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    last dance
    In Advice

    67 of our favourite last dance songs to end your wedding on a high

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    Ending your wedding on the right note is just as important as the first dance. The final song of the night is often one of the moment that lingers in your guests’ memories — the last shared singalong, the final dance with the last guests on the dancefloor, or that quiet moment between just the two of you before the celebration comes to an end.

    The best last dance songs always bring people together one more time. Choosing the right track matters because it creates closure, celebration, and a final burst of joy to end one of life’s biggest days on a high.

    Below are 67 of the best wedding last dance songs to end your night perfectly (or to simply add to your wedding’s playlist).

    67 of our favourite last dance wedding songs

    1. Mr Brightside – The Killers
    2. (I’m Gonna Be) 500 Miles – The Proclaimers
    3. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
    4. Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
    5. (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
    6. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
    7. Celebration – Kool & The Gang
    8. Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
    9. I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston
    10. Get Lucky – Daft Punk
    11. This Will Be – Natalie Cole
    12. All Night Long – Lionel Richie
    13. Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode
    14. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
    15. Dancing Queen – ABBA
    16. I’ll Be There for You – The Rembrandts
    17. Save the Last Dance for Me – Michael Bublé
    18. At Last – Etta James
    19. We Are Young – Fun.
    20. We Are Family – Sister Sledge
    21. One More Time – Daft Punk
    22. Come On Eileen – Dexys Midnight Runners
    23. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
    24. Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
    25. Stand By Me – Ben E. King
    26. Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye
    27. You’ve Got the Love – Florence + The Machine
    28. Sex on Fire – Kings of Leon
    29. Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
    30. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
    31. I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
    32. Proud Mary – Tina Turner
    33. Jump Around – House of Pain
    34. A Little Respect – Erasure
    35. I Love It – Icona Pop
    36. Shut Up and Dance – Walk the Moon
    37. You Make My Dreams – Hall & Oates
    38. I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
    39. Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
    40. The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
    41. Forever – Chris Brown
    42. You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
    43. Ho Hey – The Lumineers
    44. Like a Prayer – Madonna
    45. How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
    46. Houdini – Dua Lipa
    47. HOT TO GO! – Chappell Roan
    48. Can’t Stop the Feeling! – Justin Timberlake
    49. We Found Love – Rihanna
    50. DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love – Usher
    51. Yeah! – Usher
    52. Low – Flo Rida
    53. Raise Your Glass – P!nk
    54. Everytime We Touch – Cascada
    55. Party Rock Anthem – LMFAO
    56. The Time (Dirty Bit) – Black Eyed Peas
    57. American Pie – Don McLean
    58. Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
    59. Lovely Day – Bill Withers
    60. My Girl – The Temptations
    61. Real Love Baby – Father John Misty
    62. Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine
    63. All the Small Things – Blink-182
    64. Send Me On My Way – Rusted Root
    65. Calm Down – Rema & Selena Gomez
    66. Pour Some Sugar on Me – Def Leppard
    67. Amazed – Lonestar

    ALSO SEE: Tips for choosing your wedding’s signature cocktail names

    Tips for choosing your wedding’s signature cocktail names

    Feature image: Pexels

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    wedding weekend
    In Advice

    Why more and more couples are choosing a wedding weekend

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    In recent years, weddings have begun to evolve beyond a single day of celebration. Increasingly, couples are choosing to transform their weddings into full weekend experiences, gatherings that allow friends and family to come together, connect and celebrate over several days rather than just a few hours. This extended format not only deepens the guest experience but also contributes to increased demand for local accommodation, hospitality services and nearby attractions. This shift has given rise to what many in the industry are calling the “wedding weekend” – a growing trend that places as much emphasis on shared experiences as it does on the ceremony itself.

    One of the main reasons couples are embracing the wedding weekend concept is the desire to spend more meaningful time with their guests. Traditional weddings often move at a fast pace, with the day unfolding in a blur of greetings, photographs and formalities. By extending celebrations across an entire weekend, couples are able to slow the pace, creating opportunities for genuine connection with the people who have travelled to celebrate alongside them. For many destinations, this also means guests are staying longer and engaging more with the surrounding area.

    What does a wedding weekend look like?

    A typical wedding weekend often begins with a relaxed welcome gathering on the Friday evening. Rather than a formal rehearsal dinner, many couples are opting for casual drinks or a laid-back dinner where guests can meet one another and settle into the celebratory atmosphere. This opening event sets the tone for the weekend and allows guests who may not know each other to connect before the main celebration begins. These additional gatherings often create further opportunities for local caterers, venues and service providers to be part of the celebration.

    Saturday naturally becomes the centrepiece of the weekend, with the ceremony and reception taking place against the backdrop of a more relaxed schedule. Because guests are already on-site or nearby, there is less pressure on strict timelines. Couples can take their time with the ceremony, enjoy unhurried photo sessions and create a reception that unfolds at a comfortable, celebratory pace.

    Sunday often provides a gentle conclusion to the celebrations, typically with a farewell breakfast or brunch where guests can gather one last time before departing. These final moments tend to be among the most memorable, offering couples the opportunity to thank their guests personally and reflect on the weekend’s highlights.

    What makes the wedding weekend particularly special, however, are the experiences that happen between the main events. Many couples are incorporating informal activities that allow guests to explore the surroundings and enjoy the destination together. This could include garden lunches, guided walks, wine tastings or simply relaxing in scenic surroundings with a drink in hand. These activities could encourage collaboration with local guides, producers and tourism operators, further benefiting the surrounding community.

    Food and hospitality play a central role in shaping the atmosphere of a wedding weekend. Rather than focusing on a single formal meal, couples can create a series of culinary moments throughout the celebration, from welcome cocktails and canapés to beautifully prepared dinners and relaxed brunches the following morning. This layered approach allows guests to savour the experience and enjoy the occasion without feeling rushed.

    A wedding weekend at Granny Mouse Country House & Spa

    Naturally, the success of a wedding weekend depends greatly on the setting. Venues that offer accommodation, picturesque surroundings and a variety of spaces for both formal and informal gatherings are particularly well suited to this style of celebration. In regions such as the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, venues like Granny Mouse Country House & Spa provide the kind of relaxed countryside atmosphere that allows wedding weekends to unfold effortlessly, with gardens, intimate ceremony spaces and comfortable accommodation all within easy reach.

    Ultimately, by creating space for connection, laughter and celebration over several days, couples can savour every moment. Their guests, in turn, become part of something truly special, with extended stays that naturally contribute to the local economy.

    If the perfect weekend wedding is what you’re after, then contact the Granny Mouse team at [email protected]

    ALSO SEE: How (and when) to greet your wedding guests

    How (and when) to greet your wedding guests

    Featured image: Stacey Vandas/Pexels

    Words: Supplied by My Word PR.

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    wedding arch
    In Decor

    Wedding arch ideas you’ll want to steal for your big day

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    As the backdrop to your wedding, your wedding arch quite literally frames your ceremony. Flowers, fabrics and unusual shapes bring your wedding arch a unique, personal touch guaranteed to wow your guests.

    Here are some ideas for your big day:

     

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    ALSO SEE: Tips for choosing your wedding’s signature cocktail names 

    Tips for choosing your wedding’s signature cocktail names

    Feature image: Jonathan Borba/Unsplash

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    In Accessories

    What to consider when resetting your engagement ring

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    Do you sometimes wish to have a different ring on your ring finger? Look no further. Here are FAQs and all you need to know when thinking of resetting your engagement ring.

    A ring makeover does not have to cost you an arm and a leg, and you don’t have to buy a completely new ring either. You can rearrange your stones and make them brand new.

    1. Why reset your ring
    There are many reasons to reset your ring and those may include a divorce, feeling your ring is worn out, or just wanting a new look. However, when you reset your ring, its value changes and it will no longer be the original price.

    2. Cost to reset
    Resetting your ring may cost from R5000 to R20 000, depending on the design and the type of stone it is. The cost is less expensive than buying a new ring. However, adding new diamonds might cost more so you need to do your maths before taking your ring for a new look.

    3. How long will it take
    The waiting period depends on what you want to be done on your ring and it also depends on where you take it. Adding more diamonds might take longer. If you take your ring to a local jeweler it might take up to six weeks to finish it but private jewelers may have it done faster.

    4. Know your stone
    Do your research about your stone. It will make it easy for you to decide what to do with it if you know a little more about it. This way, you know what to expect from reconstruction and the risks.

    5. Insurance
    Mistakes happen all the time and you want to avoid them happening to your stone but you can never be a 100% sure, the best thing to do is make sure your ring is insured and ask your jeweler what is their policy if they mess or break the stone, have that written down to protect yourself. Normally, jewelers have a free repair policy but asking won’t hurt.

    6. Ask
    Jewelry is an important piece in anyone’s life because there is always a story behind it. When you take your ring for resetting, ask as many questions as you possibly can. Do your research prior and go prepared. This will save you.

    ALSO SEE: Alternative engagement ring stones

    Alternative engagement ring stones

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    wedding cake
    In Advice

    Preserving the top tier of a wedding cake: Tips and tricks

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    One of the wedding traditions that have stood the test of time in some relationships is the preservation of the top tier of a wedding cake. Couples save the top tier of their wedding cakes and eat it on their one-year anniversary. It may sound impractical, but we’re here to show you how to do it!

    Before we get to the tips for preserving your wedding cake, perhaps a little background on the tradition is necessary. These days, saving your cake for a year is understood as an omen for good luck. But where does the tradition come from?

    The story of cake preservation has two short parts. The first is that having a child in the first year of marriage was much more common in years gone by. For this reason, a couple would prefer to save a part of the wedding cake for the celebration of the birth of their child instead of getting a new cake.

    The second part of its story goes back to the 19th century and follows the actions of Queen Elizabeth II (or Princess Elizabeth at the time). When the Princess married Prince Philip in 1947, they had a three-tier cake. Each tier had a designated purpose – the bottom tier was to be cut at the wedding, the middle was to be sent off as a gift, and the top tier was to be saved for a future occasion. The future occasion here was the presumed upcoming birth of a child.

    Now, instead of saving it for the birth of the first child, the couple saves it for the first anniversary which is usually much closer in time to the wedding. The tradition seems to have stuck as a symbol of bringing the past into the present and of celebration.

    So, how do you preserve your top tier? Here are a few tips:

    – Decide on preserving it in advance 

    To ensure that the top tier doesn’t get cut on your wedding day, let your caterer know that you’ll be preserving it well before the ceremony. Deciding on preserving the cake early also helps you decide on fillings which may be longer lasting than others or decorations and designs that are able to withstand a year in the freezer.

    – Remove ornaments and flowers (real or sugar) 

    When you wrap the cake, it needs to be airtight.  The extra decorations will prevent the cake from being wrapped airtight.

    – Chill the cake 

    As soon as you get a chance, pop the cake in the freezer. This allows the cake to harden and preserve the icing properly. Ensure that there are no soft bits around the cake before you take it out of the freezer.

    – Double wrap it 

    First, wrap the cake with plastic. Push the plastic onto the cake so that there are no air bubbles. Then cover it again with foil. This ensures that nothing can get in. It also helps to ensure that other things in the freezer don’t pass their smells or tastes onto your cake.

    – Freeze

    Once the cake is tightly wrapped, label it (to ensure it doesn’t get mistaken for something else) and pop it in the freezer!

    – Eat later 

    Once your first anniversary comes, you’ll defrost the cake. Take the cake out of the freezer the day before your anniversary and keep in the fridge overnight. Then take it out of the fridge and leave it at room temperature for about 5 hours. Thereafter, it’ll be ready to eat!

    Many couples want to participate in this tradition but, for whatever reason, prefer not to save the cake. If you don’t see yourself saving the cake, but still want the sentiment and symbolism that comes with this tradition on your first anniversary, chat to your caterer and let her know that in a year you’ll be ordering an identical top tier. You may end up receiving a special deal or a totally free top tier!

    ALSO SEE: Your guide to the perfect wedding seating plan

    Your guide to the perfect wedding seating plan

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