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…
The ring bearer may have one small job on your wedding day, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make a big impression. While the traditional pageboy carrying a satin pillow remains a classic choice, modern couples are finding increasingly creative ways to get their rings down the aisle.
These cute ring bearer ideas are guaranteed to get guests smiling:
Let your dog steal the show
If your venue allows pets, why not let your furry family member take centre stage? A dog wearing a floral collar, bow tie or custom ring pouch can make for one of the most memorable moments of the ceremony.
Just make sure you have a designated handler nearby in case your four-legged ring bearer gets distracted by guests (or snacks).
Pass the rings through the crowd
One trend that’s been gaining popularity is turning the ring delivery into an interactive experience. Attach the rings securely to a ribbon or string and have guests pass them along the rows until they reach the front.
It’s fun, symbolic and a great way to make everyone feel involved in the ceremony.
A ring security team
This idea never fails to get laughs. Dress your ring bearers in suits and sunglasses and give them “Ring Security” badges or briefcases.
Bonus points if they walk down the aisle with serious expressions while guests try not to laugh.
Deliver them in a mini vehicle
For outdoor weddings, consider a miniature ride-on car, wagon or even a toy tractor carrying the rings.
This works particularly well for rustic, farm and garden weddings and makes for adorable photos.
A flower girl and ring bearer combo
Why choose one when you can combine both roles? Have your flower girl and ring bearer walk down the aisle together, sharing the responsibility.
It’s especially sweet for siblings, cousins or close family friends.
A ring bearer sign
Instead of carrying a pillow, your ring bearer can carry a sign with a message such as:
- “Here Comes Your Forever”
- “The Rings Are Here”
- “Last Chance to Run”
- “Almost Married”
The sign can add personality and a touch of humour to the ceremony.
Rings in a treasure chest
Perfect for beach weddings, travel-inspired celebrations or couples who love adventure.
A small wooden treasure chest adds a unique touch while keeping the rings secure.
Grandparents as ring bearers
Who says ring bearers have to be children? More couples are choosing grandparents for the role, creating a meaningful moment that often leaves guests reaching for tissues.
It’s a beautiful way to honour an important family member.
Let your cat participate
While admittedly more challenging than a dog, some couples have successfully included their feline friends in the ceremony.
If your cat enjoys attention and travel, a decorated pet stroller can help them make a grand entrance.
A drone delivery
For tech-loving couples, drones have even been used to deliver wedding rings.
This option requires careful planning, venue approval and a backup plan, but it’s certainly unforgettable.
ALSO SEE: Lab-grown vs natural diamonds: The ring question couples are asking in 2026
Lab-grown vs natural diamonds: The ring question couples are asking in 2026
Your wedding may be the main event, but your honeymoon is where everything finally slows down. After months (or years) of planning seating charts, RSVPs and outfit fittings,…
There’s something poetic about the final moments of a wedding.
Long after the vows have been exchanged, the speeches have wrapped and the dance floor has emptied, your grand getaway becomes the closing scene – the moment guests remember driving home and the one that often ends up in the final frames of your wedding album.
Yet strangely, it’s also one of the most overlooked parts of wedding planning.
Back in the day, a decorated getaway car and a handful of tied-on tins felt like enough. Today’s couples are approaching their exits differently. The trend isn’t necessarily bigger or louder – it’s more intentional, more personal and designed to feel like an extension of the celebration rather than an afterthought.
Here’s how to leave your wedding in a way that feels unforgettable.
Match the exit to the energy of your day
The most memorable exits aren’t random. A black-tie city wedding may call for a vintage car moment under glowing streetlights, while a vineyard celebration might feel better suited to a lantern-lit walk through the vines.
Think of your exit as the final sentence of your wedding story. If your celebration leaned playful and social, your send-off should feel high-energy. If your day felt intimate and romantic, choose something quieter and cinematic.
The goal isn’t to impress guests – it’s to create emotional continuity.
Reimagine the classic getaway car
The vintage car exit remains timeless for a reason. But couples are styling them differently now: personalised signage, monochrome ribbon details, florals that mirror the tablescape and editorial-style photography that feels more fashion campaign than tradition.
For destination weddings, local transport is becoming part of the storytelling too – whether that’s a coastal vehicle, a retro bus or something tied to the setting itself.
Your transport doesn’t need to be extravagant. It just needs to feel considered.
The sparkler exit still works – but smarter
Few wedding moments photograph as beautifully as a sparkler tunnel. But today’s couples are making practical adjustments: longer sparklers for timing, coordinated guest positioning and designated organisers to keep the moment smooth instead of chaotic.
Before committing, confirm venue policies and fire restrictions. And if flames aren’t practical? There are alternatives.
Think:
- Bubbles
- Ribbon wands
- Glow sticks
- Biodegradable confetti
- Dried flower petals
- Streamers
Eco-conscious send-offs are becoming increasingly popular, especially as couples prioritise lower-waste celebrations.
The private last dance is quietly becoming the luxury move
One of the most talked-about shifts in modern weddings isn’t actually an exit at all. It’s the private last dance.
Once guests move outside to prepare for the send-off, couples stay behind for one final song together in an empty reception space – no cameras in your face, no hosting duties, no timeline pressure. Just a minute to absorb what just happened.
It feels cinematic. And for couples who spent months planning, it creates something rare on the wedding day: stillness.
Outfit changes are changing the getaway moment too
The rise of second bridal looks has created a whole new category of grand exits.
Mini dresses, tailored white sets, sleek satin silhouettes and comfortable statement shoes are increasingly becoming the final look of the night – especially for couples heading into after-parties.
Your exit outfit doesn’t need to replace your dress. It simply gives your wedding a final chapter.
Remember: your guests want a moment, not a production
Interestingly, couples are moving away from exits that feel performative and towards moments that feel emotionally memorable. Weddings in 2026 are leaning into experiences that prioritise connection over spectacle.
That means the best getaway isn’t necessarily fireworks.
Sometimes it’s walking hand in hand through your favourite people while they cheer. Sometimes it’s sneaking away quietly. Sometimes it’s one final dance before the lights come up.
The final send-off
You spend months thinking about how to arrive – but how you leave deserves equal attention.
Your grand getaway is more than transport. It’s the final feeling your guests take home and your first moment stepping into married life together.
Make it feel like an ending worth remembering.
ALSO SEE: Ten creative ways to exit your wedding
Feature image: Pinterest
For years, wedding photography was all about polished perfection. Every detail was curated, every frame colour-graded, every candid moment somehow still looked planned. Now? Couples are deliberately inviting…
Reality TV favourites Giannina Gibelli and Blake Horstmann are officially married. According to People, the Love Is Blind star and The Bachelorette alum celebrated their wedding with a multi-day destination affair in Croatia, surrounded by close friends, family and fellow reality TV personalities.
The couple exchanged vows on 20 June in Rovinj, a picturesque coastal town on Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula. Nearly 100 guests attended the celebrations, which stretched across several days and even included a stop in Venice, Italy, before the wedding weekend officially began.
Why Croatia?
For Gibelli, the destination held special significance. The reality star reportedly fell in love with Croatia years before meeting Horstmann and always envisioned getting married there. The celebrations began in Venice, where guests enjoyed a welcome gathering before making their way to Croatia for the main event.
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A family-centred ceremony
The outdoor ceremony took place on St. Andrew’s Island, just off the coast of Rovinj. Gibelli walked down the aisle in a couture gown by Galia Lahav, while Horstmann was accompanied by his mother. One of the sweetest details of the day was the inclusion of the couple’s two-year-old son, Heath, who served as ring bearer.
A love story that started on reality TV
While both found fame on different reality dating shows, Gibelli and Horstmann actually met while filming All Star Shore in 2022. Their relationship quickly blossomed, leading to the birth of their son Heath in 2024. Later that year, Horstmann proposed during a romantic trip to Madrid.
ALSO SEE: Sue Duminy shares her engagement news
Source: People
Feature image: Giannina/Instagram
There’s a certain point in wedding planning where romance quietly exits the room and spreadsheets move in. Guest lists stretch. Venue capacities shrink. Budgets become suspiciously personal. And…