We may have to suffer through load shedding and constantly increasing petrol prices on a regular basis, but one of the many things you can admire South Africa for is its natural beauty – a titbit that can be so important when shopping around for the perfect wedding venue.
From hosting a garden extravaganza to listening to the laughter of your guests against the backdrop of the wild African bush, there’s something for every bridal couple, especially in the province of Gauteng. Thankfully, there are a plethora of gorgeous wedding venues to choose from when saying “I do” in the rugged province of Gauteng. Here are a few of our favourites:
Oakfield Farm:
Location: Muldersdrift, Gauteng
With a splash of romance and a heap of old-fashioned hospitality, Oakfield Farm is an award-winning wedding venue that bridal couples can’t seem to get enough of – judging by the gorgeous backdrop – we understand why. The glass-clad wedding venue is nestled between towering trees within an English country garden, with visitors able to explore all that this area has to offer via the venue’s horse-drawn carriage – talk about going old school. Lush greenery provides the perfect opportunity for the perfect wedding pictures while tall glass walls and ceilings offer a great spot for couples to say “I do.”
Shepstone Gardens:
Location: Magaliesburg, Gauteng
Bring the outdoors in with this enchanting space and its glass ceiling, offering a chance to breathe in romance as you say your “I dos” while the sky turns various hues of orange – now that’s one way to enjoy a sunset. The wedding venue also offers a chapel and grand hall for those looking to enjoy a more rustic approach, while the space includes the perfect spots for jaw-dropping wedding pictures.
The Stone Cellar:
Location: Heidelberg, Gauteng
With the spine-tingling sounds of Mother Nature in the background, bridal couples have the opportunity to walk down the aisle of this space’s unique chapel, which was once a milking parlour. The chapel offers bridal couples a wonderful setting if you’re looking for simplicity at its finest – a minimalist’s dream, while the outdoor area offers a wooden frame and the grassy plains as its background – magical no matter which one you choose. The reception venue provides a beautiful combination between rustic and modern with glass, wood and screed finishes that stick to the minimalist theme. The space can seat 150!
Steynshoop Valley Lodge:
Location: Magaliesburg, Gauteng
Breathtaking. That’s one word used to describe this incredible venue. Begin the rest of your life together by walking into this venue’s sprawling thatched chapel and reception hall – perfect for seating 150 guests. There’s nothing wrong with being a hands-off bride and groom, allow the venue’s in-house specialists to handle all the nitty-gritty details of planning your big day – wedding cake and decor included!
The Kitchen L’antico Giardino
Location: Sandton, Gauteng
You can never beat good food, and this incredible venue has plenty of it. Allow your guests to relax under a canopy of trees while serving them the most delicious canapes – yum! The space can seat around 120 guests and offers a relaxing atmosphere for your guests to enjoy. An added bonus? The space also includes a gorgeous backdrop with the rugged landscape of Africa – the perfect spot for incredible wedding pictures.
ALSO SEE: Enchanting Wedding Venues Across South Africa: From Vineyards to Safari
Enchanting Wedding Venues Across South Africa: From Vineyards to Safari
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You’ve gathered all the necessary ingredients for the perfect proposal: a gorgeous engagement ring, a heart-tugging engagement speech, but oh, how to pop the question in a way…
You’ve said ‘I do’ and tied the knot, the first dance is done, and the sappy speeches are over. The evening turns into a party, you’re working up a sweat, and the caterers have packed everything away. What can you serve when your guests are feeling a bit peckish? Here are a few snacks that your guests will love.
There are a few things to keep in mind when deciding on what snacks to serve:
- Are your guests older and more mature or younger and hip?
- What’s the vibe like? Is it more sophisticated and elegant or is it chilled and laid back?
- Dietary requirements. For example, it might be awkward to only serve pizza slices when someone is lactose intolerant. So, it’s important to cater your snacks as you would for your dinner catering.
When you have your answers, you’ll be able to customise your snack table accordingly.
Pizza=Life
Serve up tasty slices of pizza or have mini ones available. It’s simple and not too messy. Pizza is also a massive crowd-pleaser.
Spill the corn
Opt for ready-made mini boxes or have a machine and a self-help option. Don’t forget the spices! What’s popcorn without flavour?
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Yum!!!! #wedding #weddingsigns #popcorn #weddingsnacks #alwayshanddrawn #signage ##fishermensinn
A cop’s dream
Can anyone say doughnuts? Mini, holes or custom packaged boxes! The options are endless and so are the flavours!
Not your usual burgers and chips
Serve up some sliders with a couple of chips. Serving these tiny burgers makes it easy enough for your guests to eat and leaves them totally satisfied.
Chopsticks and noodles
Who doesn’t love chow mein? Set out cute Asian take-away boxes with chopsticks. Whatever your guests don’t eat, they can close up and take home.
Cookies and cream
You can have mini cookies laid out with milk in shot glasses. Serve a few options of cookies so your guests can mix and match. Set out cute packets so your guests can take some home as well.
I love candy
Candy bars are always popular. Provide packets or mini buckets so your guests can make a candy pack to take with them.
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Wedding planning is equal parts dreamy and chaotic. Between choosing the perfect venue, finalising your guest list and finding suppliers who truly understand your vision, it can often…
While your ring may be built to last a lifetime, it still needs a bit of love along the way. Proper engagement ring care isn’t just about keeping it shiny for Instagram photos. It’s also about protecting a piece of jewellery that carries enormous sentimental value.
Luckily, a few smart habits can help keep your sparkler safe, secure and dazzling for years to come.
Take it off more often than you think
It might feel strange removing your engagement ring after getting used to wearing it every day, but there are certain situations where it’s much safer off your finger than on it.
Heavy lifting at the gym, gardening, cleaning with harsh chemicals and even sleeping can put unnecessary pressure on the setting and metal. Over time, this can loosen prongs, scratch the band or cause tiny stones to fall out without you even noticing.
When you shouldn’t wear your engagement ring
Your engagement ring is designed for everyday wear, but there are some situations where jewellers strongly recommend taking it off.
At the gym
Weights, resistance machines and even certain yoga poses can bend bands, loosen stones and scratch metal. Pavé settings are especially vulnerable during workouts because tiny diamonds can shift under pressure.
In the shower
Soap, shampoo and conditioner create buildup that leaves stones looking dull and cloudy. There’s also the very real possibility of your ring slipping off and disappearing down the drain.
While cleaning
Household cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that can damage metals and gemstones over time. Bleach and chlorine are particularly harsh on jewellery.
At the beach or pool
Cold water causes fingers to shrink, making rings easier to lose without noticing. Sand can also scratch metal and get trapped underneath settings, while chlorine and salt water may weaken certain metals over time.
While sleeping
Sleeping with your ring on can create unnecessary wear from friction against bedding, and overnight swelling can sometimes make rings uncomfortable or difficult to remove.
During gardening or DIY projects
Soil, tools and rough surfaces can easily scratch or dent your ring, while dirt buildup underneath stones can dull sparkle surprisingly quickly.
When applying skincare or beauty products
Lotions, oils, sunscreen, perfume and fake tan can all leave residue behind that affects shine. It’s best to put your ring on after finishing your beauty routine.
During certain holidays or travel
Adventure holidays, hiking trips and busy tourist destinations can increase the risk of damage, loss or theft. Some brides-to-be choose to wear a travel ring instead for peace of mind.
If there’s ever doubt, jewellers tend to follow one simple rule: if an activity could scratch, loosen, bend or expose your ring to chemicals, it’s safer off your finger than on it.
Put your ring on last
When getting ready, your engagement ring should be the finishing touch.
Perfume, hairspray, fake tan, moisturiser and makeup can leave residue on your stone over time, dulling its sparkle much faster than you’d expect. Jewellery experts often recommend applying all beauty products first and slipping your ring on just before heading out the door.
Keep a ring dish nearby
One of the easiest engagement ring care habits to adopt? Ring dishes.
Place one next to your bed, another in the bathroom and maybe even one in the kitchen. Having designated safe spots around your home means you’re far less likely to leave your ring balanced precariously on a sink edge or wrapped in a tissue somewhere.
And yes, everyone thinks they’ll remember where they put it. Until they don’t.
Clean your ring regularly
Even the most brilliant diamond can start looking dull thanks to lotions, soap, makeup, sunscreen and the natural oils on your hands.
Thankfully, you don’t need anything fancy for at-home engagement ring care. A small bowl of warm water with a drop of mild dish soap works perfectly. Let the ring soak for a few minutes, then gently clean around the setting with a soft toothbrush before drying it with a lint-free cloth.
A gentle clean every few weeks can make a noticeable difference to your ring’s sparkle.
Book professional check-ups
Just like your car needs a service, your engagement ring benefits from a professional once-over too.
Jewellers can check that the prongs are still secure, inspect the setting for wear and professionally polish the metal to restore its shine. Tiny issues that you might never notice yourself can often be caught early before they become expensive problems.
If your ring suddenly starts snagging on jerseys, blankets or towels, don’t ignore it. That can sometimes be a sign that the claws or prongs have lifted slightly and need attention.
Know your metal
Different metals require slightly different care.
White gold rings, for example, are usually coated in rhodium plating to achieve that bright silvery finish. Over time, the plating naturally wears away and may need refreshing every few years.
Make sure your ring actually fits properly
A ring that’s too loose is risky, while one that’s too tight can become uncomfortable and difficult to remove.
Finger sizes naturally fluctuate throughout the year depending on temperature, lifestyle changes and even hydration levels. In colder weather especially, fingers can shrink enough for rings to slip off more easily.
If your ring constantly spins, slides or feels uncomfortably snug, it may be worth visiting a jeweller for resizing or sizing beads.
Proper engagement ring care starts with making sure your ring fits securely in the first place.
Consider jewellery insurance
It’s not the most glamorous part of being engaged, but insuring your ring can save a lot of stress later on.
Insurance can help cover theft, accidental damage or loss, particularly if you travel often or wear your ring daily. Many jewellers provide valuation certificates that make the process much easier.
It’s also smart to keep clear photographs of your ring, along with any certificates or valuation documents, in a safe place.
Hopefully you’ll never need it — but having that peace of mind is worth it.
Not all gemstones are created equal
While diamonds are famously durable, other gemstones require a gentler approach.
Emeralds, opals, pearls and softer stones can be more vulnerable to knocks, heat, chemicals and even sudden temperature changes. If your engagement ring features a coloured gemstone, it’s worth asking your jeweller about the best cleaning and care methods specifically for that stone.
Don’t panic about taking it off
There’s an old superstition that removing your engagement ring is somehow “bad luck”. Thankfully, that’s exactly what it is: a superstition.
Looking after your ring properly doesn’t say anything about your relationship. If anything, careful engagement ring care simply means you want this sentimental piece to stay beautiful for decades to come.
ALSO SEE: (Don’t) put a ring on it
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It’s always great receiving an invitation to a wedding. It’s a joyous occasion that you are honoured to be part of. As excited as you may be, your wallet might not be as thrilled. All the costs are easy to forget, so be prepared for these expenses if you’re a wedding guest.
The engagement party
Couples usually have an engagement party to celebrate the good news and the marriage to come. It’s not always a big thing, but there is a chance that you may encounter a few expenses.
- You may need to purchase a gift. It’s not a requirement, but if you feel the need to get the couple a gift, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy or over the top and you shouldn’t feel pressured into getting something expensive.
- Not all engagement parties are super formal, but if the one you’re going to happens to be, and you don’t own anything up to par, then you may need to go on a little shopping trip.
- Hopefully, there are drinks available but if the soiree doesn’t feature an open bar, you’ll have to fork out some cash for your liquor.
Bridal shower
- Pitching up with a gift is now expected unless stated otherwise, so that’s definitely a deduction.
The bachelor/bachelorette party
- A gift may not be necessary but depending on how close you are to the bride, you may be required to contribute to various things surrounding the party itself.
- If you’re going out, you may have to pay your own way for things like dinner and drinks.
- Travel costs. Now, this isn’t always the case, but you may be required to travel to a destination for the party. Whether it’s an hour or plane away, that’s still a cost.
The wedding
- Travel comes up again, as the ceremony and reception may be held at a special place that’s of course at a distance. You’ll have to make your own way there unless stated otherwise.
- This is the main event and a special gift is now mandatory. Most couples opt for a wedding registry that consists of a variety of gifts with different price tags, big and small.
- Since it is the big day, you have to look your best. Depending on what the dress code is and what’s available in your closet, you may need to stop window shopping.
- If it is a destination wedding, chances are, you may need to sort out your own accommodation. Some couples may book a few rooms at a hotel but you’ll have to pay your own way.
It’s important to remember that even if you get an invitation to all the wedding festivities, you don’t have to attend them all, especially since they can become quite costly.
As expensive as all these things may seem, before you decline the invitation, keep in mind that all the things listed may not be applicable to all events.
ALSO SEE: Wedding guest dress code explained
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