All weddings are unique in their own way but everyone wants theirs to be the most memorable of them all! Nicola Woodgate, Weddings Executive at ANEW Hotels & Resorts, shares some inspiration for the current top wedding trends to ensure that your wedding is fresh, modern and innovative.

Live wedding painting

Live wedding painting is on trend! Artists like Danielle Jordaan arrive early on your wedding day, capturing the ceremony on canvas. At the end of the evening, she reveals the exquisitely finished painting, that creates a lasting memory. Some couples choose mini sketches or watercolour portraits for guests to take home. These artworks serve as special reminders, preserving the memories for years to come by everyone who attended.

wedding, bride, groom, couple, modern wedding, wedding trends, Live painting — Danielle Jordaan doing a live painting, Image: Supplied

Flipping your flowers (upside down)

One of the major trends right now is roof installations of flowers cascading down above the dance floor. The dance floor is transformed with a magical display of fairy lights and flowers hanging from above, replacing the traditional flowers-on-each-table setup. Fairy lights continue to reign supreme, with couples choosing a canopy of lights covering the entire roof for maximum impact.

wedding, bride, groom, couple, modern wedding, wedding trends, Live painting, wedding decor, flowers, wedding dance floor — Flowers cascading down above the dance floor, Image: Supplied

The cake is dead, long live dessert!

The traditional wedding cake has made space for a delightful dessert table featuring an array of bite-sized treats, catering to all tastes. If you want to keep the tradition, opt for a small cake-cutting ceremony alongside a sweet spread of brownies, macarons and chocolate mousse served in petite cups, and as a thoughtful touch, package these for the guest to take home.

wedding, bride, groom, couple, modern wedding, wedding trends, Live painting, wedding decor, flowers, wedding dance floor, wedding dessert — A delightful dessert table with bite-sized treats, Image: Supplied

Practical wedding favours

Wedding favours have taken a delicious turn, with many couples selecting edible treats personalised with guests' names, doubling as charming seating tags. Mementoes in the form of bottle openers or small jars with delectable homemade pickled goodies ensure guests leave with a useful memento of the special day.

wedding, bride, groom, couple, modern wedding, wedding trends, Live painting, wedding decor, flowers, wedding dance floor, wedding dessert, wedding memento — Guests leave with a useful memento of the day, Image: FreePik

Keep the wedding bouquet

The bouquet toss tradition has evolved in modern weddings. Instead of tossing their own bouquets, many brides are now choosing to rather throw their bridesmaids' bouquets, keeping their own as a keepsake - whether it's pressed into a forever art piece or kept intact, the bouquet holds sentimental value for the bride.

Say yes to the dress!

The Cinderella-style ballgown has made way for modern silhouettes. Detachable sleeves are gaining popularity, offering versatility and a touch of elegance. As for veils, they're becoming less common due to their cost being relative to the brief usage during the ceremony and photos.

A fond farewell to the infinity dress

No more bridesmaids in matching dresses! Each bridesmaid is fitted with a dress that suit their personality and figures, complementing the modern feel of the wedding with individuality and creativity.

A long “kuier” & private vow exchange

The latest trend among bridal couples is hosting pre-wedding functions the night before the wedding. These events often have themed elements, like 70s nights or wildlife safaris, creating a fun atmosphere among guests who have travelled far. Couples are also selecting more intimate gatherings, with fewer attendees, allowing budget for more extravagant details like elaborate flower arrangements. Another emerging trend is private vow exchanges before the ceremony, where couples speak from the heart without seeing each other, creating a powerful and intimate moment. Some couples also choose to exchange letters on the day to express their feelings and calm any pre-wedding jitters.

Mediterranean vibes

Recently, there's been a big trend in weddings towards Mediterranean-style decor specifically in the KZN Midlands Meander area. Tables are decked out in blue and white with Mediterranean touches. Bougainvillea add a burst of colour and romance to any scene. In addition, many brides opt for modern, minimalist, monochromatic look with all black and white themes and décor.

Live wedding painting

Flipping your flowers (upside down)

The cake is dead, long live dessert!

Practical wedding favours

Keep the wedding bouquet

Say yes to the dress!

A fond farewell to the infinity dress

A long “kuier” & private vow exchange

Mediterranean vibes

A guide to create the perfect wedding guest list

Tips on how to find the perfect wedding dress for you

DIY: 4 Easy ways to preserve your wedding bouquet

How to choose the best ring bearer for your wedding