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 wedding costs skyrocket or you’re obsessing over every little detail to ensure that everything goes the way you’ve pictured it, feeling overwhelmed is guaranteed to happen if you’re not careful.
Thankfully, this isn’t something new and there are endless resources to help the modern bridal couple looking to keep costs and anxiety low.
If you’re looking for a dreamy honeymoon destination, try taking a peek in your own backyard. The glittering sands of the South of France, or the azure-blue waters…
Some proposals are beautiful. Some are emotional. And then there are the rare ones that somehow belong to everyone who witnesses them.
Aqib and Laiqah’s engagement at Maiden’s Cove in Cape Town has become one of South Africa’s most talked-about love stories. Sure, the romantic setting played a role, but it’s also because of what unfolded around them: a spontaneous, overwhelming wave of celebration from complete strangers.
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The moment was captured by photographer Bianca Asher, who later shared the full behind-the-scenes story on her blog. What was meant to be an intimate seaside proposal quickly turned into something far more unexpected, eventually gaining more than 64 000 likes on Instagram and becoming a powerful example of Ubuntu in action.
When Aqib reached out to me a few months ago to plan his proposal I don’t think either of us could have imagined how everything would unfold. We went back and forth on location ideas – with the main focus being on a beautiful backdrop and catching Laiqah’s reaction. When I arrived at Maiden’s Cove I saw a lot of tour busses and even more people, which was not in the plan of a quiet proposal shoot. Aqib and Laiqah were down the road at Plato grabbing coffees as the decoy plan to go on a walk for the proposal. I was in comms with Aqib and tentatively changing the location to somewhere quieter, but as I was waiting the crowds dispersed around the cove. When he messaged to let me know he was a few minutes out – I just asked a handful of students who were directly in my shot if they wouldn’t mind moving for a few minutes while I captured the moment. They were really excited and asked if they could watch and I said of course, just act natural. I don’t know exactly what happened but I’m assuming a few texts were sent out to other students who were there and as Aqib dropped to his knee – these huge cheers broke out behind us. It was the most incredible moment of Ubuntu and celebration between strangers.
Instead of the usual quiet anticipation that surrounds a proposal shoot, the cove erupted into cheers as Aqib dropped to one knee, turning an already emotional moment into a shared celebration between strangers, students, tourists and passersby.
I’m getting goosebumps just typing out what happened. It’s hard to explain how beautiful it is when a community comes together to celebrate strangers. I’ve been capturing proposals for years and I love being part of the best days of people’s lives – but this was something I’ll never forget. There’s nothing like the incredible spirit of South African’s coming together to celebrate joy. Everyone is asking for an invite to the wedding so it seems like we’ll need a stadium to pull this off. It would be incredible to keep this good cause going and raise funds for charities while celebrating their love. If any brands and vendors are keen to get involved – reach out in the comments or email me.
The reaction online has been just as warm as the moment itself, with South Africans embracing Aqib and Laiqah as “their” couple.
At its heart, this proposal story is a reminder of how quickly strangers can become a community when something real and joyful unfolds in front of them. And in this case, that joy happened to be two people saying yes to forever, framed by the Atlantic Ocean and a chorus of unexpected cheers.
When it comes to finding “the one” and having that movie-magic moment where your bridesmaids break into a sob after just one look of you in the perfect…
The wedding exit photo is an important one! It symbolises you, as a newly-wed couple, taking your first steps out into the world as a unit. Many couples go all out for wedding exists, from leaving in a tractor to escaping in a helicopter.
If you want to keep it simple but still make it special there are tons of options too! There’s no need to stress about an over-the-top exist that, in the end, burns an unnecessary hole in your pocket.
Here are some simple but stunning ideas to inspire you:
Classic:
(Many people are now against confetti and instead use biodegradable versions like this couple who are using “Floralfetti”)
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Sparklers:
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Bubbles:
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Through your bridal party:
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Ribbons:
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Light Sabers:
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Pom-poms:
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Glow sticks:
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Sports references:
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Flower petals:
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ALSO SEE: What is an Irish exit?
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Mr and Mrs seem like given titles for those that choose to walk down the aisle and say ‘I do’. Have you ever wondered where these titles come…
Couples are moving away from rigid traditions and Pinterest-perfect pressure, choosing instead to create celebrations that actually feel like them.
Here are the biggest wedding micro trends set to define 2026.
Tiny guest lists are becoming the norm
One of the clearest shifts for 2026? Couples are trimming their guest lists dramatically.
Instead of inviting every distant cousin, old school friend, and obligatory plus-one, many couples are choosing to celebrate with only their nearest and dearest. Smaller weddings not only feel more intimate, but they also allow couples to spend quality time with every guest rather than rushing through quick greetings all night.
There’s also the budget factor. With wedding costs continuing to rise, many couples would rather host 40 people beautifully than stretch their budget across 150 guests they barely see.
Other priorities are winning over huge weddings
Another major shift? Couples are prioritising what comes after the wedding day.
Instead of pouring every cent into a single event, many are scaling back on decor, guest numbers, or extravagant formalities so they can invest in a dream honeymoon, a home deposit, renovations, or future financial goals.
For some, that means a chic courthouse wedding followed by two weeks in Italy. For others, it’s a backyard celebration that makes room in the budget for safari lodges, island escapes, or finally buying furniture that isn’t “temporary.”
There’s a growing understanding that the wedding is one day, but the marriage, honeymoon memories, and home life last much longer.
Smaller ceremonies, bigger celebrations
Long, formal ceremonies are slowly falling out of favour. Many couples are now opting for intimate vow exchanges — sometimes completely private — before inviting guests to join them purely for the celebration afterwards.
Rather than spending an hour seated through formalities, guests arrive straight into the atmosphere: cocktails flowing, music playing, candles glowing, and food stations already open.
Multi-day weddings are becoming more relaxed
Interestingly, while guest lists are shrinking, many celebrations are stretching over an entire weekend — just in a far less formal way.
Think welcome pizzas the night before, a wedding day that feels like a dinner party, and a relaxed poolside brunch the next morning. It’s less “packed itinerary” and more quality time with the people closest to you.
Destination weddings within South Africa are also playing into this trend, with couples turning wine farms, coastal cottages, bush lodges, and countryside escapes into full weekend experiences.
One statement ring instead of two
Traditional engagement ring and wedding band pairings are slowly being replaced by one standout piece.
Rather than stacking multiple rings, many couples are investing in a single ring they genuinely want to wear every day.
Wedding cakes are getting weird
Minimal white tiered cakes are making way for cakes that look more like sculptural art pieces.
Couples are leaning into textured icing, unusual shapes, metallic finishes, asymmetrical layers, vintage piping, oversized bows, and cakes inspired by everything from candle wax to retro desserts.
Some couples are even skipping traditional cakes entirely in favour of giant tiramisus, croquembouches, crème brûlée towers, pavlovas, or nostalgic desserts with elevated presentation.
Candles are outshining flowers
Florals will always have a place at weddings, but they’re no longer the main character.
Couples are creating moodier, more layered tablescapes with candles, fruit, vintage decor pieces, coloured glassware, interesting ceramics, and personal objects taking centre stage. The overall look feels less like a styled shoot and more like an incredibly beautiful dinner party.
Mismatched table settings are especially popular, adding warmth and personality to receptions.
And candle-heavy receptions? They photograph beautifully.
Traditional gift registries are fading away
Formal wedding registries are quietly losing favour, especially among couples who already live together before marriage.
Instead of asking for cookware or matching serving spoons, many couples are opting for honeymoon contributions, charitable donations, personalised keepsakes, experiences, or meaningful locally made gifts.
ALSO SEE: 5 Magical wedding venues in the heart of Gauteng
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They say red is the colour of love and passion, making it a fitting choice for a wedding day. Bold, dramatic and undeniably romantic, red wedding cakes are…