From Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn to Elizabeth Taylor, we have been blessed with beauty and fashion icons who have endured over the ages, cementing themselves in the cultural landscape. Beyond their incredible talent and poise, they have created eternal trends when they walked down the aisle.
We often turn to celebrities for inspiration in life, whether it be in your career, fashion, or just general advice. Take inspiration from these iconic brides who revolutionised the wedding dress.
Lace like Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly’s Victorian-inspired gown was made of 125-year-old Brussels lace, taffeta, and thousands of hand-sewn pearls. The skirt was made of ivory faille and featured three petticoats: a smoothing petticoat, a ruffled petticoat and a foundation petticoat. Underneath the dress was the skirt support, the under bodice and the lace bodice with a slip. The gown itself was made of 100 yards (91 metres) of silk net, and the veil was 90 yards (82 metres). To keep the veil in place, Kelly opted for a Juliet cap decorated with lace, orange blossoms and seed pearls instead of a tiara. 30 seamstresses worked for 6 weeks to complete the look.
Classic and feminine, lace is a pretty versatile option – choose a finer lace with a high neckline for a Victorian feel, or go bold and boho with exaggerated patterns and a plunging neckline. Paired with a sleeved style, it is current and flattering to most figures. The pattern or texture of your veil doesn’t have to match your dress – so dare to be different!
Short like Audrey Hepburn
For her first marriage to actor, stage and film director Mel Ferrer, Hepburn stunned in a Balmain-designed tea-length flared dress with a satin sash, a high neckline and balloon sleeves that she accessorised with elbow-length gloves. The pair married in Burgenstock, Switzerland in an intimate ceremony on September 25, 1954.
Short dresses have become an increasingly popular trend, especially now that minimonies are the in-thing amid the pandemic. From mod minis to whimsical lace, it’s time to flaunt your legs. What’s more, this style is the perfect way to show off those heels! A below-the-knee dress is perfect for a summer or spring wedding.
Off-the-shoulder like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
For her big day, the future First Lady was a vision in a buffant ivory silk-taffeta off-the-shoulder gown, which has gone down in history as one of the most iconic wedding dresses.
Off-the-shoulder is the perfect balance between sexy and sophisticated. For the modern bride, a boat neck will add a graphic element, while soft or sheer fabric draping down your arms will create a fanciful look for a more romantic feel. For brides with wider hips, a cinched waist and scooped neckline will balance out your hips and accentuate your waist. More gamine brides should opt for boat-neck styles in soft, delicate fabrics, as this will lend a feminine touch to your naturally athletic body.
Colour like Elizabeth Taylor

Always the bride, it seems film star Elizabeth Taylor grew tired of wearing white on her big day. For her fourth wedding, this time to actor Eddie Fischer, she stunned in a green silk dress with a hood and long sleeves. For her fifth walk down the aisle, Taylor wore a canary-yellow chiffon gown and stunning floral headdress to marry Richard Burton. She embraced the 70s aesthetic in a unique tie-dye dress when she said I Do to Burton once again after the pair divorced in 1974.
For those who want something a little different, your moment has arrived: from a smattering of bright flowers or a lace overlay, all the way to a coloured gown. Subtle shades or blush, nudes and silvers are perfect for those looking for just a touch of colour, while the daring can go for solid brights or ombré in darker tones. For a hint of colour, a subtle ombré skirt in nude is your answer.
Picture: Pinterest
On your wedding day, you should feel like royalty. Many brides -royal and not- have donned tiaras over the years. Fashions have changed, but its timeless elegance has…
So, you love the colour black. For many reasons, it has stayed a classic in fashion throughout the years. Timeless, elegant and sophisticated.
However, when it comes to events, some might tend to think of funerals or a Halloween theme when you mention black. But there is more to black than grief or scare tactics.
It can also be stylish, glamorous, tasteful and inspiring. We take a look at some beautiful black wedding decor that still says: Yes, we are happy!
If plain black feels too heavy, lighten it up with one metallic colour like silver or rose gold. White also works well, or another dark colour like maroon or purple.
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Picture: Pexels
Valentine’s Day is drawing closer, and that means that you need to find the perfect present for your lover before time runs out. The past year has been…
Wedding invites used to be printed and delivered to each address but technology is now helping us save the trees and our time.
While e-invites used to be tacky, these days they are the most practical and often better solution. They have expanded beyond the standard, unflattering email. Now you can send beautifully designed invitations and have guests RSVP all through the same programme.
The RSVP can also include important information you need from guests like food preferences, plus-one details and even a song request. You can then easily access these spreadsheets without having to have put them together yourself.
Here are a few online sites that will do it all for you:
E-Vite offers free and premium invite options. The free versions are a bit simpler and don’t offer quite as much customisation but are a great option if you’re trying to save.
Greenvelope allows you to upload your own custom design or use one of their templates. It has a built-in RSVP tracker which even reminds guests about RSVP deadlines if they are about to miss them. The pricing is scaled for the number of invites starting at R350 up to R1050.
Paperless Post is one of the most popular e-invites on the market. You can add links to gift registries, to your wedding website and even guest accommodation options all within the beautifully designed online invite.
RSVPify focuses more on the backend. While it has customisable design and you can create the perfect invite. It has a strong engagement tracking, You can see if who and how many people have opened the invite, who RSVPd and easy follow-ups.
Picture: Pexels
Ever the drama queen, people may be surprised to hear that Paris Hilton is taking a more demure approach to her future wedding day. While she has always…
It’s probably a little early for jokes about the old ball-and-chain (note: it’s always too early), but if you’re going to be stuck in prison together, you want it to be The Old Jail in the town of Willowmore.
Built in the 1880’s, this prison-turned-boutique-guest-house north-east of Knysna oozes old-school charm. The Old Gaol, as it was then called, comprised a hospital cell, hard labour cells, awaiting trial cells, a female cell and kitchen cell.
After closing down as a prison in 1960, the property passed through many hands, and was uninhabited for almost 12 years, until the current owners took over and slowly turned the rustic grounds into a guest house, while still keeping many of the gorgeous Victorian features of the building. The cells and exercise areas have been converted into elegant rooms, each with its own private courtyard.

The Old Jail has three rooms in total, each air conditioned with modern amenities, high quality period finishes and private courtyards.
All three rooms are en-suite with original features, quality bedlinen and private entrance. They are easily accessible from the large safe parking area.
Farmers Suite 1 and Farmers Suite 2 have fully equipped kitchens and are two-roomed suites. Farmers Suite 1 has a sleeper couch for two sharing children 10 years and younger. Farmers Suite 2 has one extra bed for a child. This room has inter-leading doors with The Donkey Room for larger families.
The Donkey Room has an open plan bathroom with two single beds and is a sleep and go unit with an under counter fridge.


Full of history, the Karoo town of Willowmore has functioned as a farming and trading town since its discovery in 1819. There is an abundance of greenery and stunning hiking trails to explore, as well as many farmlands around. Take a trip to the Willowmore Town Hall, or visit one of the many museums around to explore and uncover the past.

If you choose to leave your room (after all, you aren’t actually in prison), Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area nearby offers several hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 trails.
Picture/s: The Old Jail






