wedding ceremony Archives

In Advice

Tips to officiate a wedding like a pro

May 20, 2026 No Comments

Being asked to officiate a wedding is a pretty big deal. Whether it’s your best friend, your cousin or a sibling tying the knot, being chosen to lead one of the most important moments in someone’s life is equal parts exciting, emotional and slightly terrifying.

Before you panic-Google “how to marry people”, here’s what you need to know. From legal requirements to speech tips, these are the most important tips for officiating a marriage without turning the ceremony into a rambling TED Talk.

First things first: Can anyone officiate a wedding in South Africa?

This is where things get a little tricky.

In South Africa, not just anyone can legally officiate a marriage. To legally marry a couple, you need to be an authorised marriage officer registered with the Department of Home Affairs.

This usually includes:

Religious leaders
Certain government officials
Designated marriage officers

So if your friend asks you to officiate their wedding, you technically cannot legally sign the marriage documents unless you’re officially registered and authorised.

So what do couples usually do?

A lot of modern couples choose to split the legal and ceremonial parts of the wedding.

This means:

The legal paperwork is done separately through a registered marriage officer or at Department of Home Affairs
Then a friend or family member leads the symbolic ceremony on the wedding day itself

Honestly? Guests usually never even notice the difference. It allows couples to have a more personal, relaxed and meaningful ceremony led by someone who actually knows them.

Tips for officiating a marriage without freezing up

Get the vibe right

Before you write a single word, chat to the couple properly.

Ask them:

Do they want funny, emotional or formal?
Are there religious or cultural traditions involved?
Do they want guests to laugh, cry or both?
Are there any topics or inside jokes to avoid?

Some couples want a light-hearted ceremony with personality. Others want something more traditional and sentimental. Your job is to set the tone.

Start with a strong opening

The first few lines matter more than you think.

You do not need to sound like a movie narrator or a royal announcer. Keep it warm and natural.

Tell their story

One of the best tips for officiating a marriage is remembering that the ceremony is about the couple, not your stand-up comedy debut.

Share:

How they met
What makes their relationship special
Small moments that show who they are together
Why the people around them love them

Avoid:

Embarrassing stories
Ex drama
Overly private details
Anything that could make grandparents uncomfortable

If you’re using humour, keep it light and inclusive.

Include personal touches

This is where a friend or family member officiating can really shine.

You can include:

Personal vows
Readings or poems
Cultural traditions
A moment of silence for loved ones
Guest participation
A ring warming ceremony

Practice more than you think you need to

Even confident public speakers get nervous at weddings.

Read your script out loud multiple times before the day. Timing, pacing and pronunciation feel very different in your head compared to saying them aloud in front of 100 people and a crying flower girl.

A few practical tips:

Print your speech out
Use larger font sizes
Speak slower than normal
Pause after emotional moments
Keep water nearby
Don’t wing it completely

How long should the ceremony speech be?

Shorter is usually better.

Most wedding ceremonies sit comfortably between 15 and 30 minutes depending on:

Vows
Readings
Rituals
Religious elements

If you’re leading a non-religious ceremony, aim for meaningful rather than marathon-length.

Nobody wants to hear you speaking longer than the reception speeches.

What should you actually say during the ceremony?

Most ceremonies follow a simple structure:

Welcome guests
Introduce the couple’s story
Share thoughts about marriage or love
Move into vows
Exchange rings
Official declaration
The kiss
Final introduction of the married couple

You don’t need fancy language. You just need sincerity.

ALSO SEE: Nail your wedding speech

Nail your wedding speech

Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

Wedding ceremony tips to know before you walk down the aisle

February 19, 2026 No Comments

You’ve planned the seating chart, chosen the perfect playlist and said yes to the dress, but have you thought about what actually happens during your ceremony?

Your wedding ceremony is one of the most photographed, emotional and memorable parts of the day. It’s also the part that most brides don’t rehearse properly. These wedding ceremony tips for brides will help you feel calm, confident and completely present from the moment you step into the aisle to your first kiss as newlyweds.

Walk slower than you think you should

Then slow it down again.

Adrenaline will make everything feel like it’s happening in fast forward. Walking slowly not only gives your photographer time to capture those once in a lifetime moments, but it also allows you to actually take in the people, the music and your partner waiting at the end of the aisle.

If you feel like you’re walking too slowly, you’re probably walking at the perfect pace.

Carry your bouquet at your belly button

It sounds oddly specific, but it makes a huge difference in photos.

Holding your bouquet too high can hide the detailing on your dress and make your shoulders look tense. Hold it low, around your belly button, with the flowers facing outward. This helps your posture look more relaxed and keeps your neckline and bodice visible.

Hold hands and lock eyes

It might feel natural to look around at your guests, your parents or even your officiant, but the most meaningful place to look is right at each other.

Holding hands throughout the ceremony grounds you, calms your nerves and keeps you emotionally connected. It also looks incredibly romantic in photos.

Hold the kiss

When it’s time for that “you may now kiss” moment, don’t rush it.

Go in for the kiss and hold it while you both count to three in your heads. This gives your photographer enough time to capture the moment properly and prevents that blink and you miss it situation.

Pause before you walk back down the aisle

Once you’re officially married, take a second before turning to walk back up the aisle.

Celebrate. Smile at your guests. Steal another kiss if you want to. That pause creates some of the most joyful and genuine photos of the day.

Pause halfway down the aisle on your way out

Your recessional is your very first moment as a married couple.

As you walk back down the aisle together after the ceremony, stop halfway for a quick kiss or celebratory moment. It gives your guests something special to cheer for and creates one of the happiest photo opportunities of the entire day.

Practise standing together

It sounds simple, but knowing how to stand comfortably next to each other matters more than you think.

Angle your bodies slightly toward one another rather than standing stiffly forward. It feels more natural and looks more intimate during the ceremony.

Don’t forget to breathe

Deep breaths will keep you calm and help prevent shaky voices during your vows.

If you feel overwhelmed, gently squeeze your partner’s hand and take a slow breath together.

ALSO SEE: High-neck wedding dresses we love

High-neck wedding dresses we love

Feature image: Jakob Owens/Unsplash

In Planning

10 Adorable ways to include your pet in your wedding!

November 26, 2025 No Comments

Who wouldn’t want to walk down the aisle with their furriest four-legged friend by their side? Clad in the cutest black and white tuxedo, and sporting the wettest of all the noses, having your fur baby is surely a dream, not always practical.

However, don’t fear fur parents, we’ve thought of some creative ways you can include your bestie in your big day without (hopefully) causing a cat-astrophe.

Get ready with them …

Grab your wedding gown and snap a few adorable pics with them before the ceremony.

We all need a furry ring bearer or flower up

Flower girls are cute, but have you ever seen a dog walk down the aisle carrying a ring!

Who wouldn’t want a little anxiety-relieving support at the altar

Wedding day jitters got you tongue-tied … ease your nerves or add a little warmth to the ceremony by having your pet nearby.

Make them the star of your wedding cake

Who doesn’t want to wow guests with the cutest wedding topper ever … a great way to include any pet is to include them on your wedding cake.

Add them to the post-wedding ceremony walk

Once the vows are said and done, take a walk with your pup or pups!

Signature wedding/pet cocktail anyone?

Have your resident mixologist whip up a drink as sweet or spicy as your best friend!

But don’t forget to add them to the bar menu!

Make sure your guests know just who the inspiration for the signature drinks is by adding your fur baby to the menu!

Make it uber-romantic by including them in your first dance

They may just stop you from stepping on your new husband/wife’s toes! Also, it’s a super adorable way to include them in your wedding.

Give back

While your pup is privilege to have you shower them with love and treats, not all animals are that lucky. Skip the traditional wedding favour and pay it forward by adding a little donation option or box for your guests to add a little sunshine to an animal’s life.

Photobooth props!

Show guests a good time by incorporating your pet into your big day with a few hilarious or adorable photo booth props!

ALSO SEE: Everything you need to know about wedding dress alterations

Everything you need to know about wedding dress alterations

Feature image: Pexels

In Weddings

Stepping away from tradition: Wedding ceremony rituals that symbolise unity

March 16, 2022 No Comments

While saying “I do” is a magical experience that inherently symbolises love, sometimes bridal couples are looking to step away from tradition and personalise their wedding experience… spice things up, even.

If you’re looking to put a unique spin on your upcoming wedding ceremony, why not incorporate various rituals from around the world that embody the very meaning of marriage: unity.

Here are a few traditional and modern rituals that encompass this very word, and provide a foundation for couples looking to incorporate something a bit more unique when it comes to their nuptials.

Take what resonates and toss what doesn’t, here are six creative wedding rituals that are well about two partners in love:

Jump the broom

Jumping the broom has its roots in African American culture, but the meaning behind this ritual is universal. The ritual originated in the early 19th century when slaves were not formally allowed to get married.

Instead, couples looking to get married would place a broom on the ground and hop over it together. The tradition has now come to mean a “brushing away” of the parts and starting things on a clean slate.

Releasing butterflies

contemporary and traditional wedding rituals — Pinterest

Is there anything more romantic than rose petals and butterflies? Butterflies often represent change, hope, life and transformation, and there’s nothing more transformational than getting married.

Releasing butterflies at your wedding ceremony is meant to encompass all of these elements as you start your journey as newlyweds.

Light a candle

This tradition is often associated with the Judeo-Christian faith and is a common practice that’s associated with “two becoming one.”

During the ceremony, the bride and groom each light a candle and combine their flame to ignite a third and larger one.

Handfasting

This is a beautiful ritual that stems from an ancient Celtic tradition of the same name. Basically, it sees the bride and groom hold opposite hands, ensuring that their arms are tied together lie a figure eight before it is tied together with a ribbon – ultimately symbolising union.

The fabric is also great to keep and pass down to your children.

Plant a tree

Watching something grow can be a beautiful experience. Similar to the love that is shared between two partners, the physical symbol of a tree growing from a sapling into a strong tree can represent growth and strength between partners.

A great way to include this ritual into your ceremony is by having the bridal couple scoop a handful of soil and add it to their planted tree.

Create a time capsule

Time capsules are not just for keeping kids entertained. Add a bunch of meaningful items into a box – items that are specific to you and your spouse – and nail it shut together.

This new and different ritual is all about doing something together. You can open this in the next 10 years or on your one year anniversary.

Picture: Laurken Kendall

In Weddings

5 Cute wedding traditions to include in your elopement ceremony

November 18, 2021 No Comments

Congratulations! You’ve decided to dive into the freedom-seeking world of elopement. The dawn of COVID-19 has ensured that running away and skipping the big ceremony is no longer taboo. In fact, it’s probably encouraged. But just because you’re forgoing the endless shenanigans that come with throwing a classic wedding doesn’t mean you can’t add a little tradition to your elopement.

The beauty of having an elopement ceremony is freedom. You can literally do whatever you want! But with so many options to choose from, here are a few adorable and traditional additions you can add to your unconventional ceremony.

The Vows

While the thought of having thousands of eyeballs staring at you as you exchange your promise of love may leave your hands shaking, this is such a beautiful addition to any ceremony and is often the foundation. This is the perfect time to open your heart and share something wonderfully unique to the partner standing in front of you.

traditional wedding ceremony vows — Credit: vowofthewild.com

Walk down the aisle

Just because you’re choosing to break away from tradition doesn’t mean you can’t do something conventional, like taking a walk down the aisle. Grab a few flower petals or a beautiful rug, and walk down the “aisle” to your favourite tune towards the one you love.

traditional wedding aisle — Credit: vowofthewild.com

Have a blast

There may be five people tearfully observing you say “I do,” but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a blast when the ceremony is all done and dusted. Grab a few of your closest friends and family – keeping it small, of course – and throw a little shindig that will allow you to celebrate with your squad. A few ideas may include a close friend’s cosy backyard or your favourite little restaurant.

Raise you glass

It is a celebration after all! Rope in the best man or maid of honour and get them to deliver a toast that will tuck at the heartstrings. There’s nothing more traditional than giving a big ‘ol cheers to the newlyweds with a delicious bottle of bubbly. If you’re heading to your favourite restaurant, make sure you double-check the alcohol restrictions before bringing that vintage bottle of JC Le Roux.

traditional wedding elopement — Credit: www.adrianariveram.com

The First Dance

If not for the tradition, do it for the romance. Having the first dance at your elopement can be a beautiful thing made even better by having those few special people around you. Embrace technology and hit play on your favourite song before pumping the tunes on your JBL speaker.

traditional wedding elopement first dance — Credit: Sarah Falugo

Feature Image: Days made of love