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…
Musgrave Pink Gin is crafted for life’s most meaningful moments. Infused with rose water and a blend of 12 signature botanicals, this elegant pink gin is celebrated for its delicate floral notes, smooth finish, and refined character - making it a beautiful choice for modern celebrations, intimate gatherings, and unforgettable weddings.
To celebrate love and the art of thoughtful wedding details, Musgrave Pink Gin is offering couples the opportunity to win a curated Musgrave Pink Gin wedding prize. Designed to elevate your special day, the prize includes Musgrave Pink Gin 50 ml bottles, perfect as stylish guest gifts or as part of a beautifully curated welcome drink experience.
How to enter:
Contact us on Facebook or Instagram (@musgravespirits) by sending your name and contact details, your wedding venue name, and a short version of your love story.
Competition rules:
The competition is open to South African residents aged 18 years and older. No alcohol may be sold or supplied to persons under the age of 18. Couples will be notified via the contact details provided. Prizes are not transferable and may not be exchanged for cash. Limited to 120 guests.
Celebrate beautifully.
Celebrate responsibly.
Musgrave Pink Gin - Explore the Moment.
After months of planning your wedding, your honeymoon should be about celebrating your new chapter together—not worrying about your bank balance. The good news? Saving money doesn’t have…
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.
ALSO SEE: Before you book anything: The wedding planning order experts swear by
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.