There’s nothing we love more than a fairytale proposal, and is there anything more romantic than running 90 kilometres to show just how much you want to be with “your person?”
While most people head to the Comrades to stretch their legs and show off the hard work they’ve put in over the last few months, Joseph Kagiso Ndlovu used the opportunity to propose to the lady in his life.
The 90km ultramarathon is a beast that attracts runners from all over the world with athletes using the event to raise funds for charity.
However, Joseph had something different in mind as he ran the entire 90km with a scroll of paper rolled up in his pocket with only one thing on his mind: to go down on his knee and ask the woman he loves to marry him.
Joseph made it to the finish line and finished the event at 8:40:05. Even more spectacular is the fact that he asked the love of his life to marry him on national TV – now, wouldn’t that make anyone blush?
So, who is the lucky lady? Prudence Phalatse-Mampe said “yes” with countless South African companies looking to aid the couple on their journey to saying “I do.”
A big congratulations to the newly engaged couple!
Feature image: Unsplash
More and more bridal couples are looking to cut their spending. Whether it’s purchasing affordable wedding dresses on SHEIN or throwing an intimate ceremony for friends and family,…
If you’re looking for a dreamy honeymoon destination, try taking a peek in your own backyard.
The glittering sands of the South of France, or the azure-blue waters of Mexico may hold a certain kind of magic for newlyweds, but the continent of Africa offers its own bit of adventurous magic just waiting to be explored.
Here are five unbelievable honeymoon destinations, right here in Africa, that will leave you mesmerised by the abundance of natural beauty:
Morocco
Relax on the white sandy beaches of Casablanca or meander through the bustling streets of Marrakech, the North African country of Morocco is bursting with incredible destinations to suit every honeymooner’s palette.
Kenya
Adventure awaits when choosing Kenya as your honeymoon destination. This African country has a little something for everyone, including the skyscrapers of Nairobi, the famous Masai Mara for a safari, and the dazzling beach of Mombasa. What’s better than enjoying a safari in the AM and a swim in the ocean in the PM.
Tanzania
Tanzania is another versatile honeymoon destination that newlyweds can’t seem to get enough of. Get your hearts pumping with a hike to the edge of the vast Ngorongoro Crater or explore the historic Stone Town.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe often gets a bad rep, but there’s endless beauty to be explored when visiting our neighbour. It’s considered a wildly romantic wilderness adventure for all, with bungee jumping at Victoria Falls, discovering the Big 5 at one of its many game reserves, and cruising the Zambezi River – magical!
Mauritius
You can’t really spell tropical island without honeymoon… well, you can, but the two go together like peanut butter and jam. Mauritius is a favourite for bridal couples looking to soak up the sun, spend the day snorkelling in warm waters, explore the island’s rugged terrain, and enjoy its unique culture. Make sure you take a peek at the 33-metre Mangal Mahadev statue on the island!
Feature Image: The Blonde Abroad
Nestled at the foot of the Constantiaberg mountains, Steenberg Farm has long been a place where history, hospitality, and heritage converge. Now, in its most considered transformation to date,…
Creating Instagram-Worthy Tablescapes for a Pink Gin Inspired Wedding
The tradition of wedding favours dates back centuries, symbolising gratitude and hospitality to guests who share in the couple’s special day. While traditional sugared almonds once dominated reception tables, today’s couples are embracing more personalised tokens that guests can have fun and double up as the centrepiece of breathtaking tablescapes themselves.
Musgrave Pink Gin minis have emerged as a stunning choice for modern wedding styling. Their blush-toned hue naturally complements wedding aesthetics, creating an immediate visual impact that’s perfect for today’s social media-savvy celebrations. When artfully arranged with complementary elements, these miniature bottles transform ordinary tables into photograph-worthy settings that captivate both in person and online.
Source: Teagan Smith Photography
When Crafting Your Pink Gin-Inspired Tablescape, Consider These Design Principles:
- Begin with crisp white linens as your canvas, layering natural woven chargers to add textural interest. This neutral base creates an organic backdrop that allows the delicate pink of the gin bottles to become a focal point rather than competing with busy patterns.
- To create botanical harmony, use the botanicals found in the gin itself and to display this you could wrap eucalyptus sprigs gently around each bottle, scatter rose petals in varying shades of pink across the table, tie small bundles of dried botanicals with fine ribbon and use miniature fresh flower arrangements featuring complementary blooms.
- To add a personalised touch attach handwritten name cards to each bottle. Add custom tags featuring the couple’s monogram and wedding date. Wrap the bottles with vellum paper inscribed with a personal message and position them atop individual guest menus.
In today’s wedding landscape, where every detail contributes to an immersive experience, Musgrave Pink Gin minis stand out as favours that beautifully combine aesthetics, functionality, and sophistication. They create tablescapes worthy of endless photographs while offering guests a meaningful keepsake of the celebration.
For more inspiration and information about Musgrave Pink Gin, visit www.musgravespirits.com
Images: Provided, Teagan Smith Photography
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…
Weddings are evolving and so are their color stories. Where soft neutrals once reigned supreme, 2025 is ushering in a bold new era of moody, jewel-toned palettes: think emerald greens, deep burgundy, sapphire blues, and rich plum. These sumptuous hues bring drama, depth, and emotion to a celebration, creating unforgettable atmospheres.
Below, we explore how this shift is playing out in South Africa, how to blend statement color with timeless style, and offer ready-to-use palette “recipes” you can adapt to your wedding.
Seasonal Color Trends in South Africa: Summer vs. Winter
South Africa’s climates and landscapes lend themselves beautifully to changing color moods each season. Local vendors and blogs are already spotting these shifts.
Summer / Warm Seasons
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Brighter and lighter jewel tones, emerald, teal, fuchsia—pair beautifully with lush greenery and abundant natural light.
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Accent with metallics (rose gold, warm copper) and softer neutrals to keep the look refined.
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According to a South African bridal trend blog, summer 2025 palettes are seeing vibrant choices like coral, terracotta, moss green, and dusty lavender.
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Yet even summer palettes are leaning away from pastel toward more saturated hues.
Winter / Cooler Seasons
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Deep, moody tones shine in winter: burgundy, sapphire, forest green, plum.
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Velvet textures, dark wood, and richer metallics (antique gold, bronze) help enhance warmth and coziness.
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Jewel-tone table settings, emerald, amethyst, ruby are gaining popularity for winter ceremonies.
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South African décor sources also highlight “bold color” as a strong ongoing trend, with deep purples and jewel accents making statement touches.
Tip: If your wedding straddles seasons (e.g. early autumn or late spring), bridge neutrals (cream, taupe, soft grey) help soften transitions between bold and subtle hues.
Blending Dramatic Tones with Classic Aesthetics
Using deep, bold hues doesn’t mean giving up elegance or timelessness. Here are strategies to strike balance:
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Anchor with Neutrals
Use ivory, soft beige, or light grey as your base (linens, draping, walls) and let jewel tones appear in pops — napkins, florals, chair ties. -
Limit Bold Accents
Choose one or two primary dramatic colors and pair them with supportive secondary shades. Avoid overcrowding with all saturations. -
Texture & Depth
Mix velvet, silk, matte and glossy finishes. A velvet tablecloth in deep emerald with satin napkins and a metallic charger creates luscious contrast. -
Metallics
Gold, brass, bronze or even pewter can lend elegance and lighten darker palettes. Use sparingly — frames, flatware, candleholders. -
Florals & Foliage as Transition Tools
Use greenery, soft neutral blooms, and subtle tonal gradations to bridge between bold and classic. -
Lighting & Ambience
Warm lighting softens saturated hues. Uplights, candles, and warm white string lights can make jewel tones feel inviting, not heavy.
Palette “Recipes”, Pairing Florals, Linens & Dress Tie-Ins
Here are some palette ideas (“recipes”) to help you mix and match florals, linens, and attire cohesively. Each recipe includes a dominant hue + accent + neutral.
| Palette Name | Dominant Hue | Accent / Secondary | Neutral / Softening Tone | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald & Blush | Emerald green | Blush pink, dusty rose | Champagne or ivory | Softens green’s intensity; blush warms up cool green |
| Burgundy & Plum | Deep burgundy | Mauve, dusty wine | Soft taupe or stone | Elegant and regal for evening weddings |
| Sapphire & Teal | Sapphire blue | Teal, aqua | Light grey or silver | Great for coastal or modern venues |
| Amethyst & Sage | Rich purple | Sage green | Cream or pale lavender | Earthy but dramatic |
| Ruby & Gold | Ruby red | Berry tones, deep rose | Warm ivory | Use gold accents to elevate richness |
How to apply these recipes:
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Florals: Let your dominant hue guide your main blooms, then use accent tones in secondary flowers. For example: emerald foliage, blush roses, cream spray roses.
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Linens / Napkins: Use neutrals for tablecloths; napkins or runners can carry the accent colors.
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Bridal Party / Dresses: Bridesmaids might wear the accent color (blush), while groomsmen wear pocket squares or ties in the dominant hue (emerald).
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Stationery & Signage: Carry the palette across welcome signs, menus, seating charts.
To keep jewel tones from feeling too heavy, incorporate touches of lighter hues like blush or cream.
Jewel tone weddings, emeralds, sapphires, amethysts—are gaining traction for their luxurious and dramatic feel.
Thoughts & Tips
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Start with a mood board early: gather fabrics, flower photos, paint chips.
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Order samples of linens and swatches in your intended hues to test in your venue’s lighting.
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Work closely with your florist, designer, and lighting team to ensure the colors harmonize under different light.
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Don’t shy away from bold tones, but be intentional. A carefully chosen dramatic palette can make your wedding unforgettable.
Featured Image: Canva
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash Every couple knows that giddy, butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling that comes with a new relationship. The late-night phone calls, the constant affection, and the sense that you’ve…
Marriage isn’t just about the wedding day. It’s about the long road after the confetti and celebrations have settled—the arguments, the quiet moments, the decisions that shape your future together. While no couple can predict every twist and turn, asking the right questions before you say “I do” can help you step into marriage with clarity, confidence, and compassion.
These conversations aren’t about being pessimistic. They’re about being prepared. As one local relationship coach puts it, “Anything you don’t resolve before marriage will come up stronger after it.” In South Africa, where family dynamics, cultural traditions, and financial realities can add extra layers of complexity, it’s even more important to talk things through.
Here are 18 questions that can make the difference between just surviving marriage and truly thriving in it.
1. What Does Marriage Mean to You?
To some, it’s a lifelong partnership. To others, it’s a legal agreement or a spiritual bond. If your definitions don’t align, expectations will clash. Start here.
2. What Are Your Financial Goals?
Money is one of the biggest sources of stress in marriages. Talk about debt, savings, spending habits, and whether you’ll merge accounts. Better to unpack it now than fight about it later.
3. How Can I Support You When You’re Stressed?
Some need space. Others need hugs. Learn what helps your partner cope before life throws curveballs your way.
4. Do You Want Children—and What If We Struggle?
It’s not just about whether you want kids, but how you’ll handle challenges like IVF, adoption, or infertility. Shared values here will save heartache later.
5. What Are Your Parenting Expectations?
Who cooks, who cleans, who changes nappies, and who works late? Gender roles and cultural traditions can shape parenting—talk through your vision of family life.
6. Where Do You See Yourself Living in 5–10 Years?
Dreaming of a Cape Town city apartment while your partner imagines a farm in Limpopo? Location matters more than you think.
7. What’s Your Communication Style?
Do you need time to think before responding? Do you talk things out immediately? Knowing this will prevent countless arguments.
8. What’s Your Love Language?
Words, gifts, acts of service, quality time, or physical touch—what makes you feel most loved?
9. What Are Your Deal-Breakers?
From religion to career ambitions, deal-breakers can end marriages if ignored. Be upfront about yours.
10. How Much Alone Time Do You Need?
Needing space doesn’t mean being distant. Clarify what alone time looks like for each of you.
11. What Are Your Views on Religion or Spirituality?
In a diverse country like South Africa, differences in faith can create friction. Discuss how you’ll navigate traditions, values, and future children’s beliefs.
12. What Does Retirement Look Like to You?
It may feel far away, but whether you dream of retiring in Durban or chasing adventure abroad, it’s worth exploring.
13. What’s Your Biggest Fear?
Marriage isn’t just about sharing dreams—it’s about sharing vulnerabilities. Fears open the door to deeper understanding.
14. How Do We Handle In-Laws?
Family is central in South African culture, but it can complicate marriage. Boundaries matter.
15. What Are Your Marriage Fantasies?
Do you imagine weekly date nights, constant travel, or traditional home life? Align your visions.
16. What Are Your Expectations Around Sex?
Intimacy changes over time. Talk openly about what you expect, and how you’ll adapt in different seasons.
17. What Do You Want Our Social Life to Look Like?
Do you want weekends filled with family braais, or cozy nights in? Agreeing on this balance avoids conflict.
18. How Do You Prioritize Us?
At the end of the day, marriage means creating a “team of two.” Ask: how will we keep choosing each other, even when life gets complicated?
Why These Questions Matter
In many South African households, people don’t always grow up seeing healthy marriages modeled. That’s why conversations like these are crucial. Social media has even become a space where couples share how premarital counseling or asking tough questions saved them from mismatched expectations.
Talking about these things won’t guarantee a perfect marriage, but it will give you a good roadmap. And in a world where divorce rates are rising, a roadmap is worth gold.
So grab some coffee, sit down with your partner, and ask the uncomfortable questions. It might just be the most loving thing you do before walking down the aisle.
Featured Image Source: Photos by Lanty on Unsplash