wedding planning inspiration Archives

In Advice

Not your average ivory: 5 wedding colours defining the season

June 15, 2026 No Comments

For years, wedding colour palettes played it safe – endless beige, muted blush and “timeless neutrals” that started blending into one another.

But this season? Couples are bringing colour back.

Not in a loud, chaotic way – but in a richer, more intentional way. Wedding palettes are becoming warmer, moodier and more personal, with couples choosing colours that create atmosphere rather than simply match décor.

If you’re planning your big day (or building a Pinterest board that changes weekly), these are the wedding colours set to dominate the season.

Sage green & soft stone: the new neutral

If there’s one colour refusing to leave the wedding group chat, it’s sage green.

But this season’s version feels more elevated than the sage-overload of previous years. Instead of pairing it with crisp white and stopping there, couples are layering tonal greens with warm stone, ivory, oatmeal and textured natural finishes.

Think:

Organic floral installations
Linen-heavy tablescapes
Garden-inspired ceremonies
Bridesmaid dresses in mixed green tones
Soft candlelight over high-contrast décor

The result? Romantic without trying too hard.

WeddingETC tip: Add antique gold accents and layered florals to keep sage from feeling overdone.

Butter yellow: the unexpected bridal favourite

Soft yellow is quietly becoming the cool-girl wedding colour of the season.

Butter yellow sits somewhere between classic cream and playful pastel — warm, optimistic and surprisingly elegant. Brides are using it for florals, bridesmaid dresses, stationery and sunset receptions.

It works especially beautifully for:

Summer weddings
Coastal celebrations
Garden venues
Modern editorial aesthetics

Pair it with ivory, champagne, soft olive or muted blue for a polished finish.

WeddingETC tip: If full yellow feels intimidating, introduce it through florals, menus or reception details instead.

Cherry red & deep burgundy: romance gets dramatic

After years of whisper-soft palettes, bold reds are making a serious comeback.

Not bright Valentine’s Day red – think cherry, merlot, oxblood and rich burgundy.

This palette creates depth instantly and photographs beautifully, especially in candlelit spaces.

Where we’re seeing it:

Bridal bouquets
Statement floral runners
Velvet details
Fashion-forward bridesmaid looks
Luxe black-and-red receptions

WeddingETC tip: Balance rich reds with cream, espresso or soft pink instead of stark white.

Mocha mousse & warm earth tones

Warm browns are officially having their wedding moment.

Influenced by the rise of earthy luxury and fashion’s obsession with edible-inspired tones, mocha, caramel, terracotta and mushroom neutrals are becoming the sophisticated alternative to grey and cool taupe.

This palette feels:

Expensive without being flashy
Modern but timeless
Minimal while still feeling warm

Perfect for:

Destination weddings
Autumn celebrations
Editorial city weddings
Couples who want neutral without looking plain

WeddingETC tip: Mix matte textures with glass and metallic finishes to stop earth tones from falling flat.

Jewel tones: colour with confidence

Minimalism isn’t disappearing – but maximalist colour is definitely pushing back.

Emerald, deep plum, sapphire and forest green are showing up in layered, luxurious wedding design.

Instead of using one statement shade, couples are building full colour stories with contrast and texture.

Expect to see:

Saturated florals
Coloured glassware
Tonal bridesmaid styling
Dramatic evening receptions

WeddingETC tip: Keep the venue neutral and let colour do the heavy lifting.

The takeaway?

This season’s wedding colours aren’t about following one aesthetic.

They’re softer where needed, bolder where it counts and rooted in personality over perfection.

Translation: if your dream palette isn’t trending yet – use it anyway.

ALSO SEE: Wedding Fashion: Mini Dresses, Gender‑Neutral Looks & Bold Colour

Wedding Fashion: Mini Dresses, Gender‑Neutral Looks & Bold Colour

Featured image: Eugenia Remark / Pexels

In Decor

DIY Thank you shortbread biscuits

May 27, 2026 No Comments

Wedding favours are having a quieter, more intentional moment — and thank-you shortbread biscuits are leading the way. Delicate, nostalgic, and effortlessly elegant, these buttery treats add a personal touch to your celebration while giving guests something genuinely memorable to take home. Whether beautifully boxed, ribbon-tied, or displayed alongside your reception décor, shortbread biscuits are proof that the sweetest details are often the simplest.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED
250g butter, at room temperature
½ cup caster sugar, plus extra to dust
1 vanilla pod, seeds only
2 cups flour
½ cup cornflour
Custom-made rubber stamps
Biscuit cutters

METHOD
1. Have your rubber stamps made with the greetings of your choice (you can order stamps from rubberstampsa.co.za).
2. Preheat oven to 160°C and grease a 20 cm baking tray.
3. Beat the butter until soft, then beat in the caster sugar and vanilla seeds until light and fluffy. Mix in the rest of the ingredients to form a stiff dough.
4. Roll the dough out on the baking tray so you don’t have to move it afterwards and cut them with your cookie cutters. Stamp each one with your rubber stamp.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden. Remove from the oven and immediately dust with caster sugar.
6. Carefully remove the shortbread fingers from the tray and transfer to a wire rack to cool before serving.
7. Once they’ve cooled completely, you can put your biscuits in gift boxes or tie them up with cellophane and a pretty ribbon.

In a world of elaborate wedding trends and over-the-top details, there’s something undeniably charming about a buttery shortbread biscuit wrapped with intention. Equal parts nostalgic and thoughtful, these sweet treats prove that wedding favours don’t need to be extravagant to leave a lasting impression. Sometimes, the most memorable gestures are the simplest ones – made with love, shared with gratitude, and enjoyed one crumb at a time.

ALSO SEE: Budget-friendly wedding favours you can DIY

Budget-friendly wedding favours you can DIY

Featured image: Kristina Paukshtite / Pexels

In Drinks

Ginspiration for the Perfect Gin Bar on Your Wedding Day

October 14, 2025 No Comments

South Africa, and more specifically Cape Town, has been ranked among the top 10 wedding destinations in the world, this is according to a study by DC Jewellery.

Gaining much popularity around the world are exclusive gin bars because after all what makes a wedding all the more special is having the perfect drink to cheers with. Gin bars offer a vibe so, you can choose from a classic high tea look, mid-century modern touch or bohemian and base your gin choices around that.

A gin bar doesn’t just make a statement it adds a decorative piece to your big day and special touches like customised cocktails that can tie into you and your partner’s love story.

Musgrave Spirits: The Show-Stopping Gin Cart

Ready to dazzle brides and her guests, premium gin brand Musgrave Spirits elaborate gin cart embellished with fresh pink, red and white roses comes fully stocked with Musgrave Original gin and Musgrave Rose Pink Gin, as well as Musgrave Inspirit which is 0% alcohol for those who don’t drink along with a Musgrave Gin mixologist.

Inspired by founder Simone Musgrave’s love of roses and of course gin they’ve also developed the ideal take home gift for wedding guests in the form of Musgrave miniatures.

A Spirit with an African Story

Source: Teagan Smith Photography

Musgrave Crafted Spirits in a class of its own and is a must-have on any occasion. Earning its place as trendsetters with the launch of SA’s original pink gin, Musgrave Pink, and award-winning Musgrave Original Gin. Born out of the African explorations of the Musgrave Family at the turn of the 19th Century, the family’s tale is one of adventure and discovery, embodied in the tenacious spirit of patriarch Maurice Boon Musgrave. This pioneering spirit inspired Boon Musgrave’s granddaughter, Simone Musgrave, to look to Africa’s rich land of flavour and aromas to create the truly African expression of spirit in the Musgrave Gin.

A Taste of the African Spice Route

Source: Teagan Smith Photography

The Original Musgrave Gin is made up of a selection of 11 botanicals, each reflecting some aspect of the African Spice Route of yesteryear. The Musgrave Gin has expressive top notes of Cardamom, African Ginger, and Grains of Paradise, whilst the citrus and other spices marry together a tale of flavour spanning a continent.

For enquiries please email [email protected].