Royal marriages are not an easy affair, as they seem to look like from a distance. Its a full time job with strict regulations and formalities, which consequently result in a serious transformation as far as the person getting in is concerned. In addition, their weddings, in most instances, entail a whole set of old traditions as well as expectations that the British royals must adhere to. With the Royal Wedding fast approaching, the whole world is anxious to find out how the entire occasion will turn out especially with all the royal traditions that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly broken. Here are some of them:

1. The Selected Day:

Royal traditions dictate that royal weddings be held during the week. For instance, Queen Elizabeth II tied the knot on a Thursday while The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wed on a Friday. On the other hand, Prince Harry and Meghan have set their wedding for a Saturday following Harrys father whose nuptial with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, fell on a Saturday.

2. The Location:

Prince Harry and Markle will tie the knot on May 19^th at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, about twenty miles west of London. Traditionally, most royal couples get married at the capital’s Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton said their “I dos” back in 2011.

“Windsor is a very special place for Prince Harry, and he and Ms. Markle have regularly spent time there during the last year,” a rep from Kensington Palace explained to People in November of last year, when the venue was first announced. “They are delighted that the beautiful grounds of Windsor Castle will be where they begin their lives as a married couple.”

3. Paying the wedding bill

According to the royal tradition, the brides family is charged with the responsibility of paying for the wedding. This only happens when the bride comes from a royal family and in this case, Markles family can breathe a sigh of relief as Prince Charming is footing the entire bill!

4. The Date Itself

Many royal experts assume Harry and Meghan chose May to avoid it overlapping with Kate’s pregnancy. However, the date happens to overlap with a couple other big moments for the royal family.

For starters, May 19 of next yearis the same date as the Emirates FA Final Cup, Britain’s historic and most prestigious soccer cup competition. To make matters even more interesting, Prince William has been the president of the Football Association since 2006 and typically attends the game and presents the winning team with their trophy.

Regarding the overlap, the president of the FA tells E! News, “Saturday 19 May promises to be a wonderful day with such a special royal occasion being followed by English football’s showpiece event, the Emirates FA Cup Final. With millions coming together to watch both events at home and around the world, it will be a day to celebrate.”

Furthermore, May 19also marks a historic day in the royal family.In 1536,Anne Boleynthe second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Queen Elizabeth I was executed on Tower Green for alleged adultery. This doesn’t necessarily break any traditions, but it’s interesting nonetheless.

5. The cake

Amulti-tiered fruitcake is typically served at royal weddings. Despite the fact that nothing has been confirmed yet when it comes to Harry and Meghan’s choice of cake, many rumors have been circulating that the two lovebirds have settled to have one that will be made with banana! According to former royal chef Darren MC Grady, Prince Harry grew up loving all things bananaincluding banana flan and banana ice cream. Moreover, shortly after rumors started running about Harry and Meghan’s relationship, the actress shared a photo of two bananas snuggling with the caption, “Sleep tight xx,”, which most people presumed was her way of confirming that they were now an item!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. No procession through London

Since the couple likely wont be coming back to London after the ceremony, there won’t be a London procession for the public to congratulate themhowever, Kensington Palace announced there will be a procession through Windsor directly following the ceremony at 1 p.m. local time. No procession through London

7. Her father may not walk her down the aisle

Meghan Markle is certainly not afraid to do her wedding her own way. Markle reportedly wants her mother, Doria Ragland, to walk her down the aisle. While this isnt that much of a surprise given Markles close relationship with her motherand many brides has chosen to forgo the classic tradition of having their father walk them down the aislefor a royal wedding, its definitely something new.

8. More celebrities will be in attendance

Since Markle’s is an actress in the US, it is more likely that celebrities will be in attendance than dignitaries. Priyanka Chopra, Serena Williams and Patrick J. Adams, her Suits co-star are just some of the anticipated guests. Although Prince Harry and Obama have struck up quite the friendship over the years, it is rumored that the invite could cause some international tension.

6. Speech

It is reported that Meghan Markle, will deliver a speech during the wedding to appreciate his husband and her new royal family.

 

 

 

Ever wondered who todays modern bride is? According to a 2012 report by Samantha Bridal, your average bride is 27 years old and is more educated with more career opportunities.

Independent: This woman no longer lives with her parents. She is independent and lives alone or shares an apartment with a friend. She has a disposable income and enjoys quality entertainment.

Fashion: Todays bride is fashion conscious. She lovers the finer things in life. Looking good and feeling good is a priority to her. She believes in flawlessness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caution: Being the learned woman she is, the modern bride is cautious and takes everything seriously. She is the kind that will approach wedding planning as a business transaction and not a fairy tale. She is not a fan of emotional buzzwords.

Optimistic: In her world, things are good right now and can only get better in the future.

Character: This woman is open-minded as she has been raised up consuming TV, radio, magazine and internet content. She also has a clique of friends whom she hangs out with and whose advice and opinion she holds with high regard.

Improve the industry by voting for the best wedding providers in this years Kenya Wedding Industry Awards

Credits

Photography by @Versataille Photography

Gown by Ogake

Bridal attire by Peggy Onyango

Flowers by Tambuzi

Transport by Lesus Car and Executive Hire

Venue Fairmont Norfolk Hotel

Many ladies look forward to getting engaged to their boyfriends and have that dream wedding. But how long should an engagement last? And what other expenses and activities come with an engagement?

According to a Samantha Bridal survey, the average engagement period in Kenya lasts between 16-17 months. But there is more…

Who proposes?

• According to the survey, 99% of the men do the proposing as compared to the 1% of women who propose to their mates. It has been observed that most women like to consider themselves engaged because it is a great feeling and they see it as a sign of settling down. Most of the women who are engaged are below 35 years, have a high educational profile and 69% of the engaged couples have known each other for more than three years.

When do proposals happen?

• Apparently most of the engagements happen during December, the New Year and February during the Valentine Day period. 64% of the couples are already living together before the actual wedding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do couples do during the engagement period?

• Many couples tend to open new bank accounts. They spend a lot of money buying furniture and housewares. They also use this time to fulfil cultural obligations like payment of bride price and marriage counsel.

During the engagement period, what items are known to be costly?

• Most of the couples spend on the engagement rings, wedding rings and any other jewelry. This is costly because real gold and silver is quite expensive.

How many couples move in together before marriage?

• According to Samantha’s survey, 64% of couples are living together before marriage. Nowadays, courtship is done differently as compared to the past. Many young couples prefer to live together before walking down the aisle.

Recently engaged or looking forward to a wedding? See and vote for the best wedding providers in this year’s Kenya Wedding Industry Awards

People outside the industry think that providing expertise or stuff for weddings is all glitz and glamour but you and I know that its tough.
One of the most difficult things about the wedding business is getting your name out there and persuading people that you are the only one providing value for money. The problem is that many people are getting married for the first time and so they are always flying blind. The wedding day is a one off event so the couple will not be repeat clients. As a supplier you must get it right all the time, as there is no chance to repeat should anything go wrong. But we also know that the success of such an event also depends largely on the performance of other wedding suppliers. It is unfortunate that some fly by night un-professionals are taking over the market and not delivering on their promise.
What a better way to Protect Wedding Couples and Promote Wedding Excellence by enabling newly-weds to evaluate the performance of their chosen wedding providers.
Future brides will be in a position to determine the best wedding providers based on the opinions of past bridal customers. Each newlywed couple in the form of ratings expresses these opinions.
Newlyweds will be given the opportunity to vote for each of their wedding providers based not only on the quality of their product, but also give amazing customer service and go that extra mile to make sure to be wed couples get the day of their dreams and value for their money.

WHY SHOULD YOUR COMPANY BE PART OF THESE AWARDS?
Winning an award, or even being selected as a finalist, provides potential customers with that essential independent endorsement and evidence that you are among the best in the business.Engaged couples will be able to shop with confidence because the independent testimonials from the award provides them with a sense of security and confidence knowing that you have the experience and expertise to excel in the design and delivery of the perfect product to make the perfect day.
There are 45 categories. So your chances of being selected, no matter how small your business is are realistic. The focus of the awards is on great customer service, but not size of business, so any supplier big or small, new or well established has a chance of winning. We will provide nominees and winners with logos, stickers and other collateral to ensure that you can let everybody know.

INQUIRIES
Do you need help or have an inquiry regarding the Kenya Wedding Industry Awards? Kindly send an email to info@samanthasbridal.co.ke or call 0722480068.

 

Why are trends important? They are a documentation of progress and experimentation, and allow us to connect with people in this very moment. Could you imagine looking back into a trendless history? How would any era be remembered? There is something absolutely beautiful about creating something meant for this very moment.

So where do we turn to when we are looking to predict the wedding trends for 2018 and 2019? Well it certainly isn’t Pinterest as those are weddings that are happening now and were determined by trends from two years ago. We are always look to the arts, design, fashion, interiors, lifestyle, and travel for insight into what will be influencing wedding trends this year.

When choosing a wedding venue, youll need to think about the venues location, size, and style to make sure its a fit for you and your future spouses big day.

Destination weddings are quite particular, as couples that are getting married in a place different from where they live, because they are more adventurous and really want to live that particular destination in its full splendor. What they really love is to use their surroundings and implement the typical things and the culture of that specific region into their weddings. With travel becoming a higher priority for individuals, couples are becoming less and less afraid to go big or go home: meaning that they are more likely to travel to their dream destination, no matter how farflung or who can (or can’t!) make it.

We are rounding up the top destination wedding trends we’re seeing from our couples so you can be in the know when planning your own romantic getaway! Below is a list of some of the most popular wedding venue types to get you started!

1. BANQUET HALL
These venues are often one-stop-shops for your wedding, and may offer catering and other services in house. Banquet halls are usually on the larger size, and work well for weddings with bigger guest counts.

2. FARM/BARN
Dreaming of a rustic wedding? Farm or barn wedding venues may be exactly what you’re looking for. These venues offer rustic charm and an innately casual feel, plus amazing, scenic backdrops for photos.

3. PARK/GARDEN
Many couples dream of getting married outdoors, and for good reason. A naturally beautiful venue, like a park or a garden, isnt just nice to look at; it also doesnt require too much additional dcor, which can be great for your budget. Just beware, youll want to make sure you have an indoor venue lined up in case of inclement weather.

4. MANSION
Historic homes or mansions have an innate sense of nostalgia and a vintage vibe. These charming venues usually feature both indoor and outdoor spaces for weddings, as well as lots of unique opportunities for portraits.

5. COUNTRY CLUB
Its clear why country clubs make popular wedding venues, from the well-manicured golf courses to outdoor and indoor options for ceremonies and receptions, to in-house catering and other services, country club weddings are often stress free and stunning.

6. BEACH
While a beach wedding provides you with plenty of natural scenery and decor, and theres still so many fun things you can do to accentuate your location.

7. RESTAURANT
If you and your future spouse are foodies, a restaurant can be a great location for a wedding. Of course, the food is going to be top-notch, and restaurants are already well appointed with tables, chairs, and dcor. These venues are typically more intimate and therefore best for smaller guest counts.

8. HOUSES OF WORSHIP
In 2018 more couples are opting to say their vows in a house of worship than they have in the past few years. Part of this resurgence is the return to formality and tradition in weddings.

9. THE WILD
The most popular excursions for young couples are anything that can be photographed well. Whether this is an animal encounter, or a breathtaking view, the top excursions going into 2018 will all be Insta-worthy.

Find your perfect wedding venue without all the stress by location, budget and styles at the Samantha’s Bridal wedding fair 2018 where top wedding venues will be showcasing. Save the date!!

The New York fashion week has come and gone, but the trends on the runways will have a lasting impression not just in New York but also here in Kenya. From gowns designed purely of tulle and feathers, through to mega-dangly earrings, the fashion week was full of memorable moments. The styles that graced the runways were a departure from tradition and a celebration of femininity and romance. Throughout the 20th century especially after the Second World War- New York City rose in stature as a fashion capital, challenging the dominance of Paris in the 1940s and ’50s.
As a fashion capital, New York has a major influence on international fashion trends and we anticipate that Kenyan wedding designers will infuse the style into magnificent designs. Here is a look at some of the designs during bridal fashion week.
Feathers and Fringe
Textured embellishments such as fringe and feathers made an unanticipated appearance. Designers like Hayley Paige and Berta adorned their wedding dresses with layers of feathers, while the worlds largest bridal brand, Pronovias closed their show with a bedazzled gown with fringe from top to bottom.

Fierce Jumpsuits
Many bridal designers have extended their bridal collections beyond glittery ball wedding dresses as well as mermaid silhouettes. Designers like Theia as well as Ines Di Santo sent glamorous jumpsuits down the runway that could be worn as a wedding dress as another option or worn during pre wedding events.

Inspired by Outerwear
Intricately designed capelets, blazers and bolero jackets paired with gowns of all shapes and sizes at the catwalk. Designer Inbal Dror paired a structured blazer with a revealing tulle skirt while designer Allison Webb paired a heavily beaded bolero with a simple silhouette.

Sheer Perfection
Skin is always in and designers have proven this to be true during this bridal fashion week. Designer Berta showcased a wedding gown with a detailed lace appliqu design and a full sheer skirt and train. Another designer Reem Acra accentuated a metallic ball wedding gown with a voluminous sheer-paneled skirt.

Blush is the New White
Top designers such as Galia Lahav, Lazaro, as well as Inbal Dror all sent blush-toned wedding dresses in traditional silhouettes like the ball gown. Another trend that was slightly daring yet a departure to the norm was the introduction of the soft shades of pink as well as rose wedding gowns.

Honeymoon comes in all shapes and sizes.Maureen and Anthony didn’t know that their coming to the Samantha’s Bridal Expo would result in them winning the grand prize of a honeymoon package to Dubai, courtesy of ATS and Air Arabia. They had lots of fun and their dream wedding was amazing too. Here are some of the photos on their big day!

Photo credits @Enginerdstudios

Mixing parents and wedding can be a tough experience especially when there is a clash of demands.  Parents as well as family members insist on making demands and some of them expect to have their way when it comes to their children’s wedding. They feel like they have a right or a say in how things should be done.  For instance, some may  insist on where to have the nuptial or reception, what color napkins to use, whom you should consider intimate enough to invite and this may result to bad blood between in-laws  and no couple would desire not to have their folks bless their union. This was the main challenge as Jedidah and Keith planned their nuptial as their parents insisted on having many cards to invite their friends. They fortunately resolved the conflict and were able to tie the knot and we wish them a happy ever after!