Molteno Creations Blog

Hi Friends!

So after years of working in the Bridal industry, I have seen that there are certain mistakes that bride after bride makes when she’s shopping for her wedding dresses. While there is a wealth of information out there on this topic, I still see people making these mistakes, so I thought I’d give you an insiders look at how you can make this process more smooth an simple, and most importantly, as stress free.

So without further ado, here are the most common mistakes I see brides making, and how to avoid being her!

1 leaving wedding dress shopping to the last minute

Now friends, what you need to realise is that last minute in wedding dress world is anything less than 4 months before your wedding. The reason for this is that imported dresses have a lead time of 4 to 6 months between ordering and your dress being delivered, and then you will still need time for alterations (and trust me, 99% of brides will need alterations).
Then when it comes to designers, we get booked up quite far in advance, and since a wedding dress is such a labor intensive process, rush orders may not be possible,
You also need to remember that you may need to visit multiple shops before you find your perfect dress and this too takes time.

So when should I start wedding dress shopping?

Start wedding dress shopping 1 year, minimum 9 months before your wedding day to leave you with plenty of time and all your options available to you.

2 - Getting their heart set on a specific dress they see online

Now friends, please don’t get me wrong. I am in no way discouraging you from looking for dresses online before you start shopping, in fact I greatly encourage it! What I am saying, is that you have to bare in mind that those dresses are being modelled by a 6 foot tall stick figure with extraordinarily perky boobs. Of course the dress looks amazing on her! She could put a flippin black bag on and make it look sexy! While I totally understand how we can fall in love with a style, please be open to the possibility that that exact dress may not be the best style for your body type.



My advice?

My advice is to track the dress down if possible and try it on, if it doesn’t suit you, then try on some others of a similar style or feel, and the result of this is either going to be that you fall in love with a dress that is similar in feel but not cut, OR you can take your design to a designer like me who will advise you how to use said dress as inspiration but make it in a cut that will bring out the best aspects of your figure.

I'm going to leave it here for today, stay tuned for the next installment!

Hi Friends!
Every day I meet with brides-to-be who are both excited  and apprehensive about wedding dress shopping. They have to make this huge decision of getting a wedding dress and they don't really know where to start. Whether you are in Cape Town, Johannesburg or anywhere in the world, wedding dress shopping can be very intimidating. Bridal is not your field of expertise and wedding dress designers and boutique owners can often be pushy, snobby and from what I've heard, sometimes downright mean!

With the above in mind, I wanted to share what is my go-to list of important questions you must ask your boutique owner or bridal designer before you put down a deposit on your wedding dress.

Do we have enough time between now and my wedding date?

Many brides-to-be don't know that an imported wedding dress takes 4 to 6 months to make from the time of the placement of the order. Imported dresses are mass produced in huge factories and the lead time is often not negotiable. Further, you have no guarantee that the dress will fit perfectly as a standard size has to be ordered, so assume that you will need alterations. You will need a few weeks for these alterations to be done so just make sure that there is enough time to spare for tweaks.

Is this wedding dress easily customized

If you're ordering a dress off the hanger but want some changes, be very clear with the boutique owner on what the changes are that you want and ascertain if this can be done easily. If the boutique owner says the changes will be hard, or is not confident in her ability to help you to make these changes, either let go of your ideas and settle for the dress as is, or go to a bridal designer such as myself and have your dream dress made from scratch.


Are alterations included in the cost of the wedding dress?

Many clients are blindsided by the extra fees they end up paying for the alterations on imported dresses. As I said above, almost all brides need alterations to be made, even if it's just the hem length, and most boutiques charge for this. In my experience, the alteration fees can be quite high too, so try to ascertain a ballpark figure from the boutique owner as to what you can expect to pay. Again, if you're not happy with this, it may well be cheaper to have the perfect dress made to fit you from scratch. 

If I decide to buy this wedding dress in the next few months will it still be available?

With bridal designers such as myself, I only hold a certain amount of fabric and this my ranges are exclusive and only small number of each dress can be made. It is always worth asking if there will still be fabric available to make the dress in question if you're only planning to order in a few months. 
Likewise, international designers discontinue old ranges so are only available for a finite amount of time. 

Can I buy the bridal sample?

I myself frequently have sample sales, but am also willing to sell off samples at any point for a discount price so that I can replace it with a fresh sample. This would be given to you for a discounted price. It would obviously only work if the fit is good as high alterations costs wouldn't make it worth doing. 

How should I accessorize my wedding dress?

Let the assistant or designer help you to explore different options and suggest things you may not have considered. Remember that accessories can make or break an outfit so enlisting the help of a professional can be a good idea. 

How many fittings will I need?

It's useful to know so you can plan your busy schedule. If making a wedding dress from scratch, expect about 6. If you're getting alterations, expect one to 3 fittings.

What underwear should I wear?

Let the designer or boutique owner guide you in choosing the foundation wear for your style of dress. Again, the right (or wrong) foundation wear can make all the difference when it comes to your final look. I refer all of my brides in Cape Town to Inner Secrets who are the experts in this field.

Well friends, I think that's enough for one day!
Next week I'll be sending you a few final important questions you should ask your boutique owner or designer so stay tuned!
Happy shopping friends!

Planning to get married this year? If you’re looking to have a casual and fun vibe for the big day, consider having an outdoor wedding. It’s the perfect option for couples who want to have a relaxed and less formal ceremony that their friends and family will never forget. Even better, why not have a pool wedding party? It’s a great way to save money as you can have the wedding ceremony and reception in the same place. As a typical South African wedding can cost between R70,000 to R80,000 with 50% of the budget going to the venue, it’s important to find ways to cut costs so you can spend more on other things that may matter to you. To ensure that everything—from your gown to the venue, to the food, and everything else fits your dream wedding concept, here’s the ultimate guide to planning the perfect pool wedding party.

Prepare the venue

For a poolside wedding, you’ll need to make sure that the venue can accommodate all of your guests and that it has the perfect area where you can have the ceremony. If the outdoor space has a gazebo, then that would be the ideal place to have the wedding ceremony. If not, you can DIY a gazebo using natural wood. Decorate it with vines and flowers to soften the look. Enhance the gazebo and the poolside area with strings of twinkling lights, paper lanterns, and swathes of fabric.

The pool itself should be party-ready too. Make sure that the pool water has been changed at least two days before the wedding. Also, ensure that the water has the right mix of pool chemicals to keep it clean and to keep guests safe if anyone decides to take a dip (or if anyone falls in, for that matter). If your reception will be held in the evening, plan on floating some candles and flowers in the pool to give it a magical feel. For safety, keep the pool area clear of wires or electrical cords which may pose potential accidents or injuries.

Choose the right gown

The right gown should make you look and feel like a queen on the big day but it should be also comfortable enough to wear outdoors. Bohemian style gowns are perfect for a pool wedding party as the ethereal vibe of this gown fits well with your outdoor wedding concept. If you’re planning to dance the night away, consider a tea-length or a mini-wedding dress. For a fun touch, change into a pair of classic white sneakers for the reception to give you more freedom to mingle with your guests and dance with your groom.

Have the right food

Plan on having food that won’t spoil or go bad in hot weather. You should also have several options for beverages especially if you picked a hot day to have a pool wedding party. You can’t go wrong with appetizing and savory comfort foods, an array of cheeses and crackers, chilled wine, and fresh juices.

Entertain your guests

Nothing enhances a pool party than good music. You can hire a live band to cover danceable hits from Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson, and Beyonce which will encourage your guests to hit the dance floor. Set up a mini outdoor theatre using a projector and a screen where you can show pictures and videos of you and your groom. You can also hire a DJ to spin some great tunes or if you have a flair for making great mixes, simply attach your MP3 player or laptop to the speakers and assign someone to be the DJ for the day.

A pool wedding party is a fun way to celebrate one of the most memorable days of your life. Follow these tips to plan the ultimate pool wedding extravaganza and have a great time with your family and friends.

Nearly 150,000 weddings took place in South Africa in 2015, with many of them happening outdoors. The amazing weather and perfect scenery provide some of the best backdrops for these happy occasions. Planning for these picturesque events takes dedication and some creativity. It is recommended that wedding planning take six months to a year, but realistically, many brides plan the big day their whole lives. She knows what her perfect wedding dress looks like, and she knows where she wants to get married. When an outdoor wedding is your heart’s desire, you’ve got different options, and challenges than conventional brides. The perfect outdoor wedding will be everything you hope with the right planning, and a bit of flexible creativity.

Count on Mother Nature

No matter where you plan to marry, Mother Nature may have different ideas for you. We all know her temperamental nature, so be ready for whatever she happens to deliver on your big day. Have a back up plan for rain, such as a decorative tarp or tent for an open-air wedding. Consider a beautiful fireplace for outdoor spaces in case the temperature takes a turn for the worst. One of the biggest reasons for an ethanol fireplace at an outdoor wedding is its comfort and aesthetically pleasing advantage. The idea of an eternal flame, carrying united love always, is represented by the fireplace in addition to unity candles. Plan to have someone on standby for unexpected wind, such as the maid of honor, to make sure your dress doesn’t decide to play peek-a-boo with the crowd. Provide parasols or sunglasses for guests at beach weddings or on sunny afternoons. Even if the weather man claims a perfectly sunny day, be ready for rain clouds just in case.

Plan for Acoustics

An outdoor wedding is also an open-air event, which means there are no walls to contain sound. Remember that the guests will want to hear the vows, so consider a microphone for the officiant. Think about entrance music for the guests as well; a harp is beautiful but its sound could get lost in an ocean breeze. If you have older guests, consider seating them in the front so they have a better chance of hearing the ceremony.

Speaking of Older Guests...

Make sure older guests are able to get to their seats. Choose ushers who will help Grandma navigate over your chosen terrain. Some people find sand difficult, especially with a cane. Other people may not handle hills well, and if your wedding is near a lake, there may be hilly areas to maneuver. While it’s important to pick an area that is meaningful for you, consider how your guests will make it to their seats.

Consider the First Viewing of the Bride

Traditionally, the groom is not to see the bride until she begins her descent down the aisle. Outdoor weddings lack the walls used indoors to hide the bride. Consider if you want to adhere to this tradition, and how you’ll make it happen. A folding screen works well, as long as the bride is able to move from the changing area to the screen. Other ideas include asking the groom to face forward until the wedding march plays, holding the wedding in a semi-secluded area where the bride emerges from behind a tree, or asking bridesmaids to shield the bride. The first viewing of the bride is trickier outdoors, but can be done with creativity and imagination.

An outdoor wedding is spectacularly beautiful. It works well for many people, but there are more unknowns involved in the ceremony. Plan for as much as possible, then know how to adapt. When you prepare for every imagined surprise, you’ll have a perfect day no matter what happens.

Article written by Jackie at Written by Jackie
writingjackie@diamondmail.net

The memory of your wedding day is one you’ll treasure for the rest of your life. On the day itself, all preparations are done and dusted and the big day can be enjoyed for what it is: a celebration of love and commitment. When planning a wedding, many experience stress and anxiety and this may be elevated if you’re one of the third of all South Africans diagnosed with a mental health condition. However, rest assured, there are steps and measures you can take to ensure things go without a hitch, allowing you to put all the efforts into finding your perfect dress, whether it be a modern gown with a twist, a flowing bohemian dress or a custom made Muslim wedding dress.

Stress

Mental health covers a vast range of illnesses, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and eating disorders. Treatment for these illnesses vary depending on diagnosis, severity, the individual’s age and overall well-being.

Stress is a factor strongly associated with planning a wedding. The cost, finding the right venue, choosing the perfect dress, booking a photographer, the list of things to arrange is endless. One of the linking symptoms of all mental health conditions is stress, thus seeking treatment and finding stress management solutions which work for you is key when planning your wedding.

Preparation

Prepare yourself for something to go wrong, whether it be on the day itself or in the lead up. You’re relying on a lot of other people, including, caterers, seamstresses and photographers and there’s a chance that something might not be as you expected or a supplier could cancel on you at the last minute. By mentally preparing yourself for any letdown, you’re already accepting the issue, allowing you to persevere through and make alternative arrangements.

Keeping calm and taking time out to enjoy a break from your wedding plans is also beneficial for your mental health. You and your best friend could have a spa day or a nice lunch in town. Whatever it is you do, though, ban all wedding talk and embrace having some wedding-free time.

Accept help

Family and friends love a wedding and most love to pitch in and help out with the organizing. Rather than turning them away because you want to do it all yourself, accept their help. Simple things to them such as filling 100 wedding favors can be a big weight off your shoulders, but won’t seem like much to someone who hasn’t got numerous other wedding related tasks on their list to complete.

If you’re finding things are getting on top of you, don’t be afraid to seek help from your doctor and share the way you’re feeling with them. They may offer medication, if you’re not already on it, or they could temporarily increase the dose of any medication you’re on for a brief period.

When it comes to the big day, as long as you love your dress, the venue and the cake, it ultimately doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Your wedding day should be an enjoyable one, so accept and seek any help you can to ensure it’s a day you’ll never forget.

Written by Jackie
writingjackie@diamondmail.net