Brrr, it certainly is cold out there …
Cape Town winters can sometimes be depressing, and who could be blamed for wanting to sneak away, join the squirrels and hibernate until spring? But before you dive back under the duvet, read on to find out about the fabulous competition we have put together, designed to bring some extra cheer your way during this cold mid-winter month.
Win-a-Wedding
Wow, have we got exciting news for you! We have teamed up with iafrica.com - and some generous sponsors - to offer one lucky couple the chance to win a dream wedding.
From the wedding dress and marriage officer to the cocktail reception and photographs, everything (including an outfit for the groom), has been taken care of - in fact, all the winning couple has to do is to turn up on the allotted day, ring in hand. We’ve even ensured that they will have a short honeymoon break after the wedding. All service providers taking part are members of WAHASA (The Wedding & Honeymoon Association of South Africa), so we are confident that the winners will be getting the best on their special day.
To find out how to enter this exciting competition and to put yourself in line for the wonderful prizes to be won, please visit www.celebrationhouse.co.za
SA Tourism Welcome Awards
- we make it to the finals!
We were recently over the moon with excitement at Celebration House when we were informed that we were one of two finalists in the online category for South African Tourism’s Welcome Awards. The aim of The Welcome Awards is to recognise those businesses and individuals who have raised the bar in the tourism sector, by offering high standards of customer care and by providing service excellence - which is why we consider being a finalist a huge honour. The awards were made after a rigorous judging process by an independent panel of judges, who viewed more than 850 websites before making their selection, so you can understand our extreme excitement on being informed that our website, www.celebrationhouse.co.za, had made it into the top two in the country.
This month’s Green Tip
A word of caution: Be wary of the kind of recycled paper you use if you are sending invitations to Australia. One couple discovered to their horror that the reason none of their Australian guests had RSVP’d was because they had never received their invitations. Australia has very strict laws regarding flora allowed into their country, and the recycled paper the couple had used for their invitations apparently contained petals or some other vegetation that violated these laws.
The Numbers Game
The world’s most married woman (now listed in The Guinness Book of Records) is a sexagenarian granny, Linda Wolfe.
Number of times married: 23
First marriage: at age 16
Longest marriage lasted: 7 years
Shortest marriage lasted: 36 hours
Two of her husbands turned out to be gay, while two others cheated on her. Linda, now 68, has been single for 10 years, but is on the look out for husband number 24!
This month’s most interesting question
As we regularly receive queries from brides regarding passports and their married names, we decided that the topic was worth airing again:
Q. We are having an overseas honeymoon and I was wondering what I have to do to get a passport in my married name. Will I need one to travel abroad?
A. Due to the time constraints, it is impossible to go on honeymoon with your passport in your married name. The Department of Home Affairs will not issue you with one in your married name until after the marriage. This is to ensure that the marriage actually takes place. It is also important to note that you must book your air tickets in your maiden name, as you will be unable to change the name once the ticket is booked. (See www.celebrationhouse.co.za)
The Wedding & Honeymoon Association of South Africa (WAHASA)
A recent Carte Blanche show (about a couple who were let down by their wedding photographer), once again highlighted the importance of choosing reliable service providers for your special day. I remember someone telling me once that your wedding is not a dress rehearsal – you only have one chance to get it right! This is part of the reason why I was one of the driving forces behind the formation of The Wedding & Honeymoon Association of South Africa (WAHASA) (www.wahasa.co.za). Members of this Association are vetted and have signed a strict Code of Conduct, to ensure that couples receive excellent service on their special day. We pride ourselves on being very selective with regard to those who advertise through us, and we always check references of potential clients.
Other websites
Please note that we have no affiliation whatsoever with any other wedding websites that have names similar to ours.
Celebration House
At Celebration House in Claremont we have a vast array of displays, which you are most welcome to view. Remember, too, that although we are not wedding or event planners, we will provide you, at no cost, with the tools you need to do your planning successfully yourself. All those who exhibit at Celebration House are leading professionals in the wedding industry, and are approved by WAHASA. We are centrally situated at 14 Protea Road, and we offer free parking right outside our door!
Our hours are: Monday to Friday: 9.00-4.00 and Saturday: 9.30-2.00 and there is no need to make an appointment.
Celebration House ‘library’
Strapped for cash but still want to know what is happening on the international wedding scene? At Celebration House we have an extensive range of imported wedding magazines and books that you are most welcome to browse through, at no charge. Why not take some time off, bring a friend and enjoy a relaxing time planning your wedding…
Just received: Copies of the latest Martha Stewart, You and Your Wedding and Cosmopolitan Bride wedding magazines.
The really useful WEDDING BOOK
for South Africa by Pam Black
If you are newly-engaged and feeling all at sea, wondering where to start, we suggest you invest in a copy of The really useful WEDDING BOOK for South Africa. (It also makes an ideal engagement gift!) The book, which contains everything you need to know when planning a wedding, is available from leading bookstores in South Africa, or directly from Celebration House in Claremont, Cape Town. We are pleased to advise that it is now also available online - visit www.celebrationhouse.co.za
Quotes from those who have the book:
I have just completed reading your ''Wedding Book''. I found this book really useful and found so many things I couldn't find in an average wedding magazine!! I think many brides are singing your praise regarding this blessing of a book.
It’s so realistic and informative, which I thought was great and found many points I had overlooked.
Pam Black's book is a delightful and invaluable find. From her very practical advice to her charming quotes, it's a huge delight. (I've already bought and given away 4 more copies.) (Mother of the bride)
Beyond the wedding...
Spent all your savings on your wedding day and now looking for ways to save money? One of the best shopping habits you can cultivate is to buy as much as you can from factory shops. Not only because it is fun – it also makes good financial sense!
Did you know that, apart from clothing and footwear of all descriptions, at factory shops you'll find products as diverse as cheese, ice cream, bedding, towels, crockery, decor items, and much more - in fact, a lot of what you'll need to fill your pantry and start your new home in style, without busting the budget?
And, to get you started on this unique form of shopping, I am delighted to announce that the 11th edition of my book, The A-Z of Factory Shops in the Western Cape, has just arrived from the printers. Copies are on sale at major book stores in the Western Cape, as well as from our offices at Celebration House.
Celebration House Top Tip
Feeling the pinch? Cutting back on your wedding costs doesn’t have to mean lowering your standards. There are many ways to reduce costs and still have a stunning wedding. Please pop in and visit us at Celebration House in Claremont - it will definitely be worth your while, as we are happy to provide you with free information and advice on ways to ensure that you get the best for your budget. Or log onto www.celebrationhouse.co.za
Until next time
Best wishes
Pam Black - Owner of Celebration House
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Celebration House Claremont CC disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, injury or expense however caused, arising from the use of, or reliance upon, in any manner, the information provided through this service. |
July 2009
Contact Celebration House:
Address:
14 Protea Road,
Claremont
7700
Tel: (021) 674 7350
Fax: (021) 674 7355
Email: info@celebrationhouse.co.za
Website: www.celebrationhouse.co.za
www.capetownweddingfestival.co.za
www.wahasa.co.za
www.underafricanskiesmag.co.za
www.weddingtree.co.za
© Celebration House
July 2009
All rights reserved.
Should you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.
All rights are reserved, including the right to reproduce this newsletter, or part thereof, in any form.
Celebration House Claremont CC disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, injury or expense however caused, arising from the use of, or reliance upon, in any manner, the information provided through this service.
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