Adding a touch of childlike wonder to weddings for as long as we can remember, the flower girl is not only adorable but a much-loved wedding tradition too. While we often associate the moment with sweetness and innocence, the meaning and origin of the practice are rooted in much older customs.
There are two main ideas linked to this tradition. According to Reader’s Digest, it’s connected to themes of new beginnings and fertility (as many long-standing wedding traditions are), rather than romance.
In ancient Rome, marriages were often arranged and carried significant social purpose, including uniting families and ensuring a continuation of the family line. During these ceremonies, historic accounts describe young attendants accompanying the bride. A young girl would walk ahead of her, tossing grains or herbs to symbolise prosperity, good fortune, and protection.
As the centuries went on, the symbolism evolved with each era. Some medieval customs continued the idea of blessing the path ahead, often using herbs known for their associations with luck or protection. Over time, this slowly shifted into what we recognise today: little girls scattering petals or carrying blooms down the aisle.
Reader’s Digest also notes that having a young girl lead the procession came to represent the transition from childhood to womanhood — one reason why flower girls are often dressed in similar colours or styles to the bride.
Brides shares similar origins, adding that influences from both Roman and Greek traditions likely contributed to the early forms of this custom.
As the tradition developed further, the Elizabethan era embraced children in the wedding party as symbols of hope and innocence. Brides notes that this era strengthened the sentimental meaning behind including little ones.
By the time the Victorian era arrived, the flower girl had taken on a look much closer to the modern version. Petite baskets filled with flowers and delicate floral wreaths became popular, symbolising unending love and natural beauty.
Today, we still include children in our wedding parties, although the meaning has changed dramatically. Most couples no longer associate the role with fertility or symbolism around innocence — they simply enjoy the charm, fun, and family connection that a flower girl brings to the aisle. It’s become a sweet way to involve beloved nieces, nephews, or little family friends in one of life’s most special moments.
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Flower Availability by Season and Locality: Plan Your Wedding Blooms Wisely
Image: Unsplash
When crafting your perfect bridal look, it’s important to stay true to yourself and your values. For a Muslim bride who chooses to wear a hijab, this is…
Zesty, pretty and totally wedding-ready, these lemon mojito lollipops are the perfect addition to any celebration. Pop them into jars, scatter them across the snack table, or gift them as fun take-home treats. If you’re after wedding favour ideas that are cute, refreshing and budget-friendly, this recipe ticks every box.
Recipe
Serves: Makes 9
Cooking Time: 30 mins
Ingredients
10 mint leaves
2 lemons, thinly sliced; some
slices halved
220g sugar
120g liquid glucose
60ml (4 tbsp) soda water
1,25ml (¼ tsp) mint extract (find at
baking supply stores)
80ml (1/3 cup) white rum
Instructions
- Line a baking tray with baking paper or a silicone mat and grease with non-stick cooking spray. Place 3 different-sized (8cm-, 7cm and 5cm-diameter) round cookie cutters on the lined tray and grease them with non-stick cooking spray too. Position a wooden ice lolly stick underneath each cookie cutter to form the lollies’ handles, and arrange the lemon slices and mint leaves inside the cutters, as desired.
- Heat the sugar, liquid glucose and soda water in a saucepan over medium heat, allow to simmer until the sugar has melted, then increase the heat to high. Bring to a boil and cook, without stirring, 15 minutes or until the mixture reaches 120°C on a sugar thermometer.
- Stir in the mint extract and white rum, and boil, 5 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool down slightly to break down the bubbles.
- Working quickly, drizzle up to 30ml (2 tbsp) syrup into each prepared cookie cutter, covering the mint leaves and lemon slices. Allow the mojito lollipops to set completely on the lined tray, about 10 minutes. Lift the cookie cutters, remove the lollipops and set the lollipops aside, standing them upright in a jar. Repeat these steps with the remaining syrup, re-greasing the moulds and adding the lolly sticks each time. (If the syrup hardens during the process, simply return it to the heat to melt.)
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Color & Mood Shifts: Embracing Moody Jewel Tones for South African Weddings
Recipe from Food&Home.
For years, Venus Williams has been fiercely private, letting her legendary tennis career speak louder than her personal life. But last week, the five-time Wimbledon champion treated fans…
Summer celebrations — from weddings to honeymoons — are all about sunshine, good company, and a glass in hand. And while it’s easy to just open a bottle and pour, a little know-how can make every sip feel more special.
The right prep, the right pairing, and the right setup can elevate your reception drinks or honeymoon evenings instantly.
Make the most of every bottle
Start with your senses: look at the colour, swirl gently, and inhale to pick up the wine’s distinctive notes before taking a slow first sip. The small details matter:
Use the right glasses:
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Tulip-shaped glasses bring out aromas
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Flutes keep bubbles lively
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Stemless glasses are ideal for relaxed settings
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Get the temperature right:
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Sparkling wine: 6–8°C
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Whites: 8–12°C
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Rosé: ±10°C
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Light reds: 12–14°C
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Fuller reds: 14–18°C
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Don’t underestimate presentation:
Nicely chilled bottles, beautiful glassware, and a simple setup make home celebrations or honeymoon picnics feel extra special.
And above all, pace yourselves; responsible sipping is non-negotiable.
Quick pairing guide for wedding menus & honeymoon meals
Crisp white wines
Perfect with prawns, seafood salads, lemon-herb roast chicken, or fresh goat’s cheese.
Serve at 8–10°C.
Dry rosé
Great with cold cuts, light salads, and tomato-based snacks.
Serve at 8–10°C.
White blends or Chenin-style wines
Lovely with creamy salads, mild curries, and roast chicken.
Serve at 10–12°C.
Light reds
Ideal with grilled meats, boerewors, and lamb chops — perfect for warm weather.
Serve at 14–16°C.
Sparkling wine / MCC
Perfect for starters, seafood, desserts, and all your celebratory toasts.
Serve at 6–8°C.
All-rounder
A chilled dry rosé works beautifully with a mix of courses.
Quick ways to upgrade your wine experience
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Whites → smaller bowl
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Reds → larger bowl
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Rosé → tapered bowl
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Sparkling → wide tulip
Temperature and glassware alone can completely change your wine experience — whether it’s your reception, a small gathering, or a sunset honeymoon sip.
ALSO SEE: No Cake, No Bouquet Toss, No Rules, Couples Are Reinventing Weddings
No Cake, No Bouquet Toss, No Rules, Couples Are Reinventing Weddings
Info: Supplied by ByDesign.
Feature image: Pexels
We all hope that our wedding day will go off without a hitch, but sometimes mishaps happen. Between wardrobe malfunction to allergic reactions to beauty blunders – it’s…
Summer honeymoons are all about salt-sprayed skin, sun-drenched days, and endless swims, but they can also be the season your hair fears most. Between ocean dips, pool lounging, and hours under the sun, your strands face a triple threat. The result? Dryness, breakage, dull colour, and that unmistakable “summer stiffness.”
The good news? With the right rituals, you can enjoy every romantic, sun-kissed moment without sacrificing your hair’s health. Here’s your ultimate honeymoon guide to keeping your hair protected from summer’s harshest elements.
The sea: Salt water 101
Salt water naturally dehydrates the hair, lifting the cuticle and leaving strands rough and brittle. Great for effortless beachy honeymoon waves — not so great for long-term hair health.
How to protect your hair from the ocean
Pre-hydrate before your swim
Think of it like a primer. Wet your hair thoroughly with clean water before diving into the sea. Saturated hair absorbs less salt.
Use a leave-in conditioner or hair oil
A nourishing leave-in creates a protective barrier, sealing in moisture and guarding against dryness. Coconut oil, argan oil, or a silicone-free serum works beautifully for beach days.
Post-swim rinse ASAP
If a shower isn’t nearby, even a quick water-bottle rinse removes salt before it crystallises on your strands.
Pool water: The chlorine culprit
Chlorine is notorious for stripping hair of natural oils and binding to proteins in the strands. The result? Faded colour, a rough texture, and for blondes — the dreaded hint of green. Not ideal for honeymoon photos.
How to protect your hair from chlorine
Wet your hair before swimming (yes, again)
Freshly-wet hair absorbs far less chlorine.
Coat your hair with conditioner
A lightweight, silicone-free conditioner forms a barrier that keeps chlorine from penetrating deeply.
Wear a swim cap for long pool sessions
Not the most glamorous accessory, but extremely effective — especially if your honeymoon includes lots of pool time or if your hair is bleached or processed.
Use a clarifying shampoo once a week
This removes chlorine buildup without stripping your hair daily.
The sun: Your hair’s UV enemy
Just like your skin, your hair suffers from sun exposure. UV rays weaken the protein structure, fade colour, and dry out the cuticle — especially on the hairline and top layers most exposed during sunny excursions.
How to protect your hair from sun damage
SPF for your hair is a thing — use it
UV-protectant sprays shield your strands from protein breakdown and colour fade. Reapply like sunscreen when spending the whole day outdoors.
Wear a hat or scarf
Chic, romantic, and extremely effective. Bonus: it protects your scalp, too.
Avoid the midday sun
UV intensity peaks around midday, making hair more vulnerable to damage — the perfect excuse for a siesta or shaded lunch date.
Deep-condition weekly
Sunlight pulls moisture from your strands. A weekly mask restores softness and keeps hair flexible and healthy-looking.
Your ultimate summer honeymoon hair routine
For dreamy, healthy hair from check-in to checkout:
• Before swim: Wet hair, apply leave-in conditioner or oil, braid for protection.
• After swim: Rinse, apply moisturising spray, air-dry when possible.
• Daily protection: UV-protectant spray and hats during peak sun.
• Weekly care: Deep-conditioning mask, plus clarifying shampoo once a week if swimming often.
A summer honeymoon doesn’t have to mean straw-like strands or faded colour. With a little preparation and a few mindful habits, your hair can stay glossy, soft, and healthy — letting you enjoy every golden hour, every dip in the sea, and every sunlit memory to the fullest.
ALSO SEE: Beyond the Beach: Unusual Honeymoon Ideas for South African Couples in 2025
Beyond the Beach: Unusual Honeymoon Ideas for South African Couples in 2025
Written by Amy Steenkmap for Woman&Home.
Feature image: Pexels