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.
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Modern weddings are changing – and fast. Couples are rethinking everything from formal seating plans to bouquet tosses, choosing experiences and intentional details over traditions that no longer feel relevant to them. And somewhere in the middle of that conversation sits the question of wedding thank-you gifts.
Are they still a meaningful gesture guests appreciate? Or have they quietly become another wedding expense couples feel pressured to include?
The truth is wedding favours are no longer the automatic “must-have” they once were. But that does not necessarily mean they are outdated either.
Why wedding thank-you gifts became such a staple
Wedding favours have long symbolised gratitude, good luck and appreciation. Traditionally, couples would gift guests small keepsakes as a way of thanking them for being part of the celebration.
Over the years, those gifts evolved into everything from personalised candles and chocolates to miniature olive oil bottles, succulents and custom keyrings. For a while, wedding favours became almost expected – another detail on the never-ending wedding planning checklist.
But couples are approaching weddings differently now. Budgets are being prioritised more intentionally, guest experiences are taking centre stage, and many couples are asking themselves whether certain traditions still feel meaningful.
Guests remember the feeling more than the favour
Here’s the reality: most guests are far more likely to remember the atmosphere of your wedding than the physical favour they took home.
They will remember:
- The energy on the dance floor
- The incredible food
- The emotional ceremony
- The thoughtful hosting
- The way your wedding felt personal and true to you
That does not mean thank-you gifts cannot add something special – they absolutely can. But the pressure to include them simply because “everyone does” is slowly disappearing.
And honestly? Guests are not usually leaving a wedding disappointed because they did not receive a monogrammed candle.
The modern shift toward intentional gifting
The biggest wedding trend right now is intentionality – and thank-you gifts are no exception.
Couples are moving away from generic favours that get left behind on reception tables and leaning toward gifts that feel more personal, practical or experience-driven instead.
Some of the most popular ideas include:
- Late-night snack stations
- Handwritten thank-you notes
- Mini local treats or cultural products
- Recovery kits for the next morning
- Personalised drink stirrers or place settings guests can keep
- Photo booth prints or Polaroid moments
In many cases, the “gift” is becoming part of the overall guest experience rather than a separate wedding tradition.
When wedding favours still work beautifully
There are still plenty of weddings where thank-you gifts feel incredibly thoughtful and well-suited to the celebration.
They tend to work especially well when:
- The wedding is intimate and highly personalised
- Guests are travelling long distances
- The couple wants to honour cultural traditions
- The favour ties naturally into the wedding aesthetic
- The gift feels useful or genuinely memorable
Destination weddings often benefit from welcome bags or locally inspired gifts that help guests feel looked after from the moment they arrive.
Couples are no longer afraid to skip traditions
One of the best things about current weddings is that couples are becoming far more comfortable choosing what matters to them.
Not every wedding needs:
- A cake cutting
- Matching bridesmaid dresses
- A bouquet toss
- Wedding favours
- Or even a perfectly traditional timeline
The pressure to “do everything” is fading – and weddings are becoming better for it.
If thank-you gifts fit naturally into your budget and vision, they can absolutely elevate the experience. But if they feel forced, unnecessary or financially stressful, couples should feel completely comfortable skipping them.
So… outdated tradition or wedding must-have?
Wedding thank-you gifts are no longer an expectation – and perhaps that is exactly why the meaningful ones still stand out.
The modern approach is less about obligation and more about thoughtfulness. If your favours genuinely reflect your personality, your guests or your wedding experience, they can still leave a lasting impression.
But at the end of the day, guests will always remember how your wedding made them feel far more than the gift they carried home.
ALSO SEE: 6 DIY thank-you gifts that won’t break the bank
Featured image: Pinterest
There was a time when walking down the aisle in anything other than crisp ivory or bridal white would have caused a few gasps from the front row.…
Choosing wedding bands used to feel fairly straightforward: walk into a jewellery store, choose a classic gold band and leave with a matching set before the afternoon was over. But much like weddings themselves, the process has become far more personal. Today’s couples are approaching wedding bands with a different mindset. Beyond tradition, there’s now a stronger focus on individuality, lifestyle and finding pieces that feel reflective of the relationship itself. For some, that means timeless matching bands. For others, it’s mixed metals, custom engravings or completely different styles altogether.
There’s no single “right” way to do it anymore – and honestly, that’s what makes the process feel more meaningful. From practical considerations to personal style, here’s a modern guide to choosing wedding bands together.
Start with lifestyle before aesthetics
As tempting as it is to fall straight into Pinterest boards and jewellery inspiration videos, the first thing couples should consider is everyday life. A ring may look beautiful in a velvet box, but how does it fit into your actual routine? Someone who works with their hands daily may prioritise durability and comfort, while someone else may lean towards something more delicate or design focused. Because while aesthetics matter, these are pieces meant to be worn long after the wedding photos have been posted and the flowers have wilted.
Matching bands are no longer the expectation
One of the biggest shifts in modern wedding jewellery is the move away from perfectly matching rings. Many couples are now choosing bands that complement one another rather than mirror each other exactly. Think different metals within the same design family, varying textures or completely different widths that still feel cohesive together. For some couples, matching bands feel symbolic and sentimental. For others, choosing individual styles feels more authentic to who they are. Neither approach is more romantic than the other.
Think about how the wedding band works with the engagement ring
For brides who wear their engagement ring daily, the wedding band needs to work alongside it rather than compete with it. Some prefer a seamless stacked look, while others intentionally choose contrasting bands to create more dimension and personality. Curved bands, pavé details and mixed-metal combinations continue to grow in popularity for exactly this reason. Trying rings on together also makes a noticeable difference. What works beautifully on its own can feel completely different once paired alongside an engagement ring.
Metal choice matters more than most people realise
Gold remains a classic favourite, but modern couples are becoming far more experimental with materials and finishes. Yellow gold continues to dominate thanks to its warm, vintage-inspired appeal, while platinum and white gold offer a cleaner, more contemporary look. Rose gold still offers a softer, romantic feel, while matte finishes, brushed textures and black titanium bands are becoming increasingly popular amongst couples wanting something slightly less traditional. There’s also been a growing interest in heirloom redesigns, incorporating sentimental family jewellery into modern pieces that still carry emotional significance.
Budget conversations are part of the process
Wedding bands may seem like a smaller detail compared to venues, florals or fashion, but costs can escalate quickly – especially once customisation enters the picture. Having honest conversations around budget early on makes the entire process far less stressful. For some couples, investing in bespoke craftsmanship or premium metals feels worthwhile. For others, practicality and longevity matter more than luxury branding. At the end of the day, the goal is not to impress people. It’s to choose rings that feel sustainable, personal and true to your relationship.
Engravings are becoming far more personal
Classic initials and wedding dates will always have their place, but couples are finding more creative ways to personalise their bands. Coordinates, private phrases, voice-note soundwaves and meaningful lyrics are turning wedding bands into deeply personal keepsakes rather than purely symbolic pieces. And often, it’s those small details that end up meaning the most years later.
Don’t rush the decision
Despite how fast-paced wedding planning can feel, choosing wedding bands should never feel rushed. Visit different jewellers. Try on styles you wouldn’t normally consider. Ask questions about maintenance, resizing and durability. And most importantly, choose rings that feel like an honest reflection of both of you – not simply whatever happens to be trending online at the moment.
Beyond the wedding day
At its core, choosing wedding bands together is less about tradition and more about intention.
Some couples will choose timeless matching bands, while others will gravitate towards completely different styles that simply feel right for them individually. There’s no perfect formula anymore — and that’s part of what makes modern weddings feel far more personal than they once did. The best wedding bands are not necessarily the trendiest or most expensive pieces in the room. They’re the ones that still feel like you years from now: comfortable, meaningful and chosen with care.
Because long after the seating charts, floral installations and reception playlists fade into memory, these are the pieces that stay with you every single day.
SEE MORE: Alternative engagement ring stones
Featured image: Pinterest
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Choosing a wedding photographer feels almost as important as choosing your life partner – and honestly, it makes sense that it would. Long after the flowers have wilted and the dance floor has emptied, your wedding photos become one of the few ways you get to relive the feeling of the day all over again.
Beyond beautifully posed portraits, the right photographer knows how to capture emotion, atmosphere and all the in-between moments that often end up meaning the most. Every photographer tells a love story differently. Some lean into cinematic storytelling, others favour documentary-style candids or fashion-inspired portraiture – and finding someone whose style fits your personality and aesthetic can feel a little overwhelming.
So, we did the deep dive for you. From editorial elegance to warm, emotive storytelling, here are 11 South African wedding photographers we think every couple should have on their radar.
Wynand Van Der Merwe
If cinematic storytelling is your thing, Wynand Van Der Merwe’s work is guaranteed to stop you mid-scroll. His photography feels emotional without trying too hard, balancing modern editorial composition with genuinely intimate moments. The result? Wedding galleries that feel timeless, elegant and incredibly personal.
- Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng.
- Website: Wedding Photography by Wynand van der Merwe Johannesburg Cape Town
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Nathan Prahl-Andresen
Nathan Prahl-Andresen captures weddings in a way that feels effortless and deeply human. His documentary-style approach focuses less on perfectly posed moments and more on authentic connection, creating imagery that feels natural, cinematic and full of emotion.
- Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng.
- Website: https://www.theprahlandresens.com/
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Anandi Kirsten
With soft tones, romantic composition and a refined editorial edge, Anandi Kirsten’s photography feels both modern and timeless. Her work has a way of making every frame feel intentional while still preserving the emotion and energy of the moment itself.
- Location: Pretoria, Gauteng.
- Website: https://www.anandiphotography.com/
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Alysha Bannister
Alysha Bannister’s photography leans into warmth, emotion and storytelling in the most natural way. Her galleries feel relaxed and intimate, capturing not only the big moments but also the smaller details and candid interactions couples often treasure most.
- Location: Dolphin Coast, KwaZulu-Natal.
- Website: https: https://capturedbylysh.wixsite.com/captured-by-lysh
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Graeme Deacon
Through The Frames Collection, Graeme Deacon brings a polished editorial feel to wedding photography. His work blends striking composition with genuine emotion, resulting in imagery that feels elevated, fashion-forward and effortlessly contemporary.
- Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
- Website: https://theframes.co.za/
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Kayla Otto
Kayla Otto’s work through Misty Kisses Photography feels soft, romantic and deeply heartfelt. Known for dreamy colour tones and natural light imagery, her photography captures weddings with a warmth that feels both personal and timeless.
- Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
- Website: https: https://mistykissesphotography.co.za/
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Leon Jiber
Bold, cinematic and emotionally immersive – Leon Jiber’s photography has a way of making every wedding feel like a beautifully curated visual story. His editorial-inspired style paired with authentic storytelling creates imagery that feels modern without losing the emotion behind each moment.
- Location: Cape Town, Western Cape.
- Website: https://jiberweddings.co.za/
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Louise Meyer
Louise Meyer brings a fashion-inspired perspective to wedding photography, blending editorial portraiture with real emotion and connection. Her work feels artistic yet effortless, making every gallery look straight out of a modern bridal campaign.
- Location: Cape Town, Western Cape.
- Website: https://www.lootsinfashion.com/
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Talita Luff
Talita Luff’s work through Inka Photography is filled with emotion, atmosphere and cinematic detail. Her storytelling style captures weddings in a way that feels immersive and intentional, balancing artistry with authenticity beautifully.
- Location: Cape Town, Western Cape.
- Website: https://www.inka.co.za/
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Lotty H.
For couples dreaming of something a little less traditional, Lotty H. specialises in adventurous elopements and intimate destination weddings that feel cinematic, immersive and deeply personal. Her work blends breathtaking landscapes with emotionally driven storytelling, creating imagery that feels equal parts editorial and wildly authentic.
- Location: Cape Town / South Africa-based destination photographer
- Website: https://lottyh.com/
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Lauren Pretorius
For couples drawn to soft, romantic imagery, Lauren Pretorius’ photography delivers exactly that. Her use of natural light and understated composition creates timeless galleries that feel elegant, effortless and emotionally rich.
- Location: Cape Town, Western Cape.
- Website: https://www.laurenpretoriusphotography.co.za/
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Mary-Anne De Jager
Mary-Anne De Jager’s photography focuses on connection, emotion and storytelling in its most authentic form. Her work captures both the energy of celebration and the quieter in-between moments, preserving weddings in a way that feels deeply personal and genuine.
- Location: Cape Town, Western Cape.
- Website: https: https://mary-annephotography.mypixieset.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnFY3gcs1iaHuju43hzq9SbB_9dMzpYxNh7DVBSmR9FuKq1s_mR0M5uSNdwok_aem_SynIuqBvWgIObRUBIkJWGg
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Whether you love documentary-style storytelling, editorial portraiture or dreamy romantic imagery, choosing the right wedding photographer ultimately comes down to finding someone whose work feels like you. Because at the end of it all, the best wedding photographs don’t just capture how the day looked — they capture how it felt.
ALSO SEE: Things your wedding photographer wish you knew
Featured Image: Pinterest