After a hiatus from print, Wedding Etc is back with a beautiful 178-page issue designed to inspire every couple, no matter where they are in their wedding journey. From finding your dream venue and choosing your wedding-day fragrance to planning the perfect honeymoon, here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll find inside.
We all know how stressful planning a wedding can be, making wedding planning burnout a very real possibility. Whether you’re trying not to pull out your hair as…
“James Edgar Murdock came to South Africa from England in 1896 and decided to set up a jewellery business. In 1897 he opened the first Murdock’s Watchmakers and Jewellers in a small shop on the corner of Parliament and Longmarket Streets in Cape Town. Through the years, eminent customers of Murdocks have included Cecil John Rhodes, King George and Queen Frederika of Greece.
The classic contemporary Murdocks store now situated in the heart of the renowned V&A Waterfront, offers a variety of enchanting fine jewellery pieces as well as a range of prestigious international watch brands adding to the glamour and sparkle.
A diamond is a gift that will last forever, a universal symbol of love. The best of South Africa and Africa’s mineral wealth has been used to create pieces of rare beauty, with diamonds set into the finest precious metals such as gold or platinum.
There is a fine tradition of service that is offered at Murdocks which adds to the value of the brand. Murdocks will happily collect and return you to your hotel anywhere within the Cape Town area. The friendly staff will ensure your experience is as it should be indulgent, enjoyable and most of all memorable.”
MURDOCKS
Shop No 122, Lower Level, Victoria Wharf, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
+27 21 419 0302
IG: https://www.instagram.com/murdocksjewellers/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MurdocksEst1897/
6 Unique engagement rings that will wow your soon-to-be fiancé!
When we think of a wedding toast, the mind often leaps to the sound of a popping cork and the effervescence of champagne. However, as modern weddings evolve…
If bridal fashion has taught us anything, it’s that weddings are no longer about tradition for tradition’s sake. And honestly? The same goes for grooms.
The modern groom isn’t settling for a standard black suit and calling it a day. Today’s best wedding style moments are tailored, intentional and deeply personal – and celebrity weddings continue to set the tone.
From old-money tailoring to relaxed coastal suiting and fashion-forward textures, we rounded up the celebrity groom looks that still deserve a spot on every wedding mood board.
1. George Clooney (2014)
When George Clooney married Amal in Venice in 2014, his wedding look became an instant blueprint for timeless groom style.
His custom Giorgio Armani tuxedo delivered everything a formal wedding suit should: razor-sharp tailoring, a classic black silhouette and understated elegance.
- The era: Classic European luxury
- Suit: Custom Giorgio Armani
- Why it still works in 2026:
The return of quiet luxury means black-tie dressing is back — but cleaner, softer and less over-styled.
Steal the look:
- Peak lapel tuxedo
- Crisp white shirt
- Satin detailing
- Minimal accessories
2. Brooklyn Beckham (2022)
Brooklyn Beckham’s Palm Beach wedding look marked a major shift in groom fashion. His custom Dior suit featured a classic ivory dinner jacket with contemporary tailoring and elevated details.
The result? Traditional without feeling dated.
- The era: Modern old money
- Suit: Custom Dior by Kim Jones
- Why it still works in 2026:
Ivory and off-white tuxedo jackets continue dominating destination and summer weddings.
Steal the look:
- Ivory dinner jacket
- Black tailored trousers
- Clean-cut silhouette
- Elevated evening shoes
3. Justin Bieber (2019)
Justin Bieber’s South Carolina wedding proved that less really can be more.
Instead of heavily structured formalwear, Bieber opted for a sleek black Celine tux paired with relaxed styling that felt modern rather than overly polished.
- The era: Contemporary minimalism
- Suit: Custom Celine by Hedi Slimane
- Why it still works in 2026:
Minimal tailoring continues trending among younger grooms who want elegance without feeling overdressed.
Steal the look:
- Slim black tailoring
- Clean shirt styling
- Minimal jewellery
- Streamlined accessories
4. Nick Jonas (2018)
Nick Jonas gave us one of the strongest examples of contemporary black-tie dressing during his wedding celebrations.
His custom Ralph Lauren look balanced traditional tuxedo structure with softer luxury finishes and rich evening styling.
- The era: Modern statement formalwear
- Suit: Custom Ralph Lauren Purple Label
- Why it still works in 2026:
Statement formalwear is replacing safe formalwear.
Steal the look:
- Velvet textures
- Tonal layers
- Luxe tailoring
- Monochrome accessories
5. Kit Harington (2018)
Kit Harington’s wedding look reminded everyone that classic doesn’t have to mean predictable.
His formal morning suit featured contrasting pieces that created visual interest while staying rooted in British tailoring traditions.
- The era: Heritage tailoring revival
- Suit: Traditional morning suit
- Why it still works in 2026:
Vintage-inspired tailoring and old-world ceremony dressing are making a major comeback.
Steal the look:
- Waistcoat layering
- Contrast trousers
- Tailcoat structure
- Heritage fabrics
6. David Beckham (Style Era: Late 2010s–2020s)
Not technically a recent wedding moment – but impossible to ignore when talking groom inspiration.
David Beckham remains the reference point for modern groom style: fitted but not restrictive, classic but never boring.
- The era: Tailoring perfection
- Signature suit aesthetic: Sharp bespoke suiting
- Why it still works in 2026:
Because fit still matters more than trend.
Steal the look:
- Bespoke tailoring
- Deep navy tones
- Soft shoulder construction
- Premium finishing details
The weddingETC takeaway
Celebrity wedding style works because it feels intentional – not expensive.
The strongest groom looks right now aren’t trying to outshine the moment. They’re designed to complement it.
Whether you lean toward Clooney’s timeless tux, Beckham’s polished tailoring or Bieber’s relaxed approach, the formula stays the same: great fit, thoughtful details and a suit that feels like you.
Because the best wedding photos never start with, “What was trending?” They start with, “That looked so him.”
ALSO SEE: Wedding day tips for grooms to keep the big day stress-free
Featured image: Jose Ricardo Barraza Morachis / Pexels
There was a time when bridal beauty meant dramatic contour, heavy lashes and makeup that looked flawless in photos but unfamiliar in real life. Now? Brides are asking…
Your wedding bouquet is one of the few details you physically carry through one of the biggest days of your life.
It’s in your photographs. It’s in your vows. It sits beside you at dinner, appears in quiet moments while getting ready, and somehow becomes part of the memory itself.
And then… a week later? Most bouquets wilt.
But a growing number of couples are choosing not to let that happen.
Pressed flower preservation – transforming wedding blooms into framed botanical artwork – is becoming one of the most meaningful post-wedding keepsakes globally, and South African brides are starting to embrace it too. Instead of preserving flowers in a box or drying them upside down, bouquets are carefully pressed, arranged and framed into pieces designed to live on your walls for decades.
Why pressed flower art is having a moment
Wedding trends have shifted dramatically over the past few years.
Couples are spending more intentionally – choosing fewer throwaway details and investing in meaningful heirloom pieces instead. Pressed floral art fits perfectly into that mindset.
Unlike resin preservation (which some couples note can yellow over time), pressed floral artwork creates a lighter, gallery-style finish that feels timeless and easier to style in modern homes. Community conversations around bouquet preservation also show increasing preference for pressed pieces because they display beautifully and feel less bulky than traditional keepsakes.
The appeal is simple:
- It becomes actual artwork rather than storage
- You preserve a real piece of your wedding day
- Every frame is entirely unique
- It doubles as meaningful home décor
How wedding flower preservation actually works
Professional pressed flower preservation is more involved than simply placing blooms inside a book.
Studios carefully deconstruct bouquets bloom by bloom, remove moisture through controlled pressing and drying, then rebuild the arrangement into a custom composition before sealing it behind archival-grade glass.
Most preservation artists recommend receiving flowers within 24–72 hours after the wedding, while blooms are still fresh. Timing matters more than most couples realise.
A few flowers press especially beautifully:
- Spray roses
- Garden roses
- Cosmos
- Daisies
- Delphinium
- Lisianthus
- Sweet peas
Thicker blooms (like some orchids or calla lilies) may require specialised handling or alternative preservation methods.
Can you press your bouquet yourself?
Absolutely — if you’re patient. The basic process looks like this:
1. Separate the bouquet – Remove blooms individually instead of pressing the bouquet whole.
2. Air-dry first – Fresh flowers often hold too much moisture. Allow blooms to rest before pressing.
3. Layer properly – Use absorbent paper with even pressure between layers.
4. Wait it out – Depending on bloom type and climate, pressing can take one to two weeks.
5. Design before framing – Arrange first, glue second. Pressed floral composition is where the magic happens.
If you’re emotionally attached to the bouquet though? Consider outsourcing. There’s no redo button.
South African studios that can preserve your wedding flowers for you
Forget Me Not (Pty) Ltd
A preservation-led studio creating custom botanical keepsakes and floral artworks.
- Location: Randburg, Johannesburg
- Estimated pricing: From approximately R2,500–R8,000+ depending on frame size and complexity (confirm directly for custom quotations)
- Contact: +27 68 849 4639 / [email protected]
- Website: ForgetMeNotTM
- Best for: Couples wanting bespoke framed floral keepsakes.
LOULOU Flower Studio
Known primarily for floral design, with bespoke floral artistry and preservation conversations increasingly becoming part of the offering space.
- Location: Pinelands, Cape Town
- Estimated pricing: Custom quote basis (expect premium floral art pricing depending on scale)
- Contact: +27 83 781 3148 / [email protected]
- Website: LoulouFlowerStudio
- Best for: Couples wanting floral design expertise translated into keepsake art.
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VELT designs
A floral-focused creative studio producing highly design-conscious botanical work.
- Location: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
- Estimated pricing: Bespoke commissions; approximately R3,000–R10,000+ depending on artwork scope
- Contact: +27 81 333 3077 / [email protected]
- Website: VELT
- Best for: Modern couples who want their bouquet to become statement interior décor.
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Belle En Rose Resin
While known for resin preservation, this is worth considering if you love preserving florals in artistic formats beyond traditional pressing.
- Location: South Africa
- Estimated pricing: From approximately R2,000+ depending on piece type
- Contact: +27 71 213 6484 / [email protected]
- Website: BelleEnRoseResin
- Best for: Couples exploring alternative bouquet preservation styles.
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Before you hand over your bouquet: what preservation artists wish couples knew
- Tell your florist beforehand that you plan to preserve the bouquet.
- Keep stems in water after the wedding.
- Avoid leaving flowers in direct sunlight.
- Refrigerate rather than freeze if preservation won’t happen immediately.
- Book your preservation artist before the wedding date where possible.
Your flowers won’t stay exactly the same – colours soften, petals shift and time leaves its own signature – but that’s also part of the beauty.
The takeaway
Your wedding flowers were never meant to last forever.
But the feeling attached to them can.
Pressed flower art turns something fleeting into something you’ll pass every day in your hallway, bedroom or home office – a quiet reminder that one beautiful day actually happened.
And years later, that frame may end up becoming one of the few wedding details that still lives with you.
ALSO SEE: Flowers in season for winter weddings: The best cold-weather blooms for bouquets and décor
Flowers in season for winter weddings: The best cold-weather blooms for bouquets and décor
Featured image: Pinterest
Winter weddings have quietly become one of South Africa’s most underrated trends – and honestly, it makes sense. Softer light, richer textures, dramatic landscapes and often better value.…