Warm winter greetings from all at Celebration House and a very big thank you for the enthusiastic response our first Newsletter received. If you have only just signed on for our Newsletters and missed the first one, you will find it on our website www.celebrationhouse.co.za. We love hearing from you and if there is anything special you would like covered in future editions, please let us know.

With most of the media carrying stories daily about the effects of our actions on the environment, adding a `green’ touch to your wedding continues to grow in popularity. (See `How to have an Eco-friendly or Green Wedding’ under 'Features' on our website.) If you are planning to incorporate any `green’ touches into your day, please let us know, as we would love to feature them in the Newsletter.

This month’s ‘green’ tip

I loved the following snippet, which comes from the website www.treehuggers.com:

‘Do you have too much stuff? Are you and your special one moving in together, trying to combine years’ worth of accumulated possessions? Whether the following story is an urban myth or a figment of this TreeHugger’s imagination is unclear, but we once heard of a couple (both partners previously married), who, instead of asking their guests for gifts, told everyone to take something away from the wedding that the couple no longer needed. Furniture, books, toaster ovens—it was all up for grabs. Imaginary or not, sounds like a keen idea. Whatever is left can always be recirculated via your local thrift store.’

The really useful WEDDING BOOK for South Africa

The book that provides you with all the insider know-how and tips to plan a stress-free wedding! We’re thrilled with the glowing feedback we’ve been receiving from couples who have already invested in a copy of our just-released publication. To find out where to obtain one and to read more about this exciting book, click here.

Tips from the experts

I watched a very interesting mpg featuring Colin Cowie, wedding adviser to the stars, being interviewed about the wedding he had organised for his niece - lucky girl! (The wedding took place on the family farm outside Port Elizabeth.) Colin is well known for his good use of lighting, and for his niece's wedding he chose soft pink lighting for the freeform tent where the reception was held. I liked his very useful bit of advice about the importance of choosing the right colour when it comes to lighting: he maintains that pink or lavender lighting works best and recommends that you avoid the use of blue, which is not very flattering on the skin.

The Cape Town Wedding Festival (7-9 September)

Our plans for this year’s Festival are coming together fast and we have lots of exciting events lined up. Remember, all those who visit the Festival stand a chance of winning one of the wonderful prizes on offer (see our website www.celebrationhouse.co.za for details), while all brides-to-be attending will be eligible to win the stunning wedding gown from Robyn Roberts Bridal Wear Studio to the value of R10 000! Our website will keep you up-to-date with all the news regarding the Festival – so remember to log on regularly.

Celebrity weddings

I almost choked on my breakfast recently when I read an article in The Cape Times about Eva Longoria’s wedding plans. Apparently the ‘Desperate Housewives’ star will be marrying ace football player Tony Parker in a French chateau and, according to the report, plans to fly her $7500 wedding cake from Los Angeles to Paris. To ensure that the cake arrives in one piece, it will be accompanied by a guard and have its own first-class seat on the plane!

Are you suffering from Competitive Wedding Syndrome?

Reports have been appearing in the British and Irish press about a new syndrome that is affecting brides in these countries. According to Tamryn Kirby, MD of UK wedding planners TK Weddings - who conducted the survey – so-called Competitive Wedding Syndrome can lead to stress, arguments and overspending.

The company canvassed over 1000 brides-to-be and questioned them about their wedding plans; their research revealed that more than half of the brides admitted to being happy to make sacrifices and overspend in order to have what they called the ‘perfect wedding’. More alarmingly, many couples have taken second jobs to help pay for the big day. The survey also showed that 59% of brides wanted guests to rate their wedding as the best they had been to, while surprisingly, only 26% wanted people to see how in love they were!

The Numbers Game

Freaking out at the amount of money your wedding is costing? Celebration House did a little research regarding the average cost of a wedding in a variety of countries, including our own, and came up with some interesting numbers. (It’s easy now to see why so many foreign couples head for our shores to tie the knot!)

The UK - £20 000
Ireland - €30,000
The USA - $28 000
South Africa - R75 000
France - €12 000
China - 187,000 yuan (US $23,375)

World-Wide Web

Did you know that in the USA last year, 1 out of 8 couples met online?
Did you meet your prospective partner online? If so, we would love to hear from you, so send us your story and we may feature it on our website.

Gav’s Blog

Calling all grooms: Are you feeling a little alone and at sea regarding the amount of planning needed for your wedding? Reading about someone else who’s in the same boat is always reassuring, so we suggest you log on without delay to Gav’s Blog on the Celebration House website, and join Gav as he gives the groom’s take on navigating his way to the altar…

This month’s interesting Q & A:

Q. Is it necessary for the groom’s father to make a speech at his son’s wedding?
A. Generally speaking, it is neither necessary nor expected for the groom's father to make a speech. However, if he is really keen to do so, there's no reason why he shouldn't be given the chance.

Top tip from Celebration House

Cutting down on the number of guests you invite to your wedding will have a ripple effect on all the costs: fewer invitations to be printed; fewer table settings, chair covers, table arrangements and gifts; reduced quantities of food and alcohol etc.

Until next month,

Take care

Pam Black