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
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There are many aspects of a destination wedding you should consider when planning one. Yes, it is your big day. You should be allowed the final say in what goes down over this period. Just remember, though, that the celebratory atmosphere of your wedding does depend, in part, on your guests having a good experience. They have given up part of their time, travelled a few miles, and spent quite a bit of money, to be there for you. So here’s some advice on how to make your destination wedding easier and more enjoyable for your guests.
Firstly, long before you do anything else, tell everyone about your plans to tie the knot overseas. Those you wish to invite need time to schedule the trip, and some might not be able to make it due to financial issues or prior engagements. It would be better if they declined long before you did the seating arrangements or decided who will be in the bridal party.
Now, once you know who’s definitely coming, don’t leave them hanging with regard to transport, directions and accommodation. Research what group rates are available for flights as well as hotel rooms. Definitely send them directions to the main venue, and in case transport might be difficult for them, organising a shuttle service would be a great favour.
Once your guests have arrived, make them feel welcome. A lovely little note left in plain sight on the bedspread or dressing table is always a good idea. A tiny gift, perhaps a small confection particular to the country you’re getting married in, would also go down well. In addition, you should probably give them products essential in dealing with that country’s climate and natural surroundings. Bug spray and sunscreen are good ideas if you’re tying the knot outdoors in the baking heat of a tropical paradise.
Lastly, while the wedding is the reason they came, it should not be the only activity on the weekend schedule. Organise something special for your guests, maybe a fun brunch or dinner at a nearby venue. This will be a good chance for your friends and family to touch base and catch up. After all, you do want all the special people in your life to get to know each other, and to get along, don’t you?
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Feature image: Pexels
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There is a certain kind of magic that lingers around weddings – the quiet anticipation before guests arrive, the soft rustle of dresses, the way flowers seem to open just a little fuller on the morning of the ceremony. It’s a day shaped by small, beautiful gestures. The scent of roses. The glow of candlelight. The people you love gathered in one place. And somewhere between those moments, Musgrave Pink Gin has found a home.
Musgrave Pink Gin carries a gentle blush tone that seems made for weddings. Infused with rosewater and botanicals, its fragrance is soft and floral, like freshly opened petals on a warm day. Couples often describe it as a drink that feels “alive” in photographs – the kind that blends naturally into pastel tablescapes, bouquets, and golden-hour lighting. It doesn’t shout for attention; it glows.
A Taste That Belongs in a Celebration
There’s something about the first sip of Musgrave that feels like a sigh – light, fragrant, graceful. It moves easily with rose, citrus, berries, and herbs, allowing each couple to create cocktails that feel personal to them. A welcome drink with floating rose petals. A toast shared under fairy lights. A cocktail hour that smells faintly of summer gardens.
Musgrave has a way of slipping into the rhythm of a wedding without trying. It feels familiar, romantic, and quietly special.
50ml Miniatures for the Ones Who Came to Celebrate You
There is a sweetness in giving something small yet meaningful to the guests who surround you. Musgrave’s 50ml miniatures have become a favourite for this reason. They rest beautifully at each place setting – tiny bottles of blush pink, tied with ribbon or a handwritten note, waiting to be discovered.
Guests pick them up, smile, turn them over in their hands. It’s a keepsake they can enjoy later, long after the music fades and the flowers are packed away. A reminder of the day they shared with you.
And in photographs? They add the softest, most romantic touch – a hint of colour, a little sparkle, a lovely detail among lace, glassware, and roses.
Where Beauty Meets Experience
Planners and photographers love Musgrave for more than its taste. It’s a visual thread they can weave through the day. A bottle in a flatlay beside pearls and stationery. A tray of pink cocktails catching the light. A bar setup that invites guests to pause, explore, and enjoy.
Musgrave doesn’t try to be the focus. It simply joins the celebration with quiet elegance, filling spaces with warmth and charm.
Part of Your Story
Every wedding has its own heartbeat – soft or loud, classic or playful. Musgrave seems to find its place in all of them. Perhaps it’s the colour, perhaps the rosewater, or perhaps the simple truth that some things just belong where love gathers.
Whether it’s poured into a welcome drink, offered as a gentle thank-you to your guests, or photographed beside your bouquet, Musgrave Pink Gin adds a small, graceful moment to a day full of big feelings.
Where to Find Musgrave
If these little bottles of blush-pink joy feel right for your wedding, we’d love to help. Send us a message on Instagram or Facebook at @musgravespirits for more information.
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Valentine’s Day calls for a solid lineup of romantic movies.
Here’s a list of ten romantic movies you need on your watchlist:
1. The Notebook (2004)
No Valentine’s list is complete without it. Noah and Allie’s love story is emotional, dramatic, and impossible to watch without tissues. Big feelings, big declarations, and a reminder that some loves never fade.
2. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
A modern romantic movie that blends glamour with real emotional stakes. Between the luxury, family pressure, and cultural expectations, this is a love story about choosing yourself as much as choosing your partner.
3. Before Sunrise (1995)
Two strangers meet on a train and decide to spend the night talking instead of saying goodbye. It’s dialogue-driven, intimate, and proof that connection doesn’t need grand gestures to feel meaningful.
4. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Sharp, funny, and endlessly quotable. This rom-com balances sarcasm with sincerity, giving us one of the most memorable love stories of the late ’90s — and a soundtrack to match.
5. La La Land (2016)
A romantic movie that leans into ambition and reality. It’s visually striking, emotionally layered, and asks the tough question: what happens when love and dreams don’t line up?
6. Pretty Woman (1990)
A modern fairytale with staying power. Julia Roberts brings warmth and humour to a love story that’s playful, charming, and unapologetically iconic.
7. Dirty Dancing (1987)
Set over one unforgettable summer, this film mixes first love, rebellion, and unforgettable dance scenes. Romantic, bold, and still as satisfying decades later.
8. Notting Hill (1999)
A bookstore owner, a famous actress, and a romance that feels awkward in the best way. Funny, self-aware, and quietly heartfelt, it’s a classic for a reason.
9. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
Fast-paced, ridiculous, and full of chemistry. This is a rom-com that knows exactly what it is — fun, chaotic, and perfect for a lighthearted Valentine’s watch.
10. Me Before You (2016)
A romantic movie that doesn’t play it safe. Emotional, thought-provoking, and guaranteed to leave you wrecked, it explores love, choice, and what it means to live fully.
11. Titanic (1997)
Jack and Rose. Epic, tragic, unforgettable. Enough said.
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Singer, businesswoman and media personality Amor Vittone is engaged. The star shared the happy news on social media on 28 January, posting a photo of her elegant engagement ring alongside the simple, heartfelt caption: “I said yes.”
The announcement was met with an outpouring of love, as fans and friends celebrated a new chapter for the multi-talented performer, who has long been a familiar and much-loved face in South African media. She is also widely known as the former wife of late Springbok rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen
A love story that began in pretoria
Amor Vittone’s fiancé is Marius van Biljon, a businessman, radio presenter and MC. The couple first crossed paths at Captain’s Island, Van Biljon’s family restaurant in Pretoria.
Their connection began professionally when Vittone performed at the restaurant, but it didn’t end there. She later returned for a Women’s Day celebration, and it was during these encounters that something more meaningful started to take shape.
Finding love after loss
For Van Biljon, this engagement marks a deeply significant new beginning. He was previously married to Shannon van Biljon, the late Mrs Pretoria Tshwane 2023, who passed away in July 2025 following a brief illness related to early-stage kidney failure.
The couple recently spoke about their story in an interview on Jacaranda FM, offering listeners a glimpse into how their relationship grew organically.
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Feature image: Amor Vittone/Facebook