When you think of elopements, visions of secret romantic getaways spring to mind. A day of shared love with you and your partner is endlessly meaningful and simple. However, that doesn’t mean it will be effortless. While often marketed as the easy option, there are still a number of variables to consider when opting to elope. Here is what you need to know.
Legality in South Africa:
The solemnisation and registration of civil marriages, customary marriages and civil unions are all managed by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs. As a South African citizen, your marriage has to go through the necessary paperwork in order to be legal.
In order to receive a marriage licence, you must:
– ensure that you are legally allowed to marry
– understand the legal consequences of a marriage, particularly that marriages in South Africa are automatically in community of property, unless a valid ante-nuptial contract has been entered into before the marriage, and
– make sure that your marriage will comply with all the legal requirements for a valid marriage.
Necessary documents:
On the day of your wedding, the following documents must be produced:
– Identity documents for each person getting married
– If a foreign national is marrying a South African citizen, they should both present their valid passports as well as well as a completed BI-31 Form (Declaration for the Purpose of Marriage, Letter of no impediment)
– If the wedding is for a minor (a person under the age of 18 years), the written consent of both parents/ legal guardian or the Commissioner of Child Welfare or a judge should be submitted on Form DHA-32 as well. If the minors getting married are under the ages of 18 for boys or 15 for girls, the written consent from the Minister of Home Affairs will also be required
– If any of the persons getting married are divorced, then the final decree of divorce should be furnished
– If any of the persons getting married are widowed, the deceased spouse’s death certificate must be submitted.
A Home Affairs-wedding requires at least two witnesses. These witnesses and the marriage officer must then sign the marriage register following the solemnisation of a marriage. The marriage officer will issue the parties with a handwritten marriage certificate (BI-27) free of charge. The marriage officer must then submit the marriage register to the nearest office of the Department of Home Affairs, where the marriage details will be recorded in the National Population Register (NPR).
Marrying abroad:
If you want to marry abroad, you will be subject to the laws of that particular country, so it is of utmost importance to research their specific requirements at their official embassy. In most cases, you will be required to submit a Letter of No Impediment (LNI). The LNI is a certificate issued by the Department of Home Affairs Head Office to confirm the current marital status of an individual and that they are free to marry.
Application forms can be submitted to the Department of Home Affairs or an SA High Commission office. If you are divorced, you will have to submit your decree of divorce along with your application. It can take up to six months to receive your letter depending on processing time, so the earlier you can apply, the better. The certificate is valid for six months from the date of issuing.
Importantly, it must be issued by the Department of Home Affairs Head Office, not a Regional Home Affairs Office, in order to ensure legality. The LNI can only be legalised if an original, official Home Affairs letterhead, signed and stamped by the authorised Home Affairs official (Head Office only) has been provided.
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There are few things in life people will not give unsolicited advice on. From the way you should wear your hair to how to raise a child, strangers are always willing to offload their opinions on someone listening with half an ear. Anyone who has been a bride has experienced the earache of such opinions. This bride decided to give all these strangers what they so deeply want by letting them plan her wedding to the last detail.
Jen Glantz is no stranger to the wedding world. She is a professional bridesmaid and founder of Bridesmaid for Hire, the world’s first and only company where strangers can hire a bridesmaid to fulfill all necessary wedding-related duties. After being the bridesmaid in countless weddings, her time has finally come to walk down the aisle as a bride.
Glantz was inspired to put her wedding in the public’s hands whilst getting a manicure. Her manicurist noticed her engagement ring and immediately began listing wedding advice. A few days later, Glantz’s new website, Finally the Bride, was born, inviting strangers the world over to vote in polls categorised to represent every aspect of her wedding.
“Finally the Bride is an interactive book, released chapter-by-chapter, where you’re a part of the story,” reads the site. “You can vote on Jen’s biggest wedding decisions, share tips that can end up in the book, perhaps even find yourself as a main character in one of the stories (cough, cough, become her bridesmaid).
On the 15th of every month, new polls will open up in which strangers can decide how Glantz should go about planning her big day. From where to go for her bachelorette to how much she can spend on her dress, every aspect of her wedding is open for debate.
She has even invited people to vote on what her biggest wedding challenge should be. Options include “get a celebrity who she’s never met before to come to the wedding” and “invite all the people she’s been a bridesmaid for in the past and get them to come to the wedding wearing the bridesmaid dress they made her wear”.
Thus far, the public have decided that Glantz’s wedding budget must be between $15 000 – $30 000 and that she must get married in either July or October.
“When I check in on the results, I kind of panic a little bit, but then I think back to my commitment to this process,” Glantz told Insider. “I might have the most outrageous and most out-of-the-box wedding ever, and maybe the world is telling me, ‘Jen, this is what’s best for you.'”
Glantz hopes that this project encourages people to not sweat the small stuff and remember that a wedding does not make a marriage.
“In the end, our weddings signify two people coming together, plotting their future and everyone else around them, celebrating. That could be done in a warehouse. That can be done in a hotel banquet room. That can be done in your backyard. The meaning and the purpose still stay intact.”
Image: Instagram / Jen Glantz
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Paris may be the city of love, but Italy has stolen our hearts. With endless seas, beautiful architecture and oodles of pasta, this romantic destination is the perfect place to cuddle up with your lover.
If you are planning an international honeymoon, you cannot go wrong with this European country. Here are some of the must-see Italian cities for newlyweds.
Venice:
A city of immense beauty and history, Venice isn’t like the rest of Italy. Venice is actually made up of more than 100 small islands on the Adriatic Sea, connected by a series of canals. There is no end to romantic activities in this quant city.
While there are a number of popular tourist destinations, the true beauty comes in wandering through the smaller parts. Take a romantic gondola ride through the meandering canals while cuddling up with your partner. Visit the picturesque Burano island, known for its colourful houses and lace weavers. In the evening, stop off at one of Venice’s oldest wine bars, Cantina Do Spade. It is rumoured that Casanova himself brought many women here to wine and dine.
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Sardinia:
There is something for everyone in the Italian city. Nestled in the Mediterranean Sea, Sardinia is decorated with rising mountains and 360 degree ocean views. Active couples can get their sweat on exploring Gennargentu’s vast mountain range, and partake in the wide array of water sports such as snorkeling and scuba diving throughout the island.
Wine-lovers will be in heaven in Olbia, home of the vineyards, where visitors can travel between wine farms to taste new and unique wines. For a more luxurious experience, visit Porto Cervo. Created by Prince Karim Aga Khan, the area is well known for its yachts, designer stores and bustling nightlife.
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Florence:
As the birthplace of the Renaissance, this beautiful city is rich in culture. Art lovers will be in their element at the Uffuzi Gallery, home to artwork by famous Italian creators such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci.
Beyond these works of art, Florence itself seems to be straight out of a painting. Beautiful architecture lines Florence’s streets, from the main cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore to the Basilica of Santa Croce.
For a daytime activity, we suggest wandering around the Villa Bardini Garden, a serene and picturesque garden with old-world charm. Make sure to visit the stairs of Piazzale Michelangelo for an unforgettably romantic view of Florence at sunset, or end the day off with a romantic stroll on the river Arno. Wherever you are, Florence promises love under the Tuscan sun.
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Amalfi Coast:
With boundless natural beauty and a stretching coastline, the Amalfi coast is one of the top Italian destinations, especially for couples. The best plan of action is to rent a boat for the day, as many of of the smaller coves and beaches are only accessible this way.
The quiet town of Ravello features two stunning villas to explore, Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone. A must see is Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity, which offers one of the most stunning views from the Amalfi Coast.
Positano is home to one of the most celebrated hiking paths in the world, the Path of Gods, as well as stunning architecture. Take in this seaside town’s old world charm with a walk through its cobblestoned roads.
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Sicily:
Sicily’s romantic landscape, marvellous ruins and stunning coastline make it an incredible choice for an international honeymoon. With both Greek and Roman heritage, this island is a cultural haven boasting beautiful views all around.
The capital, Palermo, is great for culture-seeking couples. Marvel at the Royal Palace of Palermo, Europe’s oldest royal residence, and visit the Palatine Chapel for stunning mosaics and Byzantine architecture.
Cefalù is popular for their Roman baths and the ancient cathedral, home to the world-famous fresco of Christ, the Christus Pantokrator. When in Cefalù, make sure to visit the Lungomare Giuseppe Giardina, a long beach that curves below the old town.
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Image: Unsplash
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You’ve been invited to a wedding and the dress code says ‘smart casual’, so what can you wear? If this is the dress code then you can assume that the wedding will be relatively informal.
Keep your outfit laid-back but add a touch of elegance, it is a wedding after all! Dress smart but don’t go overly dressy.
Men
Wear a blazer with a button-down shirt and smart suit pants or chinos. Jacket and tie are optional. Shoe wise, wear loafers, brogues or boat shoes.
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Women
Wear a stylish mini dress or skirt or smart trousers with a blouse. You can add a tailored blazer if you’re up for it. Stick to sandals, wedges or low heels.
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Feature image: Pixabay