Granny Mouse is the perfect venue destination to host weddings and, over the years, we have had many different and unique wedding themes. One that you may not even have considered is a denim wedding!

If you think that denim is a very simple, every day type of fabric and that it definitely isn’t for weddings, think again.

Admittedly, denim’s roots aren’t exactly high end. In fact, denim was first used for clothes worn by workers because of its durability. Its name comes from the “serge de Nimes”, a fabric made in the French city of Nimes. It is most commonly associated with jeans, a type of cotton pants first produced in Genoa. The French called them “genes”.

During the 1800s, during the Gold Rush, American gold miners needed clothes that were strong, lasted longer and did not tear easily. Levi Strauss, a businessman, and Jacob Davis, a tailor, supplied miners with denim pants that were reinforced with rivets at the places where pants tended to tear. This marked the beginning of the legend of jeans.

Modern day denim has seen this fabric used for a plethora of different items – from jackets and waist coats to skirts and even shoes and hats. That makes denim the perfect choice not only for the wedding party but for a themed dress up wedding as everyone has denim in their wardrobes! If they don’t, your wedding will be the perfect excuse to buy a pair of designer denims.

For the wedding party, the idea is to dress up humble denim attire. The groom can wear a chambray shirt for a rustic or casual groom’s look or go for a denim jacket with some personalizing. For a more relaxed feel, a denim jacket can be a casual cover up or the perfect substitute for a usual blazer.

Brides and bridesmaids can cover up with denim jackets too. This is very trendy – especially as there are now a plethora of different shades and styles of denim. You can choose anything from bleached and ripped to distressed with the likes of white, blue, black, pink and many others to add some versatility.

There are loads of cool and unique denim wedding details that will be perfect for every season.

Those looking for a more casual take, can go full out with a cowboy or country theme. Decorations can be made out of old denim discards or even burlap. Collect tins, remove the labels and then decorate with denim and ribbons and use as vases for flowers, as an example. Country denim goes well with sunflowers, other wild flowers and wheat ears. Groomsmen can simply add bow ties and bandanas.

If you want to turn things up a notch, ramp up the contrasts. Pair ultra-casual with ultra-glamorous, teaming a luxurious lace and satin wedding gown with denim accessories or a denim corset with a lace or net skirt.  Denim looks great with lace trims and even vintage jewellery such as marquisate and pearls. Denim also pairs well with ‘antique’ roses and olde worlde bouquets – all finished off with ribbon and lace, of course.

The good thing about including denim in decorations and favours is that you can make almost everything yourself. Collect up friends’ and family members’ cast offs or even buy and recycle items bought at jumble sales and charity shops. Use denim jeans for cushions that can be placed on chairs or even used for seated photographs. Upcycle cast offs into table mats, using pockets to slip in serviettes or a little gift for each guest and add the odd diamante or sequin for a little extra glitter.

We take it for granted that everyone has experienced a spa at least once in their lives! For first timers and those who find themselves in a spa only occasionally, the Granny Mouse Country House and Spa team have formulated some tips on spa etiquette. This will help put you at ease whilst also ensuring that others who may also be sharing the spa can enjoy their treatments.

1. Turn off your cell phone: To truly enjoy the experience, don’t bring your cell phone. If you absolutely have to, switch it off. It totally defeats the object of relaxing if you keep answering calls, checking WhatsApp’s or sending messages. It is also distracting for others who are enjoying their time out.

2. Arrive on time: You have booked your appointment, so try get there a few minutes earlier so you can change into your robe and ease into your choice of treatment/s without being flustered. This also means that therapists aren’t forced to hurry your session.

3. Shower before using the facilities: This is spa etiquette. For hygiene reasons, it is always a good idea to take a quick shower to rinse off products, sweat, and dirt before using the hydrotherapy and spa facilities.

4. Speak up about what you want: Comfort is paramount so, if you are having a massage, let us know how to make sure that nothing is irritating or upsetting you. At the outset, we’ll ask you how much pressure you would like – deep, harder massage or softer? If you would like the background music softer, ask our therapist to turn it down from the outset. If you are feeling too warm or cold, let us know so that we can adjust the air conditioning or give you a warmer blanket.

5. The big nudity question: Keep your knickers on and remember only the part of the body being massaged is exposed. The rest of you will be covered with a sheet at all times. If you’re just starting out and have some anxieties about being massaged by a stranger, ask the receptionist about treatments where you can keep your clothes on. If a massage makes you feel uncomfortable, enjoy a facial where you can keep your robe on if you wish.Another tip if you are having more than more treatment, for example if you have two, have the massage before your facial.

6. Talking during treatments: Observe the quiet areas. It is polite to refrain from talking while other spa users may be resting, sleeping or unwinding. We all relax in different ways and, if you are at the spa with your group of besties, try use your “spa voice”, keeping the volume and the giggles down.
   When having a treatment, it’s definitely up to you if you want to talk during the treatment or not. We follow your lead. In general, try to use that quiet “spa voice” when you talk anywhere in the spa.

7. Tipping your therapist: Leaving a tip is at your sole discretion, but it is common practice in South Africa, very much like tipping your hairdresser. The current industry norm is between 10 and 15%.