For Fun: Guess the flavour of this cake

Let's do this for fun ...

or maybe something up for grabs (we can work on that):

~ Guess the flavour of this cake ~

Email your answer to info@theweddingmall.co.za

Recipe to be reveled Friday 20 November 2009.

Wedding Gifts: 4 Rules of Wedding Gift Giving

At every wedding you attend as a wedding guest, you're inevitably faced with the question: What should I give?

Our top rules for giving wedding gifts they're guaranteed to love.

> Buy From Their Registry
Don't get too creative. What is on the registry, is what they need. Find out where the couple is registered. Many stores make shopping more convenient by allowing guests to access registries online, or you can just head to the store to purchase in person. The couple set up the registry for a reason, and if you stick to it, you can't possibly buy a gift they won't like!

> Kitchen, Entertaining, Bed, and Bath Gifts - A Must
Unlike years past, today's couples want modern twists on the traditional wedding gifts, even though some of the most popular gifts still comes from the kitchen, dinning, bedding, and bath departments.

Give them gifts that'll create a spa-like, hotel environment every morning when they wake up.
In terms of entertaining, consider giving a set dishes and stainless ware that can multitask - and either be dressed up for dinner with the boss or dressed down for a braai.

Many couples use their wedding as an excuse to upgrade their kitchen with new appliances. Give state-of-the-art kitchen gear, gadgets, and cookware that look as good on the counter as they do when in use.

> Give a Big Group Gift
Big price tag items purchased by a group of their friends works well. It might be items the couple would most likely never be able to afford on their own. If the couple has registered for an item that's out of range for just one person to afford, ask some other guests to chip in with you. It's also a great idea for the bridal party to band together and buy the couple the item of their dreams.

> Buy it Within Two Months
With the convenience of online buying and shipping, there's little excuse for a delay in delivering the wedding gift. Try to send your gift within two months of the wedding if you weren't able to bring it to the wedding.

(Photo credit & source : The Knot)

Making Sense Of Scents

A personal fragrance should be a extension of your style, but how do you hit the beauty counter and find the right one for you? First, get the facts. Second, start spraying! Enlist your mom or a friend to come with you - to double the available body surface for testing - and follow your nose to pick up a fragrance you like. Here are some helpful hints for making sense of scents.

Fragrance Glossary

Perfume (a.k.a. parfum): The most potent and usually the most expensive product in the fragrance family. It has a higher concentration of oil, so a little goes a long way -- the smell lasts very long and you won't run out on a bottle as quickly.

Eau de Parfum: It's not quite a perfume, but it goes that bit extra than the Eau de Toilette (see below) and Eau de Cologne (see below).

Eau de Toilette and Eau de Cologne: A bit weaker and more watered down than perfume. Eau de toilette and eau de cologne are usually available in convenient spray bottles. While the bottles may be larger and priced similarly to smaller versions containing the same scent, the bigger bottles are less concentrated, so you're not necessarily getting more for your money.

Body Splash: Has the lowest concentration of scented oil and disappears into the skin, offering a lighter scent.

(Photo credit: Protograph; Source: The Knot)

Colour Palette - Aqua Inspiration

One usually are a bit sceptic when it comes to this bright aqua colour scheme for a wedding. Although it works best for a beach wedding, there is really no rule stating that it can't be used for a summer garden wedding, or whatever type of wedding you have in mind.

Coloured wedding shoes are really nothing new. They make memorable shoe shots! (I am addicted to great shoe shots ...) Personalized items like a fan for those hot garden ceremonies, the church program with a hint of colour and bottled lemonade (or whatever you guests would like) as table placements, make great wedding favours. A cocktail to get the party started ... need I say more?! Out with the plain white marzipan covered wedding cakes and in with something colourful. And do serve your wedding cake as dessert to your guests. It can't be stored forever. Blue hydrangea ball bouquets for the bridesmaids, or if you prefer, for yourself.

(Photo credits: The Knot)

Rain boots - Necessity or photo prop

Having one of these pairs for your wedding day might not be a necessity. But they sure make good props for your photos! In Cape Town, South Africa, we're suppose to have some sunny weather already. But for the past two days it has been pouring ... like in winter. It is cold and very wet!! So you can never be to sure to have a sunny wedding day.

These cuties you can order online from DLL Rainwear. Be sure to order them in time for your wedding. I was not to sure where in South Africa where one would buy a pair of these. Be sure to visit The Stellenbosch Fresh Food Market at the Historic Oude Libertas. The stall Scaptique has the prettiest pairs. Visit the market on Saterdays from 9am - 2pm and have yours custom made today.

(Photo credits: DLL Rainwear)

Paperless Wedding Stationary

In the modern era we live in it was inevitable that the digital invitation would make its debut. The idea works well for those less formal affairs like a birthday party, or braai. But whether one wants to send out an e-Vite for a wedding ... is really up to you. Maybe if you are one of those people looking for ways to reduce their carbon-footprint, this might be a solution. But other than that, the e-Vite won't really score high popularity points.

Paperless Post offer these designed wedding invitations that look like the real thing. Their website are well designed to let you custom design your invitation, deliver it to your guest's email inboxes and track their replies.

This service is only available to members. When you sign up, you receive 25 free 'stamps' and for only $5.00 you get an additional 40 'stamps'.

(Photo credit: Paperless Post)

Welcome to The Wedding Mall

Today is the official launch day for The Wedding Mall ! After months of planning, designing and hard work we are officially live.

This is where we want to share everything wedding related to brides-to-be. Even if you are already married, you can share in the joy of those who are awaiting their 'big day'.

Share your ideas, tips and inspiration through our submissions page, read our blog, sign up for our newsletter, subscribe to our RSS feeds, join our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter or contact us if you are interested in advertising with us.

May this be the first of many happy days!

(Photo credit: Beach Bum Photography)