29

Apr

2026

Ask The Experts: Refined Hen Do Ideas for the Elegant Bride

A hen do doesn’t have to revolve around costumes or late nights that roll into the next morning. For some groups, it leans more towards well-chosen locations, good food and drink, and time spent somewhere that actually feels worth travelling to. That could be a vineyard just outside Reims, a spa town in the Swiss Alps, or a few days in Milan moving between boutiques and rooftop terraces. 

The setting changes, but the approach stays fairly consistent: keep it simple, choose well, and let the destination do most of the work. Below are a few options that suit an elegant, low-key but still memorable hen do.

Refined Hen Do Ideas for the Elegant Bride

photo by Antoni Shkraba Studio

Exclusive Vineyard Experiences in Champagne

Champagne is an easy choice when the focus is on quality rather than variety. Most groups base themselves in Reims or Épernay, where you’re close to the major houses as well as smaller producers. In Reims, the streets around Place Drouet-d’Erlon stay lively, but a short walk takes you to quieter areas near the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. Épernay feels smaller, with Avenue de Champagne lined with historic cellars that run deep underground.

A typical hen do here often centres around tastings, but it helps to space them out. A walk through the vineyards near Hautvillers adds context to what’s in the glass later on. The village itself is where Dom Pérignon is buried, and it’s common to see small groups pausing at the abbey before heading back towards town.

The best way to enjoy champagne wine tours is to choose producers who can clearly explain the process, from grape selection through to ageing in chalk cellars. Tours often include time below ground, where temperatures remain constant, and bottles are stored for years. That insight becomes particularly useful once you begin comparing styles across different houses.

photo by barmalini

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28

Apr

2026

The 4 Best Digital Invitation Platforms for Alternative Weddings in 2026

Designing wedding invitations once meant limited templates or costly designers, but today’s couples want more control and personalization. This shift is especially evident in alternative weddings, where creativity often replaces tradition.

Digital invitation platforms have transformed the process, offering flexible tools, modern designs, and real-time customization. Couples can now easily create, send, and track invitations while simplifying RSVPs and guest communication. Technology has removed traditional barriers and expanded creative freedom.
For couples planning an alternative wedding in 2026, digital invitations are no longer just convenient; they are essential.

Below is a short guide on focus areas for those planning an alternative wedding, and four standout platforms that balance design, usability, and functionality for different needs.

The 4 Best Digital Invitation Platforms for Alternative Weddings in 2026

Photo by milindri

Set Clear Expectations for Your Digital Invitation Experience

When choosing among the best digital invitation platforms for alternative weddings, begin by defining the guest experience you want to create. Design should reflect your wedding style, but it must work alongside broader functionality, such as planning and guest management. Even the most creative invitation loses impact if handling RSVPs or guest communication feels challenging.

Look for platforms that offer RSVP tracking, custom questions, meal selections, direct messaging, and even planning tools such as seating arrangements. These features create a seamless journey from invitation delivery to confirmed attendance, especially for non-traditional wedding formats.

Delivery options also matter. Platforms that support email, SMS, and shareable links make it easier to reach diverse guest lists. This flexibility often improves response rates and keeps communication efficient.

It’s also worth considering platforms that include extras like save-the-dates, reminders, and thank-you notes. An ad-free experience helps maintain a cohesive and sophisticated feel during each step involved in your wedding communications.

Ultimately, the best platforms balance expressive, high-end invitation design with practical tools. This ensures your invitations feature a sophisticated design that offers the option of breaking from tradition, while remaining easy for guests to engage with, and keeping logistics manageable.

photo source

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28

Apr

2026

Jolien and Kjell’s Unique Safari Wedding in South Africa by Kim Raaf

Some weddings I get sent are your typical day wedding, some are more elaborate weekend weddings, while other are pure experiences, today’s wedding is certainly the latter! If you love animals and you love the open air then today’s safari wedding in South Africa is going to be right up your street. Jolien and Kjell LOVE safari’s so when it came to planning their wedding, they knew exactly what they wanted, minimal guests, minimal fuss, BIG experience! The result is this Awesome day filled with so many amazing animals, Kim Raaf must have been in her element, what an fantastic wedding to photograph! As for the guests they really lucked out, can you imagine a better wedding!!

It was a warm, intimate and unique experience, which felt exactly like we wanted it.

Jolien and Kjell were married on 2nd January 2025 at Aquila Private Game Reserve, Touws River, South Africa. ‘We both love South Africa and didn’t want a “big wedding” where you feel obliged to invite person X, because person Y is already coming. The actual choice for Aquila was a little less romantic – we had searched for a Private Game Reserve that allows you to organise weddings at their premises because of our love for safaris and Aquila was the only one where it was possible – even on our small scale. We had 8 guests (on top of the 2 of us) and it took around 14 months to plan.’

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27

Apr

2026

Ask The Experts: Why More Couples Are Choosing to Elope in Ireland Instead of a Traditional Wedding

There’s a quiet shift happening in the world of weddings, and it’s being driven by couples who want something more meaningful than a traditional day.
Instead of planning large events with long guest lists and tight timelines, more couples — especially those travelling from the United States — are choosing to elope to Ireland and create something far more personal. Not a performance. Not a production. An experience.
And it’s exactly why eloping in Ireland has quickly become one of the most sought-after ways to get married abroad.

Why More Couples Are Choosing to Elope in Ireland Instead of a Traditional Wedding

Why More Couples Are Choosing to Elope in Ireland Instead of a Traditional Wedding Why More Couples Are Choosing to Elope in Ireland Instead of a Traditional Wedding Why More Couples Are Choosing to Elope in Ireland Instead of a Traditional Wedding

The Moment Couples Realise Ireland Is “The Place”

It rarely starts with planning. It starts with a feeling.
You’re standing somewhere along Ireland’s west coast, the Atlantic stretching endlessly in front of you. The wind pulls at your clothes, the light shifts constantly, and everything feels raw and real.
Or you’re walking through the ruins of a centuries-old castle, hand in hand, with nothing but the sound of the wind moving through the stone. And then it hits you. This would be the perfect place to get married.
Not because it’s impressive. But because it feels completely yours.
That’s the difference when couples choose to elope in Ireland. It doesn’t feel staged. It feels lived in, grounded, and real in a way few destinations can offer.

Why More Couples Are Choosing to Elope in Ireland Instead of a Traditional Wedding Why More Couples Are Choosing to Elope in Ireland Instead of a Traditional Wedding

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24

Apr

2026

Ask The Experts: How to Manage Your Wedding Savings – 5 Smart Financial Moves

Planning a wedding is exciting, but let’s face it—it’s also expensive. Whether you’re dreaming of a boho beach elopement or a more lavish celebration, keeping your budget in check is key. Managing wedding savings doesn’t have to be stressful, though. With a few smart financial moves, you can stay on track and still have the wedding of your dreams.

Let’s dive into five simple ways to manage your wedding savings, so you can enjoy the planning process (and the big day) without worrying about money.

How to Manage Your Wedding Savings – 5 Smart Financial Moves

photo by Sarah Larae Photography – full wedding here

1. Set a Realistic Budget from the Start

First things first—create a realistic wedding budget. It’s easy to get carried away with all the exciting ideas and inspiration, but if you don’t have a clear budget, you might find yourself in over your head. Start by researching the average costs for things like venues, food, photography, and decor. If you’re planning a boho wedding, you might find some aspects, like decor or venues, can really vary depending on location and size.

Once you know how much everything costs, break it down into categories. Don’t forget to leave some room for unexpected expenses—because there will be some!

photo by Alessandro Piolanti Photography – full wedding here

2. Open a Separate Wedding Savings Account

One of the easiest ways to manage your wedding savings is to keep it separate from your regular checking account. This makes it a lot easier to track how much you’ve saved and ensures you don’t dip into the funds for other expenses.

Open a savings account specifically for your wedding. This helps you stay organized, and you’ll be able to see exactly how much you’ve saved. Plus, some online banks offer features like higher interest rates on savings accounts and the ability to create separate savings buckets. These features will help your savings grow a little faster while you plan.

You can also set up automatic transfers to your wedding savings account, making it easier to stick to your savings plan without having to remember every month.

photo by  The Crawfords Photography – full wedding here

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