• Wedding planning can be chaotic. With so many options to choose from, it can be tough to narrow down what you want. Many use their zodiac sign to determine the choices they make in life, so why not use it to plan your wedding too?

    Those that follow astrology believe that it speaks to and shapes personality. Considering that a wedding is highly personal, it makes sense that you’d want to tailor it to yourself. Here are the best wedding themes that suit each zodiac sign.

    Aries (March 21–April 19)

    Aries individuals are trend-setters. Being the first sign in the zodiac, they love to lead the way and rarely go with the status quo. They are bold, dramatic and a little bit extra.

    Go big and bold with a glamorous wedding. An art-deco inspired wedding might be the perfect fit. Think Great Gatsby, a world defined by excess, wealth and conspicuous consumption. Guests have the option of dressing up in theme, making for some memorable photos.

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    Taurus (April 20–May 20)

    Taureans are a classic Earth sign, displaying practicality with a dose of stubbornness. They are also ambitious and little bit materialistic, with a love of the finer things in life.

    Feed into this with a rustic meets glam theme. Pick an outdoor venue with stunning natural scenery, and amplify with more luxe touches like a unique fairy light display, tons of candles and rose gold finishes.

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    Gemini (May 21–June 20)

    Represented by the twins, the Gemini bride is known for their two-in-one personality which can also make them indecisive in nature. They are intelligent, adaptable and outgoing, yet impulsive and unreliable.

    The best is to mix two styles to cover your bases. A boho-glam aesthetic is the best of both worlds, merging the natural with the luxurious. Go for a mix of textures like silk, linens, lace and macramé, as well as natural tones likes greens, whites and tans.

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    Cancer (June 21–July 22)

    The ever-romantic Cancerians are sentimental and emotive creatures with a deep belief in true love. This water sign is guided by the heart.

    A pastel wedding is soft and sweet, just like you. Blush pink is always trendy, and looks amazing paired with gold and white. Tall candles and chandeliers add extra whimsy and romance, making your fairytale dream come true.

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    Leo (July 23–August 22)

    Much like the king of the jungle, Leos are passionate and confident beings. They are bold personalities who like to make a statement. These trendsetters like to lead the way, and would opt for something unique and daring on their big day.

    Pick an unusual venue like a library, museum, art gallery or even a treehouse for something unexpected.

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    Virgo (August 23–September 22)

    Virgos are practical perfectionists. Logical and dependable, this Earth sign is known for taking a systematic approach to life. Their style tends to be modest, simple, and polished, just like they are.

    Go clean and simple with a minimalist wedding theme. Think neutral colours, natural fabrics, organic elements, accent metals and lots of glass pieces. Clean lines and key pieces create a sophisticated look perfect for weddings.

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    Libra (September 23–October 22)

    Libras are all about balance, much like their symbolic zodiac sign, the scale. They love symmetry and harmony. Like Taureans, Libras are also ruled by Venus, the planet that governs love, beauty, and money, and are thus big fans of luxury and beauty.

    A peaceful venue like a vineyard is perfect for the harmony-loving Libra. Pair rustic elements with lush greenery and natural tones to elevate your decor.

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    Scorpio (October 23–November 21)

    The most passionate sign of the zodiac, Scorpios are masters of seduction and pleasure. These mysterious creatures enjoy a darker side of life, and lean toward hedonism.

    With some Scorpios being born in October, it makes sense to give in to the spooky season. Opt for a Halloween theme, complete with dark tones and rich gold finishes for an antique look. Use tulle, velvet, dried flowers and candles for a spooky yet elegant atmosphere.

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    Sagittarius (November 22–December 21)

    Sagittarius individuals are typically fun-loving and free-spirited. They love to roam free and explore the various facets of the world and life.

    With all that wanderlust, it seems perfect to opt for a travel-themed wedding. If you can’t have a destination wedding, bring the world to you with some creative touches. Use ‘boarding passes’ as escort cards, a globe as a guest book and paper airplanes as decor.

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    Capricorn (December 22–January 19)

    Capricorns are the classy sign. They are typically very grounded and thoughtful, preferring the simpler things in life.

    A timeless wedding is best for this sign. Go simple yet elegant with a black-tie affair, with tasteful decor. A banquet hall is the ideal setting, and can easily be dressed up with stunning floral centrepieces.

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    Aquarius (January 20–February 18)

    Aquarians are represented by the water bearer, the mystical healer who bestows water, or life upon the land. They are easy-going and fun yet graceful and bold.

    Being a water sign, a beach wedding is perfect for Aquarius’. Dress it up with elegant lighting, tons of greenery and an unusual print to showcase your eccentric nature.

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    Pisces (February 19–March 20)

    Pisces individuals are dreamers, often at odds with fantasy and reality. They tend to be empathetic, compassionate and sensitive.

    Give in to your inner child and host an informal and fun picnic themed wedding. Use tons of pillows to keep your guests comfortable, and include games to keep them laughing all night long.

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    Picture: Unsplash

    Congratulations are in order for Hollywood couple Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone! The comedic duo recently celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary.

    Taking to social media, McCarthy gushed about her husband.

    “15 years ago today I married the kindest, funniest and weirdest human I’ve ever met. Grateful every single day!!!” McCarthy wrote on Instagram.

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    Falcone was a bit more cheeky with his tribute, sharing an image of his wife clutching two bunnies to her chest.

    “Was scrolling through my phone and came across this photo. Can’t remember seeing it before. Two things: A) I’m so lucky and grateful to be married to such a lovely, smart, kind and wonderful person B) why is there a skunk in the picture? Happy fifteenth Anniversary, Mooch! Here’s to 500 more (I am assuming we will kinda be robots for 400 of those years),” he wrote.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CGEEKufhcfz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    The Emmy winner and her actor/filmmaker husband met in 1998 when they were both apart of the Los Angeles comedy troupe Groundlings, and tied the knot in 2005.

    They run their own production company together called On The Day Productions, and have featured alongside one another in many films like Bridesmaids and Tammy.

    The pair share two daughters: Vivian (13) and Georgette (10).

    Picture: Instagram / Melissa McCarthy

    Flowers play a very important role on the wedding day, so it is important to match them to the season. Like fruit, flowers are seasonal, and getting the ones you love will sometimes be expensive if they are out of season.

    Summer

    Having a summer wedding is the easiest season because you are guaranteed the best weather, most flowers have bloomed and available and you can have an outdoor wedding. These flowers thrive best in summer:

    Roses

    Roses can be dressed up or down in a bouquet for any type of wedding. You are never limited to colours with these flowers. Shades range from red, yellow, pink, and orange to purple and white. Be careful though, each colour has its own symbolism!

    Chrysanthemum

    These flowers are perfect for a summer vintage wedding theme. They are available in hues such as yellow, orange, white, red, purple, and pink.

    Sunflowers

    Sunflowers were made for summer with their bright, happy hues and appearance. They’re the perfect bloom for a rustic wedding. They are mostly yellow but you can find orange and red varieties.

    Winter

    Winter weddings are popular for thsoe that love the season, and tend to be more intimate and indoors. The weather is mostly gloomy but your decor doesn’t have to be, here are flowers to help.

    Camellias

    Camellias are one of winter’s most-loved flowers Their petals are layered, which adds plenty of texture and you can pair them with thorny green. Their peak blooming season allows them to be readily available and easy to use.

    Carnations

    These cuties continue to bloom and thrive during winter’s cold months, and they are also available in a variety of colours like shades of red, purple, pink, and white. They make a room come alive with their flexibility.

    Ranunculus

    Ranunculus are great to use if you are going for the all-white soft florals theme. They are perfect for the bouquet and the groom’s pocket flower.

    Spring

    Spring is the season of hope. During this time everything is bright and beautiful, the sun is out but not too harsh and you want to look like a blooming flower. Your wedding should represent that vibe with these options:

    Tulips

    Tulips are great flowers and they look vibrant. You will find them in every colour except for black, blue, and green.

    Peony

    It’s one of the most loved flowers of the wedding season and it’s easy to see why the peony is an all-time favourite. It is the perfect mix of softness and texture, the flower also has a secret meaning – ‘a happy marriage’. It is available in white, cream, burgundy, soft pink, crimson, rose pink, and deep pink

    Lilac

    These beautiful flowers have a great beautiful soft scent. They are available in pure white, pale lilac, deep lilac, and pale pink.

    Autumn  

    This is a season of natural colours. Everything is wilting and is mostly windy, it is hard to imagine that there are flowers that bloom when trees fall. Here are flowers you can find in autumn to make your wedding a day to remember:

    Dahlias

    These flowers are a nice balance between organic and refined. They are commonly mixed with greens to make a grounding look on your decor. You can find them in pink, white, and a quiet orange.

    Zinnias

    The Zinnias have an ombre effect. They have a calming effect and can be a great use for a barn-themed wedding. You will find them in various shades, from deep burgundy to the palest blush.

    Protea

    South Africa’s national flower is fitting for a wedding day. It is symbolic of change and transformation across cultures.

    Pictures: Unsplash

    This year has been a tough one for the wedding world. Across the globe, couples are postponing their weddings as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens. A new trend has no emerged from this, in which couples are making the best of a bad situation.

    Many couples are opting to still honour their original wedding date by going on honeymoon on a much smaller scale. Called the “first honeymoon”, they have decided that they don’t want to be sad on what would have been their wedding day, so they head out on a trip and celebrate it.

    A first honeymoon is a shorter, more affordable, typically domestic and small-scale “honeymoon” on or around the original wedding date.

    According to a recent survey by wedding planning website Zola, one-third of engaged couples plan to have a first honeymoon.

    “We’ve had engagement moons, and mini-moons, but no one ever thought a first moon would be a thing,” said Zola spokesperson Hailey Murphy. “Couples are finding joy in that and still looking forward to these big weddings and big celebrations that we will hopefully be able to get back to sooner rather than later.”

    The first honeymoon is the perfect opportunity to relax and take a break from the stress of life, especially welcomed now as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate in many countries.

    With so many travel restrictions in place, first honeymoons are best when they remain domestic. It is also important to maintain social distancing and practice good hygiene.

    While international travel is open in South Africa, our local travel industry is in great need of financial support. Think local and book a trip to a nearby town or province to help the country get back on its feet.

    Picture: Pexels