There is a strange tendency in the human spirit to put the entering of competitions into the “too much hard work” box. After all, what are the chances that you will actually win? However, with the huge number of wedding competitions in bridal magazines and on the Internet today, there really is a very real possibility of you winning. In addition, you need to remember that these competitions are aimed at a smaller market (i.e. couples planning their wedding), and so do not receive quite as many entries as other competitions for prizes like cars or money. This increases each entrant’s chances exponentially.

Wedding competitions can be found on online wedding-planning websites such as this one, Celebration.co.za (http://www.celebration.co.za/competitions/). These sites will often have a number of competitions for a range of different prizes, depending on their target market and the members they have from the bridal industry. Wedding-related publications (such as monthly, bimonthly or annual bridal magazines) also offer fabulous prizes, but usually require that the competition be filled out and posted back, which seems to be a deterrent amongst modern readers. Finally, competitions for bridal couples will also be offered on the specific home pages of service- and product-providers. For example, a photographer that specialises in wedding photographs may offer a bridal package as a prize on his or her website. Some of the popular resources on which to search for current competitions include http://www.beautifulweddings.co.za/competition.shtml and http://www.weddingcontests.com/. It is also advisable to visit the websites of local suppliers within the industry to see if they are offering any specials or prizes.

Brides- and grooms-to-be can look forward to winning a great variety of prizes. These include designer gowns, beautiful venues, honeymoon trips, gorgeous wedding rings, 5-star catering, professional photography and videography and top-notch décor. There is no limit to what you could win.

Entering various competitions may be slightly time-consuming, but the rewards are limitless. The most obvious benefit is the fact that getting something like a honeymoon or a reception venue will save you and / or anybody paying for or contributing towards your celebration a substantial amount of money. In addition, you are spared an enormous amount of pressure and stress, as this aspect is then planned as part of the reward, not requiring that you sit on the telephone for hours or experience the frustrations of sourcing quotes, and so on.

You are also allowing your guests to experience something a little extra, particularly if you have won a gorgeous venue, décor or catering you would not otherwise have been able to afford. The family and friends sharing this special day with you will feel pampered, sharing in the joy of your winnings.

If you win a prize that saved you a large sum of money (such as an all-inclusive honeymoon, for example), you will have the opportunity to spend your savings on your new home together or paying for outstanding debts.

By viewing competitions in the correct light, you will quickly realise that they are certainly worth the small amount of time and effort that they require of you. If you are one of the many lucky brides or grooms that can enjoy a prize, you will never regret your small investment and will be able to enjoy the benefits long after your big day. Remember to keep visiting Celebration.co.za to stay abreast of the many local competitions and prizes available.

• Website templates to help you to create your very own wedding website. These templates boast a number of designs, ranging from floral and classic to cosmopolitan and modern
• Photo editing
• Personalised announcements for your friends and family
• Google Docs, enabling you to collaborate all of your guest lists, schedules, addresses, contact details, menus, music, and so on
• Online photo albums with photo sharing capabilities

All of these resources are customisable to ensure that your online portfolio works for you.

First, they are well connected to industry professionals. Therefore, they can refer you to superior caterers, dress designers, decorators, entertainers, and so on. This gives you, as the bride- or groom-to-be, the added confidence of a trusted referral, rather than simply choosing your suppliers on the basis of their location or prices.  Secondly, they will offer objective opinions based on years of experience and knowledge. They are not going to tell you that your dream dress looks perfect if it does not, because they want you to look and feel your best on your special wedding day. Thirdly, while having the services of professionals at your fingertips, you are also given the freedom and flexibility to plan your own wedding day. Formal wedding planners are employed to make the life of the couple easier. However, this often means not allowing the couple to explore their possibilities. A wedding stylist, on the other hand, is simply a guide and advisor. This means that couples get the best of both worlds.

Wedding stylists usually begin by getting to know the couple better on a personal level. They will discuss your visions, desires, needs and budget, so that they are approaching the task at hand fully informed. They will also endeavour to dig deeper into your personality, whether this involves personality assessments or other such exercises. Your body will play an important role as it will influence the design of your dress. Therefore, a full figure analysis is generally part of the first consultation.

Following this consultation, the wedding stylist team will put together a presentation of styles, colours, features and flavours that they feel would suit you and your personal tastes. This will incorporate the information that they received from you, so will always be personal and unique to you. Once you have decided that you are happy with their suggestions and have an understanding of what styles will best represent you, you will begin your wedding planning process.

The wedding stylists will brief your dress maker, photographer etc…so that they have a clear idea of your requirements. Getting these professionals to speak to one another ensures that communication lines are kept open, honest and relevant, particularly if you find it difficult to express yourself in words.

The wedding stylists will also accompany you to fittings and on shopping excursions so that they can assist with honest, fair opinions and provide appropriate advice.

Busy couples that are currently in the process of planning their wedding will know the challenge of balancing work, family and wedding-planning. Hiring wedding stylists will give you the perfect ally, confidant and advisor to ensure that your wedding day is not negotiated upon by time constrictions or a lack of suitable contacts.

Image Courtesy of Moi Styling

There are some things that just should not be reserved for Valentine’s Day. Instead of regretting this year’s day of love, read on for some major no-no’s.

1. Do not attempt a first date – there are just far too many expectations around Valentine’s Day to pull off a successful first date. Rather reserve this day for those nearest and dearest to you, even if they are a group of your single friends or a loyal sibling.
2. Never call your ex on V-day – as tempting as it may be to relive good memories with an old lover, this will just depress you and scare them off from any potential friendship that could have existed. It really just smacks of desperation.
3. Do not get drunk – this inevitably leads to emotional vulnerability or insensitivity to what is socially acceptable. Both of these are bad ingredients for Valentine’s Day, when you may be susceptible to being over-romantic, irrationally sentimental, or just plain needy.
4. Quit complaining – Valentine’s Day is not the “be all and end all” of your romantic existence. So, don’t overrate it, and don’t ruin it for those who are having a good time with their partners. Any sympathy votes you get will not be worth the annoyance.
5. Don’t be a hermit – being sad on Valentine’s Day is not that unusual, but the worst way to treat it is to lock yourself behind closed doors and watch girly flicks while overindulging in sugary snacks. Rather, make concrete plans to meet a friend, go shopping or pamper yourself at the salon.
6. Leave feeling sorry for yourself - do not forget the things you have to be grateful for. Appreciate the good things in your life, and focus on these to gain a realistic perspective of this romantic event.

Photo Courtesy of The Wingman Blog

This capability makes scrapbooking the ideal way to present your wedding photographs. It can be done in a fun, elegant or classic way while introducing elements that will engage the viewer and add more dimension to your wedding album. The wedding album also carries more of a “storybook” look and feel, which allows the bridal couple to tell the story of their love and their relationship as it developed to the stage at which they got married. So, the beginning of the scrapbook may contain those first shots that new dating couples take of themselves, usually very romantic and full of smiles. These should be followed by the engagement photographs, then wedding preparation pictures and, finally, the wedding. Some couples may decide to add the honeymoon in as part of their love story.

The added benefit comes in the ability to include messages, words and images on and around the photos that depict the experiences you shared at that time and the love you have for one another. While these should remain tasteful, do not hold back from expressing such feelings by including notes such as “the love of my life” or “eating oysters with my gorgeous man”. This will remind you of the sentiments you felt for your husband at the time of your marriage and will, no doubt, spark some of those original butterflies into action.

It is also a good idea to keep a journal of the few weeks before your wedding to document your feelings of excitement and joy. Some of the pages from this journal can be included if you feel that what you have written is not too personal or explicit. This adds the ultimate personal touch to your album.

Neat handwritten notes are also excellent ways of making your scrapbook more personal. In addition, letters, notes, faxes and emails from friends and family that could not make it to the wedding or who dropped you a line to ask how the planning was going are a great reminder of those that supported you during this time.

To keep your photographs in good condition, an adhesive that is free from acid will ensure that they are not damaged.

The theme of your scrapbook should reflect the colours and décor of your wedding day. Of course, your scrapbook allows more flexibility and a lot more detail in terms of decorating the pages, so the theme of your day should merely act as a guide. If the look and feel of your wedding day was based on “fairytale romance”, the scrapbook can include elements of magical love, stars, sparkles and so on, while these may not have been appropriate to include in the official wedding decorations.

To get the perfect shot, edit digital photographs before printing them onto photographic paper. Eliminate red eyes, crop excess background, enhance the colour, or create some special black and white shots. Do not print digital shots onto normal paper as this will cheapen the effect and it will not last as long.

To complete your wedding scrapbook, you will need a large scrapbook or a post-bound book, a fixed blade, photographs, cards, letters, mementoes (napkins, place cards, etc…), a sharp pair of scissors, acid-free paper, acid-free glue, a journal pen, an acid-free permanent marker, coloured pens and the embellishments that will go around each photo.

Photo Courtesy of Flickr

The pre-wedding jitters can lead to a negotiated immune system, which can cause you, as the couple, to become run down, tired and even sick for your big day. Incorporate these important foods into your diet to ensure that your immune system is kept strong and healthy:

White button mushrooms – these promote the production of cells known as Natural Killer cells, which fight infection. Nibble on raw mushrooms in your salads and stir-fries.

Tea – black, green, pekoe and oolong tea contains L-theanine, which is great for fighting infection.

Chicken soup – it is true! Chicken soup is more than just good for the soul, but it also inhibits the activity of the cells released by viral infections. Home-made chicken soup is best as it has no preservatives.

Garlic – with its antibacterial compound, allicin, garlic is a great cleanser and protector.

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower contain vital antioxidants and enzymes that thwart the effects of free radicals.

Almonds – these powerful nuts will boost your immune system as long as you eat them with their skins on.

Turmeric – the yellow spice helps to strengthen cell membranes and assists in the resistance of infection on a cellular level. Add it to your rice, curries, stews and so on.

Pumpkin – be sure to include its skin and seeds for the best effects. The skin has beta-carotene, a key ingredient to assisting your immune system to remain strong, while the seeds are packed with zinc to resist infection. The skin can be eaten when the pumpkin has been baked as it becomes soft and tasty, while the seeds should be roasted.

It is no wonder that, for the second year in a row, it was voted as South Africa’s Best Wedding Reception Centre at the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards.

The Plantation offers:

• 4-star accommodation
• An elegant ballroom with a capacity of up to 200 guests
• A gorgeous bridal suite
• Idyllic gardens that are the ideal place to have your wedding photographs taken
• Working fireplaces and chandeliers in the reception venue
• A horse and carriage for the bride’s entrance
• Babysitters, on request
• Full catering and bar services

Some of its other recent awards and accolades include:

• Gold Winner – Eastern Cape Reception Centre – 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards
• Gold Winner – Eastern Cape In-House Wedding Planner – 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards
• Gold Winner – DJ Service – 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards
• SABC 3 Top Billing 21 October 2010
• Top 5 Winter Wedding Venues in South Africa – Wedding Collection Magazine – Winter 2009
• National Winner – Wedding Reception Centre – 2009 SA VOW Awards
• Gold Winner – Eastern Cape Reception Centre – 2009 SA VOW Awards
• Silver Winner – Eastern Cape 1st Night Honeymoon Destination – 2009 VOW Awards
• Gold & Bronze Florists – Floral Design – 2009 VOW Awards

The wedding was held at the Riverside Chapel in Pretoria and attended by a host of A-list celebrity friends, including Stephen van Niekerk, Corine du Toit, Darren Kelfkens, Marry-Anne Barlow and Darryl Desmarais.

Candice’s sexy white wedding dress was embellished with a fabulous black feathered sash and black tulle underskirt. It was designed and created by Annie Potgieter. Candice’s ring shows off her feminine hands at their best. It comprises an impressive solitaire diamond flanked by two bands of smaller stones.

The reception venue was dripping with over 800 red roses and a night sky of flickering candles to create the perfect scene for such a romantic union. Guests dined on crisp phyllo baskets filled with a creamy chicken creation in celebration of this big day.

As the couple stared into one another’s eyes, as if for the first time, the notion of living “happily ever after” became a reality for the friends and family that shared this special day with them.

Photo courtesy of  You.co.za

Heather and Mark celebrated their love by getting married. After the reception, Heather’s mother gave her a new bank savings book with a deposit of R1000.

“Heather, take this savings book and keep it as a record of your marriage. When something happy and good happens in your new life, deposit some money. Write next to the amount what it was for. The more memorable the event, the more money you should deposit. I’ve made the first deposit for you today. Do the others with Mark. When you look back after years, you will know how much happiness you’ve shared.”

Heather and Mark thought that it was a great idea and couldn’t wait to make the second deposit.

After some time, they had the following entries:

• 7 February – R100 (Mark’s first birthday celebration as a married man)
• 20 March – R200 (first holiday as a married couple)
• 15 April – R2000 (Heather is pregnant!)
• 1 June – R1000 (Mark got promoted)
• 2 December – R3000 (Lincoln is born!)
• Etc…

Five years passed, and Heather and Mark started fighting. They stopped talking and having fun together, preferring to remain in their quiet corners. They regretted that they had married one another and felt no more love.

Heather talked to her mother. She told her that she wanted a divorce and would never be able to be happy with a person like Mark.

“Ok”, said her mother, “do what you think is best if you really can’t stand it. But, before you do, do something for me first. Remember the savings book I gave you on your wedding day? Take all the money and spend it first. You wouldn’t want any memories of such a terrible marriage”.

Heather agreed completely, went to the bank and stood in the queue to close the account. While she was waiting, she took a look at the savings book record. As she read each entry, she remembered the joy and happiness that she had felt in her marriage. Her eyes filled with tears.

She went home, and handed the savings book to Mark, asking him to spend the money before getting divorced.

The next day, Mark handed the savings book back to Heather. Her heart dropped.

But, when she opened it, she found that a new deposit of R5000 was made. Next to it, Mark had written “Today, I realised how much I’ve loved you through the years and how much happiness you’ve brought me.”

They put the savings book back in the safe.

Not just any wedding school

The SA School of Weddings is not just any wedding school or fly-by-night start-up business. It has been running successfully since 2009 and has won the support of many of South Africa’s leading organisations within the wedding industry, boasting the title as the first ever industry endorsed school of its kind in South Africa.

Khali Collins, Founder of the SA School of Weddings says the school was born out of the need for specialised wedding courses with a strong practical hands-on approach to planning that special day. “At the time of creating The SA School of Weddings no tertiary institution offered the practical experience training needed in their courses to ensure a successful future to learners. Our courses offer useful hands-on experience, which can’t be found anywhere else except for working in the industry itself.”

With more than 10-years experience within the events planning industry, of which seven years involved wedding planning, Collins’ SA School of Weddings isn’t just any old wedding school. It is a reputable learning institution with lectures designed and presented by seasoned industry professionals and endorsed by Oakfields College where its courses are presented in Pretoria.

Says Vivien Keller, Oakfields College Director: “The SA School of Weddings philosophy of offering professional courses and excellent customer service fit well with the Oakfield College values. It was therefore an easy decision for Oakfields College to endorse the SA School of Weddings courses and to show the public that the wedding industry and education can and do go together.”

Oakfields College is provisionally registered by the Department of Education and accredited by the Media, Advertising, Publishing, Printing, and Packaging Sector Education Training Authority (MAPPP-seta) – the SAQA registered ETQA (Education & Training Quality Assuring Body) for the Arts and Culture sector.

As further support of the standard of excellenc the SA School of Weddings represent, the most trusted bridal showcase in South Africa, The Wedding Expo, also endorses the SA School of Weddings.

The Wedding Expo Exhibition Director, Amanda Cunningham, has this to say: “The Wedding Expo fully endorses the SA School of Weddings for its superior quality training of individuals entering the industry. The SA School of Weddings’ contribution to the wedding industry is invaluable.”

Collins believes that the best training and education can only be attained with practical courses. “Theoretical study is important, but without getting your hands dirty and putting what you have learnt into practice, your training is insufficient. Physically doing that flower arrangement or baking and decorating that wedding cake is the only way to truly learn. Because of this I don’t believe correspondence courses are the best way of learning and why the SA School of Wedding don’t offer them,” she says.

As guidance in choosing which learning institution to attend, Collins advises to investigate how long an institution has been in the wedding industry, to look at the practical versus theoretical study ratio and to always find out what the industry’s views are, and if it supports the specific learning institution’s endeavours.

For more information on the SA School of Weddings click here.