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…
Your wedding day is filled with moments that deserve more than photographs alone. From live painters capturing your ceremony as it unfolds to caricature artists creating keepsakes for your guests, wedding artists add a layer of creativity, entertainment, and meaning to your celebration.
We spotlight some of the most sought after wedding artists in South Africa, each offering something beautifully unique.
Live wedding painters
• Danielle Jordaan Studio
View this post on Instagram
Danielle Jordaan and her team are known for elegant live wedding paintings that capture key moments from ceremonies and receptions. Couples can choose whether they want their first kiss, vows, or first dance brought to life on canvas.
Instagram: @daniellejordaanstudio
Website: www.daniellejordaan.com
• Art by Sunel
View this post on Instagram
Specialising in watercolour live wedding paintings, Art by Sunel captures the softness and emotion of your day. Sunel also offers guest portraits that work beautifully as personalised wedding favours.
Based in Centurion, Gauteng
Instagram: @sunel_paintsweddings
Website: www.artbysunel.co.za
• The Wedding Painter SA
View this post on Instagram
Focused on live wedding and event painting, Karen transforms fleeting moments into lasting artworks that become meaningful home pieces long after the wedding day.
Instagram: @the_wedding_painter_sa
Website: www.liveweddingpaint.com
Caricature and portrait artists
• Cartoon portraits by Gary Carvalho
View this post on Instagram
Gary is a highly experienced caricature artist who creates quick, expressive portraits that entertain guests while offering a personalised keepsake. Ideal for cocktail hour or reception entertainment.
Instagram: @livecartoonportraits
Website: www.livecartoonportraits.com
• Ted Key Caricatures and illustration
View this post on Instagram
Ted offers a blend of live scene illustration and caricature portraits, capturing both atmosphere and personality. His work adds a creative, interactive element to weddings.
Instagram: @keycaricatures
Website: www.keycaricatures.com
• Besmitten Caricatures by Karina van der Walt
View this post on Instagram
Karina’s lively caricatures are full of personality and charm. Her work can be incorporated as guest entertainment or custom illustrated wedding keepsakes.
Instagram: @besmittencaricatures
Website: www.besmitten.co.za
• Martinus van Tee
View this post on Instagram
Known for his energetic and fast paced live caricature style, Martinus keeps guests engaged while producing fun, expressive artwork throughout the event.
Instagram: @martinusvantee
Website: www.martinusvantee.com
How to choose the right wedding artist
- Decide whether you want art as live entertainment, a keepsake for yourselves, or personalised favours for guests
Consider the artist’s style and how it complements your wedding aesthetic
Book early, especially for peak season dates
Think about placement during the day, such as cocktail hour or reception downtime
ALSO SEE: The rectangular wedding cake trend (and why we’re loving it)
The rectangular wedding cake trend (and why we’re loving it)
Feature image: Danielle Jordaan/Facebook
The Pont des Arts in Paris is commonly known by it’s other name, the Love Lock Bridge. People from around the world have flocked to this site to…
Adding a touch of childlike wonder to weddings for as long as we can remember, the flower girl is not only adorable but a much-loved wedding tradition too. While we often associate the moment with sweetness and innocence, the meaning and origin of the practice are rooted in much older customs.
There are two main ideas linked to this tradition. According to Reader’s Digest, it’s connected to themes of new beginnings and fertility (as many long-standing wedding traditions are), rather than romance.
In ancient Rome, marriages were often arranged and carried significant social purpose, including uniting families and ensuring a continuation of the family line. During these ceremonies, historic accounts describe young attendants accompanying the bride. A young girl would walk ahead of her, tossing grains or herbs to symbolise prosperity, good fortune, and protection.
As the centuries went on, the symbolism evolved with each era. Some medieval customs continued the idea of blessing the path ahead, often using herbs known for their associations with luck or protection. Over time, this slowly shifted into what we recognise today: little girls scattering petals or carrying blooms down the aisle.
Reader’s Digest also notes that having a young girl lead the procession came to represent the transition from childhood to womanhood — one reason why flower girls are often dressed in similar colours or styles to the bride.
Brides shares similar origins, adding that influences from both Roman and Greek traditions likely contributed to the early forms of this custom.
As the tradition developed further, the Elizabethan era embraced children in the wedding party as symbols of hope and innocence. Brides notes that this era strengthened the sentimental meaning behind including little ones.
By the time the Victorian era arrived, the flower girl had taken on a look much closer to the modern version. Petite baskets filled with flowers and delicate floral wreaths became popular, symbolising unending love and natural beauty.
Today, we still include children in our wedding parties, although the meaning has changed dramatically. Most couples no longer associate the role with fertility or symbolism around innocence — they simply enjoy the charm, fun, and family connection that a flower girl brings to the aisle. It’s become a sweet way to involve beloved nieces, nephews, or little family friends in one of life’s most special moments.
ALSO SEE: Flower Availability by Season and Locality: Plan Your Wedding Blooms Wisely
Flower Availability by Season and Locality: Plan Your Wedding Blooms Wisely
Image: Unsplash
Now that you’ve got the ring, you’ve said yes, and you’ve spread your great news, it’s time to celebrate! Your engagement party is the first of many celebrations…
Kim Cattrall has married her partner of nearly a decade, marking a joyful new chapter for the 69-year-old star best known for her role as Samantha Jones in Sex and the City.
The actress tied the knot with audio engineer Russell Thomas on 4 December in a small ceremony attended by just 12 guests. Styled by iconic Sex and the City costume designer Patricia Field, Cattrall’s wedding look added a nostalgic nod to the character that made her a global favourite.
Cattrall and Thomas first met in 2016 when she appeared on BBC Radio’s Woman’s Hour, where he was working behind the scenes. The pair kept in touch, began dating shortly after, and have been together for nine years. Thomas, 14 years younger than Cattrall, has been described by her as “a rebel” with a wicked sense of humour.
In a recent interview, she said their relationship is defined by its ease. “I’m very comfortable around him. He’s a firecracker… and he’s easy on the eyes,” she told People.
View this post on Instagram
A colourful romantic history
Cattrall has been married three times before. Her first marriage, to writer Larry Davis, was annulled in 1979. She went on to marry German architect Andre J. Lyson in 1982, with the couple divorcing seven years later. Her third marriage, to musician Mark Levinson, began in 1998 and included their much-publicised collaboration on the 2002 book Satisfaction: The Art of the Female Orgasm. They split in 2004.
Over the years, she has also been linked to notable figures, including Pierre Trudeau, Daniel Benzali, Gerald Casale and Bernard-Henri Lévy.
Open about a child-free life
Cattrall has long spoken honestly about choosing not to have children, explaining that maternal fulfilment can take many forms. “I am not a biological parent, but I am a parent,” she has said, citing her close relationships with mentees, nieces and nephews. In past essays, she noted that societal pressure once made her question her path, but ultimately she chose a life aligned with her instincts, not expectations.
A happy ending
After decades of navigating love in the public eye, Cattrall’s fourth marriage marks a fresh start with a partner she describes as both grounding and adventurous. Nearly 20 years after Sex and the City ended, the actress who embodied one of TV’s most commitment-averse characters appears to have found her perfect match — and a love story all her own.
ALSO SEE: Venus Williams shares the sweetest engagement moments
Written by Jade McGee for Woman&Home.
Feature image: Instagram/Kim Cattrall
Zesty, pretty and totally wedding-ready, these lemon mojito lollipops are the perfect addition to any celebration. Pop them into jars, scatter them across the snack table, or gift…
Round cakes will forever be classics, but 2025 belongs to the rectangle. Clean lines, modern edges, and a totally fresh silhouette… it’s the cake equivalent of a stylish reboot.
Modern, minimal, completely chic
Rectangular cakes just look contemporary. They photograph beautifully, suit almost any theme, and bring that polished, editorial feel couples are loving right now. Honestly? We can see this trend rolling right into 2026 (at least, we hope so).
A dream for cake artists
The long, flat surface is basically a mood board waiting to happen:
-
soft brushstrokes
-
subtle metallics
-
bold geometric patterns
-
delicate florals
More space means more creativity.
Practical in the best way
Neat slices. Easy serving. Zero fuss. If you have a big guest list, the rectangle has your back. And your caterer will thank you.
Style it your way
This shape works beautifully with:
-
minimalist white-on-white
-
dramatic colour contrasts
-
vintage piping (loving this comeback)
-
greenery and fresh florals
-
tall, stacked tiers for extra height
It’s versatile without trying too hard.
ALSO SEE: No Cake, No Bouquet Toss, No Rules, Couples Are Reinventing Weddings
No Cake, No Bouquet Toss, No Rules, Couples Are Reinventing Weddings
Feature image: Pinterest/Veranda Flowers