The Latest Three – Aleit Wedding Coordination Newsletter

August 2010

Eight years down the line I am proud to say that Aleit Wedding Coordination is a well established, solid and mature business. We all know that aging is not an easy thing to embrace – especially if the adjectives I have used above are attached to the feminine form – but at Aleit Wedding Coordination, we truly relish the years gone by! We’ve loved meeting so many wonderful couples, we’ve loved engaging with their guests and making their dreams come true. Simply put - we love growing “older”! We can safely say that the older and more rotund our business gest, the more we have to offer our clients.

And the good news is that we love sharing our knowledge with you! We have spent hours upon hours brain storming new ideas and coming up with fresh angles that are expressed through our real life weddings, our newsletters, on our blog and on our Facebook page. We’ve ceased following trends and do our utmost to set them. Having said that, we are thrilled to engage clients who think for themselves and are confident about their true essence – even if they don’t realise it at first. Many couples approach the first consultation a little unsure of where this may take them, but under our nurturing care they soon become comfortable with the banter that bounces between myself and the creative team. They are then able to say YES, I love that idea or NO, you’re not hitting the spot we need to see more. And those are our rules of engagement really – “be who you are and say what you feel”. It’s so simple. It fuels our fire and gets our energy levels going!

I recently read an article which highlighted the fact that we live in an age of “outsourced thinking”. The article also ran through the pros and cons that go along with that. It was fascinating and made me sit up and take note...I’d like to take all the positives aspects that emerge from this new age and make them work for YOU! Let us assist you in delivering a day that is unparalleled to anything you’ve ever experienced before, while removing the stress and time consuming details. But above all - let’s hold onto your uniqueness and nuances along the way! Here’s to YOU!

Aleit Swanepoel
Managing Director - The Aleit Group

"Instead of trying to reproduce exactly what I see before me, I make more arbitrary use of colour to express myself more forcefully ... To express the love of two lovers by the marriage of two complementary colours ... To express the thought of a brow by the radiance of a light tone against a dark background. To express hope by some star. Someone's passion by the radiance of the setting sun." Vincent van Gogh, 1888

Tropical, fun and whimsical! We are delighted! The 2010 / 2011 season in colour will be BRIGHT and amazing! Tropical, fun and whimsical! Think apple green, mauve, lilac, hot pink, aged gold, coral, red, violet purple, mocha, chocolate, navy, emerald green, pine green, clementine orange, and yellow........to ground it we suggest you offset your chosen tone(s) by adding – what we believe - is the coolest colour under the sun.......gorgeous grey!!! Think light grey, dark grey, charcoal, slate grey.........any kind of grey! We believe using this as your base will deliver the height of perfection!

Other colours making their comeback for 2011…..... dark chocolate, dark charcoal grey, brick red, dark tangerine, asparagus green, purple, deep blue, taupe, agate blue, olivine green, oyster gray and antique white. Bottom line – just have fun and remember - laundry is the only thing that should be separated by colour!

It’s never simply black or white! You may say black is no longer trend setting but it certainly remains stylish and a popular choice amongst brides and their bridesmaids. Why not add a hint of colour by way of shoes in bold solid colours - possibly a different colour for each bridesmaid? And if you really like pushing the boundaries.......browse our advice on bouquets below!

Make a statement without saying a word! We believe bridesmaids dressed in white can deliver quite a punch! This turns convention on its head and says – I am bold, I like to defy tradition...................not for the feint hearted!

Mismatched dress design! For several years, brides have been selecting a bridesmaid dress designer and a fabric - then letting their bridesmaids choose the style that works best for their bodies. We’d like to take this idea a step further. Choose only a colour, then let your bridesmaids find an off-the-rack dress from any designer that they like. Not only does this take some pressure off of you, but it also ensures that they are choosing a dress they like and they'll be likely to wear again. If you follow this trend be sure to tell your bridesmaids how formal the dress should be – you don't want one bridesmaid wearing a casual sundress while another has on a beaded evening gown. (Come to think of it - we also love the flip side to this which is when every bridesmaid wears the same dress but in a different colour. This trend is popular for spring and summer weddings!)

Keep it short and sweet! Hemlines will be shorter for bridesmaids. Instead of the long, floor-length gowns, brides are opting to dress their wedding party in shorter, more fun and non-traditional styles. Not to mention that a mid length dress with a sexy pair of heels can be exceptionally flattering! We love love love!

Today, both brides and bridesmaids have a number of alternative choices in wedding bouquet styles. One of our personal favourites is the wrist corsage! It’s striking while being ever so practical - what’s not to love! Not only does it leave the bride and/or bridesmaids hands free, but it accessorizes the dress – you know, the preverbal “two birds with one stone”! The style and colour can vary depending on the theme of the wedding and the corsages can be accessorized with items such as crystals, beads, sea shells or winter foliage.

For the modern bridesmaid, elegant footwear is currently all about metallics - platinum and gold. Wedding fashion follows catwalk fashion and metallic shoes and accessories are HOT! Whether you prefer a beachy pair of flat sandals or a sky-high pair of stilettos, a gold or silver shoe will look stunning. One of the nicest things about a pair of metallic shoes is that they will be great to wear again after the wedding. And lets not forget, the trend in bridesmaid dresses is for shorter styles, which means that their shoes will really show and be a focal point of their outfits. Stay away from the old-fashioned dyed-to-match shoes, which rarely end up being a perfect match anyway. Your bridesmaids will be delighted if you give them free rein to select their own shoes within a few specific parameters. Just remember, a shoe in a contrasting colour to the bridesmaid dress looks much fresher than one that is the exact same colour.

You have a dream wedding in mind but how are you going to pay for it and more importantly - who pays for what? The guidelines are blurred now days - traditionally, the bride’s family would pick up the most of the tab but with the average cost of a wedding skyrocketing and more couples getting married later in life, these traditional roles are far from set in stone.

The bride’s family pays for: Hair and make-up, Ceremony costs including rental fees and decorations, Reception costs including food, music, decorations, rental fees and entertainment, Flowers for Ceremony and reception, The bride’s wedding dress and accessories, Invitations as well as all ‘on the day’ stationery, Favours, Photography, Transportation,

The groom’s family pays for: The rehearsal dinner including food, invitations, decorations and entertainment, His attire and travel expenses, A wedding present

The bride pays for: The groom’s wedding ring, A wedding gift for the groom, Her beauty treatments, Gifts for her attendants, Sometimes accommodation for any out-of-town bridesmaids

The groom pays for: Fee for the officiant, The marriage license, The bride’s engagement ring and wedding ring, The honeymoon, A wedding gift for the bride, Gifts for his attendants, Corsages for the mothers and grandmothers, Boutonnières for men in the wedding party, Sometimes accommodation for any out-of-town groomsmen.

After announcing their engagement, the bride and groom sit down and estimate what they’ll spend on the wedding, probably after finding a reception site and making general decisions about theme, style, time of day etc. They then approach their parents and after describing what they’ve decided on so far, say gently, “We were wondering if you would be able to pitch in for any of the costs.” The parents may look at the budget and say, “We’d like to pay for the reception food and the flowers” for example. They may also offer a set amount they’ll contribute. If their parents say they can’t afford to contribute or only offer a small amount, the bride and groom say, “Thank you for considering,” and perhaps have to revise their budget or find creative ways to pay for the wedding.

When the bride and groom are well established or whose parents don't have sufficient resources: The bride and groom simply pay for all wedding costs themselves. This scenario is also used when a couple wish to execute their wedding to their own taste. Being financially independent allows the couple to call the shots from A to Z!

In this scenario the bride’s family, the groom’s family and the bride and groom themselves each pay for one third of the budget. Typically, this means they will also each invite one third of the guests.

Bali Place is set against the magnificent backdrop of the Twelve Apostles mountain range with uninterrupted views of the ocean. It is a mere 5 minutes walk to the trendy Camps Bay, along the palm lined "Platinum Mile” filled with sidewalk cafés and bars.

Intended to wow even the most sophisticated of guests, the stylish bespoke interiors of Bali Place offer residents a relaxed yet glamorous environment from which to appreciate the finest views! The sumptuous interiors combine lush fabrics, commissioned furniture pieces, original art and state-of-the-art technology to seamlessly create an opulent sanctuary.

Bringing the outside in! The Conservatory is the perfect blank canvas for any event! The space is unique, elegant and versatile. The light and energy of the natural surroundings facilitate a stunning indoor/outdoor studio with uninterrupted views all year round. The owners inspiration for this venue was largely drawn from the superlative weather in South Africa! “We decided to build a venue focusing on facilitating al fresco functions, during which our guests could fully appreciate the beauty of the surroundings whilst playing, working, loving or laughing. We created the space using light and energy as the key components, in order to allow for a free flow of indoor/outdoor harmony.” Two sides of the structure are entirely clad in sliding glass panels, with the apex of the roof standing at nearly six metres.

The philosophy behind the design was to establish a simple yet stylish, inspiring, but functional and versatile destination, catering to a discerning clientele. Warm neutral wall colours, large twin feature fire places and all movables set on castors, present a blank canvas with which one can easily create and package any occasion.

"I dreamed of a wedding of detailed elegance, a space filled with family and friends. I asked him what kind of a wedding he wished for, he said one that would make me his wife." Anonymous

The Joubert family have been wine farmers on the farm Rozendal in the Stellenbosch district since 1913. In 2009, construction started on an agricultural roof structure to protect the one hundred year old shed situated on their farm. What started out as a bid to save the building quickly escalated into the construction of 401 Rozendal - one of the winelands’ most unique wedding and function venues.

“Now, not only do we express our passion for wine making, but also for creating magical events – the two really go hand in hand. We want to enable you to share a joyful celebration with your guests – a day that, most importantly, captures and celebrates the unique personalities of the hosts. While we take note of the latest international trends in catering, entertaining, design and decor, we also like to set a few ourselves! Come and see for yourself!”

Why are you so passionate about the industry?: “I love to offer service excellence and we constantly strive to add new and exciting equipment to our product range which in turn allows the client to choose from a new and varied selection .... the exciting thing is that Top Table is a very young company and sourcing new ranges is a priority. The hours are long and the time constraints are tight, but the rewards of playing a part in a successful event, makes it all worthwhile!”

Why is it so great to work with the Aleit Group?: “The Aleit Group's professionalism and organisational skills places them at the top of their field and it’s understandable why it’s a pleasure to work with such a great team. Each function is run with military precision allowing any obstacles to be rectified in advance. This allows Top Table to provide the Aleit group with service excellence. The Aleit Group always has new innovative ideas making each function unique. While others hesitated, they were the first company in South Africa to take the bold decision to use our new clear champagne chair .... true leaders in their field and always creating the WOW factor.”

Why are you passionate about the industry?: “Working with flowers is a joy to me. I love the creativity my work allows me. I can't imagine my life without it.”

Why is it so great to work with The Aleit Group?: “Working with the Aleit Group gives me access to the latest trends and exposes me to a continual flow of new ideas. I work with a wonderful team, and we share our creative talents. The group has very high professional standards - each wedding the Aleit team tackles is treated with the same meticulous attention to detail. And besides all of this, over time the members of the team have become like family to me.”

Why are you passionate about the industry?: “Every couple that I get to meet have a different love story to tell. What a privilege to share this momentous and sacred day with two people so in love! It is fantastic to meet them and listen to their needs, access their style and uniqueness and to literally see it come alive on paper. My designs represent the couple and complement their wedding day in many ways. My passion being design and typography, I can easily spend countless hours on an invitation, making sure that it perfect reflects the couple.”

Why is it so great to work with The Aleit Group?: “It is great to work with Aleit because he always encourages new ideas, fresh concepts and he likes pushing the boundaries. His standard in the service industry and his creative concepts are exceptionally high and this is something I identify with. As a small and rapidly growing business, it is wonderful to be supported by Aleit and his team. We always aim to think ‘out of the box’ - but firstly and most importantly we listen to his client’s brief and then translate their needs onto paper. (It’s always fun to have a brainstorming session with Aleit in the process!) In the creative print industry, it is essential for us to offer a personalised approach through inspiring design and attention to detail. And on many occasions we do not have the benefit of direct contact with the couple – we then get to understand the needs of the couple through Aleit (or one of his team) and are able to translate their style into a bespoke wedding invitation as well as follow on stationery - to perfectly reflect the couple's personality and feeling they would like to create for their wedding day.”

Wedding decor and design trends keep changing with the times as do the venues, the facilities on offer and the accessories available for hire! Part of our job is to keep abreast of these changes in order to continuously deliver a superlative service to our clients! The most talked about looks for the 2009 / 2010 season were most certainly; CONTEMPORARY, BOLD and RUSTIC. While vintage certainly held its ground for another year - we have opted to feature these fresh and inspirational approaches to wedding decor!

Transparent marquees...........it’s so hard not to fall head over heels! Our team gets to deal with numerous weddings each year and with each wedding one often considers a variety of “looks” before stumbling upon THE ONE! Therefore, in the process of completing a season we contemplate hundreds of decor options, mood boards, palettes, lighting options.............well, you get the picture..............and we all agree that transparent never fails to impress!

The blank canvas one is offered when working with these structures allows the couples personalities to shine through even more than normal (and we mean this literally as there is no obstruction – not even a solid roof)! There is no dominant style to begin with and we are therefore granted free reign to interpret their wishes from the start! And surprisingly – or not – one achieves a lot with comparatively little!

“If you weren’t real – I’d make you up!” Joseph Arthur

Curious and curiouser........fresh grass green, romantic rose white, aged pink with hints of silver and glass. That’s what started the mood board for this rustic but ruthlessly romantic look! If you crave an atmosphere of relaxation and rustic charm – without losing the “wow” factor, consider an old-fashioned country style wedding. It has a “homemade” feeling that is anything but!! And if you are lucky enough to choose a location that has an organic market nearby – why not incorporate their fresh produce or purchase favours for your guests – for example jars of homemade jams and preserves. As they say; “local is lekker”!

The inspiration for this wedding came while hanging up the washing..............! Well not exactly, but one’s train of thought springs forth from old fashioned wooden wash pegs, to grandpa’s worn suitcase recovered from the attic ..........the dusty chair that as a child seemed, well just so “ooooold” and now holds countless fond memories. If this wedding was a dress it would be a cherished and comfortable one. A garment that inspires confidence, worn around closest friends and family................translated into a day it’s an experience, a celebrated occasion, it oozes warmth and love, creativity and happiness and shouts – this is me! This is us! This is what we are all about!

Gone are the days of muted shades - our brides are opting for bold and interesting pairings of colours! Our team came up with this concept; playful, colourful and slightly DIY! (Guests were supplied with scissors and asked to “disengage” their floating wine glasses once seated!) The thinking was fun, daring colour, dynamic impression and......................... well, a lot more than just flowers!

As you would have noticed – our penchant for the use of grey as a base tone was exercised here! The dinner table features a luxurious silver grey cloth with dramatic red as the accent! Good quality silverware and Hampton crystal complimented the look! Additional contrasting touches were implemented by way of alternative cutlery placement, hand written chalk board menus and a mad hatter wedding cake! (We are sure Johnny Depp would approve!) Overall this concept is quite budget friendly, yet rich looking!

Touch, Feel Taste, Hear Smell and See…
You are a Bride-to-be. Imagine being able to have an interactive experience with the crème de la crème of service providers. Imagine getting first hand advice from the top coordinators, specialists in decor, stationery, catering, music, lighting, and more. Imagine being able to have all your consultations on one day at one central location!

The Banhoek Experience to be held on the 25th of September 2010 at the MolenVliet and Zorgvliet Wine Estates, promises to be a boiling pot of creativity, with a bubbly vibe and a French street atmosphere. By keeping it exclusive and by inviting only the most elite of service providers, the ticket holder will be able to meet and consult with the industry leaders for every facet of their wedding. This, all while sampling the finest wines, freshly made sushi, canapés from the interactive food stations, and being soothed by a host of the most sought-after wedding musicians in the Western Cape. More details about this event on the Banhoek Experience Website.

The Cape winelands meets Couture at MolenVliet Wine and Guest Estate! Surrounded by spectacular nature, majestic mountains and trailing vineyards, this will be one of the most talked about fashion events of the year.

Five high end South African designers will be combining their talents to fight this noble cause as they showcase the best that there is to offer on the South African runway…

SHOUT supports vulnerable homeless families and children often fleeing domestic violence, suffering from abuse and neglect. What an honour to support this noble cause by combining fashion, entertainment and exquisite cuisine. Sponsored by Absa Capital, this will truly be the most impressive charity event of the season.

The Aleit Group in collaboration with Wedding Diary and Top Billing is creating the most spectacular bridal competition ever – an event that promises to be the most glamorous night of the year in the SA wedding industry. Brides all over South Africa can enter this competition and the public get to vote for their favourite bride.

The finalists will compete in what will be the most spectacular Gala Event of the year, hosted at The Cape Town Stadium! Bride of the Year Competitions have by now been done so often, they have become boring and drab. This contest will have a fresh new take - two ceremony areas, 500 elite and VIP guests, three ramps, 24 finalists, hot cars....the list of attractions and quality of the event will be incomparable to any other competition of it’s kind. It will completely surpass your expectations!

We are simply beaming from ear to ear! Giltedge Travel were recently singled out as South Africa’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator! This is an enormous achievement and we offer our sincere congratulations to the Giltedge team. We are not strangers to the long hours and hard work it takes to be recognised as leaders in the hospitality industry. Furthermore, this means that we now not only offer our clients world class service when it comes to the co-ordination of their weddings and events – but can add award winning travel, accommodation, tour and concierge services as well!

A bit more about the award: The World Travel Awards serves to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel, tourism and hospitality industry. There are many travel awards throughout the world - but only one World Travel Awards. The Wall Street Journal describes the awards as the Oscars’ of the travel industry. This year an astounding 183 000 industry professionals participated in the voting process which is scrupulously monitored and independently audited. Speaking from Johannesburg, Giltedge Director, Murray Gardiner comments: “Achieving top spot is a real honour and it’s thanks to our wonderful staff complement that we received this award. It is incredibly humbling to see the motivation, dedication and hard work within our diverse and extremely knowledgeable Giltedge team.”

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Photography by Du Wayne, Jean-Pierre Uys, Joe, Ryan Graham, Gavin Casey, Jan-Hendrik, Lizelle Lotter, Christine Meintjes
Design by ADESIGN

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