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…
Winter weddings have often played second fiddle to spring and summer celebrations, but that’s changing fast. Across South Africa, more couples are choosing cooler months for their big day, thanks to lower venue costs, cosy styling opportunities and a chance to embrace the season rather than fight it.
According to Corné Alberts, National Marketing Manager at ANEW Hotels & Resorts, winter weddings continue to grow in popularity as couples look for celebrations that feel warm, intimate and memorable.
If you’re planning a cold-weather “I do”, these are the biggest winter wedding trends in South Africa to keep on your radar.
1. Tailored groom style is a hit
For years, bridal fashion has dominated the spotlight, but winter is giving grooms their own fashion moment.
Expect plenty of textured tweeds, tailored waistcoats, earthy colour palettes and classic English countryside-inspired styling. Think timeless rather than trendy, with accessories like pocket watches, patterned ties and flat caps adding personality without feeling over the top.
The cooler weather also makes layering practical, allowing grooms to stay comfortable while looking polished throughout the day.
2. Long-sleeve wedding dresses are having a moment
Winter is the perfect excuse to wear a long-sleeved wedding dress without overheating.
Delicate lace sleeves remain a favourite, while detachable sleeves are becoming increasingly popular for brides wanting two looks in one. They provide extra warmth during the ceremony before easily being removed for the reception and dancing later in the evening.
It’s a practical trend that’s especially useful in regions where temperatures drop quickly after sunset.
3. Midweek weddings continue to save couples money
One of the biggest benefits of getting married in winter? Your budget stretches further.
Many venues and suppliers offer lower rates from Monday to Thursday, allowing couples to spend more on the parts of the wedding that matter most to them. That could mean upgrading the menu, investing in beautiful floral arrangements, extending the honeymoon or simply reducing overall costs.
Some couples are even splitting celebrations across several days, hosting the legal ceremony during the week before celebrating with family and friends over the weekend.
4. Rich winter colour palettes replace all-white decor
Winter weddings are embracing colour in a big way.
Instead of traditional white-on-white styling, expect to see:
- Burgundy
- Deep plum
- Forest green
- Burnt terracotta
- Warm neutrals
Seasonal flowers also help bring these palettes to life. Proteas and fynbos are naturally in season during winter, making them both beautiful and cost-effective choices for South African weddings.
5. Cosy details become part of the decor
Guest comfort is becoming just as important as aesthetics.
Rather than simply decorating a venue, couples are creating warm, inviting spaces with thoughtful touches such as:
- Fireplaces and fire pits
- Cosy lounge areas
- Baskets of blankets
- Candlelight
- Warm welcome drinks
These additions naturally encourage guests to gather, chat and linger throughout the celebration.
6. Matcha and chai stations replace signature cocktails
While cocktails aren’t disappearing completely, warm drinks are becoming a popular addition to winter wedding receptions.
Coffee carts remain a favourite, but couples are also introducing:
- Matcha lattes
- Chai tea stations
- Hot chocolate bars
- Glühwein or mulled wine
- Traditional Old Brown Sherry as a nostalgic South African welcome drink
It’s a simple way to keep guests warm while adding another memorable detail to the day.
7. Potjie pots are replacing traditional buffets
Winter menus naturally lean towards comforting food, and the humble potjie is making a big comeback.
Instead of light summer dishes, couples are opting for hearty favourites like:
- Butternut soup served with fresh sourdough
- Slow-cooked lamb potjie
- Vegetable potjie
- Fragrant curries
- Rich desserts served warm
Cooking over an open fire also creates a relaxed atmosphere, encouraging guests to gather around while dinner is prepared.
8. Winter weather can be surprisingly reliable
Although the Western Cape’s rainy season requires a backup plan, many inland regions enjoy dry, crisp winter days with clear blue skies.
Couples marrying in Gauteng, the Free State, North West and parts of KwaZulu-Natal often choose winter specifically for its more predictable weather.
For Cape weddings, umbrellas are becoming both a practical necessity and a stylish wedding favour should the weather decide to make an appearance.
9. Winter weddings pair perfectly with romantic honeymoons
Many couples are embracing the contrast of a cosy winter wedding followed by a sunny honeymoon overseas.
Popular European destinations like Italy, Spain and Greece are enjoying their summer months while South Africa experiences winter, making July and August ideal for combining a local wedding with warm-weather travel abroad.
Others are leaning into the season entirely, choosing luxury lodges with fireplaces, mountain cabins or spa retreats for a slower, more intimate honeymoon closer to home.
Winter weddings are here to stay
Winter weddings are no longer simply the budget-friendly alternative. They’re becoming a style choice in their own right.
From dramatic colour palettes and comforting food to thoughtful guest experiences and timeless fashion, embracing the season can create a celebration that feels both personal and unforgettable.
If you’re planning your wedding during South Africa’s cooler months, working with the season rather than against it could be the secret to creating a day your guests will remember long after the last dance.
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Before you book anything: The wedding planning order experts swear by
Feature image: Unsplash
Wedding budgets have a way of growing quietly. One upgraded menu. A few extra centrepieces. Another twenty guests because “we can’t leave them out.” Before long, couples find…
One minute you’re admiring a ring on your finger. The next, everyone wants to know the date, the venue, the dress, the flowers, the guest list and whether you’ve chosen your first dance song.
Slow down. Getting engaged is a milestone in its own right, not simply the starting line for wedding planning. Yet it’s remarkable how quickly the excitement of saying “yes” can be replaced by a never-ending stream of questions.
“So… when’s the wedding?” For some couples, the answer comes easily. They’ve already been planning for months. Others would rather sit in this new chapter for a while before diving into spreadsheets, budgets and seating plans. And that’s more than okay.
Your engagement deserves its own moment
Think about it. The proposal itself is a story you’ll probably tell for decades. Maybe it happened on a mountain after an exhausting hike. Perhaps it was during a weekend away, over breakfast at home, or completely unexpectedly while walking the dog. Maybe everything went according to plan. Or maybe absolutely nothing did.
Those imperfect moments often become the best stories. Long after the wedding photos have been framed, you’ll still laugh about the ring almost falling into the ocean, someone accidentally interrupting the proposal, or how nervous your partner was that they could barely get the words out. It’s worth taking the time to enjoy that chapter before rushing into the next one.
There isn’t a deadline
Social media can make it feel as though engagements follow a strict timeline. Announcement photos. Venue booked. Dress shopping. Countdown begins.
Real life doesn’t work like that. Some couples marry within months. Others stay engaged for several years. Neither is more “correct” than the other.
There are countless reasons why you might want to wait before planning a wedding. Maybe you’re saving for the celebration you really want. Perhaps you’ve just bought a home or are focused on your careers. There could be family commitments, health concerns or a new baby on the way. Or maybe there isn’t a reason at all.
Maybe you’re simply enjoying being engaged. That’s reason enough.
Weddings are expensive
Let’s be honest. Weddings aren’t cheap. For many South African couples, planning a wedding also means saving for one. Rushing into deposits and big decisions before you’re financially comfortable can add unnecessary pressure to what’s supposed to be an exciting time.
Waiting a year — or even longer — doesn’t make your engagement any less meaningful. If anything, it gives you time to plan the day you actually want, rather than the day you feel pressured to have.
Set the pace together
One of the best things you can do early on is decide, as a couple, what works for you.
If you’re choosing to wait before planning, let people know politely but confidently. A simple “We’re enjoying being engaged for now, and we’ll share our plans when we’re ready” is often enough. Setting those boundaries now can make the entire wedding-planning journey feel a little less overwhelming later.
Don’t skip this chapter
It’s easy to think of an engagement as the bit between dating and getting married. But it deserves celebrating too.
Go on dates. Take engagement photos if you want to. Wear the ring proudly. Tell your proposal story for the hundredth time.
Dream about the future without feeling like every conversation has to end with a colour palette or venue tour. The wedding will come. For now, enjoy the fact that you’ve found your person. The planning can wait.
ALSO SEE: Old soul, new sparkle: How modern couples are reimagining heirloom engagement rings
Old soul, new sparkle: How modern couples are reimagining heirloom engagement rings
Feature image: Unsplash
The excitement of getting engaged often comes with one unavoidable question: Where do we even begin? Between Pinterest boards, TikTok trends and endless Instagram inspiration, it’s easy to…
Romantic, refined, and irresistibly addictive, Ariana Grande Love Notes is a floral gourmand fragrance that celebrates beauty through contrast.
The scent opens with an unexpected burst of rich berries and indulgent rose water gelato, creating a deliciously modern first impression. At its heart, airy musk and essential rose blend effortlessly to reveal a creamy, velvety softness that feels both delicate and luxurious. Finally, luminous amber and blonde woods add warmth and depth, leaving behind a memorable signature that lingers long after you’ve left the room.
Echoing the fragrance within, the bottle is a statement of understated luxury. Inspired by Ariana’s iconic “A” silhouette, its clean, sculptural shape is elevated with a thick glass heel, metallic detailing, a rose gold cap that pays homage to Ari’s very first fragrance, and a premium textured label that completes the sophisticated design.
Simple yet beautifully complex, Love Notes is an invitation to wear your heart with confidence and leave a lasting impression wherever life takes you.
Every wedding journey is filled with details — the dress, the flowers, the venue, the photographer, the makeup artist. But there is one detail many women leave too…
Latest addition to the Montblanc women’s fragrance line in its most intense and captivating
Just as a signature inked on paper is a personal expression on one’s identity, Montblanc Signature gives women different ways to express themselves and their exceptional character through fragrance. A nod to Montblanc’s heritage in the culture of writing, Montblanc Signature creates a lasting olfactory imprint of her personality for others to remember her by.
Montblanc Signature Elixir is a new mesmerizing olfactory expression of the fragrance collection that redefines sensuality and opulence. Its most intense variation yet, this bold, warm and luxurious Eau de Parfum is crafted for the Montblanc woman who writes her story with confidence, passion, and allure.
A Captivating Olfactory Experience
Montblanc Signature Elixir is an intense and sophisticated composition defined by its floral ambery vanilla character. This sensual elixir opens with a striking top note of red orchid, lending an exotic floral signature. At its heart, vanilla absolute unfolds its deep and enveloping sweetness, mingled with the warmth of resins for a rich and textured sensation. The fragrance culminates in a captivating base of amber woods, leaving an unforgettable trail of depth and sophistication.
“Montblanc Signature Eau de Parfum is a very clean, white and musky vanilla fragrance. In Elixir, the vanilla is revisited in a powerful and sensual version, thanks to the work of the resins that bring this warmth. The woods also provide a lot of texture and substance to the note,” explains Guillaume Flavigny, the perfumer behind this creation.
A Design as Luminous as Its Fragrance
A visual ode to bold elegance, the Montblanc Signature Elixir bottle is crafted from red gradient glass, its curves and surfaces playfully reflecting the light and captivating the eye. The black cap, adorned with the iconic Montblanc emblem in gold, underscores the fragrance’s absolute preciousness. The outer packaging echoes Montblanc’s rich heritage, with a matte black Saffiano pattern that evokes the Maison’s savoir-faire in leather craftsmanship, enhanced by a golden band and handwritten logo.
A new signature of Elegance
With Montblanc Signature Elixir, Montblanc continues to expand its Montblanc Signature collection, offering a new olfactive variation designed to captivate and intrigue. The lineup to date includes the fresh and powerful Montblanc Signature Eau de Parfum with its floral, musky and vanilla notes, and the sparkling and radiant Montblanc Signature Absolue with its floral ambery character.
This latest launch is a tribute to unapologetic femininity, blending the art of writing with the art of perfumery—a testament to the Maison’s dedication to craftsmanship and excellence.
About Montblanc:
Synonymous with excellence in craftsmanship and design, Montblanc has been pushing the boundaries of innovation ever since the Maison first revolutionized the culture of writing in 1906. Ingenuity and imagination continue to be driving forces for the Maison today as it advances its expression of fine craftsmanship across product categories: writing instruments, watches, leather goods, new technologies and accessories. Reflecting upon its ongoing mission to create fine lifetime companions born from bold ideas and expertly crafted through the skills of the Maison’s artisans, the iconic Montblanc Emblem has become the ultimate seal of performance, quality and an expression of sophisticated style. As part of its on-going commitment to elevating and support those who strive to leave their mark, Montblanc continues to assert its encouragement of education programs around the world and initiatives that inspire people to express their full potential.
About Interparfums SA:
Founded by Philippe Benacin and Jean Madar in 1982, Interparfums develops, manufactures and distributes prestige perfumes and cosmetics as the exclusive worldwide license for Moncler, Boucheron, Coach, Jimmy Choo, Karl Lagerfeld, Kate Spade, Montblanc and Van Cleef & Arpels in particular. The company is also the owner of Lanvin fragrances and the Maison Rochas. With products sold in over 100 countries worldwide through a selective distribution network.
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