More and more young couples are moving away from wedding traditions. From having both parents and siblings walk the bride down the aisle, to not throwing the bouquet, and now swopping out wedding bands for tattoos.
Everyone loves a rose, a hydrangea, stargazer lilies or orchids in their wedding bouquets. These exquisite flowers are staples in many a flower arrangement but dare we say, they’re outdated?
If you’re looking to bring some flair to your flowers, make your bouquet out of these gorgeous indigenous flowers:
The King Protea
Yes, yes this is not a revelation and has been popular in many a bouquet. It’s easy to see why, though. The National Flower of South Africa is a seriously beautiful plant that deserves a spot in your flower arrangements.
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Impala lily
St Joseph’s and stargazers are spectacular, we can’t deny it. The pollen, while fragrant, will leave a whole mess on your white dress. Switch it out for some beautiful impala lilies, which will bring the best of the white and pink to your bunch.
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Yellow arum lily
If you really want to make a statement, pop a few yellow arrum lilies into your bouquet. These beautiful plants look otherworldly and the colour is captivating.
Watsonia
If you want to splash some pink into the mix, the elegant and dainty watsonia is your plant. These flowers are subtle yet sophisticated and will tie your flower arrangement together.
Barberton daisy
These robust beauties come in many different colours, so the choice is yours. In the South African context though, this specific flower is bright red, giving your bouquet an edge.
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Agapanthus or lily of the Nile
While not only found in South Africa, the lily of the Nile is common in many gardens across the country. These flowers bloom in purple and white, so if you want to tone your bouquet up or down, this is your flower.
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Sunflowers
Cute and quirky, sunflowers are a marvellous plant. Again they are not endemic to South Africa (we know) but they beloved by us. A bouquet of sunflowers could be a simple yet bold move.
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Dried English lavender
Dried bouquets are a massive wedding trend. If you’re looking to keep things neutral and want to add a hint of colour to your flowers, opt for some dried English lavender. It still retains some of the deep purple but without being over the top.
Pampas grass
This versatile, South American plant can be used in so many ways throughout your wedding. They can be shaped, twisted and dyed to suit your wedding colour theme. They will also add an effortless elegance and feathery femininity to your bouquet.
Tip: Consult with your florist as to when these flowers are in season and what their availability is. Some may not bloom en masse, making it tricky to hero it for the entire flower ensemble.
ALSO SEE: Blooming Innovation: The Rise of Bridal Bag Bouquets & 2025 Bouquet Trends
Blooming Innovation: The Rise of Bridal Bag Bouquets & 2025 Bouquet Trends
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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 immortalise their love for their partner by clipping a padlock on the railing and throwing the key into the Seine river below.
Love lock bridges are not exclusive to Paris but are found around the globe. According to City Wonders, the first love lock bridge was actually in Hungary.
The urban legend of how the concept of love lock bridges started dates back to World War 1. The story goes that a woman who lost her love during the war began placing padlocks on the bridges where they would meet. The locks were symbolic of her unbreakable love.
In Paris, people had been placing padlocks on the Pont des Arts since 2008. Unfortunately though, the weight of all the locks began causing structural damage to the bridge. By 2015, city officials removed all the locks from the bridge to prevent the bridge from collapsing.
Paris has also put an official ban on placing locks on bridges. Of course this hasn’t really stopped people from doing it anyway.
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Engagement rings stacked with stones are not a new idea, however, incorporating a more clustered design has exploded in popularity.
Ever since Emily Rajakowsi showed off her unique, bold ring, combining stones together in a unique way has become acceptable and even more admired than the standard solitaire.
Clustered rings come in all shapes and designs but are especially great if you want to incorporate coloured stones into your ring, rather than the standard diamonds.
We’ve pulled a few cluster creations to inspire and surprise you.
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Picture: Black Betty/ Instagram
There are two reasons why people come to a wedding, other than to celebrate eternal love of course. Those two reasons are: Free food and free booze.
Alcohol and food go hand-in-hand in that you want to ensure your guests have lined their stomachs enough before the drinking begins.
There is an art though, to ensure all your guests dietary requirements are met. While you can make exceptions for the mains, the grazing table is a beast of its own.
You have to consider the vegetarians, vegans, carnivores, gluten-free, sugar-free and everything else in between-free.
To kill 6 birds with one table, here are some tips on what to include in the ultimate grazing table, without anything going to waste.
1. Cheese and crackers
No this is not the most boring combination on Earth. Cheese and crackers are the unsung hero of a grazing table. You’ve essentially covered every single dietary requirement except the vegans. Wheels of cheese are not only the thing dreams are made of but they are also super helpful in feeding en mass. Throw in some vegan cheese options, salt and pepper, rye and gluten-free cracker options and voila! A feast is born.
2. Fruit that isn’t fermented
Wine is a guarantee on the day but the only grapes on the grazing table should not be fermented. Red grapes pair with literally anything, especially cheese, to add a bit of sweetness. If you want to add more pzaz than the old faithful grapes, consider some aesthetically pleasing fruits that won’t grow warm and overripe. Most berries such as blueberries, raspberries, gooseberries and strawberries look beautiful on a massive table. Seasonal availability will need to be considered. If you’re having a Summer wedding, think mangoes, litchis, watermelon, sliced white nectarines and other stone fruit. The options are endless. It gives the vegans a variety of yummy foods to choose from too.
3. Cold meat’s a treat!
Cold meat cuts are generally a crowd pleaser for those who still consume them. Anything Italian or German is sure to go down well. The meat section of your grazing table will pair nicely with the cheese section, so long as it is nowhere near the vegan cheese options. The protein will help to subdue the hunger pangs enough for the long wait that is the post-wedding ceremony photoshoot.
4. The side pieces
The only side piece one wants at their wedding are those awkward foods that make up a grazing table. Thing gherkins, capers, carrot and cucumber sticks, saucers of olives, baby tomatoes, lemon slices: Those sorts of fruit and veg that aren’t necessarily aesthetically pleasing but can act as a glorified cracker or filling nonetheless.
4. It’s all about the SAUCE!
Sauces are essential on a grazing table. While they don’t necessarily need to be their own separate amenity, honey drizzles over some figs, some sweet chili over the chevin, and a patê or 5 will go down very well. They also force guests to pair it with a carb, or glorified cracker, which will help line the stomachs BB (Before Booze).
5. Extra additions
If you want to spoil your guests, throw in a few freshly baked breads sliced to perfection. Bread will load them up with carbs and essentially get your guests to consume more of the toppings, so nothing goes to waste on the day!
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Celebrities are quick to tie the knot after announcing an engagement. Some very high-profile people, though, took their time to say ‘I do’.
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth
Engagement length: 6 years
Miley and Liam were the epitome of teenage romance, having met on the set of The Last Song. The pair were on and off for a number of years and in 2012, they got engaged. After a few tumultuous years following their engagement, the pair tied the knot in 2018. Sadly the marriage was short lived and Liam filed for divorce less than a year later.
Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux
Engagement time: 3 years
The pair got engaged in 2012, after Justin asked Jen to marry him on her 41st birthday. The couple then wed in 2015 in an intimate ceremony. Three years later, in 2018 the couple got divorced for mutual reasons.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
Engagement time: 2 years
Brad and Ange were together for seven years before getting engaged in 2012. Brad famously divorced Jen Aniston for Ange, who he co-starred with in Mr and Mrs Smith. The rumour is that he cheated on Jen with Ange but who really knows? Ange and Brad married in 2014 and divorced in 2016. Let this be a lesson on starting a relationship borne in infidelity kids!
Kate Hudson and Matt Bellamy
Engagement time: 3 years
The Queen Kate Hudson never actually married her finacé Matt Bellamy. The pair were engaged a year after meeting back in 2011 and share a son. After a 3 year engagement, the pair went their own way in 2014.
Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard
Engagement time: 4 years
The power pair who are Kirsten Bell and Dax Shepard, were engaged for 4 years. In 2010 Dax popped the question but, being the amazing humans they are, they waited until same-sex marriage became legal in California in 2013. They are still going strong today.
If a wedding you were supposed to attend has been cancelled, you can still celebrate from afar. A social distanced celebration is the new norm and these gifts are a thoughtful token.
1. Flowers
Yes it’s generic but a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a bonsai tree or an array of succulents will add a pop of colour to home of the soon-to-be married couple. It will also serve as a daily reminder that you are thinking of them. NetFlorist has ample plants to choose from and they do delivery so you don’t have to.
2. A box of delicious treats
Granadilla Eats is your one-stop online shop for sustainably sourced food. You can help support a small business and farmer while sending your friends a delicious box of goodies. Chocolate makes everything better and a custom box will help your friends to make peace with their decision to cancel.
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3. A box of booze
Yuppie Chef offers boxes of premium wines that can be delivered to the future Mrs and Mr. It’ll be a delicious addition to their collection and is a really great gift, who doesn’t love wine? They could even keep a bottle aside until their wedding day which can be shared between you and them, making for a special and sentimental moment.
4. A couples spa voucher
Lots of spas around the country are offering specials on spa treatments, you just need to do some digging. A couples massage would be a dream of a present and allow the couple to really chill out.
5. A gift from their registry
This may not be the most original idea but a gift from the couple’s wedding registry is sure to go down well. There is safety in this option as you know that whatever gift you choose, the couple wants it and will be happy.
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Scrunchies are a timeless accessory that have been shifted from decade to decade as a must-own item. A scrunchie can be worn as a stand-out hair accessory throughout your bridal party, to add an extra flair to your wedding day.
Barbara’s Scrunchies is a small business owned by Barbara Lephuthing (39) from Dunoon, Cape Town. She hand makes an array of these beautiful hair accessories to help build a better future for her two children.
Her scrunchies can be ordered online and delivered anywhere in South Africa. She has an incredible selection of scrunchies that will add a sense of originality to your final wedding look.
You can choose from soft, muted tones
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Get your set of gorgeous scrunchies delivered straight to your door ? #Scrunchies #SouthAfrica
Or add a touch of colour
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Love these autumn colours ? Burnt orange Mustard Yellow Nude Satin #SouthAfrica #Scrunchies
Include a gorgeous pattern to your look.
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The reason why I pursue my dreams! ✨ #SupportLocal #ShopOnline #Scrunchies
Barbara has released a new range of oversized organza scrunchies that have a real wow-factor.
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limited edition organza scrunchies coming soon ? #Scrunchies #SouthAfrica #Lilac
Visit Barbara’s website here and help support a small, female, BIPOC owned business, where your sale really counts towards making a difference in someone’s life.
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Love her or hate her, Emily Ratajkowski has style. Her chic, seemingly effortless silhouette was echoed on her wedding day in 2018.
True to herself, Ratajkowski wed her man, Sebastian Bear-McClard, in a simple courthouse ceremony. Rather than splashing on luxury, the bride wore Zara (maybe not the most ethical choice). Nevertheless, her $250 mustard yellow suit stole the show.
She took to social media to announce her nuptials. According to Vogue, Ratajkowski wrote “got married today” in an Instagram story. Her and Bear-McClard had only been dating for a few weeks but have known each other for years.
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2 years ago at the courthouse ? 10/10 would marry again (& again & again & again)
Bear-McClard is in the film industry and works as a writer, director and producer. Some of the films he has worked on include Heaven Knows What and Good Time.
Image: Instagram
A wedding day is about celebrating the love between two people. It can also be an incredible opportunity to give back. Here are six ways to utilise your wedding day for the greater good.
1. Swap presents for donations
Rather than ringing up an expensive registry, ask guests to donate to a charity of your choice. This action is two-fold. A wedding registry may contain items that are financially unviable for some guests. Rather than unknowingly putting them under financial pressure, a donation allows them to dictate the amount they are able to spend. Whether it’s a local animal welfare organisation or charity, any bit goes a long way. Asking for donations rather than presents is a selfless way of giving back.
2. Go as green as you can
An eco-friendly wedding is one way to ensure you give back to Mother Nature. You can opt for a full, off-the-grid wedding or you can incorporate eco-friendly elements. Choose a venue that operates on solar power, that way you know you won’t be burning any unnecessary fossil fuels on your special day. Opt for a cruelty-free caterer, one the works in close proximity to the venue would be ideal. This ensures your wedding has a decreased carbon footprint. Serve vegan alcohol. There are a variety of vegan wines available in South Africa, along with other spirits for when the party get started. For other ways to go green, read here.
3. Before your wedding day, take the bridal party on a charitable outing
Yes the pre-wedding build up is always an eventful time. We aren’t suggesting cancelling your boozy bachelorette or bachelors. Rather, get both the parties involved for a day of doing good. Help out at a soup kitchen, work in a community garden or help out at an animal shelter for one day before the wedding. It’s a brilliant way for everyone to bond and spend some quality time together before the big day.
4. Swap favours for plants
Rather than handing out thank-you favours at the end of your wedding, send everyone home with a plant. Succulents make for excellent parting gifts. They are so easy to grow and require very little maintenance. These plants are brilliant for the environment because they don’t need that much water to survive. Succulents such as the desert rose, spekboom, jade plant, jelly bean plant, zebra plant, Echeveria ‘Raindrops’ and Aeonium haworthii ‘Tricolor’ are all examples of hassle-free plants.
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5. Ensure your vendors source locally and ethically
You’re going to be throwing a lot of money into your wedding day, make sure it lines the pockets of those who really need it rather than a massive corporate that doesn’t really need the sale. By selecting vendors who source locally and ethically, you’ll be helping to build a small business. In South Africa there are so many creative entrepreneurs who are overlooked for the larger companies. Choose your vendors wisely and take some extra time to see what else is out there.
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