South Africa has a South African Marriage Act which clearly states who one can marry however, it should be noted that instead of being wary of the law, it’s merely documentary in nature. The fact is, South Africa is very liberal while being respectful of different cultures and orientations. This is one of the few countries in the world where same sex marriages are legal.

The Act simply requires the couple to submit the following documents although some may not be necessary:

• IDs, birth documents
• Divorce papers
• Death certificates of former spouse
• Written parental consent if under 21
• Pre-nuptial contract from a lawyer
• List of at least 2 witnesses

Location of wedding. The Act requires the rites to take place inside a building with open doors. If the couple want a garden wedding, they will still have to comply by having another wedding ceremony inside a building. There are some truly beautiful wedding venues and places to settle down around the country. Stellenbosch and Cape Town are favourites for weddings, but in terms of settling down, once you’ve seen a romantic sunset over the lagoon, you’ll be searching for property for sale in Knysna.

Since South Africa is a melting pot of different races, it’s not uncommon to find different types of wedding ceremonies. The major religions are Christians and Muslims. Under Christians are the Protestants, Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Baptists, and Orthodox religions. Hindu, non-Christian, ethnic and Baha’i are considered minor religions but still maintain a strong presence in the society.

If there is one word to describe a South African wedding, it would be colorful. You have diversity in tradition, guests, food, wedding dresses and rituals but one factor remains true across all barriers and differences. That factor that stays constant is respect for family. Expect a large gathering every time a wedding is held because it is one of the most essential unifying ceremonies ever celebrated in South Africa. Even if the couple comes from different ethic backgrounds, they manage to make their families meet in the middle and become a single unit.

In many ethnic weddings, a totem is given to the couple to remind them of the sanctity of their vows and respect for tribal and cultural differences. This is done to help them keep their feet grounded and the need to work on a marriage for it to succeed. In Western weddings, rings are exchanged to signify the commitment that the two individuals have undertaken. These rings are usually quite expensive and it is a good idea to get them insured, even before the wedding. To get the best deals, do some research and compare insurers.

Many communities around South Africa and even the rest of Africa start to train young girls early for the rigors and demands of marriage. They are taught how to be valuable wives and introduced to a secret language that men do not know. This allows them to talk among themselves as women and wives. There are many young South African girls who marry as early as 13 years old, and divorce is generally frowned on.

Some ceremonies will last more than a day and occasionally the government sponsors mass weddings. This is an effort of the local government’s desire to give legal status to a family, children, and to protect the rights of all concerned. A ceremony will have a fiesta-like atmosphere where the drinks and food are in great abundance. There is much jubilation and dancing during the reception and those that can afford to hire bands to play at their weddings do so to the delight of their guests.

South Africa has become a cosmopolitan country with huge strides in style and fashion. It is amazing to see how beautifully they can create a blend of nature with the pomp and circumstance of a traditional wedding. Thus, weddings in South Africa are momentous and glorious moments where you enjoy the beauty of your surroundings amidst the seriousness of starting a new family during a ceremony steeped with tradition. This is why outdoor weddings or venues with a clear view of the scenery and landscape are very common and sought-after.