Getting married has different meanings to different people in South Africa. For some, a traditional wedding might mean a fancy white dress and a long walk down the aisle, while for others, it is more of a colourful celebration of heritage and age-old African customs. But, no matter how we celebrate love and commitment in all its diversity, getting married is always a legal affair. South African laws don’t just recognise and protect civil marriages, but also customary marriages as long as specific requirements are met as set out in what is known as the Customary Marriages Act 120