FIRST DANCE

If a choreographed first dance is good enough for Justin Timerblake, surely you should consider it, too? Just like Justin, you can keep your lessons a secret from everyone else … and then blow their socks off on the big day!

Sophie Day, author of The Secret Quintessentially Weddings Guide, said at the time that Timberlake could revolutionise the stereotype of a quick shuffle around the floor for first dances.

“While even the likes of President Obama and even Mick Jagger have been described as ‘dad dancers’, a little coaching can get your groom up to Timberlake standard in no time,” she said. “It’s all about confidence and the best way to grow confidence is with lessons.”

Karen Hardy, Strictly Come Dancing champion, put together the following top tips for grooms looking to avoid ‘dad dancing’ and err on the side of smooth.

• Move naturally and with confidence to start with. Don’t risk your more unbridled moves until the cheers say you should.

• A drink or partner in one hand is often useful as then you only have to think about the one other flailing.

• If you’re going for natty older rocker, think Bruce/The Boss rather than Jagger for tight shoulder shrugs, standing with your legs slightly apart in an upturned V shape, and tap alternate legs. Perhaps lace it with the odd hip wiggle and nod of the head.

• Footwork should be sophisticated and light, but not fey. When you get to the point where you want to add a flourish, go with a subtle spin with your right foot tucked in front of your left, and propel with the balls of your feet. You want Astaire rather than Fagin here.

• Keep your core strong, and your knees relaxed to stop you looking too rigid.

If in doubt at any time, just think “what would Tom Ford, George Clooney or Bryan Ferry do? ”

WEDDING MUST-DOs

1. Do damage control – ask your florist to bring a spare boutonniere or two, in case one gets lost or damaged.

2. Prepare for the worst – Pack an emergency kit with eye drops, mints, a stain-remover stick, nail polish, and fashion tape for wardrobe malfunctions.

3. Be considerate – Bring along a few pairs of earplugs for any guest who finds the music at the reception a bit too loud.

4. Take cover – If there’s rain in the forecast, stock up on umbrellas and arrange for friends to help guests get from their cars into the venue.

5. Arm yourself – have tissues on hand or, for your something blue, a lovely blue hanky. You never know when tears will flow.

6. Make contact – Tuck a contact list of all vendors in your handbag. Be sure to get their weekend on-call numbers!

7. Get shot of it – if you haven’t already, hand over your shot list to your photographer so no vital photos are missed.

8. Ring it in – The rings! Who’s got them? Make sure they are in the right hands (traditionally, this is the job of the best man).

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STATIONARY OOPSIES

You’ve selected the card for your invites, argued over the font, debated the wording … but, have you considered these points below?

1. It’s courtesy to send an invitation to close family or friends who have already told you that they can’t make your big day. If they’re important to you, show you care. For the sake of a few extra dollars, you’ll make them feel just a tad special, and they’ll have a momento even though they can’t be present.

2. Double check how your envelopes are addressed, particularly if your affair is a very formal one. If they’re a doctor, for instance, use that instead of Mr or Mrs!

3. Are you having a wedding gift registry? In that case, ensure it is noted on the invitation!

4. If you’re enclosing RSVP cards and expect them to be posted back to you (as opposed to an email or wedding website), then please go to the extra expense of adding a postage stamp!

5. If you’re personalising your invites, be sure to include ALL parties and family members who are invited. For instance, on the invite for your aunt and uncle, don’t leave off a cousin if you anticipate them being there. The same goes with long-term partners of close friends – if they’ve been in a relationship for some time, it’s hardly likely one will turn up without the other!

6. On a similar note, if you are permitting plus-ones …. it’s good form to get the plus one’s name; not only for the invite, but also for name cards and place settings.

7. Before you drop all the addressed invites into the mail, double check you’ve added the right postage. By the time you bundle an RSVP card, a map and directions, a fancy closure or diamante, etc into the ornate envelope, you may well find you’re over the limit for standard postage! It’s especially important to check this for offshore items, and vital if you have an odd-shaped invite and envelope!

8. Lastly, while you may pride yourself on being critical, get a third party to proof read your invites before they are printed! All too often you can read the same thing five or six times and STILL miss small errors!

HOT TRENDS

This year’s wedding season is in full swing with some new trends and musts. If you don’t know how to make your nuptials trendy and on point, here are some hot trends you should keep your eye on.

Unique invitations If you want your guests to be excited for the wedding from the very beginning, then you must have some eye-catching invitations. Just some of the trends in that department are glow-in-the-dark ink invitations, Plexiglas, stamps and some very bold envelopes. This way, your invitation will never get misplaced or forgotten.

Add a splash of colour While neutrals and pastels have always been a safe way to go when it comes to weddings, in 2017 bold colours are where it’s at. What you’re going to see are some bright colour pairings and bold shades. Since greenery is the Colour of the Year, you can expect to see a lot of this earthy and vibrant shade everywhere, from napkins to bridesmaids’ dresses. This colour is perfect for all seasons, venues and themes.

Bring it to life Wedding decorators are going back to nature, filling venues with potted trees and plants, and decorating tables with wood and stone. Those nature elements will make your nuptials look like a fairytale wedding. Don’t hesitate to supersize your bouquets and revisit some of the oldschool elements such as pageants and cascades.

CHECKLIST

Yeah, you’ve heard it all before … lists, lists and more lists. But seriously, you only get one chance to get things right, so it pays to go over your To Do items again and again. Have you really thought of it all?

LEGALITIES Ensure you have your officiant booked and your marriage licence sorted.

ORDER Have you written up an order of the day sheet? Having a program to work with makes it easier for all your suppliers to coordinate, and for those helping out on the day to stick to schedule. Include cellphone numbers for all suppliers, assistants, the venue staff, your photographer, and of course the bride and groom.

MUSIC Have you booked your DJ and sorted your playlist out? Go through your song choices carefully. We saw a note recently about breakup songs sounding, quite often, like love songs!

READINGS Have you asked anyone to give a reading during your ceremony? Whatever you do, don’t have a dozen people standing up to have their moment. The general rule is 3 readings or songs max, and around 90 seconds each in length.

RITUALS Couples tying the knot quite often want to include some form of ritual in their ceremony. Whether it’s lighting candles together, performing a sand ceremony, sipping champagne, skulling a shot of tequilla or vodka, or breaking a glass/plate … do check that it’s okay with your venue first. Check also that your chosen ritual sits well with both the bride and groom, and parents or family. In today’s world of multi-cultural weddings, this could be an issue!

VOWS

VOWS Perhaps the most important words the bride and groom will ever speak out loud, in front of witnesses, are your vows. Make them personal, make them about you!

Do you want traditional vows that see you taking each other for better or for worse, or would you prefer something totally unique? If you’re writing it from scratch, treat it as you would a short story … have an introduction, a middle section and a closing. Start with your partner’s name and what they mean to you. The middle is where you can talk about why you love them. The closing will be your promise to your partner going forward.

THE SCENE Have you planned your reception and ceremony completely? There are endless checklists for these available on the internet … lights, music, cars, photographer, flowers, cake ….. no doubt you have a few that you’re already ticking off.

On the day, appoint a few close friends or family members who can welcome your guests, get them a drink if appropriate, or usher them to their seats. If your parents aren’t assisting you with dressing, they often love getting involved here. If you’re doing a rehearsal, make sure all those who will be involved are in attendance – ushers, greeters, etc.

Consider guest comfort, particularly if your wedding is standing-only, say at the beach. Standing for long periods of time can be tiring on elderly relatives, especially if it’s hot. Always provide a few fold up chairs!

There’s fashionably late … and then there’s LATE!

Our final note is this … once the day arrives relax! You’ve done all you can to make the day special, now you need to chill and enjoy it. Talk to friend who have married and they’ll all tell you the same thing : the day goes by in a blur. Take time to savour precious moments, try to spend a little time chatting to all your guests, find a quiet corner where you and your newlywed can be alone for five minutes.

Reflections of love

Reflections of love

Mirrors are a wonderful way of adding a little extra sparkle to special occasions. You can use them as the base to centrepieces, allowing them to reflect light if candles are placed on them. Even outdoor weddings have been known to benefit from the addition of mirrors … and this Barlow mirror has beautiful tones that will tie in with any theme.

Once home, the bronze tones would look fabulous as an addition to just about any colour scheme.

Going Zen

These Stoneleigh & Roberson Zen Candle has a heavenly gardenia fragrance. The organic ceramic pot and muted grey and white colours will suit rustic weddings as easly as a more contemporary setting.

Plus, with a burn time of 50 hours, they’ll be sure to last for home use long after the wedding!

Going Tropo

Wanted a Fiji wedding, but logistics said no? Bring the beach to your wedding by placing a few of these Mini Palms around the venue.

At just under a metre in height, they’d look amazing at the start of your aisle, or on either side of your bridal arch.

Apart from adding a tropical touch, they could be used to screen unsightly areas of the venue.

At home, they can be used in the living, bedrooms or office … they’re easy maintenance with just a light dusting now and again.

Table Talk

The Sawyer side table is the perfect accompaniment to Moroccon-themed weddings. Imagine a fringed marquee overhead, ornate rugs underfoot, lavish lounge pillows and beanbags in abundance, richly toned candles and a fire pit nearby …. simply divine!

At home, they’re perfect for living spaces or as bedside tables.

Light things up

We’re always on the lookout for new ways to showcase tealights … and we love this set of three Vela candle holders in varying heights. Clustered in a group, they’d make a sensational addition to your tablescape, their soft green and white tones matching any florals.

Scented Genius

Aromage Scented Diffusers come in a variety of fragrances. Choose your favourite to dot around the wedding reception venue. After the party, just pop the reeds out, seal the bottle and they’ll keep perfectly until you get back from honeymoon. The aromas in your home will softly remind you of your fabulous wedding day for weeks to come.

Serve them in style

This Finn serving board would look fabulous laden with cheese and crackers at your reception.

It could also be used as a base to your centrepiece, dotted with flowers, candles, luscious fruit etc.

On show

Many couples dot photos of their premarried life around the reception, some using them as table identifiers. They’re also a fabulous way to having a deceased family member present on the day!

Chances are you’re going to need a few photo frames for your favourite wedding pics … and some like to give filled frames as gifts to family as a momento of the wedding.

Rack it up

Cool weather weddings will see guests wearing jackets and coats. If your venue doesn’t offer somewhere safe to hang them all, consider a coat stand or two to place near the entrance to your reception.

After the wedding, they can be used near your front door for your own jackets and coats, and even in the bedroom or walk-in robe for handbags. They’re also fabulous in bathrooms or near the pool for towels!

Hanging Out

If your venue has rafters or beams, try these Liam hanging pots (come in a set of two). Fill them with a draping plant such as ivory, and then add battery operated bud lights for a real touch of magic.

At home, they’ll do hours of duty in the kitchen if filled with herbs. Or keep the same ivory going and hang them in the bathroom. They can also be utilised outdoors, so don’t forget the patio or balcony!

KIDS’ TABLES WEDDINGS

Keep the little ones entertained with some forethought … and you’ll have a far more relaxed wedding.

Colouring books and crayons, drawing pads, chalk boards and colourful chalks are all great ways to keep kids amused. Family friendly restaurants often have paper tablecloths that kids can draw directly onto … get them all scribbling away and you could end up with a work of art!

Stack up a variety of board games, the type obviously dependant upon the age of the kids. Jigsaw puzzles could also be appropriate for slightly older ones.

If there are only a few kids, you could personalise a play pack for each one, including games and activities that are age sensitive, or perhaps apply to specific hobbies you know they love.

How about thinking outside the square with a personalised “I Spy” or treasure hunt game. Sure, it will take you a little while to think of things that you know will happen during the day (the first kiss, a specific toast, a certain song playing) for your I Spy thriller, but it will keep their attention fixed on what’s going on. For the treasure hunt, you’ll have to know the venue, perhaps visiting the day before to set up treasure tokens. How about a dispoable camera each to snap the I Spy moment, or the treasure hunt clue.

Keep them happy with kid-friendly food. Don’t expect three year olds to enjoy the fine dining adult fare! Hotdogs, burgers, skewered fresh fruit, sandwiches – these are likely to go down a whole lot better than suckling pork! And don’t forget to provide healthy beverage options – too much fizz and you could have a miniature John Travolta on the dancefloor!

If you have a photoboth, allocate kiddie props, too … and perhaps even allocate a set half hour or so for them to go crazy in it.

Activities like hula hoops, life size chess or Jenga, croquet or petanque have the added bonus of attracting adults on and off over the course of the day.

Tablescape Decorate

Tablescape Decorate the wooden table with geodes and gems that will stand out – think purple, rose or clear quartz and amethyst. For structure, add geometric vases and candleholders. For the platting, go with white with gold edges, paired with gold cutlery wrapped in ripped soft lilac silk ribbon. Use gold scripted ink on the name tags layered on a lilac cloth.

Indoor Tablescape The main difference with the inside setting is that it was more elaborate and formal.

Centerpiece & DIY Dare to be different and to really leave an impression on your guests. Cow skulls may seem a little too eccentric, but you can glam things up to your own liking and add your own touches. We purchased one for $50, spray painted it white with gold horns, glued on the lace and embellished it with pearls, diamantes, jewels and a sparkling earring dropping from its forehead. We made it romantic and feminine in our own way.

Food All of your guests will be eagerly awaiting dessert, so continue the theme and make it extra special for them! Go with a crowd favourite: macarons. Sprinkle some gold glitter and flakes onto them. Add berry-filled desserts for a rich contrast of reds and purples. To continue through with a casual vibe, you can’t go wrong with a high tea spread.

Lighting The daylight hours will provide that soft natural lighting, but you’ll likely be celebrating far into the night, so keep the atmosphere inviting and romantic by hanging some lights from the tree above. Tie glass candle holders to a thick rope and … here’s our key piece of advice … go with electronic or battery operated candles which should be easy to source from the local discount store. Surround your guests with a warm glow and even go with dressing the tree with fairy lights – again, source battery or solar powered so you don’t have extension leads everywhere!

YOUR NEW HOME

After the wedding and honeymoon is over, it’s time to return to resume some semblence of normality with everyday life. After all those long nights of planning and stressing, days and evenings filled with lists, images, business cards and meetings, daily life can soon feel a little humdrum.

We can offer some advice in this regard … firstly, try never to let the honeymoon be really over. Go on regular date nights, continue to treat your partner to unexpected gifts and thank-yous, and continue to cherish each other every single day.

Secondly, do something special with your home decorating. Even if you’ve been cohabitating for a few years before the wedding, it’s still fabulous to come back from your honeymoon to new linens, fresh towels and a few extra bits and pieces dotted around what is now the marital home!

One great way to do this without breaking the bank, is to utilise homewares that you can use again at home for your wedding décor.

Ezibuy have a range of fabulous décor items that are suitable for just this purpose … and we’ve picked out some of our favourites that we think will be winners both on the wedding front and the home front!