Your wedding is approaching and planning is in full swing. You’ve thought about the outfit, the food, but what about the flowers? Flowers are used for your bouquet, boutonniere, decor, garlands, nosegays and more. Maybe you have an idea of which predominant flowers you’d like but how many of them are actually in season?
Normally you can only get specific flowers in season when they bloom. This can be very unfortunate when you’re looking for something specific. Some brides end up importing flowers which can be quite costly.
South Africa’s weather is usually warmer year round and therefore not as defined. The country is incredibly fortunate when it comes to flowers. With over 9000 species of fynbos, there shouldn’t be any issues with finding flowers, but it may be hard to decide! Here are a few in-season flower options:
Spring and Summer in-season flowers
- Hibiscus
- Hydrangea
- Peony
- Roses
- Lavender
- Dahlias
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#flowers #dahlia #dahlias #victoriaparkswansea #flowersofinstagram Aug 5, 2019
Autumn and Winter in-season flowers
- Daffodil
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Happy Daffodil Day ??? . . . . . #blissfulblooms #daffodil #happydaffodilday
- Protea
- Hyacinth
- Snapdragon
- Anthurium
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Anthurium 8 settembre 2018 #fiori #balconifioriti #anthurium #settembre2018 #estate2018
Picture: Pexels
With so many beauty trends out there, constantly being reinvented, it’s difficult to choose exactly what you want your make-up to look like on your wedding day. Take…
The Zulu people are a Bantu group native to Southern Africa. They are the largest ethnic group in South Africa. So what happens at a traditional Zulu wedding?
Pre-wedding
Lobola
- A form of payment. It’s an opportunity for the groom to show his appreciation for the bride-to-be. The groom compensates the brides family for the wonderful job they did.
Izibizo
- The groom and his family present gifts to the bride and her family.
Umbondo
- The bride will buy groceries for the groom and his family. It has been said that the lobola also enables the bride and her family to purchase the goods.
These traditions are said to create a strong bond between the families, and unites them.
Wedding
Umabo
- In the morning the bride will leave her home wearing a blanket that her mother presented to her. Her father then walks the bride to her new family home. She is advised to not look back she heads off. It is considered bad luck. The ceremony takes place at the grooms family home.
- Once there the father will call out the clan’s name. This is an announcement for the ancestors to know that his daughter is leaving.
- The wedding usually begins at midday, and two cows are slaughtered. After the head of the family has spoken, a goat is slaughtered.
- Bridesmaids hand out gifts to guests. The older women receive their gifts first then the groom’s sisters, men and finally the groom himself.
- Once this is done the bride looks for her groom and lays a grass mat down for him to sit on. She then proceeds to present him with a gift. Normally she washes his feet. While this happens the bridesmaids and other women from her side will hit the groom with small sticks.
- When the ceremony concludes there is dancing and food.
The Zulu people don’t believe that a couple is wed until this ritual is done. They believe that once this is done their marriage is accepted by the ancestors.
Picture: Pexels
An engagement usually includes a ring. Your partner gets down on one knee and pops the question. A beautiful ring is placed on your finger and you’re over…
Weddings are filled with customs and tradition that still play a role in weddings today. While some come from sweet superstitions, others have pretty archaic roots. Nowadays, people are much more accepting and so the couple can decide which traditions, if any, they would like to include in their wedding.
Most wedding traditions are just accepted without actually knowing the reasons behind them. Let’s see if you still think these 5 traditions are necessary once you know their history:
Bride wearing white
White has always been associated with purity and so it became a traditional colour for virgin brides. However, before the 1800s, brides would generally wear red on their wedding day and it wasn’t until Queen Victoria wore white to her wedding in 1840 that it became a trend. While the bride wearing white is probably the most commonly followed tradition, it is not necessary and totally up to the bride.
Something old, new, borrowed and blue
This is quite a sweet tradition and totally understandable, especially if you’re a superstitious person, as it’s meant to bring good fortune to the bride. The ‘something old’ is a way to keep the bride connected to her past and her family. The ‘something new’ represents the start of her new family. The bride is also supposed to borrow something from a happily married couple so that their luck will be passed on to the newlyweds. And lastly, ‘something blue’ comes from the phrase ‘true blue’ and is associated with faithfulness.
Bride’s father giving her away
This tradition dates back to arranged marriages and was a representation of a transfer of ownership. This of course refers to how women were treated as property and, surely, everyone will agree that the roots of this tradition are outdated, thank goodness! Today it is a sweet way for the bride to honour her father.
Couple not seeing each other before the wedding
Also dating back to arranged marriages, it was believed that the couple could change their minds about the marriage if they met before the wedding. Recently, ‘first looks’ (couple meets with their photographer before the ceremony) have become popular and can help calm the nerves of the couple before they walk down the aisle. Those who still hold this tradition, however, see it as a way to build excitement before the wedding, and it definitely makes for good pictures!
Bride’s family paying for everything
An old-fashioned tradition that also comes from the bride being considered property. The bride’s parents would pay for the wedding as they were essentially paying the groom’s family to take their daughter off their hands. Thankfully we live in a world today where women’s rights have advanced and marriage is no longer the only way a woman can be taken care of. These days it is up to the couple and their parents – some choosing to pay for the wedding themselves and sometimes both sets of parents deciding to split the cost – it is completely dependent on everyone’s personal situations.
Regardless of all this, times have changed and the roots of these traditions are no longer valid. It’s your wedding and you should only include traditions that you feel comfortable with.
Picture: Unsplash
The Xhosa people are a Bantu group native to Southern Africa. They belong to various tribes such as amaGcaleka, amaNdlambe, imiDushane and more. A traditional Xhosa wedding doesn’t…
Come experience the ‘good life’ at Monte Vista Boutique Hotel. The brand-new boutique hotel, situated along South Africa’s famed Route 62, offers up all the creature comforts of home with a whole lot of added luxury. ⠀
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We have the perfect setting to unwind and enjoy a time of leisure around our pools and beautiful gardens, overlooking encompassing mountain views. Our prime spot on the historical Church street also means you can leisurely stroll to fine restaurants, art galleries, and museums.
Montagu has a way of refreshing and restoring like no other little town.
It is a priceless privilege to wake up surrounded by mountains and we are offering a lucky couple just that – a two-night stay in our gorgeous and individually finished honeymoon en-suite that is designed around maximizing your comfort.
Included in your two-night stay:⠀
– Welcome basket filled with treats
– Breakfast for two⠀
– WiFi⠀
– In-room tea and coffee making station
– Use of pool and gardens
– Inside & secure parking⠀
– Air conditioning ⠀
– En suite bathroom and outdoor verandah⠀
Prize Details:
A two-night stay at Monte Vista Boutique Hotel with breakfast included.
How to enter: Fill in the form below.
Our Winner:
Juanita Loubser.
Competition Ts & Cs:
– The winners will be announced on September 2, 2019.
– The winners will be announced on September 2, 2019.
– Does not include transport
– Winners will be contacted via details entered on the form
– Prizes are not refundable and cannot be exchanged for money
– Winners must be over the age of 18
– Winners will be contacted via details entered on the form
– Prizes are not refundable and cannot be exchanged for money
– Winners must be over the age of 18
– Subject to availability
– Two night stay in the honeymoon suite
– Breakfast included for both days
– Dinner can be arranged at an additional fee⠀
– Breakfast included for both days
– Dinner can be arranged at an additional fee⠀