardashian did. However, if you had a big wedding, or just plain have a lot of generous friends and family members, there’s going to be a lot of organizing to do with all of the new gifts.
I would pick a day where you and your husband have several hours to go through the gifts together. Every gift you have should be written down with the person’s name who gave it to you. Not one gift should go unnoticed, or unaccounted for. People used their hard earned money buying you and your partner a wedding present, and it’s rude to not acknowledge it. (We will get to thank you cards a bit later on)
If you have duplicates, or gifts that you don’t see yourself using or needing, make a pile of them, and make sure they have receipts to go along with them. If there isn’t a receipt and but you know what store it came from, try taking it back as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to exchange it for what it is worth. If for some reason you can’t take it back to the store, think about what you want to do with it, maybe you know some friends who are getting married soon – and you could pass the gift along to them.
Sending out thank you cards
Moving on to the thank you cards. Thank you cards are a huge deal. I don’t care if you weren’t raised in a family where you were forced to write them, now is the time to get into the habit of writing them. It is unacceptable to not thank someone properly who has gone out of their way to purchase something for you. The same rule applies after those hen weekends, so don’t forget your manners ladies. Thank you cards should be written for every guest that purchased you a gift. Simple as that, and done in a timely fashion. Don’t wait months to get started on your thank you cards.
Last but not least, what are you going to do with your wedding dress? You spent months, even years thinking about your perfect dress. Now you not only have it, but you’ve worn it. I personally would save it, in case I had a daughter that would someday want to wear it. Other options are to sell it, donate it, or trash it. It’s your call. I just figure, it’s one of those pieces worth holding on to.
(This information was brought to you by Chillisauce Hen and Stag weekends who specialise in organising spa hen weekends and luxury stag dos)
In this economy – not all of us can afford to purchase a new wedding dress off the rack as some companies and brands can charge huge amounts for this. A great idea, if your budget isn’t stretching far enough – is to purchase a second hand wedding dress.
First of all – stop worrying. No one will know your dress is second hand (unless you choose to tell them) and remember all second hand dresses were new and expensive once upon a time – and they’re usually only ever been worn once (so how much will you even be able to tell anyway?). If you do find your perfect dress and it’s second hand you’re still left with the options of getting it personally fitted and professionally tailored to your figure (which won’t cost the earth) and you can get it professionally cleaned too.
So where can you find your perfect second hand dress?
eBay – these guy specialise in auctioning off second hand clothing – and might be the ideal place to locate your dress. Most women who are selling their dress on here will be completely happy for you to visit them and try it on before committing to buy – so send the buyer a personal email and enquire. We think this is probably your best bet – because of the sheer variety you’ll find and the regular addition of new sellers adding more dresses.
Other websites we’ve found that may be helpful though are:
bravobride.com
encorebridal.com
oncewed.com
preownedweddingdresses.com
savethedress.com
woreitonce.com
Let us know what you think. Did you buy your wedding dress second hand? If so we’d love for you to email us your images – maybe we could even feature you on the homepage as a 365 bride. Stay tuned for our tips on buying a special wedding gift for your husband on your wedding day. Have you thought about buying your husband a special gift on your wedding day? He may appreciate a gorgeous pre-owned watch – just as much as you’d appreciate a pretty necklace! The great thing about buying pre-owned is that you can stay in a reasonable budget too.
It’s tradition to purchase your Husband a gift on your wedding day – but it’s probably something you’ll want to agree to doing before hand (after all, you don’t want to make him feel guilty by getting him something, and him not being able to get you something in return!).
We’ve thought of 4 fool-proof ideas for this important gift. You’ll want something that he’ll be able to treasure (or always remember) but you’ll also want something that will suit your couple style!
1. A Watch – Buying your Husband a handsome watch on your wedding day is a great gift. Most men won’t go out and buy their own watch (not an expensive or special one anyway). You could buy a vintage watch or a new one – but definitely have the inside engraved to make it extra special.
2. A Car Ride – Surprise your new Husband by renting a Sports car for an hour after your ceremony. Whilst all the guests make their way to the reception venue – you can fly off in an Aston Martin! He’ll definitely never forget a surprise like that!
3. Buy him a personalised book – If your husband has an absolute favourite book, then why not get a specially printed (embossed and bound) copy with a dedication inside. It’s something he’ll keep forever and it’s such a sentimental gift.
4. Buy some gorgeous lingerie – Surprising your Husband in the evening with some amazing Lingerie can be a great surprise. Sure, it’s not technically a “present” for him – but it’s definitely a memory he’ll keep with him forever! Wink Wink.
Planning an amazing Hen / Bachelorette Party is such an important process and definitely a big part of your wedding (even though it doesn’t happen on the same day as your wedding).
Not only are these parties the traditional ‘last night of freedom’ for many people, but they’re also an important part of the wedding; bringing together workmates, friends, and family of the bride-to-be! Hen / Bachelorette weekends allow all those amazing ladies from all parts of your life to come together to meet and get to know each other before the big day.
Getting everyone to pack their bags and fly away to a party destination for the weekend can seem like the easy way out but can often be too expensive for some friends and family. I’m a big believer that a great hen night is one that you’ll never forget, and you can achieve that by trying things that you’ve never done before. I’ve spent a lot of time researching the most popular activities for the big night, and have listed my favourite ones below.
Popular Hen Party Ideas
Dance Classes
Is dancing in your blood? Why not start the day off by having your group learn a new dancing routine? Try to learn the routine from one of your favourite movies – like Grease, Dirty Dancing, or Chicago; perhaps try something more exotic, like Burlesque, Pole Dancing, or Belly Dancing. A dancing lesson is a fun start to the day, and you can put the performance together on the dance floor later on in the night!
Life Drawing
Too embarrassed to have a male stripper show up on the night? A life drawing hen party is a classy alternative – life drawing guarantees a lot of laughs and the opportunity to start the weekend off with a nude man. Look for a company who specifically sells life drawing for hen nights rather than going with an art school (where the focus may be more on the art, and less on the fun).
Learn To Make Something New
For groups that love to cook and eat great food, a lesson about learning to make something new is a great idea. Learn the age-old art of sushi rolling, or try your hand at tempering chocolate and making pralines. Or head to a bar and learn how to make some delicious cocktails – if you’ve got a big group, split your group up and have everyone make somebody else’s drink.
A Glamorous Camping Weekend
If you’re like me, you spend approximately 100% of your life in and around cities; a weekend away from hustle and bustle of the big city could be the perfect idea for your hen party. Glamorous Camping (or ‘glamping’) can be the perfect solution for hens wanting to get away from it all – there are hundreds of sites across the country with high quality tents and bedding, and many companies offer a glamping weekend package where they’ll send along an expert with a van load of equipment to look after you and organise activities throughout the weekend.
Planning your Bachelorette party abroad is a great idea – and having a short vacation before the big day will give you time to relax and also top up your tan (bet you didn’t think of that did you)! If you’re choosing to take a vacation-style bachelorette party though – it’s something you’ll need to check with your girlfriends first, because you’ll want to sort out budgets and dates – to ensure you have everyone there.
But where should you choose when jetting away? Well, here are our Top 3 options.
1. Las Vegas
Vegas is the ultimate bachelorette destination – it has everything you’d ever need! Amazing nightlife, fantastic shopping, great restaurants and luxurious hotels to relax in. If you want to spend you time away living in luxury like a VIP and partying hard in the evenings – this is definitely the right choice for you! There’s no way it can disappoint! Just remember – most clubs have a strict “dress to impress” rule – so make sure all your fellow ladies are into getting glammed up!
2. New York City
For a great city break – NYC is perfect. You can spend you days shopping and sightseeing around the city (and trust us there is lots to see) and then spend your evening bar hopping the city’s many trendy bars. The bar scene here is pretty amazing actually – and with your girlfriends in tow you’ll feel like the Sex and the City cast living the high life. You could even treat your bridesmaids and go dress shopping here for their bridesmaids dresses! That would definitely be something memorable!
3. Ibiza
For something a little more European – Ibiza offer great night-life for the ladies who like to party – but equally Ibiza offers great sandy beaches and gorgeous sunshine too. Ibiza is a bit more low-key compared to the other two destination and will probably cost you much less – but it’s still a totally great destination with a lively and energy atmosphere, and a young crowd. You’ll want to get your comedy “L” plates out…
This information was provided by Maple Casino.
The magnificent country of South Africa ranks in popularity and beauty for honeymoon destinations along with the Niagara Falls, Hawaii and the romantic smaller islands of the Caribbean. Honeymoon travellers in South Africa enjoy a wide choice of destinations including Cape Town, Durban and the famous Kruger National Park, hotel accommodation ranging from luxurious beach and gold resorts to romantic country houses, and various activities. Breathtaking landscapes, white sandy beaches, adventurous safaris as well as romantic hideaways await the couples who choose to visit there. So here at 365 Brides – we decided to put together a list of great SA honeymoon destinations, and here it is:
1. Honeymoon at the Garden Route: Knsysna & Plettenberg Bay
The coastal town of Knysna, which lies on the lush Garden Route, provides a relaxing, tranquil and romantic atmosphere for honeymooners. Accommodation in Knysna varies greatly depending on the guest’s requirements and budgets. The five star Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa as well we the luxurious Plettenberg Hotel offer luxurious honeymoon accommodation including exclusive facilities and services. Country style Guest Houses and Bed & Breakfast places on the Garden Route offer honeymooners personalized service in a lovely setting. Between August and November, whale watching at Plettenberg Bay is an extremely popular option for visitors to South Africa.
2. Honeymoon at a Safari Lodge
Most newlyweds coming to South Africa do not want to miss the unique opportunity of exciting wildlife encounters while staying in one of South Africa’s amazing game lodges. Most game lodges throughout South Africa provide honeymooners with fantastic honeymoon packages, which include specials such as spa treatments, gourmet dining in remote and romantic locations as well as other activities such as Hot Air Balloon Safaris and Elephant Back Safaris. Recommended safari locations in South Africa include the Kruger National Park with its neighboring Sabi Sands Game Reserve, the Welgevonden Game Reserve, the Pilansberg National Park, the Madikwe Game Reserve as well as selected Game Reserves along the Garden Route and in KwaZulu-Natal. It is in the game rich Sabi Sands Game Reserve where the luxurious Sabi Sabi Game Lodges, the Singita Games Lodges, the Ulusaba Game Lodge and the Lion Sands Game Lodge are located.
3. Honeymoon at the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains
The scenic and famous Drakensberg Mountains are home to wonderful flora and wildlife and provide many hiking and mountain biking trails. This destination is recommended for sports enthusiasts who love to spend their time outdoors. Hotels such as the Drakensberg Sun Resort, Alpine Heath Hotel, the Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa, the Nest and the Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse all provide comfortable honeymoon accommodation in a splendid setting where outdoor activities such as horse riding, mountain biking, hiking and 4×4 tours can be enjoyed.
4. Honeymoon in Cape Town & the Cape Winelands
South Africa’s jewel and one of the top destinations worldwide is Cape Town. Honeymooners who decide to spend part of their stay in this magnificent city can expect a great variety of excellent dining choices, interesting sightseeing attractions, beautiful beaches, fantastic views from Table Mountain, Lions Head and Signal Head and exclusive honeymoon accommodation. The nearby Cape Winelands with its quaint villages such as Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington and Franschhoek invite visitors for wine tasting tours at one of the many famous wine estates, delicious picnics, exciting horse back rides and helicopter trips.
This article was written by Ryan Mackie of South African Hotels.
Here’s an infographic from jewellers CS Bedford – about how to know when the right time to get engaged is….
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