More and more bridal couples are looking to cut their spending. Whether it’s purchasing affordable wedding dresses on SHEIN or throwing an intimate ceremony for friends and family, “cheap” is the new word on the wedding streets.
The latest wedding trends seem to reflect this as brides and grooms-to-be look to splurge on items and memories that are closest to their hearts (like a honeymoon for instance), and it’s all thanks to our post-pandemic world.
So, just what are these wedding trends?
The bar revamped:
Alcohol can add quite a hefty sum to your wedding budget and appears modern bridal couples are unwilling to pay the price. They’re opting out of offering guests a bar tab but are choosing to switch this with a variety of non-alcoholic beverages.
Winter weddings are a whole lot cosier as hot beverage stations are available throughout the event. From spiced rooibos to non-alcoholic sparkling wines, bridal are looking to switch things up in the best way possible.
The intimate wedding
One of the best things to come out of the pandemic is the trend of the intimate wedding. Brides and grooms are ditching the big wedding day affair in favour of smoothing smaller.
After all, this is a time to connect with loved ones and celebrate something loving and special. The guest list has gotten smaller and so have the locations, and this bodes well for couples looking to keep things simple and affordable.
Stepping outside the box
Tradition has been thrown out the window when it comes to wedding attire. Gone are the days of brides walking down the aisle in a white or wedding dress as more trends looking towards colour. Think untraditional colours such as black, red, pink – anything the bride fancies. Cosplay outfits are also fast becoming a “thing” for couples looking to indulge their adventures selves.
Supporting small businesses
Many small businesses suffered under the intense lockdown restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led many individuals, including brides and grooms, to favour small business owners – a trend we hope will continue.
Aspiring home cooks and food vendors getting on their feet are now the go-to as the new wedding trend looks to skip “traditional” wedding vendors in favour of small businesses.
Feature Image: olguinphotography
We all know how stressful planning a wedding can be, making wedding planning burnout a very real possibility. Whether you’re trying not to pull out your hair as…
While Beyonce might not agree, there are smarter ways to show ‘you like it’ than with a pricey engagement ring
As much as many of us may long for the sparkle of a diamond ring and the iconic ‘I said yes!’ Instagram reveal picture, the reality of it is that with the ongoing increases in the cost of living and the added expenses of a wedding looming, a huge engagement ring isn’t always very practical. But budget constraints need not to cramp your bridal bliss, especially if you change your thinking.
I’m a big believer of choosing an affordable ring, as I don’t think couples should start out their life together in debt
Ring in a new life
For Tamlyn Jacobus, the ability to afford an enjoyable life together far outweighed the need for an engagement ring.
‘If I were to follow societal traditions and has asked for a 1-2 carat, colourless princess cut, it would have set us back for the lifestyle we choose to live. Exploring eateries and travelling to different places in our region is something we enjoy doing regularly. Knowing spending money on a huge ring and that a big wedding wasn’t on the cards allowed us to go away on a few mini-escapes before saying I do.’
Tamlyn and Camilo eloped – and used the cash they saved to buy a home of their own. Tamlyn now wears a dainty white-gold band to signify their marriage.
Up, up and away
With a new generation redefining cultural and societal norms, we’re seeing new trends grow in popularity and with more and more people aspiring to travel, it’s no surprise that honeymoons are getting all the love.
‘My husband didn’t get a ring. He got me a simple engagement ring, but no wedding ring. I rarely wear the engagement ring. Instead of spending on the wedding or on rings, we travelled for weeks through South East Asia and put a deposit down on a townhouse,’ says Wendy van Eyck.
Soon-to-be-bride Kerri Davis agrees:
‘My ring has an amethyst stone and cost about R400. We saved for a two-week honeymoon to Thailand.’
Less ka-ching, more bling
‘I’m a big believer of choosing an affordable ring, as I don’t think couples should start out their life together in debt,’ says Tiffany Marx – Inspired Jewellery. It’s possible to have a beautiful engagement ring without breaking the bank. Here are Tiffany’s top tips for budget-friendly ring-buying:
Choose an alternative stone
Slightly tinted diamonds (like Champagne and salt-and-pepper diamonds) have become very popular. They are so different and much more affordable than whiter diamonds. Moissanite is also great options.
Buy a mount
These are cast rings that one can set the central stone-stones into. Although I would personally always suggest a handmade ring, choosing a mount tends to be a less expensive exercise as the ring is not a bespoke, handmade item.
Work with a jeweller
Many retail shops will only offer you traditional rings as that is what they sell. Try and find a jeweller whose style you like and is willing to work with whatever budget you have. At the end of the day, you can create a really beautiful ring regardless of the materials that are used if you have a good design.
ALSO SEE: Busted! 5 Common engagement ring myths debunked
Feature image: Unsplash
Article written by Bianca Hartel for the Summer 2019 print issue.
Everyone loves a rose, a hydrangea, stargazer lilies or orchids in their wedding bouquets. These exquisite flowers are staples in many a flower arrangement but dare we say,…
The art of paper folding often associated with Japanese culture has long fascinated Westerners – and for good reason. The intricate designs that result look gorgeous and are often a talking point.
Which is why, inspired by one of the real weddings featured in Issue 1-2017, we found four easy origami napkin styles to wow your guests.
What you’ll need
• Square napkins in the colour of your choice
How to do it
For the windmill:
1 Fold all the corners into the centre of the napkin.
2 Fold the bottom of the napkin upwards to meet the middle then do the same for the top.
3 Fold the left side to the middle and repeat this on the right, ensuring both sides are equal.
4 Turn the napkin over nd pull out the corners from the inside until all four corners are exposed. Repeat for as many napkins as required.
For the heart:
1 Fold both sides into the middle, ensuring they are equal. Then fold in half lengthways.
2 Fold the top of the napkin down towards the bottom. The take the top and fold it sideways, creating a 90-degree line. Repeat on the opposite side by folding the bottom towards the top.
3 Turn the napkin over then take the top right corner and tuck it in. Repeat this on the left then turn over to see the end result. Repeat for as many napkins as required.
For the three-fold:
1 Fold the napkin in half from side to side, then fold from top to bottom to create a smaller square.
2 Using the top piece of fabric, roll the right corner into a tube. Do the same with the next two pieces of fabric on the right.
3 Turn the napkin so the tubes of fabric are horizontal then turn over the napkin and fold the right and left corners into the middle until they meet. Turn over once more to see the end result. Repeat for as many napkins as required.
For the sitting fan:
1 Fold the napkin in half then fold the bottom about 1 cm upwards.
2 Fold the same section for 1 cm towards the alternate side of the napkin. Continue folding for 1 cm on alternate sides until you have about 3 cm left.
3 Fold the napkin in half with the folded pieces horizontal. Then fold the leftover fabric into the centre and pull out all the folds into a fan. Repeat for as many napkins as required.
ALSO SEE: The wedding colour trend that quietly won us over in 2025
Text Robyn Lane
Styling Francoise Jeanne de Villiers
Photography Kendall-Leigh Nash/HMimages.co.za
If it’s always been your dream to recite your vows on the shoreline of a pristine beach, South Africa offers an assortment of amazing spots for your nuptials.…
The Golden Globes 2026 once again proved that red carpets and wedding aisles aren’t worlds apart. From sculptural couture gowns that could effortlessly double as modern wedding dresses to sharply tailored suiting offering fresh inspiration for grooms and groomsmen alike, this year’s looks were a masterclass in ceremony-worthy style. Add in fashion-forward moments perfect for bridesmaids and wedding party outfits, and it’s clear: Hollywood’s biggest night delivered no shortage of ideas for couples planning a celebration that feels both timeless and of-the-moment.
While many of these show-stopping dresses weren’t designed in traditional bridal shades, their silhouettes, textures and detailing translate beautifully into white, ivory and soft neutral palettes , making them perfect reference points for brides, bridesmaids and wedding parties seeking fashion-forward inspiration with lasting appeal.
ALSO SEE: Looking for wedding hairstyle inspo for all hair lengths? We’ve got you covered
Looking for wedding hairstyle inspo for all hair lengths? We’ve got you covered
Featured image: Golden Globes/Instagram
In the midst of wedding planning, pre-wedding celebrations, or the transition into married life, taking time to pause can feel both indulgent and essential. Whether you’re planning a…
A wedding day is a time for celebration. Chances are, however, some might celebrate a bit too hard. Wedding hangovers can be pretty harsh for your guests, so why not help them recover?
Wedding hangover kits have become popular wedding favours in recent years. What’s great about this favour is that it’s easily DIY’ed, and couples can add whatever they want.
If you plan on making your own kit, consider adding some of these items:
– A bottle of water to prevent a dry throat
– An eye mask to reduce puffiness
– Plasters for those blisters after dancing all night long
– A granola bar for energy
– Sunglasses to hide those bloodshot eyes
– Gum or mouth wash
– A mini bottle of alcohol because… you know, hair of the dog
Feature image: Unsplash