South African couples (those still married and those divorced) have shared details about the cost of their weddings on Reddit. Keep reading for more.
Couples planning a wedding are increasingly choosing South Africa because of its varied landscapes and rich cultural legacy. Nevertheless, beyond the idyllic landscapes is a domain frequently veiled in an enigma—the true expense of exchanging vows in the Rainbow Nation.
In this blog post, JanaTribe will embark on a unique journey through the candid discussions of South Africans on Reddit who generously shared the financial intricacies of their weddings. From intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations, the collective wisdom of these Redditors unveils the unfiltered reality of wedding budgets in South Africa.
How much does it cost to get married in South Africa?
The answer to this varies and mostly depends on individual differences and preferences. While some would go for a low-budget wedding, others with the “Yolo” mindset would rather go for an expensive or luxurious ceremony – after all, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Well, while we cannot deduce a price range for the cost of a wedding in South Africa, Reddit users who have had their weddings have shared how much they paid in total. Keep reading for more and get inspired while you also take notes.
1. This couple only spent R5,000 on their wedding, even though “gifts weren’t necessary.”
“Amazing! Ours cost 5k too and we also said gifts weren’t necessary. So some people have us cash which we used for our honeymoon fund. We still feel chuffed that we were able to pull it off for so little and with the help of family members (making cakes, cooking potjies, etc) – Reddit user Mellybellah wrote.
2. This SA couple spent only R5000 on their wedding over a decade ago.
“We married in my garden, got Spitbraai King out to do a spit for us – they brought salads, glasses & cutlery too – and took it all with them when they left. Had about 30 people there and we also provided beer and cooldrinks in a large metal tub filled with ice. We got the priest of google, he charged us R1000 to do the service (service was about 5 mins long). The DJ was my new 8 year old stepdaughter and we paid her in hugs and kisses (and the new sims game). After the service we had glorious spitbraai with our guests and after everyone left we hit the road for our honeymoon. We told people that gifts are not required, but if they do want to give something we would prefer cash. We opened the envelopes and cards on our honeymoon and the total was just shy of R5000. So our guests paid for our wedding. Disclaimer though – we were both older, with already settled households. EDIT: This was a good 10 years ago, so to do the same thing you’d probably need around R10 000 now” – shared by Reapr on Reddit.
3. Is this couple the smartest? They only spent R20 on their wedding.
“R25 :50 at a registered office, down payment on a house with money saved…” – shared by Jackthedog130.
4. In 2019, this SA couple spent R300,000 on their wedding with 120 guests.
“R300k for all costs. Decor and venue was the most expensive. Take my advice and keep it small and inexpensive. I have regret spending that much on a party, ended feeling overwhelmed with too many people there. Not speaking with 80% of the guests after the party and would have loved to spend the evening more with those really close to me. Edit: year 2019 guest 120” – shared by user Hollyhazey.
5. This couple, who married in 2001 and divorced in 2012, spent R25k on their wedding.
“In 2001, my wedding cost R25k. That was venue, food, invites, Dj, dresses and suits, flowers, open bar to a set limit, cake, candles, photographer etc. I’ve heard of friends kids getting married now and they’re looking between R120 – R200k. It’s insane. Also, in 2012, my divorce cost just over double that. Best money I ever spent. I wish you and your partner a very happy, fruitful, loving future, and I hope your wedding is all that you haver ever dreamed it would be ❤” – shared by an unknown user.
6. This user, who didn’t share how much he spent on his wedding, advised on the ring cost.
“If you haven’t bought a ring yet depending on budget I’d recommend staying away from the usual ring stores. Had my Fiancée’s one made by Ring Artisan with a Lab grown diamond. Spent the same as I would have at browns but got twice the diamond and custom design she absolutely loves. Keep it personal for the moment, but meeting up with friends after for supper and celebration was really nice. Best of luck!” – shared by SheepRSA.
7. This person spent R120K on his wedding in 2016.
Another Reddit user called Dobber88 shared that the cost of his wedding was “R120k” in 2016. Another user commented on the post, saying that the price was the same for the car he bought.
8. This person paid R12K for their wedding and only invited family members.
“R12k, rings included. Only family invited” – shared by a Reddit user called ChristmasMint.
9. This person paid more than R150K for their wedding.
“About 150k….and maybe add another 30-40k in side expenses that come in that last month of preparation” shared by Intilleque.
10. This person held their wedding at the Twelve Apostles Hotel in Camps Bay in 2015 for R45,000.
“We had an intimate destination wedding with only thirteen guests at The Twelve Apostles Hotel in Camps Bay in 2015. Around R45000 for venue hire, accommodation (two nights), canapés, three-course menu, drinks (wine), cake, rose petals. Around R20000 for clothes (wedding dress and suit) & shoes. Photographer @ R2000 per hour. Hair & Make-up was R2600. There were also “extras” such as laser-cut table name placings, cake topper, wedding favours to guests, etc. We didn’t have a DJ, only background music provided by the hotel. Thinking back, I should’ve paid for more hours of photography (perhaps even an entirely different photographer…) and/or gotten a videographer! My only regret” – shared by a user called xlizellek.
11. This lucky person had his small wedding in 2014 paid for by his father.
“I did a small wedding in 2014 with 28 or so guests. We got the venue (dad’s friend’s farm) for free (aka just gave the oom a gift) which helped a lot. No DJ. Dress was R2900 (used dress + 3 free adjustments). A friend baked us the cake as a wedding gift. About half the guests didn’t drink, so we saved on alcohol as well. The most expensive thing was the photographer (R10 000 for “half day”), but I think that’s worth it. It was a “chill” wedding rather than a “lekker jol” type. Luckily for me my dad is old school and has been saving up since my birth for the wedding. He ended up giving me the leftover money as well, which was quite nice of him,” another user, Sonvanger wrote.
12. A lucky couple? This woman married in 2012 and only spent R5K on her wedding, as the rest of the cost was paid by her family and friends.
A South African woman has said that she luckily spent R5K on her wedding, which was paid for by her friends and family members’ contributions.
“Got away with R5k in 2012, we had about 40 people. My wedding dress cost R800 – got it second hand from a dress shop (not traditional dress). Shoes: R80 pumps from Mr Price because fuck walking in heals all day. I just had silver bands put around my engagement ring, R600. Husband’s ring cost R1100. My dad gave R2k to the venue (got at a good price because someone cancelled), someone got the juice, photographer. Wedding cake was a giant sheet made to look like a scroll, actually really freaking cute. Different potjies for lunch, peppermint crisp and milktart tart for dessert, sent people home with cake too. Hair was sponsored (hairdresser aunt, easy style), I did my own makeup. Decor was handmade by me + ivy, flowers were a gift from family. Mom made the favours. If we had to pay for everything, it would have come to about R10k though,” shared by Gaiaimmortal.
13. This couple paid R102,000 for their wedding.
This South African did a breakdown of the cost of his wedding, which amounted to R102k. They cultivated the habit of DIY regarding the invitations, parting gifts, and menus. Below is how much he paid:
“Venue – R40k (2017), Food – R36k, Drinks – Cash Bar, Decor and Flowers – R15k, Clothes – dress R5k – grooms R1k, Sound – free, we had a morning wedding so we did our own playlist and we have sound equipment etc., Photographer – R6k, Cake – Gift from family, and Honeymoon – R24k – roadtrip to the wildcoast for 9 days”. This was shared by Reddit user DarthPhranque.
14. This understanding couple spent R5,000 and went on vacation with the rest of their money.
“R5000. Just for the formalities and rental of a very small church. Had tea after. Used our money to go to Seychelles for 3 weeks,” stinky_girbil_bum wrote.
15. This Cape Town couple spent R80K on engagement, R45K on wedding, and R70K on honeymoon in 2019.
“We got married late 2019, around 30 people at a hotel in Cape Town. Food was about R600 pp including wine pairing. I was the DJ with my spotify playlist and speaker. We had a photographer who recommended by the hotel, was around R3000 I think. Wife rented a dress, I bought I suit since I didn’t have one at all. I think everything came down to about R45k, which was split between our parents. Engagement and honeymoon was on me, which I planned and saved up for for about 2 years. Got engaged in Thailand and went on honeymoon in Portugal. Cost a fortune, probably about R150k, including rings, engagement dinner on the beach, flights, hotels, etc. It felt like a lot, but looking back, it was by far the best experience we’ve had together and created such special memories. That has been the foundation of our relationship, and I don’t think it would be the same if we took that money and put it towards a house, since I don’t think we’ll be able to travel like that again with covid”.
16. In 2019, this person spent R125000 on his wedding.
“Mine was back in 2019 and cost us R125 000”, CyberStormZA wrote.
17. This woman held her wedding, which cost between R1000 and R1250.
“The minimum budget is R1000 to R1250 per head. This takes into account average prices for food, finishes, deco, DJ, dress, suits, etc. Here is a brief breakdown of what i can remember (2019) x 80 people: R400pp food = 32 000 Venue R20 000 (had it on the fairway of a golf course) Deco and flowers R10 000 Wedding Dress R7 000 Bridal party dresses R3 000 (home made) Suits × 4 = R5 000 Photographer R8 000 Dj R2 500 Hair and make up for girls R3 000 =R90 000 Plus R10 000 for miscellaneous/ things i have forgotten about or increase in prices. So R100 000 / 80 = R1 250 per head” Bright_Ad2949 wrote.
18. This SA couple spent R80K on their wedding in 2012, with about 80 guests in attendance.
This couple held their wedding at Buitengeluk, a Cape Dutch serenity set in the heart of Fourways. They spent around R80k in total for about 80 guests in 2012.
They spent R350 on food per person, R5000 on decoration, R3000 on clothes, R8000 on photography and videography, and R1500 on cake. Some of their guests paid for their drinks at their reception, and instead of hiring a DJ, they played their mix tape as their relative played the organ at the church.
“We spent our money on a good photographer and good food and went cheap on everything else. We got married in the morning and had a luncheon reception and our guests went home by 4pm. We also got married in the middle of winter which was cheaper and we got beautiful golden mid winter photos”.
“Family and friends are happy to pitch in but make sure you pay them their going rate and don’t make them work on the wedding day. One friend helped teach us a first dance, another did my make up, another borrowed a car from the dealership where he worked so we had a fancy ride”, ElaNoraGemm wrote.
19. In 2019, this SA couple’s wedding cost around R200,000 for 85 guests in attendance.
“Venue was R25k Food – R40k Bar – R35k Flowers and decor – R25k Wedding dress – R10K Bridesmaids dresses – R5000 Hair and makeup for bride and bridesmaids and moms – R10 000 Photographer – R15000 Videographer – R15 000 DJ – R5000 Wedding stationary printing (hubby did design) – 2000 Gifts for guests – R2500 Groomsman suits (rental) R4000 Groom suit R5000 Cake was gifted”.
“There are also lots of small things that can creep in that you haven’t budgeted for, so best to have a bit extra for emergencies,” Carlie-K wrote.
20. During COVID-19, this SA couple splashed R200,000 on their wedding with about 80 guests.
“R200 000. It was a frikken big (for Covid times) wedding with 80 people. Top of the range stuff at Oxbow Country Estate. Sleeping arrangement, canapes, extra drinks for reception, food, deco, flowers and dress included everything was beautiful…”, CF19950517 wrote.
For more information on how much some South African couples spend on their weddings, click here.
A brief overview of marriage in South Africa and the types recognised by the law
Due to the diversity of the nation’s cultures and religions, many different types of marriage are practiced in South Africa.
Women are only allowed to have one spouse, whereas men are allowed to have multiple spouses. All polygamous marriages entered into by the provisions of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act are legal. The husband in an existing customary marriage wishing to marry a second wife must apply to a competent court for such a marriage to be legal.
Marriage as a foreigner in South Africa comes with a lot of benefits. In our previous article, we discussed that aside from being able to have a residency, it comes with easy spousal visa acquisition.
What are the types of marriages in South Africa? South African law recognises three types of marriage: civil unions, civil marriage, and customary weddings.
1. Civil marriage
This kind of union is solemnised at churches and any Department of Home Affairs office. The Marriage Act governs it, and the regulations are also issued based on the terms of the Act.
If a civil marriage occurs, it must be witnessed by at least two witnesses who will also attest to the issuance of the marriage certificate. This can occur in any of the following places:
- Either a church building or any other building where religious services take place.
- A private house or public office, as long as the doors are opened.
- If either of the intending spouses is seriously ill or has injuries, the solemnisation can occur in a hospital or the concerned facility.
There are three types of civil marriages in South Africa. They include civil marriage in community of property, marriage out of community of property, and marriage out of community of property with accrual.
2. Customary marriage
Customary marriage in South Africa is negotiated, celebrated, or concluded according to any of the systems of indigenous African customary law in South Africa.
A customary marriage’s marital regime, like a civil marriage’s, can be in or out of a community of property.
Three conditions must be met for a customary marriage to be legally valid.
- Both parties must be over the age of 18.
- They must both agree to be married under customary law.
- Their marriage must be celebrated following their community’s customary law.
3. Civil union marriage
Civil unions, or civil partnerships, were introduced in South Africa in 2006 by the Civil Union Act, which also legalised same-sex marriage. While civil unions are commonly associated with same-sex couples, they can also be formed by opposite-sex couples. Civil union marriages have the same rights, responsibilities, and legal consequences as civil marriages.
Having known what weddings are like in South Africa as well as the various types of marriages the country’s law legalises in its constitution, let’s delve into the various forms of marriage contracts.
In this section, we will explore the essential elements and benefits of marriage contracts, shedding light on why couples should consider this legal instrument as an integral part of their matrimonial journey. Understanding the essence of marriage contracts is not just a matter of legal prudence but also a means to foster transparency, trust, and long-term harmony in a marital partnership.
