Essential Groom Issue 15

Editor Wedding Essentials & Essential Groom It has been an exceptionally trying time of late, but even more so if you and your bride have been trying to plan your Big Day. Not much over the last year or so has gone to plan - dates have been moved, weddings have gotten smaller and honeymoons have been delayed or cancelled. But what lockdown has taught us is that we can still find happiness amidst the heartbreak and that sometimes a smaller and more intimate wedding is better than you expected. In this issue, whether you are at the proposal stage or already purchasing your wedding bands, we introduce you to Grand Diamonds who specialise in both natural and lab-grown diamonds as well as gold, platinum and tungsten wedding bands. We find out…

Owner and Publisher Tracy - Anne Pienaar Owner and publisher of Wedding Essentials and Essential Groom Magazine. “I have always had a passion for the Wedding industry and hope that with each and every single Issue we help make your dreams come true. Editor Mandy Rutherford There is nothing more beautiful than a happy bride so while I plan my own Special Day and indulge in my passion of writing, I look forward to bringing you many more insights, tips and expert advice in the issues to come. Besides loving to write, you can find me cooking up a storm or spending quality time with my 4-paw and my new extended family. Social Media & Blogist Hannah Altmann I have a great passion for writing as it is creative work that brings me joy – just like writing for Wedding…

You have found ‘The One’ and now it is decision time regarding those rings. A lot of men understand the concept of a wedding ring but not everybody wants to wear one. While your bride has probably had pictures of those special designs since she was a little girl, you on the other hand, may need a little help and possibly even convincing, to wear any piece of jewellery let alone a wedding band. So Where Did It All Begin? Men have worn rings for centuries, often to depict their link to societies, or to show their wealth and status. Dating back to 1600BC, a signet ring was a powerful symbol and similar to a man’s signature. Worn traditionally on the little finger, and often engraved with their family crest, the wearer…

‘Relationships that are the most successful are those where both partners share their inner world with one another - their real thoughts, feelings and desires - and where their partner, in turn, is able to really hear them’ Dr Shannon Kolakowski You’ve been on a few dates, the groundwork has been laid and you’re beginning to realize this could be the ‘The One’. But even if you have been together for a while there is a vital component, one that is often ignored or forgotten, but which could literally make or break a relationship. Validation... The dictionary refers to Validation as ‘recognition or affirmation that a person or their feelings or opinions are valid or worthwhile.’ So cast your mind back and ask yourself when last you complimented your partner, or listened…

A great way to regroup is to find a quiet spot to lose yourself in a book – if only for a few moments and to get you started, we asked the team at Exclusive Books for their latest suggestions on what Grooms can read to revive flagging minds and tired souls. THE BOY, THE MOLE, THE FOX AND THE HORSE - Charlie Mackesy R 414.00 | price and availability exclusive to the Exclusive Books website. From British illustrator, artist, and author Charlie Mackesy comes a journey for all ages that explores life’s universal lessons, featuring 100 colour and black-and-white drawings. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” asked the mole. “Kind,” said the boy. The book follows the tale of a curious boy, a greedy mole, a wary fox and a…

You may be forgiven for thinking that wedding planning is ‘a Bride thing’... She has probably been planning this day since she was a tiny tot and now finally, you are making her dreams come true! But where do you as the Groom fit in? Are you of the opinion that it is her job to plan all the finer details? Or, perhaps like some men, do you think it is safer to stay under the radar and out of the firing line? Well, as a new Groom, there is a wonderful old adage that you may want to write down - it says, ‘Happy wife, Happy Life’ - and best you never forget it! Weddings can be stressful so it makes sense for both bride and groom to knuckle…