Couples sample wedding gear for a good cause
SEVEN-TIER wedding cakes, highly scented imported roses and eyelash lifts are some of the wedding options that were up for scrutiny by soon-to-be married couples at the From A to Z Bridal Extravaganza in Stirling, East London, at the weekend.
The show, organised by Claudia Stassen of Forever Functions Decor and Events, was held in conjunction with East London Animal Welfare, which benefited from the proceeds.
“We went all out to get vendors and services people hadn’t seen yet,” said Stassen, who identified dominant wedding themes as rustic combined with lace on the one hand, and succulents and gold or copper with accents on the other.
Tayla Scott of Confetti Designs agreed, adding gold or rose gold foils were a big trend in wedding stationery and were often combined with laser cutting and protea motifs.
“The main thing is that everything is customised and many brides also opt to give cards to potential bridesmaids to ‘pop the question’ and give them earrings in special boxes to say thank you.”
Confirming that weddings are a recession-proof industry was All Things Cake owner Carl May, who said cake commissions were getting bigger.
“People are going big this year and we have had an order for a seven-tier cake with an African theme, including blush pink potjie pots and huts, for R10 000. Besides the dress, the cake seems to be the next most expensive item. People are going for tiers, each with a different flavour.”
Kelly Varnfield of Rock Paper Scissors, which can take care of everything from hair, dress hire, nails and makeup on the big day, said the trend in wedding dresses was a pared-down sleek silhouette.
“Brides are going for a more classic look like Kate Middleton’s dress. Long or three-quarter lace sleeves are also in, while hair is soft and swept back, often to the side.”
Roses with an intoxicating scent and masses of petals and proteas studded with fynbos are the floral choices at many Eastern Cape weddings, says Blooming Pretty’s Mariette Genis.
“Floral artistry and one-of-a-kind arrangements are in and round balls and stiff posies are not that popular anymore. And flower crowns and garlands are taking the place of veils.”
In an effort to look effortlessly beautiful on the day as well as the honeymoon, some brides choose to have an eyelash lift administered by Melinda Petzer of Permanent Beauty.
“I can lift and fan open their lashes which lasts up to four weeks or do permanent eye-liner. Some older brides or mothers of the brides also have skin needling done which removes scarring or pigmentation.”