Singer, businesswoman and media personality Amor Vittone is engaged. The star shared the happy news on social media on 28 January, posting a photo of her elegant engagement ring alongside the simple, heartfelt caption: “I said yes.”
The announcement was met with an outpouring of love, as fans and friends celebrated a new chapter for the multi-talented performer, who has long been a familiar and much-loved face in South African media. She is also widely known as the former wife of late Springbok rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen
A love story that began in pretoria
Amor Vittone’s fiancé is Marius van Biljon, a businessman, radio presenter and MC. The couple first crossed paths at Captain’s Island, Van Biljon’s family restaurant in Pretoria.
Their connection began professionally when Vittone performed at the restaurant, but it didn’t end there. She later returned for a Women’s Day celebration, and it was during these encounters that something more meaningful started to take shape.
Finding love after loss
For Van Biljon, this engagement marks a deeply significant new beginning. He was previously married to Shannon van Biljon, the late Mrs Pretoria Tshwane 2023, who passed away in July 2025 following a brief illness related to early-stage kidney failure.
The couple recently spoke about their story in an interview on Jacaranda FM, offering listeners a glimpse into how their relationship grew organically.
ALSO SEE: Locally loved flowers for your wedding bouquet
Feature image: Amor Vittone/Facebook
Valentine’s Day in the Cape Winelands falls at the height of summer, when harvest season brings energy to the vineyards and evenings are made for lingering over good…
Calling the family and posting on the Gram? Duh! But what else should you do after he’s popped the question?
1 CELEBRATE!
This doesn’t have to be a full-on engagement party just yet. In the days after you announce your impending nuptials, your phone will be buzzing off the hook with well-wishers hoping to see you as soon as possible and hear all about how he got down on one knee. So plan a little get-together to pop bottles with your nearest and dearest and tell them everything. Or, if you are a more low-key kind of couple, simply have a special night for two to revel in all the butterflies you’re feeling at the moment. Being engaged is a wonderful time. Enjoy it to the fullest.
2 GET YOUR RING INSURED (AND SIZED!)
The months leading up to your wedding are going to be split between days of pure joy and days of pure admin… So. Much. Admin. First up: You now have a small fortune on your finger, so be sure to protect your new asset and get it insured. Your guy should’ve been supplied with a valuation certificate upon purchase, but if not, take it to any reputable jeweller to get a value estimate. Send this to your insurance company to get it covered in case it gets lost or stolen. And while you’re at it, have it sized perfectly for your finger to make losing it less likely.
3 SET A (VAGUE) DATE
After “Let me see the ring!” and “How did he propose?”, the next most asked question you’ll get at this stage is “When’s the wedding?”. Unless you know exactly how it’s going to go down to the very last detail on a sunny day in February, you probably haven’t even thought about a date. Chat to your hubby-to-be and come up with a ‘thereabouts’ answer. Whether it’s “next summer” or “in three years’ time”, giving people some sort of timeline will ease the bombardment while also letting your guests mentally save the date.
4 DETERMINE THE TYPE OF WEDDING
Small getaway wedding or the do of the year at an exclusive wine farm? Figuring this out with your man is the best starting point of the planning to come, as it will help you determine everything from what venues to look at, to your all-important budget and guest list size.
5 GATHER INSPIRATION
Real talk time. Everyone from Chatty Cathy at the office to your mom and well-meaning-but-pushy friends are going to start pressuring you to begin planning. There’s so much to do, after all. Yes, Cathy, there is… but there’s no need to jump into contacting vendors and venues now if you don’t have the basics decided yet. You’ll cut down on a lot of wasted time if you know what you want before getting stuck in. Get on Pinterest and flip through wedding magazines. This is the fun part! Make a mood board with the images you love and you’ll soon start to see your dream day to come to life. Once you know what you want, seeking out the right vendors for you will be that much easier.
BOOK AN ENGAGEMENT SHOOT
Photographers get snapped up way in advance, so if this is a route you want to go down – book it now! Otherwise, call on your creative friends to help set up a photoshoot of the two of you on the beach, in a forest, or even at home just being yourselves. Smartphone cameras are more than enough to get some amazing shots (don’t forget the dreamy filters!).
ALSO SEE: Locally loved flowers for your wedding bouquet
Written by Andrea Robertson for Summer 2019 print edition.
Feature image: Pexels
Since 2026 is basically 2016! If you been scrolling on social media, you heard this before and if the same applies for fashion and beauty, then 2026 is…
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
Feature image: Instagram
Planning your honeymoon should be exciting and stress free, so you’ll want to work within your budget to ensure you have an unforgettable time – without the dread…
If it’s always been your dream to recite your vows on the shoreline of a pristine beach, South Africa offers an assortment of amazing spots for your nuptials. But because your wedding backdrop forms part of the country’s natural landscape, there are a few logistical challenges to keep in mind. Here, we help you suss out the big ones.
1 Legalities
Municipal rules say that you’ll need a permit to host a wedding (or any other event) on the beachfront, which often comes with a fee. This is a crucial expense to add to your budget and should be done as early as possible to ensure you meet all the necessary deadlines.
2 Date
Consider the time of year and season of your proposed date. While the winter months (generally May to September) can be colder, the summer months do mean beaches will be more crowded as tourists and holidaymakers flock to our shores.
3 Timing
The behaviour of the tide should be your guideline for setting a time for your ceremony. Bear in mind that even if the tide is low, strong winds will necessitate moving your ceremony indoors so ensure you have a backup plan for the day too.
4 Decor
It goes without saying that summer is the most popular beach wedding season so expect to spend some time in the outdoor heat. To prevent yourself and your guests from baking in the sun, have a few umbrellas or a gazebo installed. These can be beautifully ornamented with anything from wire hearts to ribbons to strings of shells.
5 Confetti
Being sprinkled with confetti as you take your first steps as husband and wife will undoubtedly be one of the most utopian moments of the day. Remember that when you’re at the seaside, biodegradable confetti is a must. Can’t find any that’s biodegradable? Bubbles are a cute substitute that will be enjoyed by both kids and adults.
6 Bridalwear
Yes, we know that Cinderella looked ravishing in her wedding ball gown but then again, she never got married on a beach. A lightweight dress minus the layers of tulle, along with sandals or even going barefoot, will not only be more practical for oceanside weddings, but can create a whimsical and angelic look.
7 Dress code
While you can’t completely control what your guests will wear to your wedding, you can help them avoid the worst by specifying which type of attire would be fitting. Like you, the ladies would be better off foregoing full-skirted evening dresses in favour of flowing cocktail frocks while the gents should opt for shorts suits in bright colours. The gentlemen would look dashing and be more comfy in shorts suits or chinos, instead of tuxedos, to match the relaxed vibe of your ceremony.
8 Catering
Facilities for caterers may not be in abundance near the beach, so choose menu options that can be served cold. Think oysters, salmon skewers and fresh green salads. Yum! If you like to keep things hot, consider a spitbraai or a separate venue that’s close to the beach where the ceremony will be held.
9 Booze
If you’re planning on clinking a few glasses of bubbly with your feet in the water, think again as consuming alcohol on South African beaches is forbidden. Try booking a beach venue with an indoor reception area that has sea views and where your guests can still enjoy a tipple.
10 Entertainment
The sight of glowing lanterns floating away into the dazzling night sky is utterly romantic while a fireworks display above the waters is sure to wow your guests. But as these activities do include the use of fire, they may be ruled out by certain municipalities. Be sure to check with your local authority when applying for your permit and opt for more eco-friendly entertainment options such as a band or friendly games of beach volleyball for your guests.
ALSO SEE: Wedding-worthy fashion from the Golden Globes 2026
Feature image: Getúlio Moraes/Unsplash