Monthly Archives: May 2010

The wedding industry is valued at R27bn annually - that's quite a sum! Here are some interesting statistics:

• Brides spent R52 million on their bouquets annually
• More than 120,000 bottles of sparkling wine/champagne/wine are drunk to toast engagements annually
• Average length of engagements are 6.5 months
• R1.5 billion is spent on honeymoons both locally and abroad
• 1.8 million hours of music is played at weddings by DJs and musicians
• Brides spent R98 million on hair and beauty
• 76% of parents still contribute to the cost of the wedding
• The most popular colours for weddings are predominately white with blue, silver and green as accents
• 45% of brides lost less than 5kg before their wedding

Here's a lovely thank you message that we just have to share! The team really enjoyed coordinating Deon and Beate's special day and it's always wonderful to receive feedback from our couples.

Liewe Simoné, Petra en Eldine

Van die eerste dag wat ons kom kyk het na jul pragtige plek was julle vriendelik en behulpsaam. Deur al my kommunikasie en e-posse was jul altyd professioneel.

Baie dankie vir alles!!!! Julle het ons troue so spesiaal gemaak!

Vriendelike Groete
Deon and Beate Coetzee

If you are planning a spring or summer wedding, now is the time to mail your Save the Dates! Elsje Designs is currently offering a free Save the Date special to all the Val de Vie bridal couples with every wedding invitation order. Please contact 021 976 7111 or info@elsje.co.za for more information.

The Purpose of Save the Date Cards
First impressions do matter: give your guests something to talk about by sending Save the Date notices that pop off the page (or computer screen)! A Save the Date is usually simple, but they should have an added touch that make it so memorable that your guests cannot possibly forget to bookmark that date.

Furthermore, Save the Date cards serve as reminders or to give guests a heads up that you are going to get married. More than that, they allow the invitees to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements well in advance.Often couples are getting married on or near a major event or public holiday, which makes advance bookings for traveling or accommodation even more important. To avoid disappointment with family and friends not being able to attend your wedding, it is crucial to sending out a notice of your impending nuptials.

When to mail your Wedding Save the Date Cards
Save the date cards or emails are usually mailed out 6 to 8 months before the actual wedding date.

Types of Save the Date Cards
There are two types of Save the Date notifications: a paper card or a digital email.

The latest trend is to email a digital Save the Date that is interactive, whereby a guest can click a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ button whereby they can indicate their attendance. Therefore you only need to mail invitations to the guests that indicated that they can attend your wedding – a great way of saving on your quantity of invitations and cost.

Paper save the date cards can be more fun and interactive. But a card with a magnetic backing is the most popular choice today. These are in great demand because they can be kept on the refrigerator door, and no one is likely to forget the wedding date if the card is stuck there.

Wording for your Save the Date
The wording on most Save the Date cards is usually straight to the point. Usually, it consists of the bride and groom's name and the date and town or city where the wedding would take place. For wording options, please contact the Elsje Designs studio.

Remember to let your guests know via a postscript that their wedding invitation and directions are to follow.

Choosing the Design and Style
Wedding Save the Date cards can be anything from formal to casual and could even be whimsical. Conveying your wedding style on your Save the Date is also a good idea if you already know what it will be. Your wedding colors can be represented on your cards as well. It would not only give the recipient a sneak peak at your chosen colors, but the uniformity from the beginning to the end of the wedding would be more than impressive.

Design Ideas
Whatever you choose for your Save the Date, make it fun and you're sure to get a favorable response. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Include colors and images that make sense to the venue and date, such as a botanical image of a rose if you plan to marry in the springtime in a rose garden, or a card tied up with a cotton blue gingham ribbon for an oceanside summer soiree.

• Your save-the-date cards can be as simple as a digital emailer, a postcard or as elaborate and interactive as a magnetic puzzle or a fun paper jet.
• We're fans of including a picture taken shortly after the engagement, or a collage of pics to represent the fun you have had together on a recent holiday or the evening of your engagement.
• Refrigerator magnets -- ones with just your names and wedding date -- are cool too.
  We like original Save the Dates – we can print it for you on a pencil, badge, or even on a gorgeous tea towel!
• An all-time favorite done many different ways is the calendar. We love to create a card that looks like a mini calendar month with the date you've chosen circled or decorated.
• Remember this is not a formal invitation to your wedding. It is simply a great way to give advance notice of your special day. The look of this card could be coordinated to complement your wedding décor and style.

If you want to receive regular fresh ideas via email, please subscribe to Elsje's blog.

Here are some fabulous photos from the Val de Vie Polo Masters. As the images show, a wonderful time was enjoyed by all!

Join Val de Vie on 21 May for an exclusive food and wine pairing presented by talented wine pairing expert, Katinka van Niekerk.

Here's something we'll toast to! If you're a resident at Val de Vie, you are automatically entitled to a substantial discount on Val de Vie's award-winning wines, as well as free delivery of your purchases.

Val de Vie was delighted when ISO Leisure and Gavin Watson recently sponsored the Sabrage Masters, offering contestants an exciting array of prizes. Winners of the main game received a fabulous two night stay for two people at the Bongani Mountain Lodge, while winners of the curtain raiser received a two night stay for two people at any ISO Leisure owned Holiday Inn Express in South Africa. When the game ended in a draw, the prize was very generously extended to all eight players in the curtain raiser.

ISO Leisure Holdings (Pty) Ltd is a leading leisure industry developer and operator established in 2007, with Gavin Watson as its Chief Executive. It boasts an extensive portfolio of hotels and developments, including the newly refurbished four star Bongani Mountain Lodge. Situated only 34kms outside Nelspruit, bordering the world renowned Kruger National Park, the lodge offers a luxurious experience amongst some of South Africa’s most breathtaking scenery.

It’s an idyllic destination where one can experience the Big Five including lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo, as well as walk ancient paths once used by the San (Bushman) people with over 250 San rock art sites, estimated to be 1 500 years old. If you’re looking to enjoy the magic of the African bush in a majestic setting, Bongani Mountain Lodge will not disappoint. Savour delicious Pan-African cuisine, be pampered at the Amani African Spa or relax on a private deck with wraparound views of the spectacular scenery.

Val de Vie is very grateful for all the support shown by Gavin and ISO Leisure, who have been incredible right from the start. This season they have not only sponsored a team in the Carrol Boyes Ladies Cup, but also offered a three night stay for two at Bongani as a lucky draw prize. Without the enthusiasm and support of our sponsors it would be impossible to host these tournaments and to encourage our players.

On the 17 April 2010 Simoné of the Val de Vie events team was delighted to coordinate the wedding of one very special couple, with a groom who is nothing less than a fighter pilot! Be sure to check out this link to find out more about this talented individual who is making waves in the media as the 2010 FIFA World Cup approaches.