When most people hear minimalist wedding, they picture something sterile—white walls, no flowers, and a vibe that’s more art gallery than celebration. But for Tafadzwa and Nandi, planning their wedding in the heart of Johannesburg was about proving that minimal doesn’t mean cold—and intentional doesn’t mean impersonal.

We sat down with this effortlessly chic couple to talk all things clean lines, warm lighting, and how they pulled off a less-is-more wedding that still felt rich in love, community, and Southern African soul.

💬 Q: What made you choose a minimalist theme for your wedding?

Nandi: We’re both very design-focused. I’m an architect and Tafa’s into photography, so we’ve always been drawn to clean lines, structure, and simplicity. We didn’t want clutter—we wanted every detail to mean something. Minimalism gave us that focus.

Tafadzwa: Also, planning from the UK while still wanting to get married at home in SA meant we had to be intentional. The fewer moving parts, the smoother the day.

💬 Q: How did you make sure it didn’t feel too stark or “cold”?

Nandi: That was super important to us. We added texture and warmth—think natural linens, raw wood, soft draping, and candles everywhere. And our colour palette wasn’t just white—it was ivory, stone, taupe, and touches of matte gold.

Tafadzwa: Plus, we had a live mbira trio during our cocktail hour. That brought in this beautiful warmth and soul. Minimalist doesn’t mean mute—it’s just curated.

💬 Q: Any favourite decor detail?

Nandi: Our floating panel seating chart in black and white was a moment. Everyone was snapping pics of it. And instead of centrepieces, we used oversized ceramic vases with sculptural greenery—eucalyptus, dried grass, and a few anthuriums.

Tafadzwa: The velvet napkin knots and wax-sealed menus were small, but they added a boujee touch we loved. Also, our sweetheart table had a single oversized protea in a matte black vase—editorial realness.

💬 Q: What advice would you give couples planning a modern minimalist wedding?

Nandi: Don’t overthink it. Pick a palette, set some boundaries, and stick to it. Choose quality over quantity—rent those ghost chairs or get a great lighting setup. And lean into local textures and makers. We worked with a Zimbabwean ceramicist for our vases, and it brought such meaning to our setup.

Tafadzwa: Keep your guest list intimate if you can. Minimalism thrives in thoughtful spaces. And if you’re planning from the diaspora like us, this theme is actually a blessing—it’s simpler to coordinate from abroad.

🛠️ Their Minimalist Must-Haves

✅ Black & white stationery
✅ Ghost chairs
✅ Warm lighting (candles + Edison bulbs)
✅ Monofloral arrangements
✅ Matte gold cutlery
✅ A signature scent (yes—they scented the welcome cards!)
✅ Afro-modernist touches: Mbira music, woven textures, local crafts

💡 Final Thought

This wedding proves that warmth isn’t about how much you decorate—it’s about how intentionally you do it. Minimalist weddings can be personal, soulful, and rooted in culture if done right. So if you’re dreaming of a wedding that’s clean, calm, but still full of heart—Tafadzwa and Nandi just gave you the blueprint.

🧩 Planning Your Own Minimalist Wedding?

Let our Plan My Wedding Tools guide you. From vendor selection to layout planning, colour palette help and style quizzes, we’ve got you covered. Whether you're planning in Johannesburg, Harare, or from abroad—less can be luxe.