Trouens, umshato, lenyalo, whichever South African language you say it in, the meaning behind the word wedding is clear – an occasion to celebrate love surrounded by friends and family. Whoever said that men don’t dream about their wedding days too, is greatly mistaken. For most of us, the food, dress, the tux, guest list and music for this special day has been in the planning for years.
However, with the cost of living going up, couples are looking for marriage options that are budget-friendly without losing out on the flair. This season’s wedding trends speak to simplicity, moving away from the lavish events of the past while keeping special touches and focusing on friends and family.
Here are four wedding trends for the upcoming wedding season.
The new bar:
Traditionally at white weddings, the bride’s parents were said to pay for everything besides the bar with the groom’s family needing to budget for alcohol consumption. Although this is still popular, many are opting out of offering guests a bar tab in favour of a variety of non-alcoholic beverages.
A trend for the colder months is to create a hot beverage station that runs throughout the event. At the station, guests can choose from exotic teas, flavoured rooibos, dried flowers like roses and camomile, dark or milk hot chocolate and coffee.
The availability of non-alcoholic beverages across the country has blossomed and as a result, there are so many cool booze-free treats to choose from. Think sparkling spiced chai rooibos or botanical fynbos syrup mixed with tonic water or kombucha on tap. The options for something different are endless.
Also, don’t be afraid to have a cash bar. It’s widely accepted as many guests understand that the couple nor their parents can pay for all of the drinks.
Less is more – intimate weddings:
As a result of having missed so much time with friends and family during the lockdown, couples are purposefully choosing intimate weddings. In place of a day that goes by in a flash without connecting with loved ones, intimate weddings focus on a smaller guest list, in beautiful locations, small enough that friends and family are made to be closer together.
‘With our hotel being positioned literally on the edge of Cape Town’s Atlantic Ocean, blending in with nature, we’re seeing an increase in these types of intimate weddings. The element of nature and options for fresh air and space are there, but the wedding parties themselves are smaller’, says Colleen Lategan, Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront’s Banqueting Manager. ‘Wedding parties are looking to create a sense of intimacy with their guests by booking smaller tables, banquet style, for example.’
This season couples are saying no to lavish wedding events, and yes to more time with friends and family, many of whom they have not seen since before COVID-19.
Diverse wedding attire:
With South Africa being a home for diversity there are many who don’t subscribe to the traditional western bride and groom attire. This season we’ll see weddings that break all tradition and have brides and grooms walking down the aisle in something different. Ideas include adventurous cosplay outfits, full leather or the types of regalia one would normally see at the Met Gala. Themes could include Billy Porter inspiration with a touch of Marvel.
Small business-centric food:
During lockdown, our social media feeds were filled with small business owners in the catering industry who diversified from traditional restauranting to get by. Aspiring home cooks and food vendors also used lockdown to sell their products over social media to get by. In support of small business owners, this season’s wedding trend is to cater using a non-traditional wedding caterer or a caterer or company that supports small business themselves. Think of a range of food trucks that guests can purchase their meals from at the wedding. Or for those with bigger budgets, a range of street food vendors paid in advance to serve guests with a variety of plates to suit different pallets.
This season’s wedding trends speak to non-traditionality, self-expression and support of small businesses. However you choose to celebrate your special day, be sure to remember that above all, its focus should be having fun, making memories and intimate connection with family and friends.
Also see: Inside K Naomi and Tshepo Phakathi’s white wedding
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