✨ Affordable Glam: How to Get the Look Without the Price Tag

Meet Kuda & Naledi, a Zimbabwean–South African couple who wanted a wedding that oozed elegance and romance — but had exactly $1,500 set aside for decor. No, this isn’t a fairy tale. It’s a blueprint for making luxe magic without maxing out your bank account.

💬 “We wanted it to feel like a private estate affair... without paying estate prices.”

The couple fell in love with a winelands-style guest lodge just outside Marondera. The venue had sweeping views, whitewashed walls, and old oak trees — aka built-in aesthetic gold. So instead of filling the space with expensive add-ons, they focused on accentuating what was already beautiful.

🕯️ The Candlelight Obsession

“We skipped flowers and went straight for candles,” Naledi says. “Candles bring instant romance and make everything look more expensive.”

They bought:

40 tall taper candles (mix of black and ivory)

25 floating candles in reused jam jars

Tea lights in bulk from a local wholesaler

Cost? Just $100.
Effect? Pure luxury.

At sunset, the tables glowed. Their aisle, lined with pillar candles and lanterns, had guests in tears before Naledi even walked in.

🎀 The DIY Glam Table Setup

Kuda's mom sourced gold-trimmed vintage plates from a retired caterer. The couple used linen-look fabric offcuts from a Harare textile shop to sew their own table runners. Centerpieces? A mix of dried pampas grass, faux white roses, and eucalyptus tied with gold ribbon.

“Each table cost us less than $15 to style,” says Kuda. “And guests couldn’t stop complimenting our taste.”

🎨 One Big Wow

Their one splurge? A bold, all-white draped fabric archway with gold candle stands and a monogrammed rug beneath it. It framed their ceremony perfectly and doubled as a photo backdrop.

“We spent nearly a third of our decor budget on that one spot,” Naledi admits. “But it paid off — every guest took a selfie there.”

🛍️ Glam Doesn’t Mean “Brand New”

Her veil was rented for $20.

Their champagne tower was made from borrowed glasses from a local pub.

Signage was all printed on cardboard and spray-painted gold.

They even repurposed curtain tiebacks as napkin rings. Nothing went to waste, and everything looked intentional.

💡 The Takeaway?

“You don’t need 500 roses to have a glam wedding,” Naledi says. “You need vision, lighting, and a bit of hustle.”

Kuda adds: “People remember how they felt. If your setup is warm, elegant, and has a clear vibe—no one cares if your flower wall is made of silk.”

🎁 Planning Tip:

Want to recreate the Kuda & Naledi vibe? Use our Affordable Glam Checklist and explore our second-hand wedding decor listings on the Plan My Wedding Marketplace.

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